Dukes Dukes, TNR Prime of the Outland District, was an awe-inspiring sight. His dull black uniform strained to contain his massive shoulders and bulging thighs. His wavy blond hair fell at regulation length around his ears. Interns and recruits swooned over his chiseled features and stubbled jawline. His well-worn belt with his stunner-rod, tangle-lines, and crys-com spoke volumes about his experience.
Rite didn’t need a mirror to know his frame (muscled, but thin), his hair (black and fresh-clipped within a joint’s length of his scalp), and his equipment (shiny and fresh from Supply) weren’t the cause of the whispers that swirled behind him. Still, he kept a polite half-smile on his face and walked down the hall behind Prime Dukes.
“Lockers are on the left.” Prime Dukes pointed. “Ready rooms one and two on the right. The big one — room three — is here.” He opened the door at the end of the hall and ducked to enter.
Rite held his head high as he followed.
The ready room rang with chatter interspersed with laughter. Rite’s knees threatened to lock as two dozen heads turned to face him, but his training kicked in and he continued without a stumble. The trickle of cold sweat down his spine wouldn’t be visible beneath his uniform.
Prime Dukes crossed to a minimalist podium and set his crys-com into the interface before gesturing for Rite to stand beside him. As the crys-com synched with the projector and displayed the TNR logo on the screen behind them, the chatter dwindled and died.
“Team.” Prime Dukes nodded and his gaze skimmed the assemblage. “I’d like you to meet our newest tinder, Rite.”
Rite’s smile felt stiff as all eyes fell on him again.
“Tinder, this is second and third shift.” Prime Dukes smirked. “You’re with Smasher’s team.”
At a gesture from Prime Dukes, a tiny slip of woman raised her hand and pointed at an empty chair next to her. Rite hurried over and sat.
“Here are our patrol routes for tonight.” The screen lit up with a map. “We’ve seen heavy activity in Delta parcel the last three nights. Zero, did your team pick up anything today?”
“Nah. Just some empty traps.”
“Right." After a glance at his crys-com, Prime Dukes eyed the teams. "The Leofricks are trying to push a caravan through to the mountains. Watch for them, but they shouldn’t interfere with our patrols.”
