"You look a bit better, sleepy head." Leanna said as she walked behind Ursun. She saw that Prism was confused and concerned as he began to prop himself up by placing his elbows on Ursun's wide back while the man carried him. "Everything's okay. We hid the super-truck in a clearing a few kilometers away. We're only a few kilometers from Toto now," she shared with him over their telepathic link.

  "You're all in your disguises." Prism shared back. He could hear the sound of flowing water in the distance as he felt a balmy breeze flow through the conifer trees and across his face. The scent was both sweet and spicy, helping his senses to sharpen after the dulling that sleep brought.

  He saw that Leanna, Lorias, and Srell each wore the dark-green combat armor of the Sguvan military, as did the man carrying him. Prism ordinarily cast simple cleaning spells during the day to keep everyone hygienic. At this moment he figured it was best if all of them kept the dirt and sweat they'd accumulated from their hike through the woods. It would be suspicious if they were too clean.

  Leanna's face now had a darker tint and rounder shape, though it was no less beautiful. Her hair was hidden by the round helmet she wore that was a lot bulkier than their normal headgear. Lorias had the most marked difference in appearance despite carrying himself with the same cool confidence. His pale skin and light blond hair was replaced with a brown complexion and black hair that was thicker and oilier than his own. Srell didn't look all that different save for his eyes, which were no longer monolidded.

  "I pulled out an identity I haven't had the pleasure of using for quite some time." Wadaw shared as he began walking like a peacock on a fashion runway. Prism saw that Wadaw too wore a cloth Sguvan military uniform that he'd found within the truck without the combat armor. His hair was light brown and he had a larger nose and even larger lips. His new features looked odd on his slender frame. "First Lieutenant of the Second Royalist Regiment, at your service. You all may simply call me Lieutenant Eppo," he shared with a quick, walking bow.

  "He's the highest ranking officer of our group, for your information." Ursun shared. Prism could sense the commander's chagrin.

  "I would've made you a royalist officer, sir, but the only other person in that young officer's memories who was close to your height was a logistics soldier." Prism shared with a very light pat on Ursun's disguised back.

  "I think it's quite fitting. He's usually the one in the driver's seat." Lorias shared.

  "Let's just say that I'm going to enjoy putting a bag over your head once we're closer to town." Ursun shared. He gave Prism's narrow waist a good squeeze between the armor of his forearm and his bicep. Prism let out a fake yelp to appease Ursun's sadistic impluse.

  “I could just disguise myself as a soldier, too…” Prism shared meekly.

  “When we get into town, the people there will guess that our mysterious prisoner is none-other-than Prism, and that’s fine. It’ll help explain why a bunch of random soldiers are under the command of such a high-ranking Royalist. That’s all according to Wadaw, by the way.” Leanna explained to Prism.

  “There’s a pretty prominent military base not far from Toto. Many soldiers’ families live in the town because of that base. Word will get back to the base fast that we’re in town with Prism as our prisoner." Wadaw went onto explain.

  "Won't they swarm the place tonight once the rumors start spreading? The soldiers there and their families have gotta have direct lines of communication back to the base. They'll rat us out immediately." Srell shared while he threw his hands up and shook his head. His PAW, which was disguised as a standard-issue Sguvan military rifle, rested on a chest sling that each of their Sguvan combat armor featured.

  "The base will send an entire squadron to secure Toto in the morning but only once they get in contact with me first. That's a combination of over 200 fighting units that includes soldiers, battle-mechs, and even androids. They'll assume that Prism will have little chance of escaping across the river, as they'll have units on the other side of it, too. No need to worry though, my dear. We'll be down the river before they even set the stage." shared Wadaw with a wag of his finger at Srell. "A Royalist officer of my rank would warrant caution on their end. It would be disrespectful for a bunch of mere soldiers to charge in on a "secret" Royalist mission that they know nothing about.” Wadaw further explained.

  “How the hell do you have the identity of an actual Royalist lieutenant, anyway?” Srell asked as they walked through the tall wood. The trees were becoming taller and taller as they went deeper within the temperate forest.

  “Through a mix of tampering with records and living as the fabricated man for a year or two. It was just long enough to create a reputation as a loyal Royalist who’s especially good at spying on the True Twins.” Wadaw shared with a laugh.

  “A spy disguised as a fake double agent…I’ve seen it all now.” Lorias shared with a raised eyebrow that reminded Prism how little the disguises actually hid the mercenaries’ personalities.

  "Our plans have a habit of going sideways. I think we should prepare for a quick exit in case we're not able to catch that boat." Prism shared. He relaxed against Ursun's back, letting his arms dangle below his head like he was still unconscious.

  "It's been seen too. My friends in town have access to an underground passage that leads half the way to Zazi. We'll only use it as a last resort, however. It's been invaluable in getting our people and supplies in and out of the city. It would be discovered by the Sguvan military once they start ransacking the town to look for us." Wadaw shared with a serious expression.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The sun hung low in the sky by the time their group made it to the riverside town of Toto. The town was far less developed than any member of RED-1 expected, with its simple wooden cabins that were nestled between trees that grew more densely than the areas they'd walked through hours earlier. The major river that flowed north of the town, called the Vines for the way it weaved and split through the Viga, wasn't even visible through the tall, thin trees that crowded together even along the coast.

  Prism saw only through the eyes of his teammates as his entire head was being covered by a black textile bag.

  "You people really do live within nature. Right dab in the middle of it..." Srell shared with a snarl as he followed Ursun down the narrow dirt road leading into the town's obscured interior. There was a long wooden building not far from them that they assumed was an inn of some kind. It too was flanked on all sides by trees.

  "Gusa's machinations just haven't reached here yet. If they had, then there'd be a clear view for miles with as few trees as possible. You know, for "security" reasons." Wadaw shared cynically while he led the group towards two plainly-dressed elderly townspeople standing near the road. "Greetings, fellow faithful," he then said to the man and the woman.

  The two people clasped their hands together when Wadaw walked up to them. He revealed a golden glowing line that ran down his right cheek that allowed the couple to immediately recognize him as a Royalist leader. It was a special brand that was not easily given, but which Wadaw's nanites mimicked it perfectly. Though the two townspeople were older, they each gave him a low bow in silent deference.

  "Most Faithful! Most Loyal! What an honor it is for my wife and I to happen upon you," the older man said. The wrinkles on his brown face were deep-set and his gray hair was cut short in the style of Sguvi's more urban populace. The woman beside him, who looked just as elderly, had her long graying hair tied in a conservative bun atop her small head. Wadaw beckoned the man and woman to raise their heads.

  "I am First Lieutenant Eppo of the Second Royalist Regiment. Please pardon my filthiness as well as my lack of a uniform more fitting of my rank. My soldiers are weary from a long day's walk through the woods. I'm looking for a place near the river to stay the night. I heard that there was a woman by the name of Mela who might offer such accommodations," Wadaw explained.

  The husband looked at his wife beside him with wide, curious eyes and then glanced up at the disguised Ursun. Prism, whose hands and legs were bound as he rested over Ursun's shoulder, only wore a pair of distressed, dark green cargo pants. The old man's eyes seemed to commit the details of the body that Ursun held to memory before returning his gaze to the disguised Wadaw. "Of course, of course, sir. We can take you to her inn. It would be an absolute pleasure."

  "Prism, it would be pertinent for you to abandon your aversion to secretly reading minds and tell us if these people can be trusted or not." Ursun shared with Prism.

  "The only thing on the man's mind is pleasing Wadaw in whatever way he can. The woman is weary of us and is afraid that we're bringing major trouble into town. She's too meek to tell her husband that until we leave the two of them alone." Prism shared without any further convincing.

  "That was easy." Lorias shared with a tinge of surprise.

  "Yeah, I decided to do surface mindreads of everyone we come across since the mountain base. This mission is too dangerous not to." Prism shared, not ashamed of his perceived moral flexibility. He knew that he'd already crossed that line when he'd sucked the memories right out of the young Royalist officer.

  "Thank the Queen! I was hoping we'd find someone with a vehicle. Our feet are absolutely aching after such a long trip," said Wadaw to the couple. Their forced smiles deepened upon their old faces as they fought the urge to hide any critical thoughts of his exaggerated mannerisms. "What are your given names, fellow faithful?"

  "I am Biti. My wife is Leda," replied the elderly man. His wife simply bowed politely while remaining silent.

  Wadaw and RED-1 followed the couple to a spacious garage on the side of the building that Biti and Leda called home. There they found a work truck that was used to deliver furniture that the man made. The vehicle looked large, sturdy, and reliable. It had an amateur green paint job that had started to fade and chip many years ago.

  "My son used to work with me, but he's in the military now. I do the best I can but it's getting harder to do the work myself each year," Biti said softly when Wadaw asked about the unfinished furniture in the garage around the truck. When the man saw his wife's face twist into a nasty scowl, he looked back over at Wadaw from around the truck and bowed. "We are so very proud of him! His time is well spent serving the Singular in his goal to secure our worldfrom the Queen's enemies," he said with a sudden artificial excitement.

  "The Queen asks much of us all." Wadaw nodded to the man in a solemn manner that put Biti and his wife Leda at ease.

  "We're sorry that this is all we can offer you and your soldiers. It won't be the most comfortable ride, but it'll get you all to the river. I've brought furniture to the inn plenty of times. In fact, they're my most frequent customer," said Biti in his energetic voice that sounded younger than the man it came from. "Leda will need to stay here so that you all can fit, especially with your big, mighty soldier, here," Biti pointed at Ursun and chuckled.

  "We are grateful. Truly." Wadaw glanced at the disguised Ursun's tan, stoic face before nodding politely to Biti.

  "You can ride up front with me, sir. The rest of you will be able to fit in the bed. I apologize in advance for the rough ride. My son will be buying me a better truck soon enough," Biti said with a smile that highlighted all the wrinkles on his face.

  While Ursun and the rest of his team began to climb up into the wide, lengthy truck bed, they noticed Leda staring at each of them intently. The old woman had her slender arms wrapped around her bosom, holding herself as her anxiety nearly overwhelmed her. Once all the mercs disguised as soldiers were seated, Leda walked up to the side of the truck and tilted her head slightly. She stared at Ursun, then at the brown body he still had slung over his shoulder.

  "Does that man need any help? I'm a trained nurse." Leda asked in a sweet voice that bordered on accusatory.

  "No."

  Ursun's low, plain voice was enough to make the woman step back and hurry to her husband's side. Her husband looked at her sternly and flicked his hand towards the door leading into the house. She disappeared inside with the speed of a much younger woman. Ursun laid Prism onto the floor of the truck bed while the rest of RED-1 sat on the bed's walls, hiding the alien from sight.

  "Forgive my little rabbit; she's the nervous type." Biti said with an affectionate shake of his head.

  "Not a problem." Wadaw smiled and waved off the incident. "Now, if you wouldn't mind," the fake lieutenant then pointed his hand at the driver's side door of the faded, green delivery truck.

  "Sure thing." Biti gave a quick nod to Wadaw before hopping into the truck's cabin as Wadaw did the same.