Chapter 24

                                    

                                          
As we walked through the base, I took in the scene in front of me. Tent after tent scattered the grounds, soldiers and scientists walking in and out of them, bustling with purpose. This is familiar, this is home. 
Looking up I could see the rain pelting down against force field dome, created by a more advanced version of the perimeter fence. The storm raging on above us made patterns against the shield, making it look similar to ones seen through a kaleidoscope.
"It's funny how I always feel more at home at the start of an expedition. Everything's so busy and exciting, so new and unknown. It just feels right." As my focus came back to Tanya I realised she was smiling as she looked around at the bustling scientists and their grumpy escorts.
"You ain't wrong sis! I guess it's the side effect of being a planet hopper. We get used to the hustle and bustle, when things start settling down it means our job is nearing its end and our anxiety for the next adventure kicks up again." I offered as an explanation for how we both were feeling.
Before she followed up, we heard our names being called from ahead of us, but when we looked to see who it was, there was no one there.
"You heard that right?" I questioned Tanya as she looked around in confusion.
"Yeah... sounded like..." A deep voice came up behind us scaring the rest of her words away.
"What are you two looking for?" As we let out a screech and jumped back, I recognised the voice as Justin's. The little ghost.
"Jeez... Justin we should put a bell on you!" I practically shouted as I placed a hand on my chest in an attempt to calm my racing heart.
Justin laughed at my dramatics but the agreement from Tanya caused a slight furrowing to his eyebrows indicating we hit a small nerve.
"Well bell or not are you going to answer my question? Why are you two standing in the middle of the assembly area looking like a couple of lost children?" While his question was sarcastic I could hear a slight worry to his tone.
"Cause someone called our names but there is literally no one coming from that direction." I responded just as Colonel Marks popped his head out from his office tent and focused his attention on us.
"Come on girls I'm not getting any younger!" He shouted making it clear he was the one who called us. We rolled our eyes but made a move over to him anyway. 
"Oh hey make sure when you're done with the debrief, you stop by our sparring session. Don't give me that look girls I've been practicing since our last bout, I'm gonna whoop your butts this time." Justin declared with a purpose, we turned to face him and agreed to go but reminded him of Hilary's orders. He gave a mopey face but made another declaration that he'd get us when we've had chance to rest.
He waved us off saying goodbye and that he'd see us soon before turning on his heel and heading in the opposite direction.
"He seems happier, more himself, maybe he's ready to talk about Alan?" Wondered Tanya as we turned back and headed towards Marks's tent.
"We thought that before remember and then he jumped ship from our unit to Mum and Dad's to avoid Alan, maybe we should just give em a couple days, let things calm down." I suggested as we stood just outside the tent.
Tanya agreed and we made our way inside.
"Colonel Marks..." I called drawing his attention away from the display screen, which from a quick glance looked to show a map, with different readings along the sides.
"Oh hello girls, you certainly took your time!" He chastised as he gestured for us to sit down at the table in the centre of the space. We made our way over and took our spots on these most uncomfortable chairs. I wiggled a little and cringed as doing so caused my wound site to ache.