Still sprinting, Metcalf had accepted her failure a few city blocks ago. She would have to try to retrieve the microchip another day once things cooled down. Infiltration would be more far difficult. Master Fu loved to make her tests very realistic.
Metcalf would worry about getting back into the factory later. Now it was time to rest and catch her breath. She was far enough away to avoid problems. The training-bots would probably have reset to their original positions by now. She stopped running and settled for a good slow walk back to the extraction point.
Somewhere in this part of town, Master Fu waited in their techno-van. Once Metcalf reached the point, Master Fu would probably drill her on focus and concentration techniques, again. The review would continue until Metcalf finally got it right, then she would try to infiltrate the factory again.
The morning sky started to brighten slowly. The Moss Hill business district looked rather nice in the morning hues. In this smaller but well established city, there were fewer attention grabbing neon signs and more brick walls, painted concrete walls, and simple wooden banners. The city looked rather plain on its own. However, the slight reflection of the purple clouds and blue shaded sky had a simple charm as she looked down the street.
But, where was the van?
It had to be around here somewhere. Metcalf had followed the main road the same road she used to get to the factory from the drop off point. She was careful to check down all the streets since she was unfamiliar with this city. As with most cities, the factory district streets were empty this time of day. If there was a van down any of the streets, it was most likely Master Fu.
Finally having enough of searching, Metcalf looked up the van’s location on her handheld. A hologram of the city appeared in the air above the metallic circle in her hand. It was a bit harder to see outside, but she was certain that the van’s location was moving and was currently near the park. Her escape vehicle was at the other side of town!
Pressing a few buttons on her handheld, Metcalf angrily called Master Fu, “Why are you by the park.” Her voice was as calm as she could keep it. However, she struggled to keep from yelling angrily. Not only would that give away her position, it would be an outrageous breach of protocol and rank to speak that way to a Founder.
“Excuse me? You never called for extraction,” was Master Fu’s response, “I’m not psychic.”
“Well I need it,” Metcalf turned her ear towards the factory’s commotion, “As fast as the bird dives.”
“I should get to you in a few minutes.”
She had already sprinted for a few minutes. By now, Metcalf was a good distance away from the factory but could still see it through the buildings around her. In her monocle, she magnified the sight of the factory to gather what had happened there within the last few minutes.
The factory security had become quite active. Training-bots were leaving the warehouse in small attack squads with blasters and various melee weapons. Other training-bots flew around searching the area in air bike patrols. Apparently, they had already searched the factory’s immediate area. They had fanned out and begun sweeping larger areas. Master Fu must have really put a lot of thought into this test.
One of the sky patrols was dangerously close to Metcalf. With a deep sigh she said, “I may not have that long.”