The Achievement Junkie

Chapter 734  Bonus Quest: Infiltration

"Anything unusual?"

"Nah… nothing on this side," a man replied, turning around. Spotting a man in similar gray and black garb, he heaved a sigh of relief. "Time to switch?"

But the newcomer shook his head and adjusted his black coat. "Not yet. I came early to let you in on something. Guess what…"

"Come on, you know I don't like gossip…"

"This isn't gossip. They brought someone in on the north side," admitted the second man. "According to the report, a man was found stark naked and on the brink of passing out from exhaustion."

"What kind of crazy story is that?!"

"It's true! Here's a copy of the report!" laughed the man, retrieving a folder from his storage ring. "It's all there, so see for yourself!"

"Give me that… Seriously?!" The first man joined the second's laughter, flipping through the pages with more and more intrigue. "What kind of lunatic would come to a vacant planet naked? How did they even make the journey?"

"That's why he'll go through questioning," answered the second man. "They've got him hooked up to a drip until he regains consciousness, secured and bound of course. I just saw him myself!"

"Well, I know what I'm doing during my break!" Chuckling, the first man scanned back over the file. "So he's a two-star? Yet he arrived here naked? I get why they're eager to question him."

"What are you two doing?!"

Both men abruptly straightened their backs and turned their attention to the open space in front of them, overlooking the vast, desert landscape from the security of their watchtower.

"I asked, 'What are you two doing?!' Are you going to answer, or should I file for insubordination?"

"We were doing nothing, sir!" the men shouted in unison, not even daring to take their focus off of their outpost.

"Good! Since #1402 showed up early, then #1398 can join the security detail in isolation!" ordered a broad-shouldered man at the bottom of the tower. "Make haste! The prisoner is waking up and you're needed immediately!"

"Sir, yes, sir!" After a nod to his replacement, the first man leaped down from the ten-meter tower and landed on the ground with a light thud. "I'm on my way!"

The man had wanted to visit the new prisoner but not like this. Now, there was no break in sight for the rest of the day. Already, he began to hold a grudge against the naked, anonymous arrival.

Jogging through the open area, the man rushed past the only lake on the small, barren planet, which had been secured long ago. Then, the guard ran past the half dozen outlying buildings to enter the main compound. The man weaved through the hall traffic effortlessly, going through the motions to locate the isolation chambers. Soon, he reached the only active chamber, finding a fellow guard standing outside the door.

"What took you so long, #1398?" asked the female guard, wearing a leaner, more feminine black coat around her gray, form-fitting suit. "Hurry up and catch your breath before the commanding officer shows up."

"Thanks, #1256. I'm glad someone's happy to see me," joked the man, readjusting his coat and making sure his suit was in accordance with protocol.

Seconds later, the main door to the isolation division opened wide. In walked a man with a silver suit and a black coat with gold emblems on the shoulders.

"Master Burja?!" the male guard blurted before immediately bowing with his fellow guard. "I didn't know this matter was of such importance!"

"Either way, it's a good thing you two have arrived on time," replied Burja. "I expect you to be alert and at the ready in case things get hectic. Should it prove necessary, I'll intervene. But otherwise, handle this with extreme care."

"Of course, sir!" both guards shouted with pride.

"Good. Then let's wake up our guest." Burja chuckled, showing his sly grin.

Burja wasn't the strongest-looking man. He was of average height at best and his muscles couldn't be described as defined. However, the energy and vitality behind the man's eyes said more than enough to put him above the two-star guards. Despite his lack of hair, Burja's confidence wasn't lacking at all as he took out the isolation chamber's key.

After unlocking the isolation chamber, both guards filed in with Burja entering last. Burja then shut and locked the door behind him. Finally, he turned his full attention to the shabby cot in the corner, where a snoring man laid, restrained in his birthday suit.

Without warning, Burja covered his palm in cosmic energy and slapped the slumbering man across the face. When that did nothing, Burja proceeded to backhand the man. "Wakey, wakey… We've been great caretakers thus far, so why not take a moment to thank us?"

"Uhhh… But I didn't order a wake-up call…" groaned the man, shaking his jaw and neck. He blinked, adjusting his eyes to the new setting and lighting. Taking a moment the man noticed the metal clamps around his wrists, ankles, knees, elbows, waist, and torso. "And I'm naked… Sorry, but I don't swing that way."

SLAP!

"I see, a wise guy?" Burja chuckled.

"Sorry, but I'm not a masochist either," the fully-revealed man laughed in retort.

"Then tell me, what are you?"

"Me? I'm a human male that would prefer that you don't perv on me while I'm restrained. Everyone's got their thing but I believe in consent."

SLAP!

"I already told you, I'm not into that. If you're trying to be welcoming, maybe some clothes would be useful," remarked the man.

"Hmmm… Does that not hurt? Am I supposed to hit harder?" Burja joked, adding static electricity to his open hand. SLAP! "Is that better? Perhaps you'll be more cooperative now?"

"How am I uncooperative? You've asked me one question and I've answered it!" shouted the man, glancing at the two guards on either side of him. "Really? Were the restraints not enough? A guy crash lands on a barren planet only to be rescued by a bald, pompous sadist who can afford bodyguards?"

SLAP, SLAP!

"Again with the slapping…" sighed the man, moving his jaw as if he had an itch. "At least introduce yourself before asking me the same? Isn't that common courtesy?"