Chapter 2: The Brotherhood
Enclave Recon Corps - Base
It had been a couple of weeks since Blue first arrived at the base. Since then he had developed somewhat of a schedule for himself, one that he had been keeping for most of the time he was here. First he would wake up and eat breakfast, then he would train. Next he would eat lunch and after that he would train. Finally he would eat dinner, train, then take a shower after training and head straight to bed to repeat the process the next day. Some ponies might think this schedule is tiring and repetitive however for Blue, it was the only thing that kept him busy. General Misty had made it clear to the recruits that due to recent events, patrols and missions would be on hold for a bit. However when asked what those recent events were she only said that "It's confidential" so not many ponies were asking about it. For Blue however, he could honestly care less as long as it did not affect him. Today however would become something different entirely. It had been about 5 hours since Blue woke up, since then he had been doing nothing but training, so due to this he was coming in for lunch. Normally Blue would eat in his bunk to avoid the other cadets, however today he had decided to sit in the main room. Not many people were in the base today, so he mostly had it to himself.
"Here I thought working for the Enclave would be more existing...guess I was mistaken" Blue said to himself, as he began to put his plate of food on the table in front of him. However as he was about to eat he heard the sound of footsteps behind him. Normally he would pass this by as a random Enclave person walking along the base however, these hoofsteps by the sound of them, heading directly to him.
"Excuse me?" A voice said. The voice was definitely that of a mare, she sounded tough yet sweat. Her voice was also a lot older as well. Blue turned around to see where it came from and was met by a mare. She had a brown curly mane with grey eyes, she also had a similar fur color like that Gem pony he met earlier "Are you Blue Crest?"
"Uh...yea that's me" Blue said, making sure to keep eye contact with the mare "Can I help you with something?"
The mare took a seat next to Blue. She looked friendly enough, and it was clear she had something on her mind. "My name is Topaz Myst, I'm a Sergeant in the ERC" she said, she was in an official uniform so her story does check out. However Blue was still unclear on what exactly a Sargent wanted with him.
"Oh I see, is there something wrong ma'am?" Blue asked "Do you need me for a patrol or something?"
"No no, it's none of that" Topaz said "I wanted to ask how you have been doing so far? joining up with us for the first time is rather stressful, and I wanted to go around and check in with all the new recruits" Topaz said, she sounded sincere in her statement, though Blue had this odd feeling there was more. However he had to push those feelings aside for the moment so he could focus on what his commanding superior wanted.
"Oh I see" Blue said, he put his food down and turned to face Topaz "Well, I'd say things are going rather well. I will admit it's not as exciting as I originally thought it would be, however I can understand why it might be slow" Blue said "I do have questions however about this Brotherhood group I'm hearing about from the other soldiers." Blue asked, with genuine curiosity. He has heard a bit of them here and there but he did not truly know who they were or even why they are such a big deal.
"Let's just say the Brotherhood is a faction that has it out for us" Topaz said, she looked like she was hiding some more info,. However Blue did not want to pry out any kind of information that was not needed. She was his superior after all, and he did not want to get on her bad side.
"If you say so ma'am" Blue said "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Actually, there is one thing" Topaz said "However it's got nothing to do with the Enclave."
Upon hearing this Blue was caught off guard. No one really ever paid attention to him when they did not need to. So it was rather strange that this mare was going out of her way to talk to him "Right...uh...what exactly is it that you need from me?"
"A couple days ago, you ran into a stallion by the name of Gem correct?" Topaz asked.
"Uh yes, I do recall the stallion by that name" Blue said "Why? did he ask for me?"
"Well, I can't help but notice you're wearing his sweater" Topaz said chuckling.
"I mean....he gave it to me as a gift. Also uh...I still don't have any extra clothes, I'm still waiting for my things to be delivered to me" Blue said, he had never really gotten a chance to thank Gem for that act of kindness. He had actually been avoiding the topic altogether, as he had no idea what he could even do.
"Well, you see I just happen to be Gem's younger sister" Topaz said, smirking a bit. She found this situation humorous, and it seemed like she had a plan "I just wanted to meet the pony who has seemed to catch my brother's eyes."
"I-..had no idea you were his-" He stopped talking upon hearing that second part "I caught his eyes? what do you mean by that?" He asked, his attention immediately taken by the statement.
"Well he won't stop talking about you, that's what I mean" Topaz said "Every time I'm around him he goes on and on about how your always training and how dedicated you seem to be to them. It's obvious he respects you for that."
"I...had no idea he thought that" Blue said, he was completely taken with surprise. Not in his own entire life had somepony taken a liking to what he did, and there was a stallion he did not even know talking about him. If anything it made Blue feel a bit embarrassed about the entire situation "But uh...ma'am if I can ask why are you telling me all this?"
"Well, as his sister it's my job to look out for Gem, and the way I see it. I think you are in need of paying back that act of kindness Gem did for you by giving his sweater to you" Topaz said.
"How did you-" Blue asked.
"Let's just say I have a keen sense of things like this" Topaz said "Look I will just get straight to the point, If you wanna pay him back then I know how. Take him out on a date to the local bar."
"You want me to take him out....on a date...." Blue said bluntly. If he was being frank it was the weirdest request somepony had ever asked him, not to mention the fact he was basically going out with a pony he had little to no knowledge about. How would he go about talking to him? "I...don't understand exactly how taking him out will help me pay him back. I don't know anything about your brother, won't it be a bit....awkward?"
"It's only awkward if you make it awkward right?" Topaz said "Besides, this is not just for you. My brother has a habit of falling for almost every single new stallion that walks in the door. After you go on one date with him, his crush on you will go away."
Topaz did make a solid case. While Blue did feel flattered somepony liked him, he knew that it would only lead to bad things if it continued, and what she was saying was basically the answer to his situation "Alright, I can see the logic in your idea. I will go on a date with your brother" Blue said.
"Alright then the date is tomorrow at the Clipped Hoof, around 8:00pm" Topaz said.
"Uh...where is the Clipped Hoof exactly?" Blue asked. He had never been outside the base and in the proper wasteland yet himself. While it was true soldiers could leave to go places while off duty, he has had yet to explore the unfamiliar land.
"Oh that's no problem at all" Topaz said "It's right near the docs, as soon as you get off the boat to the mainland turn right and you should see a big building made of old wood that's it."
"Alright got it" Blue said nodding, if he was gonna pull this off then he at least had to act professionally. Even tho it was a one-time thing Blue knew that he needed to make sure this was as real as he could make it, meaning he needed to just act himself.
"See you around Blueberry" Topaz chuckled at the nickname, as she walked away into The Generals office. She was most likely talking to Misty about some important work.
Blue thought to himself about what just happened. It was quite unique to say the least. He met one of his superiors as well as planned to date a stallion he only just met. Blue was definitely not prepared at all for this new life he was now stuck in.
Enclave Recon Corps - Training Area
It had been a couple hours since Blue had that talk with Topaz, the conversation still sticking to his mind. It was odd how some things always came back to Blue to nip him in the flank. He had made a promise to himself almost three years ago to never date or fall for someone, yet here he was about to go on a date with a stallion. However he had other things on his mind. Blue was currently occupied with his training, after the conversation and a quick lunch he figured that if he were to get back on schedule he could do at least a mile long run. So he was currently in the middle of that, however off to the corner of his eye he noticed a pony. If his memory served correctly his name was Silver Wing. He was one of the two ponies who was talking about the Brotherhood, before Major Onyx put a stop to their conversation.
"Um...excuse me? your Warrant Officer 2nd Class Silver Wing right?" Blue asked as he stopped his running to go and talk to the pony.
"Yup that's me, how can I help you Privet?" Silver Wing asked. Silver was not much of an out of the ordinary-looking pony. He had a very light cyan fur coat and stood at about 5'8, His mane and tail were made up of a dark blue and white pattern, with his mane all spiky, and his tail quite small, probably to make flying easier on him.
"Well, a couple of days ago you and your other friend Staff Sargent Shifting Trails were talking about the group known as The Brotherhood? I wanted to know if you could tell me a bit more about them."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, it goes against regulation for me to tell you about that stuff while on duty" Silver said, however then he smiled a bit at the pegasus "However seeing as I'm off duty now that means we can say what we want to right?"
"I would suppose your assessment is correct" Blue said.
"Follow me, it's better if we had this conversation where people can't hear us" Silver said, he then began to lead Blue to one of the smaller islands located near the base, it was still close enough where it was not forbidden to go, however it was a place Blue knew about himself. He had seen quite a few ponies go to this area for a long period of time and come back.
"So...who exactly are the Brotherhood?" Blue asked.
"Well first off, tell me something Blue. What do you know about The Wasteland?" Silver asked.
"Not much if I'm being honest. The Academy never really told us anything, they only said it was once where all ponies lived before the great war."
"Your correct on that assessment. The Wasteland was once our home, however now its a cesspool of wasties and slavers who use it to their own advantage" Silver said.
"So, then why exactly are we here? why not just leave the wasteland alone?" Blue said.
"According to Operation Cauterize, we are here in the wasteland to terminate marked targets: Such as Dashites, Raiders, the Slavers, and Factions that were created to rule the wasteland" Silver said "The Brotherhood is a Raider Faction that was created about four years ago."
"I see....and these Raiders pose a threat? How tho? it was from my understanding the Wasteland has no access to technology, and the little they do have can barely even power a building" Blue said.
"That should be the case yes, however if it were like that then we would not be here right now" Silver explained "The academy and the enclave council failed to tell us that the other factions in the wasteland have access to Power armor and technology that can withstand our own tech."
"So...that’s why The Brotherhood is such a threat?" Blue asked.
"Well that, and the fact they have access to our tech" Silver said "About a year ago an enclave supply vertibuck was shot down, and The Brotherhood looted it. The vertibuck had not only high-class weapons but also power armor."
"That...is indeed a troubling situation" Blue said "But, why does the ERC only have to deal with them? what about the EAC and the EDF?"
"After the vertibuck was shot down, General Misty Dawn went to the leaders of the EAC and EDF and asked them for help. However, the other factions don't necessarily like us" Silver said "They think we are weak and can barely stand our ground."
"But...we are all Enclave aren't we? why would they not like their own brothers and sisters in arms?" Blue asked.
"Well, the EAC is the most well-liked faction out of the three of us, and the EDF is basically the lapdog of the EAC, and will back them up with any claims they have" Silver said "They don't see The Brotherhood as a threat so they refused to help."
"So...we are basically on our own?" Blue asked.
"Seems like it at the moment" Silver said "Both Onyx and Misty believe that when fighting breaks out between us and The Brotherhood the factions will realize how wrong they where. However a lot of us don't have that same hope."
"That's why there are so many Dashites?" Blue asked.
Silver sighed and looked up into the sky "Somewhat yes, the ponies who go Dashite firmly believe The Enclave is a lost cause, and that we are the oppressors not the saviors as The Enclave said we are."
"So...what can we do then?" Blue asked.
"I honestly have no idea" Silver said "If war breaks out, I highly doubt the ERC will survive. We lack the necessary weapons and resources in order to win. According to Onyx, The Brotherhood is a faction of one hundred ponies, and the ERC only have about Sixty."
"I had no idea that we were this underprepared for War, the Academy never said this" Blue said.
"That's just the sad truth of it Blue, they don't care whether we live or die. They only care about the mission being completed, even if it means our own lives ending" Silver said, he then began to walk back to the base "I have some paperwork to do, you can feel free to do whatever you need to do. But be back before role call" Silver said.
Blue watched Silver go back. He processed everything he learned here, everything he was taught, everything he knew about The Enclave, was it even true? "No it had to be true. The Enclave would never lie about their intentions" Blue thaught, they were the heroes, The Enclave is here to save the wasteland. To protect it from those who want to rule it with an iron fist. Blue was here to save people and he would do that, no matter the cause. The Brotherhood might be a threat, but Blue knew in his heart. He needed to stand strong and show not only them, but the Enclave that he had what it took. He was going to be an Enclave Officer, Blue would be what he could never be. Blue was never going to be that pony, he refused to be. He just had to keep moving forward.
Enclave Recon Corps - Base
Blue waited near the entrance to the barracks, he had been there for a good 5 minutes now. Ever since his talk with Topaz, he had been a bit nervous. He had not asked anyone to go out with him in over three years, and now he was about to ask a pony out who not only had a crush on him, but also knew little to nothing about him. But then he remembered what Topaz said, how after he would go on one date with him, his crush on him will go away. Blue needed to be at his game, and worrying about romance and feelings don't have a place in that game. Then Blue saw Gem he was, walking to the entrance where he was standing. So it was time to make his move.
"Uh...Hay Gem. Could uh...we talk for a moment?" Blue asked, He rubbed the back of his head nervously. It had been a while since he had done this, so he was more than just a bit rusty.
"Yah sure, what's up?" Gem asked, he looked at Blue with curiosity, a soft smile on his face.
"Well uh...I wanted to know if you were free by any chance?" Blue asked.
"O-oh...uh...yah I'm free. Why? is there something you need me for?" Gem asked, somewhat surprised by Blue's question.
"Well uh...I was going to hit the bar near the docs, I have never been and I wanted to check it out. I thought...Mabey we could go together" Blue asked, his cheeks ever so slightly flushing red upon asking the question.
"I--uh..." Gem was completely speechless, he had no idea what to think about this. His words were caught in his thought and he was panicked, not knowing what to say he just nodded to let Blue know he said yes.
"Alright! um...ok I will...meet you outside by the docks at 0:1700" Blue said smiling as he backed up. However he was not looking where he was going, and he ended up walking into the wall. Hitting the back of his head as he rubbed it. Turning around and walking out the door. Gem could only chuckle as Blue walked out the door, then he walked over to his locker to see what kind of clothing he had available.
Enclave Recon Corps Base - Meating Room
The Meeting room of the Enclave. Every base location has one, always used for important meetings such as tactical talk, mission briefing, as well as casual talk when it's not occupied. However today it was being used for something much more important. Three ponies stood at the large table, one was General Misty Dawn of the ERC, she was in her power armor still and looked quite less than happy, while two other ponies deliberated amongst themselves.
"General Misty. Do you honestly think that my branch gives a flying fuck about this "Brotherhood" group? In all honesty this just sounds like a pitiful cry for help" One of the ponies said, he was a rather small-looking pony. He had a dark shade of green for a coat, and a lighter shade of green for his mane, with individual red, white, and blue stripes on his mane and tail. His eyes were yellow and soulless, like somepony who has seen war, and its consequences "Time and time again your department has asked for not only my branch's assistance but also General Solar's branch as well. Each time we come to these damn meetings it's the same damn thing, you need supplies and men."
"Windbreak you know damn well that if the Brotherhood keeps pushing us every time we go to the mainland, we will have a war!" Misty shouted, now looking properly pissed "All I am asking for is assistance from our fellow branches!"
"I hate to agree with Wind here...but he has a point Misty" The other pony spoke, General Solar of the EDF. She was a rather tall pegasus with a purple coat with a light orange and light purple mane, her eyes also pure yellow like Windbreak. She too looked like somepony who had seen war "You tell us every time we have these meetings that the ERC is on the verge of war, first it was the Desert Rangers, then it was the Steel Rangers, and now its the Brotherhood, this is just the Colt who cried Timberwolf at this point."
"Look I realize those last few times may have been... overdramatized. But I'm telling you that this time it's serious. I am running out of supplies and men, while you two are getting all of the necessary stuff for your department!" Misty said angrily.
Windbreak slammed his hoof on the table, his eyes full of rage and fire "Mabey that's because our departments actually do fucking something!" He shouted "Your the bloody fucking Recon Corps. Your main department is in charge of one damn thing. Recon in the Wasteland! Meanwhile our departments actually fucking do something!" He put his hoof back off the table and sighed, rubbing his head "Solar just....fucking tell her what we decided on."
Misty looked confused as she turned to Solar "What is he talking about?"
"Misty, myself and Windbreak have decided that from now on, your department is going to be getting its resources from other parts of the Enclave Territories" Solar said.
"What?! you can't do that!" Misty shouted "Thunderhead is where all of our departments get our supplies!"
"We are aware...but you have wasted your resources on useless endeavors, the Government is tired of reporting the ERC are broke and in need of loans from the banks, it makes us look bad" Solar said, sliding over a piece of paper "Your last official shipment of recruits and supplies will arrive in the following month. After that you are to report to The Enclave Capital in Thunderhead so you can work on a new place to get men and supplies."
"And what happens if I refuse to go or sign?" Misty asked.
"Then you will end up like the EID" Windbreak said with a shit-eating grin "The Enclave will consider you as a rouge Enclave Group and will no longer recognize you as a branch. All of your men will be recognized as traitors, and you will be considered an enemy of the Enclave."
Misty took in those words, she slowly sat down in her seat and thought for a moment. She then reluctantly grabbed a pen and signed her name on the Endorsement Paper "I'm doing this because I have no choice. Not because I agree with it.." She said.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night" Wind said, as he stood up with Solar "Now then, I hope that you have this whole Brotherhood issue solved, because if you don't then you going to need a lot more than just another location to supply yourself with."
"Misty, we will contact you if there's anything else we need to discuss. Otherwise, we will talk at the next summit meet" Solar said, as she walked out the door, closing it behind her. Misty could only just stare to the piece of paper, the thing she used to sign her rights away sitting next to it. She could only feel one thing. Hatred.
Mainland - Docs
The Wasteland. Something Blue would have never imagined being in, nor what it would be like in person. However, the thing most surprising about the wasteland, was there were actually ponies here. A lot of them too, all of them of all different kinds, Unicorns, Earth Ponies and even Ground Pegasi all living together without a care in the world.
"I know, it's a lot to take in" Gem spoke up, from next to Blue. Both of the ponies had decided to go rather casual. Blue wearing Gem's hoodie while Gem wore a spare grey one he had laying around. "I was surprised as well....the academy never really does prepare you for what it's really like down here."
"It's just...they are all walking around like it's normal...even the Mud Ponies and Horn Heads...they just...leave each other alone.."
"Well...to them it's normal for different kinds of creatures to co-exist with each other. Might even see a few Alicorns here too" Gem said as he began to walk forward to the bar, Blue noticing and following him.
They came across the docs and continued on for a bit of time, passing a lot of different groups of ponies and creatures alike from Griffons, to Kirin, to even Bat-Ponies. It was like nothing he had ever experienced in his life. As they continued walking, Blue could make out the shape of a rather large building. It was made of what looked like old Spruce Wood, the windows a dark shade of yellow, suggesting the building was quite old. There were cracks and dents in the wood as well, including a large sign on top of it, covered in what looked like old Harthswarming Lights, the words read out "The Chipped Hoof" in big black letters, looking to be written by hoof as well, given the letters were sloppy and not as big and bold as the most businesses would be.
"Well this is the place."
"Uh...wow...I have to say I did not expect it to look like this.." Blue said just looking at the building. It smelled like piss and vomit, as well as beer. So it was definitely a bar.
"Yeah, it may not look like much but it does what it was built to do" Gem said walking closer to the building "You coming?" He asked.
"Oh uh..yah sorry" Blue said as he rushed to Gem's side, pushing open the doors to the bar.
Mainland - The Chipped Hoof
Going inside the building, Blue would see that it was quite larger than it was on the outside. The bar was the same as the outside, an old spruce color. However it was much cleaner inside than out. With two giant pool tables in the entrance, with a piano close by, playing some casual bar music. The bar also had huge red booths with dark tables covered head to toe with beer. As the two ponies walked further into the bar they saw the huge countertop, with tons of wasted ponies sitting on the stools, shelves were behind the counter, as well as a huge glass cabinet full of drinks of every kind. With a scruffy yet friendly-looking bartender across the way, a huge Wanted Poster was hanging on the wall next to the jukebox, The bold words "WANTED" underneath the poster. It looked to be a large stallion with power armor on him. He looked like he had a horn, with some mechanical wings attached to them, above the picture was the bounty of $1,000 Caps. Whomever the stallion was must be important.
"Hay Blue, I found an empty booth come on" Gem said tapping, on Blue's shoulder. He looked away from the poster to see where Gem was leading them. A good-looking booth in the corner of the bar, between that booth and another was another jukebox and a dartboard. Above their booth were what looked like giant horns probably belonging to a creature of some sort. Blue took his seat on the booth part facing away from the wall. So he could see who was coming and who was leaving, while Gem took his seat on the booth part facing to the wall, and more importantly Blue.
"So uh...why did you choose to come here out of all places?" Gem asked "Not uh...not that I don't mind, I was just curious."
"Oh...well um...I heard from the other soldiers that this place is popular for hangouts so uh...I thought coming here would be a good idea?" Blue said, nervously chuckling.
"Ah" Gem simply said looking around. The waiter eventually came and Blue and Gem both ordered their drinks, as the waiter walked away Blue kinda looked at them oddly "Something wrong?"
"I'm just...a bit surprised to see a Unicorn doing a job like this..." Blue said "I heard from the academy that Unicorns are only used for labor and stuff."
"Oh...well around the wasteland, they usually do whatever they want. Some of them are waiters, others are hunters, you name it" Gem said "So uh..what academy did you go to?"
"Thunderhead....uh...I graduated a couple of months ago" Blue said.
"Oh cool, I went there too” Gem said "Didn't it make the news a couple of years ago? I remember hearing about it"
"Uh...yah...I remember that..." Blue said, slightly looking down at the floor, then quickly looking back up as he noticed the waiter returning with their drinks. Blue quickly took his drink and had a couple of sips from it.
“Seems like only a few years ago I chose to be in the ERC after graduation” Gem said
"Why did you choose to join the ERC by the way?" Blue asked “Most people go for the EAC”
"I had family in the ERC. So I made a special request" Gem said "I don't like to be separated from my family."
"I....get that.." Blue said "I have family in the EAC, so I can understand why you would want to stay with them."
"Why did you not just...join the EAC then?" Gem asked.
"Let’s just say I thought it was in my best judgment to stay away from the other students who I graduated with..”
"Are you close with your family in the EAC?" Gem asked, taking another sip from his drink, seemingly more or less toying around with it then actually drinking it.
"I guess? I...have a Brother and Sister, both are older than me. But...things have been a bit iffy between us, its always been like that since our parents passed away" Blue said.
"Oh..I'm sorry to hear...what happened to them?" Gem asked, eyes focused on Blue now more than ever.
"My mother was killed by a burglar who tried to break into the house. My dad too..." Blue said, looking quite saddened from telling the story "I was only five years old when it happened, so my older brother raised both myself and my sister."
"I...know what it's like to lose parents. I lost mine too" Gem said "They were killed in a house fire."
"My condolences" Blue said, not really knowing what to say he took another sip of his drink. Finishing off half of it, getting slightly buzzed.
"Hay so uh...I know you probably get this a lot but" Gem asked, kinda twiddling his hoofs "What...happened in the Thunderhead Academy" Gem asked, looking at Blue curiously "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, seeing as you were there when it happened, I thought it was worth asking."
"No no... it's..it's fine" Blue said, as he took a large drink from his glass "There was a student there who had Dashites for parents, and she thought that she could go Dashite too, but she planned on taking a handful of the most popular and well-trained students with her" Blue said "Her boyfriend found out and reported her, so she and a handful of the students she convinced to join her where arrested and branded."
"Really? that boyfriend of her's must have been really popular after that."
"Well..not exactly no...before she was arrested she found out he reported him. The student got a personal punishment by the Dashite Traitor. After that he fell off the rails" Blue said.
"What happened to him?"
"He graduated, though most students think he transferred to Manehatten. Sence going there is basically signing a death warrant" Blue said.
"That's a shame...I feel bad for him" Gem said "It must have been difficult for him after that happened. No one trusting you or even thinking your worthy of being in the clouds."
"Yup...one could imagine" Blue said, he looked at Gem to say something but...he stopped. Something about this all, it felt...right in a way. Gem was here, listening to him talk. No one had ever treated him like this in a long time. Not since his younger days in the academy. Yet this stallion somepony he had only just met. Was indulging him in not only his own time, but also Gem's as well. He took the time out of his day to be with Blue. It was...almost like he truly did feel sympathy for Blue. The way he listened to him about his parents, and his struggles at the academy. No pony would have done that unless they really meant it.
"Did you by any chance hear about the new briefing tomorrow? apparently the new recruits are going on their first recon mission" Gem said.
"Wait really?" Blue said "So...we will be doing our first mission then?"
"Mhm! although the general is not telling us what we will be doing. She said it's top-secret" Gem said.
"I don't care what it is, as long as I get to do something" Blue said smiling.
Gem then raised his glass and held it close to Blue "To new beginnings, and new legacies?"
Blue just smiled, and clanked his bottle onto Gem's "To new beginnings, and new legacies" Blue said. He looked at Gem one last time. That greyish-brown stallion, with a grape-colored mane. Smiling and enjoying his time with him. Blue smiled back, he... thought to himself, "Perhaps...another date would not hurt in the future" with that, he took a long sip of his bottle, excited for the coming days in the future.
