Page 61 of Veiled

Captain Lin clears her throat pointedly as the last team takes their seats. “This will be a competition between teams. Your mission is to blend in with the public while completing a series of covert objectives. Your goal is to complete the mission as effectively and convincingly as possible, without being caught or raising suspicion. The team that scores the most points wins.”

Lin steps forward, a neat stack of envelopes in her hands. She moves between the rows, passing one to each pair.

“You may open your assignments in a moment,” she says, “but first, let me explain how this will work.”

She paces slowly as she speaks, “Each pair has been given a secret identity. You might be tourists, business professionals, or even homeless. Inside your dossier, you’ll find your full backstory and mission objectives.”

A few students exchange nervous glances, and Professor Lin’s lips curve in a faint, knowing smile.

“Your objectives,” she continues, “are varied. You’ll need to gather intelligence, either through casual conversation or quiet observation. You’ll perform surveillance on a potential target while maintaining your new identity. You’ll also deliver an envelope containing classified materials, fake information, of course, to a prearranged contact. Their details are in your file. The drop must happen without being caught or raising suspicion. Remember, we have Ghost Walkers planted everywhere, and they’ll be watching for any signs of sloppy work.”

She lets that sink in before moving on. “You’ll also encounter restricted areas. At least one of your objectives will require you to convince a security guard or authority figure to grant you access using your skills in diplomacy.”

A few recruits shift in their seats.

“Some of you will be the hunters; others, the hunted,” Professor Lynn adds, “some of you will face unexpected curveballs. Your cover may be blown. Rival agents may target you, or you’ll find yourself in an unfamiliar situation that forces you to improvise. Handle it. The best Ghost Walkers are defined by how they adapt when plans fall apart.”

She gestures toward the stack of remaining dossiers. “Some of you may be assigned spy gear: hidden cameras, GPS trackers, encrypted comms…but only if you can integrate the tools without drawing attention. Because if you draw attention,” her gaze sweeps the room, “you’re as good as dead.”

The room goes completely still.

“Lastly,” she says, her voice softening slightly, “you’ll be scored across several categories, including how well you complete each objective, your ability to blend into your surroundings, and how effectively you work as a team. Communication and commitment are key.

She glances toward the clock on the wall. “All missions will end at 1500 hours on Sunday. You’ll live out your new identity for the entire weekend with your partner. At the end, all teams will return here for debriefing at 1900 hours to report your results and receive your scores. Any questions?”

A hand shoots up near the front. “When do we leave campus to start our missions?”

Professor Lynn nods. “It’s up to each team to determine when it’s safest to depart without being detected. Remember, the competition begins the moment you step off this campus.

“Now, you are all dismissed to review your dossiers and start making plans with your teammate.”

A few teams start opening their envelopes, but if we’re dismissed, why would we stay where it would be easier for other teams to overhear us talk or sneak a peek at our assignment?

It seems Aiden is thinking the same thing as he catches my eye and gives a slight head tilt toward the exit. I nod, and we quietly grab our things and walk out.

“We need to go somewhere no one can eavesdrop,” I say, trying to think of anywhere other than my room that wouldn’t have the possibility of us being overheard.

“I know a place,” Aiden says as he turns and starts walking deeper into the forest.

“You seriously think I’d go into the woods with you after all the shit you and your friends have pulled?”

Frustration fills his face when he notices I haven’t moved, “Don’t be so dramatic. I don’t want to work with you either, but we need to get this ironed out so we can get it over with. I can’t afford for you to fuck this mission up for me.”

“I need it to go well, too, but I don’t trust you!”

“You don’t trust me? What do you seriously think I could have planned after a secret class where we were randomly paired together? I didn’t even know you were a Ghost Walker!”

I want to fight, but everything he’s saying is true. Realizing I don’t have any better options, I concede, “Alright, lead the way, but I swear to the gods—if you pull anything, I will chop your dick off and feed it to the bears.”

“Whatever,” he grumbles before turning and walking away, leaving me to follow or be left behind.

We hike up a narrow game trail until the trees give way to a rocky hillside. Aiden points to a dark mouth in the stone, half-hidden behind a curtain of moss and low vines. “Almost there.”

He ducks inside first; the cavern is dark, dry, and deep enough to be the perfect shelter for hunters trying to escape a bad storm. I stay where the light can still reach while Aiden drops his pack and disappears in the dark, shuffling around until a compact lantern turns on, casting a warm pool of light around us.

This place almost looks lived in. With a small firepit in the center of the room, two camping chairs, a cot with a sleeping bag and a pillow beyond it, and even a small dry-food stash. “What is this place?”

“Just a spot I found when I got to Scion,” he says, starting to build a fire while he gestures for me to take one of the seats.