***

  Everyone thinks Alpha Base is protected by walls and whatever glowing nonsense production paid extra for this week. But that’s just the part that looks good on camera.

  The real defense is a rotating group of professional mercenaries, mostly ex-soldiers, walking very large circles and arguing quietly about whether those footprints are definitely a dire wolf or maybe some six-legged horror we are only just learning about.

  We sweep at dawn and dusk. We redirect herds, break up nests, and convince ambitious predators that the village is more trouble than it’s worth. Occasionally this involves yelling, explosives, and only occasionally standing very still and hoping the thing with too many eyes believes in personal space.

  The villagers sleep better believing monsters don’t come near Alpha Base. The adventurers train better believing they’ll meet them on a schedule. Both beliefs are helpful. Neither is entirely accurate.

  Our job isn’t about heroics, and we’ll never make it onto camera, but that’s okay as long as we’re well paid. We’re the village housekeepers and we clean out anything with claws.

  If we’re doing our jobs right, no one notices. If we’re doing them wrong, everyone suddenly has very strong opinions about perimeter security.

  After-Action Log

  Field Agent S. Rios, Delta-7

  DON'T FORGET:      Drop a rating!     Pretty please!