The frozen air on the ground was nothing compared to the air twenty-five thousand feet above. The drone of the engines was monotonous and was the perfect substitute for anesthetic. The metal cavern was painted in a dim red, preventing one's perception of time. The red light began to flash. It was time.Â<br/><br/>Vetilla rose from the metal bench and stood, briefly checking that the parachute pack was still on. She braced herself for the rush of air as the cargo doors opened. The wind threatened to drag her out prematurely, but she stayed unnaturally still. The buzzer sounded once and she ran, leaping off the edge of the ramp and began her descent. She spread her arms, preventing her body from flipping about like a rag doll.Â<br/><br/>Vetilla yanked the cord, was the pilot chute out? She craned her neck, looking for it. Then, with a jaw-rattling tug, the harness dug into her armpits as the parachute opened up and slowed her descent. The wind direction changed now, tipping her in the wrong direction. She pulled the toggle, realigning herself with the intended landing zone.Â<br/><br/>She bent her knees, and the shock upon landing was absorbed. The adrenalin pumping through her veins was insane, maybe she could request for more air-drop operations. Vetilla stored her parachute and entered an encirclement of tents.Â<br/><br/>The first guard she met demanded an identification, pointing his rifle at her. She ignored him and continued walking, to the table where multiple maps were laid.Â<br/><br/>"... the intelligence suggests that the Espers are located just three hundred meters from this position, we will provide a perimeter and close in from there."<br/><br/>There was a whirling sound and then, "How about this: you create a perimeter and we deal with them?"<br/><br/>"Now see here-"Â<br/><br/>There was a metallic bang of metal against metal, "I think it would be better if the better-equipped soldiers engage these targets<span style="font-style: italic">and</span>I believe you wish to keep your head on?"<br/><br/>Vetilla walked past the screens dropping the parachute by her side, "Vetilla Matthews, reporting."