For three days, Leo's life in The Foundry became a deep dive into the guts of the fortress. Under Stokely's gruff guidance, he wasn't cleaning latrines; he was conducting systemic diagnostics. His [Sense Contamination] and his innate Janitorial understanding of how systems worked—and how they failed—made him an unparalleled inspector.
He crawled through ventilation shafts, identifying spots where a slimy, low-level mold (Rust-Rot, the System called it) was compromising the filtration systems. He inspected the water reclamation plant, pointing out a bio-film contamination that was reducing efficiency by seventeen percent, a detail that made the engineers both furious and impressed. He was given a master keycard to The Foundry's utility corridors—the unseen network of passages behind the walls, a place no one else ever went. It felt like home.
He was proving Stokely's recommendation to Rostova: he was not just a janitor, he was a high-level maintenance asset, a human diagnostic tool. But with every system he cleaned and every contamination he identified, his understanding of The Foundry grew. He was learning its weaknesses, its pressure points.
On the fourth morning, he was summoned back to the command center. He entered to find Rostova, Maria, and Sarah already gathered around the holographic map table. Sarah, looking tired but focused, had been temporarily pulled from Med-Sci.
"Custodian," Rostova began without preamble. "It's time for your first official mission as a probationary team."
On the map, a section of the city far to the south lit up in red. It was a sprawling residential district interspersed with light commercial zones.
"Twelve hours ago, Vulture Team 3 went dark during a resource run in this sector," Rostova explained. "Their objective was to retrieve a cache of preserved medical supplies from a large distribution pharmacy. The last transmission was a panicked report of 'the ground coming alive'."
"More fungal infestation?" Maria asked, her hand subconsciously going to the handle of the axe clipped to her belt.
"Negative," Rostova said, shaking her head. "The atmospheric and geological sensors show no spore activity. But they do show anomalous seismic readings and high concentrations of… acidic biomass."
She brought up an image on the screen. It was a still from a drone flyover, taken days before. It showed what looked like a perfectly normal, deserted street. But Leo's [Sense Contamination] flared just looking at the picture. The ground wasn't right. There were faint patterns under the asphalt, almost like veins.
"The Vultures are a loss," Rostova stated bluntly. "But the antibiotics they were after are not. The supplies are vital for the clinic." She looked at Sarah. "Dr. Miller provided the intel on this cache. It's a purer grade than the ones you secured at the warehouse. Critical for staving off post-surgical infections."
The mission was clear. It was another resource run, but into unknown territory against an unknown threat.
"This is an infiltration and retrieval mission, not a search and rescue," Rostova continued, her eyes locking on Leo. "I am sending your team. The Custodians. I want to see your methodology applied to a new problem."
The unspoken subtext was clear. Grunt's hammer wasn't the right tool for a mission that required subtlety and an understanding of the environment. She was already diversifying her assets.
"Maria Flores, your engineering and demolition knowledge will be key for navigating the urban environment," Rostova said. "Dr. Miller will accompany you to ensure the medical supplies are handled correctly and to provide field support." She then looked at Leo. "Your objective is to reach the pharmacy, secure the supplies, and get out. Avoid direct engagement unless necessary. Your talent lies in bypassing problems, not smashing them."
It was the first time she had acknowledged his Class as a strategic asset rather than just an anomaly.
"You'll take the Badger," Rostova concluded. "Gear up and be at the North Gate in thirty minutes. Ben and Rick will remain here. Their skills are too valuable to risk on a scouting run."
As they walked out of the command center, the weight of the mission settled on them. This was their first official outing as a team, as The Custodians. Their performance would define their future in The Foundry.
They met at the motor pool, where the squat, armored Badger was being fueled. Leo and Maria were checking their gear—climbing harnesses, plasma torch, and Leo's new favorite 'Aqueous Foam Cleanser'. Sarah was packing a compact medical kit.
A shadow fell over them. Grunt stood there, his massive arms crossed, his face a mask of simmering resentment. He had obviously heard about the mission.
"Heard you're going on a bug hunt," the Berserker rumbled, his eyes fixed on Leo. "Out to the Southern Sprawl. Nasty place. Lost a good man there last year to a nest of Tunnel Gnawers."
"We'll manage," Maria said, not looking up from tightening a strap on her pack.
"I'm sure you will," Grunt sneered. "You'll probably find a way to make the ground too slippery for the monsters to walk on." His voice was dripping with contempt for Leo's methods. "Just try not to get any real doctors killed while you're out there playing your little games, Janitor."
He stared at Sarah for a moment, then at Leo, then turned and stomped off without another word.
Sarah watched him go, a worried line creasing her brow. "He doesn't just dislike you, Leo. He hates you."
"I know," Leo said, closing the clasp on his pack. He looked towards the open North Gate, towards the hazy, dangerous city beyond. "It's because I represent a brand of incompetence he can't smash with a hammer."
The ramp of the Badger lowered. It was time to go to work.