--
[Beep!]
[Attention to all passengers. The ship will dock at the nearest Border Patrol Guardian camp site within an hour. Please be prepared to disembark soon.]
Cedric wasn't surprised to hear this announcent, for he was already expecting it. Moreover, he also knew that they were close to the camp site since he's been monitoring the route every now and then.
He didn't bring too many items with him—only a few sets of clothes, his weapons, his uniform, and his docunts. The greater bulk of his things are kept in his private inventory, which could be accessed in the virtual universe. This ant that Cedric didn't have to prepare much; he could disembark anyti necessary.
After hearing the announcent, Cedric went out of his room and made his way near the exit.
He wasn't the only one; pretty much all of the other passengers ca out too. He passed by them silently, not really in the mood or interested in chatting. He pretty much spent the entirety of the trip locked inside his room since he's disinterested in socializing.
On the way, Cedric passed by the clear window display of the ship. Here, he saw the scene outside the ship, and it gave him his first view of the NW-Scarlet Camp.
The site was vast, spanning for as far as his eyes can see both forward and sideways. The camp looked futuristic; he felt like he ti-traveled far into the future just by seeing it. Yet at the sa ti, there is an unmistakable air of ancientness within, which gives off the impression that this place has a long history and has been here for longer than he could even imagine.
With his astounding eyesight, Cedric could see through the gigantic wall in front of them that hid the camp site behind. The wall was, of course, made with tals and alloys that can withstand so serious abuse. Actually, Cedric found it miraculous that he could see through this wall this easily. He thought that there should be so defensive asure against abilities like this, but it seems that there were none.
He also saw how busy this entire place was. Everybody he saw down there was moving with purpose and was in a hurry. It's as if they're in constant rush or sothing.
Despite the vastness of this place, its population was truly scarce. Cedric could tell that most of the places here were unpopulated if not occupied by robots. It might also be the reason why everybody was too busy since there's simply not enough people here.
But beyond the hustle and bustle of this place, the ironic contract of its futuristic structure with deep ancientness within, Cedric could sense a different presence around.
Cedric could notice it even though he has yet to disembark the ship. The presence felt uncanny—like it's misplaced or sothing. It's felt like sothing that doesn't belong to a place like this.
Pssssh! Tssss!!!
The sharp sound of tals clunking and air vents jolted Cedric from his thoughts. It was then followed by another announcent from the ship's AI.
[Passengers, the ship has docked. Please disembark from the ship. An officer from the camp is waiting for you on the other side.]
Hearing this, Cedric and the other passengers started moving to exit the ship.
As they walked, Cedric could hear and feel the fear and trepidation of his fellow passengers. So were even close to having a ntal breakdown. It's obvious that these people were punished or forced to co here. They must've heard about the horrible stories from the camps and thought that they'd probably die here.
Even those who were mbers of 'The Six' were no different...
Cedric kept his thoughts to himself and continued moving ahead. They passed through the tube that connected the ship to the entrance of the camp. And even before they passed through the passage, Cedric already sensed the presence of the so-called officer waiting for them on the other side.
Soon, the group reached the other side. There, they saw the person who's waiting for them.
It was a tall and bulky four-ard ape fellow. He's wearing a uniform, and there were several badges attached to its right breast socket. He had a commanding and intimidating presence that tad the aura of even the most confident and arrogant person in the group.
This ape officer isn't a mber of the Primal Beast Clan; he lacks the atavism mark on his forehead that separates them from the majority of the beast race. However, his aura of a seasoned soldier trounces any of the misgivings about his identity.
"Welco to hell, pipsqueaks." The deep and rough growl of the ape officer echoed in their ears, causing their heartbeat to race. "I am the trainee officer assigned to your bunch; my na is Zod. You shall refer to as Officer Zod moving forward, understood?"
"Yes, Officer Zod," Cedric, along with a few of the 'pipsqueaks' replied solemnly. The rest were either speechless or slow on the uptake.
A trace of displeasure, annoyance, and helplessness flashed through Officer Zod's eyes upon seeing this. But the cadets, at least most of them, thought that he was mad at them, and this caused them to feel nervous.
"...whatever, they'd learn the hard way, I suppose." Zod grumbled to himself. It's only because of Cedric's sharp senses that he heard it; otherwise, it would just sound unintelligible too much, just as it was to others.
"Follow , and don't be slow," Zod ordered before marching away.
His pace was swift; it's as if he's moving miles ahead at each step he takes. Cedric and a few others easily followed him behind, employing their movent techniques as they did so. Others were still too slow on the uptake and panicked to keep up. The worst part is that nobody was stopping to let them catch up.
They passed through several buildings in a flash before stopping at a rather quaint little building. Zod stopped by the entrace, and so does the rest of the group. He didn't move, and so does the rest. It wasn't until everybody from the group caught up to them that he gave a new order.
"You all go inside, one by one. I'll wait here for you outside."
Saying this, he pointed at the little building behind him. Without any further ado or inquiries, the group made their way inside, starting with the sharp ones.
Cedric was among the first of the brave people who resolutely went inside. Even without Zod's introduction, he already knew what's going on.
This building is where their initial screening will take place.
He and the rest of the group passed by the scanners that inspected them from outside in. Here, their physical aspects and ntal condition will be captured. The machines will also scan them for any defects or infections of the void. Depending on the results, asures will be raised and followed according to the law of the Border Patrol Guardians.
It shouldn't co as a surprise that Cedric passed the initial screening without any hiccups. His results displayed his astounding health and ntal condition.
Following this, he was directed to the next room, where an android was distributing uniforms and the service-issued weapons.
The uniform looked relatively the sa as the one Zod wore, just without the badges and epaulettes. The standard service weapon was a dagger and an energy rifle.
Cedric went into a corner to put on the uniform, which automatically adjusted to his size, fitting him perfectly without any discomfort. He also slung the dagger and the rifle in their designated positions before making his way out of the building.
Zod was still there, waiting for them. Cedric caught the briefest sign of approval in his eyes when his gaze passed by him. Cedric then silently stood behind him, turning around to inspect his equipnt since he hadn't done so before coming out.
Just from one look and touch, Cedric could tell that the materials used to create these weapons were unique, sothing that is not readily accesible by the public. It's also for this reason why Cedric didn't bring too much stuff with him, even weapons as well.
The energy rifle intimidated him more than the dagger. It wasn't complicated to use; it wasn't an explosively strong rifle either; overall, it was diocre. But what sets it apart is that it barely consus energy to be effective, and it doesn't jam even when wielded by an amateur.
Cedric was really tempted to shoot it, but he reigned in his desires. Instead, he placed the weapons back on his body and stood in attention once more.
Ti passed, and soon, all the cadets had been scanned. Everyone was deed fit for duty even with their varying ntal and physical states.
"You all passed the initial screening, good. At the very least, you have promise. Now—"
WEEEENG!!!
Zod was unable to finish whatever he's about to say because he was interrupted by a loud and piercing shriek of the sirens as well as the lights dyeing the entire camp site red.
Growling at the threat and facing the cadets, he snarled, "Here's your first mission, Cadets."
"Survive."
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