Ficool

Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: I Hope She knows What She Means to Me.

Chapter 2. I Hope She knows What She Means to Me.

Both the watch and the capsule were part of the last gifts Rika had sent him. The watch had a void pocket the size of a backpack, courtesy of Rika's powers. The capsule was a blue enhance pill, which would temporarily boost strength, agility, and speed by triple times for an hour. It wasn't as good as the green pill she had sent him, which permanently boosted his stats by 2 times. However, it was still good enough to be a trump card that could save his life.

Zarek noticed that both of his friends were prepping to head over to the Mission Department (M.D), so he shook his head out of his reverie. He proceeded to pack up his gear and popped a ration pill into his mouth. The taste was unappealing, but it did its job and got rid of his hunger.

Next, he checked his pistol, automatic, and sniper rifle and made sure they were in working order. He had standard issue ammo, with no armor piercing rounds or magic rounds, as those were earmarked for wall defenders and more elite garrisons. Standard issue was good enough for non-evolved zombies as long as he went for the eyes or a head-shot.

Satisfied with his preparations, he headed over to his friends and they started moving towards the tram rail. Brakk play punched him in the shoulder as he joked, "Let's hope you are bed bound for a completely different reason tomorrow morning. You never know, you may meet someone special during this mission."

Brakk laughed at his own jest, while Drakeremained his usual stoic self. Zarek smiled, but didn't bother to respond.

Others in the garrison were heading out to their various assignments as well. They continued to follow the directions to the correct platform to reach the ARC. When they entered the correct tram to their destination, Zarek looked out the window as the morning light washed over him. An announcement rang over the tram speakers: "Next stop, Mission Department."

As the train picked up speed and the figures outside the window became blurry, Zarek found himself thinking about the figure of the mancasually lifting heavy things with his telekinesis power and wonder when he will ever get to such level?

Away from the dreary corridors of the lower district of Bastion, in a building with a half-dome ceiling at the apex of the city, there was a girl with purple hair with her hand on a translucent orb set upon a white marble pedestal.

The orb was filled with a purple light that spilled out into the majestic hall where a few men and women watched the proceedings attentively. The girl suddenly opened her eyes and pulses of power seemed to transfer from her hand into the orb and the purple color showed flecks of gold.

Soon enough, the flecks of gold overwhelmed the purple color and in an instant, a pure golden light dominated the hall. The girl removed her hand and the golden light receded back into the orb.

She then turned around and faced the small audience with a smile on her face. So captivating and enthralling was the smile, and combined with her elegant demeanor, the admiring gazes of some had hints of adoration.

She had just turned 18 and wore her purple hair in a ponytail. Her hairstyle complemented her swan-like neck and people who saw her from the back were mesmerized even before seeing her face. Her face had a dainty nose, strawberry sweet lips, and slender eyebrows. Such features also came with sky-blue, doe shaped eyes. She was still growing into an hour-glass like figure, but onlookers couldn't help but wish to hurry time forward, so they could witness the figure filling out in all the right places.

"All hail the newest and youngest Grade A to join Bastion, Lady Rika!" intoned a voice.

Applause greeted the announcement and the scene was reminiscent of past ages, when humanity was not so concerned with survival. There was a sense of levity among the audience, as if the happenings of the last few years of constant loss and defeat did not even register in their minds.

There were hints of arrogance and aloofness in the gazes of a few, and the sporadic conversations might lead an onlooker to wonder…did they really live in the same world as the one that was teetering on the edge of a precipice.

"Lady Rika, congratulations on breaking through. I always knew you could reach Grade A based on your drive and latent talent. All your hard work has paid off. The recent gossip I hear is that the Council wishes for you to create portals to the moon and mars." Said a dark-haired man with a goatee.

The dark-haired man with a goatee had kind looking eyes hidden behind gold-rimmed spectacles. He had the air of a scholar, with refined features in his face. Next to him was a man with blond hair with an arrogant demeanor and cold, blue eyes. Rika was familiar with both men. The dark- haired man was Darius and the blond-haired man was Gerris. They were both Grade A.

Rika smiled as she said, "Thank you, Lord Darius…I am grateful to the Council for their support. I still have a long way to go in order to develop portals to the Moon, let alone Mars. I have succeeded in creating a stationary portal from the western district to the eastern district of Bastion. However, I was only able to accomplish this because I have been to both locations. I don't see how I can create one yet to a place I haven't visited. Maybe if I can go to the moon or Mars…"

"Lady Rika, your opportunity approaches. The Council has tested your portals from West to East Districts and there are no issues. In fact, a new initiative has been raised to bring you to the moon once all contingency plans are in place. The advance party is set to head out in the shuttle in a few days along with Lord Gerris. You will surely be on the next shuttle to the moon in a few weeks, as long as the advance party has successfully secured an operational facility."

More Chapters