What happened?
[Command center to team 17, what have you done?] shouted one of the men in gray.
[Command center to team 17, Chetan, can you reestablish the connection?] the old man whispered, in a very calm voice.
The image returns just after, in close-up on Chetan.
That's why the station was shaking, it's hanging by a thread, a single piece of metal is stopping us all from ending up pouring into the pit.
Chetan was still lying there, panting, but he had an offensive stance, no trace of the creature left, as if it had melted into thin air, nothing to show that just two seconds ago a "Transemotional" had been unleashed here. As if by magic, this piece of metal duplicated itself and grew again and again, covering the surface, gradually tearing it apart, the base closing itself, like puzzle pieces fitting together, it was both beautiful and terrifying.
[Bravo, No3c, you can go back up, the mission is complete] the old man whispered
The pit was still shaking when the battered figures of Team 17 emerged from the depths. A scanner circled around them, capturing every detail for the mission's archive.
A white-branded army moved towards them and took the wounded.
Chetan marched in front, his armor cracked everywhere, red flashes still pulsing on his forearms, a sign that he had come close to losing control. His eyes still burned with suppressed rage, but his breathing was steady; he had won, and he knew it.
Behind him, Ela gently placed two of their comrades who were having difficulty standing, and entrusted them to the white mask.
Ela face was covered in dust, but her expression remained surprisingly calm, and she occasionally glanced at Chetan, as if she feared he might explode at any moment.
The other members of the team were taken care of by the white masks, they had really served no purpose, they were nothing more than shadows clinging to the victory of these great titans.
A heavy silence greeted their return. We were all so impressed by their stature and courage during this mission that we didn't even know how to speak.
The old overseer stepped down from his ivory tower and stepped forward, his cane clanging against the floor, his narrowed eyes lingering first on Ela, then sliding down to Chetan.
- It was a great mission, he said gently, the terrorist members were neutralized but...
He let a cruel silence hang.
- You two were very responsive, you saved your team's life, tomorrow I want to see you in the "intermediate" section, you are no longer beginners,.... Hmm.... And for the others, you were just weights but it was predictable you are still young and a beginner, do better next time.
His words cracked like a whip, the survivors lowered their heads in shame, only Chetan lifted his chin, a smirk playing on his lips.
Chetan had clearly just proven that he was prepared to do anything to climb faster than the others, and me... Well, I had nothing special apart from this shameful and horribly lamentable, very lamentable demonstration.
- He, pshii, pshii, Ela, Roum hissed softly, lightly clapping his hand to get Ela's attention.
The old man took over
- Ela, Chetan, you will be called in tomorrow for an individual briefing, welcome to the team.
He turned and left the bridge, leaving behind an icy silence.
I take the opportunity to get closer to Ela, as long as she is here I must take advantage of it, I missed her a lot
- HEY, Ela, you were awesome, did you see how you jumped, BAM BAM, so cool, you're so strong, wow, magnificent
But she didn't really listen to me, she slowly looked down at her hands, covered in the blood of her teammates, then closed her fists.
- Return to your compartments, let this mission serve as an example to you and redouble your efforts during training, shouted a man in gray.
- I think it's time for us to part ways,.... Again
- Again, see you soon, Roum, take care, Ela whispered.
As I'm already moving away from her.
I ran to join my team to tell them the good news, they who had not moved despite all this tumult
- Ha, our little leader is back, Asmara breathed.
It was all gathered around the central table
- How did you find the selection of "intermediaries", he breathed in disgust
- It was incredible, Ela was even promoted to "intermediate" rank
- Ha, how cute, how beautiful innocence can be, Asmara breathed, with a hint of irony.
- The old man always does the same thing, last time I really thought we were going to die, he whispered fear
- I would never have imagined that he would do it for people like them, it disgusts me a little, our tests are our most valuable since they arrived they can even pass them and be selected, breathed disgust
- I don't understand you, I murmured, a little lost.
- It's not worth it, Asmara whispered.