"Ming. Ming. Ming. Ming…" Kale was poking Ming Lee with his plastic spoon.
She was seated on one of the only free tables in the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was no different from a school's… or a prison's. The same bland tasteless colors and uncomfortable settings.
If there was a difference, it would be in the actual food. In the base, they were mainly served tasteless food paste.
They understood that it was a means to preserve invaluable resources like plants and animals but that didn't change the taste, or lack thereof.
"Ming. Ming. Ming…" He continued with his poking.
"WHAAATT??!!" Finally, she snapped.
"I just want to know if the seat is occupied," Kale whispered like he had not just pushed Ming Lee to the verge of murder.
A shadow cast over the table and drew the attention of the two.
The source was a redhead with a large build. It was clear from his face that he was of a similar age to them but his frame was something else.
"What do you want?" Ming had had about enough of people disturbing her peace.
Since the beginning of the program a week ago, she had made it clear that she wanted no friends and most had truly stayed away.
Except for the annoying pest she had come to know as Kale. A befitting name as he kept on staying no matter how much she cut him off.
Now there was this yeti, 'What does he want?' She stared at him in silence.
"Did he say your last name is Ming?" The giant asked her.
Her eyes trailed his figure twice before going cold.
"Yes, and?"
He stared at her in shock.
"No wonder you look familiar." His eyes sparkled.
Ming slammed her hands into the table and drew the attention of the entire cafeteria to her.
Kale, on the other hand, wished Axel were there. He hadn't seen his best friend yet, but he wasn't worried.
If anything he was merely curious about his whereabouts.
Ming still stared at the red-headed giant.
"Oh, wow! Is it because I'm Asian that you assume that we all look alike?" She really looked ready for a fight.
"Girl, please, don't play that game with me. I know your dad and elder brother. The CEOs of Ryko-Tech." The giant revealed.
Kale's eyes widened.
Ryko-Tech was one of the biggest technology industries in the world. At least before it went to shit.
No wonder she was so cold and detached, even haughty.
"You're a nepo baby?!" Kale gasped and pointed at her.
"No, I'm not!" She smacked his finger away.
"My family is… none of your business!!" Her voice carried a hint of pain as she stormed out.
"Ian." The giant stretched out his hand for a shake.
Kale took it and gripped it firmly.
"Kale."
"Really? Like the plant?" Kale scoffed.
"Like Ian is better."
Ian just kept silent and sat where Ming was sitting.
"You two seem close, do you know what happened to her family that she reacted that w-"
"It's not your business, just like she said. Neither is it mine." Kale cut Ian short.
The former remembered his own parents and family and the thought of someone bringing them up if he hadn't fully gotten over it was sickening.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know that it would be-"
"Yes, it's an issue!!" Kale snapped then held himself.
"I'm sorry, I need to go." Then he left too.
Ian sat by himself and fiddled with his hair.
"I wonder what a family is like." He muttered to himself before getting up.
...
The door closed behind Kale, and he slid to the floor.
His hand reached for his pocket and he pulled out the button. It was the only thing he had of his old life.
'Maybe I had overreacted.' Kale let out a sigh.
He couldn't imagine how Axel was dealing with his loss so easily. He had tried to get his best friend to confide in him, but the latter kept dodging the matter.
Getting up, Kale walked and crashed onto his bed, drifting into sleep after the emotional rollercoaster he had gone through.
________
A loud alarm woke Kale from his sleep and prompted him to his feet. This wasn't the first time it had happened.
It was an announcement siren informing all students that information was about to be passed on.
He quickly wiped his face to get rid of the sleep that still sung his name.
By the time he left his room, almost everybody was out and was gathering in the auditorium. It wasn't exactly an auditorium but a large and empty space with stairs high in the air.
The larger of the stairs led to a small make-shift stage in the center of the room. Hence why it was referred to as the auditorium.
Kale's eyes traced everybody wearing the signature black tracksuit of the military.
Steady and slow steps resounded from the largest stair, drawing the attention of everything present.
Albeit from a distance, Kale could spot Ming Lee in the crowd. Her head was perfectly still and her chin raised.
She still maintained her aloof expression like nothing had happened.
Turning back to the approaching people, Kale took note of the people wearing blue tracksuits and lab coats, and in the midst, he saw him.
Axel walked calmly with next to no trace of discomfort or worry.
The former adjusted their glasses on the bridge of their nose and immediately stopped walking.
Everyone walking stopped and parted ways for a figure.
His steps were loud and confident. He appeared willing and able to crush anyone he didn't like.
'Platinum blonde hair with a large build, tattoos, and scorn.' Kale made a mental note of his appearance.
"I am GENERAL LEO!! And I'm in charge of you useless things." General Leo spat out.
"But first…" He leaned on the guardrails of the stairs he was still on.
"You should have an idea of how doomed Earth is."