The message from Major Black contained the total number of members of the Technology and Software Development Unit and their five seniors appointed by Major Black himself.
Benjie could not believe it when he saw his name written amongst the seniors. 'SSA Benjamin Walker', it had been a long time since someone had referred to him with his full name like that. He was extremely excited and happy that Major Black finally realized his potential and worth in the research unit, but he was also nervous and wary of this position as well.
Benjie had never been in good terms with his fellow colleagues. Especially with those he was on equal footing with. So if he was not careful, this could turn out to be a hellish nightmare.
In this year, 3127, the entire world functions mostly on technology and robots, so people with Benji and Black's qualifications, whether military or not, are highly valued and respected individuals.
That was how Major Black had quickly ascended and became one of the best in the entire world. And young Benjamin Walker was on his way to greatness as well.
That was exactly the root of all his problems.
You see, Benji was somewhat of a protégé, his achievements paling in comparison only to Major Black himself. Although not very popular in the military, he was especially well-known amongst the higher-ups.
Some might say he was destined for greatness, but not everyone was happy for him. Happy with him. Greed and jealousy are always the dominant prospects of humanity. Not every colleague wished Benji success, with some even going as far as to sabotage him.
Since high school, Benji had always been an outcast, despised and discarded by many. Including his family. He only had his uncle almost all his life, who died and left him a year ago. Now, he felt even lonelier than he had been before.
In high school, he had a relentless bully all to himself, simply just because he existed in the same space as him. The guy would punish Benji just because he breathed the same air he did. Benji remembered everything single detail of high school as if it were yesterday.
No one could forget a harrowing experience like that one.
This jock would unceremoniously bump into him on purpose everytime their paths crossed on the corridor. He remembered one time, half a dozen books he was carrying spilled and scattered across the floor. The entire school gathered and laughed at him.
The guy kicked his books around toying with him as he crawled around trying to pick them up. His goons and followers would laugh and kick him around as well, seemingly entertained by Benji's demise.
His uncle tried to talk to the school board about the mistreatment, but they did not do anything about it. The Winchester family was beyond wealthy, and the bully's father was the main source of funding for the school.
The school was even afraid of condemning the son simply because the school might lose millions in funding revenue.
Benji's uncle tried even reaching out to the bully's father, but that seemed to make matters even worse. Second year in high school was the worst experience in Benji's long miserable life. The bully had decided to take it up a few notches.
He would take Benji's lunch from him in the cafeteria, constantly reminding him reminding him that his father's money was used to buy all the food he was eating. Benji never said nothing—he never did— until one day he tried explaining that he had to eat something because he had a test coming up.
Big mistake.
Before he could finish explaining, he felt something rock hard slam into his chest. He felt something crack in his felt torso. For a moment he was in a world of pain. A few of his ribs were definitely broken. He swayed slowly, and before he could plummet towards the ground, another fist assaulted his side.
Then another, and another.. and another still,
until his whole world went dark.
He could barely hear anything anymore, apart from the ringing sound in his ears and the hissing sounds from the hunky jock that was now holding him by his neck. He was shouting something about never talking back to him ever again.
At that point, Benji was not worried about the bully anymore. He was worried about the important test he was going to miss.
He had studied restlessly for weeks, and that test was going to determine whether he qualified for his dream profession or not. He tried drawing in few breaths, only to choke on his blood.
He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
A wave of gaps filled the cafeteria.
He was hospitalized for weeks, and ended up missing the test. That actually broke him more than the bully did.
Even after bringing so much suffering into Benji's life, the bully was still not satisfied. He never was. He made sure that Benji missed taking all his important medication, and always had to be carried to the nurse's office after the bastard reopened his wounds.
One time, the bully poured expired milk and a molded sandwich inside his bag, ruining his schoolbooks. Because Benji was extremely poor, he obviously had no way of buying the damaged books and he lost his scholarship.
Even after Benji's scholarship was terminated and he was given only a few weeks to write his final exams, the bullying never stopped. More beatings, more harassment, and certainly more humiliation.
It got even worse when the bully found out that Benji had romantic feelings for his girlfriend, Madison. Benji did not how the bully found out about his crush, but that did not matter anymore. The only thing that mattered was surviving the remaining weeks before his scholarship was fully terminated.
But even those remaining weeks betrayed him, lasting for an eternity his shattered soul was forced to endure.
Madison was the most popular girl in school. She had everything. Money, status, fame, bitchy friends, and a hunk boyfriend who also happened to be the captain of the school football team. Madison herself was the leader of the school cheerleading squad.
Such a niche high school experience. Trust me, I know.
Madison was not only famous, but drop dead gorgeous as well. She had deep blue eyes, smooth suple skin, tall slender figure, and even smart as well. There was no way in hell a nerd like Benji could bag a girl like her.
What frustrated Benji the most was that she was even nice too! Like what the fuck?
He could not understand why someone as nice as her could be with a jerk like the bully. Benji was almost sure that the guy was taking advantage of her. Almost.
Benji learned the hard way to always keep his thoughts to himself. He not only confessed his feelings for Madison in the journal, but he also included how the bully was not meant for Madison, and how he was probably, no, definitely taking advantage of her.
When the bully found and read the journal, all hell broke loose.
He not only read the journal entry to the entire school, but he also punished Benji in front of it. Setting an example to everyone else, showing them what happens to anyone who preys on his girl. Benji was beaten until Madison herself stepped in to save him.
Benji knew that there was no recovering from that humiliation.
Even though College had its own hiccups, he was glad that he finally escaped the clutches of that demon.
Benji sat quietly on the isolated bench, looking at the screen with a detached expression. He knew exactly what would follow after this announcement, he had lived it a few times already.
He took a shallow breath and wiped the single tear flowing down his left cheek. It seems like thinking about the past stirred up a few intense emotions.
He continued reading the announcement and saw that meeting was set up by Major Black, between him and the five candidates he had chosen. Benji remained silent for a few moments, then sighed and reluctantly stood up.
***
After about 20 minutes of walking, Benji finally reached the headquarters of the Technology and Software Development Unit. It was a tall and enormous building, probably one of the tallest, protruding over a hundred meters into the sky. The building was as wide as it was tall, with a firm and strong build.
Several robotic silhouettes could be seen up and about around the building. It had dark obsidian walls, and dimmed windows, not exactly a stronghold worthy of the Technical unit. The stronghold was isolated from the rest of the Military Base, hidden much deeper into the forest.
As Benji approached the building, he saw a tall young woman standing motionlessly by the tall, steel doors. The young woman heard the approaching footsteps and turned around.
She had deep blue eyes, smooth suple skin, a slender figure and black lustrous hair. She was nothing short of breathtaking. A subtle but bright smile illuminated her gorgeous face, making the sunlight seem brighter. Benji's heart started pounding so hard he was sure the young lady could hear it.
He did his best to remain calm and composed, but that smile—
"Benji! You're here."
He looked at her with a deadpan expression, and said in an even tone.
"Good day, Madison. You're here as well."
Yes, infront of him was none other that Madison Sparc herself, the goddess he had a crush on back in high school. Benji did not know how it was even possible, but Madison had gotten even more attractive over the years.
She obviously grew taller, her skin looked even softer and silkier that before, her eyes were just a striking as before and her slender figure looked even more breathtaking afer training. They both specialized in the same field, and even though they had nothing to do with combat, military training was still mandatory for all soldiers.
She looked more mature now too.
Before, Benji was quite glad that they were stationed at different Military Bases during the years because he knew he would not have survived an everyday encounter with Madison.
His shame, as he liked to call her.
He never forgot how Madison's boyfriend humiliated him infront of the whole school, and swore he would never forget it. Even though it was impossible for him to get his revenge, but there would definitely be no forgiving and forgetting.
Not in hell!
With the recent calamity, he was oftentimes glad that the bully moved to Australia to horne his football skills...
A slight frown appeared on Madison's face.
"Argh don't be so glum Benji. I know it was hard for you and i honestly do not expect you just move on. But you could at least be happy to see an old high school acquaintance, especially because we will be working together for a long time. On such an important mission no less."
Benji's face remained impassive, and so did the tone in his voice.
"So tell me SSA Madison Sparc, is that really a good reason for me to be happy? Especially since you are one of the reasons why my high school experience such was a hellish nightmare."
He regarded Madison for a few moments, and then forced a smile.
"But it's completely fine SSA Sparc. I was never mad at you, and neither did I hate you as well. So you can relax, our working conditions will not be toxic either. You should know very well that I can never hate you..."
Her face lit up and Benji swore he could see a shade of red on her cheeks. Her smile grew even bigger and more genuine, but Benji was not done talking.
"...but i do wish to kill your boyfriend though."
Her face crumbled completely in a single beat, which filled Benji with vicious glee. She tried to retort but before she could say anything, the heavy armored doors made a loud cracking sound, and then a dragging noise followed afterwards.
The huge obsidian doors were opening.
Benji had been here countless times, but because Madison and him work at different Military Bases, she had never been here before. She looked up at the tall gates with awe. After the doors opened, a young man could be seen standing on the other end.
The young man looked not much older that Benji and Madison themselves, but he radiated aura of maturity that demanded attention. He had a tall build, just a little above Madison, lean muscles with broad shoulders fitted perfectly into the military uniform.
He had perfectly tanned skin, a handsome sharp face, and onyx eyes that matched with his smooth raven hair. He looked at the two silhouettes at the door, one looking inside with awe, the other remained indifferent. He traced the indifferent young man's uniform and his eyes landed on his name tag. He bowed slightly.
"Special Strategic Asset Benjamin Walker..."
He turned to the young woman and repeated the same gesture.
"...Special Strategic Asset Madison Sparc. We have been told to expect you. Please come with me inside."