Brief:
I, Wei la was kicked out of my home - the shell that was supposed to protect me for life. Following a brutal series of massacre, i lost everyone that i cared about. Most importantly, my caretaker, my only mother Kyle. Kyle saved me from a certain death and sacrified herself to give me a chance to escape from the shell. I wanted to fight back but i couldn't. After losing my way, i was taken in by a Guardian force cadet named Vasila. Now i have to prove my worth and earn the right to stay at their base. That's the only way for me to find clues about the killers who invaded my shell. I'm now seated at the meeting which will decide my fate.
Main story:
'All officers present here, I feel honored to be allowed to hold this meeting infront of you all.' The unmasked officer stopped typing and said in a brisk voice and looked around everyone for their approval.
Everyone acknowledged him by a slight nod. I didn't know what to do so I stared and did nothing.
'I'll begin with some basic introduction about myself. I'm the Managing Officer for the special mecha team, Unit Vasila. Some of you know me by my name, YL-3490, Yiovali of the Crimson Moon. But as you all know, I have retired from the battlefield, long ago. I keep myself busy with management duties and paperworks.'
Most of the officers on the screen were having a positive reaction to his speech. Their faces are not hard to read now, some of them wore the look that said 'Hey.. this guy is just like me'.
'Enough about me now. today, we are assembled to discuss about the children of the shell who had entered our base through one of my cadets. I'll not reveal the name of the cadet as what's done is done and they shouldn't recieve any criminal judgement for acting out of empathy. Do we all agree on this?'
'We all know who did that, though.. it's not a secret if everyone knows it'. said one of the masked officer who was seated next to Yiovali.
'Indeed, you're absolutely right! but unfortunately, it cannot be revealed in an official setting as the meeting is in the records by the higher ups. we should never give any reason to the one above all to judge us as incompetent, don't you think?'
The officer fell silent. Everyone seemed to agree that it's wise not to point fingers and blame themselves.
Yiovali turned his head towards me and put one of his hands out in my direction. 'This young man will be the subject of this discussion. We'll assess his reasoning and capabilities to judge his fate. Can you stand up and introduce yourself to the board, young man?'
Vasila nudged me to get up from my seat.
'Uh.. Hello, I'm.. Wei la. Code: WL-591. I was pushed out of my chamber by a officer.. and I'm here now.. I'm sorry if i-'
'No need to apologise, WL-591. The board determined that you're mentally sound from the way you spoke. We will now proceed with the assessment of your capabilities. you can sit now. do we all agree to move to the next stage of the meeting?'
He addressed the room and the board of officers. Everyone agreed.
The 2 other masked officers who sat beside Yiovali seemed to not care much now.
'WL-591, You will be assessed on various categories to evaluate your capabilities.' Yiovali said and looked at me with a serious tone. 'It is my intention to give you a chance to survive and thrive here, despite the backlash I recieved from my co-workers. but I cannot do anything if you proved yourself to be weak. pray the almighty wokan for blessings.'
I don't know how to react to his statement. They're going to kick me out when they find that I've got no power. I wanted to defend myself but I don't have any good point to argue. They're in the right here. I'm the intruder.
'Under the supervision and good faith of Unit vasila's cadets and the guardian force, I propose a examination of the subject WL-591 for combat and piloting abilities.' Yiovali said, reading out a window that was floating in front of him.
'Upon passing the examination with good results, The Board will allow WL-591 to enroll in training to become a cadet in my unit. And if he failed, The Board will erase his memories and send him back to the shells. In either scenario, the subject's life has been decided to be largely spared.'
'When is this exam?' one of the officers from the screen asked Yiovali. 'I would like to be present there as your guest. Do I have your permission, YL-3490?'
'Ofcourse! you are most certainly welcome. Every officer has the right to visit one another's base. I invite you to come join us for the evening if you so desire, BU-6538.' Yiovali replied to a masked officer in the screen. He nodded in response.
'First, we'll allow some space for the subject to orientate himself to this environment. A sudden evaluation might shock him to disability. As you all know for a fact that children of the shell have frail body and minds compared to our superior genes. We'll allow some time to make the subject feel comfortable. Meeting dismissed.' Yiovali said and everyone stood up and started making their way out of the room, except me and few other people who sat beside vasila and korvet.
The managing officer closed all the holograms on the round table and made his way towards me.
'Hello, young man. you did great by keeping your composure. If you had lost it, we would have had to push you out with no further discussion. but that doesn't mean you'll pass the examination too so just don't have too many expectations for your own good. The chances of you failing is overwhelming.. but, i see a spark for power in you.' Yiovali said to me when most of the people had left.
'You mistake me for being anything more than a normal person' I replied to him and looked around. I felt uneasy talking back to him when I was explicitly told to be silent.
'No, that's just your opinion, you were raised to do nothing for your whole life. the system will decide your fate. the system follows our god and emperor's will. Be present in 30 mins from now at the grounds.'
He said and turned around. 'The rest of you will follow me to setup the systems except Melvin. You will stay here and help with any queries that the subject may have.'
Yiovali got to the doors while Vasila, Korvet and two other people followed him in line.
Vasila didn't say anything. She looked at me and pointed one of her thumbs up. I don't know what that meant but it seems like she wishes me well.
'Goodluck, wei wei. you got this.' Korvet said to me with a smile.
'Hey, Don't listen to this guy. you're gonna get fried in the shock from the system. That's what will happen to you in 30 mins from now.' replied the rough looking dude whom I assumed is also a cadet belonging to Unit Vasila.
He had a buzz cut with long scars all over their face and wore that long signature leather coat like Korvet does. 'Why are you giving him baseless hope, dork?' He asked Korvet.
'You don't need to act cool all the time, you know.' said one of the other cadet, who looked and dressed like a female but they had a male voice.
They were the one who slapped this rough looking guy named Fahad when he showed his fingers to me.
'You don't know anything but you still act like you know everything. that's why everyone hates you, Fahad'
'You can shut up, Cal. stop sucking on your boyfriend's c#ck all the time.' Fahad replied, to the Feminine male, whose name is Cal.
Cal was wearing a short leather coat just like Vasila and has a short black hair. They didn't have a bulged chest like Kyle or Vasila.
And It's quite odd that this Fahad has addressed Korvet as Cal's "boyfriend" but since i don't really understand what that even meant, i decided to not dwell on it.
Besides, I have other important things to worry about right now.
'Hey.. My name is Melvin. what's your name?' asked Melvin with a confusing expression which is written all over his face. He is definitely more nervous about this than me. He is the one who had a mushroom haircut and long nose. He also has some facial hair but it didn't grow too well or suit his looks.
I introduced myself again and we sat down in the empty white room.
30 mins from now, I'll be tested for my potential.
If I pass, I'll be able to take my first step to finding the one who killed Kyle.
If I fail, I essentially forfeit my current life. I'll be erased from existence as the memories are the only thing that defines me.
I'll have to prove my worth. by all means, I'll have to become someone who's worthy to stay here.