"Good morning, Zeros! This is Zion, and I effectively restrained him during their attack yesterday. I saw him throw some punches, showed what I'm capable of, and he decided to surrender. Ain't that funny?"
Zach presents Zion to his two newest squad members. Zoey growls, ready to test her skills on the would-be prisoner. While Zeth raises one brow, wondering about Zach's intention to show off a captured enemy.
"He will also be joining us for training! I convinced the higher-ups to let me recruit this snarky little fellow! Welcome our new member, squad!"
"What!?"
The two said in unison. Appalled by the announcement. Zach lets out an energetic laugh. Zion scoffs, rolling his eyes while doing so.
Zeth notices Zion's features, his body boasts a rough and rugged type with developed muscle mass that is bulky in shape. His prominent upper muscles contrast with the lean lower body. His physique is similar to a street fighter, seemingly giving away a hint of Zion's past.
Looking at his unimpressive yet average-looking face, Zeth noticed his obviously dyed hair. It has already grown out, creating a distinct, two-tone color with dark red on the ends and mid-length of his hair, and a natural black color on the roots and scalp area. He styles his hair into a sleek, pompadour-like look.
Zion's jumpsuit is identical to the others', except he rolled up the sleeves and popped the collar. True to his delinquent stereotype.
"Ha! Look at your faces. I just know all of you are going to be lifelong friends! We should try to celebrate your friendversary every year!"
Zach holds up his two hands and forms a square-shaped frame with his fingers, mimicking a camera.
"Or squadversary, right, captain?"
Zoey playfully chimes in.
"The hell we are! Why are you keeping him anyway!?"
Zeth couldn't help himself and said it out loud, quite out of character for him, but only because he is worried about Zion going rogue.
"Relax! When we fought, I quickly defeated him. I made him choose death or surrender! He chose the latter. Isn't that amazing?"
Zach replied, putting his imaginary camera into his jumpsuit's pocket.
"Amazing my ass! Don't listen to this guy! I made a deal with the Zoldoids that they would take me in as a defector if I revealed Zarktard's and his crew's plans!"
Zion stomped, bewilderingly exclaimed, and his eyes flashed a red glow.
So he did surrender.
Zeth thought. He hides a smirk, disregarding what Zion claims.
[Zarktard… Zoldoids… He speaks like that Zark guy. Are they related? Maybe he has his own useful Zystem! Let's eat him, Zeth!]
Suddenly, Zela's voice barges into Zeth's mind. Her tone seems interested and excited.
"Shut up."
He meant to respond to Zela, but Zeth accidentally muttered while looking annoyed.
"Oi, who're you telling to shut up, Zoldoid?"
Zion leans closer, nerves throbbing, and he grits his teeth.
"Hey, I'm Zoey!"
Zoey steps in between them, and Zion blushes and immediately turns around.
"I took him in because he wanted to find his sister here. In exchange, we now know the enemy's plans. Whatever you're thinking, Zeth, he won't do it. I'll see to it, I assure you that."
In an unexpected sight, Zach appeared to be reliable when he spoke. Zeth nods, de-escalating, facing Zion.
"A- Alright. Did you lose your sister before coming here?"
"You think we're stupid?! We got separated! This guy said you will help me find her!"
Zach claps his hands together, generating a loud slapping sound as he walks in front of the three recruits.
"Alright, that's enough! You will have your chance to get to know each other in the coming days, and I am excited for the budding friendship we will all build!"
Zach's tone was a bit sarcastic and playful at the same time. As he stands in front of them, he puts his hands on his waist.
"Now, I won't bore you with more details you should've known since birth. But to put it simply, the Force and cities are, in a sense, at war. For years, both of them had been engaged in battle, but recently we have entered a period of peacetime. The Great Cities are finally cooperating, hooray, right? But while we built up our numbers, reports of unknown enemy underlings are kidnapping children to raise them as one of their own. Zion here was once part of that silly program, ain't that right?"
Zion scoffs, crossing his arms, and he bares his teeth.
Zeth and Zoey step closer, trying to pay attention.
"While the cities are trying to defend themselves from your average Zenos, we also protect them from the evil underlings. Now, who can tell me what an underling is? Except you, Zion, I know you are one."
Zoey raises her hand eagerly.
"An underling is someone with Zeno powers called Zystems! The Force has Zystem users in their ranks, but not everyone!"
"Great job, Zoey! Now, I won't debate the morality of using such powers, but if it works against defeating the enemy, then why not? Having a Zystem is excellent and is quite an effective tool to achieve a goal!"
Zeth raises his hand, expressing a desire to ask a question.
"Are you an underling, err, sir?"
"Good question. Why don't you ask Zion over there if I am? He got a front row seat to my powers, ha!"
Zach smacked his fist into his open palm, cracking it afterwards, and let out a cocky smile.
Annoyed, Zion could only scornfully grit and snarl.
"That didn't answer my question…"
Zeth sighs and slouches.
"Anyway, with that said, underlings, no matter which side they are on, are very dangerous! That is why, as members of the elite Zoldier Force and my squad, you will need training! You have to prove your worth to the court before they dismiss your case entirely!"
"What? The court? What the hell do you mean?"
Zion, fist at the ready, goes on guard, surprised by the revelation.
"Court-martial!"
"I thought we're good to go. What are we going to prove to the court?"
Zoey said, glancing at Zeth and Zion.
"I lied. Kinda. I said I deemed you three innocent, and I want you to be part of my squad."
Like a trickster, Zach smiles.
"Bullshit!"
Zion shouted, and he shifted his stance.
"But the whole Force wants you three dead. Zion, you did help with the attack, so there's no helping you. Switching sides is not an easy task. Zeth and Zoey, they thought you were collaborators, helped those two get inside and cause chaos."
"B- But we were just passing by!"
Zoey cried out. She braced for a fight.
"I know. Trust me, kids, I'm doing this because I believe you. This hurts me more than it hurts you!"
In an instant, Zach appears in front of Zion and throws a straight punch, which sends him flying.
"What does fighting prove?!"
Zoey screams. Then Zach grabs her face with one hand and violently throws her down on the ground.
Zeth kept his composure, but he was genuinely caught off guard. Thinking fast enough to feign a scared escape, but before he could get any distance, Zach seized his legs and yanked him off, tossing him to the ground beside a seemingly unconscious Zoey with a loud thud.
"Think of it this way, as a Spezial Zero rank, I have friends in power because I am a powerful friend. They listen to what I want, and if I say I want new team members for my squad, they will allow it. But I ain't powerful enough to convince them that I wish to have you three on my team. So, I'm doing this for your good. Because, you see, they want to execute you for being an enemy of the state!"
Zach jumps into the air and comes down hard, driving his feet into Zoey's back with a striking impact. It sent a sharp pain through her. Her lungs could barely supply her with any air for her to scream.
Zion swiftly tries to deliver a punch. But Zach quickly leans backwards and dodges, missing him by an inch. In the same motion, Zach drives his knee into Zion's chest mid-air before throwing him to the ground as well.
"You will need to prove useful not only to me, but also to them! Show me why you deserve the spot on my team!"
Zeth stands up. He can't contain himself anymore, and he almost wants to reveal his power.
This guy is definitely a Zystem user!
[We should eat him.]
"Ah, my peculiar rookie. How do you want to do this?"
Zach pumps his arms, pivoting his footwork, playfully boxing in the air.
"Use your Zystem and find out!"
Zeth wipes off the dripping blood from his nose, taking long drags to breathe some air.
Grinning menacingly, his eyes shine with a faint green hue. Zeth positions himself, ready to fight back.
Zach smirks, his eyes radiating a white glow.