Stopping just before his visibly tense body, the female figure cracked a warm, amicable smile before finally speaking.
"Hello Vance. It's nice to meet you." She paused briefly before continuing, "The name's Talene, and I'm a team captain of Aegis. However, you should only refer to me as Captain Talene"
She glanced around the room before extending her hand."On behalf of my team and colleagues, we sincerely welcome you to the planet Nivet."
Vance hesitated, eyeing the outstretched hand.Then, straightening his posture, he reciprocated the gesture. How cold.That was the first sensation he felt. Talene's grip carried the chill of the Arctic.
She smiled upon releasing the handshake, glanced around to look at the Gate behind him briefly, then turned on her heel and strode toward the door.
Just as she reached the frame. Taller than what Vance was used to, she stopped and glanced over her shoulder.
"And Balgur," she called out, her tone light but firm. "The lieutenant wants to see you before dawn, so wrap up any loose ends quickly. His tone was quite… urgent, if I'd say so myself."
With that, she exited, followed by several others, as if by silent agreement. Their footsteps echoed through the towering metallic corridor, and soon, Talene's soft humming faded into the distance.
Vance shifted uneasily.
Balgur?His eyes darted around the room, but the only face he found was Ares, who stood nearby with a barely concealed smile.
Then, a deep voice rang out from behind him.
"I'm behind you, Vance."
A sharp jolt ran through his chest as he spun around. His pupils widened as they reflected the towering figure before him.
Gone was the strange armor Balgur had been in right as Vance used the Gate. Now, he stood clad in ceremonial attire, similar to Talene's, except his was completely black with blood red, cuff bands.
The attire was devoid of any embellishments—save for the insignia of a gladiator-like helmet pierced vertically by a blade located on the right shoulder. How long had he been standing there? Vance clenched his jaw.
Ever since he had stumbled into this world through means unknown to him, it had been one absurdity after another.
And now this.
How had this giant of a man managed to sneak up on him so easily? A how did he change so quickly?
Shaking off the thought, he exhaled sharply and forced his voice steady:"Where are we now?"
It was a question he had asked repeatedly, even before arriving at the teleportation gate.Yet, each time, his only answers had been vague answers from Ares and the occasional intrigued glance from Cecilia.
Now, standing face to face with Balgur, he wasn't sure if he was finally about to get an answer, or just more silence.
"And Cecilia?" Vance asked.
"She went to the recruitment center to make an inquiry about you," Ares responded.
"All your questions will be answered in due time," Balgur finally said. "For now, just follow along." He gestured for Vance to move with them.
They strode through the metal-lined corridors, the walls illuminated by flowing lines of light, pulsing like veins. On either side of the wall, Vance noted the presence of stairs, and something that looked like elevators. Though he wasn't as sure about the latter.
As they walked, Ares and Balgur engaged in conversation, their voices casual but layered with weight. Vance listened in silence as a peculiar exchange caught his attention
.
"Two days ago, on the Khansa Front, the Sekar'ei suffered a tremendous blow," Ares murmured."Their forces stationed along the asteroid belt were hit by a roaming mothership belonging to a Ghall. You know what that means for us. The location of this place has never done us any justice."
"I see, then, that explains the appearance of so many bastardly presence" Balgur replied, his tone measured.
"Then that must be what the lieutenant wants to discuss, I guess?Either that, or this is just a summary of the situation over there."
"Does it even matter?" Ares shrugged. "We're going to be stationed there regardless. Might as well enjoy the days we have left here."
Vance felt unease and fascination settling in his chest.
Eavesdropping on their conversation, he found himself with more questions than answers. Though some were more disconnected from the convo than he'd liked to admit.
Was melee combat the primary method of warfare here?That didn't make sense, considering the level of technology he had already seen, and talks about space vessels.
He wasn't particularly well-versed in technology, as he had been quite subpar in school, but he knew that any civilization capable of space travel should have the ability to develop advanced firearms, drones, and other modern weapons of war.
Also, what exactly were Ascendants? Surely there had to be troves of information about them, given their seemingly common presence. And the most shocking one: Aliens.
Not that he hadn't encountered one before, but given his currently steadied nerves and clear mind, the information was even more nerve-racking than his previous experience.
Beings he had only known as speculation and myth were not just real. Still… this was not his reality so it didn't make much sense to use the lens of his old ones.
They were an undeniable part of this reality—walking, breathing, and cleary warlike.
His reality now.
Vance exhaled slowly, suppressing the urge to interrupt.He had so many questions, but he wasn't sure if he was ready for the answers. That's not right. He was ready. He had always been.
For now, he would just follow along.
After another few minutes of walking past various structures, such as: stairwells, elevators, and doorways marked by unfamiliar signs and numeralsVance grew more and more disoriented.Just ahead, the approached the end of the corridor where Balgur, and Ares came to a stop. Balgur retrieved a small card from his person and pressed it against a glass-like panel protruding from the wall.
With an audible beep, the door slid open to reveal a brightly lit room.
Vance stepped inside behind them, only to momentarily pause in stupor.
Before him stretched a sterile white space lined with machines and unfamiliar equipment. He turned to the duo, seeking an explanation. Soon, nothing would longer surprise him.
Ares obliged immediately."This is the Central Recovery Ward," he said, nodding toward the far end of the room. Then, with a smirk, he added:
"And this is where you will be assessed."