After exchanging greetings, General Dosh began to share the final summary of the exploration mission the cadets would undergo.
"These past few days, you must have worked hard preparing everything."
Dosh paused briefly. He looked at the cadets' expressions, which were calm yet wrapped in an invisible tension.
"This mission relies on speed, you come to explore, observe, create a report, and then return, that's all I want from you."
The cadets nodded, their breathing stable. It was hard to believe that these five children in front of him were new recruits.
"Of course, if you are accidentally surrounded by enemies, that's where you must utilize the strength you honed here. Don't be afraid, trust in yourselves and the comrades beside you."
While the man was giving advice and instructions, the woman standing beside him was staring at the terminal screen in her hand. Her delicate hands constantly typed and swiped the flat display.
"Before leaving, which one of you has driving experience?"
When Dosh asked that question, the cadets exchanged glances and looked toward Peter, who had an unusual background.
"Peter, I rely on you to safely bring the other four to the destination and return home too."
Peter patted his left chest and straightened his posture before answering.
"As you command."
Dosh nodded firmly. He didn't want to see the slightest hesitation or fear in their voices, as there was only one thing he wanted, which was obedient soldiers who could return to their nest safely.
"General, everything is ready."
The assistant informed him, and General Dosh reached for his left chest to salute his students and offer encouragement as they were about to explore the outside world.
The cadets reciprocated, and shortly after exchanging glances, they entered the car, and the machine that was previously silent roared as the ignition key was turned.
"Cadets, may fortune accompany your journey."
From the side, Dosh witnessed the gray Humvee shake gently until the wheels spun and carried its large body away, leaving him standing with his assistant.
After seeing the car disappear, he turned to his assistant, and without communication, the woman immediately handed him the terminal in her hand.
Dosh tapped the screen a few times as he saw the detailed document about the exploration. The location was in a ruin from the golden age. He checked the map, distance, and environment, and didn't forget to check which kinds of creatures were likely to obstruct the cadets.
His expression was flat, as if unaffected by anything, but when seen closely, the stillness on his face was merely an illusion. General Dosh, barely holding his calm facade, so that his trained cadets could explore the outside world without worry.
The man's heart throbbed as if his body was stung by a strong electric current that brought his gaze into the distance.
'It seems that age has finally caught me, huh.'
Dosh chuckled, admitting that the older he got. The harder it was for him to see his students go to the battlefield and return, bringing only a name with a blood-soaked body bag.
'Cain, come back with your whole team. That's an Order!'
***
After parting with General Dosh, the car driven by Peter sped on the black asphalt. They passed through several districts, following the directions from the monitor screen installed in the dashboard.
Cain, who was sitting in the front seat with Peter, glanced left and right to make sure his group was wearing complete gear.
The five of them wore their training suit, which were tight and elastic, had excellent fluid absorption, and maintained good air circulation. On their arms, they wore iron bracelets that stored the armor suit that would be worn when they were about to pass the gate to the outside world.
"We will arrive at the west gate soon."
Peter's voice was soft, yet it seemed to echo in the ears of the other cadets. Cain nodded and peeked into the mirror to see the condition of his comrades in the back.
"Get ready to wear your Armor suits, and don't forget to keep your neuro link connected for communication."
Cain operated the link installed on his smartwatch. It caused the smartwatches of his four comrades to vibrate, as they were now telepathically connected thanks to the nanites nestled in their brains.
Not only that, the iron bracelets on their wrists creaked, spilling black particles that enveloped their entire bodies up to their heads.
The particles began to bind, forming a solid armor and a helmet capable of protecting the user from attacks and contamination by viruses in the atmosphere outside.
After they passed the urban area, the cadets were presented with a view of open areas stretching on both sides. In front of it, a thick and towering steel gate blocked their way.
Cain shifted his attention to the monitor when a voice call came in. He turned toward Peter, who immediately put on his armor suit and answered the call.
{This is the west sector guard unit. Why are you approaching this place?}
A stiff male voice, almost robotic, spilled from the small speaker on the monitor. Cain leaned closer and opened his mouth.
"We are cadets who received direct orders from General Dosh to carry out a reconnaissance mission at an abandoned ruin. The specific area is…"
After giving a brief summary, the person on the phone went silent, which heightened the tension in the car until, seconds later, a reply came.
{Confirmed, the gate will be opened.}
The communication was closed, and the giant gate in front of them hissed, blowing out a white fog that covered the view behind the wall.
Cain swallowed hard. A notification sound was heard from the monitor, making him glance at it and see a message that said: {May fortune accompany your journey.}
The white fog dissipated, revealing a large and long, dim corridor. The car engine growled as Peter stepped on the accelerator pedal.
When the car passed through the gate, the dim corridor suddenly lit up with a dazzling glow from the neon installed on the roof as it rode a quarter of the way. A gasp came from the seat behind, attracting Cain's attention to the mirror as he saw the gate behind them closing.
Cain took a deep breath, smelling something cold tinged with metal that covered his head. He paused for a moment, listening to his throbbing heart.
'It's time.'
"Everyone, eyes forward!"
The boy's voice was loud, and it reverberated across everyone else's helmets. It caused the other four to nod and straighten their gaze forward. At the end of their gaze, they saw a gap opening slowly, spewing a red light that made their hair stand on end.
"Get ready!"
As the car they were riding passed the last door, everyone held their breath.
Cain could see red, barren plains stretching as far as the eye could see, devoid of life. Thick black clouds covered the sky, illustrating how critical the planet they lived on was.
He turned to the side and furrowed his eyebrows as he saw a crimson pillar, formed by a tornado that lifted red dust, showcasing a chaos that made his hands clench tightly.
'So this is the state of the world outside the wall.'
"Everything is destroyed, leaving nothing behind."
A feminine voice that echoed in Cain's ear made him peek over his right shoulder and see the three members sitting in the back seat, unable to resist approaching the window.
The boy leaned back into his seat and unintentionally met Peter's eyes, who showed his twisted expression from behind the helmet he was wearing.
"The world is dying, right leader?"
Hearing the casual tone coming from the blue-haired man's mouth. Cain chuckled to himself. He crossed his arms over his chest while answering.
"Yeah, no kidding!"