The ship continued to approach the island at a steady pace.
A few meters from contact with the shore, a transparent blue dome surrounding the island appeared.
The ship moved through the barrier uninterrupted as if it wasn't there.
"This is similar to the barrier we made with the force field generator, only on a much larger scale," Axel commented.
Kale, on the other hand, couldn't control himself. The idea of seeing new places and meeting new people was riveting.
"Attention!" A voice spoke through the comms placed around the ship.
"All recruits are to leave the ship in 7. 6. 5…" Kale and Axel sprinted out of their room and onto the shore they had just landed on.
When they got out, they discovered they were among the last people to leave.
"1." The gangway rose and trapped everyone who was still inside.
"Those who didn't make it out in time will be severely punished when the government sees fit." Miss Cayenne walked out and revealed before pointing to the island's center
"The structure at the center is Military Aase Alpha One. Otherwise known as MBA 1." She tapped at her trusty tablet.
"Once there, you will be assigned to your rooms and addressed accordingly."
She spared a glance at them.
"Are you waiting for a taxi? Get on with it! Move!"
The recruits started to march steadily to the center.
Time moved on and their march was uninterrupted until they came across a small dome made of concrete.
The dome had only one arched doorway.
The bravest recruit took a step forward and entered, soon followed by the next, until all of them filed in.
Kale and Axel kept their eye on Eric while the latter had his head hung low.
'Has he already been punished or is he anticipating the punishment?' Kale pondered.l as they walked through a dark tunnel.
The tunnel was what followed after the doorway. It was rough, dusty, and seemed almost unstable as it sloped downwards.
"There's always light at the end of the tunnel," Axel muttered.
"Really bro? Right now?"
"No, idiot look." Kale focused his sight, and indeed, there was a small dot that was clearly light.
"And how did you see this before me?"
"My glasses aren't for aesthetics, you know? Now focus."
The recruits continued until the small light became bright and very visible.
At the end of the tunnel, was a glass door that let the light from the other end enter.
The recruit gripped the knob and opened it.
"Good. You made it here sooner than expected." A familiar voice spoke.
When the door swung open, Miss Cayenne was already waiting, as if she had always been there.
"How did she-?"
"Look around." She interrupted Kale.
The room they were in had beige walls with smooth layered floors and multiple couches, bean bags, and snooker tables. It was clearly a place to relax.
There were about three doors leading into and out of the room. Everything about the room was quite inviting.
"This is the common room of this facility."
She then turned and started walking away soon followed by the recruits.
Her heels and lab coat made her appear almost spectral.
She walked through one of the doors and entered a large hall, but she kept on walking until she reached the double doors at the end.
With a groan, she pushed it open and continued walking.
The recruits could only keep silent as they followed her. Even Axel and Kale decided to keep shut.
Behind them, however, was Eric, and he had his mind in a bundle.
He wasn't feeling guilty about his attempt on Kale's life, but rather embarrassed that he had failed.
The idea that he had failed to kill one of two teenagers, not adults but teenagers, was beaten in turn was almost too much for him.
By this time, they had reached an office with a large desk in the center.
The desk had a large box but nothing else.
Rage still burned in his heart, but it was now layered with self-doubt and uncertainty.
"Here. Take and pass on to the next person." Miss Cayenne handed out watches and phones to the recruits, all taken from the box.
"The phones contain the map of this underground facility and the rooms that are inaccessible to you."
Her eyes hovered over them.
"Then again you won't even be given access to the rooms even if you try. Questions?"
A hand rose.
"None? Perfect." She completed and walked out of the office, leaving them to their devices.
Eric looked at the black screen of his phone and watched it buzz into life.
He read what appeared on the screen and was surprised.
[The military has a task for you alone.]