Veldron was the only known human settlement. Ten thousand miles to the East, West, North and South was nothing apart from lands and water bodies. But even in the only known 'human' settlement, there were two types, the first were the Homo-Sapiens, while the other were called Homo-Lumiuses, naturally enhanced humans. They were way stronger, faster, had heightened senses. As a result, there were different systems of governing for both types. Under the current founder of Veldron, Adesanya Elias, there were two other people, Lady Semiann Kathryn, the Minister For Homo-Luminus Administration, and Regal James, Minister For Homo-Sapien Administration.
These classes of people shared jobs like normal people in different sectors apart from School and Military. When it came to either of this two, the system was strict. In no case will you find an Homo-Sapien in a Homo-Luminus school or barracks, and vice versa. But in all of Veldron, there were only six Homo-Luminuses.
Elaine was a very good soldier, had good accuracy, formidable in hand to hand combat, and is ranked Fifth (5th) among the Best Ten Soliders. From above her to the first, were Homo-luminuses. She was so skilled that even soldiers higher than her in rank were not as confident when it came to combat, unlike when they fought other people. One small mistake while fighting her could prove fatal. People often say it that if she was Homo-Luminus, she would be ranked as the First throughout Veldron, and might even achieve being the first Apex.
The next day, at Veldron Artillery's shooting range, "Elaine," an aged and very skilled mechanic, called. "Hi, Dr. Gearne," she replied, dropping her pistols on the table, and approached the old but able bodied man, white hair, wrinkles and sunken cheeks, dressed in a blue overall for mechanics, black gloves, and boots. "I have a gift for you," he said, leading her away.
They get to his workshop which is the Mecha Sector of Veldron's Artillery. It was a very small workshop compared to the others because he managed to impress them a bit, at a time. He unveils a humanoid mecha, just two times the size of a normal human. "Wow, this is stunning," she said. It was well shaped, having curves, not blocky, bright blue and black colours, fierce eyes. "Thanks," he replies. "Meet the Veld-1K. One of my ideas I know will blow Veldron away. But I want you to test it out first. An honour huh?" he asks, hitting her with a fist bump.
Suddenly, some soldiers were giggling at the entrance of Dr. Gearne's workshop. "Huh, what is the matter?" she asks, as Dr. Gearne wears a weary face. As about four of them walk in, "Elaine, not to discourage you, but the Board does not see his inventions and ideas as necessary anymore," James, who was also in Elaine's rank, Captain, replies. "Mecha's, seriously?. Like, there's no point," another said. "I uh...think I understand your point?. But it does not affect you in any way, does it?. You still have your allowances and benefits. Why the hate?" she asks. "Well, with your combat abilities, maybe if you focused more on yourself, amongst the strongest soldiers in Veldron, you might advance, climb up the ranks. Instead, you're here, testing oversized toys. I just find it unfortunate," Captain Leah said, walking away. "Really?, okay. But just hold on then a sec," Elaine said, catching Sergeant Leah's attention.
"If by one chance or the other, the Homo-Luminus you all so much believe in, turns on us, what will be your best bet?," "You see, we are-". "Hold it right there", Elaine said, cutting her short.
"I see, so you're one of them huh. Very good. Why don't we have a competition. You against an oversized toy, by this time tomorrow," Elaine said. "What's the bet?" Leah asks. "If I win, I will not just have your vote to encourage the mass production and development of Mechas, you will also donate Ten Thousand Veldrings to this man's cuz," Elaine suggests. "And if I win, you will not only stop testing, you will be against Mecha in public, and you'll pay Ten Thousand Veldrings," Leah suggests.
"I can agree to the Ten Thousand Veldrings, but also influencing my feelings? No way," Elaine protests. "Like you did you try to influence mine," Leah fires back. "Whatever," Elaine replies.
"I guess it's just Ten Thousand Veldrings then," Elaine said.
Elaine walks over to Dr. Gearne and they whisper to one another. Towards the end of their five minutes talk, she laughs. She then walks back up to Leah.
"Deal," she agrees. "Hmph, you are so toast," Leah said, as they walk away.
Immediately, Dr. Gearne let out a deep sigh, like he has been holding it for quite some time. "I really hope this plan of ours work," he cried.
"What's the matter?".
"It is still a prototype," he said.
"No worries. And if anything goes wrong, we'll deal with it. It's going to be fine," she said. "And I promise you that even if we don't win, they will still consider your project ideas," she continues, winking at him.
"Oh, Elaine, I wish you were my daughter," he cried.
The next day, "Boom, boom, boom", explosions at Dr. Gearne's testing area. It like a small field of sand. "What is going on over there?" Soldiers that passed by wondered. It was the Mecha taking target practice. As expected, with stunning spins, calculated jumps, Elaine shoots at the core of the flying drones, hitting target after every second try.
During the training session, about forty soldiers had gathered to watch the testing, including two Commanders. While the target practice went on, "Thank you for gracing us w-".
"Make no mistake. I'm not here for your Mecha tantrum," Comm. Dudlin shutts Dr. Gearne up.
"I mean, who does not want to see the Fifth strongest soldier in the whole of Veldron in action," Comm. Rayes said.
"Still, thank you for gracing us with your presence, sir," Dr. Gearne said, quicky.
"You this stubborn man, hmph," Comm. Rayes said as they both walk to seats in the testing area.
As they sat, "Hmm?" Commander Dudlin expresses his suspicion.
"What's the issue? Commander Rayes asks.
"Don't you find it strange that there are seats in a testing area?" Commander Dudlin asks.
"Like they are expecting more people huh?. What is this old man up to?", Commander Rayes thought
What came next was the real battle.
Suddenly, Captain Leah walks in with her buddies.
"How long is this suppose to take," Commander Rayes asks Dr. Gearne.
"Judging on the capability and fire power_".
"Gearne!" Comm. Rayes called.
"Well, it all depends. Let's see how this play out," he replies.
"What do you mean?" Dudlin asks.
"It would be bad of me to ruin the fun, wouldn't it," Dr. Gearne replies, smiling broadly.
"Where is Elaine?" Leah asks loudly. "Where else," Dr. Gearne said, while walking away, as the Mecha waved.
"What?, It's suppose to be Captain Leah versus the oversized toy alone," one of her lackeys protest.
"No," Leah said. "This is perfect. As a member of the Homo-Luminus, I will ingrain our victory and your defeat on this grounds", she said approaching the Mecha.
"Erhm mm," Dr. Gearne clears his throat into a microphone, from a tower, gaining the attention of the about sixty five soldiers that were present as more had added.
The small arena fell into a hush as Dr. Gearne ascended the dais. A good number of eyes military brass, and wide-eyed cadets, fixed upon him. He raised his hands, and the murmurs died.
"We are gathered here today," his voice boomed through the amplifiers, rich with theatrical gravitas, "not merely to witness a spectacle, but to answer a question that will shape our future: are Mechas worthy of our blood, our treasure, our very souls?"
A ripple of mockery and dissatisfaction passed through the crowd.
"And because two Commanders of the Alliance stand before us today, let no one dare call this anything less than official."
Leah stood with her weight on one hip, arms loosely folded, a half-smirk playing at the corner of her mouth as she watched the doctor perform. Across from her, Elaine was statue-still, chin high, violet eyes cold and unblinking. The air between them crackled though they had yet to move.
Dr. Gearne's gaze lingered on them both, savoring the tension like a conductor before the downbeat.
"Each challenger will receive twin Mark-VII variable-pressure pistols," he continued. "Squeeze gently for precision. Crush the grip, and the coils will sing; velocity and mass will climb until the barrel glows. The loser forfeits ten thousand veldrings to the winner. No more, no less."
He let the sum hang in the air; a fortune to most in
the stands.
"May this duel enlighten us all."