The victory of the first battle was nothing but a first step of the conquest. The rebellion that was led by Kai Shin was stopped with overwhelming power and technology. The secret of a new soldier called Sentinel, opened widely to the world. The world had realized one thing. A new era of humanity has begun.
Thousands of Sentinels have been dispatched to deter the rebellion with a small number of casualties. The states that were conquered by Kai Shin were liberated and were given to their new rulers.
"It's all according to his plan, huh?" a man in white coat said. "We were nothing but a character in his book"
He was nervous, and he was excited at the same time. He was nothing but a normal man before, was nothing but a scientist thirty years ago. Not only that, but he was older back then, already reaching seventy of age.
"I still remember when he came to me and asked me to join him. He was a smooth talker. It seems like he knew what I was thinking. He knows me more than I do. We talked for so many hours. Many topics that I couldn't discuss with others. Talking to him made me feel young. When I said that to him. He actually made me younger"
"Do you remember what your life was like before?"
(-----)
"I forgot you can't talk. I will make you speak later" the man laughed
"Professor Trigon"
A man opened the door. He was surprised to see the professor talking to the human in a glass container. The human in the glass was strange in his eyes. He looks normal, but there was something, something different.
"You know," Professor Trigon interrupted. "We can instinctively feel the difference between us and other humans. We can't see the difference, but we can feel it. The danger sense inside all of us triggered when they sensed a threat."
Professor Trigon is still staring at his specimen in a glass. He was fascinated and full of curiosities.
"Is this human from another world?" The man touched the glass. He was also fascinated. The existence of something that is similar but different.
"So, why are you here, boy?" asked Professor Trigon
His question snapped the man back to reality.
"Commander Alexander asked for your attendance, professor"
"Alexander, huh? That boy has guts to ask for my presence"
The man who brought the news was nervous. He was afraid of Professor Trigon as many were. The professor is really someone you should never mess up with.
"Don't be nervous" said the professor "Tell Alexander, I will be there"
He knew the topic Commander Alexander wanted to discuss. That man was nothing but an open book to Professor Trigon.
In the base of where Kaine's squad were. The sentinels were training. Their training was harsh, but their new advanced body was able to endure the pain.
Kaine was also there watching his squad trained. Near him was Leon and Parth. They were called by Kaine.
"What do you see in our first battle?" asked Kaine
"The vast difference between us and them" said Parth proudly
Leon was silent for a while. He has one answer in his mind.
"We sentinels are developed in different ways," answered Leon.
Kaine was glad to hear the answers. He realized he was not alone saw the outcome of their first battle.
"Which squads do you think shined in the battle" asked Kaine
"The squad led by Captain Amon were strong. They were proficient with stealth and manipulation. The armies of the rebellion on their side were fighting each other because they fell into the squad tactic." said Leon "But…" Leon stopped. "The squad that caught my eyes is the squad led by Captain Harrion. He was nothing but a monster. His name already echoed through the world. The way he fought was brutal but effective. An army has retreated because of him alone."
"Harrion…" said Parth. He can't deny Harrion's feats. Even though their squad is in different locations. Harrion's fight was recorded and was watched by many others.
"Of course, he can't defeat you, captain," Parth said with pride.
"No one else has an achievement like you, captain" Leon supported.
"You know which route they would choose to retreat, and you also know where they were the strongest," praised Parth.
Kaine was happy by his two comrades' admiration. He was glad none of his squad fell in the battle.
"We have one more thing to do before we enter the portal," said Kaine.
Kaine's words ringing through the room. Everyone heard their captain's voice. Every sparring and every training session was stopped.
"There will be a match between Sentinels a week from now. The match was to decide which squad would lead the attack in a portal." he announced. "I need to send two volunteers to fight in the match,"
The whole squad went silent, and they whispered to each other. This strange situation surprised Kaine. He expected more spirit from his squad. They usually competed with each other and tried to present themselves as the best.
"Damn it!" one of them shouted.
"It's not fair" the other screamed
Kaine was surprised again. The situation before him was really strange. They went silent and then had a riot. All of them were frustrated and screaming unbothered by their captain's reaction.
"Oii" said Kaine, but he was still ignored by his squad.
"What are you all talking about?" asked Kaine. He looked at Leon, but Leon was just smiling and happy. His smug face was despised by Parth.
"You are a lucky bastard," said Parth while holding Leon's shoulder.
"The one who entered would be me and Terrion, captain," said Leon.
He cannot control his smile and his words were not objected to by any person in the squad.
"Okay" said Kaine. He was done already. He has no clue about what happened. Nothing even makes sense to him.
"We have a bet before" said Parth "We knew there would be a match between squads. Everyone knew it would happen" said Parth. He was happy to explain to his captain but at the same time he was sad he couldn't enter the match.
"Whoever contributed the most in the first battle will become candidates for the match" Parth continued.
Kaine was happy he already understood the question. The performances they gave before were unbelievable. They were swift with their movement, their teamwork shined and
"That's why you worked so hard before, Terrion?" asked Kaine. He still remembered the sight of Terrion standing beside him. Terrion was bigger than the other. His muscle was unbelievable and his discipline followed.
Terrion was standing at the corner, silent. He only nodded.
"You did a great job, Terrion" muttered Kaine.
Terrion was happy inside, but he wanted his captain to see him as a cool, and never lose control type of person. Terrion answered his captain with another nod. He then covered his face with his hand, everyone but Kaine knew Terrion was happy.
Apart from Kaine and Leon. Terrion's performance was admirable. He was able to defeat all the enemies that came to him. Tanks were nothing to his superior strength. He was also able to defeat hundreds of soldiers with his fist alone. He was gifted by strength.
Kaine was happy, he didn't have to choose. He was having a headache before who should he choose, but he was relieved the headache was over. He only knew the match between the Sentinels would be held when he was talking with Commander Alexander before.
"Wait!" he shouted.
"How did you all know the match would happen?"
"It's a tradition, captain," Leon answered.
"Sentinels will have a match between squads before they first enter the portal," said Leon.
"Ohhh, I didn't know"
Kaine's reaction surprised the room. They were silent and didn't dare to speak a word. Leon's trembled. He was scared he embarrassed his captain. Everyone in the squad was scared too. They regret they didn't tell their captain about that before.
"We are sorry, captain" said all the sentinels in the squad "We failed to inform you" they all bowed their heads.
"I'm just…" Kaine knows his words will be meaningless. This situation has happened so many times before. "It's okay, I forgive you all," said Kaine. Only that words will calm his squad.
His squad were loyal to him. Even a simple mistake or gesture will make them feel guilty. Their captain was their pride.