Chapter 297: Destiny
One by one, the captains were called up to the front. Each received a metallic identification badge and instructions regarding their deployment zone before taking their leave from the hall.
After a short while, Alexander was left as the very last person in line.
"Alexander, step up," Harrison said, handing him a gold badge engraved with the sector code. "Here, this is your badge and your newly assigned region. Head to door 12b; they’ll give you the full details over there."
Alexander took the badge, his brow furrowed. "Wasn’t my deployment supposed to be seven days from now?" Alexander asked. "I thought today was just an orientation briefing."
"Briefing?" Harrison said with a chuckle. "Look, kid, I know very well that you’re Stephen’s favorite, but out here, I don’t give a damn about your sponsors. Get your ass to the room I told you before I break your legs."
Alexander didn’t say another word. He realized that arguing was pointless, so he turned on his heel and walked down the corridor toward the designated room. As he moved forward, he couldn’t help but reflect on the supervisor’s words. So it had been Stephen pulling the strings in secret to accelerate his transfer and pull him out of Julian’s direct reach.
I guess I owe you even more now, you crazy old man, Alexander thought.
Reaching door 12b, he pressed the access panel. The door slid open, revealing a spatial portal identical to the one in his personal headquarters. Alexander adjusted his rifles, prepared to step right through, but a voice stopped him from the side.
"Don’t be in such a rush," said a young woman walking toward him, adjusting a pair of thin-framed glasses with an intelligent look.
"Who are you?" Alexander asked, checking his stride.
"My name is Samantha," the young woman said, crossing her arms in a stance. "I am the foremost scholar and expert on Embran culture in this entire division."
"Embran?" Alexander asked.
"Yes, Embran," Samantha said. "Though you probably know them as the fox-women."
"Is that where I’m being deployed?" Alexander asked.
"That’s right," Samantha said, checking the screen of her tablet. "It’s an underdeveloped border region of the Sandoria Empire."
Alexander froze on the spot, feeling a strike in his chest. Sandoria? That was the exact empire of origin Liora had mentioned when telling him about her past.
Was this just a coincidence, or was fate finally moving its pieces?
"Are you going to be my assistant?" Alexander asked.
"You wish. I’m only in charge of giving you the briefing on this planet, not helping you out," Samantha said.
"Understood. So what were you going to tell me?" Alexander asked.
"The place you’re arriving at is called Plyaro, currently under the rule of Empress Liandra. Our agents got there by accident and managed to establish a small enterprise, of which you are now the leader. When you report in over there, you just need to hand over your badge to take full control," Samantha said.
"And what is my main objective supposed to be?" Alexander asked.
"Your mission is to infiltrate their domain. Your achievements and merits within the corporation will be based strictly on the amount of profits you can bring back," Samantha said.
"What exactly are you looking for in that world? What are you trying to get?" Alexander asked.
"Right, you’ve never been to this world before. Here, take a look at these," Samantha said, pulling a few small, clear stones resembling quartz from her pocket.
"What are these?" Alexander asked, taking them in his hand.
"Energy crystals. That’s what we call them around here, and over there they’re also the primary currency. Have you never wondered why you haven’t needed to charge your phone up until now?" Samantha asked.
Alexander immediately pulled out his terminal and looked at the screen. The battery was still sitting at one hundred percent despite all the time that had passed.
"It’s true... I’ve never charged it," Alexander said.
"A small crystal like that can keep your phone powered for a hundred years. Our faction is still trying to figure out how it works, and they’re continuing to experiment. That laser weapon you’re carrying is also manufactured using that same energy. In fact, that’s why it’s useless out there; it was an accidental discovery," Samantha said.
"Why doesn’t it work on them?" Alexander asked.
"We realized that the energy from these stones doesn’t affect the locals. Their skin seems able to adapt to its frequency, making it super effective in our world, but not in theirs. You don’t need to carry that weapon over there—it’s no different than carrying a lighter," Samantha said.
"I see," Alexander said, dropping the weapons onto the table. "Then why did they say something about the suit? And a Silver level?"
"Sounds like you’re getting the hang of it," Samantha replied with a slight smile. "It’s simple: you could say that only brute force works in that world. In your natural state, your body doesn’t have the density of the creatures and inhabitants over there; we’re nearly ten times weaker than them. That’s what you’ve been trained for using those regeneration and strengthening fluids—to improve your baseline human structure."
"And the suit helps bridge that gap?" Alexander asked.
"Exactly. Weapons and armor over there are divided into ranks: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Your suit is the best our technology can currently produce—a Silver class. It enhances your strength, your reaction speed, and also provides physical protection. Though I’m no weapons specialist, so I can’t give you more technical details. I’m just passionate about studying the history and culture of the realms, and whenever they discover a new one, I get a little too excited," Samantha said, adjusting her glasses.
Alexander looked at the portal before him, taking in every piece of information. Without the laser weapons, he would have to rely entirely on his Silver suit, his enhanced physical strength, and his own survival instincts.
He took a deep breath, adjusted his uniform, and took a firm first step into the blinding light of the portal, ready to venture into the Sandoria Empire.