16.08.1642

The Central Military Base

15:10

And so, here she is, sleeping in her room of the apartment in which she lives, before waking up to her alarm that goes on and beginning her day. As usual, just like all the others, she does the morning tasks, like cleaning herself and organising her schedule of the day. Then, when she got dressed up, she leaves her apartment and begins her journey towards the Central Base.

She explained many times in the past, and probably she will do it again in the future. She is a former soldier of that base, before she left after a year of work and joined the Southeast Base where her friends went. But she never really said what exactly made her take this decision, she just said that she despites the people there for being too lazy. Then, when she joined the Southeast Base, she proved her worth and also changed her name, later on becoming one of the Officers of the base.

When she arrives at the base, she has a moment of hesitation of stepping inside the building, but she did it in the end, where she found herself with one of the Officers of the Central Base accompanying her towards the location of the Leader. Of course the Officer knows her, he is a former colleague of hers. As a consequence, he wishes to speak with her too.

[AV4R0]-It really has been a while, Miss ADIN4, hasn't it? I didn't see you in our base for some good years now.

[KYR4]-I guess...

[AV4R0]-You still enjoy talking less, huh? Oh, then you didn't change that much from how Master said. So? How is life going for you now? I believe you joined a different base, right?

[KYR4]-...Yeah. I'm a member of the Southeast Base now. Even an Officer.

[AV4R0]-Really? Oh, then you sure are close to the Leader there if he chose to give you this title. I believe he is a kid too, just like you. Am I right?

[KYR4]-...

She seems pretty annoyed, as the man gets on her nerves quickly.

[AV4R0]-Hahah, oh, I'm just kidding, Adi! No need to do that face now! I congratulate you for achieving this role then. Knowing the responsibilities that come with this title and all, I assume that you had a lot to do, huh? Did you manage to handle it?

[KYR4]-...Yeah.

[AV4R0]-Oh? Then good job! I also heard that you are a member of the Council too, no? The Officer present in the meetings?

[KYR4]-Yes, I am.

[AV4R0]-Heh, what a surprise! Oh, you wouldn't even know how much I've struggled to become one too! But for some reason, Master doesn't wish to let me assist him.

Yet again, she is annoyed by his responses, even beginning to whisper what she has in mind...

[KYR4]-...Of course he doesn't allow you if you do nothing all day, AV4R0.

...before simply avoiding to let the man hear it.

[AV4R0]-Hm? Did you say something?

[KYR4]-...No. I didn't say anything.

[AV4R0]-Okay then... Oh, I actually have a few questions to ask you too! Since you are a member of the Southeast Base and all, maybe I can get a few answers from you! Like, you know the ruler, right? Since He works around that base. Do you think tha--

[KYR4]- --Just get me to Mr. EM3RY, AV4R0. I do not wish to speak with you right now. I have work to do after all.

[AV4R0]-...O-Oh, alright then.

And now, even the man seems annoyed by her response too. In the end, they just continue walking around the hallway of the base towards the Leader. Looking around, you might really see a difference between the Southeast Base and the Central Base. Here, there are thousands of people that are members of the building, from young ones that just graduated, to older ones near their retirement. Hundreds of people walking around, chatting and doing whatever they wish. Yet in the Southeast Base, at best they remained a number in hundreds, if not lower, that do not chat that much and focus on their work alone. It is a reason why this hallway is so full of people, while that hallway is almost empty every day.

After all, everyone in this city believes that the Central Base is the best group of military people that exists, with many candidates every year, with a great salary like none other, paid monthly for putting yourself in danger, yet with former members saying that this base is nothing but a building of lazing around. KYR4 is one of the people that believe this idea, since she too managed to work here for a year. The Southeast Base though, it is barely remembered, but also the group that works the most in this city. They do not like lazing around that much, they simply wish to protect the city after all.

Yet why would people say that this base is the best from them all? Well, lies and greed. The members here believe that they are superior to all the other soldiers, so they make their name heard around the schools by visiting them and giving a few advices, as well as encouraging the students to join them. Those that say the base is great don't say it because of the work itself, but rather because of the money they get. That's why the base is in the top of the students' list of military bases, because it was voted by those that are greedy.

As for the work they do, they make all the equipment for the other bases, as well as for themselves, but also creating new techniques of fighting and defending, a reason why if a battle is started between these two cities, they would be the most trained in a fight. But knowing that most of the people that work here barely respect the schedule, it would only be a lie. If it wasn't like this, then the base was truly what they praised it to be.

But going back to how KYR4 and the Officer are doing, they are still walking around, while KYR4 admires with disgust the people around them.

[AV4R0]-By the way, ADIN4! I am curious of something! Did you miss working with us in these past years? I mean, we were your pals too!

Yet she doesn't respond. She looks at the soldiers around as said. Some are chatting with each other, some are simply doing whatever they like, some are even playing around. Sure, it's a free day, they are allowed to do whatever they wish. But from the way KYR4 looks at them, it doesn't seem that unusual for this atmosphere to be present. More like... it feels like this is how the base actually is all the time. No work done, no seriousness coming from anybody, just staying around the building and winning the monthly payment by doing nothing at all. And only the devoted ones actually respecting their work.

[KYR4]-...No.

16:41

And so, minutes after walking around, she finally found herself in the Leader's office, where she sits down and looks at Mr. EM3RY who analyses a few documents in the meantime.

[KYR4]-...So what do you wish to speak with me about the weapon in cause, Mr. EM3RY?

[EM3RY]-It is not much to speak though, KYR4. As I said yesterday, I have a few documents in which you have to look into about it and give us a small feedback, and also maybe try and announce the ruler when you get back. The designer of the weapon was Mr. SR1J4N, if you remember him. I trust that he was also the creator of your final weapon too, right?

[KYR4]-Maybe.

The Leader gives KYR4 a few papers in which she has to look into, not before starting to talk again.

[EM3RY]-Take your time. You can look into them as much as you wish. Just don't forget to tell me your opinion.

[KYR4]-I won't. It's not the first time I'm doing something like this, god dammit.

[EM3RY]-I know, but who knows how much you've done something like this in the past years.

[KYR4]-Just 'cause I didn't do it as much, doesn't mean I do not remember how to do it.

[EM3RY]-Alright, alright... If anything, I trust that a former soldier of mine would do this small task for me though, am I right? After all, you were a devoted warrior when you used to work for me. What a pity that you've left...

[KYR4]-...So that's what's all about? You wished me to come back here?

[EM3RY]-No. It is your choice alone where do you want to work. I only wanted to get this small matter done quickly and see if the project is of any use. The thing that I managed to get you as the member that helps me is a whole another story.

[KYR4]-And how come that you need a Southeast Base member to give you a feedback?

[EM3RY]-You are the people that work around the ruler Himself, KYR4. And you know very well that in the past months, He wasn't present at the meetings at all. Whatever He is doing there is being hidden from us all, and we cannot even contact Him that much either. So, since I need His approval on the weapon, I need one of the members to be the announcer.

[KYR4]-I'm afraid that the ruler won't be available to give you the permission any sooner though, Mr. EM3RY. He is busy with other matters now. If I manage to speak with Him, I will tell Him what you want.

[EM3RY]-Alright then. I understand. How about you tell me about the sketches? Do you see anything interesting in them?

[KYR4]-If anything, from what I observe on these sketches, the gun in cause is more of a shotgun, right? With a powerful shot, yet easy to handle... Okay, so what exactly do you think that it can help us with the issue with the demons?

[EM3RY]-Well, we believe that the shots themselves should be powerful enough to injure the demons. No, not by creating a wound on their bodies or anything, but more of creating a small fear because of the pain caused and make them run away. The tests with the training dummies have shown us that it can get rid of such object too easily, so if anything, maybe the shot is all that we need.

[KYR4]-Right...

[EM3RY]-So? Do you have an answer? I respect your word since you are a well trained soldier in observing weapons and equipment.

[KYR4]-I would like first to see a result of the shot you've talked about though, Mr. EM3RY. Simple words are not enough for me to get a conclusion.

[EM3RY]-It is the same reason I gave you the sketches, KYR4.

[KYR4]-Yes, but without seeing it with my own eyes, I won't give you any kind of feedback.

[EM3RY]-*sigh*

So, at KYR4's words, the Leader takes from a drawer of his desk a few more papers that seem to be photos of the tests. There are photos of the training dummies completely destroyed and even some with the weapon itself. Then, he gives them to KYR4.

[EM3RY]-Here. Any better?

She begins to analyse the photos themselves, but still no conclusion.

[KYR4]-Some empty photos won't help with anything, Mr. EM3RY. I wish to see it in action.

[EM3RY]-You sure didn't change... You still like analysing everything by each side until you consider it perfect to be released, huh? Seems like some of your old habits from our base remained.

[KYR4]-You want my answer or not?

Then, the Leader stops talking, as he takes an airpod from his communication device and puts it in his ear, calling for a soldier.

[EM3RY]-...1ZA4N, take Prototype74Y9 from the developing room and come in my office. We need to do a few more tests with it.

Not long after that command, KYR4 is taken in a room similar to the training ground of the Southeast Base, full of people either training or testing weapons. Alongside her came the Leader, as well as some of his people to assist him with the weapon in cause. One of them is carrying with him a new weapon, a shotgun as described, with a simple design and written on it "PROTOTYPE: 74Y9". After all, the weapons that are still under development are not given a fascinating design at first, focusing only on making its functions for the time being.

Then, the man gives it to KYR4 at Mr. EM3RY's command, before setting a special training dummy for her too. And not long after, the Leader starts speaking with her again.

[EM3RY]-I will assume that you do not need me to understand how the weapon works?

[KYR4]-I'm fine. I saw the sketches, so I know what I'm dealing with.

[EM3RY]-Oh, but of course. After all, you were one of the best members of this base. Not a single sketch troubled you. And I have to admit, your own prototypes were also fascinating.

[KYR4]-Yeah, yeah. As if I didn't hear that too many times now. So, can I start testing it? Or do you want to add something first?

[EM3RY]-No. You may start.

She is a bit pissed, maybe because she knows that the Leader didn't enjoy the moment she left the base, but from the looks of it, he moved on, accepting that this talented soldier wished to give her full potential somewhere else. So, she fixes her gun in a more proper way before finally starting shooting around, striking the training dummy. She does that for a few minutes while the others are simply watching, yet when she stops, she looks at the marks that are left on the dummy. Or, well... more like what is left from it.

It is indeed a powerful shot coming from this weapon, as only a few trigger pulls were needed to destroy the dummy completely. And yet, KYR4 doesn't feel as it is the best weapon against the demons, but she doesn't really know what exactly is missing either.

[EM3RY]-So? Have you taken a final decision?

[KYR4]-...Not yet. There is still something that it didn't achieve, but I can't figure it out what exactly is.

[EM3RY]-As in...? More power? More velocity?

[KYR4]-Just one second.

She analyses the weapon she holds again, before looking around for whatever reason. It takes her a few seconds to finally make a decision, which seems as she wishes to take a person as a small helper for a bit. So, she looks next to the Leader and points at one of his people, before ordering him something.

[KYR4]-...You. Come here for a bit.

[1ZA4N]-Hm?

He is a bit confused at first, of course, as he looks at his Leader to see what he says about it. Yet the Leader only gives him a nod, an approval to follow the girl's orders. So, he goes where she told him and looks at the Officer which analyses the weapon once more. And then... she does the unexpected.

Unexpected, as in it wasn't expected for them, so of course, it took them a bit by surprise. She shoots the man that stands in front of her with this weapon one time, before everyone getting confused and a bit pissed at this "outsider". And yet... the Leader doesn't really mind it, so he stops everyone that tries to get closer to her or those that try to stop her. After all, the man in cause doesn't have his immunity affected, a reason why she picked him in the first place. She continues for a bit, shooting once or twice more, before finally stopping and looking at the man, observing the result.

The man was exhausted because the impact of the bullets and the pain resulted, but it isn't the exhaustion she wished to see. So, as a consequence, while the helper tries to take a breath, a bit pissed off by this girl, she makes a conclusion and looks at the Leader.

[KYR4]-...I'm afraid the answer will not be by your side this time, Mr. EM3RY. Even though the weapon has a great potential of damaging something, or even someone with an affected immunity, you have to take into consideration that these creatures we are talking about aren't as weak as you think. Sure, the shots are powerful, I admit that, but they aren't enough to get rid even of one demon alone. I would rather say that is has a better chance of annoying the creatures for good rather than scaring them, resulting in them being more violent and more likely to attack even worse. Those are aggressive beings we are talking about after all, simple shots of a gun won't scare them so easily. The shots need to be way more powerful, or even enough to damage their body, in order to achieve your initial plan. So... my answer is no. It isn't a weapon that could be approved by the ruler as a solution to this matter. If anything, it is more like a simple one, enough for a soldier to use during a battle. Did I give you a proper answer now?

[EM3RY]-...Yes. Thank you, KYR4. And I understand. I will not bother the Great Leader with it if you consider that it hasn't enough value on this issue. That is all I needed. You are free to go whenever you wish.

[KYR4]-Before I do so, I have a few suggestions for it knowing the vulnerable part of the demons. Do not focus on the weapon being powerful. Instead, focus on creating the required bullets of such enemy. Creating a small and new device that should serve as a bullet for this type of gun, one that would actually scare the creatures away, should be enough. The device in cause should have an activation system, which when activated should create a powerful light that scares the demons. The bullets should also somehow get attached to the body of the creature, affecting it with the light and getting rid of it as a consequence. This way, the weapon would be perfect in a close fight with the demons. Did I make myself clear?

The Leader then looks at the other member that came with him to assist the test, one that was carrying with him a note and analysed everything that has happened in it, before asking a question.

[EM3RY]-...Did you note that?

The member then looks a bit at his notes, adding a few more words and looks back at his Leader to give him a nod of an approval. He is maybe one of the members that assist the tests around the new weapons and records every failure or improvement, as well as suggestions and possible needs of changes.

[EM3RY]-Alright then. Thank you again for assisting us today, Officer KYR4. Have a restful break.

And with that, the Leader and the assistant leave the training ground with the weapon, where KYR4 remains behind to look around before leaving too. But as she tries so, the other assistant which she has shot at with the weapon got up and came to her a bit mad. Though that didn't surprise her at all...

[1ZA4N]-...Was it really a need of doing such thing, ADIN4?

[KYR4]-Maybe.

[1ZA4N]-You know you're gonna pay for this...

[KYR4]-Sorry not sorry, 1ZA4N.