Entering the main building Rex and Chase were greeted by a lady with short cut blonde hair. She handed them each a card with a number prescribed onto it. They were then asked to walk through the door on their left of the large square-shaped room. 

The metallic corridor had lights on the ceiling which kept it surprisingly bright considering they were entering a deeper part of headquarters. They walked in silence, the sound of their shoes meeting the burnished floor manifesting a tapping noise pulsating throughout the empty hallway. Eventually, they arrived in a dimly lit enlarged space.

There appeared to be over two hundred applicants present. All of them stood shoulder to shoulder as the room became increasingly cramped. This wasn't what Rex expected in the least. He'd kept hearing stories of how the Seeker Corps was a lost cause and regarded as a failing military branch. Nevertheless, there waited a myriad of young men and women spanning from the many different districts of Sanctuary. 

Some were tall. Others short. Some looked presentable while some donned ragged and torn clothing. People from all walks of life collected in this very building. Rex tried his best to familiarize himself with some of the faces surrounding them. Should he get accepted, these were the soldiers he'd fight alongside. 

Something he instantly noticed was how the vast majority wore a saddened or confused expression, almost as if they didn't want to be there. Truth be told, not every person possessed the same method of thinking. Most didn't have grand ambitions or a sense of justice. Some, if not all, more than likely wanted to secure a position ensured to present them with a better future. Nothing more, nothing less. He couldn't necessarily get mad at them for having this sort of ideology. However, it frustrated him they weren't striving to support the seekers.

Just like his brother, Chase also surveyed the area. Impatiently waiting for the exam to start Chase spotted a girl walk past him. There was something unique about her, and it wasn't her set of distinctive short red hair. Her dark-colored eyes carried intelligence which Chase believed exceeded most present, himself included. Unlike most girls in Sanctuary, she carried a rather vigorous aura. 

These days, it was the societal norm for women to acquire a reliable job and increase the population's size. Most did. However, this widely accepted standard seemed not to apply to her. Observing quietly, Chase noticed the significant lack of female applicants inside the enormous cluster of young men. For a member of the opposite sex to take the initiative of enlisting for this line of work told him she was indeed something special. As well as someone to watch out for. She must've felt his gaze as she soon glanced back at him, cold eyes penetrating his poised mask. Chase averted his stare, hastily shuffling next to his brother.

"Something wrong??"

"N- No. I just-" When he searched for the girl again she'd vanished. Seamlessly disappearing into the crowd like a spirit.

"Don't lose focus, Chase. We've worked too hard."

"M- My apologies. I merely got distracted, I'm better now." He responded, returning to his normal calm and collected self. "So, what do you think? Is there anybody here you deem necessary to monitor? I've noticed quite a couple myself. I can't fight the fear that should some of these guys become seekers we'd have to work with incompetence."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Not everyone shares the same goal." He took another sweep of the expanding crowd. "Seekers work as a squad. There is always strength in numbers, it's an undeniable fact of nature. If those amongst this group can't be relied on then it already creates a ceiling to what we can accomplish. We can only advance as long as we are a part of a dependable unit."

Rex nodded his head in agreement. His brother made sense, however, he failed to mention an important factor. "Chase, none of us have the right to call ourselves seekers yet. We're merely potential rookies, numbers on a clipboard. Given time, I'm sure our superiors can mold us into capable soldiers. Even so, not everyone can be expected to grow at the same rate." He stared at the sea of heads. "In my opinion, we're no better or worse than them."

Suddenly, a noticeable uproar emerged amongst the mob. Commander Keith marched towards the podium at the center of the room, Rex recognizing his signature mechanical arm. Following closely behind him was the blonde-haired woman they'd met earlier. A voice-ifier, a small metallic golden ball, hovered at the edge of the podium to which Keith tapped twice. Silence fell as grey eyes scanned the collection of applicants. 

"Good day," he spoke into the sphere, his amplified voice echoing throughout the packed room. "My name is Keith Stone. You may refer to me as Commander Keith. Today we'll be conducting a single test ultimately telling us if you're qualified to join our ranks. As I look around I see there are certainly individuals with untapped potential. It's this potential we hope to expand upon though we can only do so if you meet our requirements." 

Clearing his throat, he continued, "While it is unknown to me why you've chosen to enlist I should emphasize something: When we leave Sanctuary your new life will begin. Know that you may possibly never see your loved ones again. In those unforgiving lands, you'll face countless threats capable of killing you in an instant. That being said, do you still intend to enlist? Are you truly seeker material? For those of you who aren't, I recommend you leave now. The Seeker Corps isn't suited for weaklings."

Chase knew this wasn't a sign of sympathy. It was their pre-test. Their resolves were being judged. His personal lieutenant Maria hoped her leader's message hadn't been too hostile. If he kept intimidating them they'd be left with no-one. Soon, there was movement. One then two. Ten and then twenty. 

Slowly the crowd diminished, hordes of teens exiting with hung heads and defeated expressions. However, a good number of people remained. Those who stayed beared determined, albeit, conflicted demeanors. With there being so fewer people, Keith was then able to identify the pair of brothers. Chase folded his arms with both his eyes closed while Rex met his stare.

Smiling, Keith said, "Very well, this year's aptitude test has officially begun. Best of luck."

The applicants split into four groups. A seeker oversaw each, either a man or woman leading them through one of the four doors encompassing the space. To Rex's joy and relief, he was placed in a group alongside Chase. They followed the instructor through a corridor bringing them to a two-way crossroad, one path to their right and the other continuing forward with a white door at the end. 

The seeker guiding them turned right, everyone else following without question. As Chase trailed Rex, he noticed a pair of seekers at the end of the alternative hallway speaking to each other softly. Upon detecting his stare they shot him a foul glare and retreated through the door with a sign reading "Authorized Personnel Only" over it. He took a mental note before proceeding further. 

Finally, they arrived at a room with black metal walls. Facing them was a wall that featured a large glass window and a single red door. It separated the applicants from the exam site: A small brightly lit empty room with white tiles. Chase instantly made out the observation booth. Black one-way windows remained ten feet above the examination area which he assumed housed the examiners.

"Alright, can everyone hear me?" said Commander Keith's voice projecting from the ceiling speakers. "The test you're about to take is simple when you get right down to it. Essentially, we will be assessing your mental compatibility. You see, the exos suits us seekers wear are rather complex. Most of their major functions are controlled via our brains. In order to do so, we have to undergo a unique kind of surgery involving an implant being infused in the rear of our skulls." 

Rex cocked his head. He always guessed seekers owned a special sort of controller when it came to maneuvering the exos suits. As a mechanic he was aware most devices had a means of operation usually coming in the form of either a control panel or a handheld remote of sorts. According to Keith, however, these suits operated based on a person's internal commands. Was that even possible? 

"These implants will allow a cord to safely travel to the inner regions of your skull. It'd then read the orders stemming from your brain, specifically your cerebellum, and translate them for the suit. A side effect of this process is the neuronic waves they catalyze. While they're ultimately harmless they have a tendency of creating an aching sensation most commonly compared to a migraine though the pain may vary for each applicant. You will pass or fail based on your ability to cope with these neuronic waves. If they don't prove to be a hindrance then you're in. It's as simple as that."

Rex stepped a little closer to Chase. "I guess in a way Alice was right. While we're not used to this sort of thing it's still kind of like an endurance test."

"I suppose," Chase whispered. "I'm just curious as to how painful these waves will be."

Their brief conversation was cut short by the ringing of bells. The testing phase was officially underway. Applicants' card numbers were announced through the ceiling speakers when it was their turn to enter the testing area. Rex had candidate number 387453. Chase received 387452. Rex was grateful neither of them was the first to be called. 

This provided them an opportunity to see how other applicants tackled this odd test. The first to be summoned was number 387438. Rex spotted a candidate making their way to the red door. He and Chase moved further to the front of the crowd to gain a clearer perspective. To Chase's surprise, the candidate was the redhead from earlier. And just like before, the girl glanced back at him. Seriously, does she have a sixth sense?

"Is that her?" an applicant asked.

"Yeah, I think so."

"So the rumors are true. She really did have a daughter."

"It's no wonder she's here. She probably didn't have a choice."

While these comments interested him, he ignored them for the time being. The girl stood calmly inside the testing area. A voice buzzed out the speaker again, informing both the examinee as well as the onlookers that the test was in motion. A few seconds passed before the red-haired girl gasped, invisible waves invading her domain. 

Veins popped out her neck, her hands shook, and her legs quivered uncontrollably. Crossing his arms, Chase concluded she wouldn't last much longer. To his surprise, the candidate made a gradual recovery. In time, she regained her composure. Biting her bottom lip she remained as still as a statue, an unwavering gaze glued to the wall facing her. 

After five minutes passed the speaker announced the test had concluded. Everyone stared at her as she exited. Without a word, she strode to the rear of the group and sat against the wall, seemingly uninterested in the remaining applicants.

Not much changed regarding the next handful of examinees. They went in, stood in the middle of the room, and then exited. It was impossible for Rex to identify if the waves affected them or if everyone would pass allowing the corps to have more members at its disposal. It sounded like a slimy tactic concocted by enforcers. Surely the seekers wouldn't sink so low. His theory was swiftly proven false when the next applicant's exam initiated.

"I GIVE UP! I GIVE UP ALREADY!" the boy howled. He collapsed to the floor with his hands atop his head, tears gushing out his eyes. "JUST TURN IT OFF!! TURN IT OFF!! MY HEAD'S GOING TO EXPLODE!!" he screamed in agony.

The waves ceased and he slowly rose to his feet. The speaker whirred before a male's voice, someone other than Commander Keith, said, "Every applicant is allowed a total of three chances although it isn't mandatory. Should you choose to quit you're more than welcome-"

"Of course I quit! It doesn't matter if I have to live the same shitty life!! As long as I don't have to be put through that hell again I'll be more than happy!" he furiously shouted before storming out the room and down the corridor.

Was it really so intense, Rex wondered.

His heart jumped when the announcer next called on 387452. It was Chase's turn. Beside him, his brother sighed. With a smile aimed at Rex, he confidently marched to the examination room. The red-haired girl moved to the front of the crowd nearby Rex, her eyes fixated on Chase. He waited patiently, not knowing when his exam would begin. His heart spiraled out of control. If he failed he wouldn't be allowed to remain by Rex's side. As his brother, it was his duty to protect him. He couldn't lose another family member. Not again.

Commander Keith entered the observation booth with Maria. They were greeted by three seekers observing from their seats who rose to salute him. The commander sat in the last chair of the row as Maria stood beside him. He tried not to play favorites but he couldn't tame his curiosity. He found the Hunt brothers to be highly interesting. If they passed he'd see to their growth. It was the least he could for the friend he'd lost. 

Out of nowhere, it struck Chase. The feeling of his brain being bombarded by invisible waves was an unpleasant thought alone. To experience it for oneself became an entirely different story. It felt like his head grew increasingly smaller, strangling the innards of his skull to the point where Chase was convinced his brain had been reduced to mush. 

He wanted to scream yet he instead bit his tongue, instantly tasting the blood fill his mouth. He believed the test would stop after five minutes. According to his internal clock, he'd four left. When he glanced to the side he saw Rex on the other side of the observation window, his brother's eyes filled with worry. Then, for some inexplicable reason, the pain subsided. As time went on the unbearable discomfort became a minor inconvenience. Did he fail? Did they turn it off because he didn't meet their expectations? 

The static of the speaker nearly caused him to jump in panic. "Congratulations Candidate 387452, you've completed the exam. Please exit the testing area." the voice said. He did just that, sturdily navigating himself out of the room.

"Nice job! You had me on the edge of my seat!" Rex congratulated.

"Thanks but our fight isn't over yet." The two of them stared at the now empty room. "It's your turn. Pass this test so we can be seekers already."

"Can do," he smirked.

It was now his chance to be something greater and he'd make sure everyone witnessed it for themselves. Standing in the room he formed two fists at his side. His determined eyes were staring at nothing in particular although Professor Hunt surfaced in his mind. He died a premature death because of the type of society they lived in. Many others more than likely met the same fate. When he became a seeker everything would change. 

Nature was cruel and unfair. It didn't matter how just of a person you were, everyone and everything was the same under its judgemental eyes. His brother's blunt affirmation was the only reason he could deduce as to why he felt his head detonate. Was he even still alive? Was this what death felt like? Chase's eyes widened. Commander Keith as well as Maria grimaced as Rex wailed. He dropped to his knees, holding both sides of his head with trembling hands.

"DAMMIT!!" the anguished applicant bellowed.