Unfortunately, a horrible plague came out of nowhere, and many lives
were at risk (until now, I do not know what kind of threat had happened then;
apparently everyone had forgotten about it too). Everyone had no choice, so
they were forced to depart from their homes and into the spaceship.
Skylark was their home ever since.
Many
living quarters were built in the spaceship to comprehend the great population
of passengers aboard. The squadron unit of Skylark, the Alpha Squad had made
numerous efforts to scout other planets, in search of a proper living
condition. Hence, countless officers were seen in space shuttles flying in and
out of Skylark with the duty in their hands. When the journey is too lengthy
and troublesome, the whole squadron travelled in the spaceship along with all
other citizens instead.
Now,
you shouldn’t even think that it is easy to be qualified as a member of the
Alpha Squad. After all, they are the most elite group of fighters and
adventurers available in Skylark. One has to be able to display impressive
qualities and endure tough tests, not to mention passing them with flying
colors. Most importantly, an Alpha Squad officer has to bear all the hope of
Skylark and the tasks that draw the fate between life and death.
Nevertheless, this didn’t stop the young knight-candidates from giving
their best shot…
“The aliens are coming close. They’re surrounding us!” Gordon latched out his training sword, “and they’re armed with Mk III Shock Pellets!”
“No
worries mate,” Kevin said, grinning casually, “their petty guns are no match
for my Super Blaster!” He twirled his handgun, preparing for his next shot.
“Wait
a sec,” Gordon interrupted, “you’ll only get your own Super Blaster after
passing the Secondary Handgun Test.” He shot a look at Kevin’s handgun, “And
that’s your regular proto training handgun!”
“Hey,
can I at least pretend?”
It was
another day in the Virtual Training Hall, one of the best facilities the
Skylark has to offer. Gordon and Kevin had grown up together in this training
hall, and their passion towards weaponry grew each and every day. Their rapid
development of skills and interest led to an early (and surprising) invitation
to join the knight-candidates, a title before being an Alpha Squad officer. Of
course, they said yes immediately.
The training
hall became their favorite hangout ever since. Undeniably, it’s strictly for
training purposes only, but who says you can’t have fun while slashing at
enemies?
“Alright
let’s not waste time,” Gordon turned back to face the approaching enemies, “they
just keep coming, we’re outnumbered now. What do you reckon?”
Kevin
stepped back a few paces, “It that’s the case… we run!” He charged forward and
fired at a couple of aliens, knocking them back. “Race you to the flag!”
“Hey!
You know I can’t do it alone!” Gordon ran frantically behind Kevin, his sword
tucked away safely at his belt. Well, he had considered his good buddy as his
own brother, but he never said he will tolerate his ill manner of leaving
teammates behind.
Gordon
caught up quickly without much effort, racing along right beside Kevin.
“Right,
I forgot. You’re a fast runner,” Kevin smiled, “but don’t forget that I have a
quick aim!”
Kevin,
already poised with his gun, fired multiple shots at the incoming aliens,
knocking them off clean. He reloaded quickly in a blur and preceded his aim as
quickly as before.
“Look,
you missed one!” Gordon drew out his blade and sliced an enemy who was charging
at them. “Admit that, boomer!”
“No I
didn’t! It just somehow… passed right
through!” Kevin said the word as though if it’s the most innocent word ever in
the entire vocabulary available.
“Mind
your head!” Gordon yelled and swung his sword swiftly. Kevin ducked right on
cue, and the blade struck another foe.
“Thanks, Gordon. You’re the man!” Kevin let out a cheer. “I see that
you’re in good shape!”
Gordon
snorted, “Just promise me that you won’t blame the system whenever you miss.”
“Well, I-”
Just
then, out of thin air, several menacing aliens appeared right ahead at the
path, blocking their way. The enemies were heavily-armed, each carrying a blade
that seemed to glow with surging electricity.
“Uh,
now’s obviously not the time to celebrate,” Gordon slowed down and gripped his
sword tighter. The system seemed to have a habit of tricking the trainees,
unwilling to let them get their share of victory easily.
Kevin
stopped on his track and inspected the obstacle ahead. “Seems like they won’t
shake us off that quickly, huh?”
Gordon
nodded in agreement, “now, on my signal, we’ll make our move.”
Kevin
nodded back.
“Ready? One, two, three! Chaaarge!”
“For
victory!”
The
knights ran forward as the aliens let out their own battle cry. Gordon made a
powerful thrust against one foe, then slashed straight at another target. The
second enemy was caught off-guard and fell to the ground, howling in pain.
Kevin used the distraction to take aim at an attacking enemy, then shot right
at its arm. The critical shot injured its target, and the alien dropped his own
weapon.
“Look
out, behind you!” Kevin shouted before engaging an enemy, who was lunging
straight at Gordon.
Gordon
held up his shield and blocked the attack on time. He dodged quickly to evade
another swipe, and he thought he heard the buzzing sound of electricity
coursing through the sharp ends of the enemy’s sword. If Kevin didn’t warn him
soon enough, he might be toasted by that dangerous current. “Careful Kevin!
That blade can deliver a nasty shock!”
Kevin
reloaded and fired again, but the alien was quick on its feet. It rolled past
the incoming bullets and prepared for a counter-attack.
“Oh no
you don’t!” Gordon lunged back, positioning the tip of his blade at the alien’s
body. He landed a heavy blow on it and delivered a final swipe, sending it to
the air. It fell down with a thud, and its head slumped down to the ground.
“Finally, the path is cleared.” Gordon regarded as the last opponent
vanished.
“Don’t
be satisfied yet,” Kevin sprinted past Gordon, “the race is still on!”
Unwilling to be left behind once again, Gordon raced ahead.
The
duo ran up the path, dodging around pits and huge rocks without a single notion
of slowing down. Gordon had been amazed at how the virtual system processor
made the lively creatures move and attack, even get hit by swords and bullets.
But he was even more dumbfounded by how the terrain was manipulated out of
solid ground, how realistic they looked from different angles. He might one day
sign up as a technician, just to inspect the construction of this beauty. But
for now, he has business to attend to.
The
path winds up on a hill, and on the summit a flagpole stood firmly on the
ground. A red flag on it swayed gently, like a welcoming hand to the first
knight who gets hold of it. Gordon knew right away he would be that knight
after he zoomed past Kevin, who was starting to pant.
“Tired
already?” Gordon snickered, “told you I’ll still win!”
Gordon
stepped ahead, his hand reaching for the flag. Once he grabs hold of it, it
shall be a proof that Gordon can be as great as any knight. He can even be
qualified early to sit his first test. He was so close to the finishing line.
Then
everything disappeared.
The
landscape around them started to morph. The hill melted away like wax, and the
flag vanished out of view. The ground below them felt harder and more
solidified. All of a sudden, bright light took over the surrounding darkness.
Before they even realized it, they were in a confined, square room.
The
training hall’s system must have shut down, Gordon thought. But who did it? It
can’t simply turn itself off. Unless…
Gordon
held up his hand to block the blinding light and stared hard at the entrance.
The door was open, and an officer was standing by it.
“Dad?”
Kevin exclaimed.
Kevin’s father, Sir Creston had been their
trainer, and he would monitor their training sessions and make sure nothing was
messed up. He would let the boys use the Virtual Training Hall sometimes, but
still, he gladly allowed them to have as much fun as they wanted. Occasionally,
he have to get inside and call them out in the middle of a virtual brawl when
it’s past bedtime (or when their mothers were simply not happy with the long
hour they occupied themselves in there).
But
this time, Sir Creston looked like he meant business. Serious business.
“Sorry
guys, I hate to spoil the fun,” the officer apologized briefly, “but the system
is down, and I have to call you out.”
“Sir,
did you mean that you didn’t turn it off?” Gordon asked, feeling a little
uneasy.
“No, I
didn’t”
“Then,
something… happened?”
“Yes. The captain calls for an
emergency meeting at the Main Deck. Do hurry yourselves there. Why are you
still standing here? Get going now! Everybody’s waiting for you, for Skylark’s
sake!”
