Zayn walked out of his room as the soldiers stood two paces behind him. He already knew where he was going.
After every mission—successful or not—all soldiers were brought before a trial council for a debrief.
The job was pretty straightforward as they stood before the council and each gave their accounts of what happened.
They stepped into the elevator as one of the soldiers pushed the button, and the elevator slowly ascended.
The door opened—polished tiled floor and giant glass walls trailing the side. They were on the top floor as they marched forward, stopping at a door.
The sign above read: Echo Bastion Council. The soldiers stood beside the door and opened it slightly for Zayn.
He stepped in, where Levi and Captain Jones were already seated before the council.
A high-rise table—made intentionally to hover over them. They all bore no-nonsense expressions as they sat straight-backed, looking like they commanded fate.
There were five council members, four staff sergeants, and then of course, Major Matt Coleman—the leader of Echo Bastion, a muscular man who perfectly filled his uniform.
Both Levi and Captain Jones were faced straight ahead, not even paying Zayn heed as he walked into the room.
He took the last seat beside them as they all now faced forward.
Eh-hem.
One of the sergeants cleared her throat before she spoke, pointing a finger at the woman in the little seat in the corner with a typewriter.
"It's time."
As she spoke, the woman's holographic paper appeared as she began to type.
The debriefing of the occurrences that transpired during the Peace Summit at Iron Hallow.
First, Captain Jones spoke, narrating everything that happened—but of course leaving out the part where he was basically carried like a civilian while the rest risked their lives.
Levi's account came next as he followed suit with the captain, painting the picture all the more clearly for the council.
The council said nothing as they just stared at him, the only noises being Levi's straightforward voice and the rattling of the typewriter keys.
And now it was time for Zayn's account. He narrated everything like a carbon copy of Levi's, changing no detail. He swallowed hurt, trying to restrain himself.
Even if I say something now, the worst they'll do to him is a slap on the wrist. While me… I'll forever have targets on my back.
The Major finally raised his hand, pointing at the typist—a silent order to stop. He intertwined his fingers as he laid them on the table and leaned slightly forward, eyes narrowing at Zayn.
"Why don't you tell us what transpired between you and Dorian Vale?... How did you survive?"
Just as he uttered those words, a message flickered across Zayn's retina:
---
[WARNING ⚠️]
Penalty for revival of the System to anyone will be catastrophic.
---
Zayn swallowed slightly. The thought had already crossed his mind. The first untold rule of systems: never reveal the system to anyone.
"I survived by outsmarting him and using his strength, speed, and momentum against him."
"Wow… Excuse me, Private Callahan, you survived the beast-like man that was described to this council without any help whatsoever?" Major Coleman's voice was thick with disbelief.
"Well, that was what happened, sir." Zayn didn't break a sweat as he kept his eyes ahead, unmoved.
The Major drew back, resting against the back of his chair and placing his hands on the armrest. "However you did it... it was still quite impressive. And as such, we've decided to upgrade both you and Kane from Privates to Private First Class."
So that's why the system upgraded me already... But how did it know for certain? Zayn thought to himself.
"That's all. You're all dismissed."
They got up, gave a salute, and turned on their heels toward the door.
"Wait!" the Major called out.
They stopped in their tracks and turned.
"Did anyone at all find out about your bionics or anything relating to bionics?"
"No, sir!" they both answered quickly.
As they left the room, a quiet silence took their place. The council still seated with Captain Jones before them.
Major Coleman's finger tapped slowly on the wood. Tap. Tap. Tap.
"We have to let the War Council know that the Echelon Syndicate has something big... big enough to be a problem later."
The staff sergeant at the far left end spat, her voice small yet commanding. "Major, is that really necessary? After all, we have bionics on our side, and we can always make an army of them."
"Excuse me?" Captain Jones couldn't control himself as his eyes widened with shock. "You want to make an army of bionic soldiers?"
Another council member spoke, a man this time. "First, I suggest you watch your tone, Jones. Do not forget who you are before us," he said, narrowing his gaze at the captain.
Captain Jones immediately shrunk his eyes, trying to remain composed. Whether he liked it or not, they had more standing than him.
The man continued, "Of course we want to make more. These were just supposed to be prototypes, and yet one stood his ground against Dorian Vale—the Echelon Beast—and the other single-handedly eliminated five Echelon Elites."
"Five!" he repeated with emphasis.
Captain Jones responded with more control now, "But sir, there's a reason they're only five. We implanted a hundred with these bionics—and only five made it alive. And the more we have, the less they can be controlled... You don't want this."
"So what would you have us do? Leave it to chance? We can't afford that luxury," the Major's voice cut through. "You may have your reservations, but that does not come before the progress of the Aurelian Ascendancy."
Captain Jones shrank further, almost like he was about to disappear. His words had no standing here, especially against the Major.
The Major continued, "Of course, I'll have to take it to the higher-ups, but this is most likely our best course of action…" He paused for a second. "...Any objections?"
The room ran silent.
"And someone keep an eye on Zayn Callahan. Something doesn't feel right."
***
As both men left the room, they headed straight for the elevator. Not a word was uttered—at least not until the elevator doors slammed shut and the mechanical whirl swallowed the box.
"Yesss!" Levi screamed as he hugged Zayn, jumping up like a teenage girl sent a love letter.
"We finally did it, Z! We're First Class!" Levi couldn't stop beaming ear to ear.
The elevator opened again at the bottom, which had been completely cleared out—except for all the other bionics, who held several bottles of champagne and were grinning.
As they stepped out of the elevator, joyful screams erupted—except for Emily, of course, who smiled but seemed to always carry a personal vendetta against joy.
They cheered like they'd won the war. But Zayn couldn't shake the weight pressing against his chest.
It felt like applause for someone else.
Zion, Emily, Luca, and Rachel were all staring at them as if waiting for the ball to drop. And then—
Ding!
---
[NEW OBJECTIVE]
[INFILTRATE AND DISCOVER]
One of the bionics is a double agent. Find out who, why, who they work for—and replace them... Steal their secrets. Earn their trust. Betrayal them better while exposing no one... Be the better spy.