Chapter 6: Shark Attack

*Bling*

Valkyrie Protocol initiated file download detected.

File is flagged as a Priority One information packet, and the download can not be suspended or paused once it has been initiated.

*Err, Err*

Warning, Warning excessive file size detected. User is advised to sit or lie down during the processing and memory integration portion of the download. User can expect to experience some degree of discomfort during the process. The use of a mild pain reliver is recommended.

*Bling*

Download in progress.

Status

Download progress 0%

21%

45%

69%

87%

99%

Download Complete. File processing initializing.

Estimated time until processing completion: one hour.

Zeph started to feel a warm tingling sensation in the upper section of his skull. Taking it as a clue that things could get painful for him quickly, Zeph thought it best to heed the advice of both Siael, and the system to lay down. Being that he was already in the large front room that served as both a living room and study, he took a set on the long curved couch. Leaning his head back on the top of the back section of the couch, Zeph began to relax as he sank into the softness of the plush white leather seat. With his skull starting to feel like in was on fire, something Zeph attributed to the fact that the Vlaras Global Positioning and Intergraded Information Neuro Network Chip that he assumed was located their was most likely having to work at near maximum capacity, he wished that he had time to find the Vlaras equivalent to an aspirin. He was not far off in his assumption that the AI chip was working near its maximum capacity. Thus it had to be giving off more heat than whatever heat displacement technology built into it could handle, or so he thought. However, Zeph was wrong in that regard. The VGPINNC was making use of his brain's neurons and synaptic pathways to transfer and process the information more efficiently. The pain that he perceived as a tingling heat was caused by the stress placed on the neurons that attached directly to the chips circuitry.

""System, can you arrange for a delivery drone to bring and administer some form of pain reliving medication for me.""

*Bling*

Due to the size and volume of the file being currently processed VGPINN access is limited to emergency response protocols only. User request can not be processed at this time.

User can make inquiries to the status of the progress of file processing and the estimated time remaining until completion.

Current progress is 15%. Estimated time remaining is forty-three minutes and five seconds.

With no other option left to him all Zeph could do was lie back on the sofa and do his best to endure the pain. Thoughts of writing a V-mail to the angel Siael telling her how much she understated the level of pain, and that she could have at least given him the opportunity to find something to dull the pain before starting the download. If he knew that she was secretly by his side invisibly holding his hand while he went through the torment caused by the file processing, there is no telling what he might to to her. Large beads of sweat rolled down his head as the process continued to rack is head with fiery pain.

""How much time remaining in file processing.""

*Bling*

Five minutes and thirty seconds remaining.

*Bling*

High amounts of stress detected in user. To avoid permanent damage and synaptic failure a delay of one hour will be implemented before the memory integration process commences.

It is recommended that the user uses that time to shower, and eat.

The memory integration process should be painless, but can cause severe disorientation.

It is recommended that the user not engage in any activity that requires any fine motor control, or the operation of heavy equipment.

The user can sleep through the MI process, as it is not a requirement to be conscious to carry out the operation.

Soon as he could muster the strength Zeph made his way to the bathroom. Staggering into the room Zeph could plainly see a small shelf full of various bottles of common over the counter medicine that he failed to notice during his emergency trip to the bathroom earlier. It only took his a few seconds to find one that had 'Maximum Strength Headache Relief' written on the label. Popping the lid he shoved two of the pills onto his mouth, before making use of a conveniently placed cup to take a swig of water to wash the pills down. Looking around he spotted a black cloths hamper against the wall near the foot of the tub. Stripping down, Zeph placed his sweat-soaked cloths in the hamper before stepping into a sizeable glass enclosed walk-in shower. Water that was at an almost prefect temp sprayed down on him from the many showerheads as soon as he stepped into the center of the shower.

Felling refreshed after a relatively short shower Zeph walked out to the desk were the drone placed his uniform, badge, and meal pass. He was tankful that he had this entire suite to himself as he was able to walk threw it in the nude. He found the uniform that consisted of black underwear, black socks, black undershirt, and white outer garments to be a prefect fit. The fit was so good that he wondered if he was secretly scanned, and measured at some point without his knowledge. Once he got the black boots on his feet they self adjusted to be a prefect fit. But what Zeph found strange was that his NEO badge was solid black unlike the silver one he had seen on the chest of the commissioner. The Chandelier also had the badge in silver. Thinking that it only identified that he was a trainee, Zeph attached it to the correct place on his uniform that was marked out with a small symbol in the shape of a badge, before grabbing the meal pass off the desk.

The dining hall or mess hall was empty of people when he arrived, but it did not take Zeph long to figure out how to order and revive a meal out of what looked like an overgrow vending machine. He ended up selecting something resembling a hamburger from the machine, opting to take the packaged meal back up to his room instead of eating it there in the empty dining hall. After checking that he only had ten minutes or so before the memory integration process started Zeph quicky ate what the machine listed as 'meat and veg in between buns'. He wished it had ketchup and pickles on it, but the tase was not bad. Done with his meal Zeph went to the master bedroom to lay down.

Using the last two remaining minutes before the memory integration started, Zeph hung up his uniform in the closet, and had the system's AI set an alarm for 05:00 as he intended to sleep through the process if possible. Right as he climbed into the bed in the buff, a notification sounded in his head.

*Bling*

The one-hour delay is over. Memory integration starting in five seconds. The process is estimated to last approximately five hours.

A whole host of images, text documents, and audio recordings flooded into his mind as Zeph tried to sleep. He knew all to well that he was not going to be getting a good night's sleep before his training started in the morning, with a military style "Shark Attack" before the assessment.

*BLING, BLING*

The time is now 05:00. You set an alarm for this time with the title of "Wake up for Training."

Rolling out of bed Zeph rubbed his eyes on the way to the master bathroom to take a leak. After making use of the toothbrush, and deodorant he found in the bathroom, Zeph quicky dawned his uniform before telapoding to the dining room to grab a fast breakfast.

When he appeared on the first floor's telapod pad with a honey bun like pastry in his mouth, it was 05:55. Pulling his hat lower on his head Zeph scanned the room with his eyes, as a notification popped into his vision saying that the building's AI had longed his arrival and updated the attendance list with his name.

Dismissing the notification, Zeph noticed that there were around fifty individuals holding or standing next to large duffle bags. Two females happened to grab his attention, as one had long pink bunny ears, and a cotton tail.

The fact that she was in a rather revealing black leather outfit made from intersecting straps, only served to make her stand out even more. Information seemed to pop into his mind regarding the female, and her race. Zeph figured that information was probably part of what was in that download Siael forced on him.

According to what popped into his head the pink eared bunny girl was from a race called Lepus and was short for lepus similis. Her pink fur was considered rare amongst her kind as well. Based on how she was dressed he guessed that she could have "belonged" to some high-born young master type if such things existed in this world.

The other female that caught his eye was a black-haired beauty that happened to have kitty ears, and a long tail that had a white tip. Another flash of memory informed her that her race was called Kats, but the females of the race were called mittens, while males were often called leos. Zeph was not given long to enjoy the sights of the smoking hot bunny girl, and cute kat girl as the doors of the main lobby's elevator opened with a loud ding. Before the doors fully opened one of the men standing inside yelled out.

"Fall in you bunch of worthless no good troc worms. Stop standing around looking like a lost flock of messenger pigeons."

"What are all of you deaf, or just too stupid to follow directions. There are fifty one of you, so form up in five rows of ten with your crap. You there in the cadet uniform stand in front of the first row, and take command of the formation. Once all of the other piles of garbage fall in turn to face me, and give a report to the man standing next to me. He is the XO of this division, and holds the rank of commissioner, so you you better show him some respect maggot."

It had not even been five seconds and he was already singled out just because he already had a uniform. He was just thankful that he had already met the XO, Commissioner Justin Vaughn, the day before. Not knowing what else to do, Zeph ran to the front of the room and stood a what he thought was the center of it, before yelling out: "Fall In."

As he yelled it out at the top of his lungs the sound of his voice echoed in the spacious main lobby of the building. As if startled into action by his booming voice the other recruits formed up into the five rows the instructor had requested. By luck the two females that caught his eye were front and center, giving him a much welcomed better look at them. Not letting himself get distracted by the eye candy, Zeph executed a textbook prefect about face, and saluted the XO.

"Commissioner Vaughn, all fifty-one registered recruits are present and accounted for sir."

Returning his salute, Commissioner Vaughn said: " At ease Recruit Demonbane, you did well getting them to form up in a timely manner. Senior instructor Westnight, how long did it take for the recruits to fall in once the recruit in uniform repeated your order?"

"One minute Commissioner."

"Can you tell us what the previous record time was, Senior instructor Westnight?"

"Two minutes and five seconds, Sir."

"Good. Proceed with the next block of instructions."

With the order given by the XO, all of the instructors filled out of the elevator and began to swarm around the formation of recruits. After fourteen seconds one of the instructors paused in front of Zeph, and began to look him up and down with an intense stare.

"Recruit! Why are you out of uniform? That cover is not standard issue, and it is against the uniform code to wear a head covering inside of HQ. Remove it at ONCE! And give me fifty."

Removing the cap had he placed on his head to cover of his mark of Cain on his forehead, Zeph said; "Yes Sir."

Seeing the Mark of Cain on his forehead, the instructor was taken back for a moment before he could think of a way to respond.

"Well, well look here men, we have us a Awan Born. Just take a look at this bastards Mark of Cain. I bet he looks down on all of us Lilith Born, thinking he is better, just because his a decedent of Enoch."

"Look down Instructor Mc Leon before you make a complete fool of yourself. Recruit Demonbane, please forgive his rude behavior. In the outside world you would certainly want to cover up your mark, but in the sacred halls of this HQ, such a thing should be seen as a badge of pride. do not feel like you need to cover it up. I ask you to look past this minor offence, and not punish one of my better instructors."

"What are you taking about Senior instructor Westnight, and why on Vlaras are you apologizing to a recruit that has yet to even complete the assessment?"

"Look as his chest you idiot. Did you not find it strange that a recruit showed up to the first day of academy training in uniform? That alone should have clued you in to him being different than our standard lot of fresh recruits. Also I know that I sent out an internal V-mail regarding the fact that we had a special recruit joining us this cycle."

Looking down the instructor jumped back as if he had seen a soul sucking demon pop out of Zeph's chest, causing him to fall to the floor with a loud bang.

"Ba, Ba, Black Badge! He, He is an Administrator, at his age! How?"

"How the hell should I know. It is a capital crime to even look at his records without getting his explicit permission first. Now before you find out just how bad a Level One Administrator can fuck your life to hell and back sideways, you might want to apologize to Recruit Demonbane."

"There is no need Senior instructor Westnight. Instructor Mc Leon was only doing his duty as an instructor during the initial shark attack, we recruits are supposed to go through, and I unknowingly was out of uniform. This incident is entirely my fault. However, I will not tolerate any acts of hatred to anyone for being born what they are. Is it not our duty as NEO to set aside judgments based on ones bloodline, and only dispense justice based on the actions of the individual? To defend all denizens of this world from the in justices of the Nephilim, while not passing judgement on said Nephilim that may have been born far after the sins of their fathers were committed once again in this realm of banishment."

"Well put recruit. I expect high marks in the assessment from you. I am going to go ahead and officially make you the first squad leader and platoon leader of this cycles recruits, based on what I have seen so far. Normally it would be the top five scouring recruits given the assignments of squad leaders, but you have shown great potential already, and the assessment is only a formality for you. Even a score of zero in both sections would mean nothing. You are going to go through hell compared to the other recruits anyway. I would let you pick the first two members of your squad, and let the building's AI randomly assign the other eight, but I am going to go ahead and pick the two beast kin ladies for you. This also is different from the norm, as we typically split the squads by gender, so that their in no need for a male to enter the female barracks and vice versa. But as your training is much higher paced that theirs, the normal daily squad meeting time would have to be adjusted, and thus disrupt the self study time of the other recruits in the male barracks if you were given an all male squad. As I an fully aware of just what room the building AI assigned you, it will serve as the place you conduct your daily squad meeting after your training for the day is done. To prevent you from having to enter the female barracks the two of them can make use of the two currently empty bedrooms in your suite. That is assuming both of them pass the assessment that is."

"Sir, what about the other members that get assigned to my squad?"

"Good question recruit. You are already thinking like a proper squad leader. If the AI determines it is fitting to assign more females to you squad one of them can bring them up at the appropriate time, or your umm personal assistant drone can. For male members of the squad, you can go drag them kicking and screaming out of bed yourself."

"Yes sir. Any other orders at this time Commissioner Vaughn?"

"For you, don't get one of them pregnant. All others, you have two minutes to neatly stack you bags in the far-left corner of this room and fall back into formation in the exact same spot you are in now. Fail to do so and you will receive corrective training from the instructors and Recruit Demonbane."

"Fall Out and stack those bags neat. I don't want to be at this all day. We still have to take our assessment, and issue those that pass uniforms, and meal cards. Let's try to accomplish that goal before we miss out on lunch."

"Move It Recruits. Our XO took time out of his day to welcome us all here, let's not disappoint him by falling such a simple task on the first go."

For those recruits it was clear. The instructors were like a shiver of great white sharks circling a pod of newborn dolphins with blood in the water. While the truly fearsome Megalodon, Recruit Demonbane, watched on from below.