Chapitre 5: Settling in
"I'll be damned." He whispered to the glass in front of him.
It was there, standing tall and proud in front of him. Alec's stomach turned with excitement as he traced the huge metal plates with his eyes, the deep, dark turquoise of the metallic body flickering under the huge machines still working on it.
People welding, hanging from the huge working arms were as ants compared to the massive size of the Tsys. As it was supposed to be, as the last weapon of humanity.
The Beacons of Hope, The Nine Pillars, The Keepers of Earth, as many other names the Tsys were called around the globe. Being a pilot of one of those was a heavy weight to carry on.
Alec was stunned, looking at the beast in front of him, only realizing the other two standing next to it. One, the Tsys 07 of a dark yellow, and the other, the Tsys 08, of a dark magenta.
The ceremony, besides introducing the pilots to the public and making them officially Tsys pilots, was to choose the Tsys for each pilot. A thrilling event, where the pilot of Tsys 09 was always the most anticipated one among the rest.
The most iconic of the nine Tsys, the Tsys 09 was known because of it's iconic, cape-like mantle behind it. There is no specific information known to the public about if it has any specific reason to be, as it's the only Tsys that has one.
Alec's eyes couldn't help but glance back at the turquoise figure, knowing the chances for him to get Tsys 09 were far from slim. He was the first in the Private rank.
Still, he couldn't just take it for granted.
The Tsys pilots were chosen not only because of how well they did during the excruciating training, but how compatible they were with the machine. Those ten years served to let the research/genetics team gather enough data to pair the best pilot to the best match to the Tsys.
He took the small remote resting in the table fixed to the wall and changed the image, setting one of a winter landscape with a fire next to a camp. Alec turned around to unpack his things, only to find Dr. Hall knocking on the open door.
"Dr. Hall." He called, putting a cheerful smile on his face.
"Mr. Blaydd, how are you settling in?" She asked, looking around.
"Just got here, but got the chance to see the Tsys'." He said, pointing back to the window. "What a view."
The building, as massive as it was in height, it was in width. Being the home of those massive machines, the place had to be three times bigger.
"Who would have thought? It has been ten years and you still have the same stern and polite look on your face." She smiled, reminiscing on the past. "You've come so far." Her eyes, full of pride and caring, reminded him of his mother.
"Thanks to you." He smiled widely. "You patched me up so many times I can't even remember. Without you, I'd be dead."
"That's the least I could do... From such a young age forced to fight until their last breath." Her eyes watered, but only determination could be seen in them. "I was not letting you, or any of you, die on my watch!"
Alec laughed out loud, as he walked towards her, stopping in front of her. "If you let me speak to you in such an informal way... Thank you, Amanda. I mean it." He saluted her as if she was a high-ranked commander.
Flustered, she tried making him lose his posture, to no avail. "Don't, saluting someone other than higher ranks is forbidden."
"It'll be our secret, then." He eased his position. "You deserve it, though, being the chief researcher/genetics here." Gently, Alec pushed her to the dinning table. "Take a seat. Can I offer you something to drink or..."
"It's OK, son." She smiled, but it didn't last long.
Dr. Hall touched his arm signalling him to sit down, but the touch of her hand, besides cold, felt like it stung. He didn't flinch, but felt disgruntled by her wary eyes. She was looking at him with worry.
Her voice, subtle and low, proceeded to speak.
"Have you felt that itchiness again lately?"
Alec's throat closed. Should I lie about this? He wondered.
But seeing her worried expression, he couldn't find the guts to do it. Slowly, he pulled a chair and sat down next to her.
"To be completely honest, yes." He touched the back of his neck absentmindedly. "It's just like..." He trailed off, remembering the weird sensation he gets. "When someone's watching you, and you get chills. The chills turning to tingles afterward, vanishing off."
"When did it happen the last time?" She asked, a little too pushy.
"This morning, while coming back to the base."
Her eyes didn't soften. On the contrary, she closed them, as if given bad news. Alec felt the urge to say something, scared it might take his chance as Tsys pilot from him.
His palms were sweaty.
There was no way in hell he would allow it. Not after the hell he had been through. Not after leaving everything behind just to follow his childhood dreams.
"But I swear I feel great. As expected, my senses, reflexes, strength, night vision... Everything's here." He said casually, as if this whole conversation didn't bother him at all.
Dr. Hall, nodded, looking at him dead in the eye. Reaching one of his hands and squeezing it tightly, she spoke again.
"Listen to me, Alec. Never, NEVER in your wildest dreams, tell anyone about this." She squeezed harder. "Promise me."
Alec's mouth opened and closed more than five times before finally nodding.
"I—Is there something I should know?" He asked. For the first time in his life, he felt too doubtful to even make a proper question without stuttering.
She shook her head with a weak smile, trying to ease him.
But it didn't.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone