Soldiers

"How are the girls?" Edward Rupert spoke.

His helmet was removed, showing his full face. He's a blonde older gentleman with a few hints of facial hair around his mouth. In his eyes, the experiences he had as a soldier can be seen. The furrowed brows and intense stare he has showed he isn't one to be taken lightly. He looked tired but maintained his snappy composure.

"They are still unconscious, sir." A researcher in full protective equipment answered.

Edward examined the room he was in. He was currently in an observation room which was divided into two with a fortified glass. On the other side, Cleo and Dani were being observed and tested. Both of them were tied in separate beds.

"What are the results of your examination?" Edward asked once more through a microphone connected in a control panel.

"We've found traces of the virus from the purple haired girl. The other one shows no sign of being infected although she has a few scratches from unknown sources."

"I see. Report any new findings to me asap."

"Yes sir!"

Edward put on his helm and went out. A deep sigh escaped his lips. He remembered what he and their leader discussed.

. . . . . . . . . .

Earlier...

"Can we really use them?" The leader asked.

The so called leader sat on a throne. He was wearing an intricate mask that covered the upper part of his face.

"There is a possibility. If the girl manages to control that kind of power, this gives us a chance to fight back and retake our lands."

"I am not so sure about this, Edward. We barely escaped those creatures. If they infiltrated The Fortress, we will surely be done for."

"If this poses a threat to the remaining fraction of humanity we have, I'll be the one to strike them down."

"How? Our weapons don't do any damage to them."

"They seem to be able to maintain that form for a few minutes. I will strike them down the moment they turn back to humans." Edward said with a solemn face.

"Can you really do that?"

Edward contemplated for a moment before answering.

"Yes. I will soil my hands with the blood of those children if I have to. If it is for the protection of the majority who inhabits The Fortress, a sacrifice of two is necessary."

The leader sighed. His long blonde hair moved as he shook his head.

"I can see your resolve but I still cannot allow it. We know nothing of this evolved virus, we are in great danger with them being here. They will be disposed of immediately before they awoke." The leader said.

"But, sire. That's exactly the point. As long as we have them in our grasp, we can do research to increase our knowledge. We might even find a cure!"

"Edward. I can't risk it."

"Please allow me more time! I swear on my honor, I will not let these girls harm anyone in The Fortress! Sire! Even a week will be enough!"

Edward kneeled and lowered his head. He begged the leader to hear him out.

"Edward, stand."

"Please give me a chance. I will personally train them and make sure they wouldn't act against us."

"A week."

"Sire?"

"You said a week is enough. I'll give it to you but after that, those girls will be thrown out of The Fortress."

"My sincerest thanks, sire. I will not break your trust! I swear."

The leader nodded. Edward left, satisfied.

. . . . . . . . . .

Two days later. The remaining children were led into a spacious area. Soldiers wearing black uniforms lined up on the sides guarding them. The high ranking officers roamed to check each and everyone's posture.

"Children of The Fortress."

One of the high-rank looking soldiers spoke at the front of the formation. He wore the same kind of armor Edward had. A navy blue combat suit covering most of their body and a protective helm with an eye slit. Their hands are covered with a fingerless glove.

"Today marks the beginning of your soldier life. The government had given you, lowlives, an opportunity for a second life here at The Fortress. The least you could do is offer that life to serve and protect this base in case our enemy invades! We will be overseeing everything. No one will slack off on my watch!"

Murmurs from the children echoed, letting irritation take over the man. Another high rank soldier stepped beside him. Based on the design of the suit, it's a woman. The curves and chest part were modified to fit the structure of a woman's body.

"Hey, Chrollo." The woman spoke. "You're not convincing anyone with that kind of speech. Let me handle it." 

"I don't need your help, Nina. These kids need to learn the hard way."

"Cool down and let me speak."

The woman turned her body to face the children. She raised her hands to remove her helm. She had a pixie cut and raven hair that was revealed as the equipment was taken off. A smile was plastered on her face, showing off a little beauty mark below the left side of her luscious red lips.

"Nina. What are you doing!? Don't take off your equipment! Put it back on. We need protection." Chrollo scolded.

"Oh come on, don't be such a worrywart. Who's gonna harm me? These cute little children?" she cackled

"Tsk. Suit yourself."

"Now, then. Hmm. Let me see. I know you've all gone through traumatic experiences before coming here. Most, or probably all of you lost someone dear. Your parents, friends, even your homes. Those creatures outside of this Fortress took everything from us. Am I right?"

Nina waited for an answer but everyone was silent.

"Do you want to take back our land?" she asked.

Silence answered her once more.

"Do you want a chance to bring justice to those whose lives are taken?"

"Ye-yes." one of the children answered softly, making Nina smile.

"Do you want to find a cure?"

"We do!" This time more voices simultaneously answered.

"Do you want to die out there, or train with us in here and be strong enough to take them on?"

"I want to fight for my life!!" Someone at the back shouted.

"Do you, now?" Nina asked. "And the others?"

"We want to fight!!"

"I am not asking you to lay down your life that easily. This training is for everyone to be stronger to protect yourselves. When the time comes and you all are ready, we will begin our mission to slowly recover humankind's losses. Are you all willing to be a soldier and be officially a part of the Fortress?"

"We are!!!" The children exclaimed with renewed vigor.

"Good. Your uniforms will be distributed shortly. Go change and come back here within an hour."

Nina walked off with Chrollo following behind.

"That's a speech? Only children will fall for that lameness." he said.

"Well, they are children." Nina said while laughing.

. . . . . . . . . .

Meanwhile…

Cleo and Dani woke up. They were led into an isolated room after being fed and given new clothes. Edward waited for them.

"You're here. Good. Sit anywhere." He said.

"By anywhere, you mean anywhere on the floor?" Dani said mockingly.

Cleo elbowed her softly to make her shut up which the latter responded by rolling her eyes.

"This is the only place I could think of to conduct our training safely."

"Mhm. It does look safe. With all the fortification done. Also, those soldiers locked us in. You call this a training ground? More like a prison don't you think? Are you that afraid of us?" Dani spoke once more.

"Perhaps. We cannot slack off on security especially since we don't have much information. You could also call this an experiment if you want." he said.

"Great. Very reassuring, thank you."

Cleo only listened beside Dani.

"Before we start, could you tell me about what happened back then?"

"Could you be more specific? I'm kinda dumb." Dani smirked. She's clearly playing around with the soldier.

"The transformation. Were you aware of it?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

"I will need your cooperation if we want to get this over with. We don't have much time." Edward explained to them about the deal he made with their leader.

"I see. So we'll get thrown out like garbage if we can't be of use? Why am I not surprised?"

"Dani, stop being like that." Cleo finally spoke.

"Like what? I'm only spouting the truth."

"I admit. You're right." Edward said. "The leader could be seen as heartless but he weighs every decision carefully. Your lives are worth less than the majority of existence here in The Fortress. That's why I'm here to aid you in proving your respective worth. Help me so I could help you too."

The girls were silent. They glanced at each other then back to the soldier.

"So, what's your decision?"

"To be honest, i don't really know what happened. I have no idea how I shifted like that." Dani said.

"Me too. I have no recollection of it. Only that of the blinding light, the frightening sounds of gunshots and the bullets hitting something metal."

"Did you not feel anything unusual? Any pain?" he asked.

"Ah. Heat!" both of them said at the same time.

"Heat?"

"I felt hot! I mean, hot as in my body was hot!" Cleo rambled. "Ah! I didn't mean it that way!"

She covered her face in embarrassment while Dani cocked her eyebrow at her, confusion enveloping her features.

"What way?" She asked. "Stop being a weirdo. Anyway, I did feel it too. Like a flame had been ignited deep within me. All I could think of that time was the words protect and Cleo."

"Me!? You were thinking of me?"

"Yes. I was thinking you were so noisy and annoying."

"Hmp."

"Hm. I see. For now, try transforming once more." Edward suggested.

"Didn't you listen? We don't know how."

Edward pointed a gun in their direction. He looked at them with a serious expression. Dani instinctively stepped in front of Cleo protectively.

"Transform or I'll shoot."

"I told you we can't!" Dani gritted her teeth. She scanned the surroundings for a possible escape route but found nothing.

"Dani. Maybe you have to hug me to shift?"

"What kind of suggestion is that? Stop being silly."

"But… that time, I felt your arms covering me protectively."

Dani bit her lip. She shook her head, trying to shoo away the memory. Her cheeks slightly turned pinkish as she remembered.

"Do it." Edward said.

A shot was sent to Cleo's direction, slightly grazing her cheeks. A red line slowly appeared on it.

"Cleo!" Dani panicked. She covered the other girl and embraced her tightly.

They all waited but nothing happened. Edward lowered his gun, he went towards the girls who were now on guard.

"Don't come closer!"

"I'm okay, Dani." Cleo reassured.

"This isn't okay. You're hurt for real."

Cleo giggled as she stared at the other girl's worried face.

"Forgive me. I thought the transformation will be triggered if you're in danger." Edward kneeled down and put a band aid on Cleo's cheeks.

"I'm fine, sir. Let's try it again." Cleo answered. Her eyes are full of determination this time.

"What!? I'm not doing this! Throw me out or whatever, I don't care! I'm not letting you be in harm's way because of me."

"That won't do. When you shifted, you were connected onto Cleo's arms. So if we fail, both of you will be outed." Edward explained.

"Is that so.. That's kind of unfair."

"We can do it, Dani. I believe in you."

Cleo clasped Dani's hands on hers and gave her the best smile she could muster. Her hopeful eyes bored into the other girl making her sigh and finally gave in.

"Fine. Just because I don't want to be blamed for your demise. I'll do it."

"Alright! Let's practice."

Edward nodded at them and they began their training.