Ch 9: Touchdown

It has been two days since we took off, and the plane is still flying steadily toward our destination. We've already crossed another 2 outer walls, and the journey continues without interruption.During these two days, I've had the chance to talk with most of the team members. Brian is the most talkative of the group, always engaging in conversation and keeping the atmosphere lively. Then there's Lev, who comes across as a laid-back person. He has a relaxed demeanor and often jokes around, but there's a sharpness in his eyes that suggests he's always alert.Ren, on the other hand, is more reserved and doesn't talk much. I get the feeling he's been observing me closely, evaluating my behavior and perhaps trying to understand my intentions. He has a calm and composed presence, making me think he's the quiet pillar of the team.Evan appears to be the meticulous one. He's always nagging Brian and Kyle about the consequences of their actions, emphasizing caution and foresight. His constant attention to detail suggests he's the planner of the group, the one who ensures nothing is overlooked.As I observed them, I couldn't help but think that this group resembles those special forces teams depicted in movies. Each member has unique strengths that complement the others, creating a powerful and cohesive unit.Yohan tried to make a psychological profile of each team member based on the half-assed profiling techniques he learned from books and TV series. Brian is the extroverted leader, Lev the easygoing yet vigilant member, Ren the silent observer, Evan the cautious planner, Luis the technical expert, Gael the strong guardian, and Captain Cruz the authoritative strategist.As Yohan looked out of the window, he noticed other planes flying alongside theirs. The sky was bustling with activity, each aircraft moving in perfect coordination. His gaze shifted forward, and he saw a magnificent city emerging on the horizon.The city was breathtaking, a sprawling metropolis with towering skyscrapers that glistened in the sunlight. The buildings were an impressive mix of futuristic design and classical architecture, seamlessly blending old and new. Streets teemed with vehicles, moving with an organized rhythm that spoke of advanced technology and meticulous planning.At the heart of the city stood a colossal tower, piercing the sky like a needle. It was surrounded by smaller, yet equally impressive, structures that radiated out in a circular pattern. Green spaces and parks were interspersed throughout, adding a touch of nature to the urban landscape. Rivers and canals wove their way through the city, sparkling like silver threads."Welcome to Clearwater, the capital city of District 4," Brian said, leaning over to catch Yohan's eye."It's a sight to behold, isn't it?"Yohan nodded, his eyes wide with wonder."It's incredible. I've never seen anything like it."As we flew across the city, my eyes were drawn to three large buildings in the middle of the city. They looked like bunkers, starkly different from the surrounding structures. I couldn't help but point them out."What are those buildings?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.Kyle glanced in the direction I was pointing."Oh, those buildings? That's where the space cracks are located," he replied."Space cracks?" I echoed."Yes," Brian chimed in."The rifts that connect our world to other dimensions. Those bunkers are heavily fortified to contain and study them.Lev added, "The city is built around those bunkers because they're our main line of defense.""Actually, it's not as dangerous as it used to be," he explained. "We've established cities on the other side of the rifts and started expanding. It's now one of the most visited buildings of the city, with people coming and going all the time."Kyle smiled. "You'll get a chance to see it for yourself soon enough, because the first step needed to contract a beast is to enter the other side".Captain Cruz's voice cut through the chatter."Prepare for landing, everyone. We have a lot to do once we touch down. Stay focused."The plane began its descent, and we landed on an airstrip at an army base situated on the edge of the city. Stepping out of the plane, I took in my surroundings. Soldiers were engaged in rigorous training exercises off to one side, their movements synchronized and disciplined.A neat row of military vehicles was parked nearby. The air was filled with the sound of engines humming and the clatter of metal as mechanics worked diligently on various machines.On the other side, a group of soldiers was enjoying some downtime. They were playing volleyball, their shouts and laughter filling the air. Nearby, a few others were grilling meat, the savory aroma wafting through the base. They chatted and joked, creating a stark contrast to the intense training happening just a short distance away.Brian nudged me, drawing my attention away from the scene."Welcome to the base, Yohan. This is where we operate from when we're not out in the field."Lev, still looking relaxed despite the busy environment, added,"It's not all work and no play. We need to unwind too, you know."Captain Cruz, led the way,"Alright, let's get moving. We need to debrief and then head to the orphanage."As we approached a building, a woman emerged, holding a file in her hand."Welcome back, Colonel Cruz, the commander is waiting for you" she greeted, gesturing for us to follow her inside."Hmm," Captain Cruz acknowledged, falling into step behind her, with us trailing close behind.Curiosity getting the better of me, I couldn't help but inquire,"Is he a captain or a colonel?""He's a Lieutenant Colonel in military rank, but we just call him captain because he leads us," Kyle explained."Ah, I see," I nodded, taking in the hierarchy within their group."And what about the rest of you?" I asked, eager to understand their positions."Evan, Ren, and I are majors, and the others hold the rank of captain," Kyle replied, providing some clarity.Evan, with a smirk, interjected,"This fool used to be a major too, almost made it to Lieutenant Colonel, but got demoted for his recklessness," he said, pointing a teasing finger in Brian's direction.My eyes widened in surprise."You almost became a Lieutenant Colonel?" I mused, glancing over at Brian with newfound respect.Observing their ranks and hearing about Brian's past, I couldn't help but be impressed. Their group clearly held significant influence within the military hierarchy.