Survivor

The Dome Rangers had completed their mission to eliminate all the monsters within the dome, extracting the coveted jade stones from their bodies. The Transporters had also collected all available resources. Tommy felt grateful that the mission had been accomplished without any casualties among his team. He envisioned that their contribution to the raid would strengthen the Garuda Guild. This was to be his final raid before retiring and assuming the role of an instructor for the Dome Ranger cadets at the training center.

As the group emerged from their vessel after completing their raid inside the dome, they were greeted with a scene that caught them off guard. Two figures were visible within the confines of the dome who hadn't been there before, and amidst them lay the charred remains of an alien—a sight entirely unexpected.

Tommy and his group were taken aback by the strangeness of the situation, as they had previously ensured that no humans were present within the dome. Ordinary humans could not survive in the dome without specialized equipment like the modified suits worn by the Transporters. The conclusion that dawned upon them was that the young man sitting, grieving over the lifeless man, was a survivor of the dome, potentially possessing abilities equivalent to Dome Rangers.

Instructing his group to remain in place, Tommy approached Rangga to assess the situation.

"Who are you, young man?" he asked, his voice calm yet filled with concern.

Rangga stared at Tommy with eyes still filled with fear, his lips trembling as he tried to gather his thoughts. "M...my name is Rangga," he stammered, his voice weak and full of emotion. "I was just... I was just walking... and... and suddenly everything happened so fast."

Tommy nodded, his eyes full of sympathy as he observed Rangga's state. "That is your friend?", he looked at the lifeless old man.

"Yes, he saved me from that alien", Rangga looked at the burned body.

"But how did you two get into the dome and survive?", Tommy said with a curious look.

Taking a deep breath, Rangga began to recount everything he had experienced, albeit with a voice that was interrupted by his emotions. He explained about the encounter with the alien inside the dome, the fierce battle between Timan and the alien, and finally, the moment when the alien died.

Tommy listened attentively, his expression serious as he absorbed every word spoken by Rangga. After Rangga finished telling his story, Tommy nodded, his expression filled with deep thought.

Nania, who had been watching the conversation, approached Tommy.

"Sir, his a survivor," she said.

"I think so."

"But no one has survived after the Perth Dome, just how?", Nania bewildered.

Usually, one or two survivors emerge when a dome forms on Earth, their bodies adapting and transforming into superhuman beings. However, after the last three domes appeared, there were no survivors. Many believed humanity had lost the ability to adapt to the dome's harsh environment. So, when a real survivor emerged this time, everyone was stunned and bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.

"Rangga, I need you to listen carefully. Soon, your body is going to change", Tommy started to explain.

"Change? What do you mean?"

"You'll become more powerful than a regular human. It's what happens to survivors like you."

"More powerful? How?"

"Your physical abilities will enhance. You'll be stronger, and faster. But it's important you stay calm and don't panic."

"I don't understand..."

"I know it's a lot to take in. Just trust the process. We're here to help you through it."

With that, Tommy reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card, handing it to Rangga. "Here's my contact information," he said. "Soon, I get someone who will take care of you, don't worry."

As Rangga accepted the card, a surge of conflicting emotions flooded his chest. Staring at the contact information in his trembling hands, he couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of disbelief at the events that had unfolded.

But as he glanced up at Tommy, his mind filled with memories of Timan's wise words. "Sometimes we must embrace unexpected circumstances, bearing great responsibility even against our will," Timan's voice echoed in his mind.

With a heavy heart, Rangga mustered the courage to speak. "Thank you, Sir," he began, his voice tinged with hesitation.

Tommy turned around and spoke quietly to Nania.

"Report this to the guild headquarters. Tell them we have a potential new cadet that we need to monitor."

"Right away, sir!"

Tommy then asked one of the transporters to escort Rangga back to his cabin using one of the vehicles.

"Please escort Rangga back to his cabin. Use one of the vehicles to get him there safely."

"Understood, sir." one of the Transporters responded.

With that, Rangga tucked the card into his pocket, the weight of uncertainty still heavy on his shoulders. Only time would reveal whether he had the motivation to embrace this new path and become a Dome Ranger.

--end chapter--