Welcome ceremony

Following Margaret, the group walked to the parking lot. The "trikon" was already waiting at the exit. Usually, this type of public transport had a gray color and an elongated shape, with transparent glass running along the slightly angular body.

But this time, the trikon was quite different. It was one and a half times longer, had a more streamlined body, and the usually transparent glass was completely black, obscuring the view inside.

The only thing they had in common was the anti-gravity cushion, which this massive transport used to move.

"Attention!" Margaret said loudly. "Before departure, I must conduct a brief briefing and tell you about our future plans.

Firstly, we are now heading to the dormitory, where each of you will be provided with a room.

Secondly, leaving the dormitory area is strictly prohibited.

Thirdly, tomorrow, exactly at eleven o'clock in the morning, you must all gather in front of the dormitory and then proceed to the welcome event.

After the public announcement of the new generation's arrival, you will be able to move freely around the citadel."

She finished her speech and pointed to the open doors of the trikon.

Inside, there were several rows of soft seats, each equipped with a personal screen. Taking the nearest available seat, Cassian leaned on the armrest and stared out the window, waiting for the trip to begin.

When everyone took their seats, the trikon started moving. The personal screens turned on. Using them, you could view information about the block, their current location, and that's it.

Despite the unremarkable appearance from the aviation block's side, the city turned out to be quite interesting. Yes, the design of the citadel's interior was standard, but there were significant differences.

The residential area itself was much larger than that of the citadel where Cassian previously lived. In addition to the sterile streets, according to the map, there were squares and even two parks!

It was surprising, as real live plants were usually only available to the "true blood" representatives.

***

The trikon stopped. Cassian was still sitting in his seat, waiting for the rest of the group to leave the transport.

Unfortunately, they did not pass by the park during the entire journey. However, when they passed by one of the squares, they could see a huge holographic composition from a distance.

Many shades of colors intertwined, forming an unimaginable picture. Gradually changing, they formed various shapes. Images of people merged with images of monsters, creating captivating interpretations of ancient stories preserved since the times before the great catastrophe.

Remembering the sight that impressed him, Cassian involuntarily smiled.

Finally, waiting for the rest of the group to leave the transport, he headed for the exit.

Margaret stood in front of the building, repeating the previously announced briefing. The appearance of the alleged dormitory was very different from the usual. Instead of one or several tall buildings that were indistinguishable from each other, there was a huge complex. Many interconnected buildings had separate territories next to them and were separated from the rest of the world by a force field.

After repeating the briefing, Margaret led the group further. Along the even, sterile clean roads stretched lush green lawns. Here and there, neatly trimmed trees were planted. The entire complex looked like the embodiment of the words "calm and harmony."

Cassian stepped inside, and the door behind him smoothly closed with a short mechanical sound. In the dim light of the neon lamps, a small room intended for single occupancy opened up before him.

The living room was compact, with a narrow sofa against the wall, opposite which hung a screen with the dim logo of the housing management system.

The bedroom was a niche with a built-in bed, surrounded by the soft light of holographic lamps.

The working area was in the corner and consisted of a small desk and a built-in wall cabinet.

Throwing his bag on the floor, Cassian fell onto the bed. Looking at the ceiling, he remembered the previous citadel.

The provided room was truly luxurious. Usually, a dormitory looks like a small room with a niche where a bunk bed is located. About a meter from it stands a built-in wall desk, next to it a wardrobe.

No unnecessary space. Everything is as compact and practical as possible.

This is where the regular inhabitants of the citadels usually live. Well, at least the part of the population that Cassian belonged to.

"According to Margaret's words, tomorrow there should be a welcome ceremony. Ha... Always dreamed of being in the pilot's seat at that moment! Already anticipating the joyful cheers of people, congratulations, and all that!"

In high spirits, he quickly performed his hygiene routine in the private bathroom and went to bed. Thinking about the next day, he hugged his pillow, and a blissful smile appeared on his face.

***

In front of the dormitory, waiting for passengers, the trikon stood again. Besides Margaret, there were a few unfamiliar people standing by the open doors, who were apparently supposed to accompany the group to the ceremony.

When the cadets took their seats and the trikon started moving, Margaret gestured to attract everyone's attention and introduced the staff.

The first was named Vincent. He was a fairly large man about thirty-eight years old. He was dressed, like Margaret, in a formal suit.

The second was a woman named Lauren Gray. Flashing a welcoming smile, she radiated an aura of calm and kindness.

"Vincent will be responsible for security during the ceremony," Margaret said, pointing to the man. "Lauren is your curator for the next few days. If you have any questions or difficulties, feel free to contact her."

Lauren nodded friendly, her brown eyes scanning the cadets with mild interest.

"I hope you won't have any problems with adaptation," she said in a soft voice. "We are here to help, so please don't hesitate to ask for help, even for small things."

The trip continued; the cadets passionately discussed their possible near future; the identical streets replaced each other, occasionally turning into small squares where people gathered.

Billboards, as well as holograms, repeatedly displayed announcements of the upcoming event.

After ten minutes of travel, the transport slowed down and then smoothly stopped. The doors hissed open, and the distant sounds of many voices penetrated the cabin.

"Welcome to the welcome ceremony," announced Margaret, standing up.

The cadets left the trikon one by one, finding themselves in front of a huge stadium. The building was almost entirely made of glass, with many spiral columns rising upwards.

The stop was located on a tier above the main square and offered a view of thousands of people who, like a slow water stream, entered through the main gates of the stadium.

Paying no attention to this magnificent sight, Margaret led the group through a separate entrance.

The interior combined features of minimalism and grandeur.

She led the group further until she stopped at sliding doors.

"From this moment, you are under the command of your new curator."

After finishing her job, she left without giving them a chance to ask questions.

"Ahem!" Vincent attracted the group's attention. "As Miss Margaret already said, from now on, we will accompany you. Now the entire group, without exception, is divided according to gender. The boys follow me, and the girls follow Miss Lauren."

Following Vincent's instructions, the group split into two.

Directing the male group to follow him, he entered the previously closed passage.

"Well, I guess we should go too!" Lauren exclaimed with a kind smile and led the second part of the group.

When the group entered the locker room, it immediately became clear that they were in a place with nothing unnecessary. The space was enormous but empty. The walls, perfectly smooth, framed the room, emitting a soft, cold light. Along one of the walls stood individual lockers.

Cassian approached the locker that corresponded to him, touched the screen, and it opened. Inside was a suit used for piloting the nexus.

Externally, it looked like a smooth black-gray shell, tightly fitting the entire body except for the head. It consisted of many segments connected into a single structure. The central part of the suit was entirely penetrated by energy channels that barely emitted a dark purple color, and there were also blocks through which, most likely, the connection to the nexus took place. The suit's elements intended for the arms and legs, although to a lesser extent, were also penetrated by energy channels.

"Is this a real suit!?" A shout echoed through the locker room from a short-haired young man, whom Cassian knew as Ryuji.

In response, a much calmer voice was immediately heard:

"Are you an idiot? It's just a detailed dummy, no one would provide a real suit for a public event."

The person who reproached Ryuji was the guy in glasses who had previously made a bet with him.

"Sora, did I tell you that you're a bore?"

"Don't recall."

"Are you sure?"

There was only silence in response.

***

The stadium was completely filled with people. In the center of the square rose a stage where official representatives had already gathered. On a higher tier was a podium. As soon as a person dressed in a full-body suit approached it, a loud mechanical voice came from under the mask:

"Dear residents of the seventeenth citadel, on this momentous day, I am glad to welcome you all. Today we present to the world a new generation of defenders of all humanity!"