WHAT REALLY MATTERS

Scott's mouth widened in shock due to the information he had just heard. "Maximus was the 001 of your time?!"

He screamed unknowingly at Rick.

"Calm down, Scott, you're shouting..." Rick said. Calmly.

Scott held his mouth.

"Haha. Don't worry, your surprise makes sense." He replied, laughing.

"Yes, the 001 of my time was Maximus, and I was 002, and 003 was Asa..."

His face was filled with grief as he spoke.

"You know what— forget it."

"Sure..." Scott muttered awkwardly.

"Still," he continued, "no one is sure how the ALL TREE chooses. All we know is that it never chooses wrong."

"What happens when you take the seed? Do you instantly get all the powers or.."

"No. You don't, it's a... gradual process, but what we know and are sure of, is that the nano Machines in our body are powered by our Will."

"Will," Scott asked, confused.

"Yes, Scott. Will, Rick replied. The determination or resolve to want to achieve or want something without giving up, even in the face of obstacles. So the stronger your will..."

"The stronger... your nano Machines..."

Rick took a gulp, finished the can, crushed it and answered.

"Bingo."

He stood up, picked up the crushed cans, and began walking toward the exit.

"Wait. I still have some questions?"

Scott called out.

Rick turned. Intrigued, "Please ask."

Why did the elders not accept Esosa as 001, although he's linked to the Esazien family? I don't think they're that bad.

Rick took a deep breath.

"The thing is... Protocol is an ancient military order that protects and defends everything that is good and destroys all that is not."

He continued, "We do not want to be linked to any powerful or political family, to protect the mission for which we have been made to do."

He added," and the Esazien family in itself is not good. There have been lots of crimes committed by the family that are still under investigation.'

Scott added If the Esazien family is that evil, why were you angry with the elders for selecting me as the 001? I'm sure it's better than someone form that family?"

Rick scoffed, then replied,"Well... I suspected. That the elders put you here due to that reason."

So it was the elders gave me my admission?. Scott asked curiously.

"Suspect Scott, Suspected, I'm not entirely sure"

Rick replied.

Huh? so it wasn't the elders that brought me here? Scott thought

"Even if the Esaziens are corrupt, I still believe everyone deserves a chance—even Esosa."

Ok, Scott, any more questions? Rick asked dismissively.

Scott stared him right in his eyes and asked. 'Why... are you telling me this? I'm sure some of the things you told me are protocol secrets."

Rick smiled softly and replied. "If you're some he trusts. Then I'm sure you great person."

He turns towards the exit and stops the turning to Scott. He said manically, "And some who can keep their mouth shut."

Scott chuckled awkwardly before replying, "Yes, sir..."

Scott sat in silence, staring into the dark.

"All Tree... Elders... the Esazien family..." Then he rose and walked off, his mind still racing.

One Year Later

Scott McKnight was no longer the confused boy who had stumbled into Protocol by accident.

Twelve brutal months had forged him into something sharper, leaner, and far more focused.

The scars both physical and emotional, were proof.

Beep!

The sharp sound of an alarm echoed through his room.

"Ergh..." Scott groaned, rolling over. "Stop alarm."

The beeping ceased.

He sat up slowly, stretched, and splashed water on his face. At six foot one, and 85kg of hardened muscle, Scott had clearly transformed.

He dragged himself into the bathroom for a quick shower, then dressed in his ceremonial military attire.

As he walked confidently toward the exit, a voice called out behind him.

"Yo!"

Scott turned and smiled faintly. It was John.

"I've been calling you since yesterday, bro. Why didn't you pick up?"

Scott chuckled awkwardly.

"Sorry, man. I've been... busy."

"Busy?" John raised a brow, confused.

John, too, had changed. His jaw was more defined, his frame broader. Time had left its marks on them both.

He threw an arm over Scott's neck, pulling him in playfully as Scott struggled to break free.

"On this special day? Come on we're about to become Nano Soldiers!"

"I hope we all are..." Scott muttered.

"What do you mean? Me and you? We're definitely getting picked by the All Tree." John grinned, full of confidence.

They boarded the transport carrier bound for Protocol Base. Tension hung in the air.

No matter how tough they'd become they were still anxiousif they would be selected by the ALL TREE or rejected by it.

A few minutes into the ride, John leaned closer and whispered,

"Scott."

"What?" Scott replied, a little annoyed.

John smirked.

"What's going on between you and Cherry Bomber?"

"Cherry?" Scott blinked. "I don't know... Every time I try to talk to her, she turns and runs away."

John chuckled.

"Maybe she just couldn't withstand your handsome face."

He winked.

Get out... Scott said, as he pushed John out of his ear.

"Haha" John began to laugh loudly, Scott smirked, struggling to hold his own laughter.

And just like that, the tension in both thier hearts settled and thier hearts which was once filled with worry was filled with hope.

The carrier hissed as it stopped at the base John and scott walked confidently towards the assembly they're hope in an all time high

As soon as they entered the assembly all eyes fell on them.

" Look... it Scott and John"

One of the cadets mumbled

"Scott is so cool."

Another replied .

"I think John is cooler."

All these were some of the replies John and scott got as they walked through the assembly. During the past year Scott's reputation had increased even rivaling Esosa's. They both walked to the front line were the top five of protocol usually stay.

On the podium were Rick, Maximus and some of the other company commanders

Rick walked towards the podium

"This is a special day for the cadets, this is the they were you become official Nano Soldiers..."

He paused for a second then continued." Some of you may become nano infused or non nano infused but I want you to know that your are still members of protocol.

Scott noticed that Maximus looked a little bit shaken due to what Rick's speech, but still he kept his cool.

"Now with great honor" Rick said confidently "I will be introducing 001 Scott McKnight," the crowd burst out in celebration

They all chanted Scott! Scott! Scott!

He climbed the podium with confidence, then had a firm handshake with Rick.

Good day, fellow cadets. I'm Scott McKnight, the top-ranked cadet of our time..."

He took glance at Esosa and Faux who were seething with anger. He Chuckled and continued. "

"Where we're going doesn't care about strength, speed, or power. It only cares about your heart. So I ask how strong is your heart? How strong is your will?

On this journey, don't doubt yourself because I believe all of us will be chosen."

The rest of the cadets all cheered in unison

"Yeah!!..."

The ceremony finally finished after a long time, the cadets and Rick entered the deck, were the space ships in protocol are placed they all entered line by line and were sat according to thier number.

The space ship engine's roared like thunder as it turned on.

Rick stood at the front of the ship and said "ok cadets set course for Protocol the main head quarters"