ZERO ASCENSION

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Chapter 11 ELEVEN

The U-band soldiers had finished their formation when the command came. “All remaining L-band cadets can retire to the station now. Injured cadets should be taken to the medical bay for care.”

“U-band prepare for battle in ten minutes.”

Ken stood akimbo looking at the L-band cadets retiring in groups of twos and threes. He was pessimistic about joining them.

“AIDEN, do you think we should take some rest? Can the U-band soldiers handle the next threat?”

“Ahead of you. I have calculated and scanned the distance and area of the next enemy. Here are my results.”

“The four Bergons that escaped are returning and this time, they are being controlled by someone more powerful. My only suspect is …”

“The lady of chaos.” They both said in unison.

“And this time,”Aiden continued. “They have operationalized the fight. Four Bergons are coming from the East with her, where you are currently facing. Another four are coming from the north. They are planning to take you by surprise.”

“Any upgrades for me then?”

“Yes. I forgot to mention, you have received new abilities.”

“Let's start with your injuries.”

For the first time since the fight ended, Ken noticed he had healed completely. The anxiety and relief of killing the first Bergon had made him forget everything around him completely.

“Try to widen your eyes.” AIDEN said. “And to the ground please.”

Ken opened his eyelids a little bit more and focused on a particular point on the ground. A blast shot out.

“What's that?” He jumped up in fright.

“That's the laser vision. It is strong and capable enough to cut through anything and everything. Also, all your previous stats have been added. You have received your superspeed, Super jump, infra-red vision, faster healing and wider hearing range. More stats will be added as you make more progress.”

“Thank you AIDEN.”

“Hey!” Someone called almost immediately.

Ken turned to see a right hand amputee with blood stains on his gear. He had the L-band insignia.

“Hey! “ He responded.

The cadet was young and would be his age or two years older at most. He had brown eyes and was exactly his height. Same body build. Deeper voice than his.

“I'm Leo.” He stretched his hand for a shake.

“Ken.” He took his hand reluctantly and shook it.

“So I see you are standing here still. Don't you want to head back to the base and catch some rest?” Leo questioned. As far as Leo was concerned, he wanted to find out who Ken was and understand the source of his courage.

“Umm… okay. Let's go.” Ken answered nervously. He was not used to talking to people and as a matter of fact, had started to enjoy it more, since AIDEN activated within him.

“After you.” Leo stretched his hand gesturing to him to proceed.

They both walked in silence back towards the main building.

“Let's have something to eat.” Leo offered. “I'll pay.”

Ken nodded and walked in, taking a seat before Leo offered one.

The waiter arrived with the food in no time. Coffee and some cakes.

Both ate silently until Leo decided to break it.

“Where are you from if you don't mind telling me?”

“I don't understand. What do you mean?” He maintained his neutral expression.

“Like who are your parents? I know most of us were born here but at least we still have parents.”

“You know that is an awkward question to ask at the moment. We just met. Are there not better things you could ask?” Ken queried., this time with a little frown.

“Okay. I am sorry about that. It's just that, I'm not really used to ...you know, making new friends. I only had a friend and he just died a few hours ago in battle. So that's why it seems awkward. I noticed you don't have many friends like me. So I thought we could hang out.” He dropped his fork to look at him.

“He is pretty nice. You might try him. No need to be aggressive.” AIDEN said to Ken.

“I hear you. I'm sorry for being a little bit aggressive. And more sorry for your friend.”

Leo cleaned his face with a napkin.

“Thanks. Friends?” He stretched his hand out on the table.

Ken shook his head slowly, smiling subtly at the same time.

“Friends,” he said and shook his hand.

“So what are you doing…?”

“All commanders to the battle grounds. Take your formation sequence. U-band at the first line. Z-band next. R-band last.”

The controller screamed from the tower.

“Shut down the base. Non combatants should be locked down. Battle begins in sixty seconds.”

All gates and doors around the base started to close. The cafeteria was starting to shut down too.

“I must go now,” Ken said to Leo. “Thank you for the food.”

“But you're a non combatant. You have no band.” Leo asked, looking worried.

“Yeah. But I have some business to finish.” He tried to run off but Leo pulled him back.

“I'm coming with you.”

Ken tried to resist but there was no time so he dragged him along.

They left the cafeteria just as the doors were about to close.

Ken and Leo were running side by side.

“The battle has begun!” the controller said.

“I have to do something.” Ken said and swung Leo to his back before he could protest.

The next second, they were in battle. The U-band soldiers had started summoning water from the ground and all drainages. The enemy was just a few feet away.

“No time to talk. Let's hope we survive now.” Ken said and dropped Leo.

Leo nodded and began his transition sequence. In three seconds, he had turned to an airborne fighter with missiles onboard.

Ken on the other hand had started running towards the north of the base.

Four Bergons were coming.

He would destroy their ambush.

It took him a few seconds to arrive at the north gate.

There were no Bergons in sight.

“Initiate Long range hearing.”

He heard muffled sounds before his hearing balanced.

Then flapping of wings. Huge ones.

“I can hear them. AIDEN, are you there?”

“AIDEN?”

“Y… Yes Ken. I def… hear …” The voice stopped talking.

“Not again!”

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