Retirement
As Alex lifted his gaze, he met the eyes of the man who had just entered the room. The man, not quite old, bore the subtle marks of time—silver streaks in his hair and fine lines etched on his face. Yet, his physique emanated a vitality more fitting for a man in his mid-thirties. A military uniform adorned his form, embellished with the insignia of three stars on his shoulders. It was Lieutenant George, the orchestrator of the mission that had recently unfolded.
"How you doing, Alex?" George's voice carried a mix of concern and familiarity as he approached the bedside.
"I'm fine, Lieutenant George," Alex responded, instinctively offering a salute.
"Please don't be so formal with me. You know there's no one here," George chuckled, a genuine smile playing on his lips.
George, a figure intertwined with Alex's past, had been a comrade of Alex's parents. Their shared history involved standing side by side against the Gins during the tumultuous days before Alex's parents met their end in the battlefield. In the wake of their demise, George had vowed to look after Alex, offering what support he could, even if it meant covering Alex's expenses. This support, however, was from a distance, as George resided on a base located on the distant planet of Gark.
The conversation naturally led to the broader context of the war against the Gins. Before the invasions on Earth, the Gins had spread a virus across multiple solar systems. This insidious contagion transformed creatures into grotesque beasts adorned with crystalline formations. The crystals, in turn, became the building blocks for weapons and armor, a perverse adaptation to the war-torn landscapes. To counter this threat, humanity established bases and cities on these infected planets, fortifying themselves for the impending conflict.
"I know, Uncle George. Why are you here?" Alex's question held a tinge of frustration. The information provided for the mission had proven to be misleading—the promised reinforcements never materialized, leaving Alex on the brink of death. His survival, however, was owed to an enigmatic system that intervened in the direst moments.
In the dimly lit room, George began, "I came to see if you are okay, and about the mission I..." but before he could finish, Alex interrupted him.
"I don't wanna hear it, and also, where is the rest that was on the mission?" Alex questioned, showing no concern, just a desire for answers.
"Oh... they... are dead. You were the only one that survived that blast. Might I ask how did that explosion happen?" George conveyed the grim news with a touch of sorrow, aware of the difficulty in breaking such news to the families of the deceased.
"Oh," Alex's initial satisfaction at their demise was overshadowed by a realization. 'I think they died because of that explosion, and maybe because of those scales, I survived. But that wasn't actually me, right? It was the book that was controlling me, right?' The thought lingered in Alex's mind, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"What's wrong with you? Are you okay?" George inquired, observing Alex's anxious state.
"I'm fine, just feeling like going home," Alex responded, wiping away the beads of sweat with the bedsheet. 'They deserve it for all those years of torture I received,' he thought, conflicted about his emotions.
"Uncle George," Alex addressed him, seeking guidance.
"Hmm, what do you want to ask?" George anticipated a question from Alex.
"I want to retire and go to the academy you said I should go to," Alex declared. With the newfound assistance of the system, he aspired to learn how to combat the Gins effectively.
"Really, great! You finally decided to go. You can go at any time you like," George expressed his approval, relieved that Alex chose a path away from the dangers of the military.
"Okay, how about tomorrow then?" Alex suggested.
"You can go tomorrow. A cab will pick you up in the morning to pack your bags at your apartment and take you to the academy," George confirmed, intending to provide further information but interrupted by his ringing phone. He excused himself, answered the call, and after a brief conversation, left in haste, promising to stay in touch.
'I hope things won't get too difficult for this kid at the academy. Things are rough there,' George pondered as he navigated the hallway and exited the clinic.
Meanwhile, Alex, despite the bittersweet news, found himself excited. Going to the academy wasn't a typical source of joy, but with some strings pulled by Uncle George, it felt like a chance for a new beginning.
As nightfall enveloped the room, Alex gazed out of the window, contemplating the future. "Tomorrow, it's going to be an interesting day. I will complete that quest on the system, go to the academy, become even stronger, and take my revenge. Just you wait, you bastard. I'm coming for you," Alex declared with determination, closing his eyes and drifting into a deep slumber, reliving the echoes of his haunting past.
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