Roxanne's cuffs instantly unlocked and she rubbed her uncomfortably numb wrists as she stood up and dusted off her frilly skirt.
Before walking ahead, she said, "See you on the other side." She didn't look back as she walked out down the length of the plane, heels clacking.
A few seconds after Roxanne stepped off, the girl across from D was called up. Standing to her full incredible height, she grinned with excitement. She threw her long muscular arms over her head in a carefree stretch.
She looked down at D and Max and said, "Yeah what the goth said," as pointed forward before she strode down the aisle.
Both Max and D's eyes followed her as she walked from her hair down to her toned backside.
Max then asked, "Do you know her?"
"Nah, but I'd like to," D said—his eyes still glued to the spot where she disappeared from view. A few moments later, the soldier called his number and his shackles unlocked. Lost in his thoughts about the mystery woman he'd forgotten, he was next.
His tone was a mix of nervous and serious. "I'll see ya in a bit man," he said as he stood up.
He took a slow few steps, his mind wary, when a dangerous thought popped into his head for a second. With his shackles off, if he could get a bit of power, he should run.
Fear soon suppressed the thought as he remembered the back soldier's gun against his teeth. I'd need to tap one of these people somehow and I'd have enough glow to blast out of here, he thought. He kept walking closer to the blinding light of the outside. He could only see the top of the white-haired woman's head as she walked down the ramp.
The thoughts of escape grew louder. She could get me outta here, but I only know Max's power. I'll wait for him to walk out. He'll definitely be somewhere near me.
As D got closer to the exit, he kept his eyes on the floor, as he felt a pit of fear in his stomach. He could hear the sounds of people talking. There were also the sounds of birds and the wind. He was finally at the open door. An expression of dread covered his face as he saw the soldier standing at the side of the open door.
The soldier nodded. He could see the fear written on D's face. D heard a man outside the plane shout, "NEXT!" The order caused his legs to move forward despite his fear. Still holding his head down with his eyes closed, he stepped down the ramp till he felt stone under his feet. He raised his head and what he saw brought his jaw to the floor.
The aircraft carrier had landed them on top of a facility. Further beyond he saw other buildings. Some of them modern and architecturally advanced while some were brick boxes that looked older than his grandmother.
But beyond the buildings, the fields, the small patch of trees was water, nothing but water. They had been taken to an island in the middle of god dammed nowhere.
The passengers of the aircraft who had come out before D were in a long line shoulder to shoulder. He tentatively stepped into line and looked ahead and saw 3 people standing in front of a makeshift podium. There was tall gray haired man wearing an all black open button suit.
Next to him was a roundish brunette woman who was almost as tall as the man in a gray pencil skirt and striped blouse. She was looking down at a clipboard and seemed to be mentally preparing for whatever they were planning. Lastly there was a slim black haired girl in a black and red uniform with a sword sheathed on her hip. That sword, that's the chick who knocked me out
His hands clenched into fists and his fingers dug into his skin at the sight of her. At the same time, as if she knew he was staring daggers at her, she looked at him and gave a slight smile. Not a friendly smile, but a smile of conquest and confidence.
"Woah there are way more people here than I thought, can make a guy feel a little nervous" Max said as he strode up next to D.
"Yeahhhh definitely the people and not the fact we're on an island in the middle of nowhere" He said to Max.
"Oh it's not so bad you're at a place most of the world will never see, and if you are worried about the weather don't be, mother told me they simulate the seasons using some sort of technology.
Before D could respond the older man at the podium began to speak.
"i would like to thank you all for a mostly problem free transportation, trust me when i tell you the transportation we have now is much better than when i was your age". He chuckled as if he expected his audience to laugh with him, they did not. The man continued,
"This day is a very important one ladies and gentlemen, as it is the first day of your successful future careers". The full-figured woman, who had put down her clipboard, clapped and Spire did the same.
"Now first things first we will be administering your student identification bracelets. These will allow you to enter and use the facilities on campus for students".
The man glanced over at his watch and realized he was behind schedule, so he continued. "Afterwards we will be breaking you up into groups for your aptitude tests, these tests are split between physical and written sections. Your proctor will lead you down this facility to the testing area".
"Trackers? Why the hell would grown adults need tracking devices?". D whispered to Max.
"At a place like this it would be weird if they didn't have a way to keep track of a group wannabe crooks, criminals, and mercenaries.".
He thought about what kind of person would willingly want to be those, as most of the ones he knew had done it out of necessity. He snapped out of this thought as he saw two staff members of the school working their way down the line of students with tracking bands.
D looked around for somewhere to run, somewhere to hide. The only things on that barren roof were the aircraft, the podium, and a door behind said podium. With spire and the other two blocking his only exit his eyes darted to the edge of the building.
Definitely too high to jump his breathing became more frantic as the proctors approached.
Max looked over at him and said "Hey man are you alright? You keep looking around. everything is going to be fine, if you're here you're here for a good reason".
D stuck his hands into his pockets and leaned his head back.
"Yeah, yeah I'm chilling dude just uh first day nerves y'know.".
With his hands in his pockets he felt what he'd forgotten he had in their this whole time…coins. He fidgeted with the few silver quarters in his pocket, soon fidgeting turned to thinking, and then plotting.
He looked over to Max and smiled a fiendish expression.
"Your glow lets you copy any material right? Even if it's a small amount right?".
Max, slightly confused, replied
"Oh yeah, as long as it stays in continuous contact it doesn't matter how small it is, why do you ask?.".
"Oh no reason dude I'm just super excited for the next four years man.". He raised his arm up.
"Up top my dude, high-five!". Max immediately returned the gesture with a strong high five, and the moment their hands touched D took off in a sprint towards the buildings closest edge.
A guards shout rang out
"STUDENT! RETURN TO YOUR ASSIGNED POSITION!". D already had the coins in his hand and his foot on the edge and with a desperate plea he called on his glow, closed his eyes, and leapt head first off the side of the building.