Chapter 44
My entire schedule was cleared so I could go to the orientation, but it was near impossible to focus as I made my way to the meeting point.
Elio wouldn’t report me, he’d said. I hoped that was true.
If I could prove I was an asset in a real Shinka, too, maybe he wouldn’t be so fixated on the superficial differences between us, and he’d be okay with fighting alongside me one day.
Maybe right now he felt betrayed, but he had to understand that I really didn’t have a choice, and he didn’t exactly give me reasons to feel safe with him in the first place.
Still, I wondered, how different our relationship would have been if I could have come here as my real self? Just one of so many issues with the way our system worked.
Which is why I had to do this, because there was no other way to change that system if I never challenged it. I’d get my real Shinka today, and I’d be the proof of concept.
That was all I really wanted from the start.
These interpersonal things didn’t matter.
When I got to Astaroth Academy, I’d thought I was completely out of my depth.
In a lot of ways, I had been. But now, I was the strongest I’d ever been, the most capable, and I actually had a knack for being a pilot.
I felt like I legitimately belonged here.
I belonged here, I emphasized for myself.
I was the only person in the room when I sat down in the central seat of the front row in a large auditorium. It was built for much larger groups, but I guess I was the only new soldier to make rank after this last evaluation, so it was just me in a sea of chairs.
I sat awkwardly as I waited for someone else to show up.
I’d expected an administrator or a principal of some sort, but instead, I was greeted by Professor Kitagawa, who ran our VR training, and a man in his forties or fifties with dark hair and darker eyes that held a glare that could crush diamonds.
“I’m so glad to see you made it, Vann Callan,” Professor Kitagawa said, as he hopped down from the stage.
He was a retired pilot from the last war, but he was still every bit as fit and capable as the current physical requirements demanded.
“I’ve been personally monitoring your performance in each assessment, and you are above and beyond expectations.
I was proud to recommend you for the rank up. ”
“Thank you, Professor.” I stood up, and bowed my head slightly in acknowledgment of the compliment.
Professor Kitagawa turned toward his companion, “As you likely already know, this is General Hideki Takeyama. He has reviewed several of your past battles with me, and approved your final leap into the Advanced Rankings. You’ve been achieving exceptional results for such a fresh new recruit, so I knew it wouldn’t be long before we saw you here. ”
Though I kept my expression steady, that was quite a surprise.
Why would General Takeyama be reviewing the virtual training of a no name recruit like me?
Was it because I’d faced off against Sebastian?
I knew that the General was Sebastian’s father, but I never expected I’d be interacting with him.
Certainly not as a trainee. My brain hadn’t even registered that was who I had been looking at, it seemed so outlandish.
“I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of the simulated missions thus far. I hope I can be an asset in the future.” I responded in acknowledgement and respect.
“I’d like to hear more about your background.” General Takeyama stepped forward next, his expression stern yet appraising.
“My background?” I started to phrase it as a question, then immediately corrected myself to answer the question.
Wasting the General’s time wasn’t how I wanted to start this introduction.
“I’m from Protectorate 005, born and raised.
I was on my final year of medical study, planning to enter the military as a doctor and field medic, when I was recruited for service, sir.
” I went with the briefest possible summary.
I hadn’t realized this was going to be more of an interview than a introduction to Shinkas, but that made sense in hindsight.
Only one thousand Shinka units were available to Astaroth’s training program, so it was natural that they would be selective beyond simple ranking.
“Who were your parents?” He asked next. Professor Kitagawa simply stood to the side silently, allowing the General my full attention.
“Endra Nasr and Henrik Callan. They were both researchers during the Zircon era.” I made sure to be as respectful as possible about the regime change.
“My mother worked in psychological integrative science for robotics and my father worked in medical development. They were both lost to Gehenna soldiers during the Star Crossed Conflict, sir.” I included every relevant detail I thought he might ask about, not wanting to dwell on my family much longer if I could avoid it.
In theory, any research into my past would only bring up that Vann had a little sister, but it should also bring up that I was marked as a casualty during the last attack.
If they dug too deep, they might find Vann’s currently active medical records, but I could easily explain that away as an identity mix up if so.
There was no one to speak for him but me, considering he’d been in a coma when he was admitted.
There was enough chaos that it would have been an easy mistake.
The general made not a single motion to acknowledge my statement. “Has anyone discussed your entrance evaluation results with you?”
“No, sir.” It had already been months since I’d arrived. It seemed irrelevant at this point.
His jaw noticeably tightened, then he turned to exit the room. “I’ve gotten the information I needed. You may proceed, Kitagawa.”
My brow furrowed, and I had to force my return to a neutral expression, so as not to appear unprofessional.
What did that mean?
Professor Kitagawa looked similarly uncomfortable with the sudden exit of the general, but he was quick to disguise it with a wide smile.
“To put it simply, Vann, your sync in the simulator is… well, it’s not simply exceptional, it’s among the most perfectly in-tune we’ve ever seen in a pilot, easily on par with our highest ranking men.
We suspected that might be the case when we brought you on, as your cranial scan had a few unique features that made you a likely candidate.
We’ve attempted to place you among our best recruits to foster that talent, and it would appear we were correct to do so. ”
What? I guess my bunking with Astaroth’s number two had never been a coincidence?
“I see. I appreciate the opportunity and the confidence.” It was a wonder that I kept my voice steady, though I really wasn’t sure what to make of that information.
I’d been worried they’d figure out my gender purely from the brain scan, but I guess that wasn’t what they were looking for.
But… what did they see? “May I ask what you observed?”
“It’s…” He paused for a few moments too long to be comfortable, as though he was looking for the right words.
“The finer details are classified, unfortunately, but you have a unique mutation that’s been observed in a handful of other soldiers in recent years.
We refer to those with this neurological gift as ‘Vessels.’ You could say it’s an evolution of humanity and a true triumph of science.
” Professor Kitagawa was animated about the whole thing, but I was still catching up with what the hell he was on about.
Though of all the words he had chosen in his carefully constructed explanation, there was one in particular that gave me pause.
“Is it a natural mutation?” That question came from some deep part of my mind that I couldn’t explain, but I had to ask it now.
He shook his head, and a sinking feeling plunged through my stomach.
“It’s complicated,” He said. “But now that I know who your mother was, it’s unsurprising that you exhibit such an advanced propensity for neural linking.
These genes and mutations have been developed over many, many years, and we hope that one day we can perfect the art and use it to create a much more powerful battalion. ”
Wait, back up.
“You’re saying my brain was modified?” I should have been celebrating great achievement, but instead, my head was spinning. Was he implying that my mother did something to me? That couldn’t be. I would remember if I was some sort of human experiment, wouldn’t I?
This was all too much today.
“I really can’t go into further details.
But just know it is truly a gift, and you should carry yourself confidently going forward.
” Professor Kitagawa’s tone was so upbeat as he made light of the idea that my own parents may have been using me for human experimentation.
“Humans have toyed with augmentation for centuries. It’s nothing to worry about.
Many children were treated both during and after the Star Crossed Conflict, and it was a way to create hope and agency for the most vulnerable among us.
It’s a good thing.” He reassured me in a way that brought, truly, no relief in its vague implication.
“Unfortunately, the mutation didn’t manifest favorably in all children in the program, so we took to performing neural scans to locate those who were able to survive and thrive.
You just so happen to be one of those people. ”
It all sounded so congratulatory, yet everything about that statement didn’t sit right with me. Did some of the children not survive whatever the hell this was? Is this… is this why there’s a population crisis?
“I’m pleased to be a part of the battalion,” I said blandly, divorcing my words from my thoughts as dramatically as I could manage. This didn’t seem like the wisest moment to go into a full panic.