MultiCore and Zein had a little talk about the previous events.
Now they are on their way to the rest of the group, who are waiting on their usual spot near a certain ARKs café.
The two arrived. Altlene had already seen them coming and was waving enthusiastically. Beside her sat Karyuuzaki. She was also repaired, the huge gaping hole in her chest plating was gone.
She also had a new set of arms, she now had the Fauma-type. Still classified as heavy armor, but they covered a less wide area.
The group talked a lot, but the conversations between two certain Cast were still awkward.
"Soooo. Do you all have something up tomorrow?" Zein asked. "Because I kinda have another appointment now, sorry"
Altlene shook her head.
"Yes, I have another check-up" Karyuuzaki replied.
"oh, I see. How about you Multi?"
"Yea, HQ called me for something."
"aw too bad. Ah well I got to go now. Alt~ come."
The Caseal ignored her. Zein, then held out a cookie in the air, the Caseal immediately jumped up and ran after Zein.
Now only MultiCore and Karyuuzaki remained. The awkward silence hang in the air again until Karyuuzaki broke it after a while.
"Multi....T-thanks for saving me back there..."
If MultiCore could smile, he would have. Now he simply nodded in return.
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A.D. 2XX
Oracle Fleet
The following day MultiCore went to the headquarters of the ships Second Division, where he was part of. It was a fairly big building located near an elevator, which led to the docking area where camp ships lay.
MultiCore was almost in front of the building and it seemed to get taller and taller with each step he took. It was not the first time he had been here, he had been in service for the Second Division for the past ten years after all.
MultiCore kept walking and soon he found himself in front of the door. The doors were almost entirely made out of glass, thick and multiple layered to still make it strong.
The doors' sensors now registered MultiCore and they opened sideways. The hallway was classy even, if it was a military building.
In the middle lay a carpet which stopped at a helpdesk. Behind the help desk sat three women, each with a desk size console and a headset device.
The carpet was just thick enough to nullify the sound coming from MultiCore's heavy footsteps. He walked straight to the middle one.
"Hello, how can I help you?"
"I have an appointment with Major Foley at 11 o' clock."
" Okay, please wait a moment." The woman started pressing some buttons on the console.
"Hmm, Mr. MultiCore, Second Artillery Corps.. is that correct?"
MultiCore nodded.
" Correct."
"The Major is waiting for you in Section B, second floor, in room 023. Section B is that way." The female pointed to a hallway on her left.
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At the end of the hallway was an elevator. When MultiCore arrived there, he saw more people waiting for it.
A couple of humans and a Caseal. The humans were chatting with each other, while the Caseal was just staring in front of her.
The elevator arrived and the doors opened. The waiting group went inside. A male human asked, to which floor MultiCore needed to go.
"I need to go to the second floor"
"How about you?" The man spoke to the Caseal.
"Ah, I also need to go to the second floor"
"Okay then, we have waited long enough here on these slow things"
Said the human while he pressed buttons on the elevator's console.
A sudden loud noise filled the elevator.
"Warning, Warning. Weight limit exceeded by 386 kg. Weight limit exceeded."
Once the alarm subsided the group discussed what to do now.
"The problem is obviously caused by those two Cast." Said one of the humans in the back.
"I am afraid one of you has to leave."
The Caseal turned to MultiCore.
"I only weight...." She halted her words and looked slightly down. " I-I only weight 323 kg....."
MultiCore grumbled a bit. "514...... i guess you win. Anyone that could do basic math knew there was only one option."
"I-I'm sorry." she said, as MultiCore walked out the elevator.
As soon as he stepped outside, the doors closed and the elevator departed.
"Guess I will have to take the stairs.....why isn't there a second elevator in this section?"
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MultiCore was already late when he reached the second floor, so he went straight to room 023 with an increased speed.
He opened the door when he arrived. he saw a man sitting behind a desk, slightly sighting while he pressed buttons on his Personal Console.
"Sorry I'm late sir. I had to take the stairs."
The man looked up. "Ah MultiCore, I was afraid you forgot about our meeting."
"Cast do not forget appointments sir."
"I know, I know. Please take a seat."
The Major gestured towards a chair. MultiCore made a laughing sound from his speakers has he said.
"I rather do not break it, sir."
The Major put his hands together.
"Right... it is my habit to ask. Well let us get to business."
He stood up from his chair.
"MultiCore, last week you were heavily damaged in that dragon assault, costing you your head parts.
Normally that would've been lethal if it wasn't so that your cores are located in your chest instead up there. Now here is the catch.
I have been told yesterday that your hardware is so outdated, that your new head isn't completely compatible for all functions it should have."
"But I do not detect anything faulty , sir."
"Apparently these are functions you have never had before so you won't miss them unless you check deeper in your own program files. Am I correct?"
There was a brief silence.
" Yes.... I am indeed unable to open certain files." MultiCore replied.
The Major continued.
"The researchers are currently developing software to make it compatible for you. But it is unknown how long they will take."
He paused."
"This means you are currently marked as broken and unfit for the front lines. MultiCore, I'm pulling you out for now."
"But sir. I was made to fight and give support on the front lines."
"I don't send wounded soldiers into battle, why wouldn't this be the same for Casts, you are a soldier too after all"
"No sir, but this is differ..."
"You are NOT going back do I make myself clear? I do not want to be known as some cruel officer sending people to a certain death."
"Sir yes sir!"
" Good." The Major sat back in his chair and put his hand together on the desk.
"However I can't send you into society either, you are not exactly a civilian looking Cast. Nor would you be able to get a occupation in society as you are now."
MultiCore nodded.
"MultiCore, one option is for you to be frozen in service, however you have been in service for around ten years now.
I do not like to "freeze"someone who has that much experience. That's where option two comes in.
So I'm sending you to the Military ARKS academy. You will be the supervisor for some graduation students that will get their live exam, however for this to be possible you will need a higher rang. So consider this as a small promotion."
The man paused again.
"MultiCore starting today you will be a sergeant. Your wages will be adjusted according to your new rang."
"Sir?" "yes?"
"Do I really have to babysit some teenagers?"
"Not if you prefer having option one."
"Ehr.....When do I start supervising the exams?"
" Thanks for asking." Foley smiled,having known the fish caught the bait.
"You will start tomorrow, but you can meet your appointed students today at 15:00 when they will get their briefing. Have a little meet 'n greet.
I'm not entirely sure when your briefing starts, you will be contacted later."
"was that all major?" "That's all. You are dismissed."
MultiCore saluted and made his way to the exit.
"Oh and MultiCore. Why didn't you take the maintenance elevator?"
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