Chapter 39: Meeting (2/2)

'Mandatory meeting in the first basement at three pm,' Khan read on his phone.

”This is from the Global Army,” Khan exclaimed while turning toward his friends. ”Do you know what's happening?”

Khan saw surprised expressions on his friends. It seemed that even their knowledge of the Global Army didn't help in that situation.

”It's strange,” Luke commented. ”There's more than a month before the end of the semester. This shouldn't be about the missions.”

”Maybe they want to address Khan's issue,” Bruce added. ”They didn't say anything about the four boys who attacked him two months ago. No one has seen them since then either. The Global Army might give an official statement.”

”The other recruits didn't receive anything,” Jason contradicted him when he inspected his surroundings. ”It seems that only the members of the special class received this message.”

”They might still follow a precise order,” Martha continued. ”Anyway, the meeting is in half an hour. We can wait in the corridor.”

The group changed direction and moved toward the staircase that led to the lower floors. They continued to suggest ideas that could explain the reason behind the meeting, but Khan remained silent during the walk.

Khan had thought about the four bullies from time to time, especially since Samuel's bed had remained empty during those months. Even Lieutenant Dyester didn't know how that matter had ended.

Still, Khan didn't suffer from similar events anymore. Two months had gone by peacefully. He had even started to believe that Lieutenant Dyester's worries about Alison Blackdell were mere exaggerations.

The group waited in front of the first basement. Other recruits from the special class gathered on that spot, but they weren't enough to fill the corridor. Less than twenty boys and girls had remained in that course after almost five months of training.

A familiar figure eventually descended from the staircase. Khan recognized Lieutenant Rupert Unchai, the soldier who had overseen his initial test.

Khan could finally inspect his features. The last time he had seen the Lieutenant in the shape of a hologram, so he had failed to notice the dark color of his short hair and the clear shades of his eyes.

”I will hold the meeting,” Lieutenant Unchai announced once he stepped off the staircase and made his way through the group of recruits.

The first basement opened, and Lieutenant Unchai gestured to the group to follow him. The soldier quickly walked toward the stage on one side of the hall and connected his phone to the floor while the recruits simply gathered around him.

”Let's make a few things clear first,” Lieutenant Unchai announced as a series of holograms appeared on the walls behind him.

Khan widened his eyes when he saw that the holograms played the scenes of his last battle against the bullies. The images even depicted the damages suffered from the four boys during the various exchanges.

”The Global Army condemns these actions,” Lieutenant Unchai continued once the tape ended. ”Your background doesn't matter here. Your family might have connections with the noble families, but the same goes for the higher-ups of the Global Army. Every soldier is equal. We only look at your achievements.”

Khan pretended not to notice the series of glances that ended on his figure. He had even heard a few surprised gasps while the tape was still running. It seemed that some of the recruits had liked the show.

”We have expelled the four boys,” Lieutenant Unchai explained once the audience focused on him again. ”Ylaco's training camp has even placed an additional fee on their families. I hope this can solve part of the grudges that this shameful event might have generated.”

Lieutenant Unchai didn't look toward Khan, but it was clear that his words were for him.

”He is worried that a lack of punishments from the Global Army would have ruined its chances to get you,” Martha whispered while tilting her head toward Khan.

Khan limited himself to nod. He had understood that part. Attending ”politics” for another month had given him some insights into that environment.

'The real culprit might still be out there,' Khan complained inside his mind. 'Punishing these four doesn't prove that I'm safe.'

”The recent situation has forced the Global Army to understand its flaws,” Lieutenant Unchai explained. ”It's rare to have this degree of violence inside the camp, and it's evident that most recruits lack battle experience. We can't punish before the actual illicit event, but we can give you the chance to learn some self-defense.”

The audience fell silent at that point. The recruits didn't know where Lieutenant Unchai's speech led, but its topic sounded interesting.

”We can't offer this to everyone in the camp,” Lieutenant Unchai continued. ”Only the special class will have access to this. The Global Army is giving you the chance to continue the rest of your lessons on Onia, where you will receive real-combat training.”