After entering the elevator, Slezzy prevented his doors from closing by positioning his hand outwards so that the approaching group could catch up.
The first was the oldest boy among them, who still appeared to have a young affection. He wore a white dress shirt, which matched his brown hair, as well as black bands on his hands. He carried on his waist a thick holster, not so noticeable, occupied by a pistol.
The other two seemed to be too young for that kind of training, as they were just pre—teens. They walked side by side and whispered to each other.
The second was a young boy with light, blond hair that covered almost all of his forehead. He wore the same kind of blue military clothing as the third person who, in turn, was a short, medium—haired, black girl who was shoulder—length. Incredibly, both had the same greenish color in their eyes.
— Hurry up! Bunch of fools! — warned Roy, talking a little loud.
The group hurried in and entered there. Roy then pressed the control panel button number eighteen.
In that tiny space, the five were constantly watching each other. Roy was on the left, parallel to Slezzy, also near the door, while the other three expressed themselves on the other side.
As the elevator went up, Roy remarked briefly:
— I did not expect such young candidates of the Blue Order. You really impress us every day.
— We always try to do our best — commented the blond boy.
"Blue Order?"
Slezzy couldn't remember the name Roy had just mentioned.
When he stopped the elevator and opened the doors, Roy was the first to leave. Soon, all the others accompanied him. He led them to his own room.
On the way, Slezzy noticed that that floor covered with white walls was completely different from what he had worked on in recent months.
Tables covered with electronic devices, state—of—the—art technology, made up most of the place. The clothes of the people there were totally diverse.
As they entered a room to the side of the corridor, the group noticed the presence of four chairs, each of which was interconnected to a different table in front.
Roy asked the group to settle down. And so they all did.
In that room there were bookshelves occupied with books and other accessories, such as potted plants, a television and a blackboard, in addition to the strong lighted lamps.
— This coming month, you will all participate in the FMA training. In it... we will exploit all your weaknesses and improve them along with all the other basic principles of a fight. You will learn to deal with the daily crimes of the city and also get a great experience. But of course, for this, you can not help but strive every second.
Roy handed out some kind of form to each of them.
— This type of training is carried out once a year, but, most likely, this will be the last... — Everyone faced it with a frightened face. — ... since the government has been under a lot of pressure in recent years about our... "methods". In addition, there is a huge possibility that... in the coming months, the national army will take steps to take over our city, so that all this chaos does not corrupt the rest of the country. Although the bastards have not contacted us for a long time... Anyway, let's get back to the point!
Roy was walking around all four tables while he was speaking:
— In addition to all the benefits of training, the FMA will this time offer a unique opportunity: two vacancies for a new special forces squad. This means that you will have to compete with each other... indirectly... throughout this process. However, I hope that this "small" factor does not blur them from our main purpose.
The four candidates exchanged glances with each other constantly.
— Anyway, before we go to the practical part, I would like to clarify some topics... — Roy stopped his steps, facing all this time. — I want to make it clear that we investigate all their lives, from the first record of their lives to today and, of course, we select them according to certain recommendations. And... since "nobody here knows" — He glanced his gaze between the blond boy and the only girl there, intimidating them. — ... I'm going to do a brief presentation of each of you. You'll spend practically a month together, so... you'll need to get to know each other sometime.
Then Roy pointed to the blond—haired boy:
— Jean Trindade, twelve years old. In the last two years he has worked on some tasks for the Blue Order, alongside Kine Lee, only ten years old — He concluded, pointing his finger at the black—haired girl.
— Hum! One of the youngest street cops I've ever met! Clay Usman! Next to Slezzy Kaliman, who doesn't have much experience in this area. Both are eighteen years old — he concluded, smiling.
— I have a question, Roy! — said Slezzy, raising his hand. — Why is the FMA... working with children?
The children laughed in disguise.
— Slezzy, I wouldn't underestimate them.
Though dissatisfied, Slezzy preferred not to prolong the matter.
— Each of you knows that the FMA works with the specialty system, I assume. So, know that you will not be evaluated in general terms, but in the execution of your individual role, in the most diverse situations — said Roy, walking back to the door of the room.
The military faced them again:
— This will be interesting. The well—known "Master of Fire" and his partner "Healer" vying for a good future against the "inexperienced of the NCC". What are your chances...? Oh, enough thinking! Let's see this in practice. — Roy caused chills in Slezzy and Clay with his speech. — Now get up! You need to go to the dressing room next to this room to change. A special outfit was separated for each in their own private lockers.
The candidates obeyed him.
Upon arriving in the dressing room, they still took time to find the lockers with their respective names among the numerous shelves of the messy place.
The pieces of special clothing were composed of a kit of white clothing and accessories between shirts, pants, socks and shoes.
Each one entered a cabin reserved so they could change.
After changing and storing their belongings in their lockers, they abandoned the dressing room.
Roy was waiting for them outside:
— How cute! You're ready to go to heaven in that outfit! Follow me! — provoked the military, treading to the area of the stairs of the building soon after.
The group accompanied him.
The squadron began to climb the stairs. Roy stood in front of everyone, while Jean and Kine, just behind, whispered something to each other.
A little further behind the younger boys, Slezzy and Clay were talking:
— How long have you worked at the NCC!? — asked Clay. — To be honest, I think I've never seen you there!
— Actually, I only worked for a few months. It was long mornings in the stinking office.
— Ah, in the main office? Really? — Clay put his right hand on his chin, thoughtfully. — I went on that floor just a few times to deliver some forms. I always doubted the rumors of how that place stank until I visited it myself.
— And you? Did you work in some of the offices there?
— Um... I can tell you that I hit the jackpot by getting on the street cop scale in just a few weeks. It was at a time when crime had been somewhat controlled... it was a very rare event. Ha! Wait a minute! Are you the "rebel secretary" they talked about so much?
Clay had a laugh, but not ironic.
— What? Did that resonate so much?
— It's obvious, man! Do you think those gossips would let something like that go unnoticed?
Upon reaching the door of the twenty—first floor, Roy crossed it along with the candidates, who soon surprised the place.
It was an almost completely empty white—walled room. There were only a few columns of the same color and military equipment scattered across the floor. There were also cameras and speakers over the corners of the walls.
A steel door occupied the other side of the room.
Roy distanced himself enough, walking to the military equipment:
— Next month, everything that's learned outside these walls, in the training ground, just a mile from here, will be evaluated right here, between all these white, terrifying walls — He wielded five shields and drove them to the ground, side by side, forming a pentagonal area of protection.
— I suggest you take advantage of any of these weapons on the ground and equip yourselves. And please make a good choice!
The candidates searched every square meter of the site, looking for weapons and other equipment of their interest.
Jean decided to arm himself only with a flamethrower. Kine stored most of the medical equipment in a small red bag, and armed himself with a Desert Eagle.
— Have you ever used a gun in your life, child? — asked Slezzy, with a challenging look.
— I'm sure I've used twice as many weapons as you, even with... let me see... almost half your age!? — The girl answered firmly.
Clay approached Slezzy, handing him a bulletproof vest as well as a submachine gun. It was clear that he struggled to hold his laughter.
— Enter the pentagon! — ordered Roy.
After the "preparation phase", two black and rectangular canvases suddenly lowered at low speed from the ceiling of that room, one on each side, vertically.
— Well, welcome to your captain's first test. — Roy left the room after pronouncing, then locking the door.
Standing and considerably protected by the shields, the candidates watched the mysterious screens.
— Get your weapons ready! From that moment on, consider your lives at stake! — Roy's voice echoed across the room through the speakers.
— What? — Slezzy was amazed.
A mood of suspense has formed.
— Don't worry, old man! There's nothing better than a good Captain Roy drama — replied Jean, smiling, lightly slapping the young man on the back. His voice sounded friendly. — You are with me!
Kine laughed.
— That can only be... — Before Slezzy completed his speech, Clay pulled his body down, saving him from what appeared to be a firearm blast, which was coming towards his skull.
— GET DOWN! — shouted Clay. — SEVERAL SOLDIERS ARE COMING OUT OF THOSE SCREENS AND SHOOTING AT US!