"I'm here to apply?"
"Please enter your basic information on the screen in front of you."
Eron focused his attention to a tablet suspended by a metal holder. What was displayed was beyond simplistic. It merely asked for the most basic of information. His birth date, name, and the last four digits of his I.N. This was filled out in a handful of seconds.
[(I.N.): An identification number assigned to people at birth. This is used throughout the various star systems for proper authentication.]
"What's the point of this?"
The receptionist organized something through her own screen, "To make sure you're of the legal age. . . and not a criminal."
"This place doesn't accept criminals?"
"Not the serious ones. If you were put in for something minor we might let you pass. However some crimes we cannot look past."
"I see."
"You're clear to continue, if you continue to that room just located down the hallway you can continue. It has the word 'application' on a plaque. You can't miss it."
"Okay, thank you!"
"No problem."
The receptionist watched as Eron directed himself towards the door he was pointed to. With a squint they sighed, "Another one eh? That makes twenty today?"
"Yeah, an unusually high number for this branch."
"You're not kidding. It's rare we even see five people. Wonder what's so special about today?"
"Most likely that high ranking Mercenary that's going to be a supervisor. Since the higher ups implemented that new system they're probably trying to get lucky."
"Is it really worth it though? Even if they don't get chosen for that program they're essentially signing their lives away."
"Not everyone is lucky enough to have a stable way of living. Although I suppose there's the few that relish in the glory of it all."
"Let's hope the testing weeds those kind out."
*****
"Ah you're that anonymous supervisor today right?"
"What of it?"
"I'll lead you to the cameras, I figure since you want to be anonymous you would prefer to watch through a screen."
"That works."
". . . So what brings you here?"
"I need you to clarify."
"Well someone of your—let's say status—wouldn't come to Umbra-1A without some sort of reason. Especially not to supervise some nearly abandoned branch."
"So you're asking me why I am here."
"To put it simply."
"I'm looking for someone, figure I would try my luck here before giving up. I don't have all the time to keep searching after all."
"In that case you're planning to use the nurturing program?"
"In a sense."
"If you would like I can get you the results of the various tests. I mean as a supervisor you have full rights to access that information."
"I already have my PAD linked up to it."
"Ah, then forget what I said."
The individual stopped, "The room is setup here, we have cameras located at all the major testing facilities. If you have any questions feel free to ask."
"This isn't my first time."
"I figured it wasn't. I'll be taking my leave then."
The anonymous supervisor sat down and inspected the screens, "Now, let's see if you're actually who I'm looking for."
*****
Eron placed a stack of papers onto a desk, "Filled it all out."
"Oh? You've come prepared."
"I did my research."
"Makes my job easier. Just give me a moment to check through all of this. . . ."
The room Eron was told to enter was quite small. A singular person sat at a desk covered with more papers than he was willing to count. Upon entering the person handed him a stack of papers, telling him he was required to fill the missing information.
It took around ten minutes, he spent the time to read it all over. Making sure he fully understood it all. The person sitting at the desk then placed the stack in a folder, "Everything seems good, you can head through the double doors at the end of the hallway. The tests start in about thirty minutes, so you'll have to wait patiently."
"Okay, thank you."
"Just doing my job."
Exiting the room he then made his way towards the end of the hall. As he moved he noticed a strange buzz of activity. Various people moving about with a lingering air of seriousness. It was quite impressive, Eron didn't think that the tests were something so serious. He made a mental note to give it his all during the tests, he couldn't fail them.
Pushing a door open he was greeted with a large room filled with various equipment. Several people at various stations doing checks on everything. At a first glance he could guess what some of it was used for. The weights were mostly likely to test strength. A small track might be for speed and athleticism. Or maybe stamina?
"Another one eh? Go take a seat with the others, testing will start here soon."
One of the workers gave him instructions and he quickly followed. The seats he was directed towards were a bunch of simple chairs placed against a wall. As Eron moved towards an empty seat he couldn't help but examine the others.
A mixture of emotions flowed about them. Nervousness, excitement, anxiety, confidence, and the sorts. Some fidgeted in their seats, while others paid close attention to the workers as if to gain a bit of insight.
Eron took a seat, he wasn't nervous like some of the others. He couldn't afford to be. His constant yet fruitless years of experience with interviews came more than handy right now. Nerves like steel he waited, he would not let his emotions wager his future. If he was going to afford his mothers payments he would need pass this test.
No matter the cost.