Chereads / Anomaly correction officers / Chapter 58 - Chapter 57: Accelerated

Chapter 58 - Chapter 57: Accelerated

Commander Evert soon took the stage.

His expression is grim and his eyes narrowed, glancing around the room he sighed deeply.

"Due to recent events it has been decided that your examination will accelerate, this means that we will forgo the six months that were planned for your second exam, and compress it into two weeks."

Commander Evert took a deep breath as he continued, "This only applies to the cadets who have already received their implants, does who haven't, or are in the process of receiving one, will begin their training at a later date."

"There will be no orientation for the third exam, once you're done with your two-week crash course, you'll be moved directly to the third exam, are there any questions?" Commander Evert asked, gesturing towards the crowd.

No one raised their hand and the auditorium fell silent.

Commander Evert frowned as he crossed his arms. "Very well then, continue your training, and for does who haven't yet received their implant, I wish for your survival." He said emotionlessly. 

He turned to leave the stage, disappearing behind it.

Lieutenant Lance, who was standing behind Commander Evert as he gave his speech, soon took the podium.

"As you all have just heard, your exams have been accelerated." He began with a stern voice. "However, now is not the time for panic or confusion. You are training to become officers of the organization, you will have to expect the unexpected and face it with confidence….."

Lance gave a short, inspiring speech for the cadets, most likely to ease them into what essentially was a blindside crash.

As he continued, he began going over new protocols and procedures. Marcus meanwhile, was lost in thought. He knew that this entire meeting had something to do with what happened at the airstrip, but he wondered why it had affected the exams.

There was also the deal with those mercenaries, what caused them to steal from the organization, and who was this buyer they were supposed to meet with?

Whoever these people were, clearly they are a force to be reckoned with. They seemed well organized and prepared to deal with officers from the organization, even as basic humans. 

Especially those twins. 

If it hadn't been for Volkov Marcus wouldn't most certainly have died. 

Or maybe he wouldn't, especially given his conflicted the woman in the tactical gear was. She fought to kill sure, but she wasn't necessarily excited about it. 

Even when she had him pinned to the ground, a knife in his chest, she still opted to talk to Marcus in the end, and even when he turned her down, she gave him a card instead of killing him.

Maybe this group wasn't a threat?

"…that concludes this brief, but important meeting." Lance said, "If you already have an implant I suggest you get back to training because the final exam is nothing to scoff at, dismissed."

Lancr stepped away from the podium as cadets and officers alike began rising from their seats. 

Marcus stayed seated, closing his eyes as he listened to the cadet's hushed conversations.

"Shit man, this whole program has been a shit show from the start." One cadet complained.

"Exactly, but something tells me this wasn't how it was supposed to go, it feels rushed." Another cadet agreed.

"It is rushed." An officer commented. "My exam was brutal, but I had guidance, you lot have just been thrown to the wolves."

"I knew it."

Luna's small hand tightened around Marcus's hand, bringing him back to the moment. "We should probably find Volkov to finish your training, or…"

Luna's expression fell her lips frowning in thought.

"Or what?" Marcus asked as he looked down at Luna, a curious expression on his face.

"Nothing." She replied with a soft chuckle, "But we should probably get going, don't wanna get left behind." She said with a warm smile.

Marcus grinned as he stood up. "You're right, we have a mission to accomplish, and I have to get stronger, no I need to get stronger, for us." His expression is full of determination and passion.

Luna chuckled as she hopped from her seat. "For Kinsley too." She commented.

Marcus blushed as he nodded, "Yeah… for her too."

"And Felix?" Luna asked.

Marcus chuckled, "Felix is stronger and more powerful than I am."

Luna giggled, "What about Dr. Fletcher?" She asked curiously.

Marcus sighed as his expression turned serious. "I don't know, but I'll try." He answered as he grabbed Luna's hand. "Anyway, stop stalling, we have to find Volkov and…. Sang-hee." Marcus said hesitantly.

Luna's expression fell blank at the mention of her name.

Marcus and Luna fell in line with the cadets and officers who were leaving the auditorium. Navigating through the crowd, Marcus noticed that the atmosphere had changed, it was tense, yet almost everyone was calm. There were a few who Marcus could tell were slightly nervous or panicked, yet they held it well.

As they turned the corner, Marcus spotted Volkov talking with Sang-hee at the side of the front doors.

Sang-hee was completely healed from the airstrip incident, she was dressed in her trainee combat suit, with her blond hair tied up in a messy bun.

Her arms were crossed as she looked down at Volkov with an angered expression. 

As Marcus approached them, breaking off from the group and leaving the auditorium, Marcus overheard their conversation.

"You're either stupid or deranged if you think I'll go anywhere near that stupid fuck and that dumb-ass anomaly cunt." Sang-hee hissed. "You wanna keep training me, then drop him, boss."

Sang-hee then glanced up at Marcus, her eyes narrowed as an angered frown emerged on her lips.

Volkov sighed as he turned around to greet Marcus, "Hello Marcus, you seemed to have recovered well." He said with a nervous chuckle as he crossed his arms.

Marcus hesitantly nodded as he gestured towards Volkov. "Same." He commented with a faint smile, "You um, you look good."

Marcus then glanced over at Sang-hee, who said nothing, yet the anger that simmered behind her eyes was more than loud.

"I'm guessing Sang-hee isn't interested in training with us anymore," Marcus said with a sigh as he placed his hand on Luna's head and gently ran his hand through her hair.

Volkov nodded, "That's…. That's what she's saying yes." He admitted hesitantly. Volkov then sighed as he placed a hand on his face, sliding it down before continuing. "Look, Marcus, I normally would've fought tooth and nail to convince her otherwise, but after that…" Volkov gestured to Luna with a conflicted expression, "I can't ask her to agree to that, that's just, that would be cruel."

Marcus nodded understandably. 

With how badly Luna beat Sang-hee, it would've taken a miracle for her to forgive something like that.

"I understand." Marcus said as he stepped away from Volkov, "I'll find another teacher."

Volkov nodded. "I hope you do Marcus, and I hope to see you out in the field when you graduate."

Marcus smiled. "Thanks." He replied with a quick wave as he began backing away from the duo. 

Stepping outside, Marcus noticed Luna crossing her arms with a conflicted expression. 

"What's the matter?" Marcus asked her as he began guiding them to a spot for training, searching for an open area.

"You said you'll find another teacher, but do you even have one in mind?" Luna asked curiously. "Because if you don't…."

Marcus chuckled as he nodded. "Of course, I have a teacher in mind, she's the one who made me like this in the first place," Marcus said as he tapped his chest.

Luna looked at Marcus with a confused expression, studying his face before lowering her face to his chest. Her expression then became more of an instant realization. "I-I don't know if I'll make the best teacher Marcus." She stammered, 

Marcus grinned as he stopped walking, "Hey, you promised to teach me some tricks, I don't feel like searching for another officer, especially if they're already teaching another cadet."

Luna's eyes softened at Marcus's words. "If I do this, there's one thing I need you to promise me."

She said with a stern expression, her tone serious.

"Anything," Marcus answered quickly.

Luna sighed as she raised a finger to Marcus. "You have to promise me that you'll stay by my side, through everything Marcus, and this isn't a joke, I'm serious. If you can't agree to that then….."

"Oh, Luna." Marcus chuckled as he bent down to Luna's level, he then slipped his hands under her arms and lifted her high. 

"Marcus!" Luna exclaimed as she grabbed him for arms.

"That was the most redundant request ever." He said with a laugh as he looked up at her, "I would never leave your side, you're my everything." He said playfully, before cradling her in his arms.

Luna's face was flushed crimson red with blush, "Marcus I'm serious, I need a serious answer."

Marcus sighed with a playful smile before gently setting her down. Marcus dropped to one knee to match her height.

With an Earnest expression, Marcus took Luna's small hands into his and held them tight. "Luna." He began, his tone sincere, "I know I'm erratic, I know I'm difficult to read, and I know I've abandoned you in the past." 

Marcus then breathed deeply as he brought Luna closer. "But, I promise I will always be by your side, no one is higher on my priority list besides my family, and that's what I consider you, my family, so trust me when I say that nothing, nothing can ever make me betray you or your trust, ok?"

A small smile played on Luna's lips as she slowly nodded her head. She then sighed deeply as she closed her eyes. "Please remember this promise, Marcus, because I don't know what I'll do if you break it, but you can trust that it won't be Pleasant."

Marcus nodded as he pulled Luna into a hug. "If I break that promise, then I'll be sure to pay for it with my life," Marcus said earnestly.

"Ok Marcus, then I'll teach you everything I know, but first let's start with something simple, alright?" Luna asked as she pulled away from Marcus.

Marcus nodded as he rose from his knee. "Yeah," Marcus said with a nod. "But first let's find a secluded spot, I don't want any distractions."

"I think you're the biggest distraction here," Luna said with a chuckle as she followed Marcus.

Marcus frowned, "that's not true, that title belongs to Felix." He said defensively. 

Luna giggled once more.

It wasn't long before he found the perfect spot, it was near the complex walls, behind the main building.

Marcus found a spot on the grass and plopped himself down, crossing his arms as he looked up at Luna, "well, I'm ready."