JacQuarius sat in the dimly lit room, the shadows cast by the flickering lights reflecting his tumultuous thoughts. The enlistment tournament had been a brutal affair, and he had fought with every ounce of his strength and skill. Yet, here he was, sitting with the knowledge that he had come second. Adalina, his rival and known spy, had taken first place, and John Doe, another thorn in his side, had come third. To make matters worse, he now found himself in the Fort Irwin Squad, a special unit where Adalina held the highest rank as Staff Sergeant, and John Doe was the Head Sergeant. JacQuarius was the third highest, a Sergeant, and the feeling of defeat gnawed at him.
Kiyomi and Tela, his trusted companions, shared his sentiments. The three of them had hoped for a different outcome, but now they had to navigate their new reality, surrounded by enemies. JacQuarius clenched his fists, his mind racing with dark thoughts about how to kill Adalina and John Doe without arousing suspicion.
The enlistment auction was underway, a grand event held by the USA Military to provide better artifacts for the newly formed Fort Irwin Squad. The room buzzed with anticipation as various high-ranking officers and wealthy benefactors mingled, ready to bid on items that could change the tide of battle. JacQuarius, Kiyomi, and Tela stood at the back, detached from the proceedings. They had no intention of buying anything; their minds were preoccupied with more pressing matters.
"Welcome to the Enlistment Auction," the auctioneer's voice boomed over the speakers, drawing everyone's attention to the stage. "We have a selection of rare and powerful artifacts today, items that will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Fort Irwin Squad."
JacQuarius watched as the first item was brought onto the stage, a shimmering sword said to be forged with yin/yang fire. He couldn't muster any interest. His eyes scanned the crowd, finding Adalina near the front, her expression cool and calculating. She raised her paddle, placing a bid on the sword.
"Fifty million dollars," the auctioneer called out. The bidding war began, but JacQuarius paid it little mind until he saw John Doe raise his paddle.
"Sixty million," John Doe's voice was loud and clear. He glanced at Adalina with a sneer.
JacQuarius's curiosity piqued. He knew John Doe harbored a deep resentment towards Adalina, believing she had stolen something precious from him. As the bidding escalated, it became clear that John Doe's sole purpose was to drive up the prices on items Adalina desired.
"Seventy million," Adalina's voice remained steady, but a flicker of annoyance crossed her face.
"Eighty million," John Doe countered immediately, a satisfied smirk spreading across his lips.
JacQuarius couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction watching their rivalry play out. It was a small comfort in the midst of his own frustration. The bidding war continued, each artifact becoming a battleground between the two.
Kiyomi leaned in, whispering to JacQuarius. "We could use this distraction to our advantage. While they're busy trying to one-up each other, we can focus on our next move."
JacQuarius nodded, his mind drifting to the dark thoughts that had plagued him since the tournament. How could he eliminate Adalina and John Doe without getting caught? It was a dangerous path, but one he felt increasingly drawn to.
The auction droned on, item after item being sold at exorbitant prices. JacQuarius's phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it, lost in his thoughts. When it buzzed again, he glanced down and saw it was a call from the FBI's Director: Mrs.Garcia. He hesitated for a moment, then silenced the call. Whatever it was, he didn't care. He had more pressing matters to consider.
As the final item of the auction was brought out, a rare artifact known as the Celestial Amulet, JacQuarius's attention was momentarily drawn back to the stage. The amulet was said to enhance the user's Heaven Qi tenfold. Adalina's eyes gleamed with desire as she raised her paddle.
"One billion dollars," she declared confidently.
John Doe's paddle shot up immediately. "One and a half billion."
Adalina's jaw tightened. "Two billion."
The room was hushed, all eyes on the two rivals. JacQuarius could almost feel the tension crackling in the air. John Doe leaned forward, his voice dripping with malice. "Two and a half billion."
Adalina hesitated, then raised her paddle one last time. "Three billion."
The auctioneer's gavel came down with a sharp crack. "Sold! To Adalina for three billion dollars."
Adalina shot a triumphant glance at John Doe, who merely scowled in return. JacQuarius knew that the enmity between them was far from over. As the auction came to a close and the crowd began to disperse, JacQuarius gathered Kiyomi and Tela.
"We need to be careful," he said, his voice low. "Adalina and John Doe are both higher ranks in command than me, but we can't let our guard down. We need to find a way to turn this situation to our advantage."
Tela nodded, his expression grim. "Agreed. We have to figure out a way for you to become the new highest command, maybe we can frame them?"
Kiyomi placed a reassuring hand on JacQuarius's shoulder. "We'll figure this out together. We always do."
As they left the auction hall, JacQuarius's mind churned with plans and possibilities. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but he was determined to come out on top. With Kiyomi and Tela by his side, he would navigate the treacherous waters of the Fort Irwin Squad, eliminate his enemies, and seize the power he deserved.
Outside, the night air was cool and crisp. JacQuarius took a deep breath, letting it fill his lungs. He felt a renewed sense of purpose. No matter the obstacles, he would prevail. The journey had only just begun, and he was ready for whatever came next.
As they walked away from the auction, his phone buzzed once more. He glanced at it and saw another missed call from the FBI. This time, he frowned. Why the fuck won't they leave me alone? He pushed the thought aside for now, focusing on the immediate challenges.
"Let's head back to our assigned house," JacQuarius said, leading his group. "We got hella shit to discuss, but first we got a place in LA to visit."
Kiyomi and Tela followed, their loyalty unwavering. JacQuarius despite being defeated both in battle and in political warfare, still felt confident in the situation. He now had the Military's protection, the FBI couldn't harass or target him anymore, and the GEI had to lessen their harassment as well. His only enemies now were Adalina and John Doe, they could ruin his plans at any given moment. Both of them were stronger than him as well, especially John Doe. JacQuarius feared John Doe significantly more than Adalina!