New Astrea City
New Astrea is one of the few tier 2 cities located on the European continent, protected by the Dragon Legion. Unlike tier 3 which left to look the same as the world did nearly half millennia ago with a few upgrades here and there, tier 2 cities are where most of humanity's 500 years of advancements after the fall can be seen. The towering skyscrapers with heights at least 500m tall featuring landing pads every 150 meters above the average height for antigrav vehicles floating to and fro either owned by moderately wealthy, companies or the military, while on the ground isn't much worse with the poorer complaining about life in there advance electric vehicles which could carry them across the continent if they so desired. Lush greenery paints the city floor with high-speed rails billeting all around for those who desire. On the city's outskirts are hills dotted with mansions covering such large grounds it would seem kings and queens living in all of them. As Gilbert De Nune digested these sites which caused a bustling scene he couldn't help but wonder if his hometown would ever look like this in the future, such vibrancy he could almost smell the life pumping out of the city declaring its presence. As he observed the city he could hear traffic control directing their antigrav vehicle on the route in which it must take.
"So where are we going?" He turned to his cousin and asked.
"We are going to one of the most famous companies under our federation." Said Pointing towards one of the tallest buildings in the city with, an A wrapped in vines and flowers the logo plasters on the side of the building. "The Ameliorate Company, the largest pharmaceutical company our solar system has to offer."
As they spoke the vehicle landed in a large parking lot with many other military Antigrav vehicles mostly buses landing as well rarely can you see the few privately owned vehicles landing as well but they had their cordoned-off section.
Alighting from the vehicle with his friends Gilbert observed all the military personnel walking around in their powered suits with most squads differing from his cousins as most of their suits are the same with just the weapons being different. Before he could satisfy his curiosity a lady in a lab with wine-red hair and two soldiers flanking her left and right came up to them. As his cousin and his squad saluted them he heard their greeting
"Afternoon Colonel Eden!" Said the whole squad in unison. While Gilbert and his friends looked in awe he couldn't help but notice her beauty it's like the colors came together to paint the picture from her wine-red hair to her chestnut eyes and glowing figure. As he observed her he felt a smack to the back of his head before he could lash out at the culprit looking around he saw everyone staring at him while Daniel and his squad were snickering to the side.
"Now then since I have everyone's attention Daniel you and your squad return to the academy's main campus and as for the rest follow me, ensure that you keep your eyes sharp and ears peeled please." She said Turing around she started to walk towards the building. Leaving out of his shame, Gilbert joined his friends in waving goodbye to Daniel's squad. As they followed the colonel and her two guards more children lined up behind them marching towards the building as they made cacophonous, filled with joy and excitement.
Reaching the front of the building with a hundred children now in the group a very irrational loud noise was played silencing all the children.
"Listen up there shall be no speaking, no running about, and no asking questions once you are examined you will either be asked to join the St. Elizabeth military academy, be given the option to work for one of the many companies located in tier two cities around the world or sent back home to do I don't kick rocks." Said col. Eden "oh I am Colonel Aniela Eden by the way and I shall be your examiner and guide today follow me.".
With that lackluster speech for what was to be the biggest day of their lives, the children followed her inside. The inside of the building was what you would expect large reception lobby, photos of the company awards over the years alongside the company logo brandished on the wall, with the receptionist who would normally be attending to customers now helping the military and personnel in the lab coats like the colonel helping the register children.
"I know many of you have been told about examination day and how it may change your lives but am sure you all still wondering what that exactly entails." Said Col. Aniela Eden after all the children were registered. "As you may all know half a millennia ago our planet discovered extraterrestrial life, while in writing that sounded exciting unfortunately for us it brought war to our doorsteps alongside a nasty disease called black mind which killed 40% of the population, caused 50% sick and weak and the other 10% they were fortunately immune. It was from this 10% that we derived a cure that saved roughly 60% of the fifty. This is also where humanity changed and we had greater power to fight the beast of the void, The Stygian or as they call themselves the Strix. Then after many years of intense study and experimentation, it was determined that the ages 11-13 is the optimal age for injection which shall save all of your lives. Any younger than that and your body will be too underdeveloped to even take the first drop outside of that age range and the risk involved in taking the serum rises squarely with each passing year. This cure which they called back then is now known to us as the human development serum, for it is this serum that has made humans faster and smarter and allowed us to fight over adversaries., yes it is also from this serum with which Marine Knights are born. After you have received the first dose of serum healing you of the disease, the option shall be given take extra dosage or leave and go home. Those who choose to stay will risk the chance of losing their life with each extra dosage, only at five extra dosages can one become a marine knight, and those of you who can't endure other career paths await incineration. Some of you may not feel anything after getting extra dosage which means you are immune and can be asked to be given another serum which will be of help to you. Now you all know how the examinations as we call them were born that day which changed millions of kids all around the world's lives " As she spoke they followed her down many winding corridors and taking a large elevator underground they came to a room with large groupings of children each waiting to use 50 circular metal chambers. The children are strapped down and a very black liquid that you can't even tell if there is any movement is injected into them. Gilbert couldn't help but realize that as they walked many soldiers would salute the colonel or people would observe out of the corner of their eyes. That intrigued him as he wondered what was so special about her other than her wine-red hair and ethereal voice. As he got lost in his thoughts once more he was smacked in the back of his head, turning quickly enough to catch Anastasia withdrawing her hand.
"Would you stop that please?" He said while rubbing his head
"Maybe if you would stop ogling our examiner we wouldn't have to keep hitting you." She replied
"Wait, so you didn't hit me the first time." He said realizing what her words meant
"Oh, now he is observant." Said Adam mockingly
"So I guess now ." Said Gilbert
"Guys why don't you calm down and don't cause a scene." Said Kean but before his words were even finished both of them were smacked on the head by Anastasia.
"Can you two not embarrass us." Said Anastasia as she watched Col. Aniela return.
"Now then you all get one question. Ask wisely" she said. As she finished speaking all the children in their group raised their hands. Pointing randomly at a boy " introduce yourself and ask away." "I am William Munro, what happens to those who just choose to leave after one dose?" He asked
"If they are of tier 2 city they are released home while those who are from tier 3 cities will have their memories of inside this building wiped and delivered back to their doorstep. All they shall know is that they failed their examination but at least they had the chance to visit a rumored tier 2 city of the world." She said. Gilbert could almost swear she made eye contact with him. Looking around it could be seen that other than his friends no one in their group seemed to be worried about the tier 3 eviction.