Camp Sergio Marino, Catarman,
Rotonda Island, Cornalian Region
04/06/2095 C.T.
0800 Hours
The gentle morning breeze woke Andre, confined in the infirmary from his wounds. He tried to get up but felt pain in his left leg. Looking at it, he saw bandages wrapped around it.
The wounded occupied the beds in the ward. Many of them were covered with bandages while others, amputated. Andre tried to stand up, but the pain from his left leg prevented him. The nurse, seeing him, told him to stop.
"Where are they?" Andre asked the nurse, looking for Sasha and Mikhail.
"You're asking for the wrong person!" One of the wounded in his bed replied, irritated with Andre.
"What did you say!?" Andre angrily replied.
"Most of the men in your platoon were gone. Only a quarter of the initial force survived. You're lucky that help arrived on time." The wounded mercenary replied in sarcastic tone.
"What becomes of our commanding officer?" Andre asked again.
"He's gone! Those bio terror beasts mutilated his body." The wounded mercenary replied and continued, "I believe that surviving such harrowing experience would get you a commendation. Probably a promotion, at best! I am quite jealous of you, actually. I heard of stories earlier."
"What stories?" Andre asked the wounded mercenary, confused of what he was trying to say..
"Better find it out yourself. I'll sleep again!" The wounded mercenary closed his eyes and slept, not entertaining Andre of his question..
After being ignored by the wounded mercenary, Andre was in deep contemplation of what to do next. If he were to be discharged from his service. He might as well find another job.
While in deep thought, an idea came to his mind. The scene from several days ago, when he saw the SynthMech fighting the bio terror weapons. Something inside of him ignited a passion, an inspiration that he had never felt before.
"What if I'll become… an SynthMech pilot?" Andre, in deep thought, muttered. "But how?" He sighed, thinking of how impossible it may be.
Several days later, the infirmary released Andre several days later. He was on crutches. Word of his promotion or his transfer never materialized. Only for a letter for his discharge.
While on the phone, Andre asked many questions. In hearing all what he needed to know, Andre sighed and ended the call. Because of the circumstances, the company cannot continue with his contract. The contract was terminated but he will have an honorable release and his benefits will be granted to him.
In the region of Cornalia, the sum of money that Andre would receive would be more than enough. He could use it to retire peacefully. However, Andre had not finished yet. His eyes burned with passion, heart determined to experience more from his career.
He was not ready to end it yet and wished to continue working at a PMC. He had to first recover from his wounds, and be in shape to apply. Being a SynthMech pilot may be his ideal shift of career, he also applied for other jobs just in case he won't succeed.
He could still vividly remember how the jet black mech in steel and flesh terrorized the bio terror weapons despite their numbers. Thinking that he may become one of their ranks in the future. He didn't wish to back down, not after he saw the SynthMech in action.
Outside of Conflict Zone, Faraman Resort,
Rotonda Island, Cornalian Region
04/19/2095 C.T.
1000 Hours
Faraman resort was a well-known resort in the outer fringes of the conflict zone in the Cornalian region. The quelling of the Damian insurgency on 02/22/2089 C.T. brought peace to Rotonda Island. Investors, wanting a piece of profits on the island, brought investments with them.
The resort was full of people. It was a major holiday in the Eastern Countries of Asia. Several guests from the Nation of Yamato, Joseon Federation and lastly from the Republics of Yunan arrived. The resort was a well-known destination for foreigners who wished to enjoy the warm climate and white beaches as opposed to their colder climate.
Some of these people also engage in local businesses, taking advantage of the cheaper cost to operate, while having greater returns. This made the region of Cornalia one of the most profitable places to do business for foreigners.
Andre bathed himself under the heat of the sun near the beach. The comforting breeze from the sea, the clear waters and the hospitable weather made him relax. The wound in his leg finally healed, but his trunks covered the scar.
While enjoying the heat of the sun, Andre placed his phone inside his bag near the table. Scars covered his body, but his figure was ideal. Muscles carved through his body, as if trimmed, and was in perfect proportion.
Suddenly, his phone rang. He didn't wait until for the third ring to grab the bag from the table. Answering immediately, a smile etched in his face. It may be one of those companies that he applied.
"Good day, Mr. Andre Wilson. We are from the Galileo Limited. As for checking your credentials, you have passed our assessment. However, in applying for your desired position as an SynthMech pilot. I deeply apologize, but we do not have vacancies for the said position. Please keep in touch. We may find you a suitable position for your skills and capabilities. Thank you for calling!"
"FU….!!!!" Andre angrily groaned after hearing the automated message, "The nerve of sending me an automated AI call!?"
Andre sighed and grabbed a beer from his personal ice box. "Another rejection is just another redirection!" Andre commented and looked at the messages from his smartphone.
"No text messages since… yesterday!" Andre mumbled and returned his phone to his bag.
His phone suddenly rang as a text message popped up from the screen. He immediately opened the phone and checked the mail. It was from an unknown company. It only had a phone number with it and did not disclose itself as a company to him.
The text message reads:
"+888547776541
Good day, Andre Wilson. We are interested in your capabilities and experience from someone working in a PMC. We are currently looking for test pilots and future pilots for our SynthMech models. We are prohibited from disclosing our company's identity. If you are interested, you may reply or call this number so that we can discuss our future interests and your career!"
After reading the text message, Andre was thinking of replying to the message. If these people were scammers, they could potentially rip him off or they would use his identity. If he were to ignore the message, he may miss the opportunity which he waited for.