Out of Conflict Zone, Hollander Mall,
Maria Acuzena City, Cornalian Mainland,
Cornalian Region
09/21/2095 C.T.
0930 Hours
Andre arrived on time at 0900 hours. To his surprise, there were a lot of applicants lining up outside the mall. The mall opens at 1000 hours and he was at seventieth applicant on the line.
"Competition seems tough. I will not let myself wash out, you guys will see!" Andre boasted while queueing.
A staff from the mall, accompanied by the representative of Zanderthine corporation, suddenly called everyone's attention. "All applicants, this way!"
The guide led the applicants, including Andre, inside the mall through the entrance. Inside, the stalls spruced their wares and displays. Mostly were military equipment and weapons. Representatives from other companies were handing out pamphlets and brochures.
Approaching to the Zanderthine Corporation's space inside the mall. Inside the mall, the Zanderthine Corporation displayed SynthMech, Mechs, and other of their military equipment. At the front, the Zanderthine Corporation arranged two SynthMech of an unknown manufacturer.
Looking at the applicants, Andre noticed that most of them were rookies. Others had implanted neurochips, while others had bionic enhancements. There were veterans who were noticeable with their scars and their demeanor.Trying to talk to one of them, Andre was snubbed. Andre did not let it bother him and approached to his seat at the back. Suddenly, someone tapped Andre by his back that surprised him.
"I'd never thought I'd see you here!" The man said to Andre.
"Who..." Andre, anger flashing in his eyes, looked at the man. To his surprise it was Marrick, one of his friends at Valhalla limited. "What are you doing here?"
"Same to you my friend!" Marrick replied smiling at him.
"My contract just ended. Although they did compensate me for my service. I wish I can file complaints against them." Andre said.
"You're lucky you got compensated. Valhalla limited are cheapskates… I gave them a one star review after the huge layoff they did." Marrick replied and continued, "I hear they were in a tight spot. The last incident involving the ambush with Cornalian militias put them in hot water."
"I was there! Indeed, they were careless letting a platoon ambushed like that." Andre added.
"By the way, I am sorry about Mikhail and the others. Also, how was Sasha doing?" Marrick asked.
"Sasha's doing fine, she's you know… Looking for another company to transfer as well. In the meantime, she's at Valhalla." Andre replied.
"I heard she's got the hots for you… Bet she and you did…" Marrick smirked at Andre.
"C'mon, we're not kids to just hold hands and say hi," Andre replied.
"You're quite the ladies' man, or should I say, lady killer!" Marrick added.
Andre did not respond and looked at one representative from Zanderthine when he stood at the podium.
"Welcome, applicants!" The representative continued, "We all know that all of you wanted to join our company…
While the representative was talking, Marrick asked Andre and said, "How did you find this company out?"
"I got a text message from one of them. I thought it was a shady scam, text message…" Andre replied to him.
"Oh, I see… I have been researching this company for quite some time. From the reviews of applicants, I say they pay handsomely." Marrick said.
After the representative have gave his speech. The next representative, Dorothy Dawn, appeared on the podium. Andre was surprised upon hearing her name. He shifted his attention from his friend to her when she spoke.
"Good day. We at Zanderthine values integrity! To deliver satisfaction to our client's needs is one of our directive. Driven by our vision and mission to make a world a better place. We make sure to keep it safe by our services…"
"You know her?" Marrick asked Andre.
"Yes, I talked to her personally on the phone." Andre replied.
Marrick, taken aback, said to him, "You really do know a way to get into any women's pants!""
"What!?" Andre replied, blushed and replied, "No… that's not it!"
Hearing the commotion, Dorothy called the attention of Andre from the rear. "Is there a problem, applicant?"
The applicants looked at Andre who apologized, "No, ma'am! Please continue…"
"Good!" Dorothy replied and continued with her speech.
Andre sighed in relief in his seat while Marrick looked at him, impressed.
"I see that you're ahead of me," Marrick said and continued, "I will not be left behind just because you have connections!""
"What are you…" Andre replied and then continued after getting the gist of what Marrick wanted to say. "Very well, I'll be a Synthmech pilot in no time!"
Marrick, hearing Andre's words, was unable to contain himself. He bursts into laughter at hearing what his friend just said. "You, a SynthMech pilot!?"
"What's so funny!? You at the back!" Dorothy from the front called Marrick's attention.
"I am sorry ma'am… I just… couldn't help but my friend here… HAHAHAH!!!" Marrick, who still couldn't contain his laughter, replied.
"If you continue like that, they'll kick you out of here!" Dorothy replied from the podium.
Andre tried to calm his friend down. He apologized and escorted Marrick from his seat. and reprimanded him after he calmed down. "Really? Making fun of me in front of those people?
"I apologize, my friend, but... your dreams of becoming an SynthMech pilot is nil!" Marrick began to chuckle again.
"Laugh again and I am sure to wipe it with my fists!" Andre warned.
Suddenly, the sirens sounded from the outside. An announcement suddenly made: "Warning, Code Green! Code Green! We suggest that everyone stay indoors until further notice. I repeat, code green…"
Hearing this, Dorothy stopped her speech. Andre and Marrick returned to where they sat and saw the other applicants standing from their seats.
"A biological attack? Who might have the guts to attack a city in the Out of Conflict Zone?"
The applicants asked each other. Dorothy calmed the commotion down and said, "Everyone, calm down! This is just an isolated attack. No one had taken responsibility yet, but help is on its way."
"What do you mean? We need answers here!" The other applicants protested wanting more answers.
A man in a black suit and tie approached Dorothy. After hearing what the man said to her, she began addressing to the applicants. "Since everyone here had experience in dealing with crowd control. I want everyone to help with securing this mall! You all have been hired as new recruits by Zanderthine Corporation! If you survive this ordeal, new instructions will be given to you!"
Hearing this, Andre, Marrick and the other applicants were escorted by the Zanderthine Corps. staff to the warehouse. Seeing the SynthMech in display, Andre hoped that he could pilot it. However, it was cordoned by security, which was out of the question.
"Hired on the first day of application! Very convenient, ain't it, Andre!" Marrick said, happily hearing Dorothy's announcement.
Judging by the gravity of the situation, things may have gone dire. With a PMC suddenly hiring people to fend off a biological terror attack, things must have gotten desperate. Andre thought that he may be in a dangerous position.