Chapter 6: Battle Lines Drawn
The sun was rising over the military base, casting a faint golden glow over the bunkers, runways, and barracks. Despite the warm light, the atmosphere was anything but hopeful. A somber silence hung over the base, interrupted only by the distant hum of planes and the occasional barked orders from officers. Ray stood in line with the others, waiting for his turn to enter the makeshift training arena.
The events of the last day had left him shaken, but his resolve had hardened. The memory of his parents and the destruction of his home fueled a fire within him. He clenched his fists as he glanced at the others around him—men and women of all ages, united by their desperation and anger.
The Training Grounds
"Step forward!" barked a voice from the front. A tall, broad-shouldered officer named Major Greaves, with sharp blue eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, was overseeing the first round of training.
Ray obeyed, stepping into the designated area. Around him, various weapons were laid out—assault rifles, sniper rifles, grenades, and even rocket launchers.
"You're here to survive," Greaves began, pacing in front of the recruits. "The humanoids don't care about your past, your family, or your fears. They are relentless, and the only way to stop them is to hit hard and hit fast. Your first lesson: learn to shoot, and don't miss."
One by one, the recruits were assigned weapons. Ray received a standard-issue assault rifle. It felt heavy in his hands, the cold metal unfamiliar but strangely comforting.
"You," Greaves pointed to Ray. "What's your name?"
"Ray."
"Ray, take your position and fire at that target. Let's see if you've got what it takes to fight."
Ray nodded and stepped into position. The target, shaped like one of the humanoids, stood 50 meters away. He took a deep breath, aimed down the sights, and squeezed the trigger. The recoil jolted his shoulder, but the shot went wide.
"Again!" Greaves barked.
Ray adjusted his grip and fired again. This time, the bullet hit the target's shoulder.
"Not bad," Greaves said, his tone gruff but slightly approving. "Keep practicing. You'll need to hit vital points if you want to make it out alive."
Building Camaraderie
After several hours of grueling target practice, the recruits were given a brief reprieve. Ray found himself sitting on a bench, his muscles aching. A young woman with short, dark hair and piercing green eyes sat down beside him.
"Hey," she said, offering him a bottle of water. "You looked like you needed this."
"Thanks," Ray said, taking a sip.
"I'm Mia," she introduced herself.
"Ray."
They sat in silence for a moment, watching the other recruits.
"Do you think we stand a chance?" Mia asked, her voice tinged with doubt.
Ray hesitated before answering. "I don't know. But I can't let what happened to my family happen to anyone else. I'll fight, no matter what."
Mia nodded, her expression hardening. "Me too. My little brother's out there somewhere. If fighting means I can protect him, I'll do whatever it takes."
The two exchanged a determined glance, a silent pact forming between them.
The Physical Trials
The next phase of training was physical endurance. The recruits were marched to an obstacle course designed to push them to their limits. Barbed wire, mud pits, and towering walls awaited them.
"Move, move, move!" shouted another officer, Sergeant Harlan, as the recruits began the grueling course.
Ray struggled through the mud, his body screaming in protest. He reached the wall and began climbing, his fingers slipping on the rough surface. Mia was ahead of him, already pulling herself over the top.
"Come on, Ray!" she called, extending a hand to help him.
He grabbed her hand and hauled himself up, breathing heavily. Together, they leaped down and continued the course.
By the end, Ray was drenched in sweat, his muscles trembling. But he felt a flicker of pride. He had made it through.
The Briefing
That evening, the recruits were gathered in a large hangar. General Carson Brad stood on a platform, flanked by holographic projections of maps and humanoid figures.
"Listen carefully," the general began, his voice firm. "You've all shown promise during today's training, but this is just the beginning. Tomorrow, you will be deployed in simulation battles against humanoid dummies equipped with AI to mimic their behavior. The goal is to prepare you for the real fight."
The room buzzed with nervous whispers.
"Do not underestimate these simulations," the general warned. "If you fail here, you'll fail out there. And failure means death."
Simulation Battles
The next day, the recruits were divided into squads and led to a massive indoor arena. The environment had been designed to replicate an urban battlefield, complete with crumbling buildings and narrow alleyways.
Ray's squad included Mia, a stocky man named Greg, and a wiry teenager named Ethan.
"Stick together," Ray said as they moved cautiously through the simulated city.
Suddenly, a humanoid dummy appeared around the corner. It charged toward them with terrifying speed.
"Fire!" Ray shouted.