The Matriarch

Chapter 10 Group test

Several men had wide grins on their faces as they looked at Chris, making him very uncomfortable. Though he was remaining quiet at one side.

“Sir Chris, Sir Chris!” A familiar jolly sound echoed through his ears making him lookup.

He could not help but smile seeing the young man who was running towards him right now, though all of a sudden he felt worried realizing what was happening.

“Private Oliver, what are you doing here?” He greeted.

He somehow felt relieved finally having someone that he knows in that place, it made the uncomfortable stares much bearable and less noticeable. The young man seemed to suddenly blush, rubbing his nape as he let out a few laughs.

“They’re letting some of the soldiers participate as a test, I heard they were researching some kind of new procedures for the army,” he says after finally calming down a bit.

Chris frowned, hearing such a thing. “Isn’t that against state policy and law?” From what he remembers, the test is only allowed for those who were powers users to test their abilities. Normal people with no aptitude whatsoever were considered to be banned from it because of the possible dangers and threats such training would cause.

“They just recently abolished it because of the sudden attacks.” Oliver had this wide smile on his face like it was a really good thing.

Chris was about to say something when it dawned on him what the young man said. “What attacks?” he asks a bit confused.

“Haven’t you heard, sir? Several of those magical mist appeared all over the world releasing monsters and causing a huge number of civilian casualties, except some states did not seem to experience it. So there are whispers of a possible world war right now because a lot of the other nations that got attacked are pointing fingers and having this conspiracy that there’s a new kind of power user being used to instill chaos to other countries,” Oliver thoroughly explained not keeping as ingle information.

Chris ended up pausing for a moment, rubbing his chin as he began pondering on several things. “Did they say what country it was?” Remembering some things in regards to power research and overall military force, there were only a few countries that he could think of that would be able to pull off such a thing like that.

Not to mention that an all-out war with other countries meant that you would be fighting against several power users, which was not really a good idea, considering that some power users from certain nations could equal a whole armada of ships.

“Not really, that’s why everyone’s is currently having this debate to avoid causing another war,” Oliver let out a deep breath while nodding.

Chris bit his lip, there was something that was not making sense right now. “But seeing as you are also here means that we’re still preparing for a possible war,” he gives him a cold stare.

Oliver quickly nods. “Yes, sir, I think they came up with this idea after several power users suddenly came up after the incident.”

He could not help but frown once again. “Care to explain that?”

“Yes sir,” Oliver was back to his soldier-like manner again, giving a quick salute to him. “Most of the participants here right now have recently been tagged as power users, they all seem to have gained an ability after being exposed to that weird ashen mist, that’s why they’re all here to have their ranks checked,” Oliver smile grew wider after saying that.

Chris ended up raising a brow. “I see, unlike before, there were fewer who have been tagged at a much earlier time,” Things were starting to make sense to him right now. “So why did they include special ranked officers?” he asks wanting to clarify that bit.

“This is actually an experiment on behalf of the army’s request, they think being around a power user during a life and death situation can cause someone to gain powers,”

“Did you gain any power? I mean you survived that mist and you were with me that time.” He wanted to see if somehow the young man had gained something from that very traumatic experience that they got. Even he was still unable to get it out of his mind.

“Well, I was asleep most of the time so I don’t think it counts, though there are some of here that survive that incident,” He says gesturing to the numerous people that were there and still waiting for the test to start.

“And you are here because?” His brow raised even higher after managing to get the gist of things.

“I actually volunteered the same as the others!” Oliver had his eyes raised up, his smile was so wide that his eyes almost twinkled with delight that moment.

“They allowed anyone to participate?” He could not help but ask worrying as to how the whole system was starting to get worst and worst with each passing time.

“No sir, not everyone, only those who had an encounter with the mist along with people who have been working closely with power users are allowed,” Oliver clarifies smirking a wide one at him as he crossed his arms while having a very happy yet smug look on his face.

Chris ended up smiling as well understanding that. “I see, and seeing as you were both gives you the highest chance to participate.” Somehow knowing that there were still some precautions being put in effect for people.

“That is correct, sir,” Oliver happily gives a quick nod.

Chris ended up shaking his head, the young man truly was a fanatic of power users, and having this once in a chance lifetime just meant that he was very much like him in a way.

“Move aside bitches!” A loud shout took their attention away.

A group of what looked like hooligans wearing black leather jackets started marching towards the entrance to gates for the test, bumping without any concern for the others in the line. That quickly irk a lot of the other participants within the whole place, yet none dared to make a move as everyone seemed wary of one another.

“Sir Chris, we should also probably move,” Oliver pulls Chris’s shirt to get his attention.

“To where, exactly?” He asks a bit confused again.

“Some of the soldiers are gathering there, our sergeant thought it best to at least make a platoon to make sure that everyone stays safe within the test facility,” Oliver says as they began walking.

“That’s quite a good idea.” Having no knowledge of what was about to come and what kind of challenges might come up, Chris thought it best to stay with a properly trained and well-coordinated group of soldiers to be safe.

“You think so too, sir? I knew it wasn’t a mistake to approach you.” Oliver seemed to shine as a gleeful smile appeared on his face.

“Yes, why what happened?” He could not help but ask.

“Well, I mean, we tried asking the other power user’s in the force to join us but they immediately declined, saying that we may just end up as a hindrance for them.” Oliver heaved out a sigh, he’s energetic composure quickly diminish as his shoulders started falling down.

Chris smiled giving the young man a tap on the shoulder. “I think you already know the reason for that, I’m basically the same as you guys, so I’m very thankful that you actually allowed me to join you.” He could not express how much relief he was feeling that he’d actually be able to have more people this time around as the first test scared the hell out of him since he was all alone.

“Oh, so you still don’t know your power yet, maybe during this test they might finally awaken.” Oliver raised his hands in an excited cheer, his eyes glimmering with enthusiasm and excitement.

“I hope so.” Chris just gave a half-smile.

Though he sort of knew a bit of his power now after the recent test, he still needed to make sure if it truly wasn’t a fluke of some kind.

They stopped and lined up along with some of the soldiers that were wearing fatigues. Chris quickly removed the pin on his uniform along with the black armband that was making him stand out from the others, wanting to avoid being noticed.

They stood at the back as the person in charge seem to have already started giving out orders and lining up everyone.

“Listen up, all of you! I was informed that since this will be an experiment, a few changes will be made so do not expect something like before, they will be adding some other things to the test so better be alert,” the sergeant hollered at the whole platoon.

“Sir, yes sir!” Everyone answered in unison.

The whole group seems to consist of twenty-five very healthy and well-built men, excluding the sergeant. Even Oliver’s figure did not fall that far off from the group as his body too was a bit muscular, as he could see on his sturdy and thick arms and his chest that was noticeable even in his uniform which made Chris feel a bit out of place.

Everyone suddenly went quiet as the sound of loud gears turning and machines pumping and whirring began taking over the whole place.

The five large, thick roller doors that were closed a while started rising up showing a dark pathway that descended further underground.

It didn’t take long before the loud war cries of several participants started echoing as they started charging towards the said doors.

“All right men, get ready to move out!” the sergeant hollered as people were becoming fewer within the room.

“Sir Chris?” Oliver furrowed when he noticed that the man stood perfectly still when their whole platoon was already marching.

“Private, what’s the hold-up!” The sergeant scolded seeing as how the young man suddenly stopped.

The whole platoon ended up stopping as the commander began moving towards the two who were getting left behind.

“Sir, I was...I was…” Oliver was not able to properly make an excuse as the sergeant already notice Chris who was just staring at one of the entrances.

“Soldier, soldier!” the sergeant shouted with all his might.

But it took a while before Chris was able to respond, he was still a bit dumbfounded as he unconsciously turned his head towards the commanding officer.

“Yes?” was all he could say.

He could hear weird whispers coming from one of the doors, yet it sounded like murmurs and didn’t really make much sense yet if felt like the said place was trying to pull him.

“What division are you from?” the sergeant growled as he glared at him.

“Sir, he’s the power user I was talking about.” Oliver immediately intervened as the officer’s face was turning red from not being addressed properly.

The man's face quickly straightened, his lips twitched frowning as he looked at Chris who was still a bit in a daze. After a few moments, the sergeant quickly straightened his posture and gave a firm salute.

“What will your orders be sir!” The man says.

Chris quickly felt a bit awkward as the man didn’t even think twice to shift the power of authority to him. His lips immediately twitch as he tried to smile not knowing how to act properly being given such an honor and status without hesitation.

“No sergeant, please proceed with what you were doing a while ago, do consider me like the others,” he says not wanting to cause any trouble to their platoon.

“That’s not possible sir,” The man said with a firm and very solid voice.

Chris let out a sigh, though the commanding officer had a higher status, he was still below a power user in terms of military ranking as per the rules set.

Seeing as this was the case he decided to just go along with it, not wanting to break protocol. “Then please be at ease and do proceed as you have intended, I’ll remain as an observer and watch from the sides,” he orders as it was the best thing he could think of right now.

“Was there a reason why you suddenly stopped sir,” the sergeant asks now being much more relaxed and having a more normal way of talking.

“That gate, number five, I think that’s the safest path for us.” He points at it as he was still hearing a very familiar tone of voice within it.

Though it was total darkness from where they were he could not feel any kind of danger coming from that place, unlike the others doors that just kept making his skin crawl.

“You heard him, we’re going to gate number five. Move, move, move!” With the sergeant's orders, everyone in the platoon started marching towards the said gate.

Chris swallowed hard as he began moving along with the officer, there was still doubt within his mind fearing that he might be wrong causing the endangerment of the other soldiers but it was the only room that he felt safe and calm, even though he did not know what was there or where the voice that he was hearing came from.