Van never imagined the first time inside the stadium would be like this. Thinking back, his dad always promised to get tickets so they could see a football or lacrosse game in person.

The most noticeable thing was how well lit it was inside. Security gates with tarps or wood coverings served to separate the wide hallways into different zones. Past the hallway was the actual playing field which now served as farmland. The bleachers were all removed, possibly for building materials. In their place were well built living areas. 

It was like a castle compared to the residential areas outside.

Van continued his self guided tour but being escorted by a full squad of guards was more than his social anxiety could take. Every person on the way to the guards office must have forgotten how to blink as Van passed by.

Once inside, he was guided from into a small room past a small holding cell.

Waiting inside was a woman standing with her back to the door. Her hair was short, stopping just above the edge of her collar. The long bluish gray coat stopped just before touching the floor. The sleeves were rolled into large cuffs above the elbows of her toned lean arms.

"Chief Elliot! What is the meaning of this?"

Her stern expression could not hide her beautiful face. Soft fine features complemented her small nose and wide lips. Her open coat revealed a purple and black biker suit with matching black leather knee high boots.

Elliot?

Van let out a chuckle as he looked back at the once imposing guard stammering out an explanation.

"Commissioner Syren, I was just following your orders ma'am."

Syren waved away the guards standing idly by. When the door was shut she sat at a small table with 2 chairs across each other.

Van sat down as well, while the Chief's body stiffened for the verbal assault that was sure to come.

"My orders were for you to personally investigate the recent rash of disappearances and see  if there was a link to the rumors about the Skeleton Crew becoming active again."

Skeleton Crew. Must be the real name of the bandits I wiped out.

Syren's words were much calmer than anticipated judging from how the Chief stood braced for impact.

That's why both he and the Chief jumped back when Syren slammed her hands on the table as she stood up.

"So why did you parade this newly awakened popsicle, still dressed in his pajamas around the settlement in cuffs!?"

"Va-va-variant. Ma'am." Poor Elliott could hardly get out a single word.

"What!?" Syren barked.

"Settlement bylaws state that all Unturned with active Variants must register upon arrival or be detained." The Chief responded with a small drop of confidence.

"Very true. Now tell me, where can a Variant be registered?" Syren crossed her arms and paced the room. Her voice became softer but retained a threatening tone.

"At the guard station, and-" Elliott gulped.

"And?" Syren sang.

"The Archiver" Elliott spit out the words in defeat.

"And you found this popsicle at the Archiver's, correct?" Syren turned her attention to Van.

Van nodded in silence. Syren quickly cut her eyes back to the Chief.

"Chief Elliot, continue your investigation as ordered. I want a full report in no less than 24 hours!"

Van watched as the large man shrunk through the partially opened door and left without a sound.

*sigh*

"Sorry you had to see that." Syren sunk back into her chair. "So what's your story, muscles?"

If Van could blush, his body would be fire engine red. Syren's eyes returned to his as she awaited an answer.

So Van started at the beginning. All the way at the beginning. He even told Syren about how hard it was taking care of his sister on his own. He wasn't sure why he went into such detail. Maybe he wanted sympathy. Maybe it was because a beautiful woman was talking to him. Maybe it was fear.

It was probably fear.

Syren had to step away to process everything Van had revealed.

"Wow, that was heavy. Thank you for your candid report. Van was it? " 

Van nodded in a less stressed manner.

The Commissioner walked to the far wall where she originally stood then turned. Her coat floated like a superhero's cape. 

With the confident stride of a runway model she approached as if there wasn't  a table between herself and Van.

Like a ghost she phased through the chair and table until she was close enough to smell the canned pineapples Van had for breakfast.

"He's right though." She whispered as her skintight suit grazed Van's chin. "It's against the bylaws to be unregistered, especially with power like yours."

Van was motionless. He wasn't even sure that he could move. Neither was he certain that he wanted to move.

"I have a way of getting through things, including lies." The bluish gray coat rested on the top of the table as Syren leaned in closer. "Lucky for you, you told the truth."

Syren took a few more steps, passing through Van and opening the door. Her coat dragged across his face as she walked.

"Unfortunately, you'll have to remain in holding until your registration is confirmed at the Archiver."

Two guards walked in and quickly escorted Van to a cell. The loud slam of the barred door shocked Van awake from some sort of hypnosis. 

"Don't worry, I'll send guards to watchtower your sister while you wait." Syren shouted as a distant door was shut closed and locked.

The cell was somehow smaller than the previous room. Inside was a concrete slab that was about 3 feet thick height wise and a bucket. Van decided not to go near the bucket.

Nobody told me that there was a law that I had to register my powers. Thanks Luke.

Van had readjusted the amount of adoration he gave his hero after the realization. 

Laying on the slab he decided to spend his detainment doing his favorite pastime.

Status

[STATUS

HP 520/520

SP 610/610

EP 0/10

Level 29--[1,004/6,000]--Level 30

(STR)ength: 81

(END)urance: 51

(DEX)terity: 42

(PER)ception: 101

(INT)elligence: 42

(CHA)risma: 29

Points: 5]

I wonder if things would have gone differently if I had more charisma?

He looked at the 5 meager points he had and debated within himself.

Not once had he spent a point on charisma, to him it felt like a waste. He always reasoned that a stat that didn't help in a fight was useless right now. Every other stat had a measurable and direct benefit associated with his survival so far.

Before deciding, Van got an idea to try something so obvious that it almost seemed stupid to not have realized sooner.

He tapped on the names of his stats and a display within the display opened up. Luckily, he would be able to take the embarrassment of just now realizing this to the grave.

[ STR- The body stat. Power derived from all muscles, that affects all physical output, including lifting, breaking, and running.

END- The stamina stat. Determines how long strength outputs can be maintained at maximal levels and durability of the body. 

DEX- The reaction stat. Coordination of the link between mind and body. Your ability to respond in split second situations.

PER- The awareness stat. Your  relative sense of time. Determines the strength of your senses and what sensory information you can decipher.

INT-  The mind stat. The elasticity of the brain and how quickly information is gathered and retained. As well as your quick wits and the foresight in planning.

CHA- The charm stat. Your force of personality ability to haggle and make allies. How convincing you can be to others. ]

After agonizing, Van added one point. Next he dumped the rest in endurance.

Can never have enough stamina!

[STATUS

HP 520/520

SP 610/650

EP 10/10

Level 29--[1,004/6,000]--Level 30

(STR)ength: 81

(END)urance: 55

(DEX)terity: 42

(PER)ception: 101

(INT)elligence: 42

(CHA)risma: 30

Points: 0]

Satisfied, Van checked his skills, map then quests tabs. Finally, he was staring at his Variant tab. Frustration began to return as he relived the embarrassment of failing to activate the screen in front of the Archiver.

With nothing left to lose, he tapped on the icon again.

[VARIANT

Element: Light

Abilities:  Lux [x1] available. Please select an ability to unlock (*) 

System (lvl max) ]

Resistances:

Physical  39%

Infection 100% ]

[NOTICE]

[Ability tree cannot be accessed when enemies are around.]

What? This message didn't pop up before?

[NOTICE]

[No enemies detected.]

Obviously! There weren't any last time, unless Elliot counted.

[Would you like to step into the Light?]

[YES/NO]

Van touched the yes option.