A few days had passed since Aria first woke up in the infirmary. Her recovery was steady, and her movements were becoming easier. She’d undergone numerous tests, but nothing remarkable had been found. 

Her Xenon capacity was measured, and by all accounts, she appeared average.

She had learned that in the Odyssey Defense System, or for short, O.D.S., Xenon energy was an external bioelectric power source that enhanced an Operator’s physical capabilities far beyond human limits. However, this enhancement didn’t come naturally. They trained for years to master their ability to channel and control stored Xenon through specialized weapons, vehicles, and devices.

During her time at Base Orestis, or more precisely in Facility Theta-09, Aria had learned that every Operator in the O.D.S. was equipped with a VitalLink. It’s a small, sleek device that was attached just above the jaw, beside the ear. 

It was not only a communication tool, but a sophisticated interface designed to monitor and synchronize an Operator’s Xenon energy with the equipment they used. It functioned as a biometric scanner, constantly monitoring their vital signs, Xenon storage levels, and overall physical condition. In emergencies, the device transmitted distress signals directly to the nearest base or squad. The VitalLink was also integrated with a tactical network, allowing soldiers to share mission-critical data and coordinate seamlessly in combat.

Receiving a VitalLink was considered a rite of passage for every Operator, symbolizing their readiness to wield the power of Xenon responsibly.

Aria had been fitted with a VitalLink earlier that day, much to her surprise. She didn’t feel particularly suited for it, but the staff insisted it was a precautionary measure. 

She wasn’t an Operator, so why was her Xenon energy active? That was the question that lingered in everyone’s mind.

She sat now in a waiting room just outside the infirmary, her fingers idly brushing against the smooth device beside her ear. It felt strange, and yet, there was a faint sense of reassurance in its presence. 

Her thoughts were interrupted as the door slid open. She looked up, expecting Sergeant Lyla, but instead, a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped in. His presence immediately shifted the atmosphere in the room.

He was built like a fortress, his sharp eyes scanning her with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. His uniform bore the insignia of the E-Division, the elite Operators of the Odyssey.

Aria instinctively stiffened, her fingers curling into her palms as his piercing gaze settled on her.

He stood in the doorway for a moment, studying her with an intensity that made the air seem thicker. His voice, when it came, was deep and full of authority. “Anomaly.”

She didn’t respond.

He stepped closer, the heavy thud of his boots echoing in the quiet room.
“No clear ID. An internal security breach. An electromagnetic disturbance.” He studied her. “And yet you slipped past our grid without setting off a single alert, even with the system malfunctioning. That’s… interesting.”

Aria’s chest tightened as he moved closer. She didn’t quite understand him, but a spark of annoyance flared anyway.

His eyes narrowed. “Electrocution-induced vulnerability? A temporary anomaly, perhaps. But you… no record, no trace of your existence anywhere. It doesn’t add up…”

The man tilted his head, speaking more to himself than to her. “We initially assumed the disturbance was caused by Aberrant interference. Something that could explain the anomaly. But no… This does not align either.”

His words blurred in Aria’s mind, her thoughts muddled by his jargon. The more he spoke, the less she understood. All she caught was the contempt in his voice. And the way he sounded less like a person and more like a program reciting errors.

Before she could react further, the door opened again, and Sergeant Lyla entered. As soon as she saw E-12, her expression shifted to cold professionalism, quickly masking any concern. She stepped forward with purpose, placing herself between the man and Aria, as though to shield her from the suffocating tension.

“E-12,” Lyla said firmly, “You’re out of line.”

E-12 regarded her with an unreadable expression before responding with a clipped tone. “Am I? I’ve come to ascertain the situation. The subject is clearly not in the system. She breached multiple security protocols. I’m simply doing my job, as per protocol. The higher-ups will want a full report.”

Aria didn’t like the way he referred to her. As a subject.

Lyla’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t back down. “What you do and what you’re permitted to do are entirely different matters. You have no jurisdiction here.”

E-12 ignored her warning and shifted his attention back to Aria. He crossed his arms over his chest, his voice dropping into a more dangerous register. “If you survived electrocution, it’s because you’re not normal. But I can’t determine what you truly are just by looking at you. We’ll need to dig deeper. You’ve raised more questions than you’ve answered. If you think you’re safe, think again.”

Lyla stepped forward again. “Enough. You are dismissed, E-12. You’re not the only one tasked with protecting this base, and you certainly don’t get to make unilateral decisions. This is not your operation.”

E-12 paused, then gave a short, sharp salute, his movement quick and oddly mechanical. “For the mission.”

Lyla saluted him back, the same motion but with much more grace and humanity. “For the mission.”

He lingered for just a moment longer, his gaze flicking to Aria one last time. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and left the room, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

Aria let out a breath, releasing the tension she’d been holding. Her lungs had felt heavy.
“Thank you,” she whispered, barely audible.

Lyla didn’t answer right away. After a moment, she set a white box of food in front of her.
“You don’t have to thank me.”

Aria nodded slowly.

“Eat. You’ll need your strength for the tour. And remember, you don’t need to worry about anything regarding our activities. We’ve got this under control.” 

In other words, don’t get tangled in our business, Aria thought.

Aria followed Sergeant Lyla through the sterile corridors of Base Orestis. She was finally in a stable enough state to move around, so Sergeant Lyla had promised to show her around the place.

The facility felt vast and meticulously designed, with sleek, utilitarian walls and high-tech machinery humming softly in the distance. There was an air of purpose everywhere, like a sense that everything had been carefully thought out and optimized for one singular goal.

Their first stop was the Analysis Division, where on-field operators and analysts worked tirelessly to gather crucial intelligence. Large holographic displays flickered with real-time data, maps of Aberrant activity, and mission analysis reports. Scientists and researchers stood over terminals, compiling intelligence and running simulations.

"This is where we begin the strategic planning for everything we do," Sergeant Lyla explained. "The Analysis Division gathers intelligence, evaluates Aberrant behavior, and processes essential data to help us anticipate threats and plan our response."

Aria observed the activity, trying to take it all in. The scale of the data being processed was beyond her comprehension. 

Next, they moved to the Support and Surveillance Division. Here, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Analysts were glued to screens, tracking drones in the field and monitoring mission updates in real time. The work here was quieter. The role of this division was to maintain constant awareness of the battlefield, keeping operators informed with up-to-the-minute intelligence.

"The SSD ensures we have situational awareness and real-time information during operations," Lyla explained. "They monitor environmental conditions, support the coordination of missions, and track Aberrant activity as it happens."

As they continued, they reached the Combat Divisions sector, and the atmosphere changed again. This time, the energy was more intense, more physically demanding. 

The Close Combat Division (CCD) training grounds were alive with soldiers sparring, honing their hand-to-hand combat techniques, and testing their agility.

"Close Combat Division specializes in fighting Aberrants at close range," Lyla explained. "Section A focuses on elite hand-to-hand combat, while Section B specializes in improvised weapons and melee combat. These soldiers need to be quick on their feet and able to react instantly to threats."

Aria couldn’t take her eyes off them. Every move was fast, fluid, perfectly in sync. Each strike flowed into the next, precise and deadly. Their training was brutal, demanding strength and flawless timing, but she felt drawn to it all.

They continued through the base, moving to the Long-Range Combat Division (LRCD). Here, soldiers were focused on precision. Snipers adjusting their scopes, heavy artillery experts calibrating their weapons, and support gunners running drills. The soldiers were quiet, their concentration absolute as they readied their weapons for the next mission.

"LRCD soldiers focus on neutralizing threats from a distance," Lyla continued. "Section A deals with snipers and heavy artillery, while Section B is responsible for providing tactical fire support from a distance. This division allows us to engage Aberrants before they even get close."

The next stop was the Scooter Combatants sector. Unlike the other divisions, the scooters (soldiers on high-tech mobility devices) were focused on reconnaissance and field support. They zipped past them at high speeds, their movements sharp and tactical as they weaved between obstacles.

"Scooters specialize in scouting and providing detailed path intel. They’re often the first on the ground, assessing the environment, scouting enemy positions, and sending back detailed information that helps coordinate our combat forces. They also relay real-time intel to the Close Combatants and LRCD to ensure everyone is synchronized."

As they continued walking, a group of scooters zoomed past them. One of them, a soldier with short hair and a cocky grin, spotted Aria and broke away from the pack. His eyes narrowed as he approached, recognition flickering in his gaze.

"Well, look who it is," he said, smirking. "You’re the chick who took out that drone in 0.01 seconds, aren’t you?"

Aria blinked, the memory of the incident still vague and distant in her mind. She couldn’t quite recall the specifics of what had happened in the Pit, but she remembered the drone. And how annoying it was.

"I didn’t mean to cause any trouble..." she muttered, unsure of what else to say. 

S-11 grinned wider. "Nah, no harm done. But you might want to work on that anger issue. I mean, it took you less than a second to take out a drone? That’s a lot of pent-up frustration."

You have no idea, she thought.

She was about to respond when Sergeant Lyla stepped forward, her posture immediately shifting into one of authority. She addressed S-11 with a professional sharpness that immediately made him fall back in line.

"S-11," Lyla said coolly, "That’s enough. You will show respect to superiors and their guests. Address them properly, and never speak to them in that informal manner again."

S-11 blinked, his cocky demeanor faltering under the weight of Lyla’s professionalism. He mumbled an apology and took a half-hearted step back.

"For your lack of respect," Lyla continued, "You will run five times the usual distance today. Let this serve as a reminder to you."

S-11’s face soured, but he didn’t argue. "Yes, Sergeant," he muttered, saluting quickly and turning to rejoin his fellow scooters.

Lyla turned back to Aria, her demeanor shifting drastically. "Don’t mind him. He’s just a bit brash, but he was one of the soldiers who found you after E-107 reported your location."

Aria frowned. E-107… It was the second time she’d heard the name, yet she still couldn’t put a face to her so-called savior.

"E-107 is an operator. I, myself, am not assigned to any specific division, so I won’t be able to track his activities within the campus, anyway."

Aria nodded. She was sure she’d get another chance to meet the faceless E-107.

Anyways, let’s continue," Lyla said. And they took off, continuing their tour.