Chapter 13: Bunk Mate
Dutch didn't complain when Kate handed over her responsibilities to him. He understood how stressful the situation that just took place was for her. After all, she was convinced that she and everyone here would die.
He turned to the trainees, glaring slightly.
"Follow me" Dutch gestured as they exited the hangar into the main facility.
He didn't believe for a second that the trainees were too scared or uncertain to talk about Arbus's identity. But there was nothing he could really do about that, especially since three white Mornans were present.
The White Mornans were basically nobles of the Mornan race, so he had to be careful about how he interacted with them despite being their instructor.
The white Mornan boy,Jet, was also technically right. Kate was at fault in this situation, so there wasn't much he could do to help her when the commander arrived.
After they exited the hangar, they arrived at the central hub of the Tomber base, where various administrative personnel could be seen moving about. The hub was a circular structure with high ceilings and reinforced walls. It held the medic bay, and a monitoring hub, where various stations around the base could be observed.
It led to four main areas that were further divided by rooms.
He led them into the first area as he gestured around.
"This is the combat training area. Here you'll be trained in hand-to-hand combat, melee weapon use, and long-range weapon usage. There's a sparring room for close combat and a shooting range for long-range weapons" Dutch explained.
The sparring room was filled with all sorts of close combat weapons hung on the walls. They ranged from basic metal swords to high-tech energy blades, maces, and staffs, created by the Mesh Department. The floors and walls were made of an impact-absorbing material, which was only natural considering the different species that would be training here. Various training dummies were also kept in the corners, each having a different threshold for damage. Arbus was excited by the prospect of finding a weapon that suited him the most, since he preferred close combat to ranged combat. As of right now, he was leaning towards swords, simply because of how practical he thought they were.
The shooting range was naturally also filled with all types of Renegade weapons created by the Mesh Department. Long metal tables lined the front of the range, where various high-tech firearms and weaponry were kept. Target projectors stood at the far end, capable of creating both stationary and moving targets. Dutch made it clear that they weren't allowed near the shooting range without supervision.
Eventually, they entered the final room in the combat training area.
"This is the simulation area, where you'll be required to take on various bots. Each of them is divided by levels, so we can determine what level of mastery you've reached in each aspect," Dutch explained. The room was larger than the others, with a central control panel and observation windows overlooking a spacious, empty chamber.
After that, Dutch led them out of the combat training area and into the support facilities. This was where the physical training room, the pilot simulation room, and the mental training room were located.
The physical training room contained various equipment tailored for different species physiologies. "The physical training room is where you can train your strength, endurance, and various other capabilities. It's designed to suit each trainee's current limit perfectly and push them past it slowly," Dutch said before ushering them to the next room.
"In here, you'll learn basic piloting skills," Dutch explained as they entered the pilot simulation room. "Every Vanguard team requires at least one pilot, so we don't waste resources. Some of you will specialize in this area, others won't. Either way, knowing the basics could save your life someday."
The room contained several pilot stations with control panels and projection screens, each mimicking different Renegade spacecraft cockpits.
Dutch led them to the final room in the support facility section. Inside, rows of beds lined the walls, each with a helmet positioned nearby. These were the neural interface built by the mesh department for deep simulation training.
"This is the mental training room," Dutch said, his tone growing more serious. "Here you'll undergo simulation missions that feel completely real. Each of you will face different challenges based on your abilities and weaknesses. Complete more missions successfully, and your final evaluation scores will improve. Fail too many... and well, you fail," he said before motioning them to continue the tour.
After that, Dutch led them through the operational area of the base.
"The command center, administrative lounge, and equipment storage are all restricted areas," he informed them, gesturing to each sealed doorway they passed. "Trainees aren't permitted entry without direct authorization from an instructor."
The cafeteria was the only accessible part of this section for them. A simple space with metal tables bolted to the floor, automated food dispensers along one wall, and recycling units along another.
"That concludes our tour," Dutch said, stopping at the final section. "This is the resting area. You have access to only two rooms. Female trainees in one, male trainees in the other. All other quarters are for administrative staff and workers."
He surveyed the group, his gaze lingering on Arbus slightly.
"That will be all for now. Rest today. Tomorrow your training begins in earnest," he stated firmly before heading towards the administrative lounge.
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Dutch sighed heavily as he entered the administrative lounge, where Ty was still sprawled lazily across the couch, as usual.
He was stressed out from having to walk around with a half-human behind him, watching his every move. He already knew Arbus wasn't an enemy and that he was just as much a Renegade as anyone else. But it didn't make things any easier. This was the closest he had ever been to something having to do with a Reincarnator.
He glanced over at Kate, who stood by the communication hub, visibly furious.
"They really expect us to teach that half-human? What kind of sick joke is this?" she fumed, turning to Dutch. "According to the Administrative department at the hold., it's an unchangeable command from the Sentinel himself. This is too unfair!. Especially after what we just went through, what is he thinking!?".
Ty laughed loudly.
"You're taking this too seriously, Kate. There should be nothing wrong with teaching a half-human."
Kate glanced at him, her eyes narrowing.
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
Ty chuckled slightly as he continued.
"He's only a half-human, he's no danger to any of us. Especially not with me here. We have to remember that half-humans are most of the time, victims like us. They don't get to choose this stuff."
Ty's expression became somber.
"I think you guys should just try your best, we can't change the Sentinel's mind anyways."
Dutch sighed as he looked over to the still furious Kate.
"It's alright, Kate, Ty is right. It's only for a few months. After that, we'll be done with this batch.
"Trust me, I understand how you feel. I had to keep my guard up the entire time I was with him."
"Exactly!. Now just imagine how bad it is for the other trainees, who have to share the same sleeping area with him" Kate said as she stood up.
She sighed with a resigned expression as she headed out of the room.
"I'll head back to the hangar and wait for the commander to arrive. We can talk about this more later."
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"Haha. Did you see the expression on her face? It was hilarious to watch, man. She literally sent the base onto lock down" a blue Mornan boy said, laughing loudly. "I had to hold myself back from laughing, especially seeing her tremble like that."
By now, the knight trainees had already had time to settle into their rooms. Both rooms had a rather simple design, and only contained the exact amount of bunk beds needed for them.
"Can you blame her, though?" another blue Mornan chimed in, his voice edged with disdain. "After what happened at Terytl-B? The whole star system is on edge. And now the Sentinel expects us to train alongside a half-human? The same species we're literally here to learn how to kill!" He shot a hateful glance towards Arbus as he spoke. Arbus was resting silently, on the top bunk of a bed not too far from them.
"At least pretend to keep your voice down" Arbus thought with a quiet sigh.
Suddenly Arbus heard a voice from beside him, mirroring his thoughts. "That's pretty inconsiderate. They could at least try whispering".
Arbus glanced down at the origin of the voice. It was one of the trainees, that had seemingly decided to be his new bunkmate. He was currently unpacking a few things that he brought along. He was a white Mornan with raven dark hair and jet-black eyes, dressed in the same trainee outfit as him.
"Guess you're the unlucky guy who got stuck with me," Arbus muttered, a bit surprised. He knew these white Mornans were considered a big deal by everyone else. It was only natural that they would get the first pick when it came to choosing beds, yet this one had somehow ended up with the bed no one wanted.
This was the only white Mornan in the group that didn't seem to care about his existence earlier, unlike the other two.
The white Mornan looked up and smiled, extending a hand. "Hey there, I'm Alexander."
"Looks like we're bunkmates. Let's get along well, Arbus."