First Encounter

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Amidst the chaos, Cord and Johnny separate and restrain the two soldiers. Meanwhile, Margaret and the children help Joan Pierre to stand up and settle him down. After two minutes, Joan Pierre regains his senses. Margaret retrieves her first aid kit to tend to Joan Pierre's bleeding. A few minutes pass, and the two soldiers in conflict calm down. Cord and Johnny initiate a conversation with them, trying to comprehend the situation.

Cord: "Do you both realize you will be suspended or even expelled for this?"

Soldiers: "Yes, sir."

Johnny: "But let's set that aside for now. Can you tell us what happened?"

Soldier A: "Sir, explaining this might sound rather absurd. It's almost unbelievable. My lighter had been missing since last week, and today, I noticed my partner had it. So, during dinner, I confronted him about it. Somehow, things escalated, and it led us to this point."

Johnny: "A lighter? Do you mean to say that this entire commotion erupted over a lighter? [Johnny gestures towards Joan Pierre] Do you think a man's life is worth a mere lighter?"

Soldier A and B: "No, sir!" [Johnny slaps the two soldiers]

Cord: "Johnny, that's enough. Both of you return to your rooms. The director will take care of this later."

Soldier A and B: "Yes sir! We apologize sir." [The two soldiers exit the cafeteria and head to their rooms]

Cord: "This situation reminds me of what occurred earlier this afternoon..."

Johnny: "What happened earlier?"

Cord: "Earlier today, two other soldiers were on the brink of a fight over snacks. Fortunately, they didn't escalate it, so I didn't feel the need to report it."

Johnny: "These youngsters seem to be getting more foolish by the day. At least those two didn't create a scene in the middle of the cafeteria like these two. By the way, where were the other two fighting? I'm curious now."

Cord: "These two were near Sirius and Tes's..."

Cord suddenly stops talking and gets lost in his thoughts

Cord [Thinking to himself]: "Wait, could it be?"

Cord: "I'll talk to you later, Johnny."

Johnny: "Huh? What's going on?"

Cord: "I might be onto something."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Johnny: "You're not even staying for dinner?"

Cord: "Can't! Duty calls!" [Cord rushes out of the cafeteria, leaving Johnny puzzled.]

Johnny [Muttering to himself]: "What the fuck just happened?"

Unbeknownst to Johnny, Isabella and Margaret were nearby when he spoke to himself.

Isabella: "Told you."

Margaret [laughs]: "Well, Johnny, I'll have to skip dinner and perform some X-rays on Joan Pierre. Can you take care of the kids and bring them their food?"

Johnny: "Of course, don't worry. I'll take care of it."

Margaret: "Thank you!"

Margaret then tells Joan Pierre to say goodbye to the kids and then addresses Johnny and Isabella near the door.

Margaret: "Goodbye. See you guys tomorrow!"

Isabella: "Goodbye Miss Margaret. Goodbye, Joan! I hope you feel better soon!"

Joan Pierre: "Thank you, sweetheart."

Johnny: "Get some rest, buddy."

Joan Pierre gives Johnny a thumbs-up as he and Margaret leave.

Johnny [Looks at the table where the other kids are seated and mutters]: "Well, it looks like it's babysitting time."

A shift of scenes occurs, and Cord is seen in the security room, reviewing recordings of the incidents.

Cord: "Okay, everything seems normal here."

Cord switches to the recording of the cafeteria fight, observing it.

Cord: "This is when Joan Pierre got knocked out."

The video shows Joan Pierre getting knocked out and Margaret and the kids rushing to him afterward. Cord zooms the camera on the kids as they assist Joan Pierre.

Cord: "Hmm, maybe I was imagining things..."

[Cord is about to close the recording when he realizes]

Cord: "Wait, I missed one."

He then zooms in on Tes's crib after everyone left the table. He stares at the recording and suddenly, he notices a small dark cloud-like figure near the baby.

Cord: Could this be it? Little Tes, are you the first one to awaken?

Amazed by what he saw, he checks the recording of the afternoon fight. He also examines the recording inside Tes and Sirius's room this time. To his surprise, he sees a humanoid shadow figure playing with Tes and holding him in his arms, like a mother or a father would do to their child.

Cord falls back in shock and starts screaming. Eventually, his screams transform into laughter. He was lost in terror, amazement, and disbelief. It's the first time he has witnessed non-human activity.

Cord: It's true! This confirms it! The Deity's powers remain among us. A new era is about to begin!

He starts laughing and falls to his knees on the ground

Cord [Lacking air]: Cord, what have you done...

Cord gets up, walks over to a phone, and makes a call.

Unknown Caller: Yes?

Cord: Mr. President, it's Cord.

Nixon: I know it's you Cord. They informed me in advance. What do you need?

Cord: Sir, I have something to show you. It's urgent. Can you come in 3 days?

Nixon: Cord, I was there just yesterday.

Cord: Sir, we have results.

Nixon: What did you say?

Cord: We have results, sir. I never thought it would be possible, but... [Gets interrupted by Nixon]

Nixon: Alright, that's enough. Very well, I'll be there in 3 days. See you soon, Cord. [Nixon hangs up the phone]

Cord notices a liquor bottle on the table. He grabs it and sits on the floor while staring at the images from Tes's room. He takes four large zips, consuming a third of the bottle.

After a few minutes, he stands up, closes the recording files, and leaves the bottle on the table.

As he exits the security room, Cord remarks.

Cord: I hate this job.