[https://i.imgur.com/VzDlIuU.png]

Concept art of the auditorium

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The atmosphere was tense.

There was nothing awkward about this silence.

This was primal. Fear. Dread. A hare looking at a fox and seeing its death.

Perhaps there was a collective gasp of surprise when everyone saw space close its grip on the people within the spaceship. But now? Now, surprise was gone. Surprise had been robbed by the man standing across the hall. Now, all that was remained was abject horror. No one shuffled their feet or shifted their weight, suppressed.

A familiar voice broke through the paralysis. "The Citadel does not tolerate dissent".

Zac's breathing started to become laboured. His wide eyes started to dart around the room looking for a way out. His hands reached up and ran through his hair.

No. Zac froze. He distinctly remembered the lack of exits.

No. I made the wrong choice. It was either a wrong choice or a dead choice, and I chose the wrong choice. I should have escaped earlier when he had his back turned, when his fangs were retracted. I should have, I should have, I… His thoughts faltered in his mind as stress limited his ability to think. The insult from before, the pounding headache all compounding with the adrenaline of the moment.

Nope. He steeled himself. NO! I. Am. Out. I have to get out of here. That man is crazy. That woman is crazier. How can you willingly open the hatch like that.

Zac started to hyperventilate. Hands that repeatedly ran through his hair started to clench and tremble, unconsciously trying to pull his hair out.

If they represent the Citadel, then I want nothing of this place.

"You cannot run". It was like the captain could hear his thoughts.

Rift. I don't care. I'm leaving this place. I don't want to work for you or the people you represent.

"Because there's nowhere to run to. The Citadel is the last remaining hope."

Rift. Why can’t we just live in peace somewhere and die happily ever after?

"We have survived because we are strong. We are brave. And we only need the strong and brave".

Riftity rift.

"If you want to leave, you are welcome to join them." Captain Sunderland gestured out to the frozen people. "Drill Sergeant Penelope is waiting for a second batch. We don't need you." True enough, the spaceship was still turned on, engine on standby as it waited on the grass for more participants. The wing doors were open and the drill sergeant was waltzing around on the ground with her characteristic gait, hands in her pockets and eyes fixated on the auditorium as she smirked.

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“Or if you want, I can end you here”. The captain pulled out a device from his back and waved it around. Zac had no idea what the device was, but considering the captain’s brutality, he was sure it wasn’t the easy way out.

RIFT. RIFT. RIFT. RIFT! Rift this. Rift you. Rift your sadistic melodrama. Rift your hold over us. I hope the riftwalkers eat you.

Zac's mind was a mess. He was still standing, but his right leg had started to shake uncontrollably, sending vibrations up his torso. His whole body participated in the laboured breathing, and he was dangerously swaying to the edges of his balance, dizzy from the lack of carbon dioxide in his blood. He glared at the blurry image of the drill sergeant and captain slowly surveying the recruits.

I will end you. If I can leave this cursed establishment, I will end you. I will make sure you regret what you have done.

No one took a step.

"No one? That's a shame. Okay". The Captain turned around and moved on, uninterested. He waved his hand with the device around and the transparent glass around them once again became black. The lights moved to focus on the stage. Zac was left standing in the corner, glaring in the captain’s direction, his anger unrequited.

A black cloud flew up from the stage floor, and began to undulate and pulsate in the air like it had sentience. With a tap of the captain’s hand, it transformed into a behemoth similar to the murals on the Remembrance Walk. This monster had 3 arms, 3 legs, and 2 tails. Slick leathery hide. Muscular. It stood three metres tall. On end of each tail was a mouth with 2 sets of pointed triangular teeth.

I can’t do this. I need to get out. Ineedtogetout. IneedtogetoutIneedtogetoutIneedtogetout. Zac wasn’t paying attention. His eyes were unfocused, gazing blurrily out into the distance.

"This is a riftwalker. They are fast. Agile. And silent. Worst of all, some can transform, appearing harmless until the last second. You may see them as a rabbit or a cockroach, but be warned. They are intelligent killing machines. They do not care for sentiments. They do not pity their victims. What we just gave those people is a blessing. An out. These monsters will savour you like fine wine and when your mind is finally broken, they will feast on your terror and let you enjoy the agony of being eaten alive.”

“If you want to join your colleagues, this is your. last. chance. for freedom."

The instructions were lost to Zac.

"FOCUS!" A loud piercing boom shook the auditorium.

More black smoke shot out from the stage and took the silhouette of a human. Both smoke clouds came alive and started a dance off. One fully armoured fighter was shooting small black plumes of smoke at the riftwalker while dodging its tail lunges. The warrior jumped back in sync with its charges, and accurately kept hitting the same place. The riftwalker jumped quickly from side to side trying to shake off the hunter’s aim, using its tail to block the shining bullets, and then when it came close enough, it sprung forward almost as fast as the bullets. The man anticipating this, narrowly dodged out of the way, transforming his gun into a sword that entered the wound where he had opened before with his bullets and sliced the riftwalker in half as it passed.

"We will train you to be like this man. Faster than you are now. Stronger than the humanity you believe you know. All to survive an encounter with a riftwalker, and one day maybe even overcome one. We will teach you how to use phase weapons. We will fit you with armour. You will live and breathe as a unit."

The floor between the tiered seats and the stage lowered into a ramp leading down below the tiered seats into dark depths.

"It is time for your initiation. Everyone stand straight.”

Everyone remained unmoving. The captain sighed.

“ATTEN-TION!” A loud booming voice all around the auditorium, piercing and painful.

“Everyone undress".

No one moved.

"I'm WAITING!". Boom. Another loud piercing sound attacked their ear drums. This time was much louder, almost as loud as in the field before. Everyone reacted and keeled over wincing. Thankfully, the sound was a short burst. Enough to remind everyone of the power the captain had. That was enough to kick start the brain.

Off came shirts and pants, thrown to the ground unfolded.

"Underwear too".

Another round of loud piercing sound.

"When I give you a command, YOU FOLLOW!"

"Good. Now walk through to the next room".