Mathew stepped out of the convoy truck and looked around at the base. They were just inside the base, and could see the wire fence that encircled the place. People were standing around in groups wearing a mix of different clothes. All looked scared and tired.
“Who are those people?” Mathew asked.
“Other survivors who fled here for protection.” One of the guards spoke up. “People are coming in like crazy. Word is we will have to start turning away people unless they are military or family.”
“That’s not going to go well,” Leo said. “People won’t just leave. Especially with monsters out in the wild.”
“You saw them too?” The guard asked Leo.
“We will debrief your commander.” Vannessa said.
Leo nodded at the guard where she couldn’t see him. The guard winked at Leo appreciatively and went back to his post.
“So now what?” Madison asked.
“Well now we find some high ranking officer, I get us a nice room and we hide here till we figure out what is going on in the world.” Mathew said.
Zack walked over with a frown. “Really? Just going to hide behind walls Mathew? I figured you would go out there and fight to get stronger.”
“Oh I plan to get stronger, after we figure out what is going on in the world. I’m not suicidal.”
“So just let others die for your own gain? That doesn't seem fair.”
Mathew shook his head. “Life isn’t fair Zackary.” He turned to face Vanessa. “What now? This part of the contract was very vague.”
She gestures for everyone to follow her. “The convoy will leave in the morning after we resupply. More people to pick up like you Mr. McGonald. I will take you all to an officer to meet with. After that, you are at the mercy of the commander of this base unless you choose to leave. I will leave you with a final piece of advice. Make yourselves useful. The military will value you better and you won't get shitty jobs like cleaning.”
Zack, Madison, Leo, Mathew, and a few others that were family members of the convoy were led to a square brown building. They were escorted inside to a decent sized room. Several others were already inside sitting in chairs. They all found spots and waited. Zack and Madison were talking about what Leo and Mat already discussed while she was asleep.
It didn’t take long before someone entered the room that was important. A few of the military that were standing guard stood a little straighter. “Greetings everyone, I am Master Sergeant Jackson. I thank you for waiting calmly. It’s a scary and unknown time for us all, but I promise you are safe here at this Air Base. The Commander wants everyone to be aware we won’t take slackers. Everyone will pull their weight, even teenagers to a certain degree.”
He waited a few moments to let those words settle into everyone's mind that they will not get a free ride at his base. “Now with that said, I will go over a few important details of how things will work. Firstly we are in Martial Law, so the Commander's word is law. Go against it and we will either kick you out, or put you in the holding cells. Secondly, if you have any military training, officially or unofficially please let me know after we are done here. We need more men and women to help with guard duty along with other important tasks. Next all of you will be required to fill out forms. We are doing our best to keep track of everyone who comes onto this base. When you fill these out please do so as truthfully as possible. Those with real world skills will be drafted to do the same or similar task.”
Jackson gestured to a set of doors to his left, the crowds right. “There are several assistants who will answer any of your questions while you fill out the forums in that side room. Lastly, and this will be the weirdest request, anyone who has so far gained any Levels, Skills, Abilities, Spells, or additional Titles since arriving in this room please remain seated. I will have further guidance for you all.”
Mathew pursed his lips. On one hand, keeping what he had secret would be useful as a trump card in the future possibly. Yet on the other, he had a feeling the [Knives] skill won’t be a secret for long. Instead he could use it as a show of goodwill, and to hopefully make him seem like a needed asset. He planned to keep his Lawyer title a secret for now however.
Once people started to move, Mathew remained seated. Leo remained seated as well. Zack already started to walk into the side area. Madison hesitated. “Should I stay here with you two?” She asked.
“Do you have anything he asked about?” Leo asked her. Madison shook her head. “Then go into the other room. I’ll find you later, or Mathew will.”
She hurried up to Zack, as the only other person she knew, and went there with him. Once everyone left, only twelve people were left. Five of which were standing with Master Sergeant Jackson, being those with military training. After a few minutes of questions and orders, they were soon escorted away by one of the guards.
“Well, you seven are the fun people.” Sergeant Jackson said. “Now with a show of hands, who here has gained another level?”
Three people, two of which being Leo and Mathew, raised their hands. Jackson whistled. “Not bad, any of you three have an additional skill or something as well?”
“I have the [Knives] skill.” Mathew said. Leo nor the other person mentioned anything extra.
“Well what’s your name sir?” Jackson asked Mat.
“Mathew McGonald. I was hoping I could talk to the commander here, or perhaps an officer. I mean no offense to you at all nor your rank, I simply have assets and information that would be beneficial to them.”
Jackson smiled knowingly. “I’ll see what I can do. The commander is a very busy man, however I know an officer or two who would be excited to talk with you Mr. McGonald.”
“Please, just Mathew. Mr. McGonald is my father.”
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Mathew and Leo found themselves sitting in a tent outside. Both of them have filled out the required forms which surprisingly included questions about their stats. Mathew chose to lie about them, saying he had an even spread of stats, and excluded his bonus points from his title in any way possible. The only thing he put on there was the [Knives] Skill, including the details it shared.
Leo’s was pretty blank, and showed most of his points going into Strength, Wisdom, and a couple into Dexterity. The reason they both were in a tent was to await Captain Henderson. She, Mathew hoped, was his ticket to the easy life. Captain was not a high rank, but that also meant Mathew could possibly manipulate her to his whim.
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They did not have to wait long before a brunette woman opened the flap and walked in. She was in full battle gear, including a rifle and handgun on her hip. “Gentlemen, good to see you both. I heard you are the two Level 2’s along with one of you who wanted to talk to me.
Leo nodded toward Mathew, who stood up and extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Captain Henderson, my name is Mathew. I am here to try and offer myself to the base.”
She smiled at him. “That’s what I like to hear, what can you help us with?”
“My friend and I are Lawyers, but that also includes skills to help with paperwork and other boring things I am sure you find often. Is there an office or building we can go and help with there? It doesn’t need to be legal work, any logistics or perhaps accounting work even.”
Leo kept his face neutral, but internally groaned at Mathew.
“Mathew, you seem to be a good guy, which is why I know either you actually are, or really are not.”
Mat raised an eyebrow, “Pardon?”
“You two are the ones that came in the convoy, correct?”
Mathew nodded after a brief hesitation. “Yes, I don’t know-”
Henderson raised a hand and cut Mathew off. “Which then means you are one of two things. Either a rich politician, or are married to or related to a rich politician.”
Leo snorted. “Well Ma’am, you are half right.”
“And you are?” Captain Henderson asked toward Leo.
“Eh, just call me Leo. Listen, Mathew here has a devil's tongue, but is no politician, at least not one of the big shots. We don’t want to be soldiers, but we also don’t want to be cleaning or cooking. Trust me, you do not want Mathew here behind a stove. Unless what you want is tea.”
Mathew shot Leo a glare silently telling him to stop talking.
“Well Leo, at least you are being honest. I have good news and bad news for the two of you though.”
“Well, start with the bad news. Rather rip that band-aid off.” Mathew said, sitting down already not liking where this is going.
“You won’t be getting a cushy desk job. You are both Level 2, and one of you has a combat skill. Which means special duties. Which brings me to the good news. You won’t be a soldier nor a menial task job.”
“What does that mean?” Leo asked, also a bit skeptical.
“Depends on what you want. Medical, Scouting, Crafting, or you can join the nerds with their theory crafting teams.”
Mathew knew exactly where Zack would be going. “I don’t have the talents for any of those types of jobs, Captain Henderson. I can always assist in other ways. I have resources, things that can make you a happy woman if you help me.”
She narrowed her eyes on Mathew. “Are you attempting to bribe me? Bribing an officer is a crime. A federal crime.”
“It’s no bribe, it’s just you do a lot of work for the military I am sure. Shouldn’t you be paid better?”
“Oh so it’s a tip? Like a waiter at a resteraunt? Do you see me as your servant?”
Mathew shook his head. “Captain Henderson, you are putting words in my mouth. I’m doing you the favor! And in doing so, also paying you to help me out. I don’t want to be fighting out there. I would be more of a danger than an asset.”
“I should remind you, Mr. McGonald. Even with Martial Law, bribery is a highly offensive action. If you continue this line of talk, I will report you and have you detained.
“I’ll take Medical, with the plan of me joining scouting teams in the future.” Leo said without hesitation.
Henderson nodded. “Perfect, and Mathew if you don’t pick one, I will pick one for you. Last chance.”
“Please, I assure you,” Mathew started pleading. ”I am more of a detriment than an asset in any of those areas.”
“Be it as it may, Commander's orders. All Level 2 and higher or those with skills are to be drafted, and assigned a special duty. I am trying to be nice and work with you two, and asking you to volunteer instead of being voluntold. Plenty of people are afraid right now. 25% of the world is dead, and right now I am trying to do my part of keeping people safe. If that means bringing my boot up your ass to get shit going, then so be it. Do not test me Mathew. I will give you a second chance, what special job do you want? If it will help you choose, those who do outstanding will be rewarded with jobs more along their lines of preference once more auxiliary positions are required. Those who don’t do a good job, are eventually sent off to do janitorial work.”
Mathew didn’t say anything for a moment. He chewed over what she said and thought about the future ahead. Zack mentioned power, something he wanted very much. He had no dreams of ruling anybody or becoming a tyrant. No, he simply wanted to live a life of luxury. That meant being important enough to be given such a thing, or strong enough to earn it. What damage was there in becoming both? He had plans to be a mage, something that would be powerful, and needed.
“Does scouting include fighting or guard duty?” Mathew asked.
Henderson shook her head. “No, it’s just going around looking for people trying to find the base, or monsters. Only time we fight is if it comes to us.”
“Do I get gear, or do I only wear what I have?”
“You get geared up, and we will go over some basic training with you. I promise it’s not a dead man job. It’s actually the second most important one along with medical staff. The nerd squad is actually priority number one surprisingly enough.”
“Really?” Leo asked. “That’s the commander's number one priority?”
“Outside the obvious of ensuring the base stays powered and safe? Yes. He wants to figure out what the hell is going on with The System, and whoever can give him solid information that isn’t already known is given social dollars in his favor. He has a bounty on whoever can figure out magic as well.”
Mathew nodded. “Fine, sign me up for scouting, but I better not see myself looking for flowers or gathering 10 hides of pigs like those damned video games Zack was talking about.”
Henderson grinned. “Glad you made a wise choice.”