The blackness of space shimmered as the Stargate activated, unleashing a ripple of light that illuminated the void. A sleek Epsilon-class battleship emerged, its hull gleaming under the distant glow of a neighboring star. The ship sped forward, its engines humming with precision, toward a massive silhouette looming on the horizon.

As Arthur peered out of the viewport, his breath caught. The station they were approaching dwarfed anything he had ever seen.

The scale was almost incomprehensible. If Solace Prime had impressed him with its moon-sized structure, this battlestation was a colossus, rivaling Earth itself in size.

Its surface bristled with weaponry, shimmering arrays of particle cannons, missile silos, and the terrifying Q-ball World Destroyers, devices capable of annihilating entire planets. Swarms of battleships buzzed around the station, entering and exiting like ants into a colossal hive.

"Welcome to Dreadnought Mk XI," Kael said, his voice carrying a mix of pride and reverence. "This is humanity's ultimate war machine."

Arthur nodded, still unable to tear his eyes away from the sight. "It's… magnificent." Arthur has learned about these kinds of battle stations while learning about UFE, but seeing it through a screen is different from being in front of it.

Kael grinned. "You'll get used to it. Trust me, you haven't seen half of what it is capable of."

The battleship navigated deftly through the bustling traffic, finally docking in one of the station's enormous bays. As the hatch opened, Arthur and Kael stepped onto the platform, greeted by a blast of sterilized air and the faint hum of activity.

Kael clapped Arthur on the shoulder. "This is where we part ways, rookie. I'm heading back to Solace Prime."

Arthur turned to face him, his expression a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. "Thanks for everything, Kael. I'd probably still be fumbling with my data-pad if it weren't for you."

Kael chuckled. "Don't mention it. Just don't go getting yourself killed out there. And hey, if you ever make it back to Solace, the drinks are on me."

Arthur smiled. "I'll hold you to that."

Before leaving, Kael gestured to a figure approaching them. "This is Lieutenant Nakamura. He'll be your superior during your time here."

The lieutenant saluted sharply. "Welcome to the Dreadnought, recruit. Follow me."

Arthur returned the salute, then watched as Kael boarded his ship. "Good luck, Arthur," Kael called out before the hatch closed, and the battleship departed.

…

Lieutenant Nakamura led Arthur through a maze of corridors, each one bustling with personnel. The walls were adorned with holographic displays showing tactical maps, and maintenance schedules.

"You'll be part of an ECHO team stationed in battalion Alpha," Nakamura explained as they walked. "Your quarters are shared with three other recruits. They're waiting for you."

When they arrived, Nakamura opened the door to reveal a modest room with four bunks and a central table. Three young soldiers stood at attention. Nakamura gestured toward them.

"This is Recruit Arthur. He'll be joining your team."

The first to step forward was a young woman with short, dark hair and a confident demeanor. She extended a hand. "Corporal Elena Torres, team technician. If it's broken, I fix it. If it's not broken, I make it better."

Arthur shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Elena. Looking forward to learning from you."

The next was a wiry man with sharp features and a reserved expression. "Corporal Samir Patel," he said curtly, then stepped back without another word.

Before the silence could grow awkward, the third recruit stepped forward, grinning widely. He was broad-shouldered with a boisterous energy that filled the room. "Corporal Leo Grant. Don't mind Samir; he's not much of a talker. Stick around long enough, and he might even say two sentences in a row."

Arthur chuckled. "I'll take your word for it."

Nakamura nodded approvingly. "Settle in, Arthur. Mission briefing is tomorrow morning. Rest up; you'll need it." With that, he left the room.

Leo clapped Arthur on the back. "Come on, I'll show you your bunk."

Arthur followed him, he could already tell this team would be an interesting dynamic.

These three of the recruits were young in their early twenties, although Arthur might be in his late twenties but after multiple evolutions he appears to be in his early twenties so the other three recruits didn't find it weird about his age as they thought Arthur was also their age.

…

After unpacking, Arthur spent some time familiarizing himself with his quarters. His armor unfolded seamlessly, allowing him to step out and order it to shut down using technopathy.

Although he could have used his databand in his arm to do so, he thought using technopathy is more convenient and at the same time he was able to practice the ability. The process felt almost instinctive now, a testament to how much he had improved in using technopathy in these fifteen days.

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Now, he did not need to touch the object to communicate with them, the object just needed to be within 5 meters of his radius.

Later, he cleaned up and prepared to join the others for lunch. As he stepped into the common area, Elena was already waiting. She greeted him with a nod.

They waited for Leo and Samir, and soon the four of them were walking through the bustling corridors toward the dining area. Along the way, Elena struck up a conversation.

"So, Arthur, what's your story? How did you end up here?"

Arthur stuck to the backstory Admiral Kane had provided. "I was an orphan. Admiral Kane found me and recommended me for the ECHO program. I owe him everything."

Elena raised an eyebrow. "A sponsored ECHO, huh? Must be nice to have connections."

Arthur sensed no malice in her tone, only curiosity. "It's not something I take for granted," he said. "I'm here to prove that I've earned it."

Leo chimed in. "Relax, Elena. Not everyone gets handed this gig on a silver platter. Besides, Arthur looks like he can handle himself."

Samir remained silent, his expression unreadable. Arthur decided not to press him.

Arthur had already heard about such cases. It was not uncommon for influential individuals to use their connections to secure positions for young people within the ECHO program.

These privileged recruits bypassed the rigorous training academies entirely, having been tutored privately by expert instructors in the comfort of their homes. For the majority, however, this kind of luxury was out of reach.

Ordinary candidates were required to endure years of grueling education and training at specialized schools to earn their place in the program.

This disparity often highlighted the divide between those with power and wealth and those who had to rely on sheer determination to make it through the system.

While going towards the cafeteria Arthur thought about using the Analyze function on them and the data appeared in front of him.

He was not worried of others being able to see the holographic panel as it does not appear on the air, it is integrated with his eyes, so only he was able to see the System panel. After that all the data appeared about the three of them. Arthur nodded after seeing all the data.

//--------------------//

[STATUS]

Name: Elena Torres

Designation: ECHO, Corporal

Age: 22

Height: 5'8"

Strength: 2011.8 Tons

Speed: 153.2 m/s

//--------------------//

//--------------------//

[STATUS]

Name: Samir Patel

Designation: ECHO, Corporal

Age: 22

Height: 5'8"

Strength: 2017.3 Tons

Speed: 156.4 m/s

//--------------------//

//--------------------//

[STATUS]

Name: Leo Grant

Designation: ECHO, Corporal

Age: 23

Height: 5'8"

Strength: 2023.7 Tons

Speed: 159.5 m/s

//--------------------//

Once at the cafeteria, they grabbed their trays and found an empty table. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the chatter of soldiers and ECHOs alike. Arthur couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie despite the unfamiliarity.

"First lunch with the team," Leo said, raising his glass of nutrient drink. "Here's to surviving whatever they throw at us."

Elena smirked. "And to not screwing up."

Arthur raised his glass with a grin. "Cheers to that."

Arthur couldn't help but anticipate some kind of confrontation during lunch. His mind wandered to the countless novels he had read, where such settings often invited drama, mocking remarks, heated exchanges, or challenges between characters.

However, to his mild surprise, nothing of the sort occurred. The group ate their lunch undisturbed, the cafeteria bustling with the sounds of soldiers and ECHOs engaged in lively but harmless conversation. It was a welcome, if unexpected, reprieve from the tension he had braced himself for.

…

Back in his quarters, Arthur began studying. He accessed the data-pad, gathering detailed insights into the Chimerians.

Elena noticed his intense focus. "Studying already? Eager to impress?"

Arthur smiled. "Just want to survive. Knowledge is power, right?"

"Smart answer. Just don't forget to sleep. Tomorrow won't be easy."

Arthur nodded, he was ready for whatever lay ahead.

That evening, as Arthur packed his belongings, Elena poked her head into his corner of the room. "Hey, Arthur. Feel like testing your skills?"

Arthur looked up, curious. "What do you mean?"

"We've got a combat simulator down in the training bay. It's a great way to get a feel for the real thing without the risk of dying," Elena explained. "Besides, we need to see if you can actually fight."

Arthur hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, let's do it."

The team led him to the training bay, where a holographic simulation chamber awaited. Elena set the parameters: a Chimerian scout raid on a colony. Arthur stepped inside, and the world around him transformed into a battlefield.

The simulated Chimerians were relentless, their crystalline forms glinting in the artificial sunlight. Arthur dodged and countered their attacks, his gun shots barely making a dent in their crystalline armor.

He didn't want to use his full strength and scare the others and he was using a plasma gun in this fight. He then targeted their weak points, their joints.

After Arthur adjusted his strategy, he started taking out one Chimerian after another with precision by targeting their joints and gaps in their armor. By the time the simulation ended, he got a vague idea about how to fight these Chimerians.

"Not bad, Arthur, you learn fast and your precision was amazing, for how many years have you been practicing shooting?" Elena said as she deactivated the simulator.

Arthur just smiled without saying anything. Elena didn't press for more as she thought Arhtur didn't want to share it with them.

Leo grinned. "I'd say you passed with flying colors."

Samir, who had been silently observing, gave a single nod. "Decent."

After simulating the test a few more times as a team they got a better idea of how to work as a team, after that they returned to their quarter.

***