"Another dungeon has been closed after the successful subjugation of it's Nest Guardian and Agents, bringing the total dungeon breaks this year to a total of twenty-five. The highest recorded of any year."- Korriban World News.

Chapter: 7 An[ANGEL] Awakens a YOuth

Corporate Alliance Territory

Eden City// Cordell Industries Central Territory.

Mike sucked his teeth as he processed the information thrown at him.

“So let me get this straight. Your soul is fused with Jack’s and if you’re removed he dies?” Mike pinched the bridge of his nose, staring out the window. “And how do I know you aren’t just saying that to use my boy as some kind of puppet?”

“You don’t, but are you really willing to take that chance?” Sahaqiel smirked, draping herself across Jack’s legs and lying down in his lap.

Mike paused, deep in thought while he scanned the street level below. "Do they have a way to track you?"

"Not that I'm aware. And soul tracking is a niche skill anyway." Sahaqiel assured.

“I thought he couldn’t see you,” Jack snickered, rolling the Angel off his lap. Instead of hitting the floor as Jack intended she merely floated to her feet.

“No one can, not unless I want them to.”

A thought occurred to Jack that immediately made him fume with anger. “Wait a minute! You’ve been able to materialize this entire time and didn’t bother helping me protect my sister?!”

Expecting the outburst, Sahaqiel didn’t even flinch as Jack grabbed her shoulders.

“Oh cool yourself, just because they can see me doesn’t mean I can interact with them.” Sahaqiel booped Jack’s wrinkled nose before disappearing and reappearing behind the angry boy and hugging him tight.

“Besides… Only you’re allowed to touch me,” The woman purred in Jack's ear, making a chill crawl along his skin that snuffed his anger.

“Focus People! We need to figure out our next plan of action.” Mike yelled, disrupting Sahaqiel’s teasing.

“What can I do?” Jack asked, calming his libido. “Anything, I’ll do it.”

“Well first kiddo you can’t stay here. In fact you can’t stay in the city anymore. You need to leave, and leave fast.”

That wasn’t the answer Jack was hoping to hear. He had spent his entire life in the shelter of Eden, there was nowhere for him to go. He was penniless, destitute, and couldn't afford to move anywhere with Jill.

“Where am I supposed to go? I can’t afford a trip to a different city, and I don’t even have a license to venture outside. Even if I do go to a different shelter, all of them in this quadrant are under the control of the Corpos.”

Mike took a sharp breath before fishing out another cigarette.“Not the ones controlled by the Imperial Military.”

“What?”

“Look, I know it isn’t what you want to hear. But tomorrow, during your day of adulthood you need to enlist into the Empire," Mike lit another cigarette.

"What?!"

"You said anything right? Well this is it. Angel lady, or whatever your name is. You are Awakening him right?”

“Working on it. Should be done by tonight. Much more complex task when they don’t have the aptitude.”

"What is that supposed to mean?!" Jack protested.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“It means you lack talent.” Sahaqiel replied flatly. “Luckily I’m here to make up for it.”

“Then that’s that. This is the only way to get you out of the city and away from prying eyes Jack. The Empire hates the Corpos and vice versa. Lucky for us under their special ceasefire treaty, the Empire is allowed to recruit Awakened within the city so… Tomorrow you’re going to sign up.” Mike held a hand up, squashing whatever Jack was going to say as he abruptly left the apartment. Mike soon returned, this time holding a large box covered in cloth. “I was wanting to give this to you when you were older or in dire financial straits but…”

Mike undid the cloth, opening the wooden box beneath to reveal what looked to be a pair of expensive silver revolvers with gold and black engravings.

“These were your mothers. They’re supposed to attach to some kind of blade and fire special ammo. I had them restored as much as possible, but they don’t manufacture the firing pins here, and the blades themselves were specially made. These should fetch a pretty penny though, if you wish to sell them.”

Jack couldn't explain what he was feeling as he gazed upon the expensive metal pieces. He was half surprised Mike hadn’t sold them, but also surprised that Mike had kept them all this time. The intricate patterns, and engravings that read Jack and Jill on each of the revolvers made Jack well up with emotion. There was also some kind of medallion in the shape of a shield and sword.

Jack carefully accepted the box, eyeing the pieces of his mother’s legacy. He didn’t own anything from his parents, nor did he have any keepsakes. When his parents died, everything had been sold to pay off Jill’s medical debts. But now he had something, and he would cherish it.

Blinking away the tears forming in his eyes, Jack managed to set the box aside and concentrate on the topic of his enlistment.

“But then what about Jill? What if they come looking?”

“She can’t stay here either. Luckily the Empire takes care of their contracted and their families. They provide housing, medical treatment, and care for those that Awaken and enlist. They should be willing to take Jill in.”

The more Jack heard about the Imperium the more he wondered what the downsides were. Outside of having to fight demons twenty-four-seven, the Imperial Army seemed too good to be true.

“The caveat is that you have to swear loyalty to their Matriarch and become an Imperial citizen. Their culture is… different. And it’s a ten year minimum contract, where they’ll throw you into the grinder.” Mike had a faraway look in his eye as he spoke. Almost as if he was talking at Jack, but not to him. “Not like it’s any different with the Corpo’s military but the combat conditions are far worse with the Empire.”

“Maybe I should take my chances with the Corpos,” Jack half-joked.

“This is serious Jack.” Mike turned to Sahaqiel who was busy twirling in the air. "Hey you, can you assure me that Jack will Awaken by tomorrow?”

The Angel smiled, touching down in front of Mike in a not-so-graceful way that made her breasts jiggle.

“My eyes are up here,” The Angel teased. “But yes. In a few hours it should be done.”

“And you’ll look out for him?”

"I promise. After all, we're bonded to the soul. Whatever happens to him happens to me as well. Trust me, I'm an Angel after all." Sahaqiel assured, suddenly sprouting wings and making Mike back step and do a double take.

"A bonafide Angel huh…" Mike murmured. Lighting up another cigarette with his prosthetic. Any lingering doubts he seemed to have about Jack's situation seemed to evaporate as he stared at the golden wings. "Hell's bells."

On top of planning for tomorrow's test and what to expect from boot camp, Mike and Jack spent time reminiscing about the days they spent together. Occasionally Sahaqiel would pop in asking to hear embarrassing stories about Jack, who would then swat her away.

“You should get some sleep kiddo. Big day ahead." Mike said, interrupting their conversation about the time Jack had found Mike's porn stash as a kid.

"Mike… For what it's worth… Thanks for everything."

Mike paused and shook his head.

"Yea… Don't mention it kiddo. Just try and stay safe and don't get caught. And most importantly. Trust. No one. Good night kid."

"Night… Dad."

Mike smiled and left, leaving Jack alone in the sparse apartment.

He sat there for a moment with Sahaqiel staring at him as he pondered his next moves.

"Well, I guess its time for that adventure I always wanted..." Jack muttered, causing Sahaqiel to smile.

Eyeing the time Jack cradled the wooden box and went to his room, pausing only to check on Jill.

Opening the door she was out like a light, cuddling her mechframe plushie tightly. Jack smiled at the sight. Watching her sleep comfortably seemed to make everything worth it. If joining the Empire would give Jill a comfortable life then so be it.

[Jack, prepare yourself.]

"What?"

Suddenly a strange tingle shot through Jack's body, causing him to spasm and lock in place. His nerves were on fire, making him use every ounce of willpower not to scream in pain and wake the slumbering girl. Fortunately, the torture only lasted for a second but it was one of the most painful experiences he'd ever had, like stubbing his toe twenty times back to back. He'd almost equaled it to having his limbs torn off if the adrenaline and shock hadn't overridden the pain.

After recovering from the abrupt electrocution, a screen appeared in front of Jack, causing him to blink and reel back in shock from the words hovering in front of him.

[Congratulations User: Awakened System Online!]