Day 11 A.F.P 6:50 AM

Dale. "Do you think what I said in the interview sounded inspirational?"

Travis. "Hardly, it was quite depressing to hear about your life story."

Dale. "That's not good, right?"

Travis. "Depends on the audience. Some will relate, while others won't. But, you were at least honest about your desire to help people. I think that will resonate with many who also feel the same."

Dale. "But the recruitment video is supposed to inspire Tamers of all types to join up."

Travis. "You are overthinking things. People need to hear the truth about the real you and why you do what you do for the military. You didn't pretend to be some glorified recruitment poster boy that the U.G.P is puppeteering to spout nationalist slogans to get more naive pawns."

Dale. "I see... that is comforting to know. Do you think the U.G.P will see it the same way as you?"

Travis. "Kid, what the U.G.P thinks of the interview should not be your top concern right now. According to the mission brief, you will be battling a swarm of Ice-Bugs on your own."

Dale. "As long as I move fast and stay high above them all, they can't touch me."

Travis. "All I am trying to say is don't get cocky and get distracted by the recruitment video. The U.G.P only wants to showcase your skills in a flashy way. So forget about that interview and concentrate on the mission."

Dale. "Ah! You are right."

Travis. "I didn't reach my age by letting myself worry about stuff that I have no control over and thinking I am invincible."

Dale. "That is pretty good advice-"

Dale stops speaking as a small convoy of next-gen Humvees roars into view of his line of sight.

Travis. "Looks like the rest of the team is here."

The convoy stopped in front of Dale and Travis. Tamer Battalion Commander Ethan stepped out of the front vehicle and greeted Travis with a military salute.

Ethan. "Major General Fjord! I am glad to serve with you again."

Dale was confused by the greeting before his eyes bulged in shock.

Dale. "Travis... you're a General?"

Travis. "Retired, but my old rank still means something. One of the main reasons the U.G.P leadership is willing to trust me in making a good Recruitment video. But the real leader of this mission is still the Tamer Battalion Commander Ethan."

Ethan looked at Dale with an annoyed expression for being too casual with a figure like Travis.

Travis. "I forgot to mention that bit to the kid here, so don't make a big deal, Commander. Just get everyone out here and let me interview those Tamers with my phone before the J.T.D arrives."

Ethan nodded and then waved his hand to signal everyone inside their vehicles. Rebecca, Two other Tamers that Dale had not met bore and a dozen US Marines stepped out of their Humvees.

Ethan. "Tamers! Form a line in front of me. The Major General here will be taking an interview with each of you."

The Tamers followed his instructions and waited for Travis to call their names.

Travis. "Let's start with Rebecca over there first."

Rebecca did not look surprised about being selected to be the first to be interviewed. Instead, she walked over to Travis and greeted him with a smile and a handshake.

Rebecca. "It's nice to see you again, General Fjord. The last time we met was during your retirement ceremony."

Travis. "It was a nice send-off, and the cake was pretty good. But we can chat later about old times since I should be interviewing you right now."

Travis pulled out his phone, transforming it into a mini drone that hovered beside him with a red light emitting from the right side of the camera lenses to indicate it was recording. Then, Travis walked to Rebecca's side, turned around, and spoke to the mobile video recording Drone.

Travis. "This is Rebecca Lawman, niece of the U.S. President Lawman, who is currently designated as missing or presumed dead. She was among the first Tamers to be recognized by the U.S. government and then sent to Alaska to establish a Multinational Council with representatives of the other great superpowers.

Miss Lawman, could you explain why you were chosen to be on the council? Wasn't there anyone else more suited to the job than a family member of the President?"

Rebecca. "Unfortunately, not everyone in the government took the threat about the coming apocalypse seriously. I was among the few who hatched their eggs and got the President to treat the Monster App's warning as a prophecy instead of a prank.

Though he could not convince the rest of his administration to do the same, he entrusted me with his twins and offered a top-secret Bunker, which the Tamer Council resided in when the apocalypse began."

Travis. "So the President's decision was to let the nation burn while taking measures to save his family's youngest members?"

Rebecca. "No... he wanted to tell all the citizens to find shelter as well, but his aides convinced him that the combined militaries of the five great superpowers would be able to handle any threat that came from the one who designed the App."

Travis. "Hmm... do you think the military would have been better prepared if they used the monster app before the apocalypse began?"

Rebecca. "Even if thousands of soldiers managed to hatch their eggs into monsters. They would not have been capable of using them to fight until the apocalypse began."

Travis. "So you don't agree with those Tamers who blame the military and the previous government for failing to stop the monsters from killing their families?"

Rebecca. "I understand that many citizens are blaming the military and the government for destroying their lives, but let's be honest.

How could any of us have known that there would be a worldwide communication blackout and monsters being teleported into centers of our major cities?

As far as I know, my whole family is dead. But do you see me blaming the military for trying to restore order and reclaim our cities from those monsters?"

Travis. "Do you think the U.G.P can accomplish it?"

Rebecca. "They cannot do it alone! We have all seen how ineffective the regular forces are against the monsters. That is why they need Tamers who are willing to sacrifice everything to serve the people."

Travis. "Is that why you volunteered to fight on the frontlines today? To save lives like your friend Dale here?"

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Rebecca gave a curious glance at Dale before shaking her head in disagreement.

Rebecca. "I know Dale's past, and I admire what drives his actions. However, I have different reasons for volunteering.

I am a proud member of the Lawman family who served the United States as President, Generals, and Senators for over four decades.

Whether it is the support wings or the frontlines, it doesn't matter. I am willing to sacrifice everything I have to honor their legacy."

Travis. "Cut! That was great, Rebecca! You are really a Lawman in both name, body, and spirit. Now on to the next Tamer."

While Travis began interviewing the other two Tamers, Rebecca walked over to Dale to stand by his side. He was still reeling from what he heard during the interview.

Dale. "That was..."

Rebecca. "You would be surprised by how much training I received to handle journalists."

Dale. "It almost felt like you and Travis rehearsed it."

Rebecca. "I had a feeling he wanted me to give an answer that would make the U.G.P and the previous government look good."

Just as they both finished their conversation,

Travis. "All right, all the interviews are done... hmm? Ah, the J.T.D has finally arrived."

Ethan. "Marines! Clear the runway and grab the gear from the vehicles. There is a lot of food, water, and medicine you need to load onto the craft. Tamers grab these mission files and learn everything you need to know about each other's monster skills and the mission plan. It saved my life and the mission in Russia, so don't think it's a waste of time."

Dale grabbed the files, ignored the one that displayed his own skills, and scanned the others. He was curious to know more about Travis and the two new Tamers. They both wore the new Tamer uniforms, but one had a Chinese flag, and the other had a Canadian flag as a shoulder Patch on their uniforms to highlight their country of origin.

Tamer: Ethan Jason A.K.A The Real Killer Croc

Type: Body, Mountain, Strength, Reptile, Metal

Mastery: Unarmed Combat

Combat Style: Monster-User Fusion

Skills: Primal Instincts (Beginner), Berserker Madness (Expert), Primordial Roar (Intermediate), Sobek's Armor (Intermediate)

Skill Features:

Primal Instincts - The Monster's senses can process the world in the most efficient manner possible to find practical solutions to all kinds of problems. It can use its jaws, claws, and tail to fight logically or illogically.

Berserker Madness - The Monster will lose its sanity, but its strength will triple in exchange. It can be activated, but deactivation will require it to be exhausted or knocked out.

The Monster unleashes a quaking roar that strikes unnatural fear into the enemy, Primordial Roar. Leaving them unable to find the courage to battle for one minute. This skill will not work on life forms that are deaf or soundproof.

Sobek's Armor - The scales on the Monster's body become Indestructible Gold for five seconds at the cost of movement.

Tamer: Rebecca Lawman

Type: Mind, Mountain, Mana, Insect, Wood

Mastery: Extra skill slot

Combat Style: Skill Transfer

Skills: Ant Hill Fortress (Beginner), Soldier Eggs (Beginner), Pheromone Communication (Beginner), Earth Wood Ant Golem (Beginner), Worker Eggs (Beginner)

Skill Features:

Ant Hill Fortress- The Earth Wood Ant Queen can summon one 10 foot tall Ant Hill around her body. The mound will be covered in layers of compacted Earth. Its structure can be manipulated to suit her needs as long as there is enough material and space. This skill requires Mana to be activated. Worker ants can improve and repair the Ant Hill if they have access to raw materials.

Soldier Ant Eggs- When this skill is activated, an egg chamber is created underneath the hill where Soldier ant eggs fill the entire space. Five seven-foot-tall Soldier ants made from Earth & Wood will hatch and be ready to fight with their mandibles every five minutes. Eggs will stop hatching if there is no mana to nurture them.

Pheromone Communication- The Earth Wood Ant Queen can use Mana to communicate with her workers, soldiers, and Golem. She can see what they see and instruct them what to do no matter the distance or depth underground. Skill deactivates when there is no mana.

Earth Wood Ant Golem- Summon one Fifteen foot Tall Ant Golem made from Earth & Wood that will stand as a Guardian for the Queen. It will constantly absorb Mana from the Earth and transfer it to his Queen. The Golem is extremely slow, but it is also hard to destroy. If destroyed, it cannot be summoned for 24 hours. There is no other way for the Ant Queen to gain Mana.

Worker Ant Eggs- When this skill is activated, an egg chamber is created underneath the hill where Worker ant eggs fill the entire space. Ten five-foot-tall Workers ants made from Earth & Wood will hatch and be ready to work with their mandibles every five minutes. Eggs will stop hatching if there is no mana to nurture them.

Tamer: Travis Fjord

Type: Mind, Sun, Mana, Bird, Wood

Mastery: Extra skill slot

Combat Style: Monster Fusion

Skills: Loki's Clones (Beginner), Sol's Rays (Beginner), Heimdall's Vision (Beginner), Odin's Wisdom (Beginner), Yggdrasill's Will (Beginner)

Skill Features:

Loki's Clones- The Monster can create identical clones by injecting its Mana into Trees. The clones will be able to operate independently. Once a clone is created, it will not perish until the Mana inside it is recalled, or the clone is destroyed.

Sol's Rays- The monster eyes can generate concentrated, immense amounts of heat from their eyes, which can be used to burn, heat, melt, weld, targets. Mana is needed to activate this skill.

Heimdall's Vision- The Monster's eyes can zoom in on things within two hundred meters and see it in slow motion if it wishes. No Mana is needed to activate this skill. All clones have access to this skill.

Odin's Wisdom- The Monster can record what it sees through its eyes and store it in the monster app. No Mana is needed to activate this skill. All clones have access to this skill.

Yggdrasill's Will- The Monster absorbs Mana from Trees or any plant life within a one-kilometer radius. When the Flora loses all their Mana, they will wither and cannot be harvested for any more Mana.

Tamer: Lang chi

Type: Mind, Moon, Mana, Beast, Lightning

Mastery: Enhanced Elemental Damage

Combat Style: Monster Fusion

Skills: Lightning Wolves (Intermediate), Lunatic Howl (Intermediate), Ghost Form (Intermediate), Static-Step (Intermediate)

Skill Features:

Lightning Wolves- When this skill is activated, two dire wolves made of lightning will appear and attack any foe the user marks as a target for them. The summons will stay on the field as long as Mana is supplied.

Lunatic Howl- The Monster enters into a frenzied state for one minute when this skill is activated. Its howls will damage the Eardrums of its opponents and allies. Mana is required to use this.

Ghost Form - When this skill is activated, the body will become an Ethereal form. It cannot use another skill while in this state and requires no mana to sustain it. The Monster can only absorb Mana in this form.

Static step - The skill allows the Monster to teleport by transforming into an electric current. The range is limited to five meters, and the cooldown is five seconds. Mana is required to activate this skill.

Tamer: Sevire Blase

Type: Body, Mountain, Vitality, Insect, Wood

Mastery: Enhanced Elemental Damage

Combat Style: Monster Fusion

Skills: Earth Swim (Beginner), Red Wood Armor (Beginner), Corpse Eater (Beginner), Blood Thorn Wheel (Beginner)

Skill Features:

Earth Swim- The Monster can dig into the loose Earth and swim through it like water.

Red Wood Armor- The Monster armor will absorb blood on the ground. The more blood that it absorbs, the denser its armor becomes. It can also curl into a ball to defend itself.

Corpse Eater - The Monster can restore its vitality by eating corpses. Lost limbs, appendages, flesh, and organs can be regrown based on the mass it consumes.

Blood Thorn Wheel- Several rows of thorns made of blood will pop out of its Red Wood armor when it curls itself into a ball. It can move forward or backward in this state at high speed.