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Chapter 40 : Reward And Reckoning

At the crack of dawn, the extra security called in by the sponsors and shareholders had arrived along with individuals from the Military Mage Association (MMA), some individuals from the respective academies were also present.
The MMA officials began questioning everyone regarding what happened, all gave account except Mr Thales, Mrs Catherine and the students, Mr Thales had insisted that Bruce be the one to share their side of the story.
After a few hours of waiting, Bruce was strong enough to move about he was summoned before the MMA and the others to give account on what happened.
Bruce explained to them how he got into the database, linked to the surveillance room with Elena's help, found out the faults of the camera with Dom's help, used Dom's idea to identify the culprits, used Nolan's help to avoid getting captured and rescue the others making sure to acknowledge Jackson for protecting them before they deduced a plan to stop the theft and rescue the scientist then talking to Mr Thales and Mrs Catherine then the explosion and when they joined the others, then the fight before he passed out, leaving out drawing power from Brandon of course.
Most present found it hard to believe what Bruce said but the confirmation of the other students and the scientists, they had no choice, it sounded like a wild tale to most but they knew Bruce would not dare lie to them.
Afterwards, the students were escorted to a staff lodge not far from the building the interrogation was taking place.
"What do you think they are talking about?" Dom asked Bruce who kept looking out the window.
"Probably how to get the location of the missing students if they are still alive" Bruce replied.
"Why do you seem down? this is good news" Dom asked.
"I was hoping to solve the mystery and prove no one in the industry had a hand in it but didn't expect to discover it had been infiltrated by the most notorious terrorist groups in the world, the industry will be lucky not to shut down" Bruce explained.
"Does that mean we don't get to undergo the mythic evolution process?" Brutus abruptly asked.
He received dagger stares from the others, he didn't even seem a little bothered about what could happen to the industry or the fact that they almost died.
"We probably will, the ships that rescued us weren't private vessels, there were Alphite Industries exploration crafts meaning they had just returned from getting the last thing needed for the process, The moon shadow flowers" Bruce explained.
"But that means, we might be the last group of people to go through it" Elena exclaimed.
The whole room fell into silence as this was obviously not good news, their silence was however interrupted when a guard was sent to fetch them.
Standing before the MMA once again, the students couldn't help but feel nervous despite not being on trial.
"We thank you for your bravery, selflessness, good judgement and quick thinking which you used in protecting this place and for that you will all be rewarded but will the following individuals step forward, Bruce Devin, Dominick Pavla, Elena Dareiene, Nolan Fernandez and Jackson Shaw" A man said.
This was no ordinary man, he was the head of MMA, Mr Freddie Aries, as the called students stepped forward, he continued.
"You five contributed in no small way to the success of your mission and for that we have decided to specially recognize you by awarding you honorary medals.
Bruce Devin, for your wisdom and leadership skills in the face of danger, we have decided to reward you with the medal Athena, a medal given only to the wisest soldiers of war.
Dominick Pavla, for your loyalty, support and trust, we bestow upon you the Fide medal, a medal only the most loyal soldiers to walk this planet have a claim to.
Elena Dareiene, for your confidentiality during the time of trouble, we dubb you with the Hapocrates medal, a title given only to those who would defend secrets entrusted to them fiercely.
Nolan Fernandez, for your assistance in the escape and rescue of your comrades, we award you the Soltería medal, a medal known only to heroes.
And finally, Jackson Shaw, for protecting your comrades against lethal firearms at the risk of your own life, we award you the Itus Medal, only the most selfless heroes of war have been known to possess this. May these medals and their titles remind you of your virtues in trying times, do well to live by them" Mr Freddie announced.
Applause rang through out the building as the medals were pinned to their tops.
"Oh my gosh, they even have our names engraved on them" Dom exclaimed as he turned his around and found the words Fide : Dominick Pedro Pavla.
They were then asked to find seats, the attack leader as well as Mr Leonard, Mr Gideon and Arnold were brought forward.
"Where are they?" a Corporal named Joseph kings asked.
"Who are we talking about here?" The leader who had been identified as Sion asked back.
"Don't play dumb with me, where are the students?" Corporal Joseph asked.
"Oh, right , I'm not sure where they are" Sion replied.
"Bring it the mages, we have no time to waste" Corporal Joseph ordered.
Four telepathic mages walked into the room to stand in front of the three men being questioned.
*I will ask you one last time before they pry into your thoughts, where are the students?" Corporal Joseph asked.
"Not one single person has the whole answer" Mr Leonard said.
"Don't speak to me in riddles" Corporal Joseph said.
"But riddles are all we know" Mr Gideon chuckled.
"Do it" Corporal Joseph ordered.
The mages placed their hands on the individual in front of them, they tried to resist but it was of no use, the mages quickly found the information they were looking for and released them.
"Each one of them was given a clue to the current location of the students" The first mage said.
"What do you mean by current location? Are you saying they change locations frequently?" Corporal Joseph asked.
"Yes, and the four of them were given clues to it's location, they were to put the clues together and decipher the location of the students after capturing these students" The 2nd mage explained.
"So what are the clues?" The Corporal asked.
"Fly adjacent the sky from the city of nectar" The first mage said.
"Let your pledge lead hand lead you from the grave yard" The 2nd mage said.
"Cross the desert that need no rain" 3rd mage said.
"When the stars align , you will know your path" the last mage said.
"Thank you, take them away" Corporal Joseph ordered.
The mages exited and the four culprits were were escorted out of the room.
Those in the room quickly got to work, on putting the pieces together, a few minutes in, no one had come up with an answer.
"Adjacent the sky, pledge at the grave yard and cross a desert that needs no rain, wait, I've got it" Bruce and blurted.
"Speak soldier" The corporal said.
"The first one I cracked was the second clue, to fly adjacent the sky meant to swim in the ocean, I initially thought the city of nectar was a town that produced a lot of agricultural produce but all the prominent towns in that category aren't close to any bodies of water then I focused on the word nectar, it's what flowers have that attracts bees to them so they pick up pollen, that's an exchange to sort, a trade, so I thought to myself, the most popular trading port that attracts a lot of people with what it has to offer" Bruce explained then paused to make sure everyone was following.
"It's Talmrdon's Oasis which happens to be bordered at the south by an ocean and known to the locals as 'the city of nectar', then pledge at the graveyard, while underwater it's most likely there's an area full of wrecked ships hence the term 'graveyard' and when taking a pledge, the hand points diagonally to the left, this is probably the path to the desert which needs no rain that should be a polar region and there's a constellation that's supposed to align around 9pm this coming Sunday, when the image is drawn, wherever it points to must be where the children are hidden" Bruce explained.
A round of applause followed Bruce's explanation, all who were present were really impressed.
"Thank you boy, I believe it's time for your mythic evolution so you have my permission to leave with your supervisors" Mr Freddie said.
The students excitedly followed the supervisor to a tower they had only ever walked past, the inside made them gasp in awe, contrary to the other building that were decorated to brim with technology, this place had a more natural feel.
"Welcome to the evolution tower or as I like to call it, the eye of mother nature" Mrs Catherine said.
Inside the tower was a mega garden with lush vegetation, a lake and a meadow. The room opened in and through it defended a circulate compartment containing the MoonShadow flower.
"Now the circular compartment is the regulator, it will harness the energy of the flowers nectar and transfer to you gradually to avoid an energy overload in your body, now once you have absorbed the energy completely, you will let out a battle cry unconsciously so don't feel embarrassed when that happens" Mr Thales explained.
Bruce was asked to go first, he stood in the center of the room beneath the stabilizer.
"Alright Bruce, i will start the energy transfer now" Mr Thales said.
A stream of energy shot out of the stabilizer on Bruce, he felt the energy pulse through him, enlarging his energy pool, intensifying the potency of his spiritual energy and slightly granting him a more muscular build. 
As the process reached it's climax, Bruce began to levitate until he was less than a hand span beneath the stabilizer, taking a deep breath, he let out a loud battle cry invoking lightning and thunder in the sky before the process came to an end.
As Bruce landed back on the ground, his iris shone with a bright blue light.
"I can see and hear it all, multiple Al interacting, transfer of information, I can access it all" Bruce smiled.
"You are now as powerful as an S rank mage which means the military academy ranking system won't be used on you anymore but that doesn't mean you should stop training, after the academy, there will be no ranks, you can only know your someone stronger than you is thier aura" Mrs Catherine replied.
The others took their turns, all having an outburst of power that invoke their abilities and soon they were done.
"You were supposed to leave tomorrow but with the destruction of the accomodations, you will be returned to your respective schools this evening" Mrs Catherine said.
"Before we leave, can I say something to them?" Bruce asked motioning to the building where the meeting was taking place.
"I believe so" Mr Thales said before leading them there, the Corporal was asked to inform the overall heads about Bruce's request which they granted.
"I know it's not in place but firstly I want to ask a question" Bruce said looking at Mr Freddie who nodded.
"What's going to happen to Alphite Industries?" Bruce asked.
"They are going to be closed down" A subordinate by the name of Major Payne replied.
"I believe there's an alternative solution" Bruce said making sure to pick his words wisely.
"There's no wa-" Major Payne's reply was halted by a hand sign from Mr Freddie .
"What do you have in mind young Athena?" Mr Freddie asked.
"The main motivation behind the Prime Force's motive is lack of law and order, the population of mages that secretly use their powers to terrorize innocent Primals. So I propose that a school be opened here, the place where I am from and others I have been to, there are kids who can't afford to go to military academy let them be enrolled here for free, mold them into a task force fit to show the Primals that we are not monsters, that we also respect law and order create a police school, let Alphite Industries widened it's venture" Bruce summarized.
"There will be a large number of mages hoping to get into a free school for mages, how are do you suggest we sort out the population? 2nd question, you can't expect mages to be properly tutored by people without abilities, what's your solution to that? Lastly, how do you suppose this task force should operate with weapons without looking like they're another mage killing group?" Mr Freddie asked.
Many were nervous about the exchange going on between the highest ranking member of the military and a first year student at military academy, for the scientists and the workers their hopes had been rekindled, for the others, they weren't sure how Mr Freddie would react if he wasn't satisfied with Bruce's answers.
"For the first question, a modified version of the trial done for admitted students at military academy should be done as a form of screening for them, then the best will be selected according to the quota approved for them. For the 2nd question, Alphite Industries should be transformed into a balanced ground comprising both Mages and Primals, it would serve as an example for others than mages and Primals can leave together. For the third question, I believe Alphite Industries will be able to modify the weapons used to attack into non lethal weapons maybe using ammunition like paralytic toxins and such" Bruce replied.
"Also to avoid another situation whereby this place is infiltrated again, the location should be changed, Telepathic mages from the MMA should be allowed to fo through the thoughts of every staff hired and to be hired, amd the source of funding of course will be the current sponsors and shareholders" Bruce added.
"Personally, why do you feel this industry shouldn't be shut down?" Mr Freddie asked.
"I have always dreamed of being the first mage to ever work at Alphite Industries, I have seen the good their innovative inventions have done for the world, even when they said I would need to have some form of military background, I wasn't and still am not dissuaded, this industry in my opinion will play a crucial role in our victory in the war with the right support and proper nurturing" Bruce replied.
Mr Freddie seemed to be in deep thought, the tension in the room at that point was sky high.
"Everyone other than the MMA officials step out, we will call on you after we have deliberated on the matter" Mr Freddie said.
The students and the others stepped out as ordered.
"That's was really brave of you Bruce, I didn't even think they was any hope for us again" Mr Thales said.
"I just hope it doesn't become false hope" Bruce sighed.
A few minutes later, Alphite Industries individuals were asked to come back in.
"Good luck" Bruce said as they left.
After another grueling 30 minutes, the students were finally asked to come back in, Bruce was made to stand before them once again.
Mr Freddie looked around for a few minutes, receiving nods from the other MMA officials except Major Payne, the tension still in the air, he signaled to Mr Elliot Randal who stepped out in front of Bruce.
"Congratulations Bruce Devin, welcome to Alphite Industries" He said.

Book Comment (66)

  • avatar
    auliazahra

    good story, a challenging and interesting story to read in your free time

    06/05

      0
  • avatar
    HabibiHicham

    very Nice

    20/02

      0
  • avatar
    PaulaAna

    bom

    18/10

      0
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