QT: Against My Will-Chapter 558 - 8.75 - Vacation Ends, Danger Begins - Monster Heist
╔═══ Author’s note ════╗
Chart for better imagination.
Shina - 10% omega / 90% alpha
Liam - 100% Alpha
Juliet - 100% Alpha
Douglas - 100 % Delta
Alain - 65% Delta/ 35% Beta
Laura - 35% Delta / 65% Beta
Aria - 10% Delta / 90% Beta
Henry - 5% Delta / 95% Beta
Bertha - 100% Beta
╚═════════════════╝
After the bus pulled to a stop, Shina’s team started collecting their bags.
"It’s back to the hellhole, isn’t it?" Laura remarked with a slightly forlorn expression. She glanced around, observing the new batch of reservists (off-duty soldiers) that arrived to fulfill their 2-month-a-year quota.
Arua smiled, gently elbowing her, "We knew what we signed up for."
Upon entering the barracks, the LADs were immediately ushered into a large hall for the debriefing.
A commanding officer was waiting, and as they took their seats and picked up the documents on their desks, he began with the rundown, "Ladies and gentlemen, while you’ve been enjoying your leave, things here have been quite busy here. We’ve had a series of events, notably near the second layer of the barrier."
He pointed to a large screen behind him, which flickered to life, showing a hazy aerial image of the barrier. Dark, colossal shapes loomed in the mist, and faint static lines ran across the screen.
"The cameras, which usually managed to fetch us clear images, have been malfunctioning. We believe there’s some form of interference beyond the second layer, perhaps an even stronger EMP or another force we haven’t identified yet."
He continued, "There have been growing reports of scouts disappearing in that region. Last month alone, we deployed ten scouts, and sadly, only six made it back — severely traumatized and with little recollection of what occurred."
"Our engineers are working on building drones that can withstand whatever force is present there, but it’s a work in progress. Meanwhile, ground operations beyond the second layer were temporarily halted until we can ensure the safety of our personnel. I need not emphasize how critical this situation is. We have to ascertain what’s happening there, and if it poses a threat to our operations and our very existence."
The room grew more silent with every word, the weight of the situation pressing down on everyone.
The commander continued: "In two days, you’ll be taking shifts with three groups of LADs to ensure continuous surveillance and coverage. For now, get reacquainted, catch up on your training, and be prepared."
· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·
The sun shone brightly over the training grounds where the reservists were diligently working through their drills, showing they were no amateurs.
Parents, many of whom had served themselves, ensured their children were well-prepared, turning family backyards, playgrounds, and sometimes even after-school activities into mini boot camps.
It was in this atmosphere of competence that the LADs entered the training grounds. Their mere presence caused a momentary pause, and all eyes turned to them. They acknowledged the elites with nods of respect before carrying on.
Shina grinned as she saluted Sergeant Rills, "Sir, we are here to reacquaint ourselves and catch up on some training."
Sergeant Mills returned her salute with a nod, "Always an honor to have you with us, Night."
When the LADs began their warm-up, it was immediately clear this was not the typical regimen the off-duty soldiers were familiar with.
· · ───────── · ⊱❈⊰· ───────── · ·
Near the starting line of the obstacle course stood a storage hall with several robust storage units—where one could stock their pockets and bags with invaluable raw materials and equipment.
Douglas, Alain, and the rest of the Alphas strapped on some basic weights — dense, metallic shin guards, a heavy vest, wristbands and anklets, and a compression suit with weight pads.
Each guard weighed as much as a bag of sand, yet they moved as if they were merely wearing regular protective gear.
This exercise was as much about balance, endurance, and strategy as it was about raw strength.
Bing Shi couldn’t match their strength no matter how much she built her muscles. Her options were to extend her pill’s effects or begin cultivating this body. Having been cultivating her original body (inside her space), she was reluctant to invest the same effort in this one.
The duration of her pills was still on level 1. So how was she able to carry all the weight?
Bing Shi took off her jacket for better mobility. Beneath the tattoos, her tank top clung to her form, highlighting her athletic build. But what truly captured the attention of those around her was the sleek exoskeleton she wore underneath.
The exoskeleton’s back structure traced the curvature of her spine. Spanning outward from the spine were delicate, web-like structures that resembled gossamer wings.
Moving down to her arms, the exoskeleton seamlessly integrated with her natural limbs, enhancing her strength and agility.
· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·
° Felicia fought back the urge to shed tears. The cost of the bus seemed trivial compared to the custom-made exoskeletons she bought for Shina, Henry, Laura, and Aria.
° However, it wasn’t the exorbitant price that gnawed at her insides. The custom fitting process for such a device was agonizing beyond words. She could feel it on her own and had to leave her lady’s body because she couldn’t bear the pain.
° The exoskeleton suits were the only means for Betas to level the playing field with the Deltas.
° Because Shina was perceived as an Alpha, she had received a few mocking laughs from the soldiers when she had first put it on. Their amusement, however, was short-lived when she left them scrambling to adjust to her tempo.
° ’Do you want to switch places with me?’
° ’~I don’t want to embrace myself yet.’
° Bing Shi was looking for a way to switch her body with Dai An, so she could move without having a need to have a host to control (Like her or Silvia for example). The exoskeleton she wore was connected to her muscle nerves and was not advanced enough for Dai An to operate it on her own.
· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·
Aria stood beside the towering wall, her eyes calculating its height.
Beside her, Douglas flexed his hands, ready for the challenge, "It looks higher than before."
"A hundred feet with no grips," Henry mused.
(100 feet = 30.5m)
Aria with her nimble frame, looked up, "It’s not the height that worries me; it’s what comes after." Her gaze shifted to the muddy water pit.
Towering walls, reaching over one hundred feet, had to be scaled without the aid of ropes or grips. Following this were deep pits filled with black water. The soldiers had to jump down and swim across while being weighed down by their gear, pushing their lungs and limbs to the limit.
Bing Shi attached a compact communicatie to the side of her ear. Clearing her throat, she spoke with a hint of authority, "Can everyone hear me?" Her voice resonated, waiting for responses from the team.
As if on command, a certain group of LADs suddenly erupted off the ground. The force of their jump sent a gust of wind rustling the sand beneath them. The ascent was rapid, like arrows released from a bow, their trajectories unfailing and confident.
To the spectators, it was as if they were watching a human embodiment of rockets launching. In a blink of an eye, they stood side by side on the summit, their silhouettes sharp against the backdrop of the sky.
One of the reservists, eyes wide, turned to his mate and whispered, "That’s their warm-up?"
Sergeant Rills, trying to keep the atmosphere light and the morale of his reservists intact, shouted to the group of elites, "Alright, LADs, no need to show off! Remember, we’re the ones you’ll be calling for backup!"
The training ground erupted in laughter, both from the LADs and the reservists.
The rest of the LADs followed the lead, determined not to be overshadowed by Shina’s team.
The feats of strength and agility displayed by the LADs were staggering. Their rapid, high jumps seemed to defy gravity.
Their balance on unstable platforms appeared superhuman. Each move was executed with precision, finesse, and a level of intensity that left the onlookers in awe.
· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·
Later the same day...
The military reservists found themselves standing in a vast, dimly lit arena. Overhead, suspended platforms hovered, some stationary, others moving unpredictably.
Sergeant Rills stepped forward. "Welcome to the Tied Trust!" he announced, his voice echoing. "This exercise is all about trust, communication, and, of course, teamwork. Flying and carrying each other during this exercise is prohibited. Therefore, you are free to choose your own teammates. It’s crucial to pick teammates you know and understand."
Shina’s eyes instinctively sought out Laura and Aria. Both Laura and Aria looked up and nodded. If teams were to be made, it was always best to pick someone of similar height.
"Your mission..." Mills began, "...is to navigate this arena and make it to the central platform. Only the unblindfolded members can see, but they can’t talk. The blindfolded person will communicate instructions solely through whispers in the earpiece. And remember, the roles reverse every two minutes."
All the groups were placed at different spots in the arena. Each member received a blindfolding helmet with a microphone. The person in the middle was tied up completely.
