THE OMEGA RECRUIT

"Scott followed the maps directions to the barracks. When he arrived, he looked around in awe at its towering, uniquely designed structure."

He walked through the entrance, and standing in front of him was a woman, tall, muscular, and just a bit menacing.

She noticed Scott the moment he walked in.

He looked weak, brittle even.

"How did this bag of sticks get into Protocol?" she muttered under her breath.

Pushing back her chair, she stood and walked toward him, her boots clicking sharply against the floor.

"Good day, soldier."

"Good day, you ma'am."

Scott replied.

Unknown to him he was supposed to salute before replying, his casual response instantly put her off. She felt disrespected.

"Don't you know that you're supposed to salute before answering?"

Scott froze, stunned. He didn't know; he had no military background, and the barracks chief never cared much for formalities.

"What? was I supposed to salute?" Scott's, stomach tightened.

No one told me this stuff… am I already screwing up?" he thought.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," he replied hastily, throwing up a sloppy salute.

She sighed, disappointed, and rubbed her forehead.

"How did this guy even get into Protocol? Has our reputation gotten this low?" she muttered.

"Five minutes in, and someone already thinks I'm a joke," Scott thought bitterly.

"Maybe this was a mistake." He added.

"Send me your documents. I want to appraise them," she said, with authority.

"No....problem, ma'am. The barracks chief already approved them," Scott replied casually.

Her expression changed immediately, surprise flickered across her face, and for a moment she looked flustered.

"He did?" she asked, her voice barely masking the sudden uncertainty.

Scott noticed the change in her tone but kept a straight face.

"Wait a second..." he thought," She backed down fast.., Maximus must have some serious pull around here."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, then broke into a wide grin.

She placed her hands on her waist, composed herself then replied,

"I'm your Drill Sergeant. Sergeant Violet."

Scott straightened up slightly.

"Scott, ma'am. Scott McKnight."

She gave him a long look, raised an eyebrow, then said flatly,

"You're dismissed."

"Okay, ma'am. Thank you for your time."

He nodded quickly, stepped past her and headed straight for the dorms.

Sergeant Violet immediately pulled up the military records.

"Scott... Scott McKnight. Where have I seen that name before?"

She typed it in, eyes narrowing as she waited for the system to load.

When the file opened, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

"No wonder the Chief gave him special treatment..." she murmured, stunned.

Scott followed the map and arrived at the barracks.

As he walked down the hallway toward his room, he noticed the other cadets.

Many of them turned to look at him.

He could feel their eyes on him, hear their low murmurs as he passed:

"Is that him?"

"No way, that can't be him."

"I think it is…"

Their voices were hushed, but their curiosity was sharp and unmistakable.

Scott kept his head down, pretending not to notice, though every word made him feel a little bit awkward.

He finally located his room. The door slid open to reveal a sleek teal interior, clean, modern, and surprisingly sophisticated.

There was a cozy living room, a private bedroom, a compact gym, a fully stocked kitchen, and even an indoor garden that filled the space with a fresh, floral scent.

Scott breathed in, eyes wide with wonder. A flicker of excitement lit up his face maybe this place wasn't going to be so bad after all.

This is insane, Scott thought as he walked slowly across the room. A gym? A garden? This isn't a dorm it's a suite.

Is this what being a Protocol cadet gets you? he wondered, running his fingers along the kitchen counter. I could get used to this...

He smiled faintly to himself, thinking it was just part of the perks, the privilege of being a protocol cadet.

He walked in and paused, stunned by the sight.

Rows of clothes and shoes, every single one in his exact size, lined the sleek wardrobe. His gaze swept across the room, soaking in every detail.

For a moment, he stood frozen in awe,

drinking in the luxury.

Until a sudden, deafening voice blared through the intercoms, yanking him fully back to reality.

(ALL CADETS REPORT TO THE ASSEMBLY NOW. YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES)

"Ten minutes?!"

Scott's heart raced. Okay, okay, uniform, hat just don't screw this up.

Panic surged through him as he darted his eyes left and right, searching. There it is, his military uniform, hanging neatly on the wall.

He yanked it, nearly forgetting the bullet clasp as he fumbled to fasten it.

He bolted out of the room and made his way toward the assembly grounds.

The moment Scott stepped onto the assembly grounds, he felt it. Eyes dozens of them. Watching.

Why are they looking at me like that?

Did I mess something up already?

He quickly averted his gaze." Let's blend in."

Without another word, he slipped to the back of the line, trying to make himself as small and invisible as possible.

The barracks chief stepped onto the stage alongside several company commanders, each of them sharp in posture and presence.

Chief Maximus strode to the front with effortless command, his every step laced with authority.

He approached the podium, paused, and scanned the crowd. His eyes settled on Scott. For a brief moment, he smiled softly, knowingly.

Then he turned on the microphone, his voice ready to fill the silent assembly..

" Good day, cadets," Maximus began, his voice steady and commanding. "My name is Mr. Maximus Highways, and I am your barracks chief."

He gestured behind him. "Standing with me are your company commanders, the leaders you will serve under during your time here."

"You will be assigned to them indiscriminately, without preference or favor... except for the top five cadets." He paused, letting the words hang in the air.

"Those five will be placed directly under Company Commander Rick Jones."

Maximus paused for a moment, his gaze drifting toward Scott. He smiled again, subtle, but unmistakable before looking away.

Scott shifted uncomfortably. "Why is he doing that?" He thought, feeling the weight of invisible attention.

Maximus adjusted the microphone slightly and continued.

The reason this announcement was delayed," Maximus said, his voice calm.

" ls because our record-breaking number one recruit was late to deploy."

A quiet ripple moved through the crowd.

"Now that he's here," he continued, " we can proceed with assigning recruits to their respective company commanders."

He then added, "I'm now going to introduce Company Commander Rick Jones. Please, a round of applause."

The cadets erupted into polite clapping as Rick walked confidently to the podium, his chest held high and eyes beaming.

"My name is Rick Jones," he began, voice steady and firm. "I am Company Commander of the top five recruits, I am also decorated captain and a nano infused Nano Soldier."

The moment the words left his mouth, the crowd stirred.

Gasps. Whispers. Murmurs rolled through the lines of cadets like a wave.

"Oh my god… a real Nano Soldier?"

"Why didn't we get a Nano Soldier?"

"Is it because we weren't good enough?"

Some cadets glanced around, their expressions twisted with doubt, envy, or awe.

"If I had known would have worked harder."

"Silence!" Rick commanded.

The murmurs died instantly. The air tensed. Every cadet froze.

After a brief pause, his expression softened slightly. He took a deep breath and continued.

" As Rick spoke, "The reason the assembly was delayed..."

Maximus turned and stared at Scott for a few seconds.

Then he looked down at the ground, silent, before slowly facing forward again.

Scott's heart sank. "Oh no… I hope this isn't what I think it is…"

"I will now begin calling out the top cadets, the best of the best," Rick said firmly.

005 — John Torino.

004 — Faux Blunt.

003 — Cherry Bomber.

002 — Esosa Olu.

And the last… the most important… 001—"

Please no. Please no. Please don't say my—

"SCOTT SAW MCKNIGHT!"

—name.

His heart skipped a beat.

"Aw, so much for blending in."