Arron stood at attention in the dimly lit physical training room with 10 other trainees.
They were standing in front of a platform that had just been set up by worker bots for the graduation ceremony of the 11 people standing there.
Arron only knew three of the 11 men standing next to him. Iboi, Temid, and a guy nicknamed Toothbrush or tooth because of his odd love of toothbrushes that he collected.
The M1 graduation ceremony happened once every week at noon to accept the new probationary members so they could fill in the empty spots due to death or early retirement.
This week’s graduation was supposed to be the same boring process as always. There would be no outside guests attending the ceremony, only the 11 graduates and the robotic professor who would handle all the paperwork.
But today was different as Chief Chesty had shown up and was now standing on the stage looking at the 11 new graduates.
“I know… and I am sure by now you also know… that M1 attracts many odd people. People with questionable backgrounds, as well as those who were given this job as a punishment.”
“With the completion of basic training your past no longer matters! You are now a probationary member of M1!” said chief Chesty as he looked out over the men standing in front of him.
“This is a fresh start for most of you, while for a few of you it is just the beginning of a new journey. I am sure that you all have heard about the dangers that some of you, but not all, will be facing. I suggest you give your utmost effort and join the brotherhood of the M1 in order to survive out there. Here at M1, we take this brotherhood more seriously than anything you’ve ever done in your life.”
“You must work well with your partner as well as your other team members. For those who will be patrolling outside under no circumstance are you to break communication with your unit logistics team! We do not allow lone wolves to stay active in M1 as it is the fastest way to get you and your partner killed!” said chief Chesty, as he glared at the men in front of him trying to look into their hearts and see which one of them would betray their oaths.
“You will come up here 1 at a time and recite the M1 oath, and then receive your new assignment and equipment if any is necessary. After you are sworn in, your government IDs will be updated in the system changing you from a regular citizen to a member of the M1.”
“Those of you who sweet-talked or had someone ask the higher-ups for favors just so you could get a better assignment such as officer better show me that you are giving 150% effort or you will be demoted. The M1 has no time to play your political games when the lives of other M1 members are on the line,” said chief Chesty as he stared at a few people for a few seconds.
Arron heard a low snort nearby but did not look to see who it was and just continued to look forward.
As soon as the chief stopped talking, work bots began moving a metal desk and several metal crates up onto the platform. White opaque noise-canceling walls materialized on each side of the platform and the rear leaving the front open.
“Luo Puh, you’re first!” barked Chief Chesty, who was now sitting behind the desk with the two hovering work bots nearby.
When Luo Puh walked up onto the platform a fourth opaque wall popped up blocking others’ view as well as all that was said inside.
One after another the graduates left the stage and lined back up, holding their new uniforms and any standard-issue equipment that was needed for their assignment.
“Arron Wynterz!”
Arron looked over to Iboi and Temid and gave a nod to them before leaving the line and climbing up onto the platform to stand in front of the desk.
The noise-canceling wall immediately materialized and made the small enclosure buzz with an odd muffled quietness.
“Take his measurements,” Chief Chesty ordered one of the work-bots with a wave of the hand.
The work bot flew over and promptly started its task.
“Unlike most of the other probationary members you already signed the papers so there is no need to do another oath,” said Chief Chesty.
The work bot floated away from Arron after taking the measurements and updating his profile.
It moved towards one of the metal containers and picked out two sets of the dark blue uniform.
Next to that container were two other containers. One held several light armor vests and old helmets while the other was filled with rows of worn and well-used DualPockmark’s as well as several fatboys.
The work bot did not pick up any of the armor or weapons and returned to Arron with just the uniform.
Arron looked to chief Chesty wondering what assignment he would be given, where he only needed a uniform.
Without a word, chief Chesty flicked his finger towards Arron.
Ding! Arron’s NerViz alerted him to a new document waiting to be opened.
[New job assignment: M1- ERF. Unit three of the Experimental Research Force.]
Ding! A second message notified him of his government ID changing: [Arron Wynterz, SCS: B, M1-ERF-M-031-3-239019]
“Due to the nature of your assignment, you will have to wait until after I finish up here. Then I’ll take you to receive your equipment and give you a more detailed explanation.”
With a wave of his hand, chief Chesty dismissed Arron.
When Arron was back in line Iboi and Temid, who had already received their tasks, both looked to Arron with a look asking what job he had received.
“ERF,” said Arron.
“Never heard of that before. I got the job you didn’t want. I’ve been assigned to garage #1 as a probationary mechanic,” said Iboi.
“Unit Logistics,” said Temid quietly.
When the last person received their orders chief Chesty stood up from the metal desk.
“Alright, you all have received your orders. Go report to your new job postings and get acquainted with your coworkers. For those who will be working outside on the front lines, be sure to put your best foot forward when you meet your partner. They are there to help you learn the ropes if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask them. Dismissed!”
Arron stayed behind as the others left the training room and boarded one of the Mag-shoots to head off to their new job postings.
“Arron, follow me!” said Chief Chesty.
He led Arron to a more secure Mag-shoot which needed several different identification measures to unlock.
As soon as they were in the mag-shoot it shot off to an unspecified place inside the M1.
The doors opened to reveal a large warehouse filled with broken weapons, vehicles, and other junk neatly stored on shelves or the ground in different sections of the large warehouse room.
Chief Chesty led Arron quietly through the maze of broken equipment which were all labeled with holographic name tags. There were many things on the shelves that did not look broken at all but had a heavy layer of dust covering them.
They stopped in front of a large metal container labeled [ERF Heavy Armor v16].
“Here,” said Chief Chesty as he rummaged around in the container and pulled out a black heavy parasteel chest armor.
Upon further inspection, Arron found that the heavy chest armor had what looked like rust-red paint caked onto it. It didn’t look all that old.
“You might want to put it through a Mist Vibrator since it still has a bit of its former owner covering it,” said chief Chesty, as he continued to rummage around in another box and pulled out a metal case for Arron to store the heavy armor.
