CHAPTER 100: OWN YOUR CHOICES

"All recruits, attention!" the sharp voice of an AMSO officer echoed across the grounds.

Everyone immediately paused, conversations cut off as the crowd turned toward the central platform where three officers stood, clipboards and digital tablets in hand.

"Based on written exams, physical tests, and observed abilities, initial classifications will now be announced. Recruits will be grouped per class for final briefing and uniform fitting. When your name is called, step forward."

A quiet murmur swept across the group. Shine muttered a playful curse, Beatrice narrowed her eyes slightly, and Lexa, though standing off with the other officers, folded her arms, gaze subtly locked on one person.

"The following names are placed under Class 5, basic support and non-combat roles."

Several names were read out, and a few people moved to the side with disappointed expressions.

"Now for Class 4: Operative Rank, qualified for controlled red zone access and field deployment with supervision."

The officer began reading names, and Theo kept his expression neutral, hands in his pockets.

"...Theodore Luther."

A few heads turned. Why? Because that name - Theodore Luther - had already caught attention earlier, not because of his test performance. He was the guy who had been surrounded earlier by three of AMSO’s most talked-about women.

Commander Lexa Spears, a well-known Class 1 and one of the sharpest tactical minds in the organization. Beatrice Smith, the capital mayor’s daughter and the current sweetheart of AMSO’s research team. And then there was Shine, the bubbly and adored Class 4 who had a reputation for lighting up any room she entered.

Whispers spread like wildfire as he casually stepped forward, expression unreadable. "That’s the guy?"

"Wait, he knows all three of them?"

"So he’s well-connected? Is the rank even reliable? What if he’s just Class 5?"

But Theo didn’t flinch. He didn’t even look back at any of them. He simply walked toward the west platform, exactly where all newly ranked Class 4 recruits were instructed to go.

Lexa exhaled sharply from her place among the higher-ups, arms folded across her chest, but her eyes never left him.

Beatrice’s brows knitted slightly, watching as Theo disappeared into the line with quiet tension in her jaw.

And Shine? Her smile twitched as she crossed her arms and muttered, "Class 4 buddies, huh? This’ll be interesting..." But before any of the three could speak to him-

"All Class 4 recruits, west platform! Move now!" one of the officers barked.

The tension shattered, and Theo went into the crowd.

The west platform buzzed with quiet chatter as dozens of newly ranked Class 4 recruits gathered in loose lines. The sun was sharp against the polished steel trims of their fresh uniforms, Steel Blue with Silver accents, the mark of operatives cleared for combat and deployment.

Theo stood silently among them, hands tucked into his pockets, expression calm but alert. He scanned the area subtly, noting security cameras, exits, and the instructors who now approached with the measured steps of seasoned soldiers.

One of them, a tall man with cropped silver hair and a scar running across his temple, stepped forward and barked, "Attention!"

The murmurs died instantly.

"I am Commander Rowen Vale," the man said. "You are now officially classified as AMSO Operatives, Class 4. That means your powers are stable enough for deployment in low to mid-threat red zones. You are not Class 3. You are not elite. You are support - efficient, disciplined, essential."

He paced in front of them.

"You will be trained. Monitored. Evaluated. Your performance on and off the field will determine whether you rank up... or wash out."

Another officer stepped forward, a woman this time, with piercing eyes and a clipboard.

"When your name is called, you’ll step forward, receive your sector assignment, and report to your designated squads by 0700 tomorrow."

Theo listened, calm and unreadable, as names were called. The crowd thinned gradually. Some were sent to medical and healing divisions, others to tech support or environmental hazard units.

Then-

"Theodore Luther. Field Operative. Combat Division, Zone 3-B."

He stepped forward with a nod, took his new badge and clearance chip, and quietly returned to line.

He could feel eyes on him. Especially Lexa’s. From across the platform, she watched with her arms crossed, face unreadable. Marlon stood beside her now, saying nothing, only glancing Theo’s way once with a knowing look.

Theo sighed quietly, dragging his fingers through his hair. All he wanted was to keep a low profile, quietly do his duty inside AMSO, and avoid unnecessary attention. But judging by the stares and whispers thrown his way, it was obvious things wouldn’t go as smoothly as he’d hoped.

Still, he was officially part of AMSO now. That alone was enough. If he had to be here, he would at least make the most of it - access to red zones, resources, and power. He could use it all to protect those he cared about.

After orientation, they were finally led to their designated quarters. Theo blinked as he entered a long, shared room lined with metal bunks on both sides. Ten beds. No privacy. No quiet.

Apparently, he was rooming with other Class 4 recruits.

He dropped his bag on the nearest available bed.

One of the guys, a tall, wiry recruit with cropped brown hair, stretched out on his bunk and started chatting. "Guess we’re stuck here together, huh?" he said, grinning. "Name’s Elian. Let’s make this not suck too bad."

A few others began introducing themselves in turn, and eventually, Elian let out a dramatic groan. "Seriously though... you know what sucks? Class 4 rooms have ten per room. Ten! You’d think we were still students."

Another recruit chimed in with a snort, "Class 2 gets three per room. And Class 1? Solo rooms with private bathrooms. Unfair, man."

"Yeah," Elian added with a chuckle. "Guess we’re still the grunts here."

Theo gave a faint smirk but said nothing. He wasn’t here to complain. As much as he preferred silence and space, this was a price he was willing to pay. For Aries. For the kids. For everything he had to protect.

And besides... this was just the beginning.

*****

"So you two know each other." Marlon stated, not a question.

Lexa stiffened slightly but didn’t answer right away. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. She remembered what she had said before, that she didn’t know Theo.

Now, she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say.

Marlon watched her carefully, then gave a small nod, his voice calm but firm.

"It’s okay. I understand why you let him off before," he said, not unkindly. "It’s in the past now. What matters is what you do moving forward."

Lexa lowered her gaze slightly.

"But you’re a Class 1 Commander now, Lexa," Marlon continued, his tone tightening just a bit. "I hope in the future you’ll follow the mission parameters and carry out the tasks assigned to you. We both know mistakes in our line of work can cost lives."

"Yes, sir," she replied quietly.

"You better prepare yourself," Marlon said with a sigh. "Because I’m sure Hayden will hear the rumors and call you in. We both know the truth now - Theodore is the one who’s been sneaking into red zones without authorization."

Lexa stiffened. "So you knew," she murmured, more to herself than to Marlon.

"I had my suspicions," Marlon admitted, his tone steady but not judgmental. "But I confirmed it after the stadium incident and then again when I reviewed the footage from the municipal red zone incident. The way he moved, the gear, the power control... it was him."

Lexa bit her lip. "I didn’t lie completely," she said quietly. "I just... didn’t tell the full truth. I didn’t name him during my report."

"I know. And I understand why you let him go back then," Marlon replied, softer this time.

"But you’re a Class 1 Commander now. You don’t get to choose which orders to follow and which ones to overlook. The chain of command matters. Integrity matters."

Lexa looked down, guilt tightening her chest. "I just... couldn’t turn him in."

"And I get that," Marlon said. "That’s why I stepped in. It took me a long night and more than a few heated words to convince Hayden not to have Theodore arrested for his past violations. Instead, we pushed for recruitment. Having Theo inside AMSO where he can be monitored and protected is smarter than forcing him to operate from the shadows."

Lexa’s head snapped up. "Wait, Hayden agreed?"

"With conditions. And he’s not happy. He still sees Theodore as reckless, unpredictable, and dangerous." Marlon paused, looking her in the eye. "And he knows you’re involved."

As if on cue, Lexa’s earpiece crackled to life.

["Commander Spears. Report to Supreme Commander Hayden’s office immediately."]

She swallowed hard.

Marlon just nodded at her. "Go. Face it. Own your choices."

Lexa stood, back straight. "Thank you... for not reporting me yourself."

Marlon said nothing, only giving her a firm nod.