Chapter 176: Planet Palatine
Chapter 174
Stepping through the gate one by one, the line finally reached squad Kai.
Doing exactly as those before them had done, they gripped each other’s shoulders tightly and then stepped forward, the swirling orange vortex swallowing them whole.
***
After stepping through two different gates during their time in the Corps, they were somewhat accustomed to the peculiar sensation of hairs tingling and the mind being unnaturally heightened.
Walking out of the swirling vortex, the teens’ feet hit an orange ground that appeared as if it were scorched badly by a blazing sun.
Ray’s observation was immediately on point because the moment they stepped out, it felt like being thrown into a heated sauna.
No... it was more akin to standing near an active volcano as the sun bore down on them mercilessly.
This environment was terribly hotter than anything they had experienced on Alcatraz.
Just as Sony had taught them, beast planets possessed vastly different ecosystems compared to their home, so they shouldn’t have expected something similar upon arrival.
But still, this was absolute torture, as the kids were unable to even lift their heads to gaze at the sky without their eyeballs feeling like they were being fried in their sockets.
’Damn it... luckily, I’m not a vampire; otherwise, I would have turned to ash by now,’ Ray mused silently as he followed the others and stood off to the side to allow those who hadn’t yet emerged to come through.
’... You know, it’s cases like this where I’m grateful for having a werewolf bloodline instead of a vampire one.
Just imagine being unable to walk under the sun and having to carry umbrellas everywhere I go. Or only being able to operate at night. What a huge disadvantage. That’s not even the worst part. Imagine sucking on the blood of my fellow humans.’
Ray’s face twisted into an expression of pure disgust as he almost felt like throwing up just thinking about it.
’Yuck.’
As more Aspirants were popping out of the portal, Ray decided to let his gaze wander from his current position.
He could see several militants standing around the perimeter; some walked past with purpose, while others just observed the teens while whispering amongst themselves.
— It’s that time of the year, eh?
— I think so. But isn’t it too early though? Did something happen back there that forced them to push the expedition this early?
— We will never know.
Of course, he was able to overhear their words due to his heightened senses, but he didn’t particularly care about their speculation.
Aside from the militants, he could see normal people walking around with downtrodden expressions on their faces and weary postures.
They almost looked like zombies, though they moved much better compared to the teens, who were all flailing like fishes out of water due to the scorching solar rays.
Using his improved vision, he decided to take in the full sight of exactly where they had been transported.
The shelter stood like a stubborn scar in the middle of an unfamiliar planet. It wasn’t beautiful. It wasn’t welcoming—that part was more than clear already.
It was built strictly for survival.
High metallic walls encircled the entire compound, thick slabs of reinforced alloy rising several meters into the air.
The surface of the fortifications bore deep dents, scorch marks, and jagged scratches from past encounters, proof that whatever roamed this planet had tested its strength many times before.
The wind howled against the metal, but the structure did not budge an inch.
There was only one entrance.
A massive steel gate stood at the front, layered with heavy locking mechanisms and reinforced plating.
Two armed militants stood guard on either side, weapons strapped across their chests, eyes sharp and alert.
Above the gate, mounted watchlights and scanning devices slowly rotated, sweeping the surrounding terrain in silent, mechanical vigilance.
’Great! Another wall. From one wall to another.’
Inside the walls, however, the shelter resembled a compact military outpost.
Barrack-like buildings lined one side of the compound—simple, rectangular structures made from prefabricated metal panels.
These housing units were not only for the militants but also for the normal humans living on the planet, who didn’t even reach a total of two hundred souls.
The planet had been discovered just a year ago; hence, that was the primary reason why it hadn’t been fully conquered and why so few humans currently resided on it.
These barrack-like buildings also contained specific sections which served as temporary lodging for the students.
There was absolutely no luxury to be found here.
The accommodations consisted merely of basic bunk beds, storage lockers, and minimal lighting to navigate the cramped spaces.
Opposite the barracks stood a command building that was slightly taller than the rest of the structures, fitted with various antenna arrays and communication dishes bristling on its roof.
This was the central hub where the militants operated from, constantly monitoring the planet’s activity and coordinating various missions.
Between these metal structures lay an open training ground composed of packed dirt and gravel, heavily marked with boot prints and tire tracks.
Supply crates were stacked neatly against the perimeter walls, some labeled with prominent hazard signs.
Patrol routes were clearly visible from the constant, rhythmic movement of armed personnel circling the interior boundary.
The air inside the shelter felt controlled but undeniably tense. It was safe, yes, but not even remotely comfortable.
Beyond the high walls, the alien planet stretched out wide and unpredictable.
For a world that had been locked onto just a year ago, it felt incredibly strange for it to be chosen as the testing ground for the Aspirants.
Whatever the military high command was thinking, Ray didn’t know, but as long as he...
’Damn it! My skin itches. Scratch what I said earlier. I feel like a vampire now!’ the boy screamed inwardly as he began awkwardly scratching at his own body.
Looking at his squad to see if they were struggling with the heat like he was, his mouth widened in surprise.
Trisha looked as cold and detached as ever.
Even more so, in fact, as she was currently utilizing her ice ability to lightly coat her more exposed skin so as to cool off.
The technique wouldn’t have been evident if it wasn’t for the faint, misty air surrounding her body which rose into the dry wind.
Kai, on the other hand, didn’t even look like he was affected in the slightest, and neither did he surround himself with any protective aura.
He just stood there with a calm, stoic demeanor.
Chloe was having a much worse time than he was, so he felt a little elated at that observation.
’Ugh... not elated. What kind of person would I be if I found delight in the suffering of my fellow human?’
Blinking for a second as the realization hit him, Ray facepalmed himself right there in the dirt.
’Right. I’m no longer just a human. I’m a Tribrid.’