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Adryan
Republic of Asfalte, Ceremony Hall of the Government Organization of the Territory, District No. 7, Year 2182, 3 years before the End of the World
Amid the applause of the government agents, the new officer received his insignia with respect and humility. Today was the graduation ceremony after a perilous mission that lasted nearly a year. It had been carried out by the agents of Sector 2, responsible for dismantling rebel plots aimed at destroying the republic. This was Mission R3-0, during which some had lost their lives.
The new officer proudly returned to his place among the others, in a royal blue uniform with silver borders, the colors of the republic. Our superiors were watching us, analyzing our behaviors from the seats opposite, near the platform where the master of ceremonies was delivering his speeches. Among them, I noticed a man who vaguely reminded me of someone— a smooth, shiny skull, a perfectly groomed graying beard, and eyes that could pierce any wall, no matter how solid.
"We now call Agent No. 2802-R, Adryan DeGarde, from Team No. 7."
With my posture straight, I stepped out of my row to approach the platform, beneath which stood the statue of a phoenix carved from ivory. On each side, the flag of the Republic, a dark blue, illuminated by the grandeur of the phoenix spreading its wings. The master of ceremonies moved forward, and I bowed to receive my honor medal and insignia.
My Identity Pass, the virtual identity card for all citizens, was projected in the middle of the hall, as it had been for the previous agents.
Status: Official agent of the O.G.T. in service of the Republic of Asfalte
Matricule: Citizen No. 2802-R
Name: DEGARDE
First Name: Adryan
Date of Birth: 01/12/2161
Place of Birth: Kingdom of Thilias
Address: Residence Azur - District No. 32
Implantation Date: 25/04/2174
Identity Photo
Biometric Characteristics (access information)
Medical Information (access)
Location Information (access)
Communication (access)
Emotional Gauge (access)
To my right, Chancellor Jian Xhang and his closest advisers were attending the ceremony. When my gaze met his, he developed a faint smile of courtesy, which I returned with a nod. The master of ceremonies exclaimed through the floating drone-microphone.
"As with every agent who has fought in the name of the Republic, it is on behalf of the government that we thank you. You are now Sergeant DeGarde."
A hand on my shoulder, he turned to face the assembly.
"All the teams present today have provided immense service to the nation, in this mission against the renegades!"
His brown face hardened when he mentioned the so-called renegades, and he took the opportunity to deliver the famous government speech. I stood to his left, straight, my blue eyes scanning the room. Everyone seemed absorbed in the passionate speech of the man holding me by the shoulder. His imposing hand was bothering me. I disliked anyone encroaching on my personal space. Normally, I would have quickly detached myself, but my duty forced me to remain composed.
"... It is thanks to men like the sergeant, barely 21 years old, who show courage and loyalty, that our country continues to rise again!"
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I felt uncomfortable, the center of attention. I had always preferred to stay in the shadows and act in discretion. This time, all eyes were on us. It was quite rare to send agents under the age of twenty-five on such missions, but my superiors had insisted.
"Should we not eradicate once and for all the vermin that breeds in our streets, corrupts our citizens, and conspires against the system? It will take time, but we will succeed!"
"Yes!" the assembly members all cried in unison, right hand on their hearts and left fist in the air.
"Should we not see the Republic triumph over its enemies?" he added.
"Yes!"
As he recited his speech, his hand still gripped my epaulet, which irritated me. But I had to endure until the end.
"Finally, after five long minutes, he released me, still proud of my achievements, amid applause."
Finally, I sighed. I then returned to the seat assigned to me, at the end of the line. The agent to my right, a man in his thirties with his hair slicked back with too much gel, whispered:
"By the way, congratulations on your rank. At twenty-one, it’s almost crazy, we can hardly believe it."
By "we can hardly believe it," he meant, "I would have liked to be in your place, I''m sure you don''t deserve it." His sarcastic tone and hypocritical smile conveyed this. I ignored his whispers, pretending not to hear. He didn''t deserve a response. The agent, who had not been promoted, continued, now leaning closer.
"Honestly, my comrades and I admire you."
This use of "you" and his insistence were starting to annoy me.
"You were in Team 7, under Major Hoang, right?"
My eardrum sent a sharp signal when his name was mentioned. Astria Hoang.
"That''s correct," I replied coldly.
My gaze was still fixed on the agents coming up to the platform, applauding when necessary. But my attention was focused on what my seat neighbor was about to say.
"By the way, with the members of Team 8, we''re really curious to know what happened during the raid in District 49. You know, the one where the major died."
My jaw clenched when I realized where he was going with this. That raid hadn''t been planned, and the major had lost her life without me being able to do anything. Thinking back on it made me want to destroy the one I was sure was responsible for this crime. He then got up, joined by the chancellor himself and the prime minister. His square stature, his arrogant and pompous demeanor strutted as though he had saved the nation. That was the official version, at least. He was the one who had pulled us out of the trap we had fallen into and killed the traitors.
"We end the ceremony with the man of the moment, the agent who was able to foil the treacherous plans of the rebellion. I introduce, General Marcs Cardogan," announced Chancellor Xhang boldly.
A torrent of applause poured down, and I was the only one who kept my hands on my ceremonial pants. The agent who had been questioning me all this time nudged me, and I would have gladly returned it.
"You''re not clapping? After all, it''s thanks to him that we all made it out alive! Oh really, I''ve decided, I want to be like him."
His eyes filled with admiration for this impostor. Just feeling his breath on me was giving me a headache. How could someone lie so openly and get away with it under applause? It was time for me to bring him down from his pedestal.
This resolve brought a brief smile to my face, and I met Cardogan’s gaze, clapping louder. His lower lip twitched in disdain, and his eyes pierced me. I held his gaze. I know everything, and I won''t let go.
The ceremony finally over, I got up to leave for a moment. The atmosphere in this room was suffocating me. In front of the doors of the vast amphitheater, I loosened the collar of my uniform, and a rough voice stopped me. I had already heard it. The high-ranking officer stopped near me as the others headed for their respective buildings. This ceremony didn''t exclude the work awaiting us. He placed his right palm on his chest:
"Glory to the Nation," he greeted me.
"Glory to the Nation," I replied with respect.
The solemn expression he had held until then faded. He straightened up:
"Do you remember me?"
An imposing stature, an aura that inspires trust and respect, a clean and smooth skull, penetrating gray eyes, and a perfectly groomed beard.
"You are Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander MacDouglas," I admitted without hesitation.
I wondered what he wanted from me. Especially since he had attended the ceremony even though he wasn''t part of Sector 2 agents, but rather from Sector 3.
His face lit up proudly :
"That''s right. We met at Astria’s funeral a week ago."
I narrowed my eyes for a moment and resumed my placid expression. It had been a very dark day.