Chapter 312: Vanguard

Words : 2630 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Noah stared at his phone screen, re-reading the message for the tenth time as his friends looked on with expectant faces. "The Supreme General?" Sophie whispered, her eyes wide. "Not just someone from the Ark, but the Supreme General himself?" "What does it say?" Kelvin asked, practically bouncing with curiosity. Noah looked up, his mind racing to connect the dots. "The Supreme General is the leader of the EDF stationed on the Ark. While you all got messages from the Ark's administration, I got a personal summons from the Supreme General himself." Lucas's eyebrow arched slightly—the closest he ever came to showing surprise. "That's... unprecedented." "It must be because of your reawakening," Sophie reasoned. "An SSS-ranked talent with void manipulation abilities? That's exactly the kind of asset they'd want personal control over." Noah nodded slowly. "The message says I'm to report to the Eastern Launch Facility in 48 hours. No explanation beyond that." Kelvin pulled out his phone. "Mine says the same thing—Eastern Launch Facility, 48 hours." "Same here," Lucas confirmed. Sophie nodded. "Mine too." They exchanged glances as the implications settled over them. "We're being summoned by the Ark," Kelvin breathed, a mixture of excitement and fear coloring his voice. Noah shook his head. "Not just us. Look at the message header—'Elite Operations Program: Vanguard Initiative.' This sounds bigger than just the four of us." "What about Lila?" Sophie asked quietly. "Should we try to contact her?" "She's already gone," Noah said. "And she has her own mission now." Lucas cleared his throat. "The timing can't be coincidental. Just after a major Purge attack, we all receive summons for this program? Something significant has changed." Noah pocketed his phone, a strange calm settling over him. "Then we'd better start packing." --- The Academy 12 cleaner's quarters were located in the service wing of the campus—a complete opposite to the sleek design of the student dormitories. Noah knocked on the simple metal door, rehearsing what he would say. When the door slid open, Mrs. Harper's weathered face broke into a warm smile that quickly faltered as she took in Noah's serious expression. "Noah? What's wrong?" "Can I come in, Mrs. Harper?" Mrs. Harper stepped aside, allowing Noah into her modest living space. Despite the utilitarian furnishings provided by the Academy, she had managed to create a homey atmosphere with small potted plants and colorful throws. "I've been summoned by the Supreme General," Noah said without preamble, watching as Mrs. Harper's eyes widened in shock. "As part of something called the Vanguard Initiative." "The Supreme General? From the Ark?" Mrs. Harper whispered, sinking into her worn armchair. "But... you're a first-year student." Noah sat on the edge of the coffee table across from her. "A lot has changed since I arrived at Academy 12, Mrs. Harper." "I heard rumors," she said hesitantly. "About what happened at the Nexus Arena. That you saved people. That you... manifested new abilities." Noah nodded, realizing how little he had shared with his guardian. Since being under her care at age twelve, he'd kept his distance emotionally—a habit formed from years of feeling abandoned. But she had always been kind, always stable, always there. "I reawakened," he confirmed. "They're classifying me as an SSS-ranked talent now." Mrs. Harper's hand flew to her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. "Oh, Noah. That's... that's extraordinary." "I should have told you sooner," he admitted. "Everything happened so fast." Mrs. Harper reached out, gripping his hands in hers. "And now they're taking you away." "It's an opportunity," Noah said gently. "To make a difference. To find answers." A tear slipped down Mrs. Harper's cheek. "I'm going to miss you," she said simply, her voice breaking. "I know I'm just your guardian, but—" "You're more than that," Noah interrupted, surprised by the emotion in his own voice. "You've been the only constant in my life for five years, Mrs. Harper." Mrs. Harper pulled him into a fierce hug, and Noah found himself returning it, realizing how much she had come to mean to him despite his carefully maintained emotional barriers. When they separated, Noah reached into his void storage—a pocket dimension where he kept his most important possessions—and withdrew a small data chip. "This is for you," he said, placing it in her palm. "What is it?" "All the credits I earned from the betting pools during the tournament," Noah explained. "It's not a fortune, but it's enough for you to finally take that sabbatical you've been talking about. Maybe visit your sister on the Southern Colonies." Mrs. Harper immediately tried to hand it back. "Noah, I can't accept this. That's your money. Your future." "My future is being decided for me right now," Noah said with a small smile. "Please, take it. You've done more for me than anyone, and asked for nothing in return." After a moment of hesitation, Mrs. Harper closed her fingers around the chip and nodded. "Promise me you'll be careful out there," she whispered. "The Ark, the EDF... it's not just about honor. There are politics and dangers—" "I'll be fine," Noah assured her, though he knew it was a promise he might not be able to keep. "I've got good friends with me." They embraced once more before Noah left, neither mentioning that this might be the last time they saw each other. The next day came faster than the group anticipated. The group had gotten up early to prepare for their journey to space. The Eastern Launch Facility sprawled across what had once been a coastal nature preserve, its gleaming towers and launch pads looking different from the carefully maintained wilderness that surrounded it. As Noah, Sophie, Kelvin, and Lucas approached the main reception area, they were surprised to see dozens of other young people arriving—some in academy uniforms they recognized, others in styles from schools they had only heard about. "Look," Kelvin whispered, nodding toward a tall girl with distinctive blue-streaked hair. "That's Nikita Seth from Academy 3. She's supposed to be some kind of prodigy with sound manipulation." "And that's Talon Reed," Lucas murmured, indicating a serious-looking young man with close-cropped hair. "Academy 9. He set records in their combat trials last year." "They've pulled people from all the academies," Sophie realized. "This isn't just about us." A sharp electronic tone cut through the murmur of conversations, and the massive screens around the reception area lit up with the EDF insignia. "Welcome, candidates," announced a crisp voice over the facility's sound system. "Please proceed to Briefing Hall C for mission orientation." The assembled students exchanged glances before moving as directed, speculation rippling through the crowd. The briefing hall was a semi-circular amphitheater with rows of seats facing a central podium. As they filed in, Noah noticed armed EDF personnel stationed at regular intervals around the perimeter—their expressions inscrutable behind mirrored visors. Once everyone was seated, the lights dimmed, and a holographic display sprang to life above the podium. It showed a three-dimensional model of the solar system, with Earth highlighted in blue. At the very edge of the projection, red markers pulsed ominously. A woman in the distinctive white uniform of an EDF Commander strode to the center of the stage. Her silver hair was pulled back in a severe bun, and her posture radiated authority. "I am Commander Elise Ken," she announced without preamble. "What I am about to share is classified at the highest level." She gestured toward the holographic display, and the view zoomed in on the red markers. "Three days ago, our deep space monitoring stations detected Harbinger scout ships at the edge of our solar system. Their energy signatures match those from previous incursions, but their numbers..." Commander Ken paused, her expression grim. "Their numbers suggest this is not a scouting party, but the vanguard of a larger force." Murmurs swept through the audience. "Our conventional defenses would be ineffective against an invasion of this scale," Commander Ken continued. "Which is why the Supreme General has activated Protocol Vanguard—a contingency plan developed for precisely this scenario." The hologram shifted to display a massive orbital structure positioned between Earth and its moon. Beyond it, in the distance, the enormous silhouette of the Ark was visible—humanity's ultimate refuge and command center. "This is Vanguard Station," Commander Ken explained. "The newest addition to Earth's defense network and the headquarters of the Elite Operations Program. You have been selected because you represent the best talents our academies have to offer—regardless of your year or specialization." Noah felt Sophie's hand find his in the darkness of the hall. On his other side, Kelvin was practically vibrating with excitement. "You are no longer academy students," Commander Ken stated. "From this moment forward, you are Vanguard operatives. Your training will be accelerated, specialized, and unlike anything you've experienced before." The hologram shifted again, zooming in on the Vanguard Station to display its internal structure. "You will depart for the station in three hours. Once aboard, you will be assigned to operational teams and begin your new training regimen immediately." Commander Ken's gaze swept across the assembly. "Make no mistake—this is not an honor. This is a necessity. Earth faces an existential threat, and you are now on the front lines of its defense. Dismissed." As they exited the briefing hall, a uniformed EDF officer approached their group. "Eclipse, Reign, Grey, and Pithon?" the officer confirmed, scanning their faces. "I'm Lieutenant Hayes. You've been assigned to Tour Group C for station orientation. Please follow me." Kelvin glanced at Noah, eyebrows raised. "Special treatment already?" "More like they're keeping tabs on the troublemakers," Sophie whispered. Lieutenant Hayes led them through a series of security checkpoints, eventually arriving at a small briefing room where several other students were already waiting. "Your shuttle departs in ninety minutes," Hayes informed them. "In the meantime, Lieutenant Commander Reeves will provide you with a virtual tour of the facility." A tall, dark-skinned man with a closely trimmed beard stepped forward, activating a holographic display at the center of the room. "Welcome to Vanguard Station," he began, his deep voice carrying easily across the room. "Unlike traditional academies, the station is organized by function rather than year groups." The hologram displayed a rotating model of the space station—a massive structure with three interconnected rings rotating around a central hub. "The Central Command Hub connects directly to the Ark via quantum beast core communications," Reeves explained, zooming in on the central structure. "This is where mission directives originate and where you'll receive your assignments." Kelvin raised his hand. "Sir, what kind of missions will we be running?" "Intelligence gathering, counter-insurgency, defensive operations, and direct combat if necessary," Reeves answered matter-of-factly. "The Harbingers aren't our only concern—the Purge has been increasingly active, and we believe there may be connections between the two. You'd also find the wildlife there to be very wild!" The hologram shifted to display a section of the outer ring. "These are the Simulation Decks—advanced training environments capable of replicating various planetary conditions and gravitational fields. Your training will be primarily scenario-based rather than classroom instruction." As the tour continued, Noah found his attention drawn to the massive silhouette of the Ark visible through the briefing room's window. Somewhere on that colossal vessel were the answers he'd been seeking his entire life—the truth about his parents, about why they had abandoned him. 'I'm coming for you,' he thought, a mixture of determination and apprehension settling in his chest. 'One step closer.' After the briefing, they were given a short period to say their goodbyes. The launch facility had designated several areas for farewells, recognizing that many of the selected operatives had family or friends who had come to see them off. For Kelvin, this meant a tense conversation with his father, Webb Pithon. "This is reckless," Webb Pithon was saying as Noah approached. "After what happened on Cannadah—" "That was different, Dad," Kelvin argued. "We were unprepared. We didn't know what we were facing." "And you think you know now?" the older man challenged, his voice rising. "The last off-world mission ended with almost all the third years wiped out by a single Harbinger encounter! And now you're volunteering to—" "I'm not volunteering," Kelvin interrupted. "I was selected. And I'm going." Webb Pithon closed his eyes, visibly struggling for composure. "Your mother would never forgive me if something happened to you." "The dead have no feelings!!" Kelvin yelled back then sighed and straightened watching his father's expression. "Mom would understand that someone has to fight," Kelvin said quietly. "I'll be fine, Dad. I've got Noah, and Sophie, and even Lucas watching my back." The mention of Noah seemed to remind Webb Pithon of his presence. He turned, fixing Noah with an appraising look. "Eclipse," he acknowledged. "I know you've come into some impressive abilities." Noah nodded. "Yes, sir." "Watch out for my son," the man said simply. It wasn't a request. "Always," Noah promised. Kelvin rolled his eyes. "I don't need a babysitter, Dad." "No, but you could use someone to stop you when you get too excited about exploding things," his father countered, a hint of a smile finally softening his stern expression. Their goodbye ended with a fierce hug, his dad holding his son as if afraid to let go. Across the room, Noah spotted Cora—Kelvin's girlfriend? It was still unclear what they were. She was waiting by one of the large viewing windows. When Kelvin finally extricated himself from his father's embrace, he made a beeline for her. Noah turned away to give them privacy, only to find Sophie standing beside him. "Ready for this?" she asked quietly. "No," Noah admitted. "But when has that ever stopped us?" Sophie laughed softly. "Fair point." They watched as Kelvin pulled Cora into a kiss that drew whoops and claps from nearby students. When they finally separated, both were flushed and smiling despite the circumstances. "Lucas?" Noah asked, scanning the crowd. Sophie nodded toward the large windows overlooking Academy 12 in the distance. "Saying goodbye in his own way." Lucas stood alone, his posture perfect as always, seemingly contemplating the campus that had been their home. As they watched, a small smile crossed his typically stoic features. "Boarding call for Vanguard Shuttle Alpha," announced the facility's PA system. "All assigned operatives report to Launch Bay 3." Noah looked at Sophie, suddenly reluctant to leave Earth behind. She seemed to understand without words, reaching for his hand and intertwining their fingers. "Together?" she offered. Noah nodded, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Together." They moved toward the launch bay, where Kelvin and Lucas soon joined them. As they approached the sleek shuttle that would carry them to orbit, Noah reached into his void storage with his free hand, retrieving a small silver coin. Its surface gleamed in the artificial light. He stared at the stylized solar eclipse insignia. 'One day,' Noah promised himself, closing his fingers around the coin. 'One day I'll give this back and demand answers.' He tucked the coin away as they reached the boarding ramp. Ahead lay the vastness of space, the Vanguard Station, and beyond that, the Ark—where the Supreme General waited, and perhaps, the truth about his past. Noah took a deep breath and stepped forward, his friends at his side, toward whatever destiny awaited them among the stars.

Chapter 312: Vanguard

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