Primordial Conquest

Chapter 24: Mission

Alexander made his way through the clean streets of Geronimo as he took in the sights of the only city he'd ever called home.

Six years ago Geronimo had been like any other city located on the bad side. A barely surviving wreck filled with hopeless people and even more hopeless children.

Back then, the buildings were severely neglected aged structures from earlier centuries that had been patched up a lot.

The roads had been barely functional, and energy was a luxury only the richest in the city could afford. The city's water plants could only operate at minimum capacity, providing just enough clean water to prevent widespread illness.

The trading centers were always short on the most basic of necessities. It always felt like a race just to get enough food to survive.

The communication systems available to those who could afford it were rudimentary. And entertainment options were limited to whatever propaganda the good side wanted them to see about how to make it there.

Most of the population worked in the massive extraction facilities that were all over the bad side. These industries were what most people speculated to be the cause of the different environments on the planet.

Sudrat had been blessed with an extraordinary abundance of natural resources found nowhere else in the N-4 Starseeker Galaxy.

This had attracted powerful Mornan families centuries ago, who quickly established control over these invaluable assets.

They had made a calculated decision to restrict all resource extraction operations exclusively to one part of the planet. The other part was developed into a paradise of advancement and luxury, while the bad side became increasingly depleted and polluted. This arrangement was done on purpose to create a permanent class of laborers out of the blue and red Mornans.

They were the original inhabitants of this planet before its value was discovered.

They were always told that they could eventually "earn" their way to the good side through decades of loyal service in the extraction facilities or processing plants.

The truth though, was that only a select few actually ever got to go there. But that was enough to give others hope to keep going.

Even those who didn't directly work in the facilities suffered from their presence. The extraction processes contaminated groundwater, released poisonous gasses into the atmosphere, and left vast areas permanently scarred.

The planet's immense resources was why certain Mornan ruling families had successfully petitioned to restrict Renegade interference on Sudrat.

Bastian becoming a Renegade and then a Sentinel was an unforseen complication for them. Looking at what Geronimo was now, Alexander couldn't help but smile.

In just six years, Bastain had transformed the city into something almost unrecognizable. Clean and smooth streets that lit up brightly when night fell. Renovated buildings and structures. An abundance in food and water.

Most importantly though, the joy on the faces of the Mornans living here. Bastain had given the people of Geronimo the hope they had lost generations ago.

Refugees from other cities had come here in waves, seeking asylum. Which was why the city was expanding every single day. And why the good side were trying their best to stop that.

Eventually, Alexander arrived at the newly constructed orphanage, the first project Bastian had prioritized before he even became a Sentinel.

Suddenly, he felt something pressed up against his lower back.

"That's far enough. Your days of running are finally over Alex." Came a high-pitched female voice from behind him.

Alex's expression instantly tightened as he raised his hands slowly in surrender.

"Whoa, e-easy there. There's no need to resort to that."

"Seems like you caught me fair and square after everything I did to get away from you."

"I'm sure we can come to an agreement." He said with a gulp.

"Hehe, I'm sure we can." A Blue Mornan child with bright yellow eyes, said with a giggle as she stepped back.

"Yahh! I finally caught you Alex! That means I get a reward!." She yelled as she jumped excitedly.

Alexander smiled brightly as he spun around and lifted her up into the air. "Hmm, it seems like you did, Mira."

"I suppose I'll need to do better at these games, I'd I want to keep them interesting" he mused.

Then, his expression suddenly turned serious.

"But from now on, don't leave the orphanage without supervision, especially not when it's dark. Am I understood?"

Mira nodded, still giggling, as her arms closed around his neck. "Sir yes sir."

He continued staring at her intently.

Mira gulped slightly.

"Okay i promise! I promise!""

"Good girl" Alexander praised with a chuckle as he carried her toward the orphanage.

The main building of the orphanage was a three floors tall structure flanked by two buildings, with a courtyard at the center of the compound. This was home to over three hundred children of various ages.

Unlike most structures in Geronimo, the orphanage had been completely rebuilt rather than merely renovated.

Several Renegade sentries patrolled the area. They were personally assigned to the orphanage by Bastain to ensure the children's safety.

Alexander made a mental note to scold them later for letting a child slip out so easily.

They greeted him with respectful nods as he walked by.

He said nothing as he entered the compound and headed towards the main building.

Mira suddenly looked up, her expression brightening. "Oh, Alex, you got a call earlier. From big brother Bastain. I heard Aunty Aou talking about it."

Alexander's steps halted as his expression darkened slightly.

"Oh, really? I suppose I'd better check it out now." he responded, setting her down gently.

"You should head to the dining room, dinner will be ready soon."

"Alright, but don't forget to get me a reward!" Mira shouted back as she dashed off excitedly.

_________________________________

Alexander ran to his room in a hurry, immediately playing the recorded message Bastain left him.

The holographic display flickered to life, projecting his brother's annoyingly jovial expression. "Arbus will commence his training in about a week, as soon as the current batches conclude theirs. I trust I don't need to remind you of your task. It's finally time for you to get off your ass and do some work."

"Also, pick up my calls faster next time. It's the whole reason I have you this, geez."

Alexander frowned as he turned off the one-way communication device. 'Who the hell does he think he is!?' he thought.

'Does he still think he can decide what I do with my life?'

he gritted his teeth slightly.

"Now he wants me to be a Renegade? After everything? Just for his stupid plan!" Alexander shouted.

He stared at the floor for several moments.

"Damn it."

Despite his resentment towards his brother, he couldn't deny the fact that he was happy about this deep down.

After all this time, Bastian had finally agreed to let him become a Renegade. Although the circumstances were far from ideal.

He sighed deeply, as he remembered the times when they would proclaim their dreams of becoming Renegades and changing the entire planet to Ms Tur.

It seemed Bastian had lost sight of that dream somewhere along the way as he focused on other matters.

Geronimo was now relatively better, but the same couldn't be said for every other city on the bad side.

He had also forbidden Alexander from becoming a Renegade, while making it impossible for him.

Until now, that is.

Which was what made him so furious.

The fact that his brother had deliberately held him back all this time, till what he deemed to be the right time for his grand schemes.

Alexander's expression shifted as he remembered the kid his brother had told him about years ago. "Arbus Kaelen" he murmured, "I truly wonder what my brother sees in you."