Rules of nature

3 DAYS LATER

The supply shipments came from the nearby city to the base of the 4th Exemplar Division every week on Friday—which was also a day of complete rest and freedom for Exemplar squads on the base.

A dozen of dark gray trucks with symbols of the holy Halo and Sword painted on their sides, protected by three cars of Psi-Soldiers and a pair of angelic warriors, drove through the base's gate.

The workers who lived there immediately began moving crates with food and other utilities allotted to the entire division. At the same time, like bees on honey, every Exemplar and Esquire present came to get things brought specifically for them or their squads.

"Get into a line! Be patient, your things won't go back into the city without you!" the Quartermaster of the base shouted at the crowd, waving towards a post where a pair of burly Servants had been stacking crates into neat towers.

Like Exemplars, Esquires and Soldiers—like everybody in the Holy Dominion—Servants had their own uniform. It was a pleasant green color, although Zemin liked the navy blue of Exemplars and Esquires much more.

Zemin talked with Levana on the phone just yesterday, so he knew not to expect packages from his sister just yet. There was no point for him to stay in line—he would get his personal utilities and luxury items from the Quartermaster later, anyway.

He turned to move away from the crowd, but was spotted by another Esquire—a blond young man with hair gathered in a thin braid.

"Hey, you! The blond!" the Esquire waved at Zemin until he got his attention. "Where are you going? You will just leave your things there?" He gestured at the pile of boxes.

"What things are you talking about, mister?.."

"Gane. Gane from the 7th Exemplar Squad. And you are a newbie from the 4th, right? Didn't your teammates teach you how the stuff works out there?"

If there was something to teach, they were clearly too busy for it. Looking around, Zemin spotted Citri's colorful hair helping—or interfering with—a pair of unloaders. The rest of his squad was either hidden in the crowd or not present.

"My name is Zemin Gatti. Is there something I must know, Mister Gane?"

"It looks like it, Zemin. It's OK that I drop the 'mister', yeah? We are on the same level here. Anyway, this isn't like an academy or the army. You'd get more stuff if you perform well back there, but here… Well, there's little that you can't get if you have a high enough rating. Even if you have a low rating, you will get some things as an allowance of sorts. And all these are packaged out there in the city—the Quartermaster doesn't even open these, much less decide who gets what!"

"Oh. I see. So everybody gets a personal package?" Zemin looked back at the unloading truck. "Thank you, Gane."

"No problem." Gane waved his hand dismissively. "You might thank me later… Well, go get your things! Aren't you curious about what's there? Although, you can still take them later from the storehouse… Everybody who's out for a mission will do just that."

Zemin thanked the helpful man again and went to stand in the line. It was pretty short, but it took a while for the Servants to find the right package in the pile, so Zemin waited for a good twenty minutes until he got a modest package with his name on it.

Eager to find what's inside, he went straight back to his barracks, not paying much attention to his surroundings.

Only when Zemin had almost reached the end of his route, he finally turned to look at the trio that had been following him all that time.

"Gane? Do you need something?" he asked, eying him and his two companions. Both were men about Gane's age, and judging by their similar faces, they could've been brothers. Or at least cousins.

"Yeah. Your package, Zemin!" Gane grinned, not hiding his greed anymore. "If you fall to your knees and ask really nicely, I might even let you keep some."

Like general bullying, this was against the rules—but sometimes, rules served as a guidance rather than a command.

Zemin clenched his teeth. Whoever thought that must've been idiotic—because why else there were RULES if not so you could OBEY them?

"Is that something you do often? Robbing your own comrades?" Zemin asked.

"And what would you do if you knew? Snitch on us? Try doing that with a broken jaw!" Gane sneered, taking a menacing step toward Zemin. "Last chance to go home without new bruises!"

Zemin glared at him and his friends. But only for a moment.

"An Exemplar must not fight out of fear or anger. He must fight with only determination and hope in his heart, and use them as his sword and his shield," Zemin recited and pointed a finger at Gane. "I'm VERY determined to smash your head into the ground right now."

Gane raised his eyebrows incredulously. "Wow, you are a fucking arrogant—"

Without warning, Zemin threw his body forward into a telekinesis-enhanced jump. His fist flew like a bullet, connecting with the face of the shocked Gane.

"Guh!" The blond man fell to the ground, but immediately pulled himself to his feet with his own burst of telekinesis.

<This Void System enters combat mode. Running calculations… The enemy had partially dodged the attack at last moment. Estimating characteristics based on data available—should I tell you, Master?>

'Yes, System.'

<Reaction speed: D+. Your reaction D.< p>

Movement speed: E++. Your: D+.

Control: D. Your: D.

Psi-potential: E+++. Level of emotion: high. Your energy reserve: 25 units.>

'Speed E+? Psi-potential E+++? He is barely strong enough to be an Esquire. But can I take on him and his pals at once?'

"Guys, get him!" Gale shouted, only to wince and rub his jaw. "Let's teach him a lesson!"

'Doesn't matter. I will try, anyway! Void System, activate direct connection!'