Explorer Purpose

The bell rang, now for us to go to the classroom for the rest of this navigation lesson.

Back to sitting down it's now time to just wait for the class to begin.

"Alright, now that the main elements of navigation are set, it is time to know the true purpose of the basic explorer, considering that this is a class fo navigation. And despite not being skilled like the navigators. You have tasks to uphold as the basic explorers. You will also take part in navigation, though without the equipment of navigators, all of you have the task of looking around and to mark landmarks. Each and every single one of you will document the area around you, if one doesn't find a good landmark. Then another will find it. After expedition operations, you are to also hand your tablets to the navigators who in turn will archive every pinned location. So don't play around with the mapping systems, you're just pissing off the navigators."

Now a picture of an explorer, with a rod pointing up was shown.

"This is the radio operator, who will keep comms with the group, they may also communicate with all members if necessary, like getting lost and such."

"Back to the tasks of the average explorer, in the event, the commander wishes to cover a larger area. The group will be equally divided into smaller teams, about 20 strong each. They have a designated amount of time of being separated, once the time is up they will merge back into the main group. Explorers are expected to serve till death, hopefully all of you are prepared for the dangers to face once you are all outside of this city, on your own." The screen cuts to a picture of an explorer, one without a bag or other equipment, in both of his hands is a shovel and pickaxe.

"Yet another thing for the average explorer to do is act as a sapper of sorts for the group. Each explorer that doesn't have a special assignment will be ordered to dig or mine if necessary or if it benefits the expedition. This may happen if there is a large obstacle blocking the route, making a suitable area to rest, each member of the group is expected to carry an equal amount of work, the suppliers bear heavier weight of the supplies they carry and the tents, navigators need to have a strong focused mind, medics need to work fast to save any injured explorers, and lastly for the average explorers. You are tasked for the physical work like this, but in emergencies one of you may be selected for a special assignment. You will even be ordered to dig and mine for future expansion operations if deemed necessary by the commander." The screen changed to a video, with 2 people sitting opposite of each other.

"After every expedition, you will be interviewed individually for any odd experiences you have seen. This is an example of the interview.

The video started playing.

"So have you encountered any odd occurrences during the expedition Max?" The interviewer asked.

"None, same as before, this time just a stronger dirt storm." The man, presumably Max responds.

"How was the temperature?"

"Normal like before."

"It says your group trekked on top of a mountain and one of the explorers became injured am i correct?"

"Yes, yes you're correct."

"Has your commander done a head count after, or do you think anyone is missing from the group?"

"I did, when we arrived. Nobody was missing."

"Alright then, you're group arrived just now and nobody ahs been lost in the expedition, we have gathered new landmarks on the west from the navigators. Your team may rest until the academy deems you ready for another expedition. Thank you for your time." The interviewer shakes Max's hand, Max walks out of frame with the sound of a door opening.

"This ends our class, it ends earlier than the others so use this time to, browse the tablets and read off on the lessons you all learned before or find new topics that came out after this class. Dismissed."

Time to leave now, we walked out of the room, the class ending early and no bell ringing.

"So what now?" Oliver asks.

"Guess we can just read the tablets or see our equipment in the bag." Josh replied.

"So we'll head to the room then until dinner comes." Oliver added, Josh nods in response.

We passed the tables of the cafeteria, to the door of the corridor.

The city outside was bustling as much as ever, some cars moving around, civilian workers moving about in their attire, the city was still lit up, streetlights still off.

"Well no assignment is easier than the other now." Oliver said.

"So we'll all equally have hard times." Josh chuckled.

"Ok now that's funny." Oliver patted Josh on the back.

In the room, we stood around, thinking of what to do next.

"Soooo..... Should we just lie down and chat for a while?" Oliver asked.

"Eh sure, we could also check the bags and see the equipment we have. Or heed the teacher's advice and read from the tablets." Josh replied.

I walked on top of my bed, grabbing the tablet i looked at the lessons before. Of survival, of medical among other subjects. Even the navigation class from earlier has lessons here.

Guess i can check the bag at the foot of my bed, didn't examine it much.

I opened the bag to see my equipment. Trying to lift it, it was had considerable weight, taking some strength to lift it up with one hand.

Next to me are tools, like the dirt pick and it's rope. Holding it in my hand, it felt comfortable to handle. Swinging it around, it felt light, making it easy to swing around.

"The dirt picks look like weapons, maybe they double as one." Oliver commented, holding his own dirt pick while sitting on his bed.

"Yeah, and all the equipment here are organized as well. They said we will have weapons, or at least the guards will have weapons." Oliver questioned, while looking inside his bag, seemingly trying to find a weapon.

"Oliver calm down, they'll probably give us a weapon once we become explorers already. Anyways what's for tomorrow?" Josh grabs the schedule, reading it.

"Oh, weapons and security for tomorrow. Guess we'll get our weapons tomorrow." Josh announced.

As we chat, the bells began ringing. Time for dinner then. Outside we headed for the cafeteria.

Sitting down, the food went down. The same dinner as before.

We started eating. Staying silent while we feasted on the food. Chattering filled the air, other students were talking to each other about different topics. While us 3 stayed silent, focusing on eating.

So far my time here was nice, good food and luxuries i don't see normally in the city. Perhaps when we begin doing expeditions, befriend other explorers like us.

Consumed in thinking, i didn't realize that i was almost finished with my food. The others were also close to finishing their meals.

The amount of things told to me of the outside by now, i can almost imagine already exploring the environment. Just an infinite flatland of dirt. Carrying weight on my back probably carrying a weapon in both of my hands.

We all finished our meals, the trays now laying empty. We walked out after finishing dinner. The view outside, now dark with the streetlights on. The city looks beautiful with lights at the bottom illuminating any passerby at the bottom.

"This city advanced and grew so much while we aged. I didn't recall seeing this much buildings before when we were younger just playing catch with a ball with one another." Oliver said.

Back in the rooms, we prepared for our sleep for the day ahead of us. On the bed i grabbed the tablet again, maybe i can see the lessons from before. To get some recap to what i learned from them.

The tablet showed all the lessons taught already, from survival to navigation. Pressing the 1st lesson of navigation. It showed the topic talked about at the beginning of the class.

"Alright, time to sleep i guess." Josh turned off the lights. Leaving me staring at the tablet shining it's blue light at my face while i read. I read the lessons more, probably reading for a couple minutes now.

I finished 2 lessons already on navigation. Fully viewing both lessons previously talked about by the teacher. I should head to sleep now, i slipped the tablet under the bed. Unfolding the blanket i enclose myself inside the warm embrace of the blanket. From the window i can see drones flying by, flying closer to the ground than usual with blinking lights. The city, loud even from here but it didn't hinder me from falling asleep. I slowly fell into slumber, the day now ends. With the day tomorrow eagerly awaiting our arrival.