12:31, February 6, 2295

  Officer's Quarters, Dome 7, Cape Coast Preparatory School, Ghana, Emerald Directorate territory

  Jabari Adomako studied his reflection in the curved mirror, adjusting the high collar of his graduation uniform. The deep green fabric, trimmed with gleaming gold, hugged his broad shoulders perfectly. Through the dome's panoramic window behind him, sunlight streamed in, catching on the polished rank insignias - achievements earned through four years of brutal training.

  "Perfect," he said. "Almost perfect."

  His hands shook slightly as he smoothed down the front of his jacket. Today wasn't just graduation. It was assignment day. The moment that would determine whether the years had been worth it.

  "Look at you, trying to impress the brass." Kwame lounged in the doorway, already in his dress uniform. His easy smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Heard anything about your placement yet?"

  "Not yet." Jabari turned from the mirror, forcing casualness into his voice. "You?"

  "Support division, Benin City." Kwame shrugged. "Safe posting, and the pay is okay. Better than ending up in one of the combat warbands. Did you hear about the latest Kimaris casualties?"

  Jabari's stomach tightened. "No?"

  "Three Scarab Riders, gone. Just like that. Radi-Mon ambush on Osram's Far Side. Aabon survived and came back — only to find Tracy hooking up with another guy."

  "By Anansi, that’s rough…" Jabari frowned, his posture shifting.

  "Really is," Kwame shook his head. "That's why I've been saving up for a Da-Ji. At least androids don't die or cheat on you, right?"

  Before Jabari could respond, a sharp tone cut through the air - the first warning bell for the ceremony. Through the window, he watched other graduates emerging from the domed buildings, filing onto the palm-lined paths below. Their green and gold uniforms dotted the grounds like precious stones scattered across copper.

  "Should head to the mess first," Kwame said. "Last meal as cadets."

  Jabari nodded, taking one final look in the mirror. The uniform was perfect. He just had to make sure he was worthy of it.

  The mess hall occupied the third tier of Dome 3, its curved walls almost entirely transparent, offering a panoramic view of the academy grounds. Fusion-powered ceiling fans whirred overhead, their blades casting shifting shadows across the polished tables. The air was thick with the aroma of jollof rice and grilled tilapia, a final taste of home before deployment.

  Jabari sat with his back to the window, focusing on his plate. The food was better than usual today - the rice rich with tomatoes and spices, the fish perfectly grilled, a small bowl of fiery shito pepper sauce on the side. But each bite felt like lead in his stomach as snippets of conversation floated around him.

  "...heard Prince Laurent's gone completely insane after the last mission..."

  "...they say the Kimaris compound in Abidjan is haunted..."

  "My cousin's friend was stationed there. Said the screams from the infirmary..."

  "Don’t they get huge discounts for those Leased Lilies on Venus, though? All the pretty people you can bed — "

  "How’s that worth anything if you’re always fucking dying?"

  "Jabari!" A sharp voice cut through the chatter. Aisha, top of their tactical class, dropped into the seat across from him. Her uniform was already immaculate, ready for the ceremony. "Is it true? Are the rumors about your placement real?"

  He looked up, fork frozen halfway to his mouth. "What rumors?"

  "Come on, everyone's talking about it. They say you're being considered for Kimaris." Her voice dropped lower. "But there's also talk that Captain Osei is questioning your readiness. Something about the Radi-Mon simulation last month?"

  The rice turned to ash in Jabari's mouth. The simulation. He'd hesitated for just three seconds when the Radi-Mon hologram appeared, its twisted form lurching out of the darkness. Three seconds too long.

  "It was one training exercise," he managed, but his appetite had vanished. Through the window, he could see more graduates gathering near the Tower of Anansi. The ceremony would start soon.

  "One exercise could mean life or death out there," Aisha said, not unkindly. "Especially in Kimaris. Look, there's still time to request a different placement. No shame in -"

  The mess hall's speakers crackled to life: "All graduating cadets report to the Tower of Anansi. Repeat: all graduating cadets..."

  Jabari stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. The untouched shito sauce trembled in its bowl, as red as blood.

  Jabari strode down the curving path toward the Tower of Anansi, fighting the urge to run. Palm fronds rustled overhead in the warm breeze, their shadows dancing across the polished walkway. Each step brought the tower's imposing silhouette closer - its fusion-powered lights already activated despite the afternoon sun, creating a shimmering halo around its sleek, metallic frame.

  "Adomako!"

  The voice stopped him cold. Captain Osei emerged from behind one of the architectural support pillars, his ceremonial armor gleaming. The red evaluation tablet in his hand might as well have been a weapon.

  "Sir!" Jabari snapped to attention, pulse thundering in his ears.

  "At ease." he studied the tablet, her expression unreadable. "Your final evaluation is... concerning."

  "Sir, if this is about the simulation-"

  "Three seconds, Adomako." His eyes flicked up to meet his. "Three seconds of hesitation against a basic Skuggr projection. What happens when it's real? When your whole warband is counting on you?"

  "It won't happen again, sir." The words felt hollow even as he said them.

  "No, it won't. Because I'm recommending -"

  "Captain Osei!" Sergeant Keita's voice boomed across the courtyard. Jabari turned to see the veteran officer approaching, his heavy combat armor making the ground tremor slightly with each step. "A word about the cadet?"

  Osei's jaw tightened. "Sergeant, this is hardly the time-"

  "Three minutes of your time, Captain. That's all I ask." Sulayman's scarred face was set in stone, but there was something in his eyes - a fire Jabari had never seen before. "Let me tell you about the real Jabari Adomako."

  Osei hesitated, then nodded curtly. "Fine. Adomako, wait here."

  Jabari watched them move away, speaking in low, intense voices. His future balanced on the edge of a knife, and all he could do was stand there, the Tower of Anansi looming behind him like a silent judge.

  The graduation ceremony would start in less than ten minutes. And he still didn't know if he'd be part of it.

  Waiting beneath the Tower of Anansi felt like an eternity. Jabari forced himself to breathe steadily, watching Sulayman and Captain Osei through the crystalline panels that lined the tower's base. Their reflected images fractured and multiplied across the surfaces, making it impossible to read their expressions.

  The tower itself seemed to mock his uncertainty. It rose above him like a spear of obsidian and steel, its eight legs - inspired by the trickster god's form - curving up into spirals of gleaming metal. Solar panels shifted continuously between the legs, tracking the sun with algorithmic precision. Ancient wisdom and modern might, perfectly merged. Everything the Directorate stood for. Everything he might lose in the next few moments.

  More graduates filed past him, their gold-trimmed uniforms contrasting against the tower's dark surface. Some shot him questioning looks. Others whispered behind their hands. The rumors were spreading.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "...Osei's going to fail him..."

  "...shame, he was one of the best..."

  "...better than ending up in Kimaris anyway..."

  The murmurs faded as Sulayman and Osei's discussion grew more animated. Sulayman jabbed a gauntleted finger at the evaluation tablet, his armor's power systems humming with the sudden movement. Osei's face had turned thunderous, but he seemed to be listening.

  A shadow fell over Jabari. He looked up to see the tower's great spider emblem illuminating, right on schedule. The ceremony would begin in minutes. His chest felt tight, as if his perfectly fitted uniform had suddenly shrunk.

  What would he tell his family? That he'd failed because of three seconds of hesitation? That all their sacrifices had been for-

  "Adomako." Captain Osei's voice cut through his spiral of doubt. Both officers had returned, Sulayman's expression still hard as granite.

  "Sir." Jabari's voice cracked slightly.

  Osei held up the tablet, its surface glowing with updated text. "Sergeant Keita has... provided context about your performance. Your combat scores are exemplary. Your tactical thinking, outstanding." He paused, jaw working. "And apparently, your ability to overcome fear - to acknowledge it and push through - is exactly what Kimaris needs."

  "Wow," relief flooded through Jabari so fast it made him dizzy. "Sir, I-"

  "Don't thank me yet, cadet." Osei's eyes narrowed. "Kimaris isn't just any warband. They hunt the worst horrors in the Five Realms. One hesitation out there..." He let the words hang.

  "There won't be, sir. I swear it."

  "See that there isn't." Osei turned sharply on his heel and strode away, tablet tucked under his arm.

  Sulayman watched him go, then turned to Jabari. "You can't freeze again, Jabari. Not with Kimaris."

  "I won't, Sergeant. But..." Jabari swallowed hard. "Why did you defend me?"

  A ghost of a smile crossed Sulayman's wide scarred face. "Because fear isn't the enemy. Lying to yourself about being fearless is." He gestured toward the tower's entrance, where other graduates were assembling. "Now go. Make us proud."

  As Jabari joined the formation, his back straight and his head high, he could still feel the weight of the future pressing down on him. But now, at least, he had a chance to face it.

  ———————

  13:00, February 6, 2295

  The Tower of Anansi, Cape Coast Preparatory School, Ghana, Emerald Directorate territory

  The Tower of Anansi's grand hall stretched upward like a cathedral built for giants, its walls lined with holographic tapestries depicting the Directorate's history. Images flickered and flowed: the first African colonies on Osram, the founding of Ndovu Zenith, battles against Radi-Mons in the dark reaches of space. The afternoon sun streamed through the tower's crystalline apex, casting web-like patterns across the assembled graduates.

  The academy's fusion complex sprawled beneath the domed buildings like a metallic garden, visible through reinforced observation panels that lined the walkways. Unlike the Alliance's hidden cores or the Imperium's ostentatious displays, the Directorate took pride in showcasing their unique approach to Zephyrium processing. Solar panels tracked the African sun overhead, their energy seamlessly integrating with the fusion reaction below in what engineers called "The Perfect Circle" - a harmony of natural and artificial power that characterized Maridian innovation.

  Massive Zephyrium crystals, each carefully carved into traditional African patterns, pulsed with layers of color unique to the Directorate's processing method. Blues and greens swirled together, creating hypnotic patterns that mimicked the flow of ancient rivers. The crystals' light cast ever-shifting shadows through the walkway's panels, a constant reminder of the power flowing beneath their feet.

  Jabari stood at attention in the front row, hyper-aware of every detail. The subtle whir of the building's fusion core beneath his feet. The faint scent of ozone from the hologram projectors. The steady breathing of his fellow graduates, all waiting for the moment that would define their futures.

  "Oguamtrani approaches!" The ceremonial guard's voice rang out, his vibro-spear striking the polished floor with a resonant boom. "All hail Chairman Mensah!"

  "Unity! Strength! Directorate!" The response thundered through the hall, Jabari's voice joining the chorus. The words felt different now, heavier with meaning.

  Kofi Mensah ascended the golden podium, his commanding presence filling the hall. His clean-shaven head and sharp, angular features reflected decades of leadership, while his eyes held a penetrating intelligence that seemed to pierce through pretense. The deep green blazer he wore, adorned with intricate golden embroidery, complemented his dark skin. The medallion at his chest - shaped like the Directorate's lion emblem - caught and held the light, its golden surface gleaming against the rich fabric.

  "We gather today," Kofi began, his voice carrying effortlessly through the vast space, "to welcome new guardians into our ranks. Each graduate here represents the finest qualities of the Directorate - courage, innovation, and unwavering dedication to our shared future."

  Behind him, the flag of the Emerald Directorate fluttered gently. The lion’s head emblazoned in gold seemed to watch over them, its fierce gaze a symbol of the strength and unity that had built the first human city on the Moon — Osram. But like many other celestial bodies in the Sol System’s Five Realms, the moon was no longer just theirs; Osram had become a contested ground, its gray regolith surface now crisscrossed with the borders of rival factions.

  Jabari felt Kofi's gaze sweep across the assembly, lingering on him for just a moment.

  "But make no mistake," Kofi continued, his tone hardening. "The path ahead is fraught with challenges that would break lesser souls. The Imperium of Dragons pushes at our borders. The Terra Alliance schemes to undermine our sovereignty. And in the dark spaces between worlds, the Radi-Mons gather their strength."

  "Damn straight," Kwame’s voice was audible from somewhere to the right, the same row as Jabari’s.

  The holographic displays shifted, showing recent footage from the frontlines. A Scarab mech engaging a twisted creature in the shadows of a lunar crater. The flash of plasma weapons in the void of space. The unflinching reality of what awaited them.

  "Yet we stand undaunted," Kofi's voice rose with conviction. "For we are the Emerald Directorate, born from Africa's soil but embracing all who share our vision. From the Arabian Peninsula to the islands of the Pacific, from the steppes of Central Asia to the shores of South America - we welcome those who seek a future free from both the Alliance's inequality and the Imperium's oppression."

  He spread his arms wide, the golden ropes of his ceremonial garments catching the light. "In our ranks, you'll find not just the sons and daughters of Africa, but Valorans, Imperials, Maridians of every origin. Through this unity, we forge a new path among the stars, guided by the ancient wisdom of this continent but enriched by the dreams of all humanity."

  "The Oguamtrani is always so good at delivering speeches." Aisha muttered from behind.

  "Of course you’d say that, Aisha. Your uncle’s best buddies with him," someone said.

  "For real? That’d explain so much."

  "No chatter during the speech. Or do you need 50 push-ups to remember that?" Sarge Keita’s voice came just in time.

  The chairman paused, his next words carrying the weight of prophecy. "And some among you will be called to face these challenges in ways few others dare. To venture into the darkest reaches, where honor and duty demand the highest price."

  Jabari's heart pounded. He knew what was coming.

  "Jabari Adomako," Kofi called, his voice resonating through the hall. "Step forward."

  The distance to the podium felt like kilometers. Jabari moved with measured steps, conscious of every eye in the hall following his progress. The holographic displays shifted, showing his training records, combat scores, tactical evaluations - his entire academic career floating in luminescent detail above the assembly.

  "Your instructors speak highly of your abilities," Kofi said as Jabari reached the podium's base. "Particularly your skill in Scarab operations." A slight smile crossed the chairman's face. "Though I hear you had an...interesting final evaluation."

  A few nervous chuckles rippled through the crowd. Jabari's throat went dry, but he stood straighter. "Yes, Oguamtrani."

  "Tell me, Cadet Adomako, what does fear mean to you?"

  The question caught him off guard. In the front row, he caught sight of Sulayman, the sergeant's expression unreadable but intent. The words came to Jabari then, surprising even himself with their clarity.

  "Fear is information, sir," he said, voice steady. "It tells us where our limits are - not so we can hide behind them, but so we know what we must overcome."

  Something shifted in Kofi's penetrating gaze - approval, perhaps, or recognition. The chairman reached into his blazer and withdrew a gleaming object: a beetle-shaped medal, its surface catching the light like captured lightning.

  "The Kimaris Warband," Kofi announced, "has requested an officer with precisely this understanding." He held up the medal. "They seek not the fearless, but the courageous. Not the perfect, but the determined. Will you answer their call, Jabari Adomako?"

  The whispers started immediately. Kimaris. The cursed warband. The monster hunters. The ones who ventured into darkness that would break most soldiers.

  But Jabari felt something else now, replacing the doubt that had plagued him all day. Purpose. Clarity. His voice rang out, firm and clear:

  "I will, Oguamtrani!"

  Kofi descended the few steps to where Jabari stood, the medal gleaming in his hands. "Then by my authority as Oguamtrani of the Emerald Directorate, I hereby commission you as Lieutenant Jabari Adomako of the Kimaris Warband." The medal's weight settled against Jabari's chest as Kofi pinned it in place. "May you bring honor to the Directorate, and may your Scarab's steps shake the very foundations of our enemies!"

  The Chairman's voice rose, addressing the entire assembly once more. "With this appointment, Lieutenant Adomako also receives command of a personal Scarab mech, designation KM-233, now stationed in Hangar Bay Seven."

  A hologram materialized above them - a massive war machine in Directorate green, its armor adorned with the characteristic golden edges of Maridian engineering. Almost hidden among the geometric patterns, a small emblem caught the light: a king protea rendered in silver-white metal, its petals arranged in perfect symmetry, each one seeming to fold into the next with mathematical precision. The Kimaris mark, as elegant as it was rare.

  "Use it well, Lieutenant. The darkness of the Five Realms grows deeper each day," Kofi declared.

  "Thank you, Oguamtrani." Jabari's fingers brushed the medal's surface, feeling the intricate details of the beetle design. All his doubts from earlier seemed distant now, replaced by a surge of pride and purpose.

  As he turned to face the assembled graduates, he caught sight of Captain Osei in the crowd. The officer gave him a slight nod - not quite approval, but acknowledgment. Beside him, Sulayman's scarred face broke into a rare smile.

  The hall erupted in the traditional chant: "Unity! Strength! Directorate!"

  Jabari stood straighter, the medal a warm weight against his chest. He was Lieutenant Adomako now. And he had monsters to hunt.