April 28, Halo Universe's Earth.
From thousands of kilometers above, Earth still looked peaceful and beautiful, a sight of quiet resilience. Defensive platforms equipped with massive electromagnetic cannons hovered in formation near Earth's orbit, surrounded by the dispersed fleets of the UNSC's defensive array. Civilian freighters and passenger ships had resumed normal operations, with azure slip-space flashes regularly punctuating the space around Earth.
Among the military vessels, the most striking were three 10-kilometer Leviathan-class dreadnoughts with blade-like profiles, a testament to Atlas's power in Earth's orbit. Ten days had passed since the chaos incursion in Mombasa, a swift and transient encounter that ironically sped up Atlas's integration efforts due to Tzeentch's own manipulations.
During this time, Atlas used its Ark teleportation device at the branch base to bring in personnel, supplies, and equipment to Mombasa. The transport hall was expanded to improve transfer efficiency, allowing the steady arrival of clone soldiers, Atlas's security forces, and some specialized response units (AECS), ensuring Atlas's strong ground presence on Halo's Earth.
These next-generation clones, developed by the Bio Core Team, were not only stronger than previous versions but also had advanced computational abilities, enabling them to carry out tasks autonomously. Thanks to highly upgraded wireless systems and a close orbital Atlas fleet, their range of activity was extensive and virtually free from connection issues.
Atlas's forces soon occupied Mombasa, providing the affected civilians with free supplies and initiating rapid reconstruction in heavily impacted areas. The engineering teams restored power and water supply first, greatly easing the citizens' daily lives. A bird's-eye view over Mombasa would reveal swarms of Hex robots across the city's old and new districts, working alongside human engineers in red and white safety helmets. Clone soldiers patrolled the streets, guarding resource distribution points and ensuring public order.
Meanwhile, the UNSC's Sixth Army Division, the first to align with Atlas, had received some support from the company, but their mobility was restricted to their deployment area. A dozen young Astartes and elite veterans provided additional security, stationed at the division's base outside Mombasa. The rest of the Astartes and veterans were deployed across the city, assisting Atlas's allied units in various ways.
——
Outside Atlas's Community Service Center in the southern part of the old city:
The area was lively, filled with residents in various attire, looking considerably more energized. People crowded along the sidewalk and the square corner, discussing their plans, considering work options, or checking job listings on a nearby holographic board.
Jobs such as "Construction Assistant: Experience Required, 7 days, 1200 cR" and "Medical Assistant: Basic First Aid, Monthly Salary 5000 cR" were displayed, along with simpler roles like "City Cleaner: 7 hours daily, 105 cR paid per day" and "Community Kitchen Staff: 7 hours daily, 84 cR per day," offering immediate wages for less skilled work.
Once they selected a position, citizens could head to the central Community Service Center to complete their applications with Atlas's human resources staff. Job listings were posted as early as 7 AM, so service centers around the city were packed from the start.
At the west entrance to the square:
"Wow! If I work as a cleaner every day, I could make at least 3,000 credits a month? That's as much as my old office job!" A middle-aged man in a suit looked at the job listing, surprised.
Like many in Mombasa, he used to work long hours as an office worker, barely making 3,000 to 3,500 credits a month with exhausting late-night shifts. Yet, here was Atlas offering comparable pay for cleaning? His spirits slumped as he questioned what he had been working so hard for, but he soon perked up, deciding to apply for one of the available positions.
"Mom, have you decided yet?" A young girl's voice sounded among the crowd.
The mother and daughter, rescued by a fire lizard during the chaos, were also looking at the job board. The girl, wearing new clothes, tugged at her mother's sleeve, indicating she was feeling tired from the sun.
"Almost done, sweetie," the mother replied, gently patting her daughter's head.
Her gaze lingered on the listing for "Medical Assistant." Years ago, she had attended nursing school briefly, excelling academically until family pressures forced her to drop out and work. Her family, insatiable and demanding, only added stress, leaving her little choice but to move to Mombasa with her boyfriend, now her late husband, who severed ties with her toxic family to start fresh. Sadly, not long after their daughter was born, her husband, still in the Marines, was killed by rebel forces.
Without connections, the meager 4,000 cR pension she received was all she had, despite the UNSC's promises of support. It was a typical story of life in Mombasa, a reflection of many who had been forced into poverty and resentment, fueling the intensity of rebel movements in the colonies.
Once she selected her job, the woman took her daughter's hand and headed to the service center, reassuring her, "If I get this job, we won't have to live on frozen meals anymore, and I can buy you new clothes and toys."
"Yes!" The girl nodded excitedly.
On their way inside, the mother and daughter passed by a patrolling squad of Atlas clone soldiers, their imposing, armored figures daunting to the young girl, whose nervousness was evident.
But then, the girl heard heavy footsteps and looked up to see two Dark Angels accompanying the patrol, their appearance sparking a curious glimmer in her eyes.
Inside the air-conditioned lobby, they waited until the announcement played: "Please, 0414, proceed to window 19."
Approaching window 19, the woman handed over her service card, then sat down while the Atlas personnel scanned her details.
"Christina Vakir, 37, with an eight-year-old daughter, Celes. Attended Buenos Aires Nursing School…" the clerk murmured as the AI system verified her application. Smiling, he said, "Ms. Vakir, though your background isn't quite enough for a medical assistant position, I can place you in our upcoming training program. You'll receive 30 credits daily as a stipend, plus meals for you and your daughter. After passing the final assessment, you might even qualify for a higher role. How does that sound?"
Christina felt a hint of disappointment initially, fearing Atlas might be just as exploitative as the UNSC. However, the comprehensive offer and respectful treatment helped ease her doubts. Unlike UEG, whose officials often dismissed or even ignored citizens, Atlas personnel remained polite and helpful.
Relieved, she nodded and replied, "I accept."
The clerk printed a new card and handed it over, saying, "The training program starts in about four to six days. Please be patient until then."
"Thank you so much," Christina said gratefully, holding the card.
As they turned to leave, her daughter asked, "Excuse me, sir! How can I join those big, armored soldiers?"
"Oh, those big guys?" The clerk, amused by the question, explained, "For now, girls can't join them, but when you're older, you could try out for Atlas's Emergency Countermeasures Team. Then, you might work with them."
"Emergency Countermeasures?" The girl nodded, then thanked the clerk enthusiastically, "Thank you, sir!"
Outside the center, the girl exclaimed, "Mom! I've decided! I'm going to join Atlas's emergency team when I grow up!"
"Alright, alright," Christina said, amused. "But if you want to be a soldier, you'll need to eat well and exercise!"
"Got it!" the girl replied eagerly.
But suddenly, the sky darkened, accompanied by a deep rumbling. They, along with others, looked up to see a Leviathan-class dreadnought, an Atlas New Epoch carrier, and various escorts moving slowly over Mombasa, heading southwest toward the open wilderness.
On the bridge of the New Epoch carrier, Samuel stood by the massive observation window, viewing the reconstruction efforts in Mombasa, hands clasped behind his back. Mortarion and Corax, armored in their specialized suits, stood nearby, with Apu and Melissa—who seemed like children compared to the towering primarchs—positioned between them.
Once they cleared the city, Apu reported, "Boss, we've arrived at the designated site. Shall we begin the excavation protocol?"
"Proceed," Samuel ordered.
"Yes, sir," Apu responded, his eyes glowing red.
Following Apu's command, the Leviathan-class dreadnought deployed an array of metal prisms, which spread out and formed a matrix in the air. Soon, laser beams began to cut into the seemingly empty ground, though, in reality, they were targeting the hidden portal leading to the outskirts of the Milky Way.
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