<span style="font-weight: bold"><div style="text-align: center;">Interlude 2</div></span><br/>“Commander!” called the boy, rushing in through the entrance. “The expedition team is back!” Joseph* recognised the boy as Ethan, a seventeen year old informant who had become a Lucid a mere three months ago. The boy snapped to attention like a soldier answering to a sergeant, even though Joseph had mentioned on many occasions to drop such formalities.<br/><br/>The whole ‘commander’ thing was a fairly recent development within the community; just a few weeks ago, he was ‘boss’. Joseph was against such ridiculous titles and made up rankings, but with the majority of Lucids being in their teenaged years, it was no big surprise that they preferred using such methods to acknowledge authority.<br/><br/>“How many?” asked Joseph, getting up from his desk.<br/><br/>“Uh…” the boy lost his false military act quickly enough. “I dunno, like four maybe?” Even after everything, they were still children. Hardened children who had been through much, but children nonetheless. Only a small percentage of the Lucids within the community were beyond twenty years of age.<br/><br/>“Good work Ethan,” said Joseph. The boy beamed at the compliment. “I’ll deal with the newbies.” ‘Newbies’ was a term that had become popular within the community since a few years ago, no doubt spread by the youth. “You’d better let the others know.”<br/><br/>“Yes sir!” said Ethan. “But, uh, what’re you going do with them?”<br/><br/>Joseph fixed his suit as he strode out of the room. “Put them to the test, of course.”<br/><div style="text-align: center;">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><div style="text-align: center;">Travis</div></span><br/>From far away, the structure had looked relatively small, but now that they were nearly right up against it, the grand stone walls were intimidating. They stood at least several stories into the air, and were encircled with a three-meter wide trench, filled halfway with water. Travis squinted at the tops of the walls, focusing his eyes on what appeared to be… cannons? “Hey, you guys are seeing this, right?” Travis said absent-mindedly as they crossed over the trench towards the iron portcullis that marked the entrance into the fortress.<br/><br/>“The Fortress,” stated Celine without bothering to turn back. “The second largest safe-zone in this entire region, and likely the most secure.”<br/><br/>No kidding, thought Travis. A ‘safe-zone’, according to Matt, was an area in the Void that didn’t undergo the violent and random environmental changes that they had witnessed earlier – at least not as quickly. Unsurprisingly, these safe-zones were essential for survival.<br/><br/>When the group finally reached the front of the portcullis, Celine stopped and turned to face them. “Once you step through this gate, you will undergo a mandatory assessment in order to confirm your place within the Fortress’ community,” she announced. Her voice was authoritative and practised. “It may come as a shock at first, but you’ll understand the reason behind this soon enough.”<br/><br/>“Think of it as initiation,” said Matt, grinning ear-to-ear.<br/><br/>Travis started to get uncomfortable. Assessment? Like an entry exam or something? “What are we getting assessed on?” he asked.<br/><br/>“Sorry buddy,” replied Matt. “Can’t tell you yet, you’ll just have to figure out yourself.”<br/><br/>That wasn’t the most reassuring answer. The portcullis slowly opened up, and the sounds of chattering people could be heard on the other side.<br/><br/>“Any objections?” asked Celine.