Planet X Pandora

First Impressions

She followed him around some bends and turns, not really sure where they were going. All the hallways looked the same. After a few more final turns, he stopped. Unfortunately, she wasn't looking, and thump. She bumped into him again.

"Seriously? You have got to stop doing that. We're here." he said.

"Well, I can't see over your head!" she hissed.

She stepped out to the side and tried to look. Her eyes took in the scene. There were a big hallroom, with metal tables lined up in rows. There were people all around. Everyone seemed about her age. They were talking, eating, settling down at different tables. Everyone had the tight, black leather suits. The little pockets she noticed before were filled with deadly looking weapons. Knifes, daggers, darts. Everything you could imagine. Some were big, heavy and muscular. Others were smaller, lithe and agile. They looked just as deadly.

"Stop gawking." said Aaron

"What? I'm not gawking."

"These people will be your team mates. Why don't you introduce yourself?"

"What team mates?  Who are they? Who are YOU? What am I doing here?"

"I'll tell you everything later. For now, just introduce yourself" he smiled

He cleared his throat very loudly. The room went still. Shit. Everyone turned towards them. Some stared at her, others looked uncomfortable.

"Friends and family, " he began formally

"Shut up Aaron. Get on with it"  someone said from the crowd.

Kashmir looked, trying to find who said that. Her eyes fell on a young woman. She was tall and lithe, with straight black hair, streaked with mahogany. She looked about a year or two older. About 17, Kashmir guessed. She stood tall and proud, tan skin, sharp features. She might be considered beautiful, if not for a scar slashed across the side of her neck. The scar didn't lessen her beauty, it just gave Kashmir the impression that this girl could handle herself just fine in combat.

"Well, anyway," Aaron continued. He seemed unaffected by the girls comment

"This is Kashmir. She is out newest recruit"

People looked back and forth between themselves, then they broke into a grin. Some even came to her and shook her hand, welcoming her to the 'camp'. A tall, muscular Asian kid walked up to her and shook her hand. He introduced himself as Kyle. Kashmir was intimidated. Anyone there could pin her down in less than a second. They were all trained killers. It was obvious. What would they hunt? The thought scared her. She didn't know how the outside world looked like, or why she was here. But she did know that she would have to work with these people to get the answers she needed. She turned to ask Aaron something, but he'd dissappeared. She looked around, and saw him at a table with a tray, talking to some other dudes. As Kashmir turned to leave, she felt a slender hand on hey shoulder. She flinched and turned around. She was face to face with the girl that she had noticed before.

"Hey, newbie. Where are you going? " the girl said, nice enough. She still have Kashmir nervous tingles.

"N-nowhere. I was just... uh, you know, stretching my legs." Kash lied.

" I know it's a little intimidating at first, but you'll fit in just fine. You might even join the Alpha's. " the girl said. Alpha? What is she talking about?

" Oh, um okay. " Kash said.

" Name? "

" I'm sorry? "

" Your name. What is your name? "

" Oh. My name is Kashmir. "

"Nice name. Well I hope you get accustomed to this place soon enough."  the girl said, and turned to go back to her table.

" Your name. I never got your name. " Kash blurted out. The girl turned slightly.

" Zia. My name is Zia. " the girl answered, before stalking back to get table.

Something about Zia just made her nervous. She was an intimidating presence, authoritative. Kashmir was overwhelmed. She had met people her age, training for battle. She felt useless. What could these people want with her? Where was she? Hundreds of questions buzzed around her mind. Just then, someone tapped her shoulder. She turned. It was the same Asian guy that introduced himself as Kyle.

"Hey, I was wondering if you want to sit with us?" he asked, a little nervous.

"Uh, yeah, sure." Kash said half heartedly, lost in her own thoughts.

Kyle's face flushed, and he looked down at his feet. He then led her to a table with Aaron and a few other boys. They were all chatting. She ate at the table, and slowly got up. Kyle offered to take her plate, which she gladly obliged. Later, Aaron showed her around the buildings. The Mess hall, the one they were in. The Bunker halls, with all the rooms and beds. The Medic hall, which was like a hospital, the one she was first wheeled into. Slowly, he completed his tour. It was all a blur to her. He led her back to her room, and left.

She took a long hot shower, and fell into bed. This place. It's weird. I haven't seen daylight since I got here. Heck, I haven't seen a window. What were those Training Grounds he mentioned? Where do I fit in? Will I fit in? How will I get out? With these thoughts buzzing around her, she drifted off into a deep, sound, sleep.