Cayden's Crusade

Welcome To Copulo de Uno

This is it!
Finally, a chance to prove to everyone that I am not just my father's son.
I let out a heavy sigh and smiled. Good thing ako lang mag-isa sa cabin. Kung hindi baka mapagkamalan pa akong baliw ng mga makakakita sa akin.

I opened my cabin window and feel the air rushing in. It was heaven! The fresh air without any hint of pollution. Sumungaw ako sa bintana and I saw the arms of the other recruits, savouring the smell and feel of the air just like me.

Napakalayo sa hangin na nakagisnan ko. No wonder mas gustong tumira dito ni kuya. Hindi naman masyadong polluted sa amin pero iba pa rin dito.
I saw a girl na dumungaw sa bintana at nakita ako. She smiled at me, looked inside his cabin and mumbled something. A few seconds later, three other heads came out and shouted with glee.

Hanggang sumunod ang taga-ibang cabin. I joined their shouts and laughter. Just like me, they must be first timers here.

The train is moving slower this time which means na malapit na kaming bumaba. Unti-unti ring nababawasan ang mga ulong nakadungaw. The girl waved at me before she disappeared from view. The trained honked signaling that we've arrived already.
Inayos ko ang buhok bago binuksan ang pinto at sumama sa agos nang mga taong pababa na rin ng tren. The station was filled with aaahs and oohs as the whole place slowly came to the recruits' view. And I am one of them. The place was nothing I have ever seen. Not even the pictures I saw on TV gave it justice. The green grasses and trees, the clean cemented roads and buildings seemed to compliment each other creating an amazing scenery.

"Enough sightseeing, kids", a loud voice filled the station. "You're not brought here to become tourists, dimwits".

Chuckles spread across the platform but was cut short when the same voice, louder and angrier, roared.
" Fall in line or I'll leave you here to rot"!

Everyone became silent, followed the line leading to the buses. Men on green suit facilitated everyone until we reached our seat on the bus. We traveled for at least 20 minutes on the bus before we got off in front of a tall building.

"It's the Minaret", a blonde boy said excitedly.

Nobody else said anything. Our jaws just dropped! The building rose up high, as high up as I could see.

We were directed to ride the elevator group by group. When it stopped, the biggest room I have ever seen in my entire life, probably thrice bigger than my school which caters thousands of students waited for us. We were asked to take a seat as we wait for the other recruits to arrive.

"I think a million people can stay here and it will still be spacious", the boy beside me said.

"Yeah", I answered. I looked around me and there were still a lot of empty seat available. The walls were painted black including the small stage in front. I was about to stand from my seat and go near the walls to check it when the girl from the train stopped me.

"Wag! I tried it before but they stopped me", she said referring to the men in green suit. "We have to stay on our seat daw".

"Yeah", the boy beside him agreed.

"Oh, ganun ba", I said. "That is so disappointing".

We stayed on our seat as other recruits arrived until all the seats were taken.

When everyone was all seated, a woman, looking all elegant in her black dress, came up the stage. She smiled and said "Congratulations, recruits! You have arrived to your new home!"

Everyone clapped and cheered. She then cleared her throat and continued. "As new citizens, I would like to remind of what are expected from you. You are here as we saw a potential in you to help and contribute to the prosperity and abundance of our beloved home as we continue to step forward in our corporate, scientific and military endeavors. You are expected to achieve or maybe even surpass the expectations we have from you. You will be trained to develop your talent and skills necessary to do your job efficiently. You will be given enough time and advices if necessary to determine for yourself which field you will be best at. "

She paused for a moment and smiled.
"I assure you recruits, coming here is the best decision in your entire life".
Everyone clapped and cheered again.
She nodded at some of the men in green suit, and with much pride, said loudly and clearly "WELCOME TO COPULO DE UNO!"

The once black painted wall came down. So that was why they would not let us near the walls. They would not want to spoil the surprise.
An even louder ooohs and aaahs filled the room as we realized we are on one of the top floors of the Minaret and that the whole Copulo de Uno lay down before us.