I’ll be the Red Ranger
Chapter 122 – Arriving at the Half Wall

- Oliver -

The following two weeks of training blurred together in a haze of relentless drills and newfound mastery. During this time, Oliver had access to numerous recordings of the Orks, allowing him to improve his understanding of Orkish. However, the recordings were taken either on battlefields or during moments of torture. As a result, he primarily became proficient in understanding the insults the Orks hurled at humans.

| [Language] Orkish

| Progress: 32.14%

Each day, Oliver honed his control over the Z Crystal, feeling its power resonate more deeply within him. Meanwhile, Isabela and Katherine were starting their training at their bases. Though both exhibited high compatibility with their crystals, their learning and domination weren't as effortless as Oliver's initial activation; their progress was steady but gradual.

Soon enough, Oliver found himself stepping onto a teleportation platform alongside Elliot and Emma. Wiz stood before them, hands clasped behind his back. "You'll be transported to one of our orbital bases around Olympus," he explained, his gaze steady. "From there, you'll catch a ship to the Half Wall."

Elliot and Emma exchanged knowing glances but had no questions. As Elliot had mentioned in passing, they were no strangers to missions on the Frontline, though their assignments were typically far more dangerous.

Moments later, the trio positioned themselves on the teleport pad. A familiar hum filled the air, and Oliver braced himself. There was a brief sensation of weightlessness as though the ground had vanished beneath his feet, and a shimmering light enveloped them. When solidity returned, they were standing in a different location entirely.

The gravity here was lighter than on Pallas, lending a slight bounce to their steps. The room buzzed with activity—soldiers and officers hurried past, consoles beeped intermittently, and holographic displays projected tactical readouts into the air.

"Welcome," an older high officer said, approaching them in his uniform adorned with medals that glinted under the artificial lighting. He nodded at Elliot and Emma. “Another reconnaissance mission?"

"Yes, sir. Along with a babysitting task." Elliot replied. "We're heading south this time."

The officer stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Understood. Your ship is prepped and ready."

Elliot walked beside the officer, engaging in light conversation about previous missions. Oliver followed alongside Emma, taking in the surroundings. The corridors of the orbital base were a maze of sleek passageways. The officer navigated them effortlessly, fingers dancing over his wrist-mounted holographic device as he transmitted orders and received updates.

"The other Rangers are already at the Half Wall," he informed them, pausing before a set of large hydraulic doors. "You should rendezvous with them in approximately two hours."

A muted hiss signaled the doors sliding open, revealing a short gangway leading to the vessel that awaited them.

The ship rested near the center of the hangar, its dark metallic structure gleaming under the intense lights of the launch line. Although imposing, it appeared small compared to the facility's vastness. Its broad wings and aerodynamic curves extended with functional precision, revealing embedded Z Crystal thrusters that pulsed as they prepared to propel the ship into a burst of speed.

As Oliver walked toward the spacecraft's entrance, he caught a brief glimpse of the cockpit and the pilot. At the top of the vessel, with its translucent dome tinged red, the cockpit offered a panoramic view, and small attached panels indicated the presence of high-precision navigation systems.

As soon as the three boarded, the technical teams and operators working on the ship's systems and performing final checks quickly cleared the area, giving them space to settle in.

The three secured themselves in the passenger seats. The harnesses snaked over their shoulders, clicking into place with a reassuring firmness. The pilot ran through final pre-flight checks, his hands gliding over the controls with practiced precision.

A voice crackled over the internal comms—the same officer from before. "Ship cleared for departure. Shuttle X-03 en route to Olympus, South Gate of the Half Wall. Launch sequence initiated. In three… two… one…"

With a subtle lurch, Oliver felt the ship disengage from the docking clamps. As the engines powered on, a low thrum built up beneath them, and their Z Crystal thrusters emitted a faint azure glow.

"Departure confirmed," the pilot's calm voice echoed. "Engaging thrusters."

The acceleration pressed them back into their seats as the shuttle shot forward. The orbital base receded rapidly through the viewport, becoming a mere speck against the vast tapestry of stars. Streaks of light elongated around them as they pierced through the fabric of space, the stars stretching into luminous trails due to the ship's velocity.

As the acceleration subsided, the trio allowed themselves a moment to relax as they awaited their approach to Olympus. Elliot and Emma were engrossed in reviewing the latest data on the Orks, preparing themselves for any recent developments they might encounter.

Meanwhile, Oliver gazed out of the viewport, watching as the planet loomed ever closer. He could make out massive Ork ships hovering ominously in the distant reaches of space, keeping a wary distance from Olympus. With each passing second, they drew nearer to the colossal planet—a vibrant sphere dominated by lush greens, punctuated only by the deep blues of scattered oceans. Thick forests and abundant plant life blanketed the surface, making it a prime habitat for life and a fiercely contested battleground between the two races.

Reports Oliver had studied indicated that Olympus was rich in Z Crystals, a fact that only intensified the conflict. ‘No wonder it became the frontline of the Tenth Wave,’ Oliver mused. ‘Both empires are eager to expand their territories and claim an edge over the other.’

"We're approaching Olympus's atmosphere," the pilot's voice crackled over the intercom. "We'll begin re-entry procedures shortly. Prepare yourselves."

At the warning, the trio secured themselves once more. The ship began to tremble as it entered the planet's atmosphere. Fiery streaks of plasma raced past the windows, and the hull vibrated under the strain. Sparks and flames danced across the vessel's nose, the heat of re-entry enveloping them.

After several tense minutes, the turbulence eased. The flames dissipated, giving way to the serene expanse of the planet's upper atmosphere. As they descended, wisps of clouds parted, revealing the sprawling landscapes below.

"Requesting landing clearance," the pilot announced into the communicator. "This is shuttle X-03, carrying passengers destined for the South Gate of the Half Wall."

"Permission granted, X-03," came the response from the command tower. "Approach from the north and land in area P1."

"Prepare for landing," the pilot informed them, adjusting the ship's trajectory.

The shuttle descended smoothly onto the designated pad with a gentle thud. As the engines powered down, the restraints released with a soft click.

Stepping out of the vessel, Oliver was immediately struck by the scale of his surroundings. The landing bay itself was modest—a compact structure with several vertical landing pads—but adjacent to it stood the Half Wall. It was an imposing building stretching across the horizon in both directions. The wall soared dozens of stories into the sky, a seemingly insurmountable barrier dividing the planet. Countless cannons and defense turrets bristled along its length, aimed outwards and inwards, creating an unbroken line of deterrence against any who might dare to breach it.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Elliot remarked, noticing Oliver's awestruck expression.

"More than I imagined," Oliver admitted, his eyes tracing the wall's massive contours.

Near the base of the wall, a man leaned casually against a metal support beam. His posture exuded boredom and impatience. With his hands buried in his coat pockets, he watched their approach with a critical eye.

"You're late," the man stated flatly as they drew near. His voice carried a tone of authority tinged with disdain. "Name's Alex. I'm the Red Ranger leading this mission. I expect punctuality in the future."

Oliver opened his mouth to explain that they'd arrived according to the NEA's schedule, but Alex had already turned away, striding toward the entrance of the Half Wall.

"Briefing starts now," Alex called over his shoulder. "The others are waiting."

Elliot leaned toward Oliver, offering a conspiratorial smirk. "Don't take it personally. Reds are always like that—assholes."

‘I hope Katherine doesn’t kill one of them,’ Oliver thought, feeling sorry for his friend as he watched how one of the Red Rangers' captains behaved.

They followed Alex through a massive armored gate. Armed guards and security personnel lined the entryway, efficiently scanning their IDs and verifying clearances. The wall's interior was a bustling nexus of activity—a labyrinth of corridors, control rooms, and deployment zones humming with coordinated precision.

They entered one of the many high-speed elevators, which whisked them upward swiftly. The display panel indicated their ascent to one of the topmost levels.

The group made their way to the Ranger command center within the installation. The room they entered was spacious, with displays projecting tactical maps and data feeds onto the walls. Five other Rangers awaited them.

Alex moved to the front of the room, his demeanor businesslike. "Let's start the briefing," he said.