"So… this is everybody then?" Robin said to himself, looking around the small group of volunteers that had responded to Gamma's job interview.

Next to himself only Jimmy and a second to him unknown person were willing to join as soldiers for Gamma's anti-dragon strike team. He wasn't even sure if they were able to get medical personnel to join. So far it didn't look alto bright, but in the end, it all depended on how successful Gamma was, and he had managed to surprise him before.

He sighed, concentrating back on his task, turning to Jimmy the familiar face of the two volunteers. The young man was just out of his childhood years at an age of 19. For the purpose of the job interview, he had combed his usually messy blonde hair. At a height of around 1,5m, he was more on the smaller side, but nevertheless, he possessed decent strength and great agility and speed. All in all, he wasn't always the most organized or disciplined, but he managed to compensate for it with his excitement and positive attitude which seemed to be always radiating from his blue eyes or entire face in general.

All jokes aside, the boy had charisma.

"So…" he started. "Why did you decide to take this job?"

"Are you kidding? Since Gamma showed up he managed to bring the biggest change in history over the past hundreds of years in less than half a year. I'm hundred and one percent sure that he's not done yet either. In fact, this is probably just the start. When I saw that he offers a job I decided to immediately come here before someone else took it." he chuckled looking around. "Turns out that wasn't as necessary as I thought it was, but nevertheless there's no way I'm missing out on this."

"You're barely 19. Are you sure you're up to the task?"

"Aw common" he playfully elbowed Robin in the side. "We worked at the same barracks. You know how I am." Then his voice turned serious. "I know that this isn't just fun and stuff, but a high-risk job. After all, there's a reason why almost nobody volunteered. I do however have faith in Gamma. He might say it's nothing special, but he has done a lot for me in the past. I want to return the favor and I know what I'm up against. Normally I wouldn't be up to taking on dragons, but with his technology on our side? Well from what I have seen and heard so far I think we stand a chance."

He took a deep breath, fixing his posture, even if it didn't do much in Robin's opinion. "Please don't send me away again, this is important to me. I know I can be a goof at times, but I know to be serious when the situation calls for it. I just want to be part of something bigger for once."

Robin chuckled. "Alright, that's enough to convince me. No need for those silly formalities. You're in." he gave the younger guard a smirk. "But only because I don't have a choice with the current amount of volunteers we're having."

"I make sure to remind you of that should you ever change your mind." he replied, his smirk returning. "But seriously right now, I keep my word and myself in check. Accidents can be fun and all, but as long as you yourself aren't involved."

Robin simply smiled, giving him a quick nod.

"And what about you?" he then asked, turning towards the second man in the room. "Why did you decide to take to join?"

The man looked up. He was a man of average size with black hair and skin. Robin guessed his age at around 30 similar to himself and didn't have a beard, his face freshly shaved. His expression was neutral, although he gave off a friendly vibe.

"Well, I was looking for a new job after my old boss retired. Saw your flyer and since it seemed an interesting job that fits my skill-set without getting boring anytime soon I decided to check it out."

"Do you have any pre-experience with military programs, weapon use, close-quarter combat, ranged combat, fighting dragons, escaping dragons, as well as mechanics, basic-advanced and complex technology, classified weaponry together with the understanding of what they are, do, and how to use them all of them?"

"I know a few of those things, and if the paycheck is good enough I'm willing to learn the rest."

"Good enough for me, you're hired."

Robin offered him a hand. "I'm Robin, Robin Clearstone."

"Jerom Smith." came the reply as he happily accepted the handshake. "I worked as a bodyguard for a traveling merchant before so my integration into the team shouldn't be a problem."

"Oh, it might be a problem, but that's not because of you, but because this is a first-time thing. We're mostly improvising at the moment and figure out what works best from there on…"

Jerom chuckled. "So, how does the rest of the team stand?" he looked around the room. "I assume this isn't everyone."

"True, we lack one or two people depending upon how successful my partner is at getting a medic to join us."

"Wait, you're saying there're only 4 or 5 people in here?"

"Well we're trying to get more to join us, but yes at the current time we're only 4 to 5 people."

"And you want to fight dragons?"

"Don't underestimate the chances because of low numbers. My partner means business when it comes to creating quality equipment." Robin took his foldable axe, or compressor-axe as he had named it unfolding it with a press of a button to its full size.

Jerom blinked in surprise but otherwise didn't flinch. "This weapon is from his production, and the blade is so sharp that it had been banned from the market be it separately or with the axe itself included."

Jerom let out a whistle. "I take your word for it, but will it be enough?"

"No idea. My partner still hasn't shown me all of the equipment yet. He likes to keep his cards close until it's required."

"Well, I only heard good about him so far, so I'm willing to give it a chance."

He looked at the axe again. "Well, since I'm working here now, care to explain how that works?"

Jimmy was quick to join them.

"Yea, please do that. Oh, and could you also explain the armor?"

Robin replied with a nod, deciding to start with the axe.

[Half an hour later]

Robi was just answering the final questions when suddenly the door opened and Gamma entered. "I found our medic." he announced, causing the group to turn towards him.

To Robin's shock and surprise he knew the person that followed Gamma into the workshop.

"Anturia?" he asked, dumbfounded. While they were good friends, he had never thought of her to be someone to join a task like this. She wasn't the fondest of violence and despite her not being a scared kind of person she wasn't someone who would just like that interact with dragons. Not that he blamed her. Add the fact that she liked her job he was surprised to see her leave it to join them instead.

"What surprised?" she asked half amused, half annoyed, rolling her eyes. "Someone has to do this job and when I saw that nobody else was willing to join you, I realized that I had to be the one stopping you all from bleeding out."

"I'm honestly surprised about myself, but machine wizard over here-" She crossed her arms, looking over at Gamma. "-is criminally good with his arguments. He should consider working as a lawyer considering how convincing he can be…"

Gamma simply chuckled before turning towards Robin. "So how did it go with you?"

"Well, I already explained to everyone how the axe and armor worked…" he walked closer to him, lowering his voice so that only Gamma could hear it. "Quite easy considering the amount we currently have… Including you and me we're currently at no more than five people Gamma. I hope you have a good plan for this one…"

Gamma simply chuckled. "Don't worry, I do." he replied. "I'm always 5 steps ahead of those that are 1 step ahead of everyone."

More people. I almost got the main cast together now. Only around 2 more major characters need to be introduced, but they will show up a bit later in the story, so don't worry about them just jet.

If you have any feedback don't be afraid to comment. :D