Inside the military center.

As Yuriy took his first steps inside the military center, he was met by a large crowd, at least a hundred people. The sheer number surprised him since he was unfamiliar with the nature of this military center. Seeing Yuriy's confusion, Vladyslav offered a reassuring smile, understanding Yuriy's bewilderment. He explained, "This is the headquarters of our company, known as the Black Lotus Center. Impressive, isn't it? The center comprises various military services. Each service is tasked with specific military operations. For instance, our unit is made up of operators known as Tactical Gaming Specialists, highlighting how gaming skills can be applied in a tactical, real-world context."

With a nod of understanding, Yuriy responded, glancing around the corners of the center, "I think I'm familiar with some of these basics, having learned a lot from video games."

Under the guidance of Anastasia, Vladyslav, and Vasyl, Yuriy followed them to the office of the company's high commander, or more precisely, the captain who oversees the center, to notify him of the new recruit's arrival. As Yuriy began walking through the center, whispers echoed throughout the grand entrance hall, with all eyes fixated on him. Not just because he was a new recruit, but because he was an integral new member of the center, poised to test the enigmatic technology everyone was curious about, a technology that could significantly influence the course of the war.

Yuriy entered the room alone, following a prior directive from the captain to his subordinates. Before entering, he noticed that everyone else had halted, refusing to proceed further. Realizing that a private meeting between him and the captain was imminent, he adopted a serious expression, grasped the door handle, and walked in.

As Yuriy stepped inside, the room's military ambiance immediately captivated him. The opposite wall prominently displayed a detailed map of the country, emphasizing its strategic locations and military bases. Markers, flags, and annotations underscored recent campaigns, significant battles, and celebrated regiments.

A sturdy desk, crafted from local pine, occupied the center of the room. Atop it lay communication devices, tactical documents, and a well-worn flask, likely holding horilka, the traditional spirit. Beside this sat an intricately carved wooden Tryzub, a symbol of national pride and a testament to one's duty to the motherland.

At the desk sat the captain of the company center, ostensibly a figure of responsibility. Yet, his demeanor gave Yuriy pause. The man was slouched in his chair, seemingly asleep, hardly embodying the sense of duty one might expect from a captain.

Yuriy looked on with a puzzled expression, as if silently questioning, 'Is this really the captain?' He attempted to rouse the sleeping figure in a respectful manner, clearing his throat twice. Yet the captain seemed deeply engulfed in sleep. Yuriy spoke up, "Excuse me," but his traditional efforts went unnoticed. His patience, already frayed from the frustrations he'd experienced in video games, was wearing thin.

With his frustration palpable, Yuriy clenched his fist and shouted forcefully, "EXCUSE ME!" That did the trick. The captain jolted awake, his face reflecting sheer surprise. In a semi-lucid state, he blurted out, "Anastasia has the most perfect body ever," while slamming his hand on the desk, leaving Yuriy even more bewildered.

Yuri, unable to grasp the situation, took a few steps back, caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events.

"W-What was that?" Yuriy asked, panicked.

The other man in the room yawned, shaking off the remnants of his deep sleep. Rubbing his eyes, he finally noticed Yuriy's presence in the room.

He looked at him for a moment, then, with a hint of realization, asked, "Hmm? Who are you?"

Still catching his breath from the captain's startling outburst, Yuriy replied with a hint of apprehension, "It's just me, Yuriy Kozlov, the new recruit."

The captain gradually regained his full consciousness and began to clean his right ear with a finger, all while wearing a drowsy expression. He then replied, "Ahhh, so you've finally arrived? I've been waiting for you all day, to the point where I dozed off."

Yuriy corrected his posture, straightening from the awkward stance he had taken due to the captain's peculiar behavior. He then delved into the heart of the conversation, asking, "You mentioned you were waiting for me all day? Why is that? What makes me so important?"

The captain froze while listening to Yuriy's questions, holding his gaze even after Yuriy finished speaking. After a few uncomfortable seconds, the captain burst into laughter, exclaiming, "Bwahahahaha! This is too funny! I'm sorry, I just can't contain myself!"

Yuriy, visibly irritated, responded, "Huh? What's so funny, you awkward old man?"

The captain continued laughing uncontrollably, "This... This is so funny. It's like I'm talking to a clone of that idiot, but not a mute one, Bwahahahaha."

"A clone?" Yuriy said, still visibly annoyed.

After the captain tried to calm himself a bit, catching his voice that had been overtaken by laughter, he managed to say: “Yes, a clone. I'm talking about your father, your mute father who's unable to speak. There's no difference in your appearances. How is that even possible? Seeing you able to speak makes me burst with laughter.”

Yuriy's expression shifted to one of shock, and his entire demeanor changed. He said, "Did you say I look just like my father? You know my father! Yes, you must know him; he was in the Army."

"Yes, of course I know him," the captain replied with a smile of reverence. "Who doesn't know the war hero, Oleksandr Kozlov? The man who sacrificed his life for his captain."

Yuriy lowered his gaze. After a moment of silence, he raised his eyes, revealing a sadness within them. "Even though many people honor my late father," he began, "I never truly acknowledged his significance in the same way. I was a spoiled child, reckless and often dismissive of the respect and courtesy I should have shown to my parents."

The captain cleared his throat and said, "If that's the reason for your sorrow now, I advise you to let go of that expression. Your father always knew you were a good person, Yuriy. That's precisely why we specifically called for you to come here."

Yuriy responded with a puzzled tone, "Wait, I can't make the connection with what you're saying. I thought I was here to test the new technology you confiscated from the enemy?"

The captain assumed a formal posture, though he retained his typically carefree demeanor. "Actually, your dad left something for you. I'll show you..." The captain reached into his desk drawer, searching for the item he had mentioned. After a few moments, his expression shifted to one of befuddlement. "W-Where did I put that thing?" he said in a tone that highlighted his momentary lapse in memory.

Yuriy screamed with determination, “Find it!” as if he got excited, wondering what would his late dad leave for him, nothing came across his mind and that what made him more curious.

“I found it!” the captain showed it off out the drawer, it was a thing not big nor small, covered in a careful way, “Take it and uncover it by yourself” he finished.

After Yuriy put a hand on the mysterious thing left by his dad, he uncover it to see what it was.