The venue rented by the army for the activity was a luxurious hotel in the city near the base. The grand hall where the party was being hold was filled up with army big shots, the pilots family and friends and a wide range of representatives from news media, industries and companies. Everyone was wearing their best suits or gala uniforms. Two rows of well groomed soldiers dressed in their gala uniforms drew their ornamental swords and formed a corridor along the red carpet, The room exploded in applauses as the two new pilots covered in an insane amount of make up to hide their emaciated faces came in, the activity was being transmitted to the world network.
Some high ranked military officer that the two pilots didn't even knew, gave a boring speech about the sacred duty of the pilots and the importance of defending the nation, the world and what not. Finally the two young men were allowed to go up the podium and some general put the little star on their insignia giving them the full rank as pilots, from now on they were captains.
"Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, I am glad you could make it to the party" Samuel could finally address his family.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything in this world" Magnus replied with a serious face and military salute.
Samuel saluted back. He hugged his grandma and his father. After greeting their family and close friends, the fresh pilots were taken away almost by force by a familiar figure.
"Ah! Two new heroes are born" the two were monopolized by Major Zuleiman, who was acting way too friendly.
Samuel and Hector looked at each other with a bit of surprise in their face, they hadn't seen the major since the first day they got to the base. The major ignored their confused looks and invited two other man to come closer.
"Captains, allow me to introduce you, this is Mr. Bareck Bendir, he is the representative of the publicity division of the Coca Loca company, they could be a great sponsor for you Samuel" The Major spoke with total familiarity, like if him and the two young pilots were very close.
The man he just presented ha a brown skin, was dressed in a fine blue suit, wore a thick pair of glasses; that in combination with a goatee beard and a prominent squared jaw, gave him a nerdy but tough appearance. His hair was combed to the side, trying to cover the obvious hairless parts of his scalp.
"Mr. Terrence, I am sure you already know of our company, every young man and kid usually enjoys our beverages and other products" Bareck announced.
Samuel just nodded.
"Excellent, as you know, we believe in supporting our heroes, the army and government sure invest a lot into exoskeletons and pilots programs, but it is also important to take care of your future and finances, just the retirement from the army is usually not enough to live an abundant life in your old age"
"I might not live to such an extent" Samuel said while looking Bareck to the eyes.
The comment turned the air a little heavy.
"I am willing to bet you will, after all you grandfather survived to his old age. You know his Executioner was a very popular toy back in the day, it reported him good earnings. Just in case, are you following in the footsteps of you grandfather or have you chosen a different machine?"
"Ahem! Sorry Bareck, but you know that everything related to new exoskeletons is considered as classified until they are revealed to the public" the Major draw attention to himself.
"Oh! Thats a shame, we could prepare for the moment the machine is revealed; imagine how your popularity could rise with an already prepared publicity campaign and a brand new line of modern executioners that the young ones could enjoy"
"Well, you can try to do that; you can always try to guess what kind of Exoskeleton captain Terrence would like to pilot, after all he respects his grandfather a lot. Imagine a very well known machine, with some modern upgrades, maybe two swords and a blue and red colors theme" the Major winked to Bareck.
"Thats a very interesting suggestion major. I appreciate your insight, maybe we should talk a bit more over dinner some day" Bareck smiled.
Samuel just stood there surprised, as the major acted like a professional con man. It was like the two men had come to an understanding among themselves. The major left Samuel in Bareck company and moved towards Hector and the representative of another company that was by his side.
"Well captain Terrence, what do you say? Are you willing to partner with us?"
"Maybe I should talk to my family first, my grandfather has a lot of experience on this subject" Samuel tried to avoid a compromise.
"Excellent idea, lets get over there" Bareck technically dragged Samuel by the arms towards his grandfather.
"Hello there Magnus"
"Long time no see Bareck" Magnus stretched the man's hand.
"I know the kind of men you are, so lets cut the chase; don't wanna make you waste your time. I was offering your grandson our company sponsorship, you know how this works, it is important to save something for the future. The kid is smart, he wanted your approval"
"He doesn't need my approval. He is a grown man and a pilot at that, he is about to go to war for what he believe is right. Now if he wants my advice, I would be glad to give it"
Samuel chest inflated a bit and his back rectified.
"I would really like to know your opinion grandpa"
"Do it. Take the deal, one of my mistakes when I was young was being to prideful. I took the publicity deal late in life, still I made a lot of money from Coca Loca generous arrangement; but I retired just a few years after, so my gains were limited. Get the deal now, and collect some savings, you don't know what the future might bring"
Bareck smilled.
"Thanks grandfather" Samuel stood at attention and saluted, his grandfather saluted back.
"Excellent, do you mind if we do it right now?" Bareck didn't lose a moment.
"Right now?" asked Samuel.
"Yes. Is something easy, MARTA..." Bareck called the AI, but there was no response.
"MARTA, I know you are listening."
[I was instructed to restrict my interaction with the attendants to the festivities and limit myself to observation and security, except for important matters this protocol should not be violated]
"This is important, it concerns the future of a future pilot. The sooner he can establish his contract with our company the sooner he can start collecting the benefits, I think that is an important matter"
[Captain Samuel, do you wish to perform a contract?]
Samuel looked at his grandfather, the old man nodded.
"I do"
[Understood. I suggest the standard contract used in sponsorship cases; this contract is already known and all loopholes have been eliminated, breaches or outrageous impositions on the pilots would be met with severe repercussions for the company. In the same note, the pilot must comply to present reference to his patron on the surface of his machine and appear in official acts and interact with fans in social events at least once every three months if he is not active on mission or on duty. The specifics of the contract will be send to both sides upon agreement]
"I agree" said Bareck.
"I agree" corroborated Samuel.
"It has been a pleasure doing business with you captain Terrence, I will let you enjoy the party now, take care and congratulations on your well deserved promotion" Bareck stretched Samuel hand and went away.
Samuel joined Hector.
"Homes, what the hell was all this?"
"The major played match maker, I am sure he got something out of all this dealings. What you got?" Asked Samuel.
"Somehow I ended up signing a sponsorship contract with Popse soda. I was almost pushed into it, we are lucky MARTA supersedes all kinds of contracts. I got the feelings this guys would have ripped us off otherwise"
"Yeah, I got the same feeling"
"Hey don't you think is weird that there is only two companies with offers for us?" Hector brought up an interesting observation.
"I'm pretty sure that has something to do with the major Zuleimans dealings"
The two men looked at the major who was drinking and talking to every high profile person in the room.
"Where is captain Virna?" Asked Samuel as he looked around.
"The Techs at base told me She never attends the promotion ceremony. She must be at base grinding the new pilots to a pulp right now" answered Hector.
The two men stood there in a corner in silence for a while.
"Men, this sucks! You know what?, This might be our last party, soon we will be piloting weapons of mass destruction and might die sooner than later" Hector said.
"So, what you want to do?" Asked Samuel.
"Well I say, lets get some tequila, get wasted and have some fun with some señoritasssss!"
[Pilots I remind you that you are constantly under the effects of multiple drugs that might interact with alcoholic beverages, the domestic robots in charge of supplying the drinks are forbidden from serving the pilots alcohol]
"Hey MARTA, is there any punishment if we break that restriction?" Asked Hector.
[Since you are not active in duty as for this moment, there would not be an administrative punishment. Although your superior officer might reprimand you and impose some light form of penalty]
"Totally worth it" said Hector as he walked towards one of the robots that served the non alcoholic beverages. After taking two glasses of orange juice and emptying their content in a bowl on one of the tables, he walked towards a member of his family.
"Hey cus, give me some of the good stuff"
The man he talked to, had a bulky constitution, with a bald head and no facial hair, dressed in a black suit.
"Seguro primo" the man answered as he took out a flask from his jacked and poured some of the content into the two glasses.
"Drink up Sam, this is a real men drink, real tequila, original recipe from Mexico. My cousin Armando here, he used to work in the distillery, he knows how to make the good stuff. This gonna put some hair on your balls man" Hector family laughed.
[Pilots, I remind you that your current actions are not advisable]
Samuel ignored the AI and drank up.
"Hum, wow, not bad. It is strong, but the taste is actually good" Samuel said although his face contorted for a moment.
"Gracias" said Armando smiling as he served some more of the beverage to the two young pilots.
"Now, lets dance; lets make this look like a party!" yelled Hector.
He and his family made sure to instill some life into the otherwise boring celebration, soon there was people dancing around as the voices of the mariachis filled the room with their songs, meanwhile one of Hector female cousins was trying to teach Samuel how to dance to the rhythm of El son de la negra.