“The odyssey program is computer generated match maker that matches compatible participants of the underworld and forms them under different crews. Outlaws, as we are, cannot survive in the harsh world of this universe. For this, we have done a background check on every one of you."

List of different participants and their basic information showed up on screen. It seemed they weren't revealing anything too personal, which was a relief in Ken's eyes.

" As of what stands now, I know more about you than you know about yourself."

That line sent a shiver down everyone's spine. Onlookers knew this was not something of a simple matter. Those who weren't paying attention finally did. The cold exterior of the colosseum had no impact on the atmosphere inside. It was warm. People were fidgeting, biting their nails.

"The authority of the Government is all powerful. Only strong independent outlaws could even stand the test of time. But for fresh blood like you who desire wealth, fame, power, it is rather impossible to take off. No matter how ambitious your dream is, you trash can achieve nothing. Well, regardless, you all know the popular saying, ‘Unity is strength'. With the odyssey softwares high compatibility algorithm, we create 10 new crews of outlaws every year which increases your chance of completing those goals from 0.00% to 0.12%. To you fresh bloods that would seem like nothing but at its core, it creates the foundation for your success. And I especially feel this year's participants are quite the interesting ones. So without further ado, let’s see the 10 teams created from the odyssey program”

The screen pulled out a sheet with the rows 1-7 as columns of name were being shown below. The names were flickering like a lottery machine picking a winner. Ken clenched his fist, thinking positive words in his head. A second passed, and the newly created crews were shown.

Ken attentively observed from the first row not missing a single name, trying to see if he had made it. By the fifth row, he noticed Argo’s name on the top. As a friend, he was genuinely happy for him, but it was also getting concerning. 9 groups passed by but he could not find his name. Finally, at the bottom of the last column and last row, his name ‘Ken Kawasaki’ was stated.

“I got in?” he questioned, his own eyes grasping the situation.

"I got in!”

His body jolted up, as he continuously jumped with excitement. He couldn’t believe it and, unfortunately, so did the other contenders. A hand swung right at his face, flinging him to the side as the participant's attention shifted from the screen to him.

“This matchmaking system is nonsense!” Skull crusher shouted. They did not select him for the program, so his anger was just.

“I had 20 complete victories! I should have been selected! Why was this pipsqueak chosen? Listen to you behind the screen! I will Kill y…”

Before he could finish, a laser bullet pierced through his skull, killing him instantly.

“For violating the 209th term of the Odyssey program’s terms and policies which specified that all participants to not engage in violent actions other than the battlefield, you have been subjugated.”

A robot said as it reloaded its gun. It had a cap on top of its head which had a spear piercing moon symbol on it. A somewhat junk like structure and two rifle holders stuck to the back. Small drones flew down, gripping the hands and the legs as they quickly picked the body up and discarded it from the site.

“Minor inconveniences as always. For now, please head to the marked location for each team. There, you will be given a few minutes of communication before we start the next phase. For now, scram,” said Solaris as the holographic screen disappeared.

Everyone slowly left. Some were disappointed, some relieved, some were eccentric, while others were excited. Ken was still a little weakened after that blow. It was hard for him to get up. The numbing feeling in the legs and a sense of exhaustion were already hitting him. A hand reached out to him. IT was Argo's. Ken gripped his hand tightly and pulled himself up.

“Don’t know what just happened, but seems luck was on your side,” Argo said with a grin.

“As if. Getting my ass kicked 24/7 is becoming repetitive.” Ken responded, while wiping the dust off his body.

“Well, you know this would have been a lot easier for you if you used that thing”

He said, while pointing towards Ken’s chest. Ken’s face turned gloomy and pissed off just from hearing that, as if a switch flipped inside him. He pushed the finger away and replied,

“I ain’t gonna use it, so never… ever bring it up.”

His words were far aggressive than usual. A personal matter that only Argo knew. Thus, he backed off before things could get ugly.

“Fine, whatever you say. I’ll be heading to my team room. Going to show them who is going to become the captain”

Ken's face switched back to his happy self. He responded with a smile,

“Yeah. Me too,”

“See ya later Babyface” Argo pulled his hand forward, waiting for a fist bump

“Don’t die on me before that”

They fist bumped and headed their own ways. Drones swooped down as they gave each of the selected participants a small tablet containing information about their destined location. Ken observed the tablet.

"What the hell… Which way is north and which way is south?" A clear sign that this man had no sense of directions. He was wandering from one place to another. He had found himself in front of a dorr that was white, pristine with a silver colour, something that screamed "VIP". Without thinking, he opened the door only to see himself being kicked out by the robot guards.

"Not this place," one of them said. After asking a few people who were reluctant to help, he finally had found the correct path he was supposed to take. Strolling for a couple of minutes, he reached the door of his team. Unlike the others, it was quite ugly looking. The wooden carvings on the outside and the small flickering light that could be seen from below the door were quite underwhelming. But something like that wouldn't bother him that much. Taking a deep breath, he entered the room with a smile on his face.

“Nice to meet everyone,” he said.

But his loud response had no reply. The room had wooden boxes in them where all the 6 members were casually sitting. Not a single one of them thought it was necessary to reply to him. But Ken didn’t feel hurt by that. He went inside with an open mind, ready to face new challenges with his now new crewmates.