I looked at the multiple vials of magical liquid, and for once didn’t feel like I needed to do things immediately, having experienced one of the properties I even though I wouldn’t gain anything out of it, but it’s good to be cautious.

“Can I take it somewhere to drink later? Wouldn’t want to just stop the conversation."

“Yeah, sure I don’t think it will be anything much different than the Slash one”

Swordjuice smiled at the use of the word “I could fill some popping pearls for you then. If you'd like”

“Hmm so that’s how you take them? For transport I mean”

“No, they're too fragile I'll use some gel capsules, I think. When I need to go on a mission.”

“Hm, sure then. I'll gladly take them”

“Okay I'll give them to you by dinner.”

“Thanks.” I looked to Glassmetal, remembering the weapon he used against me, that one certainly was a strong one, which led me to asking: “So Glassmetal, has Swordjuice taken any liquid from your weapon?”

“What?” he frowned.

Victor loudly laughed again “Hah! Great one.”

“Yeah man” Glassmetal shook his head, getting what I really meant after a second “Although the old dude there will not appear his age.”

Victor stopped laughing holding his stomach “It's just more of the same, although we think if we could kook her up with some crazy power created weapon it would be something really amazing”

“Wouldn’t that be the coolest? taking powers from legendary weapons.” Swordjuice asked almost jumping in place.

“Yeah, it’s a pipe dream though” Glassmetal shot her dreams down. “And answering your question better she takes the firing power from it, which admittedly can be really high, as you know from personal experience.” He smiled apologetically.

“Yeah, no joking taking that kind of firepower to a fight could really turn the tables.” isaid rubbing one of my forearms, remembering how it just snapped even after layers of mutations to resist bullets.

“True, we’re planning on having some produced, if she has to go out, and maybe give out a few to the ones going, you might get some.”

“That'd make me more relaxed” I smiled to them.

“So, I'm guessing the explosives just make whatever is with them explosive? Wouldn't be a great idea to drink them if so” I said, continuing the conversation.

“True, but its cleaner actually.” Swordjuice said smiling proudly about herself. “My power is great, you just get the boom without the destruction, to yourself at least.

“It transforms the object into an explosive, only that it doesn’t explode, it triggers and releases the blast. so, there's no fragmentation but some explosions can be very strong.” Glassmetal explained to me how it worked.

“Sadly, we can't just get a bunch of TNT wrapped together and call it a bomb, it just considers one stick” Victor said sounding dejected.

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking about powers and victor showed me the performance of each of the enchantments in bullets in the target practice area, it was nice to not be the one being shot at for a change. Even more knowing that I wouldn't really get anything from these bullets.

I also saw more of Glassmetal projects and he explained in more detail the rail gun that he used against me the, thing was almost to the point of breaking the sounds barrier, if only he could cram some more energy into the thing.

When we saw that it was almost seven in the evening the four of us took the elevator to the mess hall to have dinner.

“And then this guy just becomes a giant meatball” Victor said gesturing to me. “The thing was like a water balloon taking Glassmetal shots, and I tell you, that’s no easy feat.”

We had our dinner and now everyone was at the table Victor telling the ones who weren't there how I had ended up bedridden, no one had really cared for how it happened when I was injured, only if I was okay.

But now everyone was curious and Victor was happy to retell the whole thing.

“And the last shot hits! the whole thing still holds, bubbling like something out of a body horror film.” he gestured his hands around making undulations and a disgusted face.

“And then the shit really becomes a body horror, as Joey there is practically birthed a second time, with gushes and splashes to top it all off.” He shook his head.

“Thankfully, there was the smoke, the scene wasn't pretty, even only half seeing it.” Victor finished, taking his seat amidst the laughter of the group.

“That’s is our golden recruit, I’ve seen the damage some of Glassy’s toys can make.” Spotlight announced, sounding all proud. “You're our beautiful meat shield.”

“He does Kinda look like a turtle, with the shaved head and all.” Spyglass entered the conversation giving a smirk my way

“Hey, even you? I thought we had finally bonded” I joked with them.

The table was all around high spirits and bander, it really seemed like we had come a long way, and I felt part of the group, the first time in a long while that I felt this way.

Everyone was laughing and drinking, having a good time. Spyglass paused, her eyes shining in one of her periodic sweeps “He’s here.”

“Finally, come on recruits I want you all to meet him” LED said getting up and gesturing to us with his hand.

I got up to follow, Swordjuice hopping her way over as well with Glassmetal not nearly as enthusiastic.

“I'll go too, we’ll probably need to talk with him.” Victor said, coming as well.

The five of us got into the elevator for the short lift, the doors opening to the dark barn, softly illuminated by the light coming from inside, we stepped out one after the other, Victor clicking the hold on the elevator so the light didn’t go out completely.

Waiting there, I was starting to wonder if it would take too long when I heard the handle being taken off the door, the light revealing the distant image of two people, Old Dan and an unknown silhouette both of them entering.

As they approached, they got illuminated and I was able to get a better view of them, Old Dan was the same as before laughing as he made jokes with the newcomer who had an easygoing smile in his face.

The guy, Araphel I presumed had a gentle demeanor, looking calm and unhurried, his appearance was much fiercer though, having his head shaved into a mohawk only the curly hair on the top big enough that it fell a bit over his forehead, he also had multiple piercings and tunnels on both ears.

LED stepped forward seeing him arrive. “Long time no see, Araphel. He greeted extending his hand.

Araphel clasped it, his smile widening. “Long time LED. How are things going?”

“As good as could be expected, our latest mission was a success” LED said, nodding as they shook hands.

“It sure did, look over there, the baldie is the newest addition to your team of weirdos” Old Dan said also getting closer standing besides Araphel

“What you all waiting for come over.” He hurried us shaking his hand for us to get closer.

Victor laughed, patting mine and Glassmetals back as he started walking to the group, I shared a look with the others shrugging and going as well.

As we approached LED turned to us, gesturing in our direction, “These are the recruits.”

He gestured to each of us as he did our presentations, “Swordjuice, Glasmetal and... Joseph. he hasn't picked a codename yet, this is Araphel.”

Araphel laughed, stepping up and shaking each of our hands. “It happens I also took quite a bit of time to pick one, but they weren't as famous back then anyway.”

“Yeah, it's becoming increasingly weird, I'll pick one before I'm sent in a mission though.” I said also deciding for myself to choose one before then.

“Speaking of that” Araphel said. “I’ve brought information on the next one” he looked at LED, continuing “I’ll tell you the details later, but it should be a simple anti-poaching.”

“What?” I asked confused.

“Just something we say when we steal the target the families would be trying to poach.” LED explained.

“Yes, the informant said he was vocally liberalist before.” Araphel gave a little more information, painting a picture of the situation, a person with a powerful or useful power, that had been against the government before, they were at risk.

“That could be a problem then, we’ll act faster.” LED nodded.

“Yes, we’ll talk details later.”

Victor approached as well, greeting Araphel animatedly, with the two that close you really could tell that Araphel really wasn’t that tall, being the shortest of us all besides Swordjuice and Old Dan, so a bit less than 170? I mused as the two caught up.

“So is your mission going well?” Victor asked “It could be big news if everything went right.”

“Yeah, it’s a shame that we couldn’t stop it but I think we’ve figured the next step, it’ll be hard but I'll tell the details later as well.” he glanced at us, clearly showing that he wouldn’t explain everything to us recruits.

“While you all do that I'll go back, I have more to do than plan around after all.” Old Dan crudely said.

He glanced at me before going out asking, “You adapting well? they didn’t do the experiments you were so afraid before?” he asked in a joking tone.

“Ah, yeah, I'm doing good here.” I thought it over before continuing “They only tested some weapons on me and I got to be beat around a bunch.”

“Bah, that’s good for you recruits, beats them into shape.” he laughed and went away shaking a hand in goodbye.

I shook my head seeing the old man go, Araphel LED and Victor talked a bit between themselves as the sound of the handle being put into place resounded in the empty barn.

“So, what's the deal with these recruits? They any good?” Araphel asked as their conversation arrived a lull, eyeing us.

“They're pretty good, Joseph here even was the one that saved us from a confrontation with Thunder.” LED explained.

“Hooh, that’s grand for a novice, got a good power?” Araphel asked raising an eyebrow.

“Hehe, it’s a great one.” Swordjuice said smiling at the situations

“He’ll probably ask for you to help with it.” Glassmetal said, laughing a little.

I scratched the back of my head. “I mean if you could I'd be glad.”