"Good work everyone, as it was your first mission, and a going in blind at that. Despite the huge slaughter, which was expected, you all did well. The payout has been finished and for those who got points you can make your way to the upgrade center to either cash them in for upgrade or save them for later. I am proud of G Company, but try to survive as a full squad, you get more points for a squad survival. Also, the top 3 companies with the most points overall gets special benefits each year. Train to win your next mission Vivunt, Evolve protege patria nostra " Officer Boris closed and he stepped off the podium among the echoes and clapping of the cadets.

I had received 110 points and followed my squad toward the Upgrade Center.

I opened a terminal and the screen lit up. On it was multiple buttons with a title called [Categories]

The categories listed were.

Fantasy

Technology

Enhancements

Gene Mods

Tools/Weapons

Entertainment.

I looked at each category and decided to look at tools and weapons.

I set a criteria for 1-110 points and saw various tools pop up.

It ranged from simple stuff like ropes and hammers to more of the lethal tools like bear traps, throwing needles, and plasma saw.

After much looking over I decided to get some 10 meter long rope (10 points) and went over to the Enhancement category.

The category was here to enhance items or objects, even one's body at the ratio of 1:1, 1 points for 1 stat increase.

I decided to enhance my accuracy by 50 points (50) and I increased durability of the rope I just got by 50 points as well (50), leaving me broke.

I lumbered out with the receipt that showed my purchase and gave it to a worker in the science labs. She looked it over and after a few minutes came back with a serum and a coil of rope as well as a data stick.

"This data stick is for the simulations, the realism of the simulations are a bit extreme, which means any items you bring with you have the chance of being damaged. And when damaged you have to restock. But anyway, this data stick will allow you to bring in any objects to large for the simulation pod" The worker explained and then waved for the next person in line.

I walked away from the counter, injecting myself with the serum and felt my body burn, especially my eyes. They sort of blacked out for a few seconds before readjusting, I noticed everything around me grow sharper, more focused,

I walked over to a group of tables and met up with my group who was waiting patiently. Ciara was using Antony as a lap pillow as they both looked at a blueprint.

Gadri seemed to be bigger than before while Nima looks more flighty.

"Your eyes are sharper" Gadri exclaimed, and I answered "I got accuracy enhancement what about you guys"

"Muscle Density x100 plus endurance x 30" Gadri said. Total points spent: 130

"Speed enhancement x 70, reaction x100, and awareness x50 with a small diamond edge knife" Nima said in a bored tone Total points spent: 270 points.

"Two blueprints and the materials to build them" Antony chirped, Embarrassed he coughed and said it again. Points spent: 85

"I got nothing, got blown into space then knocked out doesn't exactly reward you" Ciara pouted

The only person missing was Universe but since she had over a thousand points it was understandable.

We waited, and waited, till over three hours have passed before she finally came out.

"Whats with you girl, you took three hours, THREE" Nima exploaded, and Gadri had to hold her back.

"I just had to research everything, find out the fine print, and their compatibility with my abilities." Universe said in her monotone voice.

"IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN THREE FUCKING HOURS THOUGH" Nima clawed her way out of Gadri's embrace and dashed at Universe.

Arriving in almost a blink of an eye, given her speed enhancements and the short distance, Nima almost clawed Universe in the face when all of us tackled her to the ground.

"Nima, calm down, this is the first time all of us had to go through this information, wouldn't you be curious as well" Ciara tried to reason with Nima but she just struggled even more.

"Nima, Universe is like that, she is a very curious person, she also said she is a scientist right?" I said.

By this time we were getting stares from many people in the room, and this causes Nima to back down.

"Fine, have it your way, but you should know that I'm not a patient person" Nima growled.

"Alright Universe let us hear what you got" Antony smiled.

"IF you want to know then I am happy to oblige, the skills I have received would be more of the recon class. Mind Radar Level 4 (400), and Information Window Level 3 (300) allows me to not only detect any enemies in the surrounding but also gather information about them. " Universe explained happily, her eyes glinting

"I have increased my stamina and mental capacity by 200 each so I could handle the information that came in. As I had gotten 1320 points, I have 220 points leftover" Universe tells us and I whistled. "Thats a lot of points used,, thought I can somewhat feel reassured knowing that we won't be caught in a surprise attack."

"Roles as of now are Antony as the Tech Expert, Gadri as our Tanker, Beo as a sharpshooter, and Universe as Recon, while I am a assassin. Ciara is undefined since she didn't get any upgrades" Nima speaks.

"How about we try out these new powers." Ciara suggested and we all agreed with her.

"To fully test out our powers, shall I set up the simulation" Universe asked, but Antony rejected it.

"Ciara should test us, since she can't test out any new powers in the first place" Antony argued and what he said did make sense.

Since Ciara didn't get any upgrades to her current self, she had no reason to go into the simulator with us.

"If your fine with me that is, I usually go hardcore, Antony this is a first for you to ask me to set up something" Ciara smiled and Antony seemed to start sweating.

"On second thought, this may be a bad idea" Antony gulped.

"Nonsense, I agree with your plan fully" Gadri exclaimed and the group agreed unanimously.

"Oh no" Antony put up a force smile and followed everyone to the simulator.

The simulator room had pods for multi-squad training, single squads, individuals and many more. There was even a separate lounge just for watching the training.

"Be right back as I set it up" Ciara gave us a blinding smile, she seemed to be in an extremely good mood.

Anthony just sweat even more profoundly.

After a few minutes Ciara came back telling us to get into the pods.

Welcome to the simulator, for today's simulation you are doing a group vs group exercise, A random group will be selected.

Group Selected: V Company Squad 3.

Randomizing Mission:

Mission Selected: Onslaught Group Survival, Hold out till the other group falls,

Battlefield for this exercise: Darkness Mineshaft

Type of enemy(s): Shadow Apes, Iron Rhinoes, Lumbering Decay Spawnlings.

Mission Start.

Oh great a group mission. I sighed at the thought and felt everything go black