Martin allowed himself a moment of quiet relief, the exhaustion pulling at his mind. He closed his eyes and began a light meditation to recover some semblance of balance.
His life-force had taken a serious hit, but it hadn't veered too far from what he'd estimated. It was a calculated risk, and the results were well worth it.
After a few more minutes, the five candidates began to stir. Their movements were tentative at first, as if testing their newfound strength. One by one, their restraints were undone, and they moved toward the open practice zone.
They had been briefed beforehand—Nirvana had made sure of that. They knew what to expect, and they had been told what they were here to become.
In the practice zone, they found their new identities waiting for them. A set of five tactical combat suits hung on the walls, each meticulously designed to fit their enhanced bodies.
