Chapter 7: Into the Fire
The simulated humanoid was fast—too fast. Its movements were erratic, almost animalistic, as it lunged toward Ray's squad. The faint hum of its AI-driven mechanics filled the air.
Ray's finger tightened on the trigger. His assault rifle barked, sending a hail of bullets toward the humanoid. A few struck its torso, but it didn't falter.
"Ethan, left flank! Greg, suppressing fire!" Ray shouted, instinctively taking charge.
Ethan scrambled to find cover, raising his rifle with trembling hands. Greg, steady despite the chaos, fired bursts to slow the humanoid's advance. Mia, calm under pressure, aimed carefully and sent a shot straight through its head. The dummy collapsed with a metallic thud.
"Nice shot!" Ray said, exhaling deeply.
Mia smirked. "You'll owe me when this is over."
But there was no time to celebrate. More humanoid dummies emerged from the shadows, their glowing red eyes piercing through the smoke.
The Battle Heats Up
"Stay together!" Ray called out, leading the squad into a nearby building for cover. The walls were pockmarked with simulated bullet holes, offering limited protection.
The humanoids swarmed the area, their inhuman speed and precision forcing the squad to stay on their toes. Greg tossed a grenade out the window, the explosion shaking the ground and taking out three of their attackers.
"We can't stay here!" Ethan yelled, panic creeping into his voice.
Ray nodded, formulating a plan on the fly. "Mia, take Ethan and cover the rear. Greg and I will clear the street ahead. On my signal, we move."
Mia gave a sharp nod, pulling Ethan into position. "Breathe," she told him. "You'll be fine."
Ray and Greg leaned out of the building, firing at the humanoids blocking their path. The dummies, though artificial, fought with ruthless efficiency, their AI adapting to the squad's movements.
"Now!" Ray shouted.
The squad sprinted out of the building, weaving between cover as bullets and simulated energy blasts tore through the air. Ray's heart pounded as he focused on keeping his team alive.
Victory and Reflection
After what felt like an eternity, the arena fell silent. The last humanoid collapsed, sparking as its AI-powered systems shut down. The squad stood among the rubble, battered but alive.
"Everyone okay?" Ray asked, his voice hoarse.
Greg nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "That was intense."
"I'm good," Mia said, though she winced as she moved her shoulder. Ethan sat on the ground, pale but unharmed.
"We did it," Ethan whispered, as if trying to convince himself.
Ray helped him to his feet. "Yeah, we did. But don't get comfortable. This was just practice."
As they exited the arena, the recruits were greeted by Major Greaves, his sharp blue eyes assessing each of them.
"Not bad," Greaves said, his tone gruff. "You kept your squad together and completed the mission. But don't let this small victory inflate your egos. Out there, the real enemy won't be so forgiving."
Ray nodded, understanding the weight of the officer's words.
A New Bond
Later that evening, the squad gathered in the mess hall. The tension from the day's simulation had eased slightly, replaced by a sense of camaraderie.
"Not bad for a first run," Greg said, raising a mug of water in a mock toast.
Ethan chuckled nervously. "I thought I was going to die."
Mia clapped him on the back. "You did fine. Just remember to aim before you fire next time."
Ray watched his team, a small smile tugging at his lips. Despite their differences, they were starting to feel like a unit.
"We're going to need each other out there," he said, his tone serious. "If we stick together, we'll have a chance. A small one, but it's better than nothing."
Mia raised her mug. "To surviving."
"To surviving," the others echoed.
---
The First Mission
The next morning, the recruits were summoned to the briefing room. General Brad stood before them, the holographic map now displaying a real-world location.
"Your training has prepared you for this moment," the general began. "A small humanoid scout team has been detected on the outskirts of Sector 14. Your task is to neutralize the threat and recover any intelligence they may be carrying. This is not a simulation. This is the real deal."
The recruits exchanged uneasy glances. The gravity of the mission sank in.
"Ray's squad will lead the operation," Brad continued. "The rest of you will provide support. Remember: failure is not an option."
As they suited up, the squad's mood was somber but determined. Ray adjusted his rifle strap, glancing at his team.
"We've got this," Mia said, her voice steady.
Ray nodded, gripping her shoulder briefly. "Let's make it back in one piece."
As they boarded the transport vehicle, the hum of its engines filled the air. The sun was rising again, casting long shadows over the base. This time, the light seemed a little less golden, a little more foreboding.
The battle lines had been drawn. And this time, there was no turning back.