After the recruits calmed down from the amazing specifications of the weapons, the figure continued.
"Your third pivotal piece of gear is the Bulwark," the Figure concluded, bringing in an image of an imposing barrier. "This tool can withstand thermonuclear explosions capable of obliterating a small country, stopping them cold. However, like the others, it requires care and vigilance, once its durability has been compromised, it will cease to function. It can withstand 500 rounds from the Winston and 5 shots from the Pision."
"Your next essential piece of equipment is the All Cloak," the Figure proclaimed, revealing an image of a versatile fabric that can adapt to any shape. "This standard uniform for every mission can seamlessly camouflage in any terrain, unless you're in spacetime travel or under fire. With a see-through function, it permits unobstructed vision while adapting to extreme temperatures from 15,000°C to -273°C. The All Cloak is nearly impervious to conventional weaponry, resisting piercing attacks traveling at 100,000 kilometers per second and enduring up to two hits from our Pision projectiles before disintegration on the third. It also transforms into a parachute for safe descents, morphs into a tent for shelter, serves as an efficient diving apparatus, and absorbs G-forces during atmospheric entry to maintain your body's alignment. When you need warmth, it can function as a simple blanket. The All Cloak is rugged, even if damaged, its extraordinary properties remain intact. It charges from any energy source, including dark energy and body heat, providing up to 72 hours of use when fully charged. It can be split into two, though space entry capabilities become inactive. Additionally, it can mold into prosthetics for severed limbs and staunch bleeding when applied to wounds. Just remember, it's a tool, not a lifeline."
"Please be aware," the Figure stated, pausing for emphasis, "that losing or misusing your gear will have serious consequences. Neglecting your equipment can lead to deductions from your pay and possibly mandatory civil service in the Dreamscape. This gear is crafted from humanity's hard work and sacrifice, so treat it with respect. While each piece is rebuilt after use, it's critical to check its functionality. Quality is assured, but spacetime can be unpredictable. For guidance on inspecting your equipment, refer to the manual available in the booklet icon on your visual display."
Axel's brows furrowed as unease rippled through the group. "The Dreamscape is no mere fantasy," the Figure warned sternly. "An expanse of time, here you will either teach children how to behave properly, tell them eating vegetables is good for the body, make them face monsters in their bed, or inspire them to be pillar of humanity, this will all be done on their sleep which you will join them in. This is to remember you are the pillars that held up the sky protecting their innocent smiles"
Each recruit felt it was rather a relaxing task but how many children are we talking about exactly?
The sanctions are as follows.
"Failure to keep a piece of combat gears will give you a penalty of 200 years in the Dreamscape which is equivalent to 24 hours on Earth time as we can dilate time within your consciousness."
"Should you lose a mission item, the tools provided for specialized needs, be wary. Mishandling these can lead to sentences ranging from 50 to 5,000 years within the Dreamscape, each mission as this may result on a heavy clean-up operation or even worst opening another battle theater for humanity. Operatives will bring you to a hospital and will be in a coma for a month to finish your service."
The Figure continued, directing the recruits' focus back to the vast capabilities of the Analogue. "Your rations space can hold up to 500 metric tons, allowing for transport, self-use, or humanitarian relief. However, selfishness in its utilization will lead to financial repercussions, deducted from your payout depending on your residential timeline."
Axel clenched his fists, the passion within ignited. He would not allow himself to fail. He even felt that inspiring those children in his free time wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Personal space, meaning this one is all yours and it encompasses small storage designed for personal use, but beware, no spacetime explosives or devices that could disturb the balance of space and time are permitted. Any non-living, inanimate object can occupy this space, otherwise, it will be automatically rejected, don't even think about abducting a woman you like with this storage space."
Everyone couldn't help but smile wryly as the figure in black tried to break the ice, but everyone's muscle was so taut due to the huge responsibility being pressed on their shoulders.
"Lastly on the inventory, your Evolutionary Specimen Inventory will gather biological samples collected during your journey. The specimen can be obtained as payment, as spoils of war, or as something you found on an exploration if you're lucky. These samples serve to enhance your genetics, granting you increased stamina, intelligence, strength, and durability derived from foreign species, remains of an entity long gone or some plants along the way that has compatibility with our bodies. This will be treated as a currency among your ranks, allowing you to trade or sell your discoveries, civilians of timelines 42nd Century and above can also trade here, rest assured that there is no scammer in this trading platform, however overpriced good may appear and it is under your digression to tread carefully while trading."
"The payout of each mission will usually be delivered to you right away, if you want a different payout or a different need from what was provided, there will be a scale icon below the booklet icon where you can have it negotiated, depending on the amount of pay a you want to have replaced, this process can be done within an hour at the shortest time or up to a year for the longest. Don't even think you'd get into the yearlong negotiations because these usually are on a level of owning a galaxy. On one note, there will be up to thousands of options to choose from for your negotiation so keep in mind that you will need to be brief, precise and concise if you plan to request for a negotiation on your payout. There will also be coins as payout. These coins are universally traded within all human race ran facilities including 21st century where you reside, a coin can be exchanged for a $100,000 by contacting any operative by dialing 01001000 which mean H, but this is not usually used very often as most people love trading more than using a currency."
"The icon with the two shaking hands is the trading icon that can be located above the booklet icon, it is currently greyed out because you have yet to complete a single mission."
The final details unfolded, capturing the room in rapt attention. "Finally, it is crucial to grasp the nature of spacetime travel. The continuum operates under strict laws of equivalent exchange, if a soldier from the 30th-century enters a time before their own, a correspondent adversary will materialize to track them within a range of their personal value, primarily within their race's timeline. Each move in spacetime comes with unseen costs."
Axel closed his eyes momentarily, attempting to assimilate the multitude of details while fostering an intense focus for the trials ahead.
"Understand this," the Figure added, levelling its gaze towards each recruit as if piercing into their souls. "You are on the verge of embarking on a journey that will transcend time, a mission that will define you. Fates intertwine in this theater, where every action carries consequences both known and unfathomable."
"Understood, sir," Axel and his colleagues responded in unison, clarity igniting their mind like a fire. The intricacy of the time-space web revealed itself like a complex tapestry, urging him to consider the profound connection between actions and consequences.
"You are tasked with a mission deemed Level Infant Difficulty," the Figure announced, transitioning smoothly. "Your first objective as a spacetime recruit is to rescue individuals from arcanist heritage, marking the beginning of your journey. Every action you take will be evaluated based on performance, efficiency, and your capability to utilize the system."
The screen flickered again, showcasing a figure from the past. It was a young woman clad in armor, eyes fierce and intelligent, encircled by a hint of light.
"This is Jeanne d'Arc, one of the most powerful Arcanists of the 15th century. She was known for her unique ability to decipher enemy transmissions through something called Void Codes," the Figure explained. "These codes echo across time, holding secrets vital for our survival."
"During her life, she uncovered messages detailing that the black plague was orchestrated by foreign entities that should have been the final nail for the coffin of humanity, but we made a clutch through her efforts. It's believed they sowed discord among humanity, manipulating our ancestors while crippling our progress. Her involvement is pivotal, your objective is to retrieve her and secure her knowledge for our benefit."
"This mission is already on its 6329th Iteration, meaning this mission is executed 6329 times without failure, some of our combat teams being wiped out to rescue the arcanist, some going home with incurable insanity due to the pressure relieving them and putting them back on their childhood years, some only surviving with a their head and torso intact yet still clinging to life with only the fire of humanity in their eyes. Be assured that as long as you do not draw your last breath our medical equipment can make you good as new."
The visuals shifted again, this time displaying reptilian creatures with intelligent eyes and insectoid nightmares, each depicted with innate powers beyond comprehension.
The seven soldiers couldn't help but gulp at the sight of these nightmarish beings, 'have humanity has always been surviving this way?' the seven of them thought if what they will do will really have an impact.