Once everything was set, we moved over to the first aid supplies and stimulants. Airid pulled up the specs on the shop's holo-interface.
"We're looking at standard combat stimulants, nothing special but will keep us going in a fight. Medical supplies are basic, but we can patch ourselves up in the field if needed."
I nodded.
"Grab enough to fill our med kits and pick something more serious for youre medpack you'll be the paramedic just like In the good old days"
Hearing this Airid couldn't help but groan In annoyance but he did just that.
The transaction took a while as we finalized our purchases. The woman behind the counter entered everything into the system and confirmed the sale.
"Pleasure doing business with you,"
She said with a wink, handing us the keys to our fully packed transportation crates in our hands.
"So were to now?"
Darius asked as we left the shop our crates In hands.
"Where else back to the guild until we can move Into Invicta."
I answered while shrugging my shoulders as I started leading the way.
We navigated through the bustling corridors of the citadel, dodging merchants, mercenaries, and travelers from all over the galaxy. The constant hum of chatter and activity surrounded us.
...
A few hours later
We were lounging around the mercenary guild, recovering from the day's activities. My battle brothers were sprawled out in various poses of exhaustion.
Darius and Robert were snoring loudly, Paul was resting his feet on a table, and Julian was scrolling through his holo-phone, his eyes barely open.
Suddenly, a notification pinged on my own holo-phone. I checked it, and a grin spread across my face.
"Invicta is ready,"
I said, loud enough to wake up the snoring crew.
"Huh? What?"
Airid groaned, rubbing his eyes.
"We're ready to board Invicta"
I repeated, standing up and stretching.
"Finally,"
Paul muttered, struggling to sit upright.
I wasted no time kicking the others awake.
"Let's move it, you lazy f*cks we've got a ship to claim."
After navigating the citadel once more, we finally reached the specified docking bay. There she was, our new Aegis-class corvette, the TIS Invicta painted In the same camo pattern as our armor and weapons, gleaming under the hangar lights like a predatory beast waiting to be unleashed.
The gang couldn't help but whistle in admiration. The ship's black, sleek hull with the freshly painted Invicta name etched across its side in bold, white lettering looked even better up close.
Its menacing appearance was accentuated by the dark red trim along its edges and the hulking mass of its weaponry.
"Home sweet home,"
Julian said, walking up to the airlock.
Once we boarded, we split up to make ourselves at home. The interior was spartan and military, no frills, just the bare essentials.
But to us, that was more than enough. We stashed our weapons and armor in the armory, with Airid meticulously organizing the med kits he'd begrudgingly accepted responsibility for. Each of us had our own private room, small but functional, equipped with a bed, storage, and a console.
After settling in, we gathered in the common area, where I had six VR helmets prepared and waiting for us. These weren't at the level of the Second Chances VR facility, but they were good enough to get us ready for any real-world engagements.
I stood before my battle brothers, their weary faces looking up at me with varying degrees of skepticism.
"Alright, here's the deal. We've got a routine starting now,"
I began, pacing back and forth.
"Wake up at 0600, E*rth time. Breakfast, then PT. After lunch, we hit VR training for combat simulations dinner at 01.00. Supper is at 1800, and after that, free time until 2200 when you hit the sack."
The groans that followed were practically deafening.
"You've gotta be s*itting me,"
Darius muttered, slouching back in his seat.
"0600?"
Robert echoed, clearly not thrilled.
"We're not back in boot camp, Drac!"
"Yeah, exactly,"
Airid chimed in, rolling his eyes.
"We're supposed to be mercs, not conscripts."
"You think I give a f*ck what you signed up for?"
I snapped back.
"You want to stay alive out there, you do what I say. This routine is what kept me and a lot of soldiers alive for a long time. Get used to it."
They grumbled but didn't push back further. Deep down, they knew I was right.
...
A Few Days Later: VR Training Session
After a few days of following the new routine, we were deep into VR training. Today's scenario had us conducting a boarding operation on an enemy vessel.
The simulation was so immersive it felt almost like reality. The sounds of explosions, the smell of burnt metal, and the vibration underfoot made every moment feel real thanks to VR helmets connecting directly to our brains.
We moved through the simulated corridors, rifles raised, checking every corner.
But things went south fast. An ambush, enemy forces from both sides. I shouted orders, but in the chaos, someone, Darius, of course decided to charge ahead, only to get gunned down almost instantly.
Paul got separated, Airid lost his cool, and within minutes, the entire team was wiped out.
We ripped off our VR helmets, panting, some of us still reeling from the adrenaline rush.
"F*ck me, that was brutal,"
Julian gasped, wiping sweat from his brow.
"No, that was stupid,"
I barked.
"You ran in like amateurs. This isn't a f*cking game. That kind of s*it will get us killed out there for real."
Darius raised his hands defensively.
"Alright, alright, no need to chew us out. It was just a sim."
"And that attitude is why you got killed in the sim,"
I shot back.
"This isn't just training. You have to treat it like it's the real deal."
The guys mumbled their agreement, though I could tell they weren't thrilled with my harsh words. Still, they knew I wasn't wrong. The galaxy didn't give second chances.
Just then, my holo-phone buzzed again. A message from the mercenary guild manager herself.
I hear you're looking for a high-profit, low-risk job. Meet me in the guild If youre up to It.
I stood up, sliding the phone back into my pocket.
"You lot, take five. I've got business with the guild manager."
As I made my way toward the exit, Julian called after me, still sitting with his helmet in his lap.
"What, you're leaving us to sulk in our misery?"
I smirked.
"Exactly. Maybe you'll learn something from it."
With that, I exited Invicta, heading straight for the mercenary guild. If the manager had a lead on a job, it was time to see what kind of work we were about to get tangled in.
I made my way back to the mercenary guild, the familiar hum of the citadel surrounding me. As I entered the bustling hall of the mercenary guild, the scent of cheap booze and the roar of mercenaries gambling, arguing, and boasting filled the air.
Veteran mercs sat at the bar, some polishing their weapons, while others clinked glasses, laughing off the scars of past battles. The place was chaotic, but to someone like me, it was just another day in this life.
As my eyes scanned the room, I spotted the wana be witch guild manager sitting at a table in the corner, surrounded by clouds of vapor from her ever-present smoking pipe.
She was dressed in the same tight black outfit, her figure outlined perfectly by her synthetic curves, giving off a sultry yet dangerous vibe.
The bright glow of holographic maps danced in front of her, illuminating her sharp synthetic blue eyes. She caught sight of me immediately, waving me over with a flick of her wrist.
She purred as I approached, taking a slow drag from her vape.
"I was beginning to wonder if you'd show."