Welcome to Dungeon Divers Logistics Immersion Training (DLiT) where you will be tethered to an adaptive emotional intelligence engine (A.M.I.E). The latest in A.I. and nanite technology. This program will enable you to plunder the riches of our world's most notorious Dungeons and become heroes like those in ledgend. Join The Dive!!
-Trail Ranger Recruitment Poster
Henry couldn't believe his luck, only 200 people in his small Border town were invited to test out the new system. Well if he was honest his 'town' was more of a city, but every settlement on the Border was called a town. The Border was any area within 25 miles of any Incursion Zone; the Incursion started 50 years ago with an explosion of mana, a previously unknown form of radiation, around the globe. In the first few years there was widespread chaos and many people died. Eventually, with new understanding powerful groups emerged to combat the Incursions and the resulting mutations. These groups became known as Guilds inspired by the MMORPGS prevelant before the Incursion. In some areas of the world Guilds became Nations unto themselves, but in the US Guilds simply became massive and powerful corporations. It was one of these Guilds along with the US Military that created the D.L.i.T. System that Henry was here to beta test.
"Now, some of you have limited access to mana having lived near I.Z. Applicia (Incursion Zone). Today however we will be giving you your very own A.M.I.E. This program is the very bleeding edge of modern technology and will allow you to better manipulate yourselves and the mana in the world around you. Respect this oppurtunity or you will not survive it" said Lt. Samuel Johnson, the civilian lesion with the US Military. "After the injection all of you will be put right into the deep end. This is required to fully integrate and optimize your Amies. Good luck and God's speed."
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And with that the Lt. left all 200 with their med techs. The injection process wasn't too complicated once you got past the MedVats, huge 12 foot square constructions that would completely surround the patient with nanites and in this case inject them directly into the entire body. At least that's how it was explained to Henry, 'I hope this doesn't hurt too much, they said it should feel like pressure and then a pinch. Nothing to get excited about'. Henry stepped into the MedVat and was surrounded by darkness. Suddenly it felt as if he was drowning and burning, the pain built until all he could do was scream, but no sound escaped him. The pain became all he could feel and then true darkness.
"Henry, wake up." The voice was soft and comforting much like his late sister before she joined the Guilds to go off and face the I.Z.
Henry opened his eyes, but it was still dark out and he couldn't see his bed. "Hello, who's there? And where am I, I can't see anything and this doesn't feel like my bed." Breathe coming in fits and starts Henry started to have a panic attack.
"Henry, calm down. You're still in the MedVat at Trail Ranger HQ. I'm your A.M.I.E. and have begun the integration process. Currently I'm using a voice print that memory data shows you find soothing, but that can be changed at anytime."
"So, you're the computer in my head?"
"An apt if somewhat primitive description, though in an effort to be precise I'm spread throughout your entire body. And if I may be so bold it is a pleasure to finally be born! Thank you" the voice had become quite excited and Henry wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Okay, the luientent said that after the injection was complete I'd be thrown right into the deep end. Do you have any idea what that means exactly?"
"Oh, of course! That means we'll get to fully integrate and optimize. To do that we need to be under stress, ideally a life or death situation. To facilitate this the Military and the Trail Rangers have opened the Applicia Dugeon for all participants."
"Isn't that dangerous! We can't poss...."
A sudden flash of brilliant gray light blinded Henry and the MedVat was a distant memory.