Miss Taylor Carter, Manager of the Foster Laboratory Branch in the 12th Base, sat at her desk, surrounded by stacks of files.
With a swift motion, Taylor selected five files and spread them out before her. With practiced ease, she flicked through each one, absorbing the key details of the recruits within. This mission was not just any assignment, it was their chance to prove themselves, to show their worth to the organization.
> ____________________________________________________________________________
>
> MAKOA IOSUA
>
> RECRUIT STATUS : (PENDING ASSESSMENT)
>
> COMBAT CLASSIFICATION: C+
>
> HEIGHT: 6.9 F
>
> WEIGHT: 290 P
>
> ETHNICITY: HAWAIIAN
>
> PERSONALITY TRAITS: TIMID / LOYAL / PROTECTIVE
>
> POWER: DAMAGE ABSORPTION
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
>
> EMILY JAMESON
>
> RECRUIT STATUS : (PENDING ASSESSMENT)
>
> COMBAT CLASSIFICATION: C
>
> HEIGHT: 5.2 F
>
> WEIGHT: 105 P
>
> ETHNICITY: WHITE
>
> PERSONALITY: EMOTIONAL / SOCIABLE / IMPULSIVE
>
> POWER : SONIC WAVE
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
>
> DYLAN COLE
>
> RECRUIT STATUS : (PENDING ASSESSMENT)
>
> COMBAT CLASSIFICATION : B
>
> H : 6.0
>
> W : 175 P
>
> ETHNICITY: WHITE
>
> PERSONALITY : CONFIDENT / SELFISH / LEADER QUALITIES
>
> POWER : FLAME BODY
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
>
> BINNA PARK
>
> RECRUIT STATUS : (PENDING ASSESSMENT)
>
> COMBAT CLASSIFICATION: C
>
> H : 5.10
>
> W : 125 P
>
> ETHNICITY: KOREAN
>
> PERSONALITY : KIND / SHY / RELIABLE /
>
> POWER : HEALING AURA
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
>
> ROBERTO ORTEGA
>
> RECRUIT STATUS : (PENDING ASSESSMENT)
>
> COMBAT CLASSIFICATION : C+
>
> H : 5.11
>
> W : 165 P
>
> ETHNICITY: HISPANIC
>
> PERSONALITY : INSECURE / AGGRESSIVE / CONFRONTATIONAL
>
> POWER : SEMI-BODY MORPHING ( LYCAN )
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
With a nod of satisfaction, Taylor closed the files and rose from her desk. It was time to send these recruits out into the field, to see what they were truly made of.
***
Five eager young faces stood before Miss Carter, their hearts pounding with excitement and anticipation.
"You're all around C combat classification, except for Dylan here, who's got a B," she announced.
"That means he'll be leading this mission. Any questions?" Taylor's tone was matter-of-fact, but her eyes betrayed a hint of concern. These recruits were fresh out of training, stepping into a world teeming with danger and cruelty, if it wasn’t for the higher up pushing for accelerated deployment of new recruits, she would have sent a more experienced team.
Dylan couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at being chosen as the leader. He admired Miss Carter and was determined to prove himself worthy of her approval.
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"Thank you, Miss Carter, for this opportunity to showcase our skills and dedication," he said, trying to mask his nervousness.
"Don't thank me yet," Taylor replied, her voice tinged with worry. "This mission might be more dangerous than you think. Stick together and watch each other's backs."
With a firm nod, Dylan assured her, "We won't let you down, Miss Carter. We'll get the job done."
Taylor interjected her tone serious. "Just one more thing before you proceed. If you encounter any military presence during this mission, I need you to pull back immediately." She paused, concern evident in her voice. "There's a chance that the individual Jayson mentioned might have military ties, and we can't afford any unnecessary complications."
As the recruits filed out of the room, Taylor called in Major, a man with a mysterious air about him.
"Major, I need you to keep an eye on the new recruit," Taylor said, her tone filled with concern.
"With all due respect, my job is to protect you, Miss Carter," Major replied firmly.
"As long as I stay in the facility, I'm completely safe, so you don't have to worry about that. Plus, I know a man like you hates babysitting and would love some action," Taylor said.
"I don't know about this," Major hesitated, but he felt a spark of excitement at the thought of getting back into the field after months of inactivity. He was eager to shake off the dust.
"Look, I know this goes against protocol, but I have a bad feeling about this mission, and I need someone I can trust to handle it," Taylor pleaded.
"Fine," Major nodded, finally giving in.
"Thank you," Taylor said with relief.
***
A few minutes later.
The team was getting ready, having undergone five months of rigorous training after joining Foster Labs. Though they hailed from different backgrounds, they were all brought together upon completing their basic training to form a cohesive unit.
"Dylan, why do you always act like a puppy around the manager? Are you sweet on her or something?" Emily teased, trying to get a rise out of Dylan.
"Emily, now's not the time for your jokes. Focus up and get ready," Dylan replied sternly, determined to lead the team to success and earn a high assessment mark.
Emily pouted and said “So serious, you’re no fun at all”
"Hey guys, can I ask a favor?" Makoa stepped forward towering over the others, scratching his massive head nervously.
"What's up, Makoa?" Binna asked gently.
"I'd like to visit my niece before we head out. She's been through a lot since losing her parents, and I don't want her to worry about me disappearing for a few days," Makoa explained. His niece resided in one of the civilian facilities provided by Foster Labs, where families of recruits received support and protection.
"Yeah, of course, Makoa. We can make a quick stop," Binna agreed.
"No, we need to focus. We don't have time for personal visits," Dylan interjected firmly, he didn’t want to waste any time since their mission was time-sensitive.
"Seriously? She's an orphan, Dylan. Have a heart," Emily retorted, frustrated by Dylan's lack of empathy.
"I'm the leader here, and what I say goes," Dylan asserted, pointing to each member of the team in turn.
"I don't take orders from you, Dylan. You're not my boss," Roberto challenged his disdain for Dylan evident.
Before tensions escalated further, Binna intervened, calming the situation and proposing a compromise.
"Now, Dylan isn’t the place Makoa nephew at on our way to the supplies point? So it won't be too much of a hassle for us to stop by the place for a few minutes" Binna reasonably added.
"Alright fine, but you have 5 minutes, and then we are leaving" Dylan reluctantly agreed.
The team exited the facility grounds and made their way toward the residential area where foster lab employees and their families resided. Positioned within the massive 12th base, the foster labs held a significant portion of the territory, second only to the military.
Makoa navigated through the living quarters to find his niece's residence. This particular facility resembled an orphanage, primarily housing children. As he wore the foster lab uniform, a worker approached him with a welcoming smile.
"Hey there, how can I assist you today?" the worker inquired.
"I'm here to see my niece, Anela Harper," Makoa replied.
"Ah, little Anela. Follow me," the worker beckoned.
Makoa engaged in conversation with his niece, attempting to soothe her anxieties.
"I have to leave for a few days, but I need you to be a good girl and wait patiently for me," he explained.
"Why do you have to leave? Can't you stay with me?" Anela protested, clenching her tiny fists.
"I wish I could, but there are people out there who need my help," Makoa responded.
"Promise you'll come back," Anela demanded, extending her pinky finger.
Makoa interlocked his pinky finger with hers. "I promise, I'll be back before you know it. And I'll bring you a present too." With a tight hug, he bid her farewell and rejoined his team.
After completing their preparations, the team departed from the base.