Rise of the Omnimage

Before the conscripts were 14 tables lined up in a line with various pieces of clothing and equipment with a number in front of each table which Sorin assumed it was for each team. Looking at table five and it was covered with clothing that was green and black. Behind the tables were boxes with what could be believed was more equipment.

"As you enter, go to the table that corresponds with your team." The soldier said and they all split to their locations. Sorin got to his table second right after Linx and Cain fell in right behind Sorin.

"Listen up you three." Corporal Varris said moving up to the table. "You will be issued your new robes, armor-weave suits, boots, and gloves. Once we are done with that, I will show you how they work, followed by issuing your new weapons. Your colors are Black and Green for the Gorgon house. They are proud of their colors so make sure you keep them clean to not cause offense. You will be given four sets of robes. two we will use for training in the next two weeks and the last two will be reserved for meeting your assignee." She went to the third box in line and pulled out the robes, a body suit that had a scale looking pattern, gloves with reinforced knuckles, and boots that hooked and tightened along the side going up to the calves. She went to each box in line giving the same set to each of them. "All three of you look at your body suits. There is a tab just below the left armpit in the shape of your thumb. To remove any filth and clean the suits you will press that tab and infuse it with aether. It will engage the enchantment burning out any foreign contamination." They all looked as she spoke.

"Now, go to the bathing area and wash. Change into your new robes with the armor beneath. Once done, grab all of your old robes and bring them out here and pile them up."

Sorin and the rest of his team went into bathe and did as they were commanded. Sorin gathered up his clothes and went to the left foot of his cot next to his head and lifted it. It was hollow and it was where he kept his ring. He pulled his pocket inside out and tied it around the pocket tightly and then folded his pocket inward to conceal it. He gathered his clothing up and brought it out where they were all commanded. While they were in doing as they were commanded, packs had been brought out and their extra uniforms were placed. They formed back up in front of the table and waiting for the next command.

Corporal Varris looked at each of them. "Now step up and get your aether silver weapons." She said as she hefted a box up and opened it. Inside were the dual weapons for each of them and the single kopis. Sorin picked up his dual blades and they felt way lighter than his training wooden swords. He slid one blade out and saw it had a faint blue tinge to the silver-grey metal. He slid it back in the sheath. The sheathes had a metal swivel on a metal clip that resembled a narrower carabiner for repelling or climbing that attached to the black belt still on the table. He put the belt on and saw it had designated groves for each sword to clip to and lock into place. once clipped the swords moved freely but were not allowed it swing inward by the curvature of the design and the leverage of the swivel pin which was nice because they would never hit his legs while running or moving.

"Take your packs." Varris said as she moved around the table. "You will now follow me to the transmat depot."

She began walking quickly with the team following her. She went down the hall and turned right into a set of doors. She pushed a button, and they waited. Eventually the doors slid open into a metal elevator. She pressed the button with a cardinal rose on it and the elevator began moving upward.

They were in the elevator for what seemed like minutes until it came to a stop and the doors opened into a small crowd. People were rushing in many different directions, and they were all sizes and races. Different beastmen and women, humans or what he thought was human, elves, dwarves, and a host of other types of people Sorin didn't even have a clue about. He thought one person was a dryad from all the books he had read, but there was no way to tell. They were led to a deserted platform labeled "Reserve C Area."

They stepped on the platform after Varris and waited a moment then everything lit up. With a flash everything went white for a split second and then before he could blink, they were standing in a field with deep green grass and what looked like evergreen trees everywhere. Varris let them look for a minute before handing them a map.

"Have any of you used a map before?" Varris asked.

Sorin raised his hand and was the only one.

"Good! You save me the headache of teaching it. You will show your team how to use a map."

The corporal moved back toward the transmat platform before turning to them once again.

"For the next week you are required to work as a team. You will see on that map that there are supply drops that will be luxury items. You are required to source your own food and water and survive in this reserve for the week. If your rescue is required, you will be punished severely. Follow the map. The basic supply drop is already marked on your map. Survival out in the trees and being able to locate different points is a skill that you need to learn and use especially when you are with your assignee. They are given survival training, but you will be expected to have an idea of how to survive. This first week is the test of your desire and commitment. On day seven you will report to pick up point marked on that map. Good luck."

With that she stepped back on the platform and was gone leaving the team to look at one another in bewilderment. "Well, no time like the present." Sorin said as he shrugged off his pack with his spare robes in it. Those were 3 tightly bound rolls covered in canvas leaving two thirds of the pack open. He oriented himself to the map seeing they needed to move northeast to the first supply drop.

Pulling a single sword from its sheath he back moving.