The new elements

Chapter 5: the test

Six months of training go by and the team gets called into the commanders office.

Welcome everybody, all of you have been working hard. Today I called you here because it's time for your first mission, consider this your graduation. I've talked about this with Clay before so I'm officially announcing that he will be the team leader. Any objections?

The rest shake their head.

Good. Mission briefing is simple, there is a gang active in the lower ring of the city and we want them gone. They're known for selling drugs, stealing, kidnapping and all sorts of violence. We have no idea where their hideout is so finding it will be your first objective.

What do we do when we find it?

That's up to you, deal with them how you see fit. I need to know that as a leader you are capable of making independent decisions. Make a statement, I want word to spread to other criminals in the city that they'll suffer the same fate if they don't change their ways.

We'll send them a message.

Report back to me once the mission is done.

They go outside and start assembling their gear. As they're preparing the commander looks over them from his office balcony and gets an unexpected visitor.

How are things going commander?

General... I wasn't expecting you, they're preparing for the mission.

Tell me about the recruits, are they as impressive as I've heard?

They are. The one on the left is Clay, the team leader. He's smart, dedicated and a good fighter.

The one next to him is the son of the energy magnate, isn't he?

Yes, that's Danir. He's a genius, his inventions are going to change many lives.

What about the blonde girl?

Kalea can heal most wounds, she's the heart and soul of the team.

The general points to Brix.

He's massive!

That's Brix. He should take things more seriously but he's loyal and the shield of the team.

The girl with the black hair next to him, what about her?

I've never seen anybody as talented as her in the two decades that I've been training soldiers, without a doubt the best fighter I've ever trained.

That's high praise coming from you.

I don't say it lightly, she's worth at least ten regular soldiers.

Impressive. Does that girl have silver hair?

Cassidy, she's... special. She has a heart of gold and is a gentle soul.

Doesn't sound like she belongs here.

Don't get me wrong, she's without a doubt the most powerful person in the entire region.

The entire region...her? Are you serious?!

Absolutely, with her abilities she's a one person army that can take out a dozen enemies in the blink of an eye.

Sounds like you have high expectations for them.

I do, they're the best group I've ever trained. Things in the city and eventually the region will change because of them.

Let me know how their first mission goes.

I'll make a detailed report for you general.

They make their way into the lower part of the city and head to one of the larger markets. It doesn't take long for Brix to speak up.