ADVENT Priest Training Facility

4/5/2017- 12:40 P.M.

Augusta, Maine

"Okay Dawn, focus on the subject. Try to go even further into the subject's mind than last time, okay?"

"Yes, Doctor Chandra." I said, focusing on the subject in front of me. A Sectoid. I'd been testing myself on it for about a week now; before it, I'd never actually played around with another psionic-capable subject before.

This time around, instead of the standard introductory telepathic commands, I'd try something different.

I closed my eyes, focusing on his mind. Sectoid minds were...eerie. They were so compartmentalized; complex; mechanical. They didn't have any color or nuance, not like Human minds. They didn't feel emotions, it was like psychically looking into the mind of a computer. I didn't like it, even if the structure and conformity made it easier to navigate.

I ignored most of the sterile thoughts as my psionic power crept into its mind.

But I didn't want to go deeper. The mind was revolting on a primeval level.

Cold. Dead.

A new desire floated to the surface of my thoughts.

Kill it.

End it.

That wasn't what I'd been assigned...but I was not caring so much about it anymore. Not after what I saw when delving into its mind for the first time a few days ago.

It's killed people. I read its mind. Saw its memories. I saw what it did to that family.

I heard their screams as it killed them. Watched them die as it butchered them like helpless animals.

It can't hurt anyone now that I'm here. It deserves this.

I went deeper into the brain, moving past the sterility and organized labyrinth. The mental constructs soon turned almost fuzzy, and an indescribably overwhelming feeling began to fill me. It made me want to stop; go back to safety. It was a distinct feeling of wrongness.

Stop.

Concentrate.

Go deeper.

Deeper.

And now...there was something else. It was like there was another mind underneath; a simple telepathic touch confirmed that the weird mental place I had found was receptive to my power. It was weak; bonds held together by something. Many, many bonds; simple and complex alike. All receptive to some degree.

A mental hand reached out to touch.

It awaited my command with an almost held breath.

A simple telepathic command is all I need.

So I thought. Focused.

If the bonds existed...

Could they be undone?

I could get past the surface level mental labyrinth, which was just...going deeper. It was difficult to explain, it was more like an intrinsic feeling. But I reached the place where I could perceive the bonds. I could only guess what they were. Cells? Molecules? Whatever it was, it still responded to my will.

Let me see…

Separate.

The bonds complied; resistant at first, but one of the first things I learned was how to bend the unwilling to my will. It was surprisingly easy, you just had to be determined. The bonds around me broke, the world seeming to become a flowing slurry, as I directed my power towards the few bonds that resisted my command.

A noise began breaking into my concentration, making me mentally gnash my teeth; it was loud and distracting. My concentration wavered, as the sound kept breaking through...it sounded almost like shouting and screaming.

"Dawn!"

Another waver as my psionics continued breaking the bonds. Was that Doctor Chandra?

"Dawn!"

I was almost thrown out then and there, as the surreal disembodiment went through me as my physical body was shaken by the shoulders. But I couldn't stop, and as the world seemed to split around me I held on in the world of slurry and broken bonds. I'd discovered something here. I knew it.

"Dawn!"

Now it was too much, and with a dizzying rush, I returned to my body, my eyes blinking in the too-bright light.

I turned to look at him, angry that he'd interrupted me when I was doing what he wanted. My protest died as I beheld the normally composed man. He was clearly terrified, sweating furiously as if he'd just seen the ghost of his dead mother steal the bag of chips on the nearby desk. His terror and confusion rebounded emotionally, echoing his face. His mouth opened and closed as broken words came out in stutters.

Why?

A surge of alarm hit me.

Had I hit him with a mental attack too?

And then I looked at the prisoner.

Or rather, what was left of the alien.

Oh, for you see, the body was there. But the alien...something else entirely.

Its body looked okay, sprawled on the ground as it was...but his head was gone.

The body lay in a disgusting mess of grey-yellow sludge.

I opened my mouth, gasping. "What?"

I looked at Chandra for answers. He continued to shake and gape, not meeting my eyes, and I couldn't blame him.

What the ever-living fuck did I just do? All I wanted to do was...was kill it...not fucking melt it like Arnie from T2!

I began hyperventilating as the reality of what I had done crashed over me. I collapsed on the floor, breathing heavily. My face turned red as a wave of exhaustion washed over me, as if I had exerted myself too much. The trainers had warned this might happen, and it hadn't happened to me yet. Until now, I guess.

I stared at the floor, muttering unintelligibly while Chandra hit the alarm button near the door.

I must have fallen down at some point after that, and let unconsciousness take me.

"What I want to know, Doctor, is how she was able to do that!"

"I wish I knew, Magister-"

"You'd better-ah, she's waking up!"

I slowly opened my eyes. I was in this place's medical ward. The magister of the facility, Denson, stared down at me with a mixture of wariness and interest - something I'd never seen or felt from him before.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Dawn. Are you alright?"

"I...I think so. Yeah, yeah, I'm good."

I didn't quite feel it yet.

"Wonderful." His tone of voice indicated a sense of annoyed sarcasm. Which was odd coming from an adult. "Because you, my young trainee, have some things to explain."

His tone made me uncomfortable, like some overly sadistic teachers. I flinched. "What do you mean?"

He was not buying my playing dumb. He pulled up a chair and appraised me intensely "Well, you're a smart girl Dawn. I'll see what you come up with."

I swallowed. "The Sectoid?"

"Exactly," he gave a single nod. "How did you do that?"

"W-what?" My stutter was stupid and embarrassing, but I was frankly terrified right now.

He pressed more directly. "How did you melt the Sectoid?"

I stammered, words starting and stopping and coming out as gibberish as I looked around in near-panic. The two guards at the door were shielded from showing their expressions, thanks to their helmets, but I could feel how nervous they were. Or maybe that was me. I couldn't concentrate well enough to figure it out.

"I-I-I don't-I mean I-I-"

"Hey." He put a hand on my shoulder. "Calm down, kid. You're gonna be okay. Just breathe, alright?"

"Breathe?" I shouted incredulously. "I just turned a Sectoid's head into regurgitated Play-Dough and you want me to just fucking breathe? I will-"

My body suddenly turned cold, starting at my left arm which I belatedly realized had an IV tube stuck in it. I turned my head to blankly stared at Denson before passing out.

Again.

The first nightmare came shortly after.

When I was first awakened, it took a lot of effort to get used to hearing the voices of everyone around you. It made it so goddamn hard to sleep. I took way too many sleeping pills those first few weeks. Everyone thought it was so cool that you could read minds, but I'd figured out the coolness wore off once you realized what came with it. You didn't usually want to know the janitor's more...personal thoughts, or your friend's mind when their crush passed by.

But this was different.

Much, much different.

The same image played again and again in my head, in different scenarios.

I'd see my family; my twin sister, mom, and dad all going out for ice cream. They'd turn to look at me with happy smiles, and then slowly melt like the tasty treat in their hands onto the pavement in a red and pale slurry.

My friends, walking home with me from school, chatting and laughing about the day, bitching about homework, teacher, crushes, what have you. They would look at me with that same fuckin' trademark smile, and then turn into human Jell-O on the pavement.

My post-awakening friends, gathered in the training room, practicing on targets in preparation for the war we'd only seen in newspapers and TV. Something that only a few years ago would've made for another Hollywood popcorn flick to laugh at and poke fun at its CGI. They would look at me, stare into my eyes with that fucking smile...and just melt away.

I woke up that night, my mouth open, yet I could not scream. My roommate would open the door in a rush, asking me if I was okay. I would be sent to the nurse, given more meds, and sent back.

The next days were a similar nightmarish haze.

The therapist I was told to speak to didn't do shit. I'd refused to show her the memory of me 'going Frosty', as some people called it behind my back. She'd finally requested to see the video of the incident, and after that, I never saw her again. Probably asked to be transferred. I don't blame her at all. I hadn't responded to my parents' texts or phone calls for about two weeks.

Nearly a week later, when I'd calmed down a bit and could eat properly (as long as it was solid food. Soups, creams, and things that could melt made me ill on sight), they asked me to do it again, which I managed, begrudgingly. I felt...well, horrible. But when I did it again (to a rat this time, thank god), I felt a little bit better. It was much easier the second time.

It worked just like last time.

Relax.

Release.

Separate.

It wasn't too different this time around. Both minds and the bonds were simple enough, weak to suggestion. There were different levels of concentration, of course, but the end result would be the same. Semi-liquification of the target. This time I'd literally melted the skin off of the rat.

More test subjects were brought before me, and it almost became...routine over the days that followed. They were interested if I could choose what I could melt. So I tried experimenting at their encouragement. It didn't go completely right. I'd try and pick mostly pick vital organs, like the heart, brain, or lungs, but that was easier said than done.

I knew I was getting better, but I was still mostly turning the heads and brains to mush. Sometimes the skin sloughed off. Once I'd gotten the heart, but couldn't for the life of me tell what I'd done differently. Either way, maybe it didn't matter. Pretty much anything I did was fatal. The only thing I was reliably doing better on was getting faster. The first time I was told had been nearly twenty minutes. A few weeks and I was down to thirteen.

Ever since 'The Incident', I'd been interviewed by quite a few psions and scientists, all trying to find out what I'd actually done. Although it was pretty clear what I'd done, what they really wanted to know was how. I gave them the same answers every time, yet they still weren't satisfied with something. Test after test after test, question after question...it seemed like they didn't know what to do with me. I got the feeling they knew more than they were telling me, but constantly played dumb, not knowing or forgetting that I could sense if they were lying or not.

Not going to lie; I was scared.

Were they going to send me off to another lab somewhere? Increase the strength of my Restraints?

No, no, because that wouldn't be crazy enough.

As it later turned out, what they had in mind for me was something much more...unique.

ADVENT Priest Training Facility

5/7/2017- 10:40 A.M.

Augusta, Maine

Nearly a month after the 'Incident,' I was called into the Magister's office again. I'd expected it to be another scientist with their questions, but no. A man in his mid-thirties sat in a guest chair.

Wearing an XCOM uniform.

What the fuck?

He looked at the tablet in her hands. "Dawn Conley?"

"Um, yeah. That's me."

He stood up, offering a hand. He spoke with a thick, though understandable Russian accent.

"Isoif Bronis, XCOM. Follow me."

"XCOM?"

"Yes."

I snorted. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"I can assure you it isn't. Into the conference room, please."

As I followed him into the conference room (a place I'd grown very familiar with), I noticed that there were quite a few guards here. More than usual, actually. Actual Priests mixed in with them - trained telepaths who were actively shielding the emotions and minds of everyone in the room. I walked into the room and took a seat. The place was packed. The Magister, Dr. Chandra, the XCOM guy, and...oh fuck.

The motherfucking Vicar General was here.

"Sit down please, Ms. Conley." Vicar General Finn Gerstner said in a collected voice. I sat down after getting over my shock, which may have taken more time than I thought. Gerstner shuffled some papers.

"So," he began. "According to these files, you have managed to demonstrate biopathy on established subjects. Is that correct?"

"Bio...sorry, what now?"

"Ah, my apologies. You have, ahem, melted various parts of subjects, such as their heads, skin, and internal organs. Correct?"

"I...I guess so, Vicar General." I stuttered, quite nervous.

He took a deep breath. "I'm going to put it plain and simple. What you just did is rare among psions regardless of species. Extremely rare to the point where you are the first Human who has done so. This ability has only been observed in Ethereals - until now. What you did is called biopathy. It is, in its simplest form, the manipulation of cells through telepathic commands, allowing the psion immense control over the body. In this case, liquifying the subject. We had theorized, though didn't know for sure if Humans were even capable of Biopathy - a question which you have definitively answered."

I blushed at the praise from the guy who was...well, a few ranks way above me. "I'm flattered, sir, but why is there someone from XCOM here?"

"XCOM wants to recruit you."

"What?" I immediately exclaimed in raw disbelief. "Hold on, hold on. They want me - an 18-year-old who's never even held a fucking gun or shot someone ever - to join an elite alien-fighting organization. Sir, with all due respect, I thought XCOM only took the super-elite adult soldiers. Who have experience actually killing things? Not teenagers who just got out of high school and can barely hold an A average. I've never shot someone, much less gotten into a fight!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Dawn, since coming here you have terminated three test subjects during the course of your training. Since your incident, you have terminated a half-dozen more. You may not have held a gun, but at this point you have experience with death in a way most people do not."

I scowled, temporarily not sure how to respond. "But this is...different! It's not like...I mean…"

He sighed patiently. "Dawn, you are, in a way, the best of the best here. No one else on our side has done anything like this. Ever."

I took a moment to gather my thoughts.

Okay, Dawn, think.

You're an adult. You can make your own decisions now. You joined the PRIESTs, even though mom and dad didn't like it.

But could I actually do this? It'd be a big step up from what I'd be doing, right now.

Which is what? Training?

"If it helps, you won't be participating in combat ops immediately. We have some of the best people in the world working with us. They can help you with your abilities." Iosif paused. "I know this seems like a lot for you, and this is an extremely important decision to make. You can think about this opportunity for as long as you would like."

"I...can I think?"

"You can," the Vicar General nodded, motioning to the guards and standing up himself "Give the kid some space, people."

The small crowd reluctantly exits the room, leaving me alone. Their thoughts were still shrouded. I thought about probing them a bit, but I didn't see the point. They want me to join - it's that simple. But...was I really mature enough to do this?

But what would my family think? Their kid going off to go play soldier with the real deal? With XCOM?

Would I get PTSD, at least worse than the nightmares I had now? Become a completely different person?

How would I fare on the battlefield? Would I become some sadistic monster who enjoyed killing?

And how long could I survive against enemies like Ethereals or that Patricia woman who'd destroyed that airbase by herself? Or those...things in China?

At the same time, there were some positive things.

I'd meet some new people, hell, maybe even make some friends. I could become far better than I was now. Maybe I could even meet Aegis. That'd be something.

There had been rumors going around in the PRIEST division that XCOM had gone on a major recruiting spree. So maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't be the only person in a situation like this.

And if I did alright? I'd maybe, no - definitely see some action. I can finally fulfill my dream of becoming a hero, rising to protect others, making something useful of my life.

I knew it would be hard.

I'd have to make a lot of changes. I would have to grow up. A lot. More than I had already.

I might walk out a completely different person.

That might be inevitable regardless.

If I even survived (assuming we won), I might not be able to recognize myself anymore.

But it would be worth it. I'd be saving my species from enslavement or worse, and kick some serious alien ass.

Fuck it. I raised a hand and gestured, indicating to the people outside that I'd made a decision.

"I want to go." The Vicar General looked genuinely surprised. Did he think I would say no? Well, maybe not surprised. Almost slightly resigned, in fact.

"Guess you get another one," he said absentmindedly, which seemed directed at the XCOM representative.

"You called us, remember," was the answer with a tinge of amusement, as the man from XCOM looked at me.."Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." I nodded.

The nod was reciprocated. "Then I have some forms to sign...considering you're legally an adult, it's not required but...do you want your family to be present while this happens?"

I looked down. They had already been quite worried when I'd opted to join the PRIEST Division instead of going to college. I mean, why the fuck would a degree matter if the aliens won? We'd all be dead.

"Yes." I say quietly. "They deserve to know." He nodded, and the Magistrate slide my phone across the table.

"Absolutely fucking not! You can't do this, Dawn! Joining the PRIESTs was one thing, but this? This is insane!"

I couldn't really blame my father for his anger and surprise at my decision. It had been a quick one, and a very serious one at that. Hell, I could die - though that was kind of something which came with being a Priest to begin with. I guess XCOM made it real in a way the PRIEST Division didn't. They did a lot of training, after all. But XCOM was definitely not interested in trainees.

"With all due respect, Mister Conley, XCOM will do its best to keep her and your family safe," came the placation from Iosif. "You'll be given accommodations along with-"

"No," Dad stated, gritting his teeth. "Dawn. Do not go with these people. Please. You're going to die! You could be captured by those monsters-"

"Dad. I know what could happen. But I've decided to make my choice. I want to do this. No one is forcing me."

Mom wasn't too happy either, though she wasn't as upfront about it as Dad. "Honey, think about this! This decision could kill you! We could be put in danger. What if those aliens show up to take us or kill us because of you?"

"That's not going to happen, ma'am," Bronis said. "You and your family will be moved to a secure XCOM facility, where the other soldiers' families live."

"Soldiers?" Dad barked. "She's barely a soldier herself! Look at her! She's an A student, not a murderer!"

"Dad, please-" My sister, Grace tried to butt in, but Dad was on another of his legendary rants.

"Dad," I said through gritted teeth. "You are embarrassing me. Let the man speak. Please."

"No! No! I will not let this man allow my child to throw herself into a meat grinder! She is a teenager and she should not be in this kind of environment!"

"She's already signed the forms, sir," he explained patiently. "And in case you don't remember, she called you here, her family, to support her in this decision. And here you are, acting less mature than your daughter. Do remember that if you escalate your aggression, there are several highly trained psions in this room ready to restrain you. Now, sit down and let everyone talk like adults."

My dad flushed, looking around at the two Priests standing by the door. He sat down, head bowed. My sister, Grace, looked at me.

"Look, sis...I'm going to be honest with you. I'm not entirely happy you want to do this. I...I don't want to lose you, not now, not ever really. But…" She sighed, trying not to cry even has her eyes watered. "If you want to do this, truly, I'm ok with that. Promise me you will be careful. Please."

Her voice cracked at the last sentence. I got up, walking over to her. "Hey," I whispered. "It's ok," I said, hugging her. "We'll make it through this, you and me, ok?"

I looked over at mom, who was blankly staring at me. Her family has a history of military service...most of them have ended up dead because of it. Her mom still has memories of my uncle Frederic returning from the War on Terror. He was never the same after that.

She stared at us blankly, a tear dripping down her cheek as her two children hugged it out. Mom and Dad loved us a lot, and they made sure we knew it. It took a while for them to have us, and we were their world. If I died...it would destroy her.

I looked at my sister in the eyes, sensing the despair and pain that emanated from her. It was even more intense than when I left for the Priests after my awakening.

"I'll be safe. I'll make sure you Mom, and Dad are safe. Ok? I promise. I'm gonna do my best not to fuck up and die, ok? It's going to be alright, ok?"

"Okay."

I turned to Mom, who was staring at me. I sat down in front of her.

"Mom…"

"No. Just...no."

"Mom, I…" I reach out and try to take her hand, which she draws back to herself. "I...I...this is too much! I can't…" She sobbed, putting her head on the table.

I look over at Dad, who's just sitting there, fuming and his face in his hands.

"You guys are not helping!" I exclaimed. "I'm making a very important decision, and I brought you to make me feel better, not...not this!"

Dad looked up at me. "Having these jokers brainwash you into being a child soldier is not something I should make you 'feel better' about!"

My jaw drops. I...did he just fucking say that? My father, the man who raised me, loved me, just said that to my face?

"Shut up! Just...shut up!" I slammed a fist on the table, my frustration and fury boiling over as my psionics lashed out, eyes aglow with psionic energy as the air shimmers around me. Everyone flinched as my overwhelming emotions washed over like a sharp pain.

The Priests stepped forward, psionic power of their own manifesting as a touch of two minds touched my own with a very clear order given - Calm down. Now. That broke through, and the emotions faded as my shoulders slumped. I began to sniffle, and hurriedly exiting the room.

I made it into the hallway, where I leaned against the wall, crying, almost sobbing. Let it out. I told myself silently. Just...let it all out. The door opened, and Iosif came through, followed by the Magister and Vicar General. Both left through another door, leaving Iosif and me alone.

"Are you alright-"

I turned to him, teeth gritted, eyes flaring with determination. "Show me where to sign. I've had enough of this fucking place."

Skyranger, en route to XCOM HQ. Two days later.

Wow.

It was actually happening.

I had joined XCOM.

Well, sort of.

After the paperwork had been done, I was given one last chance to go home and get some things. I'd be provided with all the necessities at the Praesidium, but I was allowed to grab some items of...sentimental value. Some family pictures, likes the family vacation we took to Australia a few years ago, me and Grace's 18th birthdays, and that one time I went to grandpa's house and I got bitten by a spider.

Fun times.

But I had a few other ones from school, too. A picture of me and the girls at our senior prom, our senior retreat to that smelly ass cabin in the middle of nowhere, and last but not least, our senior graduation. I felt so proud of myself, wearing that hat and gown as I left high school. Before the war, a lot of us had planned to go to college. But now..well, if we lost, college seemed kinda pointless. Last I heard, most of them had signed up in one way or another.

But I was the exception, I suppose. I had taken the time during the flight to read up on what I'd be doing, and more. The augmentations I was going to get sounded super cool. Super-strength? Able to fall from buildings and not die? Inhuman reflexes? Being able to run for miles without breaking a sweat? Vision like a hawk? Immunity to disease? (Aw man, no sick days) I was slightly worried about having nanomachines flowing through my bloodstream, but the pros were the shit. And I mean the shit.

"Hey."

I look up, to see a Korean man sitting across from me in the craft. He's a bit older than me, mostly likely 30-something. His English sounded pretty good.

"Yeah?"

"How old are you?" He asks. I don't blame him. I stick out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the adults here, all of who could probably kill me in a hundred different ways.

"I'm uh, 18."

His eyebrows raise up. "Eighteen?"

"Uh, yeah."

He shakes his head, bemused. "So we're having kids fight in this war now? Fuck me."

"I...I'm legally allowed to be here…"

"Kid, let me ask you this," the man leaned back. "Have you ever killed someone?"

My mind flashes back to the Sectoid-melting incident. I cringe.

"With my psionics. In training."

"I see." He shook his head. "Have you ever been on a battlefield? Killed anyone with a gun?"

"No."

"Look. Before I signed up for this, I was in Busan. I'm a sniper. You want to know how many aliens I killed?"

"How many?"

"463."

Now it was my turn for my eyes to widen. "Holy shit, that's a lot."

"It is," he said seriously. "And I had to work for it. It wasn't easy, and I almost died. A lot. And I certainly didn't see any kids there. This isn't a regular war, kid. I really hope the Commander knows what he's doing."

I was about to respond, but the pilot got on the intercom and told us we were almost there. The sniper looked at me again.

"What was your name again?"

"Dawn Conley."

He blinked. "Ji-Won Sobong. South Korea. Listen, kid, I don't want to scare you, but I really hope you know what you're getting into here. This isn't some war you see in the movies or on TV - including what ADVENT puts on the screens. Whatever they're showing the civilians is sanitized and dramatized to get people like you to join up. This is real shit, real shit that's killed a lot of people. People much older and experienced than you. I hope you really know what you're in for."

The Skyranger shuddered as it landed, and the back door other soldiers stood up and began to leave, as I scrambled to put my headphones and phone away. I shoved them into my backpack, stood up, and stepped out into my new life, leaving what sense of normalcy it had before.

I stepped out into what looked like a hangar. It was somewhat crowded at the moment, with technicians and workers running about. There was a small stream of soldiers standing in line, lining up to a large door that led out of the hangar. As I was taking a look around, I couldn't help but notice some faint burn marks and dents on the walls.

Wonder what did that. Huh.

I was supposed to meet someone called 'Anius Creed'. I guessed the line was leading to him, since the guy at the door matched the description. When it was my turn, I stepped up to the man in front of the door, who was surrounded by several support personnel. I presented to him my Priest ID, and smiled. He frowned, and cocked an eyebrow.

"How old are you again?"

"Eighteen." I say, resisting a sigh. He nods.

"Oh, you're the biopath."

"...yes, that's me."

He looks at me. "Does it say Templar on your shirt?" I look down. Ah, one of my favorites.

"Oh, sorry about that! It says Black Templars. It's from a game-"

"Kid, you sure as hell are not joining the Templars. You're too young, and telepathy isn't exactly something the Templars are looking for."

"I said it's from a game-"

"Very well." He waved a hand, dismissing my explanation. "Take these fatigues and change. There's a bathroom down that hallway and to the right. After that, report to Tactical Research and Demonstration Room 9, where you and other newcomers will be officially briefed on XCOM. After that, you're to stay for a little bit. The Commander wants to speak to you personally."

I blushed. "The...the Commander?"

"Yes. Since your recruitment is a...special case let's say, he wants to speak to you personally. Give you a, uh, feel of the place and what you'll be dealing with. After that, you'll be heading to the psionic training arena to speak with your teacher. Goes by the name 'Geist'."

"Wait. Geist, as in the Geist? The guy who chopped off the Battlemaster's arm?"

"You know him?"

"Well, he's...let's say famous within the Priests. I've seen the clip of him in Florida at least ten times! I-"

"Okay, okay, he's awesome, I know. You'll meet him later." He says in a deadpan voice, waving his hand. "Next!"

"I-"

"I said next, young lady." I sighed.

O-okay.

I navigated my way through the various soldiers, many of whom gave me weird looks. I entered the bathroom (which is much nicer than my high schools', go figure), and quickly changed. I stuffed my clothes into my backpack and adjusted my fatigues. It's grey, and fits me pretty well. It's got my name: D. Conley on the upper right side of my chest, with the XCOM symbol underneath it, with the psi symbol right next to it.

This is really happening, Dawn.

It's real.

I adjusted my frazzled hair, and walk out of the bathroom.

Okay, so he said Tactical Research and Demonstration Room. Where is that again?

I walked out of the bathroom, looking for someone who might know where that is. I immediately spotted someone that looked quite different from the other adult soldiers: some old guy wearing XCOM fatigues. And by old, I mean old. He looked like he should be in an old folk's home. I wondered if he was a scientist or something. Taking a deep breath, I walked up behind him and clear my throat.

"Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for the Tactical Research and Demonstration Room, number 9. I'm supposed to talk with the Commander. Would you happen to know where he is?"

The man turns around, cocking his head.

"Did you say something?" His voice sounds like the 'nice old guy' voice, but something about it is...off.

"I'm looking for-"

"Tactical Research and Demonstration Room number 9?"

I blink. "I...how did you know?" He gave a thin smile, ignoring the question.

"Are you new?" He asks, taking a closer look at me with his intense eyes. "You seem a little young to be doing something like this."

I sigh. This again? "Look sir, I-"

He snaps his fingers. I notice a small blue flash. It's like the purple glow of psionics, but blue. How does that work?

"Ah, the biopath. And you're there for the briefing. New soldier orientation?"

"That's right."

"Well, young lady, I'm a little busy right now, but that crowd of soldiers over there is headed right for it," he pointed towards the respective crowd. "Follow them, and you should find it." He turned and walked away. Young lady? Seriously? I shake my head, and rush towards the crowd.

I arrived in the orientation room. It's got several rows of chairs set up, which almost all are filled. I take a seat and shove my backpack under it. Sitting next to me is an Asian woman, who looks at me curiously. She's going to say something- probably another how-old-are-you and too-young-for-this spiel. However, the lights in the room slightly dim, and everyone grew quiet.

And that's when he walked out.

The motherfucking Commander, flanked by the same old guy I talked to earlier and...Aegis himself.

Wow. He was...much taller in person. Actually, his armor looks even cooler. I mean shit, that Titan armor looked sick, but man, what I wouldn't give to wear that Ethereal armor. Wonder if they're working on that.

The Commander also had a smartphone on a mobile stand that seemed to have a mind of its own, moving around in circles until he gave it a look. It stopped. The hell?

"Welcome." He begins to speak, visually scanning the small crowd, stopping at me for a brief second, lifting an eyebrow slightly before continuing. Yeah, I stand out from the small army of trained killers surrounding me. I know.

"You all already know of the recent…" He paused for a moment, searching for the right word. "...betrayal of our species by Patricia Trask, our former Psionic Overseer and the first human psion to be awakened. I have no doubt you all have questions, and we have answers. What you learn, however, goes far beyond Patricia. There are truths about this war, ADVENT, and more which you will learn of, and not speak of beyond XCOM. You have been identified for your skills, but also because we determined that you are reliable and trustworthy. We can train you, but we cannot train who you are. Consider yourselves among the few and elite in the world. Our expectations are high."

He sighed, moving forward. "Much has changed in our fight against the Collective. They have adapted, bringing out new weapons, troops, and tools in an effort to accelerate our fall. Several Ethereals have Harbingers, psionic Human traitors who have joined the Ethereals, acting as their puppets in the field. They have no doubt been manipulated - but make no mistake. These Humans joined of their own free will. They were not forced. They were not bribed. They willingly joined the Ethereals. Let that serve as a lesson that the enemy is not simply alien."

He lifted a palm - a prosthetic one, I noticed. "However, the Imperator has one more tool. A tool only XCOM and certain officials in ADVENT know about. One of nearly unimaginable power, an actor of a cycle of perpetual conflict across not only this galaxy, but many others."

Aegis stepped up, speaking for the first time. "They are called the Sovereign Ones, creatures billions of years old who are adept at scheming against one another for the sake of their own self-interests and goals. They have puppeted, created, and slaughtered countless races for their petty reasons. The Collective is… allied with one, called Mosrimor. A Sovereign who specializes in nanomachine warfare and development."

The old guy finally spoke. "But fortunately, he is not the only one."

"I am Chronicler, chief Agent and Representative of T'Leth," he continued after a dramatic pause. "He has a number of overly melodramatic titles, but what is relevant is that for many years he has slept on your planet, at first healing from a previous conflict. Now he is seeking to...find a solution."

The Chronicler waved an idle hand. "But that will matter later. Right now, you have nothing to fear. He has been allied with XCOM and ADVENT for a little over a year, and is both the source of why the Imperator has not personally ended this war - as well as Patricia's betrayal. She believes your kind to be puppets of T'Leth. Rather, the Collective is the puppet of The Imperator, and his own ambitions."

"There is more." The Commander continued. "You've probably all seen by now the aftermath of Beijing, and the Dread Lord. While I can assure you that Isomnum is dead, no small part thanks to T'Leth, the real mastermind of that atrocity, the Bringer of Paradise, is quite alive. It is...an entity that lives in the Psionosphere, using proxies and puppets to do its bidding. Believe me when I say that the Imperator's use of the Bringer alone is enough reason for us to kill him, and notably is a source of internal conflict within the Collective. Something we are continuing to monitor."

So that's what was on those videos. I thought. I'd briefly seen one of those Twitch streams from those sick fuckers in Beijing before ADVENT cut the cord on them. Definitely not something I'd like to see again.

He shook his head. "I understand that may have been a lot to unload on you, and there is more which will come later. But rest assured, we have many resources at your disposal to help you learn more about these threats. As of now we are developing numerous weapons and technologies that equal and surpass what the Collective currently has. The odds against us may seem stacked, but there is more to this war than meets the eye. The Collective, though having the appearance of a unified pantheon, is slowly cracking apart by the seams. XCOM and ADVENT are working with several Andromedon Unions and the Vitakarian Nulorian to destroy the Collective from the inside out. I trust that all of you understand the sensitivity of this information."

What? I'd seen Andromedons and Vitakara of almost all species on the combat vids, but XCOM working with rogue elements of them...shit. That could be a major game changer. I'd seen Andromedons fight...and having someone like them on your side would be pretty damn sweet. Not sure what a Nulorian was, though. Probably more secrets.

"Speaking of aliens… Aegis?" He gestured to the towering Ethereal, who'd been oddly quiet up until now. And on the subject of friendly Ethereals...where was Caelior?

"As you know by now, I have been working with XCOM since the annexation of Australia. I did not agree with how your species was being handled by the Collective, so I left."

I raised my hand. He turned his helm towards me, slightly leaning to stare at me. "Yes?"

"I don't mean to interrupt your speech...but um, where's Caelior?"

He turns to look at the Commander for a few seconds. The Commander nodded at the Ethereal, who turns back to me.

"During Patrica's attack here, she unfortunately captured Caelior." Numerous gasps and swearing rang through the crowd. The news shocked me. I mean...I'd seen her attack Ramstein and Vietnam, but taking on an Ethereal single handedly and winning? Holy fuck.

That simply wasn't human.

I was about to open my mouth and apologize when he began speaking again. "Miss Conley, you have nothing to apologize for."

How did he...ah, telepathy. Right.

He continued. "However, XCOM Intelligence has located him, and he will be retrieved soon."

Okay, maybe that wasn't so bad to ask that.

"You should also be aware that we have numerous aliens working with us. For example…" He gestured to the door behind him. A hulking Andromedon in...its?...suit walked out (do those things even have genders?), and a motherfucking Oyariah, in armor, with two huge battle hammers across his back.

Not going to lie, he looked pretty badass.

"This is V'Thrask, representative of Union Viarior. He has been assisting us with AI development, as well as several other projects."

"Greetings, Humans." The massive, hulking suit took a miniature bow, which was closer to an awkward tilt, before stepping back into the line.

"And here is Rava'Xarian'Hegemon, formerly of the Guard of the Ravager of the Hegemony."

Jeez, titles much? What is with aliens and titles?

"Greetings, soldiers." The Oyariah said. His voice, thought deep and powerful, sounded almost jovial. Almost as if he was happy. "It is a pleasure to meet you all." His head slightly cocked when he saw, eyeing me with...suspicion? He shook his head and stepped back into line.

"As you can see…" The Commander pointed out, "We have quite a few aliens that work here, be they soldiers or scientists. May of them, like V'Thrask and Xarian here, are quite friendly and open to interaction. Do not harass or attempt to solicit them for more…"

"What he's saying is to not have sex with the aliens. Though knowing your species, the thought of doing so has probably crossed your minds at one point and you will doubtless ignore such sage and common sense advice."

Who was that?

"Yes...thank you for your input, JULIAN." The Commander said dryly. " Ahem. Everyone, that was JULIAN, XCOM's resident AI and the last creation of Dr. Raymond Shen."

"Welcome, soldiers! As you prepare for the assimilation, I endeavor to protect you from online behavior which far too many of your species succumb to. I remain amazed at the number of your species will succumb to obvious scams - something that the Zararch and a certain Ethereal troll continues to exploit. However, in order to provide proper security, I have pushed an update to all of your electronic devices. Please install as soon as possible."

My phone buzzed, as did the rest of the group. The text was entitled: JULIAN Update. It was a link to...something. It seemed kind of familiar, but..I was hesitant to click on it for some reason. Unfortunately, the burly guy in the row behind me hit the link first, causing a very resoundent Never Gonna Give You Up to start playing. Loudly. I snickered at the sound of the man trying to turn his phone off, as the ever-present music continued to play, much to the AI's pleasure.

"Ah, this will never get old."

"Julian...now is not a good time…"

"Ah yes, Commander. How could I forget our oh so special soldiers. Riiiight." The voice reeked of sarcasm, and the music stopped. The Commander just rubbed his forehead, and coughed.

"We will have another briefing shortly addressing some aspects we didn't get to today. But I believe you have enough to think about. Dismissed!"

The whole room stands up, as I do, and salutes. "Yes, Commander!" As the soldiers begin to file out, the Commander walk up to me, as the Chronicler walks out, followed by Aegis and the other aliens, and the phone...AI...thing.

What an interesting introduction.

"Miss Conley?"

"Yessir?"

"A word."

I stand up as straight as I can as he looks me over. I'm still taking in what he just said, about Avatars and T'Leth and the Bringer. It was...a lot.

He appraised me for a few seconds. "Let me begin by saying that you made a very mature and brave decision to do this. I understand it was hard for you, but know that here, you'll be given the best possible training. Your family will be kept safe, and taken care of. Your age...well, you won't be deployed instantly like many of the others in the room. You'll be given training with everything - our armor, our weapons, and most importantly, your Biopathy. What you can do...it's very rare, and very powerful."

He paused. "There are not many who are familiar with the discipline you have accidentally stumbled upon, but there is one individual who has been involved in research relating to Biopathy. Lukas Von Theil will be your teacher, though you likely know him as Geist."

He watches my eyes as they widen with excitement, then continued.

"I can't say we have many people your age here. We have a sixteen year old who works in XCOM engineering, but from here on out, it's all adults who've served longer than you and have much more experience than you. However, they are in XCOM for a reason, and I see no reason why they won't accept you. If you have issues with something or someone, do not hesitate to report it to the Central Officer. Isoif, too. He's the guy that you met back in Augusta. You'll know him. He was there when you were recruited."

My real question is about the teenager in XCOM Engineering (don't have the brains for that kinda thing anyway), but I don't interrupt him. First impressions, y'know.

"But I do have expectations for you," the Commander continued. "As I would any other soldier. You've proven yourself to be mature. Make sure to act like it. This is a very serious situation, and I don't want any antics or drama mixed in here. There is some fun to be had here...just not with weapons or psionics. Got it?"

"Yes sir."

He smiles, though it was a firm one. "Good. Your bunk has already been selected, and you'll receive more information later. Right now, head to the Psionic Training Arena to meet Geist. Otherwise...dismissed, Miss Conley."

"Thank you sir, it's an honor. It really is."

He nods. "You're dismissed. And remember...if you need any help, don't hesitate."

As he turns around and leaves, I process what just happened. In the barracks, we'd all exchanged rumors about Patricia. Maybe she'd been mind controlled, maybe it was just an alien is disguise, or it wasn't even her, and it could've been a clone.

But no...it was her. Really her. Fuck. And she really went here...and killed all of those people.

How the hell do you kill someone or something that powerful? XCOM's gotta have something to kill the Queen Bitch of the Imperator. I chuckled at the nickname. A bunkmate, Mary from Houston had come up with the name after the announcement in New York. It had been our little inside joke. Who knows, maybe some of the soldiers here would like it.

And that T'Leth thing? The Chronicler said it'd been sleeping on Earth for a long time...but where? The ocean? Somewhere deep underground? It's...almost like something out of a video game. Then again, 18 year old me joining such a prestigious organization is like something out of a video game.

I sigh, fixing my hair. Probably about time to head down to the Psionic Arena, or whatever it was called.

Well, time to learn then. Clock's ticking.

Xabiar's Note: Hello again everyone, I'm happy to share another story from a contributor. He actually got the idea not that long ago, and resonated with the brief time I spent on a scene with Dawn Conley, a character I'd intended to obviously be unique, though not a central figure of the war. The opportunity to explore who she was and how a woman like her would adapt to the war and her unique abilities was one I definitely wanted to help develop, and I was impressed with how this chapter turned out, and look forward to helping him expand and develop her as the story develops.