Psionic Training Range

5/9/2017- 11:19 AM

I made my way to the Psionic Training Range to look for Geist, since he was supposed to be there. At least that was what the message had told me. I was so excited! I was going to meet, and be taught by the Geist! We'd seen fuzzy and shaking clips of what he'd done while training, and he was a legend! I mean, fighting the motherfucking Battlemaster and chopping his arm off?

So. Fucking. Cool.

I looked around the area, looking for anyone who might know Geist. It was busy. There were several of those Templar guys dueling with telekinesis, a pair of Aegii trapping dummies in purple-shielded boxes. I noticed a particular Templar with a mace fighting a chick with a shotgun. She had an oddly painted yellow smiley face on the helmet.

Weird.

"Ma'am, can I help you?"

I turned around, nervous. A Japanese guy was standing right next to me, looking concerned. Or maybe just puzzled.

"Oh! Uh...maybe?" Who was this guy again?

"Right." He said, raising an eyebrow. "What is your name and why are you here? This is for psions, if you weren't aware."

"Oh, I know." I chuckled. I lifted a hand and closed my eyes, doing a brief yet harmless telepathic check. He was definitely more curious than concerned, though his mind was pretty sharp. But definitely not a natural telepath; even I could tell that much. "Sorry, there was someone here to meet me. Is that you?"

I don't even know why I asked that, since obviously I was going to meet Geist, and he definitely wasn't Geist. But maybe someone else was going to escort me? I mean, it could happen. Didn't hurt to ask.

"Afraid you're not the person I'm waiting for." He said, cocking his head, clearly appraising me. "Ma'am, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"

Again? Okay. "Eighteen!"

He blinked several times, probably thinking what the fuck? If I were in his position, I wouldn't blame him.

"And they let you join?"

"I guess so," I shrugged. Everyone expected me to know what they were thinking, and I knew that was an impossible task. "Oh, my name's Dawn. Dawn Conley." I offered him a hand, which he took.

"Kunio Azuma," he said. "Fellow psion and relative newcomer to XCOM. So is it what you thought it would be?"

"Well, yes? It's...overwhelming, honestly, but it's awesome! I'm not really sure what I expected, honestly. But everything here is fascinating! I don't even like guns, but there's some pretty awesome stuff here. Oh! And I get to wear the armor! I'd always wondered what that would feel like."

"It's pretty empowering," he agreed. "So how did you get into XCOM? They come to you?"

Oh boy. How do I say this without sounding like a teen anime protagonist? "Well, that's a story. See, I finished up high school when the invasion started. I wanted to do something to help, and going to college seemed...I don't know...pointless? So I went to get tested for psionics. Turns out I had, as they say, 'high potential'." I added the air quotes to emphasize the term.

"High Trask Level?" He nodded before asking: "Magus? Leviathan?"

"That one!" I exclaimed. "Cool title. Well, both of them were. But yeah, Leviathan telepath. I got a lot of training, so I can manage the voices." I grimaced. Mind-reading wasn't all it's cracked up to be. Hearing everyone's inner voice was...overwhelming at best. "Not a fun first few months, I'll tell you. I started experimenting on my own and...well," I looked around, not sure how much XCOM wanted to publicize this yet. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"

"I promise." He said, sounding sincere enough. Look at that. I'm already making friends.

"I...accidentally liquified a Sectoid," I said sheepishly. Although everyone around me had lauded me for such an 'achievement', parts of me were still creeped out. He cocked his head, not seeming to get it right away.

"Liquified as in…?"

"As in melted, and I think I did it," I said, glancing down. "Telepaths need to go deep. It's how you penetrate minds. So I went in deep as I could and got to a point I hadn't been before. So I told the barriers to separate. The next thing I know the scientists are pulling me away and I see a Sectoid with a half-melted head. Gave me nightmares for a few weeks." I still remembered Chandra's screams as he pulled me away from the body. And the smell...fuck.

"And ADVENT didn't know how to handle you, so they shipped you here," he instinctively finished. "You're a special one. I don't think I've heard of anyone who can do that outside of Ethereals."

That made me pause. I had heard of that Ethereal chick who could heal using something like that. I'd done a little bit of reading on the way. What was her name again? Sana Ligma or something like that? I scratched my head. Fuck, what a day it'd been.

"Wait," I realized. "You came from ADVENT, too?"

"I did," he nodded. "My story isn't quite as dramatic as yours, though. I just teleported myself halfway across the world."

What? Okay, I definitely need to hear more about this. "You can teleport? That's so cool!"

"I'm learning," he stressed. "But I have a good teacher. I'm sure you'll have a good one as well."

"Miss Conley." A new voice sounded, and someone I assumed to be Fiona and who had to be Geist walked up to us. The German man looked quite stoic. "Apologies for keeping you waiting." Her British accent sounded nice. Her sword and armor didn't look half bad, either.

"No issue, Miss Dorren," I said, instinctively straightening. Best to make a good impression on my new teacher. "I was just talking to Mr. Azuma here."

"She looked lost," Kunio added. "I came over to see if she needed some direction."

"Thank you Kunio, but we were just running behind," Fiona said, smiling. "Dawn, this is Geist. He's been researching and testing a skill you seem to have figured out on your own. You'll be training with him."

Yesssss! Let's go!

"I read your incident on the Sectoid," Geist said in a neutral tone. I can't believe it. The legend in person. "You do still have a lot to learn though, and we have limited time. Walk with me. There are some questions I have."

He immediately started walking at a pace I picked up and followed. He was fast though, and I actually had to jog a bit to keep up.

"So, Miss Conley. I'm not going to lie to you," he began, not looking down at me. "I've been studying biopathy for some time. I have managed to discern the basic theory and application. Small field tests have been performed. However, this is after several months of study and small-scale research. It took me significant effort, yet for you it came naturally. Which confirms several suspicions I have, and makes the path forward concise."

"Wait. So you want me to tell you how I did it?"

"Precisely."

I paused for a moment. "Well, it's a matter of perception, really."

He stopped walking and faced me directly, looked at me with a stare that I really wanted to look away from, intense as it was. It didn't help that I could feel his mind on the edge of my own, though he was probably just observing my emotions. A bit of a privacy invasion, honestly.

"Perception, Miss Conley? Elaborate."

I blushed at the intensity. "I'm only trying to say that the bonds, the ones you can find in the deep layer. You know, the one beneath the basic mind structure. Or framework. However you want to say it. Reach those, and you can make them...separate."

"Curious," Geist said. "You call them bonds. Is that how you perceive them?"

"Well...yes?"

"Your background," he continued. "What is it?"

"Uh…" I hesitated. "You mean like education? Job?"

"Education."

Boy, was this going to sound bad. "Uh...high school."

Surprisingly though, he just nodded. "Did you happen to have an affinity for any subject? Any hobbies that are tied into that? Mathematics? Chemistry?"

"I was pretty good at English and history. Science isn't my strong suit."

"Noted. It ultimately isn't important," he said. "How you reach the conclusion is to help me understand your mindset and perception. Nonetheless, you figured it out as I did. Good. However, that alone is nothing new, do not expect significant enthusiasm. I trust you are not one to rely on praise for accomplishing minor tasks?"

"I mean…?"

"Unimportant. Your answer wouldn't change anything regardless."

He led me to a table and we sat down opposite each other, the intense man staring opposite me. "Before we go further, I would like to know something."

"What, Mr. Von-"

"Geist."

"Yes, Geist?"

"What do you expect me to teach you?"

"Um...how to use my abilities properly. And how to be a good soldier, and psion."

He nodded. "I ask for a specific reason, and in fact I have asked it of all my students at least once. I was a teacher before this. Chemistry. I enjoyed it. It was...rewarding to teach people like you. To watch them learn, to discover. To go beyond the ordinary and seek to make a tangible impact beyond a letter grade."

He paused briefly. "I dislike traditional teaching formats, and most teachers by extension. Administrators are an entirely different problem. Too stringent, formulaic, and creatively bankrupt. Too many children hate learning and school as a result of their incompetence and lack of understanding of the juvenile mind. I do not necessarily strive to make my classes fun, but I do strive to ensure that you gain something useful out of them. That you develop something of an interest beyond the academic."

Soo...is he trying to paint himself as one of those 'cool' teachers?

He raised an eyebrow. "Miss Conley-"

"I'd like to be called Dawn-"

"Noted," he said in a dry voice, and promptly ignored me. "Miss Conley, I, in your terms, could very well be called a 'cool teacher'. However, that was not something I strived for and it would do you good to alter your preconceptions." He used his fingers to get his point across. "However, my methods are somewhat unorthodox. They do include times where I had a class where we constructed a realistic volcano in my classroom. Slightly dangerous, but highly informative. Almost was fired, but the students appreciated that I did not coddle them."

Holy shit...that is cool.

"The developing mind prefers interaction," Geist continued. "Sitting in chairs of hours each day and listening to droning teachers does little for creative stimulation. I am a firm believer that students are capable of much more than society expects of them. My expectations and standards are high. I know what you expect of me, and now you know what I expect of you."

"I guess I do," I said. "And you want to teach me like that with me and my biopathy."

"Correct," he stated firmly. "Though the circumstances and place of instruction may be radically different, the basic concepts are the same. Though I will not be your lone teacher, I will be your main instructor. Understand that you are not here just for your biopathy. You are also a telepath, and you will be trained as one. I will be blunt, and say that I am certain I am not like instructors you have had before, especially as an American. I would expect you to find me off-putting."

I nodded.

"This is ultimately because I intend for you to make an impact larger than me in the future. It is the reason I became a teacher. Any teacher worth their degree wants their students to be greater than they could ever be. Too many have forgotten that, and fail to understand what that takes. It is unpleasant at times, it is painful, but you will emerge as someone who can complete any task and serve with distinction. You could not be coddled even if I wanted to. There may come a point where I am killed during your training."

He laced his fingers together, giving me a 'pay attention, this is serious' look. I blinked. Well, at least he was being honest. That I could appreciate.

"You came here to become a biopath, but if that is all you strive for you will inevitably die," he said flatly. "You have a mind that is not fully developed. You have a mind which can adapt, but is not used to stress and danger. You are not a soldier. I may have the mindset, and perhaps the experience to call myself one now, but you are not. That is something you will become, and that is something you must become. If you do not, you will die. Your youth does not afford you special privileges. You won't be deployed immediately, and when it happens, you will be deployed where you are needed. Though knowing the Commander, he will likely give you something 'easy' - but do not count on that being a certainty."

What even counted as an 'easy' mission in XCOM, anyway? I certainly don't know what a hard one would be at that...and something told me I didn't want to know. Yet.

I nodded, not sure what to say in response. "Um...good, I guess."

"You'll want to find a bunk, if you haven't already," he said. "Head to the Barracks, Women's section. There should be a few spots open with the new recruits. There's some personal space there - private showers and bathrooms, but it isn't like the Priest bunks you're used to. You'll be living with women older and more experienced than you. I expect them to help your transition. They will likely be able to answer questions you have. They are a resource. Use them."

He handed me a tablet. "Be sure to have this on hand. It contains information on our enemies. We have extremely advanced means of replicating combat scenarios, thanks to T'Leth. It will be instrumental in your development."

"The Sovereign thingy?"

"It is Sovereign technology, yes. Use proper language, please," he said firmly. "We are not in high school, nor on the Internet. You are an adult, I expect you to act like one." He cleared his throat. "In short, T'Leth can project illusions through orbs that can simulate battle scenarios. Given your age, I suspect there are several films with similar concepts. We refer to it as the Dreamscape. Make of that what you will, but it will help prepare you for the battles ahead."

He looks at his wrist. "My time is almost up today. Report to Bronis when you leave, and he'll give you more information on settling in, and scheduling you for weapons training, augmentations, and psionic scheduling. I will be your psionic trainer, but that will not encompass everything you do here."

Augmentations? Oh hell yeah, that sounds awesome.

"Thank you Lu-Geist," I said. "I'm honored to be here. And thank you for taking the time to help me."

"To you as well, Miss Conley." He shakes my hand. "I believe you are more prepared than you believe. We will see each other soon." He stood, and then briskly walked away.

Well, that was interesting. Weird German guy, teleporting Japanese guy, weird British Sovereign chick - who's next?

Psionic Overseer's Office

5/9/2017- 11:31 PM

"Dawn Conley? Isoif Bronis." He extended his hand as I approached. "I recruited you."

"Right!"

"Please, take a seat. We have a lot to discuss." I sat down, as he looked through a small stack of papers.

"Let's see...Dawn Conley, age eighteen...a good name, by the way...biopath sub-disciple, here we go."

I sat still not sure whether or not to respond to the comment about my name. I get that a lot.

"Well, Miss Conley," he finally said. "I have to say I never expected to be welcoming someone of your age here, but I suppose the war demands everyone we can muster. Now, have you chosen a bunk yet?"

"No. I had to talk with Geist. Gave me a brief-down of the place."

He nodded. "Sorry if he was a little off-putting. He can be...stringent sometimes. But I can assure you he's one of our best psions. He's got lots of combat experience, and even more teaching experience, so you should be fine."

I smiled. "Well, I'm glad to know I'm in good hands."

"Anything for our soldiers," he responded, before glancing back to the papers. "Now...for your training. You'll be receiving your augmentations tomorrow. You'll need them so you're physically equivalent for the training."

"Tomorrow?" I asked, trying not to sound alarmed. I knew I'd be getting those, just not so...soon. "Is it going to be safe? Have they ever been done on someone so young?"

"I don't blame you for being surprised," he nodded. "Normally, it'd be a few more days, but with the recent...escalation of the conflict, we're making some adjustments. And yes, you should be fine. Since you've stopped maturing biologically, there shouldn't be any negative effects."

"By escalation, you mean…"

He nodded. "Patricia. Yes."

"I'm sorry," I winced. "Bringing her up is kind of taboo around here, yeah?"

"Not taboo, but she's not a pleasant topic," he explained. "A lot of soldiers personally knew her to varying degrees, not to mention her reputation. Just understand that if she's brought up. I would avoid bringing her up with Creed unless it is official business."

"You mean the guy who gave me those fatigues? Why?"

He sighed, appraising her carefully. "The two of them were in a relationship," he revealed after a moment. "That is all I will say on the topic, and I wouldn't suggest seeking that conversation out. I understand you came from high school, but we do not perpetuate rumors and backtalk here. I trust you to respect privacy as best you can."

Oh...oh shit. My eyes widened in surprise even as I nodded. I knew some of the soldiers here knew her, but not like that. I'd seen some bad breakups at my school. But that...oof.

"We'll move onto your augmentations," he said without missing another beat.

Yeah, go ahead and change the subject. I'd rather not dwell on that fact.

"Alright."

He glanced at the sheet he held. "The procedure should last about seven total days."

"Does it...hurt?"

He shakes his head. "No, no. You get put to sleep in a tank full of MELD while the nanites do the work."

So I go to sleep in a tank full of nanite Jell-O. Neat.

"After that…" He leafed through a few pages. "You'll have to go under again for Psi Armor implants."

"Sorry sir, but Psi what now?"

"We've recently made a number of breakthroughs when it comes to psionic enhanced technology," he explained. "Which for you, simply means we have armor and weapons which are specifically designed for psions, and naturally harness their power in a way Titan armor cannot. However, this requires physical augmentations to fully sync with the armor and weapons."

"Um...how long will that operation take?"

"It'll add another two days. So you'll be under nine days."

Shit. That's a while.

I thought for a moment. "Can you send a notification to my family letting them know?"

"I've let them know you'll be away for a short time, Dawn," he said. "They won't have to worry. We have the best doctors in the world here. You'll be fine."

"Sounds good. Wait...what is this made from?"

"The technology was derived from Sectoid and Sovereign technology," he answered. "I suspect you are familiar with some of it. Their computers and weapons used by the Vanguards are the obvious examples."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"We're XCOM, Dawn. Almost everything we have is derived from alien technology. Including what you're wearing now." He noticed my shocked expression and gave a small smile. "Sorry, I tried to make a joke there."

"No, no, it's not that, Overseer," I shook my head. "It's just...you seem so okay with having that powerful being and his minions just hang around here."

"You have nothing to fear from T'Leth and his Agents, Dawn," he placated. "You have my word, and the Commander's. We've been...cooperating since Patricia was taken. He was the reason Isomnum couldn't flee Beijing."

"I see," I remembered something then. "Speaking of Beijing...the guy who beat him to death...he's still around, right?"

"He is. Returning to the subject, your augs will take about a day to finalize, with another eight hour rest period. After that, you'll get to training. You'll be working with Geist on your psionics, and Aegis has expressed some interest in helping you with general telepathic training."

"Aegis? He wants to...help...me?" I pointed to myself, confused.

"Not just you," Iosif clarified. "There will be others who have recently arrived. But you specifically are a special case. Biopathy is very rare, and considering your age, he'll make some time specifically with you. Moving on, you'll also get access to the Dreamscape and the firing range. I've got your record on file from ADVENT." His tone almost turned amused. "Your targeting was...acceptable, but I doubt you'll be using only gauss weapons here. Psions have shifted to Psionic rifles or other psionically-powered weapons. Though if you'll be more comfortable with gauss rifles, we can accommodate that."

"Dreamscape?" I remembered. "Geist briefly mentioned it, but all he said was that it was some kind of simulation scenario by T'Leth."

"Ah," he nodded. "It's a telepathic simulation by using Sovereign Orbs - the way he keeps in contact around here so to speak. Through them you'll be placed in an extremely realistic simulation. You'll be able to fight practically every kind of enemy in there, and use a large variety of weapons and armor."

"Can you die in it?"

"In a sense. It's somewhat painful, but you respawn, so no, you can't literally die."

A worried frown grew on my face. There were probably a bunch of stupid ways to kill myself in the simulation. Not that I wanted to but the idea of having infinite lives was interesting.

He must've noticed the look on my face. "Yes, people have done it. I can assure you that dying in it isn't significantly traumatizing or anything, but it's not recommended to experiment, otherwise T'Leth will make it more painful. This is not a game, and we don't want you acting recklessly in real life and die because you treated the Dreamscape like a joke. Understand?"

"I understand, Overseer."

"Good," he said with a nod. "You'll also be doing some live-fire exercises in the firing range once you've gotten enough experience in the Dreamscape. Expect to work alongside other soldiers there as well. When you're at the firing range, ask for Carreria. She's volunteered to teach you the ins and outs of our arsenal."

Nice name. I wondered where she was from.

"Sir...if I may ask…"

"Go ahead. There are no stupid questions here."

"Well, with all due respect, won't a lot of soldiers be put off by someone as young as me serving with them? You usually don't see people like me."

He paused, letting the silence linger several seconds before answering. "The Commander and Internal Council have considered that. You and I both know we won't throw you on the battlefield immediately - we don't do that to our people. Your file checks all the boxes, and you've passed all the tests and checks. You are here for a reason, and others will respect that."

He appraised me with some sympathy. "Listen, Dawn. I understand you're worried. But you shouldn't be. You and your family are safe here, and we'll give you all the tools you will need to thrive. The soldiers around you have been through and seen a lot. But you are one of us now. It will take you some time to adjust, but that is expected, and we are here to help."

I manage a smile. "Okay."

"Good. I'm uploading more files to your profile," he clicked several times on his computer. "I recommend you look through our database. The more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to survive. Now, I'll need you to report to the Barracks, find yourself a bunk to store your things. After that, you don't really have anything else on your to-do list until tomorrow. You'll receive more information on your surgeries shortly."

"Anything else?"

"Oh, right. We have an internal chatroom set up for socialization, discussion, and so on. The link should be in the files I sent you."

"An internal one? Not a commercial one?"

"Yes. JULIAN has made some substantial improvements to it," Iosif grimaced. "Although he did give himself an administrator role, so I would advise you to be careful on what you click."

"The AI?"

"You've met him?"

"Once, at the briefing."

"Ah…" he snorted. "I'm somehow not surprised. He's really something."

"Thanks for your help, Br-Overseer." I shake his hand again.

"Good luck, Miss Conley."

I had a feeling I'd need more than plain luck to survive this.

Barracks, Praesidium

5/9/2017- 11:51 PM

I entered a large room filled with various women, all in their twenties or thirties, who certainly looked older and more intimidating than me, hanging around and talking. I got quite a few looks as I walked in. I nervously smiled, trying to look confident.

I did not do a very good job of doing so.

"Kid, you lost or something?" An Asian woman leaning on a bunk asked, staring at me.

"Um...no. I just spoke to Geist and Overseer Bronis. I've been cleared-"

"You're a psion?" Another woman asked. It sounded like she had a Russian accent.

"Um, yes. I'm a telepath. Ninety on the Trask scale."

A small chorus of gasps rang out as more people now stared at me. Whoop-de-fucking-do. Look who's the center of attention. Good job, Dawn.

"A ninety? Shit. I didn't know they awoke people that young."

"Well, they do," I said, trying not to sound overly defensive. "Now, at least. They're not gonna send me into battle right away, y'know. I'll get training and that kind of thing before they put me out there."

"Damn right they should." Someone said from the back.

"What exactly did you do to get here? Was it your Trask level, or something else?" The Russian woman asked.

"Um….I don't really feel comfortable saying that right now…" I started blushing.

"Fuck, you're scaring her. Give her some damn room, would you?" The Asian lady walked up to me, shooing a few of the soldiers away.

"My name's Lian Zhao, former PLA. The bunk above mine is empty. Would you like to have it?"

"Ummmm….."

She's trying to be nice to you, Dawn. take it. You need to make more friends here.

No! You just met this woman? Can you trust her?

"Sure...sure!" I blurted out. "I'd like that!"

"Follow me, kid."

"My name's Dawn."

"Dawn?" She cocked her head. "That's a nice name. Can't say I've ever met someone named that."

"Well…" I said slowly. "Here I am!"

Lian chuckled. "So, what did you do before this? Must've done something."

"Um….Model UN and yearbook club?"

She didn't take her eyes off me, but her demeanor grew a bit more serious. "You really don't have any military experience, do you?" She didn't say it harshly, mind you. She sounded very sympathetic, which I guess was better than the alternative.

"I've shot a few gauss weapons. And killed a few test subjects with my psionics." I answered noncommittally. I wasn't ready to tell her about the biopathy thing. I stood out enough as is. I looked down shamefully.

"Hey. Look at me." I looked back up at her, batting some hair out of my eyes.

"You're going to be fine. Ok?"

"Okay." I closed my eyes. "I'm sorry, today has just been so fucking long and stressful. I'm sorry."

She shook her head, swearing...in Chinese? It sounded like Chinese anyway.

"I felt the same way when I got here," she said. "There's a lot to learn and take in." She paused, as if remembering something. "Have they told you about EXALT yet?"

"Eggsalt?"

"Apparently not," she shrugged. "And it's EXALT. Like 'exalted'. You'll learn soon enough. Here we are."

She showed me to a bunk. Definitely not like the ones I slept in at summer camp. It's a bit bigger than my bed at home, and certainly more comfortable. There's a charging station, a pillow...spartan, but I'll take it. Also, top bunk. Score.

"Um...thanks, Lian. Your English is very good. I can't say that I know any Chinese…"

"Don't worry, you'll be fine," she waved a hand idly. "They have translation tech here if you need it, it'll sort it out. Psionics can help with that, too."

"Thanks!" I threw the backpack up on the top bunk, and climbed up and laid down. I had nothing on my schedule for a few hours until dinner. I took off my boots, checking out my XCOM-emblazoned socks. Damn, they really didn't just stop with the uniform, eh? Still can't wait for that armor.

"You need anything, just let me or someone else here know, ok? I'm off to the firing range." As I began to unpack my backpack for the locker next to mine, she stopped.

"Hey, what's that?"

She indicated the small box that I was holding.

"Oh...this. It's something from my grandfather. Gave it to me before he died."

"Mind sharing?" She asked, before pausing. "If you want to."

I opened it, pulling out a small glass case, which contained a medal and a patch.

"It was his. Gramps served in World War 2. OSS, actually." Her eyes widened in interest when she heard that.

"OSS? The CIA precursor?"

"It was. He helped train the French Resistance to fight the Nazis," I explained. "Killed quite a few himself. That's his patch on top. And that's his Bronze Star medal. He was one tough son of a bitch."

"Wow. That is...very impressive. Does your family have a history of military service?"

"Nah. Well, I guess in my case, yes."

"Why did you bring it?"

I stared at it. "It's...well, a lot of reasons. He was a hell of a guy. Best kind of grandpa anyone could ask for. I guess, in a way, it's motivation. Gramps and I are fighting for the same thing, albeit in different ways. And well, he'd never say it but I think he liked me a little more than Grace or any of my cousins. I was his favorite."

Lian nodded. "And what are you fighting for, Dawn?"

"The triumph of good over evil, of course," I said. "He fought to liberate Europe from the Nazis, I'm here to liberate humanity, and the galaxy from the Collective."

She looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "War isn't like that, kid, no matter how much the victors revise it. The allies propped up Stalin, and the Americans didn't care about us when the Japanese came to China. Even this war isn't as stark as we'd like it."

I shrugged. "It's stark enough to me."

She nodded. "When it comes down to it, yes. At least in the sense that there is a clear desirable outcome. But this isn't a cartoon, or anime, or whatever storylines you're used to. Good and evil are relative. Don't build us up as pure and good, otherwise you'll just disappoint yourself."

"Maybe," I said tonelessly, entirely unconvinced. "Anyway, Mom gave this to me before I left. Said it'd give me 'inspiration'. I promised her I wouldn't break it or anything. It's also kind of a memento thing. Reminds me of home and all that."

"That's nice. Can't say I have many of those." Her face turned melancholy, with some sorrow etched onto it. "It was destroyed in Beijing. Burned to the ground. Never got a chance to bring anything here."

"Shit, you fought in that?"

"I did. Hopefully you won't have to experience something like that."

"I'm sorry, I-"

She waves me off. "No worries, kid. You want information on it, the Training Rooms and your tablet should have more information. Fair warning, it's not for the faint-hearted."

I nod. She definitely didn't want to continue the conversation.

"So…" She changed the subject. "A bit overwhelming for you, yeah?"

"It is. Pretty worried, not going to lie. Just want to do my part without fucking up royally or embarrassing myself. I mean, you fought and lived through Beijing. I..I don't even know if I'm capable of going through something like that and staying sane, much less living."

"Listen…" She got closer to me, looking me right in the eyes. "You may be the youngest one here, but that won't matter in the end. All of us here…" She gestured to the various other women, standing around and talking. "We've earned this, in one way or another. You're one of us now. And we'll help you."

"Okay," I nodded once. "Thank you."

She nodded. "Oh damn, I need to go to the firing range for practice. I should go. Zhu ni hao yun, Dawn."

"Bye!" I give a small wave, which she returns. As she walks away, I take a look at the barracks. All these women, much older and experienced than me...I do stand out. I'm a fucking kid among these trained killers. I wondered how many of them were psions? As Lian left, I whipped out my tablet, and plugged in my headphones. Man, there were a lot of documents on it.

My phone, lying next to me, buzzed.

[Incoming video call from Mary.]

I opened my computer, clicking some keys and clicking in my headphones. The app popped up, a picture of my former bunkmate filling the screen. She waved.

"Dawn! How you doin'?"

I chuckled. Her thick Texan accent still gets me. I waved back. Nice to finally see a familiar face after what happened today.

"Hey, Mary! Just got settled in and everything! Just got my own bunk, see?" I picked up the computer and angled it so she could see my little setup.

"Man, that looks way better than our Priest bunks!" She said enviously. "Man, am I jealous. So...um, how did it go? Without the classified stuff, of course!"

"Well...um…" How should I put this?

Oh, nothing much. Just found out that we've been receiving help from a literal psionic god-thing who's billions of years old and probably has some weirdo agenda. Also, Patricia is actually Patricia, not some clone like that rumor that we heard about. Oh, and did I forget to mention she had a boyfriend, too? Oh, and that Caelior got kidnapped, and that's why we haven't seen him lately, not that 'oh, he's training' PR statement XCOM put out? Also, something about 'exalt'. Not sure what that's about.

"Well...I got to meet Aegis. And the Commander. That was neat."

"You got to meet Aegis!?" Oookay, she was kind of freaking out. Which wasn't...surprising, considering Mary was...well, calling her an Aegis fangirl would be an understatement. I mean yeah, he's cool and all, and some of his TV appearances were hilarious, but...well, I had found that she had taken her obsession a bit too far in a few places.

I never got the guts to tell her I found what was hidden under her bed. Damn near gave me as many nightmares as when I melted the Sectoid.

"Yeah, apparently he's shown interest in helping me with some telepathy stuff!" I said. "He's so huge in person, it's freaky."

"What about Caelior? Did you see him?"

"No, he's ah...busy...right now with...training...stuff."

She looks at me with a raised eyebrow. "Right. Let me guess, he's probably on some super-secret mission?"

"Geist is going to be my teacher!" I blurted, admittedly a little loudly. I got some weird looks from my bunkmates and flushed slightly. Sorry guys.

"You're shitting me, right?"

"Nope," I confirmed. "He's...kinda weird. He acts like someone shoved a 4x4 up his ass. He kind of has that 'tough love' sense to him, but he's pretty stoic."

"Seriously?" She laughed. "You've got one of humanity's best psions as your teacher, and that's the first thing you say about him?"

I shrugged. "It's true, and I get the feeling he wouldn't argue. He used to be a chem teacher before this, so it's not like he's walking into this whole thing blind. Y'know."

"Huh, convenient. So...when do you get to wear the armor? How about those augs? Is it true they turn you all pale and shit? Kinda creepy."

"Um...I mean, they're putting me under tomorrow for that stuff, so soon-ish I guess?" I guessed I'd be 'wearing' the armor in that Dreamscape simulation, but I wasn telling her that. I'd probably be getting the real thing soon enough.

"Wow! I'm just...that's so cool! The armor, aliens...hey, you get to use those plasma rifles, right?"

"Yyyyeah...I haven't shot one yet though-"

"Man! That's…" she shook her head. "Dawn, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly jealous, but...you know what? I'm super proud of you, sister."

I blushed slightly. We weren't actually sisters, but we'd been through a lot together. Awakening (I'd rather not remember a lot of the thoughts I heard, really creepy), experimenting with our powers (I still chuckle at the time Mary accidentally bisected the Magister's coffee mug...good times - doesn't beat the time Rick accidentally brought down the ceiling lights with his telekinesis, though. That was really something). We'd shot our first guns together, experimented with our powers together, talked about our respective upbringings, families, schools, crushes...we were close. Sisters-in-arms close.

"Yeah, sister. Hey, how are things in Maine?"

"Well...a lot of people here have been talking about you. Not openly of course, but there've been...rumors. Lots of them." No surprise there. I'd gained a reputation already by being a fucking ninety, combined with the fact that Mary and I were the two youngest there...and then I melted the Sectoid.

The biopathic circus freak, everyone! Watch in amazement as she stumbles through gaining her superpowers! Gasp in awe as she awkwardly tries to fit into a group of women that could probably kill her in fifty different ways with their bare hands alone! Revel in amusement as she tries to look confident...and ultimately fails!

"You there?" Fuck, I zoned out.

"Yeah. yeah. I'm here, I'm okay. It's...been a long day."

"You want me to hang up?"

"Yeah. Maybe we can talk later, ok?"

"Ok. Bye. Good luck!"

The call disconnected. Good luck...you have no idea, Mary. Now, about those documents...let's see here, Ethereals...ooh, Mortis...Ligna. As in Sana Ligna? Interesting name. Let's start with you.

As Swedish heavy metal began to blast into my ears, I began to read.

What's your special talent...oh...oh my.

Barracks, Praesidium

5/9/2017- 5:47 PM

A tap on my shoulder interrupted my reading trance. I took my headphones out, and looked up. It was the woman with a Russian accent from earlier.

"Dinner time."

"Dinner? Now?" She nodded. I turned off my tablet, put my boots back on, and hopped off the bunk. I followed the Russian woman, along with the small mob of soldiers, out of the barracks. I got a few stares as I tried to fit in with the crowd. I looked around for Lian, but I couldn't find her anywhere. Maybe she was just late or something. She hadn't gone on a mission or anything, right?

I hoped not.

We arrived at the Mess Hall, and...damn, it was big. About a hundred soldiers are currently eating there, as well as quite a few support personnel. I wondered if this place had any janitors. That job must be hard.

Custodians, please report to Science Room 14 for immediate nanite spill cleanup. I snorted at my little joke as we all lined up and grabbed trays. I hoped the food here wasn't crap like in military movies.

Don't want Earth's mightiest defenders to go hungry, I would imagine.

I made it to the chefs, where I got more stares. Jeez, I know already. They put an admittedly tasty-looking lo mein on my plate, with a side of green beans and a chocolate chip cookie. At least it looked better than school food. Hopefully ADVENT's done something about that. I grabbed a water and looked for a seat. Looked like most of the tables had been taken already.

I saw someone wave at me. Oh, it's that Kunio dude from earlier. I walked over, and took a seat next to him.

"Hey. Dawn, right?"

"Yep. Kunio...Isuma?"

"Azuma."

"Ah, right."

"It's alright. So...how's your first day going?"

I sighed. "Okay, I guess. Just...been a lot to take in." I put my head in my hands. He patted me on the back.

"Hey's it's okay. I can imagine everyone's first day here was stressful."

"I guess. I'm just tired."

"Hey, I understand. Have you read up yet?"

"Some, yeah." I shoveled some noodles into my mouth. Damn, pretty good. "It's...really eye-opening. Quisilia in particular. I didn't know he was such an asshole. He did all of that shit...killed all those people...and here I was before coming here thinking he was just a joker. Definitely going to unsubscribe later. And the Avatars...Harbingers...whatever they call themselves. I just can't fathom why anyone would purposely join them. I mean, you saw the pictures of those dead kids, right? And the Mutons...I never thought I'd be saying this, but I feel bad for them. An entire race enslaved. Goddamnit…"

Kunio shook his head. "Some people, Dawn, are just very malleable. More than others. They allow their ideas and flaws to control them, thereby allowing others to control them…"

"Like Patricia?"

He shrugged. "I don't know the exact details, but I assume something along those lines happened. But for all their power, it looks like they can be killed. They're still human. We've killed two already. Well, one technically. The Andromedons killed one."

"Uh...what?" I frowned. "Was it part of one of those allied Unions or something?"

"I'm not sure. Have you watched the Beijing footage yet?"

"Um...not really," I answered. "Just going to do the reading for now. But I did see a little bit of Patricia's...rampage. Fuck, she's powerful. How the hell do you stop something like that?"

He didn't seem as concerned for some reason. "I'm sure the Commander will come up with something eventually. One thing's for sure- after what she's done, she's living on borrowed time."

"Damn right she is." I'd wondered if I'd ever have to fight her, as a PRIEST or XCOM soldier. Now that she'd shown that she wasn't beyond hitting civilian targets, and that she could teleport almost anywhere, the fear was real.

But maybe that was the point of her plan. I knew I'd be safe here.

I smiled softly. "Thanks, Kunio. I needed that. I should probably tell you now that I'll be knocked out for the next nine days."

"Modifications?"

"Yeah."

"You ready?"

I nodded. "Bronis said I'm good to go. I'm a little worried, I guess. You've got the augs, right? How does it feel? Does it hurt?"

"Well…" He shrugs "It's a little cold, but they put you under pretty quick, so you don't feel anything." He continued chomping down on his food. "You do feel a little prick when the tubes get in your skin-" He saw me visibly cringe. "Relax. It feels like a flu shot. Mostly."

"What are you, my dad?" We both laughed. Look at that- I made a friend. For now.

"Geist didn't scare you too badly, did he?"

"Well, not really. He's...odd, to say the least. Kinda creepy, too."

Kunio nodded. "You won't find too many who disagree. But he's very experienced and skilled."

"Yeah, I know," I shrugged. "He's just kind of off-putting for a person. But he used to be an actual teacher before this, so I guess he's got that going for him."

"Yes, Fiona mentioned that to me," he nodded. "I wouldn't have guessed that."

"Yep. Chemistry. He almost got kicked out of his school for creating a volcano for his students."

Kunio rolled his eyes. "Of course he did."

"Is this spot open?"

I looked behind me, to see a small Korean woman set her tray next to us. She sat down, and appraised me.

"I'm sorry, I don't recognize you." She said with a frown. "Are you new here?"

"Ah, yes! It's my first day!" I extended a hand. "Dawn Conley, psion."

She stared at my extended hand, and almost reluctantly shook it once. "And how old are you, exactly?"

"I'm eighteen."

The woman sighed. "So we're recruiting kids to fight for us now, huh?"

"Excuse me?" I asked.

Kunio leaned over, a bit of a warning in his voice. "This is Carmelita Alba, one of the longest-serving XCOM soldiers. She's been here for over three years, longer than any other soldier here."

"Three years?"

"That's right." She obviously heard me whisper. "Three long years."

I sensed there was a lot of pain in those three years, and even tangibly sensing her feelings was intense. "I'm sorry-"

"Kid, I don't need any sympathy right now," she responded gruffly. "Why exactly is someone your age here?"

I looked at Kunio with a confused look of should I? He nodded. Okay then. I turned around.

"I'm a telepath, with a Trask level of 90."

"Ninety, huh? Almost as high as Geist." She muttered.

"I'm also a biopath." Maybe that will get her attention. When I said that, she immediately put her fork down and stared.

"A biopath?" She shook her head. "Well then. I really hope you know what you're going to have to do here."

"I did it willi-"

"I'm sure you did. Everyone wants to be a hero, but I'm going to be honest with you. XCOM's no place for kids, idealists, or heroes."

"But that kid in Engine-"

"Shen is different," Carmelita answered flatly. "Her specialty is brains, not fighting. As long as she doesn't decide to pick up a gun and start shooting, she's good. My point is, you're barely an adult, much less a soldier. Certainly not special forces. I don't know what you did in the PRIEST Division, but out there, it's not nearly as easy." She sighed. "Although there's little that can be done at this point, I suppose."

I stared at her. "Ma'am, I-"

"Carmelita, please."

"Carmelita-"

"Look. I'm going to be blunt about this," she sighed. "I don't deny that you really want to be here. I would be too if I was in your shoes. But from my own perspective, this isn't the right place for you. ADVENT yes, PRIESTs, yes, but not...here," she rubbed her eyes. "This is a mess of a war, and we see the worst of it. Mentally and emotionally, I can't justify it. The Commander might, and I pray he knows what he's doing. But from my perspective, you shouldn't be here. Not yet. Not until you've proven yourself."

"I-"

She didn't seem hungry anymore and stood after a few long seconds. "Think carefully, kid. I hope you prove me wrong."

After she left, I just stared blankly at my cookie.

"Dawn-"

I shoved the entire cookie into my mouth, picked up my tray, put it away, and rushed away.

Was I worthy?

Was I really as good as I was supposed to be?

Do I belong?

Should I belong?

Dammit it all to hell…

I rushed back to my bunk as fast as I could, digesting both the cookie and my thoughts. A part of me felt like crying, but I decided to hold it in. I leaped onto my bunk, and pulled up some files, trying desperately to distract myself from what just happened.

Don't cry damnit, don't cry. You're an adult, not a kid. Focus, focus, focus…

What would your parents think…

No! Don't think of them! Both of them didn't even want you to go!

So what if you then, huh? What happens to your parents? And Grace? Are you really okay with their minds getting wiped or whatever the hell happens to XCOM families? Can you imagine them, standing over your grave as whatever's left of you is put six feet under?

You made a bad choice coming here.

No, you didn't!

Yes, you did! Seriously, what did you expect? Just walk in all willy-nilly and join up, guns blazing!

Stop! Please stop! I...I...I…

And I started to cry. Tears began to run down my face as I pulled my head into my legs and tried to hide my face. I was alone, here, in the dark, crying.

I wasn't ready.

I could never be ready.

I shouldn't be here.

I closed my laptop, put it on my locker, and pulled the sheets over me, desperately trying to hide from the world.

The lights came on.

"Dawn?"

I sat on the bottom bunk, quietly sipping on a cup of microwave hot chocolate, surrounded by at least ten of my roommates. Squaddies, whatever the hell you call them. My face was bright red, and my hair was a mess.

"What happened?" Cassandra Rivera, a sniper, asked, in an admittedly soothing Mexican accent.

I sniffled. "I don't fucking belong here. Not with you guys."

"And what makes you think that?" Vihhelmina Forslund, a telekine Templar from Sweden, with a thick Nordic accent, who wielded a warhammer of all things.

"I'm a kid, for Christ's sakes! I shouldn't be here! I should be home, worrying about boys and college, getting a fucking license...fuck." I sighed, shaking my head.

"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly did you do to get here-"

"I melted a Sectoid's head off!" I blurted out.

The room went silent.

"Melted...as in-"

"I turned his head into organic, flesh and blood Jell-O. I went in deep, real deep and told the cells, 'hey, separate'. Why not!?" I was getting a little hysterical.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. You're here now-"

"No!" I swatted the inviting hand from Hammer Chick away (my mental nickname for her). "Of course I get the fucking weirdo German teacher, then Carmelita said I shouldn't even be here-" Another tear fell out of my eye.

"She said what to you now?" Lian stood next me, her eyebrows furrowing.

I sniffled again. "Carmelita told me this was the wrong place for me and I didn't belong here. That I should be back with ADVENT!"

"Fucking asshole." Cassandra cursed. "Must have been in a really bad mood."

I put the cup down on the floor, balling my hands. "I'm a freak! I'm a fucking freak who kills people and I'm too young to do it!"

"Dawn…"

I looked up, and saw my reflection on a mirror on another soldier's bunk. My eyes were flaming purple, and the air was shimmering around me. I blinked, and it fizzled.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I look like a baby in front of you guys, and that I cried, and that I-"

Hammer Chick walked up to me, and gave me a hug.

"You're no freak, Dawn. You're a person, just like us. You're just a bit different, that's all. We're all here because we're good at what we do. And you? You're good, too. You may not be there like us, but you're one of us now. You're strong, but you're not alone."

"R-really?" I asked, my voice cracking with badly contained hope.

"Yes. You are."

"We're here for you."

"All of us."

I hugged Hammer Chick back, giving a weak smile.

"I...I...thanks, guys. I...I'm sorry that I've been acting like this."

"We've all felt like that before. We didn't just walk into the military all prepped up and ready to go. We had to learn, just like you."

Hammer Chick withdrew the hug, and offered me the mug again, floating it into my hand with telekinesis. I took another sip eagerly.

"She was right," I said.

"He was right. This will be hard for me. Difficult. I may lose a limb, or hell, die. But you know what?"

I chuckled. "With friends like these...maybe I won't."

Lian patted me on the shoulder. "That's the spirit. You want another cup?"

"Sure."

MELD Implantation Labs, Praesidium

5/10/2017- 9:08 AM

I waited outside the door, in my fatigues, tapping a boot against the floor. I was scrolling through my phone, looking to see if I'd missed anything from last night.

After I'd calmed down, I'd stayed and talked with the soldiers for some time, getting to know some snippets about them. I was a bit lacking when it came to war stories and the like, but many of them did appreciate the psionic fuckery back in the PRIESTs.

Sisters in arms, it would seem.

I'd gone to sleep around 11, with wake-up being at 6:30. They were right- the bathrooms were so much better than the PRIEST ones. They didn't have that strange smell that I was used to before. And the beds. Man, were those comfy. Much better than home.

"Miss Conley?" A brown-haired woman with a French accent opened the door.

"Yes?"

"Doctor Caron. I don't believe we've met." She extended her hand. I shook it.

"So...surgery time?"

"Yes! Please follow me!"

She showed me through the room, to a series of large tanks. Many were filled with soldiers asleep, floating in some kind of orange liquid, with a series of tubes being stuck in their arms, legs, and backs.

"This will be your pod here, Dawn. You've read up on the augmentations, right?"

"Yeah, took a few looks on the way here and on the forms. Kinda weird what it does to your skin, though."

She chuckled. "True, many people initially find it a little...off. But you'll get used to it!

"Right. Does it...hurt?"

"The injection does. But after you fall asleep, no."

"And how long will I be asleep for?"

"Seven days. Add to that your psi implants, and that's another two. So nine in total. You'll be asleep for the entire time."

Helluva of a nap.

"So when I wake up, how long should it take for me to adjust?"

"Eight hours, give or take. Your vision will be a little fuzzy for a few minutes. Oh, and your height may increase. Only by a few inches or so, though."

Well, I guess being taller never hurt. "And my muscles?"

"Will be much more powerful! You'll be able to lift several hundred pounds, run at about a consistent twenty miles an hour, and be able to see and detect, as well as react to movement extremely quickly!"

"Several hundred...damn." I grinned. I wonder if I'll look super ripped or something after this.

"Your skin will also be extremely hard to penetrate, hence the term Iron Skin. You'd be able to take bullets and laugh them off. Not that our enemies are using bullets, mind you, but if someone ever slits your throat or tries to smash your head in, you'll be quite resistant to it."

TMI, Doc, but alrighty then.

"So...when do we start?"

"Now, actually. Here." She took a medical gown...vest thing and handed it to me.

"Put this on, there's a changing room over there. You'll wear it during the procedure." She noticed my confused look. "Ah, do not worry! Just replace your fatigues with it, and you will be fine."

I nodded and walked into the changing room. I followed the steps and walk out. I walked over to Caron and nodded.

"Step into the machine, please. This'll only take a moment."

I walked into the large tank, extending my arms and legs. I flexed my fingers and toes, waiting for Caron to finish typing. She looked up and me, and nodded as if wordlessly asking for approval. I nodded back, and the machine door closed. An oxygen mask extended from the top, which I grabbed and put on my face. A series of clicks popped up from behind me, and I felt multiple tubes poke into my limbs, pinpricking through my skin.

Ow.

I heard gurgling sounds behind me, and I felt a warm fluid rush onto the floor around my feet. It felt like really thick water, but was a deep orange. Had to be the MELD. Caron gave me a thumbs up, and I nodded to her. The tank began to fill up, and I slowly began to feel tired.

Here we go. Time to become a superhero.

Nighty-night, world. I'll be back soon, and ready for whatever comes next.

As the MELD flowed into my body, I fell asleep.

To be continued in Chapter 3:

Into the Dreamscape