After all modifications were completed, the entire Maine's crew underwent three days of intensive adaptability training on the sandy open ground outside The Dump Settlement Hideout.
Everyone needed to familiarize themselves with their newly acquired equipment, new abilities, and new modes of cooperation with each other.
Rebecca's heavy bolter roared deafeningly with each shot, its recoil enough to knock over an ordinary strong man, but she stood firm, relying on her enhanced bones and muscles. The muzzle flash illuminated her excited face.
The remains of a scrapped car were instantly torn into twisted metal fragments by the impact of the bolter rounds.
Pilar was testing his flamethrower nearby. As the trigger was pulled, a viscous, scorching stream of promethium fuel roared out, striking a pile of discarded tires, instantly igniting towering flames. The high temperature severely distorted the surrounding air, even scorching the sand into glass-like crystals.
He smugly adjusted the spray angle, muttering, "Now this is art! Much more exciting than those shiny light tubes!"
Sasha and Kiwi, meanwhile, conducted digital warfare coordination tests.
Working together, they deployed an invisible electronic barrier. Within its range, all unauthorized electronic devices—including training drones and several old terminals—instantly had their screens go black and systems crash.
Sasha focused on maintaining the barrier's stability, while Kiwi attempted to construct a secure communication network within the barrier. Her fingers rapidly slid across a virtual interface, and data analysis streams flickered in her modified eyes.
Falco tested his new reaction nerves and driving skills.
He drove a brand-new Goodwood off-road vehicle, performing various incredible sharp turns and drifts through a complex obstacle course, kicking up clouds of dust.
Enhanced dynamic vision and neural reflexes allowed him to anticipate the path ahead, controlling the vehicle as if it were his own body.
Dorio and Morris engaged in a more restrained combat drill.
Dorio tested the limits of her body's defenses, blocking Morris's rapid, unactivated Sonic Blade slashes with her arms, which were covered in new composite armor, producing dull metallic thuds.
Morris maintained her efficient and calm style. Her movements were elusive, and each strike precisely targeted Dorio's defensive weak points, but the force was controlled perfectly.
Maine watched his team members familiarize themselves with their new power, feeling both relief and a hint of solemnity.
He could feel that the team's combat effectiveness had undergone a qualitative leap, but at the same time, he understood that possessing such power meant the challenges they would face in the future would also be entirely different.
During a break in training, Rebecca wiped the barrel of her bolter and said to Pilar, "Hey, String Bean, now I really feel like we could go flip Arasaka Tower upside down!"
Pilar, while checking the flamethrower's fuel lines, replied, "Come on, Shorty, the boss didn't tell us to tear down the tower. But... if we run into corporate mechs again, my baby will definitely melt it into slag!"
Falco stopped his car, took off his sunglasses to wipe them, and reminded them, "Don't get too cocky. Arasaka won't ignore our current state."
Dorio walked over, sweat beading on her bronzed skin, but her breathing was steady: "Falco's right. We must be more cautious and control these new powers better, so we don't cause trouble for the boss."
Sasha and Kiwi finished their electronic warfare test. Sasha let out a soft breath and said to Kiwi, "The coordination was pretty good. The barrier strength and duration both exceeded expectations."
Kiwi nodded. Although she didn't speak, her eyes showed less of her usual aloofness and more an acknowledgment of teamwork.
Maine gathered everyone and summarized the training: "As you've all experienced, we've been reborn. But this is just the beginning. We must familiarize ourselves with this new equipment and these new abilities as if they were our own arms. The upcoming mission won't be easy; the boss needs us to prove the value of these investments."
After three days of adaptability training, the team rested and performed final equipment checks.
Everyone was filled with confidence in their new state, and an unprecedented cohesion permeated the team.
Just as they were preparing for their next course of action, Osiris' summons were directly transmitted to the hideout's communication terminal via the workshop's servo-skull.
The order was concise and clear: All members immediately proceed to the Main workshop for a mission briefing.
Everyone immediately sprang into action, donning their full combat gear.
Rebecca slung her bolter over her back, Pilar checked the flamethrower's pressure gauge, Sasha and Kiwi ensured data reception devices and encrypted communicators were functioning correctly, Falco and Dorio performed final weapon status checks, and Maine oversaw the whole process, checking everyone's readiness.
Morris was already prepared, standing silently to the side, like a drawn blade.
With solemn expressions, they once again stepped into the workshop. The interior had changed even more since they last left.
The dimensional teleporter was in an unprecedented state of activity. The central energy focus area glowed blindingly, and within the constantly twisting, deforming, eerie blue light mass, a destructive power seemed to be contained.
A low, rhythmic hum filled the entire space, making their teeth ache and their hearts involuntarily throb along with it.
The air was thick with the smell of ozone and a strange, indescribable sensation, as if space itself was being stretched and torn.
Osiris' tall, dark red figure stood with his back to them, in front of the main control console.
Several of his mechanical tentacles were directly connected to the console's interfaces, seemingly directly interfering with the flow of energy.
He did not turn around, his cold, steady synthesized voice cutting through the roar of the equipment, directly entering everyone's auditory processors: "Adaptation period concluded. Experimental phase officially initiated.
Your next mission objective is to pass through the stabilized rift and arrive at a coordinate point on the other side that has been preliminarily scanned and assessed as relatively safe."
He paused slightly, and data streams cascaded across the control console.
"Your primary mission is survival. Death is a meaningless waste. This is your highest priority mission objective: survive for at least three days. After three days, I will reopen the dimensional rift and retrieve you."
"The secondary mission is to make contact with my subordinate I left there. I will send a servo-skull with you through the dimensional rift. Once on the other side, you will obey its commands."
His voice was devoid of emotion, like he was reading a standard operating procedure, but each instruction carried undeniable authority.
"Stand in the designated position." One of Osiris' mechanical tentacles lifted, pointing to a circular area precisely outlined by fiber optics on the teleporter's base.
Maine took a deep breath, glanced at his team members behind him, and was the first to step in with firm strides.
Dorio followed closely, and Morris silently moved to the team's flank.
Rebecca and Pilar exchanged glances, then also followed, their faces showing a mix of tension and eagerness.
Falco adjusted his breathing and stood in a relatively central position within the team.
Sasha and Kiwi entered last, standing at the back of the team, already whispering to each other, preparing to deal with electronic interference during the teleportation process.
Osiris' crimson optical lenses fixed on the wildly fluctuating data streams and energy reading curves on the control console. His mechanical finger entered confirmation on the final set of instructions.
"Final energy injection sequence initiated. Stabilization field output maximized," the servo-skull reported in a monotonous electronic voice.
All auxiliary lighting in the workshop instantly extinguished, leaving only the blinding, violently pulsating, eerie blue light from the teleporter's core.