[center][@ERode][@Asura][@Zombehs][@Epsir][@Psyker Landshark][@ianzerep][@TwoFurrets][/center]

As they proceeded apace, the group quickly descended into the narrower bowels of the Vindsvalr, tight corridors encircling them. There were a number of other employees moving about, many of them dressed in lab coats that spoke to the amount of research occurring aboard the vessel. Diver busily tapped away at her PDA as they walked. She walked, dodged employees, and spoke to group promptly all without missing a beat. She was clearly an experienced multi-tasker.

"I don't know if I can help you to some smoked bacon," she hummed to Thrones, "But I can procure some danishes." Diver tapped and swiped and swiveled on her heels, never breaking pace as she began to walk backwards. "Coffee and danishes. A good combo! Coming right up. And to answer your question... Strix!" she exclaimed, briefly digging into her memory to pull out the Operator's name, "You don't need to worry about your things. While you're in the simulation, I'll have someone move your belongings to where you'll be sleeping," she explained. A small aerial drone buzzed past the group just above head level, carrying underneath it a cardboard box.

"As for how often you'll have to do that boarding sequence... Well..." she shrugged and tilted her head, "I'm afraid it'll be somewhat often given the global nature of our intended operations. But you'll get used to it! It's perfectly safe just... loud and bumpy!" she said cheerily. The hallway brightened as a long stretch of thick glass windows appeared alongside the path. They looked out into the sky at the rear of the Vindsvalr, offering a much better view of the massive ship. No matter how long the hallway was that they walked along, the great engines outside never seemed to get any closer.

"The simulation will be a test of you combat abilities and teamwork. It won't be an especially complex mission, but it will test you nevertheless. I daresay you'd best prepare not even to succeed! But don't worry; we're just seeking to evaluate you at your best," Diver explained. They made it after several minutes to a closed steel door, and after a couple inputs into the keypad at its side, it slid open and revealed a moderately-sized room with numerous computers spread about. "Experimental" described the contents of it all succinctly. Haphazard cables and half-built electronics sat around or leaned against the wall. Only the dozen-odd human-sized capsules attached to the walls seemed wholly completed. Two scientists looked up from their laptops, both sitting in small lawnchairs and side-by-side. A man and woman of similar age in labcoats were busy tapping rapidly at the laptops, stopping abruptly at the group's entrance.

"Go ahead and leave your bags along the wall by the door," Diver said, stepping aside. "And whenever you're all suited up, go ahead and step into one of those capsules." A drone came to a sudden halt in the hallway outside, carrying a tiered rack of cupholders, and a cardboard box at the very bottom.

[i]"Delivery for Miss Diver!"[/i] it said in an effeminate artificial voice. Diver gestured to the dutiful aerial bot, offering up the free coffee and sweets to anyone hungry, thirsty, or plain tired. As the Operators filled their bellies, prepped their attire and equipment, and all saddled themselves in the bedded capsules, Diver turned to the scientists, and after exchanging some hushed words, seemed finally prepared to send them off into their first "mission".

Glass covers hissed down to enclose the capsules, and after a few more seconds, the Operators found their eyes fluttering closed against their will. Blackness enveloped their senses when suddenly it turned to white. They were all together again, standing in a blank void. Their bodies, their clothing, their weapons -all of it was accounted for in this virtual realm, though time would tell if it all functioned just the same. A voice came through directly to their ears, the by-then familiar Diver's cheery demeanor.

[i]"How does it feel? Alright? You might feel somewhat of a tiny headache, but nothing that should stop you. But anyways! Here's your mission!"[/i] she began. In the simulation, a nondescript suitcase appeared in the center of the gathered circle, materializing chunk by chunk in a flash. It was but a simple rectangular object with a rounded handle, and seemingly no way of even opening it up.

[i]"You have there your charge. You are to keep it in your possession throughout the duration of the mission. If you lose control of it and can no longer feasibly return it to your possession, the mission will end. Additionally, each Operator must cross the finish line whilst maintaining control of the suitcase with at least one of you. Should an Operator permanently fall in battle, the mission will end. And finally -and here's the kicker- you must engage [b]all[/b] enemy combatants that you visually identify. Leave no face unpunched!"[/i] Diver explained.

Suddenly the empty realm burst into life, massive city buildings and streets forming before their eyes. Every structure was highly simple, being of a flat, white and gray material with little detail to it. Only the basics to reflect a big city. They had windows, entrances, and presumably stairs with which to climb them, but little else. The buildings were diverse, and the streets far from completely grid-like.

[i]"You will start at one end of this fake city, and must reach the other side in one piece!"[/i] Diver said. A red beacon lifted into the sky from over the horizon of buildings, guiding their direction. It was immediately clear they had several miles of city between them and their destination. [i]"Your presence will be initially unknown to the simulated enemies, but as you defeat more, and depending on how you do it, they will become more alert and aware of your presence within the city. How you proceed is up to you! You will receive no further guidance, so consider communications with HQ to be cut! Good luck!"[/i]

The Operators were left to themselves in that city intersection with only the suitcase. No one else was visible. For the time being, they were alone there.