POV: MC
(System).
"Yes?"
(How do I enter again?).
I hadn't finished speaking when the white light surrounded me. I'm back in the empty room with only the laptop.
"Just think about entering and you'll be transported here."
(I understand. Thanks).
I head to the laptop. I consider we have sufficient firepower, but if the leader, Jharls (I must learn his name), requests it, it must be for something. Apparently, they're not simple bots; I need to interact more with them.
(System, the units are conscious... but do they have lived histories behind them?)
"Yes and no. Hundreds of thousands of matches from your world are simulated. The experience units should live in real situations is 'imprinted' on them so they're not NPCs you must guide manually. Of course, they're also assigned a history: a birth, etc."
(Damn! Does that mean I can't use my mass assault tactic? They're almost real beings!?)
"..."
Like when I asked about cheats, it stays silent. If the situation is like this, and there are strong enemies in the future, I must plan my tactics better. Better leave them to units with "combat experience."
(Can I create heroes?)
"No. The installed system is based on standard skirmishes without heroic units or main plot characters."
(Well, nothing lost by asking... What about the other two races?)
"Do you wish to change the current terran race administration? Press F10, save and exit. If not, you'll have to build everything again. Outside the 'match,' select the available map and choose the race you wish to command."
Simple. If I need mass assaults in the future, I'll use Zergs: Ultralisks and Zerglings en masse. Protoss will give tactical flexibility combining Zealots-Marines up to Carriers-Battlecruisers. With that, nothing will be able to stop me.
(N/A: Impressive!)
For now I won't start another "match" with a different race. Although... could I develop the other bases already? I run my hand over my face.
(Is there temporal dilation regarding 'reality'?) —I ask, while deciding whether to develop now or later. I won't leave my soldiers waiting like idiots.
"Time doesn't exist here"
(#!¿€&?!... That is surprising).
Well, to the point: I select a Firebat and a Reaper. The Firebat is for CQC as Jharls requested; the Reaper will serve as a fast reconnaissance unit.
I press *Ctrl + 1*. I know I just need to think about exiting, but I feel more comfortable giving orders out loud:
(Exit!)
The white light fades. Beside me, in addition to the Marine, appear:
• A 2.90m Firebat, with orange armor and gray details.
• A 2.0m Reaper, more "normal."
They observe around for a few seconds, then look at the Marine. He nods and they replicate the gesture.
(Let's advance! 600m ahead there are allies waiting. March!)
"Roger!" —they respond in unison.
We walk. My bare feet suffer with the irregular stones. I look at the soldiers: (Damn, they look impeccable; I look like a beggar... I am one. Well, there's no solution for now).
Minutes later, we arrive at the fork where the other five Marines wait.
...
POV: Marines (2 minutes before)
Jharls speaks to his soldiers:
"Ladies! The Commander appears on sensors with heavy reinforcements. Prepare for Rock&Roll!"
"Roger!" —they respond disciplinedly.
They were part of the imperial army under the command of General Horace Warfield, the best officer: incorruptible, brave and determined. He always went to the battlefield with them, without hiding in his flagship like other generals.
Their last battle was on Char, where they landed alongside Jim Raynor's forces. To say it was "raw" is an understatement: they lost 250,000 men before touching ground. They were so scattered they had to entrench with pod remains, terrain or bunkers built by fortunate SCVs. Thanks to the rebels, 700,000 men were rescued, saving the tactical group... and the general himself, whose Battlecruiser was shot down by zerg swarms.
Jharls returns to the present. (Many memories... But these skirmishes are simple. The enemy didn't even touch their HP, and their 'psionic barriers' —he thinks, confusing magic with technology— are a joke. It seems there won't be strong opposition to whatever the Commander plans).
...
POV: MC (Current time)
(Hello, Jharls).
"Sir, welcome. I'm pleased to be under your direct orders again."
Wow, very disciplined. According to the system, he must have "combat experience." I nod and promote him:
(Jharls, from now on you're Sergeant and my second in command).
"Roger!" —he strikes his chest with his left hand (the one holding the shield). I suppose it's the terran military salute.
(Bring the newcomers up to speed on the 'threat' level we're facing).
The Sergeant briefly explains to the Firebat and Reaper. They nod.
Well, now... what do I do? I try to locate the guard barracks. A few meters away are the slave barracks. According to the memories of the previous "user" of this body, there he has friends who helped him when he could no longer work... until they executed him.
(Let's move! A few meters ahead there's an enemy barracks. If hostility remains, let's eliminate it and use it as a base. Then we'll go to another barracks with non-hostiles: they're our protection objective. Don't shoot them!)
We begin to advance with clear objectives. But... what will I tell mine when they see me? What will I do afterwards?