What choice did she have? This man was quite convincing and if she's dreaming, then she might as well. And if she's not, the wrong decision could cost her life. Her hands felt so cold and her breath was beginning to shake.

"If I accept?" Lorisa rubbed her hands together firmly to distract herself.

"Then you can contribute to saving thousands of lives."

Well, what kind of decent person could argue with that? She could dream about saving people. Something worth fighting for.

"What do I have to offer to assist in this? I only have some experience with a rifle from when I was a little girl." Certainly, this would be a fair argument.

"We have training grounds. The issue is the public. No one knows the disgusting things going on behind their back. Therefore they go against us and think we're crazy for going against "Detainment Centers", the equivalent of an asylum, mind you." Codwell grunted as he got up from his chair and pulled a shelf out of the well which was hidden via hologram, "The resistance has willing people few and far between. If you join, we have another witness. What you've seen and and what you've experienced in your world will contribute and possibly make the difference between life or death."

"I suppose I cannot argue with such virtues. What's the document to be used for?"

"Two things, to establish that you saw what you did. The lab, the Daptive, all of it. And to agree to an alliance and partnership with the resistance, therefore becoming a member or connection. Normally we only have members sign for the later, but we need more reliable witnesses now more than ever." The paper slid across the table.

"How long does this agreement go? You know, I cannot be asleep forever."

"Think what you want. Until the blood facilities become a fair and just system."

"And if I don't agree?"

"Then have fun with the Daptive without our resources."

A grin was found on Lorisa's face, because of the bite back this gruff soul had.

"...I accept." She said as he hands her a pen and she signed the dotted line.

"We will undergo the process of preparing you immediately then." Captain Codwell smiled and stood up from his seat, "Welcome to the resistance...Agent Manner."

What this harsh young lady figured out is how simple people's speech is in this  world. Everything is so advanced, and yet even with all these instruments, they all seemed so dumb. Maybe her mind is processing what the future would be like. If such is the case, then her imagination is something to ponder on.

One of the members with a very closely trimmed buzz gave her the agency uniform,"Ah! The girl from the lucid chamber. You can call me Tex. I'll be training you in our equipment and we'll have you assigned to a partner before long. If you have any questions, just let me know."

Just as he was about to walk out the sliding door of the dorm room they gave her, she raised her hand, "Actually, if I may. What year is it?"

"Most people stopped keeping track by now. It's two hundred PA."

"PA?"

"It stands for 'Post Attack'."

"I would love it if you would mind telling of this attack later."

"I'll see what I can do...it's not a light subject. Hopefully I'll get my info updated, ha-ha!" The man heartily laughed, "Oh, and in the uniform there should be a chip. It'll unlock where you put your stuff, which your partner should show you where."

She nodded and thanked Tex, so he left and she got herself clad in the uniform. Though she still missed wearing a skirt, she could appreciate the practicality of the pants. Maybe she could find something to act as one, for many of the agents have some more personalized uniforms.

Not long after, Lorisa equipped some of her gear and while fastening her gauntlets in the uniform storage when the slow tapping of some boots were behind her. Gazing behind, a kind young man smiled awkwardly. He had pale red hair and a more slim build. Though he was not the strongest, he was very tall in comparison to his peers. Perhaps that was not a strong suit. His glasses were rounded and he had a softer face than one would expect.

"H-Hey. I heard someone had joined. You wouldn't happen to be...?" The boy stuttered.

"I have been here for a few days, that is correct. May I inquire who's asking?" Lorisa confirmed.

"Oh- of course! Sorry, I'm not the best with memory, haha. I'm Colbert- Colbert Nauge. It's great- I mean, nice to meet you!" His fidgeting gave away a lot.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, but I do hate to say I have to leave. If you would please excuse me." Lorise did a small courtesy, even in her uniform, making Colbert chuckle a little and she went to make her exit to the HQ main office.

"Wait! Uh- how do I pronounce your name?"

"The same as expected. Manner- oh, my first name is on here, I didn't realize. Lorisa Manner." She laughed it off and walked away. What a quirky fellow, although she did not mind him.

In the main office, they had a large super computer acting as the main interface for the whole unit across the area. All the agents were lined up in single file lines to receive their next assignment. Captain Codwell paced through the lines while thinking, taping his pen against the board holding a chart . Many of his other higher ranked agents had already assigned all them with a partner, so it was only a matter of what mission and which agent.

"For those who are newer in this federation, our enemy is the head of the blood testing facilities, Doctor Tanner, who has had the president wrapped around his finger for years. Our goal is to wipe out the Lucid monsters and Lucid chambers across the globe. I am only one man, but with all of the agent's contribution, we can effectively wipe out the entire cooperation before he would even know what hit him." His head faced the ground as he continued, "Lives are at stake. With every second, we risk the death of hundreds and thousands of people. We had five hundred confirmed captives in the facility we ambushed just a few days ago. We managed to get a few more agents through it. Too many lives are at stake. Too little time." Captain Codwell was serious.

Lorisa did her best listening. She thought they were talking so lowly to what she's used to. From the side of her eye, she could see Colbert right behind her and a deep sigh left her chest.

"Refer to the board if you are yet to be assigned a partner. Our next objective is to sabotage the mass Scit plants, that way they won't be able to continue making the poison. Everyone to my left will in covering the East and everyone in front will covering the Midwest." He held a knife hand towards each crowd as he mentioned them. 

Lorisa was a row away from the back of the group for the Midwest, which meant Colbert was as well. It was comforting to already know someone in the party.

"And finally, the group to my right will be in charge of the missions going on in the West. Each party consists of fifty people and I expect everyone to cooperate. Your first assignments are decided by your group leaders. Roll out!"

Each group dispersed and all the agents prepared their weapons and readied the helicopters and other vehicles they would be using. Lorisa's group was riding a T1 3000, the same model of helicopter Captain Codwell escaped the testing facility, where this all started. Their group all loaded up with their weapons and armor all on. She sat next to the window in the back, like the one she accidentally shot.

Colbert came and took his seat right next to her and gave a gentle wave. Now she really had to figure this out.

"Can I ask...why do you follow me around? I'm flattered, but I would appreciate if you would answer." She blurted.

"Oh, haha. Didn't you see the partner board?" He asked back.

"I am afraid to say I have not."

"That explains why you keep walking off, though I don't mind. We're partners! Our group leader, Agent Tex, assigned us."

Lorisa's eyebrows were raised in disbelief, "You're right, such a thing explains a lot!" She laughed and smiled, knowing how silly she must have looked.

"I know this is your first mission...While I have not done as much as some of these other folk, I am willing to keep an eye out for you." Colbert smiled.

"I would like that, thank you-"

BOOM , "Attention, we're under attack!" Agent Tex shouted from the front of the helicopter.