After fifteen minutes, the rigid tension that had gripped the recruits finally began to ease. The human-looking androids, with their serene smiles and effortless grace, circulated through the lounge, offering an endless supply of snacks and refreshing, chilled drinks.
More compelling were the advanced arcade simulator booths that lined the back wall. These weren't crude games; they were immersive war simulations, placing the men in the cockpits of advanced jets or behind the wheel of futuristic armored vehicles, the virtual battlefields indistinguishable from reality. Laughter, mixed with shouts of triumph and frustration, began to fill the spacious lounge.
On a raised platform overlooking the sprawling entertainment area, Richard and Ciano monitored the recruits through a one-way translucent screen. Richard leaned back slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Well, looks like your men have eased up their tensions, Ciano."
