The path to the abandoned outpost stretched across the Core Worlds' industrial flats. Rusted cargo cranes and decommissioned freighters dotted the skyline, casting long shadows under the artificial twilight. The waypoint marker pulsed steadily on Seris's HUD, guiding her over catwalks and past automated defense turrets that had long since gone offline.
Level: 2
Weapon: Dual Blasters
Health: 110/110
Energy: 150/150
XP: 0/150
The mission was simple in description: infiltrate the abandoned research outpost, collect data from the central console, and return. But Seris knew every beginner mission had its tests, and she was ready.
Her boots clanged lightly against metal plating as she approached the first guard patrol — two scavenger droids, level‑2 targets, blinking red in her Tactical Interface.
She crouched slightly, dual blasters raised. The interface highlighted weak points along their chassis.
First shot… second shot…
Plasma bolts arced in perfect synchronization. One droid collapsed, circuits sparking violently. The second twisted, but another well-placed burst shredded its sensors.
XP +30
XP +20
Level 2 enemies were already faster, but Seris's control over her blasters felt precise. She adjusted her aim mid-air, ducking under the swinging arm of a falling pipe, and fired again. Each shot was calculated, controlled. Every movement counted.
The Outpost
The exterior doors of the outpost were rusted and barely functional. Seris slid them open cautiously, dual blasters sweeping the interior. Broken consoles and crates were scattered across the dimly lit hall. Faint warning lights flickered — remnants of a long-abandoned system.
Her Tactical Interface pinged: small red dots. Motion sensors still active. Even in an abandoned facility, the simulation wouldn't make it too easy.
A pair of level‑2 security drones rounded the corner. They moved faster than the scavenger NPCs she'd faced in the hangar.
Combat Sequence — Activated
She fired the first volley from both blasters in perfect rhythm. One drone's armor flared from impact; sparks erupted from its joints. She rolled to the side, avoiding a short burst of static discharge from its plasma cannon. Another burst, a precise double-shot to the joint, and the second drone toppled.
XP +45
XP +25
A quick glance at her HUD showed Level 2 nearly halfway to Level 3. The outpost's corridors stretched ahead, narrow and littered with debris. Every shadow could hide another enemy, every room a potential ambush.
Seris moved cautiously, scanning for weak points in the environment. Crates, collapsed catwalks, and overturned machinery provided both cover and danger. She felt the familiar thrill of a real mission: one shot, one misstep, and it could all be over — even in a VR simulation.
Central Console
At last, she reached the central console. Sparks flickered from exposed wiring. The system recognized her presence and began the data transfer sequence. A soft chime confirmed the progress bar on her HUD: 0%… 25%… 50%…
Movement in the corner of her eye. A single level‑3 scavenger droid emerged from the shadows, larger than the ones before. Its red sensor glow pulsed aggressively.
Seris didn't hesitate. Dual blasters in hand, she fired continuously, aiming for its joints and weak spots. The droid staggered, sparks flying. She ducked under a swinging arm and fired again, managing to keep the console transfer progressing while taking down the stronger opponent.
XP +60
XP +35
Finally, the droid collapsed. The console beeped in triumph. Data retrieval complete. XP +100
Her HUD flickered with new totals:
XP: 145/150
One final push, one corridor sprint, and she returned to the outpost entrance. Her Level 2 dual blaster mastery had already proven its worth — speed, accuracy, and reflexes keeping her alive through her first real mission.
Return to Liaison
The trip back was quieter, though she remained alert. The abandoned outpost now felt like a skeleton of its former life. Metal groaned under her boots; flickering lights painted the walls in harsh shadows. Every step, every movement, every pull of the trigger was a lesson learned.
Back at the Core Worlds Liaison, the NPC's neutral voice greeted her once more.
"Mission complete. Experience and rewards registered."
Her HUD chimed as XP flooded in:
XP: 150/150
Level Up Available
Seris paused, noting the simple progression. One more point to allocate. The interface offered only one option: Dual Blasters Mastery — Level 3
She accepted. The stats adjusted automatically: slightly faster firing rate, reduced recoil, small critical hit bonus. Nothing dramatic yet, but a small step forward — the first of many.
She lowered her blasters slightly and stepped back to observe the starport's distant skyline.
The Core Worlds weren't dangerous in reality — this was a simulation. But every level, every mission, every encounter here built skill and experience. And every step she took now would lay the foundation for the battles and challenges ahead.
For now, all she had were her dual blasters, her wits, and her resolve. That was more than enough to begin.
The mission was over. The real journey had just begun.