A slew of boxes, rewards, and benefits came from surviving that Hellish fucking assault. Funny I said ‘Hellish’ considering I was now fairly certain that was exactly why it happened at all. The fucking Hell plus one difficulty.

I gently rubbed my temples, going over the rewards. The Shields would be amazingly useful, and I’d have those made immediately. I knew today was the day I’d need to enter a Campaign Map or die, as well. As I was fairly fond of living, I’d be entering it before long...once I figured out how.

The Adjutant would help some with the Campaign Map, more so since I had absolutely no memory of the classical StarCraft game.

“System? Where is the Adjutant supposed to be located anyway?” I asked the air, trying to not feel silly.

System advises Player that the Adjutant will be located at the center of the Command Center, in the briefing room.

Alright, I had no idea I even had one of those. A quick question to a passing Civilian, he looked like he was doing maintenance on the Command Center, and I was headed toward the Adjutant. When I arrived, I noticed Nova was there, looking curiously at the machine.

“Nova, did you need to see me?” I could only assume she was there for me, knowing, somehow, I’d be making my way here.

“Yes, Sir. This...mission, I have a few men I’d like to take with us. With your permission, they showed themselves to be rather skilled and composed under pressure during the siege.”

I genuinely wondered how the System would manage the changes that a Campaign Map obviously gave when I brought soldiers with me into them. It responded, stating that their memories would be altered to a mission of equal danger, and similar objectives in the Game Universe.

“Of course, Nova. I leave it to your discretion.” I said, answering Nova as I digested that nugget of System information. “Before you go, however, I want to give you something.” I pulled out the Hero Upgrade Card, and for some odd reason, she gained a slightly greedy look before covering it.

When I crushed it, a system notification occurred, and it made me smile. More so when I saw just how much it would help me.

Congratulations Player! You have successfully used the Hero Upgrade Card on Nova Terra, she has been upgraded to ‘Elite Hero’. All active skills have been increased to deal further damage, as well as granting her the Psi-Image ability.

Psi-Image - Nova creates a Psionic image to attack her enemies, and create confusion.

Elite Marine has increased to three upgrades a month.

All equipment has been upgraded by one.

Further information has been unlocked in Nova Terra’s status screen!

Nova Terra - The youngest child of the Terra Household, has an elder sister and brother.

Level: 5

Rank: Elite Ghost

Kill count - 197

Damage - 40

Defense - 25

Loyalty - 75/100

Trust - 65/100

Elite Marines Promoted - 0

Abilities - Snipe +1, Detection +1, Cloaking +1, Load-out change +1, Energy Regeneration +1, Health Regeneration +1, Psi-Image +1.

Now that was amazing! When I checked what the plus one meant next to her abilities, I found that it increased each ability passive, and the active portion by five percent, it made me wonder how it would be if I gave her ten upgrade cards. Likely not possible, with how rare I imagined the damn things were. It was nice to dream though.

“Thank you, Sir, I will be better able to serve with this.” I had no idea at all what the System made her think it was, and I didn’t ask. I just smiled at her. “Of course, Nova. Ensuring my people have the best I can provide is a part of my job.”

She left, though she threw me a considering look before she did. I’ll admit it, to myself at least, I watched her walk away. I was a bit mesmerized by her ass in that tactical suit. When I managed to shake myself free from the bubble of perfection that was Nova’s ass, I looked to the Adjutant.

“Adjutant, mission briefing.” I had no idea what else to say, so I went with what I thought might work. It surprisingly did work, and I was confused at what I saw.

Greetings Commander, Damian Fern, your mission is ‘Boot Camp’

Commander, Confederate decree is to use your abilities as a Magistrate to calm the colonists on Mar Sara, Objectives are as follows.

Destroy all hostile enemies in the area Ensure the security of SCV Riggs while they harvest Vespene Gas Ensure the security of SCV Riggs while they build two Supply Depots

That was...a bit lack lust, then it got worse, far worse, as the system butted in.

System Announcement! Due to your difficulty of Hell with a modifier of plus one, there is a time limit to each objective. You must destroy all hostile entities within one hour, ensure the Vespene Gas is harvested within two hours, and the Supply Depots must be built within two hours. -WARNING- Zerg number within the hundreds and will actively try to stop you from accomplishing your goals.

Well, fuck me. I was suddenly very glad for the upgrades to Nova and her gear. I’d be having her turn three of her choices into Elite Marines now, I had no doubt Fernando would benefit from it as well, but I held off on him. Mostly because I was fairly certain he would despise Nova having anything to do with an increase in his own strength.

I remembered nothing about the mission ‘Boot Camp’ from the first game in the series, but it was probably akin to the tutorial missions, only with my difficulty modifier that made it fucking hell. There would probably be hidden objectives as well, I’d try to get those to further increase my chances in the Game Universe.

For now, I eyed the ‘Enter Campaign Map’ button that popped up after talking to the Adjutant, and wondered what would have happened if I didn’t earn this thing after the Pirates, the System told me, oh so helpfully, that I would have died. Fuck you too, System, fuck you too.

I didn’t click it, yet, and instead pulled out the Skill/Trait upgrade card, and upgraded the Regeneration Perk by one rank.

Congratulations Player! You have upgraded your Regeneration ability to rank two!

Regeneration Rank Two - All units will now be able to regenerate thirty-five percent of their health every hour. (May not regenerate limbs.)

Perfect, it even gave more information. I was still pissed I couldn’t use it for my men here until Rank five, but I’d make it usable as soon as I was able. Now, to find Fernando. When I located him, he...well he looked like he was hiding from something. I admit the sight of a seven-foot-tall armored giant hiding from something was pretty funny, enough so that when I started laughing he covered my mouth quickly and went ‘Shhhh’.

It didn’t take long for me to find out the reason, Dr. Green was calling for him, repeatedly. I raised a brow at that, amused beyond belief. I found a sick pleasure in the fact he had to suffer at the good Doctors hands.

When she left the immediate area, Fernando sighed in relief before recomposing himself and saluting me. “Sir, how may I help you?” I ignored the look of blame in his eyes.

“In a moment, why are you hiding from the Doctor?”

“She refuses to leave me alone after you subjected me to that he...to the time interrogating the Pirate, Hika. Apparently, I am a prime physical specimen and she wishes to examine me.” I saw his eyes twitch and couldn’t help but start laughing. The poor man was being chased by a woman who likely had a crush on him. Couldn’t blame her, really, he was a handsome bastard.

“I understand perfectly, Fernando. I will ensure the Doctor gets her chance to do just that, all our men have to pass a physical, after all, you included. As the head Doctor, I am sure she will enjoy that.”

“Sir...please….” He looked so defeated, I almost felt bad, almost. I knew I’d have to suffer that woman and her eternal lung capacity for a long time, he should suffer with me.

“Of course, I’ll get to why I wanted to see you. You’re in charge for the day, I’m being sent out by Colonial Affairs on a mission, Nova and five Marines of her choosing will be joining me. I’m not sure when I will be back, but it should be tonight. I trust you to hold the fort while I’m away.”

He took in a deep breath, visibly regaining his composure as the weight of responsibility settled on his broad shoulders. “Sir, yes Sir!” I decided to tease him once more, saying hello to Dr. Green, who wasn’t anywhere near us, and he jumped and rushed away from where I was looking at top speed. It was really, really funny.

When I returned to the briefing room, Nova was there with five Marines. Each one even had a shield, which made me frown. I hadn’t made those yet. The system provided me an answer, stating twenty shields had been provided to the armory for Fernando leveling up to that point.

“Nova, introductions, if you please.” I said, silently selecting three of them and upgrading them to Elite Marine. I wasn’t sure, but I swear their armor seemed to get shinier, and their weapons seemed to upgrade. Curious, I checked the gear out, each one had gained an upgrade from zero of three, to one of three with the upgrade. Perfect!

“Sir, this is Pierce, Thompson, Stone, Hendricks, and Greer. They were the five best men, not including Granit, Jenkins, and Welsh with Fernando. I plan to induct them as Ghosts, in the future as well, Sir.”

That made me eye them a bit more appreciatively. They had Nova scouting them, that meant they would be really useful in this mission. “I’ll make Fernando aware, Nova. These five men are under your direct command, train them properly and I have no doubt they will make fine Ghosts.”

That much was very true, I knew anyone that received her direct and personal training would likely become amazing Ghosts, even I had shown some improvement with basic Psi-Energy use after two sessions with her. She nodded an affirmative at my comment, smiling as she did.

I went to the Adjutant after, eyeing the message before me.

Would you like to begin the ‘Boot Camp’ Campaign Map with Nova, Pierce, Stone, Thompson, Hendricks, and Greer?

Yes/No

I hit yes, and we were engulfed in white light. When the light faded, we were in a completely different area, a Command Center, a Refinery, one Supply Depot, five SCV Riggs, and Twenty Marines, not including my five, were what surrounded us. Following that, the System began spouting its content, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I slowly exhaled. When I opened my eyes, I firmed my resolve. I’d gain everything I could in this fucking map, I had to survive.