The Allbright System - A Sci-Fi Progression LitRPG Story

As Morin concluded his briefing, Field Squad, designated for the assault on "mark yellow," started to diverge from Sovereign Alpha and Arrow Squad. They headed eastward, moving stealthily towards their assigned location.

In the meantime, the remaining marines engaged in final checks and preparations.

Thea, along with her squadmates, meticulously ensured that their gear was secured tightly, minimising any chance of noise.

Despite knowing that Viladia’s stealth bubble would mask any sounds they made, Thea understood the importance of not overburdening the ability. Every extra noise they made could potentially strain the effectiveness of the stealth coverage.

Engrossed in securing her own equipment, Thea was momentarily distracted by a familiar voice addressing her. “You look a lot better, Patchwork. Glad to see you’ve been taken care of properly after that clusterfuck of a mission.” The nickname and the voice instantly brought a smile to her face.

Looking up, she saw Morin standing before her.

His presence was a comforting reminder of the bond forged during their previous mission. Unable to conceal her joy, her smile widened as she met his gaze. “As am I. It’s really good to see you again, Morin,” she responded warmly.

Morin subtly leaned in, adopting a conspiratorial tone as he initiated the conversation he had specifically come over for.

He spoke in a hushed voice, ensuring their discussion remained private. “Listen, Thea. If you experience any of your unique premonitions, like you did with the Seeker mines, make sure to let us know, okay? Both Arrow and Field have been briefed about having a burgeoning psyker in our ranks—although nobody but Johnsen, Viladia and I know who exactly. If something urgent comes up and you need to quickly communicate, just prefix or suffix your warning with ‘Psy’. It’s a simple code to signal an imminent psychic insight.”

Thea, caught off guard by Morin’s suggestion, hadn’t anticipated being singled out for her psychic abilities. She recognized the practicality of having a rapid communication method for her premonitions but was concerned about the limitations of her powers, as they were primarily oriented towards personal foresight.

She was about to express this concern when Morin pre-empted her, his hands held up in a disarming way, “I am, of course, aware that your psychic abilities are more self-directed than that. But consider it a safety measure, in case you perceive any broader threats. It’s always better to have a way to alert us, rather than regretting the lack of one later. Our top priority is to keep everyone safe, after all.” He concluded the brief but significant conversation with an encouraging grin and a reassuring thumbs-up before he abruptly turned heel and walked away.

This exchange left Thea with a newfound sense of responsibility and inclusion.

She pondered Morin's words, realising that her Psychic Powers could serve a purpose beyond her personal ambitions. Until now, she had primarily viewed them as a tool, merely a means to climb the leaderboards.

However, Morin's perspective opened a new avenue of thought for her.

'He's absolutely right. These abilities could be a valuable asset for the squad's safety and the success of our missions, if I learned how to use them in more broad strokes, not merely centred on myself,' she reflected, contemplating the broader applications of her powers as she completed her final equipment checks.

Despite this newfound realisation, Thea remained cautious, 'I need to be very careful, though. I can't risk triggering that stupid psychic gate thing again... Maybe I should consult Viladia about it? She seems quite knowledgeable about Psykers and their capabilities.'

Looking around for Viladia, Thea spotted her engaged in a quiet discussion with Morin and Medic Johnsen a short distance away. Not wanting to interrupt, she decided to postpone her inquiry. 'It looks like Viladia's occupied right now. I’ll find another time to talk to her about it,' Thea thought, refocusing on her immediate tasks.

She hoisted her backpack and meticulously checked her gear one last time, ensuring everything was secure and silent. Satisfied that she was fully prepared, she gave Corvus a subtle nod to indicate her readiness. Thea’s thoughts continued to linger on the potential of her Psychic Powers, not just for personal gain but as a strategic tool for the well-being of her team, as she looked over the rest of the squad.

Karania and Isabella, having completed their preparations earlier, were already at the ready. They stood beside Corvus, engaging in light conversation to pass the time. Their relaxed demeanour and readiness contrasted with the hustle of some other squad members.

Lucas, in particular, was deeply engrossed in organising his gear.

Thea understood the reason behind his meticulousness. As the squad’s defensive heavy, he not only carried the largest equipment but also the most varied assortment of items.

His role as the de facto pack-mule, bolstered by his unique physical constitution and a weight-reducing Ability, meant his backpack was brimming with supplies essential for the entire squad. Ensuring that every piece of equipment was secure and silent for their stealth mission was no small task, and Lucas was diligently making sure everything was in order.

Meanwhile, Desmond was engaged with one of his drones, capturing Thea’s interest. She watched as he expertly opened up the drone and began tweaking its internal electronics.

The sight of Desmond confidently and precisely working on the sophisticated machinery in a field setting was unexpected for Thea. She had not anticipated that field modifications of new-tech like his drones were feasible, let alone that Desmond possessed such a comparatively high level of technical skill.

Observing his adept handling of the drone’s intricate components, she reconsidered her previous estimation of his abilities.

‘I didn’t realise he was so proficient with his tech. Maybe I’ve been underestimating him,’ Thea reflected, wondering how he had gotten to this level of expertise.

Ultimately, however, she was just trying to pass some time with these mental exercises. She was impatiently waiting for the mission to start…

Just as it seemed that the rest of the squad was finishing up their work, Thea was suddenly inundated by a slew of System Notifications that startled her.