D-50s

The Exo Bay buzzed with the low hum of machinery, and Lucas's heart pounded as he stood alongside his five squadmates. They watched with awe as a line of D-50 Exo Units---colossal, humanoid machines, each exuding an almost intimidating presence---towered over them, waiting.

"Welcome to your first day of D-50 combat training," announced Lieutenant Caron, her voice unwavering. "Each of you has been matched with a unit tailored to amplify your strengths. This isn't just about learning to fight---these machines will be extensions of you, designed to respond to your thoughts, instincts, and physical prowess."

She pointed to the first Exo Unit, a sleek, silver-edged machine with lean limbs and compact armor. "Recruit Morel," she nodded at Lucas, who felt his pulse quicken. "This is yours. Step forward."

The D-50, barely distinguishable from high-grade steel at rest, shimmered slightly as Lucas approached, adapting to his neural sync frequency with a faint hum. It was a masterpiece: advanced plating that morphed in response to ambient textures, sensory arrays that heightened its awareness, and a specialized stealth system capable of nullifying sounds and reflecting textures.

He took in its impressive design---sleek and agile, with a tech-based camouflage that shimmered with environmental data, giving the illusion of near invisibility as its surface adapted. A panel near its chest shifted, revealing two compact yet potent plasma guns, their barrels gleaming under the Exo Bay lights. Small, slender high-frequency blades extended from its forearms---tools for swift, quiet strikes.

"Built for recon," Lieutenant Caron explained as she circled the unit, her gaze calculating. "Your history in hydroponics taught you to work with living systems. This unit's sensors will allow you to blend in, navigate silent terrains, and maximize intelligence gathering. You'll be the eyes and ears of your team."

Lucas stepped closer, the neural link engaging almost immediately as the D-50's systems synced with his mind. He felt a faint surge of adrenaline; it was as if he was fusing with the machine, gaining an awareness that surpassed his own. Every hum, every sensor sweep of his unit's exterior felt like an extension of his own perception.

He heard a low whistle behind him as Jules, the tall recruit from earlier, studied Lucas's unit with a mix of curiosity and envy. "That's some stealth tech you've got there," Jules said, his voice tinged with appreciation.

Caron motioned toward Jules, who walked to his D-50: a massive, heavily armored machine standing like a fortress on two thick legs. "Jules Bouchard," she said. "Your unit is designed for firepower and durability. It features a railgun capable of penetrating fortified structures and a plasma shield for defense."

Jules's unit had an urban camouflage pattern that alternated to match concrete, rust, and metal surfaces. Its railgun gleamed under the lights, spanning nearly the height of a recruit, with a weight that would crush anyone unenhanced by a D-50's hydraulics. The plasma shield extended from its left arm, humming with an electric blue glow.

"Mine is heavy artillery, huh?" Jules grinned, flexing his fingers and stepping inside the open cockpit, which closed around him like a protective shell. He seemed to fit effortlessly into the machine, his posture relaxed yet commanding.

Celine, a petite girl with jet-black hair and a serious expression, moved up next. Her D-50 stood slightly apart from the rest, looking almost like a specter---a matte black finish with faint etchings that pulsed with green circuitry lines.

"Celine Dufort," Lieutenant Caron introduced, "Infiltration and disruption. Your unit is equipped with adaptive nano-camouflage, high-frequency energy daggers, and laser tripwire projectors."

Celine's unit was a marvel of subtlety, blending seamlessly into shadows even under the Exo Bay's bright lights. The adaptive nano-camouflage activated as Celine approached, its outer shell adjusting to a rocky, shadowed pattern that gave the impression it was both there and not. On her forearms, the slim high-frequency energy daggers gleamed with a faint luminescence, deadly yet elegant.

Next to step forward was Theo, a wiry recruit with a quick, restless gaze. His unit was built for agility, with reinforced leg hydraulics and retractable high-frequency blades designed for rapid, close-quarters strikes. It was streamlined, matte silver with deep-blue accents that flickered with a pulsing energy flow.

"Theo Renard, speed and precision," Caron said. "Your unit's cloaking capabilities include a high-density smoke generator, allowing you to blind enemies or create decoys in low-visibility areas."

Theo Renard was a wiry recruit with a quick, restless gaze. His D-50 unit was streamlined and built for agility, with reinforced leg hydraulics and retractable high-frequency blades designed for rapid, close-quarters strikes. Theo's unit activated a dark plume of synthetic smoke, which dispersed almost as soon as it appeared, showcasing a smoke cloaking system meant for misdirection.

Matthieu, the last of the boys, was already studying his unit with intense focus. It was the most humanoid of the group, standing tall with a frame that balanced speed and strength. Its weapon was a rapid-fire plasma rifle, sleek and brutal. The pixelated distortion field shimmered around it, making it seem to disappear when moving, almost like a ghost in motion.

"Matthieu Desroches, tech and reconnaissance," Caron said. "Your unit's distortion camo and high-speed plasma rifle make it versatile for adaptive maneuvers."

Finally, Caron introduced Ariane, a recruit with fierce green eyes and a calm demeanor. Her unit was sleek and agile, with retractable energy blades on both arms and a rotating shield that deflected close-range attacks. Its adaptive shell mirrored her movements with a fluidity that was striking.

"Ariane Moreau," Lieutenant Caron said, "Close-range combat. Your unit's electro-field can repel attacks and disable nearby enemies. This, combined with your energy blades, will make you formidable in close quarters."

As they embarked on the mission, Lucas felt a familiar rush of adrenaline as he stepped into his D-50, the neural link activating instantly. But something felt off - the connection wasn't as smooth as it had been in training. His unit's systems seemed to stutter, the usually seamless efficiency now marred by small hiccups.

Celine's nano-camouflage glitched as she tried to blend in, making her unit flicker in and out of visibility. Theo's smoke cloaks billowed erratically, obscuring the squad's movements and nearly giving away their position. Jules struggled to get his heavy railgun to lock onto targets, the recoil throwing off his aim.

"What's going on?" Lucas hissed into the comms, frustration creeping into his voice. The squad's coordination, once so flawless, now felt forced and disjointed.

Matthieu's voice crackled through, strained with concentration. "I don't know, the systems aren't responding like they should. There must be some kind of interference..."

Ariane grunted as her electro-field flickered, barely deflecting a barrage of enemy fire. "We need to fall back and regroup. This isn't working!"

Lucas gritted his teeth, struggling to regain control of his unit. "No, we can't afford to fail this mission. Stay focused, we've got this." His words lacked the confidence he wished he felt.

The squad pressed on, but their movements were halting and uncertain. Precious time was lost as they worked to compensate for the D-50s' unpredictable behavior. Lucas felt a growing unease - something wasn't right, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

As they finally reached the central drone hub, Celine's unit faltered, and a drone spotted her. Laser fire erupted, forcing the squad to scatter and take cover. Ariane's electro-field flickered weakly, unable to fully repel the assault.

"Dammit!" Jules cursed, his railgun still struggling to find its mark. "We're falling apart out here!"

Lucas felt panic start to creep in, his mind racing to find a solution. "Matthieu, can you hack the system? Disable the drones?"

But Matthieu's voice came back laced with frustration. "I'm trying, but the firewalls are stronger than I expected. I can't get a clean connection."

As the squad fought to hold their ground, Lucas realized with growing dread that they were no longer working as a cohesive unit. The seamless coordination he'd witnessed in training was nowhere to be found. His squad, once so formidable, now felt disjointed and off-balance.

The mission was slipping through their fingers, and Lucas knew he wasn't doing enough to keep them together. He cursed under his breath, steeling himself to try and rally his team, but the unease he'd been feeling only intensified.

Something was very, very wrong.