The Projects of Argatu, a place for everything that isn´t a Varanus, Projects in general are probably one of the most dangerous places on a planet with nice Population. BUT even in onethe most dangerous cities  has it´s Urban Legends, One Being in the mentioned Projects of Argatu "The Vampire of the Projects".

Cut to the present

It was one of the days were the Imperial Army tried to look at anything suitable for the Army in the town of violence and Gang Activity. Wich to be honest are always Bold tries to search here since there´s always the random escalation because there will always be the agressive ones.
But that day a Hooded Pale Woman came into one of the Recruiting Offices, ready to leave that cursed town and expand her "territory" she thought about if the Army Needs some help with the Stealth branch seeing as she did Have the ability to sneak up to kill unexpecting People when she didn´t want to spend the time luring somebody into an alleyway or her Apartment.

The projects was a den of crime on Argatu,a stain that the Imperium did well enough to hide from the public and yet due to the war with Helix the empire's police force,the Imperial Justice Forum or {I.S.F} as they are called struggle to maintain order as they are undermanned to cover the entire district bloc.


Taking advantage of the inherent violence these thugs commit on one another was something the Imperial Army took the initiative upon,they offered them amnesty and pardons for crimes,state-paid benefits common to those who served...A step up from the caste and social ladder they found themselves stuck in.


What these thugs don't know is that they would be assigned to "expendable" vanguard squads,sent headlong first to soften up the enemy before the real troops landed.Allowing the empire to hit two birds with one stone,less enemies abroad and less criminals aboard.One of these thugs was a rather pale woman...human yet different.She told the recruitment officer that she had considerable skill in positions of stealth.Much unlike her peers who seemed all muscle and show.


So the elven recruitment officer began his usual array of questions whilst providing a set of forms she had to fill out.


The forms read:



Home address:


Former occupation:


Skill set:


Medical history:


And other things which was more of a personality and morality test of multiple choice.
-----------------------


During the signing the recruitment officer would ask questions like. "Why do you want to serve the Imperium?" and "what do you hope to accomplish during your service?"

The pale woman was sure she´d pass afterall everybody Needs some spys buut then she read the questions on the Survey.

First question, Easy just filling out her Name wich is :Natalie Noritska

Now with the 2nd one she started to struggle because Natalie didn´t really have a home she just went from Motel to Motel So she just Wrote N/A.

And the 3rd one.....eh still nothing to answer. Former Occupation: N/A....again 

Skill Set Now thats the question she was looking up to. but what to write and not Overflow the paper with pros.
Natalia wrote down some obvious strengths like "Silent feet" and "Great at Stealth Takedowns" but she knew she can do much more

But on the medical history part....she really did not know so she wrote:N/A

And there she was at the last two questions of "Why?" wich said much because she really didn´t know herself what she wanted "Erm...Why i want to serve for the Imperium...Because i want to represent my home in some way" and the last question "I hope to accomplish.....The ressurection of the empire that everybody feared" 

Natalia thought she made a good Impression, but she does have some struggles

The recruiter took the files and placed it in a box next to his table,a Varanus officer entered the room and took a selection of the files inside the box.

He then called out the names of the file owners to meet him in the next room.

The next room was a waiting room as clinically clean and minimalistic as possible,the chairs where hard and uncomfortable and the brochures on glasslike coffee table where nothing more then small introductions to the various branches of the Imperial Army.

After a few boring minutes the reptilian officer returned and called out the names one by one to show that they are present.

"Welcome to the Argatu Projects Recruitment hall...You will undergo a series of tests to measure if you are fit for active duty in the Imperial Army.We have already placed you in certain branches we believe your skills would benefit best upon...Now as I call out your names please proceed to the marked door behind me to enter the training room."

He breathed and hissed the names.

"Kowell,James"

"Westly,Chris"

"Ubera,Klass"

"Noritska,Natalie"

"Samson,Susan"

The officer then followed the last one into the training hall.

The hall led underground to a vast maze of training rooms.The entry room had a table built into the wall that carried multicoloured arm banners.Each trainee was given a armband and told to approuch the first set of doors that apparently led to start of the course.A observation post hanged from the roof where the Varanus would carefully evaluate the trainees with strict judgement.Even if these scum where to end up being cannon fodder they would still be trained Imperial cannon fodder,the Varanus really took pride in their military thanks to their traditions.A standard that makes any Imperial soldier a formidable foe.

The Legate in charge of the Projects recruitment program had little faith in the criminal scum,but reluctantly agreed that the added manpower for the Helix Campaign was needed.

"Trainees prepare"

"3"

"2"

"GO"

The doors opened to a gauntlet of physical obstacles aimed at measuring the strength and agility of members as well as their stamina.The course was timed and only the best would actually make it into more respectful regiments...the others will be thrown away in vanguard units.

Natalie was ready to do anything what this scrimmage Held, but she was dissapointed when it was just when it was a Standard parkour Course "How is this supposed to determine the best recruit?"
Well that isn´t her Problem right now she just has to do this stupid parkour.

First obstacle were really just some Hurdles on a track, and of course natalie had enough experience and some sort of skills to clear the hurdles with ease. When she did get past she heard the Sound of Things crashing onto the Floor followed up with an OH SHIT. But Natalie just sighed seeing as that one recruit was dumber than a pile of bricks.

Second a treadmill. Wait what? a treadmill is what they´ve got to meassure somebodys Stamina? Natalie felt cocky about it for like 30 seconds where she then got tired froom running at a fast pace for more than 30 seconds.

And lastly a punching bag...Yup out here the measurements struggle real hard. And for Natalies last part of the test she just kinda ran by the Punching bag and clotheslined it wich maybe wasn´t enough to knock somebody out but more to just Lay them out then stab them while they`re down

First she was and now it seemed Natalie was way better than the other recruits so she looked over to the Entrance lifted her arms and shouted "WHAT NOW?"

"Good proceed to the firing range." The intercom would say.

"You know this isn't a normal human Legate...." The balding human scientist would say.

"I know..." The legate would reply,dressed in a uniform that was both armour and ceremonial.

"Biometric scans clearly shows blood pressure and heartrate levels way beyond...."

"Yessss....I know."

The firing course was like most,a range with metallic targets and a selection of standard E.I.C rifles with lethal rounds. The Empire knew most of these criminals already had experience with fire-arms and would skip the usual safety procedure considering they where after all considered 'expendable'. Once the other recruits caught up with Natalie the intercom spoke again.

"Each one of you pick a booth and familiarize yourself with your weapon. The Elnre Industries Carbine is a all purpose ballistic rifle chambering standard 5.56×45mm rounds,it's not a fancy weapon like that the legion uses but it get's the job done all the same....Right now we will be testing your accuracy,gun handling and trigger discipline...Several targets will appear at randomized intervals resembling robotic figures armed with weapons....Those are enemies....Others will appear as unarmed organic civilians...Shoot one and you will be disqualified from the recruitment board ELIMINATE ALL ARMED HOSTILES....You have seven minutes to prepare yourselves."

What the recruiter did not say is that a single target will actually be a armed civilian "the secret shot" to test the individuals sense of rapid decision making....This target in all regards was a enemy and would appear right in the most chaotic moment of the target exchange...All for the purpose of forcing a rash decision or disappearing counted as a armed target.

"Recruits...Ready your weapons....."

An sinister voice would overtake the intercom as the legate began the countdown.

"Begin test in 3.....2......1"

The targets raised.....

Natalie observed the gun given to her by the Training staff, it really was nothing mutch just some Standard automatic rifle. But now the Targets sprung up and Natalie was ready to prove the fact that she´s the ace of this draftclass.

Well maybe Natalie Rode her high horse a bit too much because she only went 11/15 and while she was thinking to herself "Dammit how did i iss the easy ones..." But her thought got interrupted by another recruit yelling "15/15 WOO SUCK IT" followed up with another recruit responding in the same Level of yelling "MAN SHUTUP I WENT 15/15 TOO YOU AINT SPECIAL" wich just caused Natalie to speak her own opinion "YOU BOTH SHUT UP THIS DON`T MATTER THE END MATTERS"

Natalie snickered to herself because now she´s gonna be able to Show her strength of becoming one with the shadows while the others struggled to stay undetected so she looked straight at the Camera and just got a Little bit of trashtalk in:"Now if y´all weren´t sure if i was number one try to Keep track now" And right after that it was like she dissapeared in the shadows although she only stepped like 5 steps there was no track of her and just after mearly 5 to 10 minutes she came out at the other end of the maze then looked up at another security camera and said with a smirk on her face "And? did i prove im the greatest y´all have ever seen?"

"Very impressive...that recruit is the anomoly?"

"Yes my lord....9.8 minutes a new record....."

"Indeed....Prepare the next test....."

Only 2 of the other recruits made it to the exit of the maze almost half a hour later,the others having been disqualified by the drones that still patrol within.

"Well done recruits.....Please proceed to the next door" A set of double doors opened sideways revealing a large simulated urban centre

The intercom spoke again this time with another voice more direct then the tester that talked before.

"Before you is a reconstructed replica of part of the projects urban landscape.Within is a team of assassin droids waiting to ambush you....Your objective is to place the explosive charges contained within your packs on the centre statue that is...say...an enemy communications beacon.....Shouldn't be hard for your talents....however the droids are using live ammunation like yourselves and unlike your squad they do not have wounded...

"Wounded...You daft we fin...." One of the recruits said with a smug that was suddenly turned into a painful grin as the unimaginable happened.

Suddenly one of the recruit's packs explodes causing him to fall wounded and bleeding as sharpnel clings in his shoulder.

"It seems one of yours had the faulty charge....Within the plaza square is a medical kit.....You have about....4 minutes before your comrade bleeds out....Take care of each other and you will be able to complete the objective......If you die....Consider yourself disqualified.

Natalie Just looked at the now wounded teammate and slowly shook her head with a face of dissapointment and said:"Really? You just had to jinx it?" and the thug on the Floor responded while groaning in pain:"Shut yo dumb ass up! they woulda exploded that ish anyway! Im sure you oughta been blown to pieces" Then the other thug responded who was not dieing on the Floor:"Maan y´all should get yo dumbasses moving i just wanna go join the army to get outta this place." Natalie then rolled her eyes and responded "Ugh...fine, but im not doing this for y´all im doing this for me"

And so Natalie disappeared into the shadows Scouting the Plaza while the other thug got into Position. on Thing was sure this Task will be the end

Although admitably she did get got real good by this Assassin Robot, and so she started to Analyse Her opponents Body to look for some sort of weak links but right before she could start looking The Robot came at her with an Uppercut wich Natalie saw comming and Gave the Robot a Left hook. The Robot did fall down but then it instantly rolled onto it´s feet and into the shadows and there it clicked in natalies head and started smirking "Oh i see you you aren´t Slick you want to do the Kitten tactic Of a Hit and run Well Go on then HIT ME!" Natalie then threw her arms out to mock the Robot assassin.

And maybe it worked maybe it didn´t since the Robot instantly charged at her again with it´s Claws scraping Her sides wich Really pissed her off that a Noname Scratched her so she Tackled the Robot and Mounted it, Now she´s reaching for her 2 sais wich she smuggled into the Recruiting Programm and started Mercilessley Marauding the Robots Body with oil Dripping down the Rafters and down Her Hands while she taunted the Robot more by shouting "Oh so you thought interrupting the Recruiting of the best Prospect the empire has evr seen finna be a breeze? WELL LOOK AT YOU NOW HOW DID IT GO FOR YOU!?"

The recruit was quick and surprised the droid,it was able to inflict a light wound of the recruit but not enough to cause profuse bleeding.It mocked the droid and seemed boastful...Smart...The pilot took the bait and charged.

She quickly tackled the droid and mounted it's back,it pulled out two sais blades that somehow made it past the recruiter inspection and started stabbing wildly into the droid,green oils would drip from the holes in the chassis and soon enough the droid fell with a metallic clang against the floor.

The Legate's eyes widened. "Interesting...."

Another Varanus stood in the shadows,annoyed that his droid was disabled.

"Very interesting indeed Legate.....This recruit is different."

The legate turned to meet his kin clad in black robes as dark as the night. "She will be a fine addition to the 9th Argatu Penal Legion." 

The shadow laughed. "I feel her talents lie with Intelligence Service...."

The legate was taken aback. "Why not with yours?"

The shadow shook his head. "We do not recruit Zodarrin remember...The Shadows of Kumaktole will watch this one but her talents will remain wasted with a military force like the Penal Legions.

The Legate turned back to the view port. "We shall see."

One of the thugs took the opportunity to run towards the comm beacon they needed to destroy with the charges.Halfway a droid jumped out a dark alleyway and it's blade opened his throat,the thug went down chocking on his own blood.The droid then turned to engage Natalie pulling out a marksman rifle and firing a series of bursts aimed at her core.

Natalie rolled her eyes and threw her arms out:"Heey Marquis you´re supposed to Not die you Cunt!"

She woulda loved to mock the fellow recruit some more but right now she had that Rusty Can being a Problem, and she instantly ran around on the Rafters dodging the Barrage of Bullets by the Robot, but she couldn´t run further since she reached a deadend so she jumped off and onto the Floor then instantly dissappeared into the shadows making the Robot lose sights.

She whistled while circling around the Robot "Welp...Where did attacking the Recruiting proccess bring you? im sure you´re pretty much screwed right now, and i´m not meaning those rusty screws somebody wasted on you"
Just before the Robot used some sort of Technological Voodoo she Sunk her teeth into the robots "Throat" But then instantly after she started to drink she backed away in disgust as it turned out to be a not so great idea.

Natalie backed up and spat out some oil then wiped her mouth "I have to admit, i don´t know what i was thinking on that one so erm..."
The Robot charged at her but Natalie had quick enough Reflexes to avoid a direct hitt but the Blade still Graced her Shoulder wich prompted her to Jump onto the Robot from behind and start to ruthlessley stab it untill the Robot stopped moving.

Natalie stood up and wiped some sweat off of her Fourhead then she started to look for the Com Not having a clue where it could be But then she finally found her Goal inmidst of a Plaza in the dimmly lit room, and once she looked from left to right if there were anymore Robots she saw a Pool of blood from her fellow recruit, But intead of showing any signs of Shock she shook her head in dissapointment and mumbled to herself "Only the strong survive..."

Natalie approached the Console and tried to go with a more Logical Approach, in trying to take it out without stabbing the Keyboard

The console refused to respond.

The shriek of more droids echoed throughout the chamber.

The Imperial army recruiters counted down the seconds.

Seven...

Six.....

Five.....

The droids ignoring Natalie focused on the lone recruit who ran into the plaza,standing beside his bleeding friend firing blindly into the shadows. "COME GET SOME YOU MOTHERF...." His words cut short as a blade tore through the side of his leg causing him to fall to the ground still firing wildly.

Then a loud beep echoed through the chamber...Natalie having disabled the relay without using the explosives given to them before.The droids stood silent shutting down and the intercom system broke the brief but awkward silence.

"Congratulations..." A large door opened and a team of medics rushed to the aid of the wounded and dying recruits ignoring Natalie who was approuched by a human clad a officer uniform with a beret bearing the seal of the Imperial Expeditionary Marine Corps.He was shaven with only his thick black eyebrows as the only sign of hair on his face.He smiled but his eyes kept the grin of veterancy.

"Well done recruit.....Follow me." He said saluting and then turning to lead Natalie to the command chambers kept above the recruitment halls where the officers and scientests kept a eye on each wave of new recruits making note of their abilities.

Natalie was brought at the entrance of circular command chamber and told to wait while the officer entered the command chamber to speak with his superiors.

Natalie Clapped now finally being done with this Recruiting Crap, On the first test they shoulda gotta out of this Damn Program and into a spy Mission. 

"Finally you all realised that i´m the best recruit you all have ever seen...Now where´s my new boss" 

Natalie also continued to brag whilst following the Men