The Skin Thief

Chapter 9

The month passes extremely quickly. We learned two languages of the Fourth Realm during our time at the academy. From the day we arrived at the training barracks, we were instructed to speak in the language of the country we were to be sent to, Etrayer. In the first week, a dialect coach worked with us intensively until we perfected the accent. From then on, no matter what, we were only allowed to speak Etrayan.

We spent many an hour in lectures, learning about the technology we would encounter. I must admit, I am excited to see their technology first-hand. The smartphone in particular sounds intriguing. I don't think I can imagine an electronic screen that is controlled by touch.

My favourite part, however, was testing out their guns. Other agents and operatives working out of the Fourth Realm managed to smuggle back a few of their guns. Most of the smuggled guns went to the weaponry experts who are breaking them down and studying them in an effort to recreate them for our own forces. However, we got to use a few. Their power was terrifying. Their snipers put our sniper rifles to shame. When I fired one, lying on my front, I was roughly jolted by the intense recoil. When the huge bullet hit the target, it practically blew it apart. I was told that this weapon was mostly for penetrating armoured vehicles. We spent many hours getting used to all the guns, from machine guns to pistols.

Many more hours were spent analysing photographs. I couldn't believe my eyes when crystal clear, coloured pictures were placed in front of us.

"Their cameras can capture colour?" I had asked breathlessly, my mouth hanging open.

"They can," our instructor said. "I wish we could bring over an actual camera, but the portal would destroy all the electronics in it," he sighed. "Their cameras can do more than just take pictures. They can video too."

"Video?"

"Yes, moving pictures," he said which went into a new lecture about televisions and movies and music. We spent many hours memorising the famous names and plots of classic and popular films and tv series.

Hours upon hours we studied maps, photographs, and history. As we come to the end of the training, I feel confident that Connor and I will blend in with the Fourth Realm with ease. We will only get better as we get more comfortable there and start learning how to use the technology for ourselves, something that makes me giddy with excitement.

The one question on both mine and Connor's minds, however, is how would we get there?

That question is answered on the morning we are due to leave.

We sit in the briefing room, wearing clothes fashionable to the Fourth Realm. I have to say, I was a little uncomfortable wearing them at the beginning. The crop top showed off too much of my cleavage and having my stomach on display felt so wrong. Never had I felt more exposed. During the first few days of wearing it, I was constantly covering my stomach with my arms and blushing whenever someone looked at me. To make it worse, the pencil skirt they gave me was so short and tight. It clung uncomfortably to my thighs and bottom.

It wasn't until I was shown photos from their clothing catalogues, or the films, or just of normal women walking around their cities that I started to realise that these clothes were completely normal for women over there. In fact, many women wore even less.

Exploring fashion, which seemed to be so free there, is something else that I look forward to. Going into their shops and trying on their clothes will be one of the first things I do once I am settled. Connor isn't as fussed. He is more excited about the technology. Of course, both of us need to remember that this isn't a holiday. We both have important work to do.

Officer Daller enters the room. He too is wearing clothes of the Fourth Realm in the form in the form of jeans and a polo shirt. It is strange seeing him out of his military uniform, and I can't help but let out a small chuckle. Connor shakes his head and smirks.