"You 're looking good." Jack commented as she eyed me in our new uniform instead of the usual red suit that we were wearing the past few days. We were wearing white just like the others.
The last time I saw Jack, he had this big open wound from his shoulder to his hip but right now he was standing tall as if nothing was wrong with him. "What?" he asked with a raised brow when he saw me staring.
"Didn't you." I made a gesture for my chest and drew a line that imitated the gas I saw that day on him. Injured, are you sure you are good to join? I asked.
William came over and nudged Jack's ribs. "He's fine. He cried like a baby during the treatment but right now he's back to his usual cocky self so he will deny it. "
"I did not cry."
William points to Jack, who was now sulking, "see?", "Then seeing my new suits, William let out the whistle. Congratulations on ranking up. Maybe we should start more fights then maybe we can be in the same rank as the general."
"Who's going to start the fight? "
I immediately overturned my case and walked a few steps back. The moment I saw Sheela, she was standing behind William and Jack, with her arms crossed over her mussed chest that was evaded through her midnight blue suit similar to the one she wore yesterday. There was a disapproving look in her eyes as she studied the two, well more like dared them to proceed with her plan.
"N-- nothing general we were just joking Jack and William immediately covered under his grace "said and nothing!
Seela grinned as she watched the two, then her grace found mine, and her smile grew wider. I never expected that your plan would advance so quickly. Well, it did, under no circumstances, but I believe that you two will be able to keep up in no time. And I'm out of here.
"Thanks, by the way". for the suites. I said, as I remembered how Sheela was the one who rang on my pods early in the morning to give me my suit.
Welcome! You better do some light stretches. We'll be starting the drill in a few minutes, she said before turning back and heading for the other dress like hers. I am guessing that the uniform means they are higher ranking and the badges with the star are higher general.
When Jack turned around to face me, her expressions looked shocked and stunned. "I brought you your uniform. She asked even William somehow mirrored the expression.
"Yeah. I confirmed why?"
General Sheela is finally acting like her age. A teenage girl, Jack looked proud and placed a hand over his heart as he wiped an imaginary tear.
"For the General to personal hand you your uniform, you must be closed. Usually, drone would deliver us our uniform, same with others. "
"What about others?" This time it was Israr's first walk. He was walking towards Richel in doubt. Sorry I didn't get it to eat breakfast with you guys. I was kind of running out of time.
"Morning." I greeted Gita, who now stood beside me.
"Morning." It's like a yawn. I swear I have to keep up with this damn breakfast schedule. I have to gulp down most of the food just so I wouldn't be late. William must have heard our conversation because he suddenly placed a gentle hand on Gita's shoulder.
"Bad idea." William shook his head at her. "Word of advice for when you are running late? Don't over it. Then he exchanged a glance with Israr. The small girl nodded.
"I'II go get the medicine drawn to be ready and on standby."
"Please do. Otherwise, it will get messy. "
"Why?" Gita actually looks sick and scared as she watched Israr and William giving her a look of pity. "What is it?"
Jack placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and shook his head sadly. "You will find out later," was all he said to her.
***
An alert echoed into the room. Everything was thrown into chaos. Everyone started moving extra for Gita and me. Everyone started planning out as the lights started to go dim and drones were sent out from the holes that opened from the walls.
"Get to move on," Mr Mithun, Miss Gita. It was only when Sheela screamed her command at us that we started to move. I started running when the ground that I was standing on started to race with me. Along with it I let out a curse. I crouched down so I would not fall.
I saw Gita was on another block as we fell but hers was situated higher than mine. I looked around me to see that others were on as well. Tombs were floating in the air and the only lights in the room were searchlights shining in every space of the room. It was dark but I couldn't see my surroundings just enough to navigate myself if I have to.
"The goal for today is to reach the safe point in any mean possible. "
I heard Sheela announcing from the speakers. I could not see where she was but I do see a huge floating rectangular box with railings on three sides. You will be evaluated based on your performance, your curves that measure your vital signs, and your suits that can measure your moments.
"There is no passing or failing mark. We just want to evaluate your competency."
The drone started to glow an alarm shade of red and wear a manta laser pointer. Somehow, I can only guess what it was for. The drone will be shooting at you, and O will feel the impact. When you are hit the suit will measure which vital organs were hit and critical hits and you will be taken out of this area." A laser pointer was moving on to the blocks that I was standing on. Avoid the search lights too because once you are spotted you will get captured. "
They were currently pointing at me. First there was one and now two. three.... five.
"Ah crap.
I immediately searched around me for another way out.
"Dig in!
As soon as Sheela gave up the command, I quickly jumped onto the other block. At least that was my intention. Apparently the block that I was standing on collapsed the moment the drone shot at it. I slipped, making my leap fall short, and I hit the block instead. I stumbled on the ground and grumbled. In front of me I saw a woman trip and a searching light move just in time to connect with her form. The light stone spread as a large stone appeared and caught her in a metallic net.
"Wait! No! No!" She screamed and started jiggling the net as it carried her away. For a second there I was actually impressed with the technology being used and the programming that the engineers created to make it all go smoothly and fast.
My father will definitely like this place, I thought.
I snapped out of my train after when I saw the light moving again I caught up on my feet and hide behind one of the blocks. I heard a scream as I saw that a drone had hit a man's leg. The portion of his suit that was hit started to glow and I heard him curse at and grown in pain. I gulped as I saw horror of them floating near me. I looked up to see that I was far from the safe zone and I ever wanted to reach it then I have to move now.
"Congratulations Mr Logesh. You are the first one in The Hibbzone. I heard Sheela. Announcing and I started running again. I keep hearing screams and going along the way.
I was getting dizzy as I kept on looking back and front just to make sure that it was safe. I felt an impact on my hips and I saw it glow. At that moment I felt a twinge of pain in the area I was hit.
I looked back and saw the drone that had attacked me. With my back pressed to the wall, I moved to the other corner and peeked. I saw the drone getting closer as if it was searching for me. It was flying low enough that I could just reach out and grab it and that is what I did.
The moment that I saw it flying close, I jumped up and grabbed it. I never knew that I had a short temper but remembering the pain that I received from the little pot made my blood boil. I threw the drone and smashed it with my foot.
I felt my body starting to move on its own, like it knows what to do next. I jumped upwards and grabbed the one edge of the block as I held myself up with ease. A horse was drawing near me and I surprisingly jumped high enough to reach one of the drones and punch it in the mid-air. It collides with another drone as I landed safely on another block.
What am I doing? I looked at my hands in wonder. It was as if any one other than myself was controlling my own body.
Shot was bad, dismissed as I started moving again, jumping from block to block, avoiding the shots and noting my pains on hip .
"Congratulations to Ms. Israr! "
"Well done Mr. Jack. "
Fine air to actions Mr.Gune.
I ignored all the hints of jealousy as I kept on hearing the names of the people making it to the safe zone. I gritted my teeth. My moments were good and I felt like I was keeping up with the pace that I can make it to the safe zone.
"Impressive miss Geeta."
"Good job mr. William."
My heart pounder, as I narrowly escaped a fire from a room and almost got caught in the light. Luckily, I never got killed but my body managed to grab the edge of the block and kick myself towards the other block.
I looked up and the safe zone was only a few blocks in front of me that I could already see Jack and Sarah urging me forward while Geeta was throwing up in a corner. William messaged her back in comfort.
"One minute left." Sheela announced.
Pushed myself up and continued to run. A drone moved in front of me and I saved, grabbed, and threw it with enough force towards the other drone and managed to knock it off. With two forces I led from one block to another, shifting this time a girl, and I jumped on the same block that it was, one block away from the safe zone. Her jump was short and she would not have fallen down if I had not grabbed her and pulled her back up.
"Thanks." She smiled repeatedly before pushing me into one of the lights that was approaching us.
I got caught in the light. I paused as if it turned red and a drone caught me in its metallic wave. I looked back at the girl to see her smiling and searched her shoulders. Sorry and thanks for the help newbie. She chuckles and I saw her preparing herself for the jump.
The drone was carrying me towards the safe zone. I can see the Israr and William. We are gliding at the goal furiously while Jack and Geeta gave me a look of pity.
Of today is to reach the safe point. It is possible. I recalled what Sheela had said.
I repeat. Using my hands I grabbed a metallic net and started to tear them apart. I could feel my muscles roaring as my strength poured out from my hands. I can finally hear the metallic net breaking apart. I saw the tear and stretch breaking apart. I saw the tear and switched to pull it apart until it was bigger and I could fit in.
I shifted my body and was able to get my feet out first. As I fell down I saw the girl so I pushed myself, jumping over. I clasped her figure and twisted myself in the hair. The moment that she hopped on the last block, I raised my feet and stepped on her shoulder to make her be free. She fell down on the ground below us and the people on the platform moved away. As I fell down and landed on the same ground
and then there was a buzz. Sheela's voice was there once again: "Time is up! Good job, everyone!"