The Mantis Queens Reign

ZIMA

It's been a day since I've gotten here, and it's been annoying. First, I had to unpack my bags in my room, and relax. 

Relax. Something I haven't done in months, and now they want me to? I've been under constant pressure to outclass and over-perform, to constantly do better than both the last guy, and the next guy. And now, they want me to relax?

And the other thing, everyone I've met so far have been stuck up bitches who look down on me. Fucking assholes, and they expect me to follow their every beck and call? 

...

"Get up, it's time to start testing."

I follow the guard out of the room and to the training area.

It's a plain white room, with a grid on the floor and walls. There is an observation room above me, in the wall opposite the door.

I hear a speaker turn on, and a voice come through it.

"Valerie, today we will begin testing. First, we will test your reaction speed. Then, we will test your strength and endurance, among other attributes."

"I've had those things tested hundreds of times already, why don't we do something new! I'm tired of doing the same thing day in, day out!"

"That is of no concern to us. However, if it helps, we will only perform this test once a week."

"Fine. What's the test?"

"Dodge the projectiles being sent your way as long as possible, with minimal wasted movement."

I nod, and look towards the newly made holes in the wall. I hear a small scraping sound from them, before something smacks me in the head.

"Ah!"

I try to dodge the next one, but I just get hit in the cheek instead. 

Several dozen more are sent my way, and I don't dodge a single one of them.

"How the fuck do you expect me to dodge this shit!? I doubt a android could dodge this shit, let alone a human!"

"That's what you think. Now, let's commence the next test. Grab the weight and lift it above your head, then proceed through the obstacle course without stalling or letting it touch the floor."

A weight lands next to a newly raised obstacle course. There are walls I need to climb over, holes to jump past, gaps I need to crawl through, etc. 

I try to lift the weight, and can barely lift it off the ground. It takes all my strength not to drop it, and my shoulders feel like they're gonna rip off.

"Stop!"

I drop the weight, and my shoulders are sore from just that.

"We have completed the tests, and know what to expect from you. There will be a test in your room, then you are ordered to relax until tomorrow. You need to recover your energy for then."

"Understood."

I make my way back to my room, ignoring the guard following me.

Do they really need the guard with me? Whatever, I suppose they don't trust me. Can't blame them.

...

...

When I made it back to my room, it was a simple test to gauge my mental capabilities.

I wonder what they needed me to rest up for? Oh whatever, I'll find out tomorrow.

...

...

*Beep Beep Beep Beep*

Ugh... five in the morning? Really? fuck...

I begrudgingly wake up and get ready for the day. Brush my teeth, take a shower, brush my hair, you know the drill.

*Knock knock*

"Time for your final test, get out here." 

I walk out and am met with the same guard as yesterday. When we make it to the testing room, someone new is there. They're a woman, at least 6 foot, and slim, sporting a black suit, stopping at her forearms, and loose around her legs. Her hair is a pale white, and her face is scarred, with a cold look in her eyes. 

As she walks up to me, I notice that she doesn't make any sound as she walks. At least, not that I could hear. As she offers a handshake, I notice that there are bits of metal throughout her arm, and her legs seem to match. She is toned, all of her muscles are defined, and she holds an intimidating aura.

I shake her hand, and she nods, before stepping into the center of the room.

"Valerie, you will be facing Shade today, to prove your combat effectiveness. Use any and all tricks to your advantage, and don't be afraid to injure each other."

Each other? She's going to kill me!

"The fight shall commence in 3

2

1

go."

She stays in a fighting stance, ready to fight. I look at her unsure, before deciding to go for it.

Does she really think that little of me? Am I not a threat to her? I'll show her!

I rush her, and punch her in the chest. She just looks down at me, unfazed.

oh fuck

She grabs me by the throat and slams me into the ground, and I can feel my body cry out in protest against the floor. She throws me across the room, before doing something surprising.

She just stands there, waiting for me to move.

Oh fuck this.

I lunge at her, trying to find an opening, any at all. I notice that her neck is exposed, so I lunge at her, feigning another stomach punch into grabbing her neck.

"Doesn't feel so good now does it?"

She smirks, before I feel something pierce my stomach. I look down and see two, long blades protruding out of her arms, and piercing clean through my stomach.

The pain is overwhelming, and I can barely think.

She lifts me up with her blades, before dropping me to the ground, knocking my last threads of consciousness away.

"Shade, bring her to the Aug bay."