Resurgent

Chapter 19

 I am amazed at how big the building is where Caleb works. He tells me that it used to be an airport, where planes ("big flying vehicles") would fly out people to different places. They don't use it for that anymore, however. I follow him through various security gates and past lots of professionally dressed people until we reach one last final door. He types in a code on the door (which I notice is 071351), then places his thumb on the keypad. It beeps twice and we're in.

The inside is much bigger than I thought it would be. To my right, there are several small rooms lined up next to each other, each equipped with a huge window for viewing inside. To my left, people stare intently at paperwork and bustle about the different monitors. Everyone in this busy, yet quiet, room obviously has a designated job, with no intention to sway from it, either; they don't even look up to see us.

"If you look over here," Caleb informs as he motions towards the rooms, "you'll see where we perform the simulations."

Peering into the windows, I see people in chairs with a wire coming from their head. Some of them move, flinching and wincing and twitching their heads, while others are talking with a person wearing a lab coat.

"What kind of simulations are they doing?" I ask, actually intrigued by his work.

"These simulations are mostly used for combat, just incase we ever encounter another war. All of these men and women have enlisted themselves into our army to train for any future conflicts. In addition to the simulations, which improve their critical thinking and the mental aspect of combat, they also undergo physical training. But I don't oversee that."

"What goes on inside the sim?"

"There are different levels for different possible threats. But they almost all involve enemies threatening our city. It even includes all the buildings and places from here. The enemies are anonymous, meaningless people, though."

I stare intently at one of the women in the simulation. Her strong arms are detailed with black, jagged tattoos. She jerks her head to the right, then to the left. After a few minutes, her eyes open and she frantically looks around the room. I gasp slightly when I see her make eye contact with me. Is she angry that I was watching her?

"Don't worry, we can see them, but they can't see us. They know that, though." Caleb explains. "Click the button if you want to hear what Maggie, the scientist in there, is saying."

To my right, I see a small black button, which I press and hold down.

"You did a lot better that time!" Maggie tells the woman. "You must have realized that hiding until someone else kills them isn't very quick, or helpful to anyone else. Just a little more practice tomorrow and you might just be ready for the next level."

They both smile and continue to talk, but I don't hear them because I've let go of the button.

"I want to do it." I blatantly state.

Caleb laughs. "Beatrice, it's not that simple. These men and women also have to do counseling sessions to make sure they are not undergoing any serious traumatic stress. Safety is a high priority here. We can't just let you go into a simulation without being prepped first, which is a very long process. You, especially, who cannot even remember the simulations you once went under, are not allowed to do these."

"Caleb, please. Maybe it will help me remember something." I say, obviously knowing that the simulations will do no such thing. "Maybe this is what I should do. Maybe this is my future, working with you."

"You mean working for me." Caleb arrogantly corrects me. He sighs and motions over to an empty room. "Fine. I will run the lowest level of simulation on you."