War of Praisers

Chapter 1:

                 

I swiftly step into the B-room, also known as the before-room. I feel the soft whiff of the door close behind me, barely making a sound as it does. I spot the usual cameras in every corner of the white room. I take another two steps into the room until I reach the middle where I should stand for them to get the proper view of me. I don't dare look at the cameras. Instead I look at the opposite door I am supposed to enter any minute. I stand still, legs shoulder length wide and my arm hanging to my sides. Over the years I have learned to keep my heart rate steady and my breathing even. The only issue I have is my curiosity. Who is watching me now? What are they looking for? Will I ever get to leave this place? I already know the answer to this. I will eventually be able to leave. I am aware of my bidders of the last few years, yet I am still here.

Suddenly a familiar low voice announces that the door will open in ten seconds from now. I take two steps closer to the door so that I'm only a step away. It doesn't matter how many times I have done this for how many years, I am still scared every time. Another high pitched sound indicates the doors opening right before it does.

I walk out of a medium sized blockhouse and into an abandoned street. All around me are the same houses I just walked out of. The atmosphere is dark and cloudy with only the streets lamps giving any form of light. I break my gaze from the black sky and start walking to the next street that connects with the one I'm on. As I walk I look back to the building I walked out of I see that there's no sign of any door. In fact, I notice there aren't any doors on any of the houses. The nerves start to build up inside me and I start jogging. The more streets I run on and the more exact houses I pass I realise that this is a maze. A maze that resembles an old village of approximately the year 2010. These hundred year old villages still stand today. My mind wanders through my memory of our history lessons as I realise that I need to concentrate and try to block my daydreams. My jogging continues that feels for hours although I know from experience that it's only minutes. Finally I hear the recognizable sound of the Automations. I stop on reflex, and I strain to hear from where it was coming from and notice it was coming from behind. Turning back towards the sound I press my body against the house. The cold stone almost feels as if it was burning my skin through my thin suit. I look around the corner only to see unmistakable black amour of an Automation quickly making it's way towards me. Automations are big humanlike robots, They are, for a change, the colour black, not like the Watcher which are white. Automations are dangerous, the Facility uses them for our trials and for their protection. We are trained to beat them easily but if one of us stand alone against more than seven then it becomes complicated. They make sure that we will not be able to overpower the facility.

I sneak another look and notice he's much closer now and is holding a gun in its left hand. I focus on the sound of its heavy footsteps closing in. I take a deep breath and rely on my training to do the rest. Once I am absolutely sure that the Automation is coming around the corner I strike blindly and I feel my fist hit hard metal. I feel my bones in my hand sting with numbing pain, but Dismiss it instantly as I turn toward my victim. The Automation stumbled back from the force but unfortunately manages to stay on its feet. As quickly as it regains its footing it strikes back aiming for my face. I block his powerful blow into my arm making me flinch ever so slightly. Through the training over the years have taught me to mask my pain. I kick my leg up to its side causing it to bend backwards as it fires the gun at me. I bend just in time for the red laser light to fly fast me and hit the house behind us. The quiet sound of the gun firing won't attract attention to our small encounter. I throw myself to the ground and tuck and roll towards its feet, barely dodging another laser. By supporting my whole weight with my hands I swing both my legs after each other at the Automations legs. I feel the small pebbles from the ground drawing blood from my palms. As it falls it shoots another laser into the sky, hitting the force field surrounding this unknown sized arena. Giving away our location to any other opponent which may be in this maze, urging me to get this done quicker.
Flipping my body by bending my back backwards and pushing off with my hands and elbows I swing to my feet and kick its gun from its grasp. The gun shoots up into the air above my head, I kick the Automation in the head to buy me some time. The second the gun is in my grasp I don't hesitate to blast the gun into its head. The hole which the laser formed, sparked with electricity. The Automation stands for a second, then falls flat onto the sharp pebbles.