Amputation

Accelerated Learning

I was awoken at half past five by the sound of a screeching alarm. I got up, found the front house's shower, grabbed a granola bar from the kitchen, and walked over to the elevator door at at fifteen before six.
"Good job, Ms. Zirn. Perfectly on schedule." The doctor's voice came from a small speaker hidden in the wall.
"What do you mean on schedule? I'm early."
"No, Anna, you are not. When I said you start at six I meant you start training at six." The doorway split, revealing the elevator once again.
"Now that you are an official team member, the thumb print on both your normal and weaponized prosthetics have been added to the database. Best hurry down here to use the time before your trainers arrive well." The elevator ride felt just as quiet as before.
No patients or doctors were present in the six glass cubicles. Guess everyone was asleep right now. Everyone except me and Dr. Jones. I walked in to the back room and changed into my outfit again. Dr. Jones was typing away at his computer and looking over papers on his desk. The man appeared to be in his late thirties. He had black hair which he kept closely shaven to his head. He didn't even look up when he turned on the targets. After five hours, I didn't feel exhausted. Hungry perhaps. But no exhaustion. That's the advantages of prosthetics, you don't feel the fatigue of an intense workout. Well, you don't get the advantages of an intense workout either, but it's not like it matters. Running a 5k no sweat with no workout is insanely awesome. The only reason I'm having to do this training is for adjustment purposes. And to learn hand to hand combat once those soldiers or whoever show up.
"Ms. Zirn, lunch has been prepared upstairs. When you get back, your trainers will be here." I walked into the changing room and removed my helmet. I then walked out and back towards the elevator. The cubicles seemed fuller than yesterday. The screams seemed much worse. I had some difficulty eating after what I'd seen in those cubicles, but I had to eat, nonetheless. The quick lunch was followed by the short walk back to the elevator.
"Your guests have arrived, Ms. Zirn. They're waiting." Showtime.
As I walked back into the back room, two men seemed to be meditating on the ground. One was an elderly gentleman, the other, a man who I assumed was possibly in his forties, though I couldn't get an accurate read simply due to the fact that he was more muscle than man. I stopped upon seeing them. As I closed the door, the elderly gentleman looked up at me.
"Your trainers. This man here is a master of a specialized hand to hand combat technique. The other man is a product of his intense training. Under him you will learn how to best use your fists and the combat blade. Go put on your helmet. They'll be ready when you get out." I walked back into the changing room and put on my helmet. I walked out to see both men standing upright. The younger man must have been around six and half feet tall. The older must have been only five feet.
The older man's voice sounded worn from years of use as he spoke.
"We have been informed that your training is only going to last two days. As such, your training will be rigorous and rushed. Hopefully you've prepared."
"I have."
"Good. We start physical training first." The younger man quickly lunged at me. Thankfully my reflexes have become near the peak of physical performance in my years on the force, but even so I barely dodged his punch. He quickly followed up his right with his left, both of which I dodged, but then he pulled off a round house directly into my right hip bone, knocking me to the ground.
"We're going to have some fun with this." The old man said smiling.
The next seven hours were split between quick combat sessions that involved the old man telling the best maneuvers for dodging attacks, counterattacks, and sneaking attacks, and mental exercises to enhance my reaction time. When the seven hours were up, the two men stood beside each other.
"It has been nice working with you Ms. Zirn. We will finish your training tomorrow." The old man stated, walking towards the elevator. I took off my mask in the changing room and went upstairs. I ate dinner, went back down, practiced the mental exercises and went through the physical motions again and again until midnight.
"Get some sleep, your training ends tomorrow." Dr. Jones stated. I was half way to my first mission. I was ready to get back on the street.