The Alien Agenda (#Wattys2018)

[Chapter 42: It's All in The Mind]

After another ruthless session of training and a truckload of insults, I was lying on the floor of the simulator room, with a tired body due to my stubborn pride.

"Tired?" Dr. V-Ron said through the speaker, his tone amused by my efforts.

I took a deep breath and got up into a sitting position. I was dripping in sweat and definitely got pushed to my limit. I was starting to think it was the doctor's plan, to boost my ego by insulting me. Then trained me till I was drained out.

The door connecting the two chambers slid open. Dr. V-Ron stepped into the simulator room and eyed me.

"You sadist," I said with huff.

He smirked, amused,"And you're just plain stubborn," he said.

I got to my feet, staggering slightly. The doctor opened the door that led out of the room, and walked out. I dragged myself and followed him.

Before we entered the cylinder, I felt an object whooshing towards me from behind. My well-oiled reflexes kicked in, and I spun around and grabbed the object before it hit me. I realised it was a metal flask.

"Good catch. Drink up," Dr. V-Ron said, and entered the cylinder.

I stepped in and the cylinder closed. I twisted the cap of the flask open and gulped down the water. Exhaling loudly after finishing half the flask in one go, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

"You didn't have to throw it at me you know," I said, annoyed.

Dr. V-Ron shrugged,"Just testing."

"As if those hours of testing weren't enough!" I exclaimed.

The cylinders slid open. We were back at the main lobby. As we stepped out, I smiled with relief as I saw General A-Roz walk towards us.

"I'll be taking it from here, doctor," the general said. I could have squealed in delight.

"Oh and by the way, how was her performance in the simulator? Did she meet your expectations?" The general asked Dr.V-Ron before he left. The doctor glanced at me for a moment.

"Barely," he said, and stepped out of the building.

Barely?! I exclaimed in my head.

General A-Roz watched the doctor leave, then eyed me.

"I think I did pretty good up there!" I retorted, defending myself.

The general sighed,"Dr. V-Ron can be rather inconsiderate, and well... mean."

"He's not going to be in charge of my training anymore, right?" I asked hopeful.

"He is. For the physical part of your abilities," the general said, taking my hope with it. I groaned frustration. The general stepped into the cylinder.

"For now, go have some lunch with your friends. A HV is waiting for you outside to take you to the living quarters. Meet me at the tenth floor after that," the general said, before the cylinders slid close.
------------------------------------------
The tenth floor was divided into a few sections. The general was waiting for me at the centre, where the cylinders were situated. He ushered me into one of the rooms.

It was a plain white space, with a sleek white leather chair at the centre. A few cylindrical shelves protruded from the wall, and one of it held a simple metal, ring-shaped device and a remote control.

"Please have a seat," General A-Roz said, gesturing to the chair.

I sat in the chair and placed my hands on the armrests. The general took the device from the shelf and placed it on my head.