All soldiers were now standing before a massive set of double doors.
The thick steel doors gave off an impending sense of doom.
"This is one of the facilities that you don't have access to but for the sake of this test, you'll be given an exception."
Miss Cayenne tapped away at her trusty tablet.
"Now…" Her eyes locked onto them.
"Yesterday, it was hinted that your battle suits will be necessary for a good score and I'm here to say that is incorrect."
"It is a good thing that none of you came here in your battle suits; otherwise, you would have been taken to utilities immediately."
The recruits gasped.
Kale wasn't surprised. He had somewhat gotten the hang of how the military operated. They were the kind to never pick the easy way out.
"Beyond these doors lie your tests, one of them at least."
She reached for her pocket and pulled out a watch. Placing the screen against the door, it groaned and slowly opened.
The soldier recruits walked inside and noticed that the room was as large as a warehouse. It had concrete walls and floors.
But there was a feature that stirred Kale's memories. The ceiling had metallic cones.
Without waiting for anyone, he ran towards the other end of the room.
Only after covering about half of the distance did he squat and wait.
Some of the other recruits also bent at the same time as he while others were a bit confused.
They wanted to squat but Kale's running had disturbed their opinions. Did he know something that they didn't?
It was obvious that they hadn't gone through the same tests as those who squatted.
Two figures ran and landed beside Kale. He looked and noted Ming and Ian.
The two squatted beside him and others decided to join.
Before anyone could warn them, a massive pressure descended upon them.
Kale's legs vibrated and his bones creaked. The increase in gravity was far higher than the initial evaluation.
And as for those who hadn't reacted in time, or were running had their faces smacked into the ground, cracking their noses and skulls.
Some had even passed out.
A pair of heels smacked the floor and drew the attention of everyone. The source was none other than Miss Cayenne.
She walked undisturbed like there was no gravitational pressure at all.
"You see the end of the room?" Her slender fingers pointed at the other end of the room.
"You have five minutes to get there."
Then she walked out and closed the doors behind her but not before sparing Kale a side glance.
A bright red display appeared on one of the walls.
[05:00]
[04:59]
"Are you going to tell us why you ran here?" Ming's voice was almost demanding.
Kale noted the tone but decided to shrug it off.
"The military is quite transparent in their tests. They give hints about what their test is."
To demonstrate, he pointed at the cones, then at a red line on the other side of the room.
"The cones were there in the first trial we did to determine our roles. That and the red line made it obvious but I wasn't too sure."
Ian stared at Kale with a lost expression.
"Hmm. And I thought that you were the dumb one." Ming spoke bluntly.
"Compared to Axel, I am but after spending years with him, you start to notice patterns." Kale chuckled and set his eyes on the other side of the room.
He had already covered about half of the distance, yet it still felt like it would be a mammoth task.
Lifting his leg, it felt like someone had dropped a car on it.
Pushing further, he managed to take a step forward and almost fell. It was like the gravity had multiplied.
At this rate, they wouldn't be able to make it in time.
"By your expression, it is pretty obvious that it's very difficult to take a single step," Ming spoke behind him.
"So naturally, we must look for an alternative solution."
Ian tilted his head and spoke.
"Who said that we have to walk to the line?"
Kale and Ming looked at him and the latter scoffed.
"I don't know, maybe the instructions!" Her tone was dismissive but Kale was more open to suggestions.
Other recruits had already started making a match to the line. It seemed that the gravity increased the further you went.
Those who were unconscious were left on the floor with no one to help them.
Kale stared at the unconscious people but he knew that reaching them would be difficult.
"What are you implying?" His question was directed at Ian.
"What I'm saying is that we could roll there. That seems far easier."
Ming immediately wanted to retort but held her tongue. She still harboured a form of hatred for Ian but couldn't deny the value of his words.
"We are still open to bruising and injuries but it's the easier option." Kale nodded and forced himself to lie gently.
Ian and Ming joined him and the three started rolling to the line. Other recruits saw this and also joined in.
The three of them slowly approached the line but something kept on bugging Kale. He turned and saw those who were still unconscious.
"Guys." He called their attention.
"I'm going to handle something, go on without me." Then he started rolling back.
"What the hell are you doing?" Ming cursed while Ian kept silent.
The two watched Kale roll away from success.
Thoughts raced through Ian's mind and then he made a move of his own. He joined Kale.
Ming cursed before joining them.
Kale moved to the closest unconscious person and woke them. After filling them in on what needed to be done, he moved to the next person.
Ming and Ian took note and helped him wake them. Soon, everyone was up and had even crossed the line.
The three were the only ones outside the line when a loud buzz went through the room.
[00:00]
The timer had hit zero and the gravity vanished. The three stood up and Kale noticed Ming's clenched fists.
"Ming, I am sorry but I-"
"It's Ming Lee!!" Her sharp voice cut him off before she stormed off.
Ian just stood in silence.
"May I ask why you decided to go back to help them?"
Kale stared at the people he had helped. Most were mocking him and his efforts.
"I can't believe he gave up his advantage for a bunch of strangers." One of them chuckled.
Staring at them, Kale inhaled sharply.
"We are all in the military, and if we are all selfish, then the world is doomed."
Before Ian could reply, the doors opened once more and Miss Cayenne walked in.
"Rest well. The second test will begin soon."