Rinzlo was a slave-driver. He worked them hard; lifting weights, running, punching bags. When they collapsed he would grab them and drag them to their feet, when they puked he made them scrub the floor clean before throwing them back into it; they worked until their bodies screamed and just as they felt they could go no further he ended it. Exhausted and broken they were escorted back to their chambers. Their food intake was closely regulated and they had to eat exact portions, no matter whether or not they liked the food. Their meals consisted of bland substances that could only be described as mush, and a pale blue liquid that was bitter and nothing else. They had been told that their meals were to help stimulate growth and carried all of the nutrition they required. As for their displeasure, it did nothing.. The days wore on and set into a cycle; they would eat in the morning, train under Rinzlo until they could hardly move, and then eat once more.
Rinzlo especially enjoyed combat training. Every other day they would alternate between building strength, endurance, speed and building combat skills. On these days they met on the central mat, and Rinzlo would drill the group on different techniques, and he held nothing in reserve. Subject: 28 took relatively quickly to many of the techniques, but he did not excel in them. Subject: 99 took to it best, he enjoyed the combat training above all else and seemed to hold Rinzlo in high regard. Rinzlo, for his part, took no notice and played no favorites.
Subject: 28 rose from his cot, joints creaking from the previous day's exertion. Rinzlo had had them running, for how long 28 did not know. Subject: 99 was already up, set to clipping his nails. 28 quickly threw on a shirt before turning back to 99.
"I don't get how you can enjoy this, the fighting. All we do day in and day out is work."
"It's better than doing nothing. And besides," 99 set the clippers to the side before fixing his stern grey eyes on 28 once more, "this is what we were made for, we may as well do it well."
"I suppose."
Subject: 28 sank back down into his cot, their food was yet to arrive.
"You ever wonder what's so different about us? I don't really feel…'perfect', do you?"
Subject: 99 considered this for a moment, "No, but we are, aren't we? I mean, you saw when Eighty-two tore through that tank. Sure, Rinzlo put him down quick but that's Rinzlo for you."
"I guess. Why do you think we need to fix the world?"
"I don't know Twenty-eight, why do you ask so many damn questions?"
Subject: 99 rose to his feet as the door slid open with a hiss, two security officers walking in to drop off their breakfast and leaving just as quickly. Subject: 99 strode across the room to grab his share of the food.
"You'd better start waking the others," he muttered as he sat down on his cot to eat.
Subject: 28 made a face and set to the task, moving over towards Subject: 78 and gently shaking her by the shoulder.
"Hm-hwhat?" she asked, blurry eyed.
"Wake up," 28 whispered, "food's here, we've gotta get going."
She nodded several times as she rubbed her tired eyes. He left her to shake off her sleep as he stirred the others. Before long they all sat at their cots, eating their bland food and drinking their bitter drinks. Time was almost up and soon they would be escorted to the gym. Subject: 28 finished his food and surveyed the others; they were all tired and he was doubtful that they could keep up at this rigorous pace. He was tired too, but he tried not to show it. They were supposed to be perfect after all. But unlike Subject: 99, he wasn't so sure he actually believed it. Before long the security officers came and they were escorted along the now familiar route to the gym where Rinzlo would work them half to death. The white halls were made of a smooth material that clacked in response to the armored footfalls of their escort. Otherwise featureless, the halls lead them along the path, taking a left and then a right at a set of intersections before reaching their destination.
Rinzlo awaited them on the mat with a cold look in his eyes.
"Today," he growled, "I'm going to be pairing you off. You will fight each other with everything you've got. And those who fail will be harshly punished. You are meant to be perfection, anything that falls short of that is unacceptable. I will personally see to your punishments."
82's hand shot up, "Sir, there is an odd number of us, sir."
"Right you are, one of you sorry bastards will be paired up with me."
28's heart sank to the floor, whoever got paired against Rinzlo was guaranteed to be punished and to receive a hell of a beating before that. The same could probably be said for 99, but at least then they'd have a chance. While the subjects may be "perfect humans" and may be more physically able, Rinzlo was ruthless and skilled and that arm of his made for quite the equalizer.
"Oh, and we'll be going one at a time so try not to make yourself look like a fool while the others are watching."
The group did not respond, they knew how such outbursts would be greeted.
"Now, Subject: 82 will be paired off against Subject: 99-"
'At least I'm not getting my ass kicked by Ninety-nine, but if I get paired with Rinzlo…'
"-Subject: 28 will be paired off against Subject: 78, and Subject: 36 will be with me."
Relief washed over 28, at least he might have a chance.
"Ninety-nine and Eighty-two, you're up first so make it quick."
As the two squared off on the mat, the others stepped down to watch. Subject: 82 was big and had reach, but 99 was the most skilled fighter out of the group. 'Ninety-nine is going to take this, I'm sure of it.' 82 preferred to keep his targets at a distance and use his reach and strength to his advantage, but 99 was not going to let him have his way. He darted in quick as a rabbit, ducking under the taller boy's arms. 99 planted his feet and rotated his body through as he delivered a massive blow to 82's abdomen. The air fled 82's lungs with a withering shriek and as he crumpled 99 rotated his body again in the other direction, bringing his fist up to connect with 82's jaw and catching him under the chin, jerking his head back. 82's eyes rolled up into his head and he collapsed to the floor in a heap as 99 stood over him, triumphant.