Rinzlo came for them late at night. 28 had hardly slept, he was worrying more and more about 78 and what 99 had said. 78 had woken a little while after 28. She had quickly brushed the stains from her face and hurried off, not saying a word to anyone. Rinzlo had entered the room silently save for the hiss of the doors. He hadn't said a word at first, he had just stared at them all in turn. When his eyes met 28's the boy tried to glean something, anything from that cold gaze. He saw nothing.
"Follow me, all of you."
The man turned, exiting the room and they moved to follow. 28's eyes met 99's and the other boy put a hand on his shoulder.
99 leaned in and whispered into his ear, "He's going to make them into an example."
28 jerked away from him. He didn't want to hear it. 78 was trailing behind as they followed Rinzlo and 28 fell back to walk beside her. The two walked in silence for a time before he broke the silence.
"The others told me what happened, I don't hold it against you."
She took her time answering, "Twenty-eight, I didn't have to go that far."
"But Rinzlo made you, that bastard made you do it."
"No, you don't understand. He wanted me to finish you but I didn't have to go as far as I did. I chose to do what I did, you shouldn't forgive me."
28 grabbed her arm, stopping her, "But I do, honestly you should worry more about yourself right now. Ninety-nine says Rinzlo's going to make you into an example to the rest of us. You told him no."
78 glanced quickly towards the others, and seeing that they weren't looking wrapped her arms around 28. He tensed up, the sudden contact uncomfortable, unfamiliar.
"Thank you," she whispered.
She quickly released him and hurried to catch up to the others. 28 stood there, stunned, an unfamiliar sensation overcoming him. He shook himself from his daze. 'Now is not the time.' And hurried after her.
Rinzlo had stopped outside of a room they had never been to, a security officer stood at either side of the door labeled "FACILITY X-21". Without saying a word, he opened the door with a hiss and walked inside. The subjects followed apprehensively. They were in a circular chamber. In the center stood three strange chairs, back-to-back in a circle. The chairs had a multitude of metal pads that stuck out at odd angles, needles lining their surface. A multitude of scientists clad in white stood by, watching through their black visors. Rinzlo turned to look at them all for a long moment.
"I told you that those who failed in their matches would be punished. But most of you put up a fight, or tried to. Subject: 36!"
His voice cracked like a whip and they flinched. Thirty-six raised his eyes to look at Rinzlo.
His meek voice responded, almost a whisper, "Y-yes sir?"
Rinzlo glowered at him.
"You were too much of a coward to fight, you disobeyed direct orders, you subverted perfection. But that's okay. It really is, there are bound to be hiccups. That's why the eggheads designed X-21. Today you will be conditioned, fixed as they put it, to return to perfection. Strip down, step forward and take a seat."
Rinzlo gestured towards the strange chairs. 36 slowly disrobed and then shuffled forwards, his terror evident on his face. The white clad figures stepped forward and strapped him down to the chair. Then they pressed the needled pads down into his skin on his chest, stomach, arms and thighs. The poor boy winced in pain but otherwise did not make a sound. The figures reached behind the chair, pulling forth electrodes that they connected to 36's temples and forehead before sticking a piece of putty into his mouth and telling him to bite down. Rinzlo gestured for them to continue and the figures flipped a switch. The mechanism screeched like some sort of metal beast, the air smelled of ozone and burning flesh. 36 thrashed and writhed, straining against his restraints. His eyes were right, saliva flying from his clenched teeth; he was in torment. 78 looked away while 28 watched on in fascinated horror. Blood streamed from the boy's nose and from under the metal pads. Rinzlo stepped forward and grasped 78's chin with his silver hand, turning her head to look at the boy.
"That was almost you, these people don't accept failure. I would advise that you bear that in mind the next time I give you an order."
Eventually the screaming stopped. The electricity ceased to crackle. It was over. The scientists moved forward and pulled back the metal pads. Burnt flesh peeled off with them, leaving behind large bloody, oozing sores where he had been covered. The putty fell from the boy's limp jaws and his eyes remained rolled up into his skull. They took him away, leaving the remaining subjects in the chamber with Rinzlo.
"Listen here, all of you. This is what happens when you disappoint. When you disappoint the higher ups you require correction. Let this be a reminder to you all. Do exactly what I say when I say, do not slack off or shirk your duties or training. If you do, you will be fixed. Now, let's get you back to your dorm."