"How are the levels looking?"
"So far, so good."
"No anomalies?"
"None whatsoever."
"Good. Let's just pray that it's successful this time."
I'm in a HUGE fucking robot. Panels, blinking lights, and all sorts of controls plague my vision. I'm in the control-bay, and I'm performing a test drive for a new experimental unit. Apparently I'm one of only four who has the mental strength to pilot this thing. It's pretty cosy in here. Except for the constant chattering in my ear.
"Alright, are you ready, Pilot 1?"
"Ready when you are," I reply.
"Good. We're starting the start-up sequence. When I give you the signal, walk to the marker displayed on your HUD. While you're walking, we'll test the unit's dexterity, so just do what we say."
A little pointer pops onto my screen. It's floating over a rail-cannon unit about half the size of the robot I'm in.
"Start-up in 3..."
"2..."
"1..."
"Systems live."
I grab the two joysticks in front of me and lightly push them forward. The robot starts moving forward slowly.
"Alright everything looks good. Walk a little faster."
I push the joysticks a little harder. I'm now walking at a steady pace.
"Alright let's begin the tests. Pilot 1, jump for me."
On the handles of the joysticks are three buttons and triggers. Each of the buttons are different colours, starting from the top they're red, green and blue. I press the blue buttons on both joysticks. The robot crouched down and launches itself off the ground.
"Good. Now activate the thrusters as you descend to land lightly."
As I begin to fall, I press the green buttons. A window pops onto the screen displaying the words 'Main Thrusters V.2' and a bar that signifies the fuel. Barely any fuel is being used as I slowly descend back to the ground.
"Good job. Experience any problems?"
"None."
"Nice. Now run at full speed towards the checkpoint."
"Checkpoint?"
"That marker I told you about."
"Alright."
I push the joysticks all the way. The robot is now running incredibly fast. The force pushes me back into my seat.
"Okay stop."
I try to pull back the levers, but they won't budge. I try again, but they're completely cemented in place.
"Uh, I can't pull back the controllers."
"What?"
"I CAN'T PULL BACK THE CONTROLLERS!"
"Shit!! Abort the test! Disconnect the power!"
A big, red button is glowing on my left. When pressed, it severs the connection of the generator and the robot. I slam my fist on it.
"IT'S NOT FUCKING WORKING!"
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN IT'S NOT WORKING?!?!"
"THE BUTTON WON'T GO DOWN!!"
"EJECT THE UNIT, PILOT 1!"
I reach under the seat and feel for a lever. Once I reach it I pull it with all my strength.
"HOLD ON PILOT, THAT'S THE SELF-DESTRUCT LEVER!!"
It's too late. I already pulled the lever. All the lights in the control-bay flash red.
"LINUS!!!"
The robot explodes.