The next morning, Luna wakes up feeling refreshed, her mind sharp and ready for whatever challenges lie ahead. Today is her first official day with the Berserker Organization, and she knows the impression she makes now could influence her entire three-month assignment.
As Luna is lacing up her boots, there's a knock on her door. She opens it to find Lara standing there, looking as composed as ever.
"Good morning, Luna," Lara greets, flashing a brief smile. "How'd you sleep?"
"Surprisingly well," Luna replies. "Feels like the calm before the storm, you know?"
Lara chuckles, crossing her arms. "That's probably not far off. Today, we're headed to the training center to assess your abilities. They'll want to record everything and make sure it's all stored in the database."
Luna raises an eyebrow. "Assess my abilities? How exactly do they plan on doing that?"
"We use advanced VR simulations," Lara explains as they begin walking down the corridor together. "You'll face real-life combat scenarios and high-stakes situations. It's as close as we can get to the real thing without, well, casualties."
"Sounds intense," Luna remarks, adjusting her sleeves. "So, they're just going to drop me into some kind of VR gauntlet?"
"More or less," Lara replies, nodding. "But don't worry—this is all routine. They're not just testing your strength; they're seeing how you think, how you adapt. That's what really matters around here."
Luna smirks, her confidence returning. "Good. I was hoping it wouldn't just be a bunch of weightlifting and endurance tests."
Lara gives her an approving look. "They'll throw some of that in too, but they'll want to know how you'll act when you're under pressure. The Berserkers don't have much use for brute strength without brains behind it."
They arrive at the training center, a high-tech facility with towering walls and tinted windows. It hums with energy, and Luna can sense the seriousness of the place.
As they walk in, Luna looks around at the equipment and technology lining the walls. "So, what's the catch? What's the one thing I should know going into this?"
Lara pauses, turning to face her. "Don't underestimate the simulation. It feels real for a reason, and your reactions will be too. The pressure, the fear, even the pain—they're all there to see what you're truly capable of."
"Got it." Luna nods, squaring her shoulders. "Guess I'll just have to show them."
Lara nods toward a door at the end of the room, signaling for Luna to head that way. "Just go on in; the advisors will take care of you. Otto's likely in there too, since he's overseeing your assessment and will be sending his feedback straight to the agency."
Luna chuckles, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, I figured he'd be hovering around somewhere. He's practically been glued to my side since we got here."
Lara grins. "True, but that's just Otto. He wants to make sure you're ready for this. Plus, he's thorough. If he has any concerns, he'll let you know—and he'll make sure the agency knows, too. But if you impress him, that'll carry a lot of weight."
Luna nods. "Well, I'll give him something good to report back on, then.
Lara checks her watch. "You'll probably be in there most of the day. Meanwhile, I've got a squad meeting. We're getting briefed on upcoming missions, so once I know the details, I'll find you later back at the dorms to fill you in. We'll get a full briefing before we deploy, but it's good to have a heads-up."
Luna smiles. "Sounds like a plan. Good luck with your meeting."
"You too," Lara says with a grin. "Now go knock 'em dead—figuratively, of course. I'll catch up with you tonight."
With a quick nod, Luna heads toward the door, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement for what lies ahead.
As Luna opens the door, she steps into a medium-sized room lined with sleek, silver panels that give the space a sterile, futuristic feel. Across the room, behind a glass window, Otto stands next to a man with glasses, who's typing on a computer. Otto looks up and greets her with a nod.
"Welcome, Luna," Otto says, crossing his arms with a slight smile. "Hope you're well-rested. Today is your virtual simulation assessment. I'm sure Lara gave you a few details, but we're going to fully brief you on how this all works."
Luna scans the room, her eyebrows raised in confusion. She'd expected something hands-on, not…whatever this was. "This is the test?" she asks, still trying to wrap her head around it.
As if on cue, a projection suddenly materializes in front of her, illuminating the room with a faint blue light. It's the president of the Beserker organization, a figure she recognizes from her onboarding. His presence immediately commands attention.
"Welcome, all," his voice booms, smooth but authoritative. "You may have some idea of what's about to happen, but allow me to clarify. Right now, each of you is in a similar room, alone with a scientist who will be monitoring your progress and adjusting your simulations as needed. Today, thirty of you will be entering the same simulation environment, each in separate, isolated rooms, yet sharing a virtual reality."
Luna glances at Otto, who nods in silent confirmation, his expression calm but focused.
The president continues, "You will face a distinct simulation today. The will be a rescue mission: your target is held captive within a high-security facility protected by hundreds of guards. Here's the twist—every one of you will be attempting to capture the same individual. It's a race to see who can reach the target first and escape with them safely. In these scenarios, you may find yourself directly competing with each other for the same objectives."
A murmur of realization hits Luna, and she looks back at Otto. "So we're not just fighting guards…we're going up against each other?"
Otto smiles, a hint of challenge in his eyes. "Exactly. Consider this an opportunity to test not just your combat skills, but your strategic thinking. It's not just about getting to the target—it's about outmaneuvering everyone else who's aiming for the same goal. Every decision counts, and every misstep could cost you."
The president's voice fills the room again. "These simulations are designed to push you to your limits. You'll encounter scenarios where you may need to collaborate…or you may need to eliminate your competition. The choices are yours to make. This isn't about passing or failing. It's about showing us who you are when the stakes are high and the odds are stacked against you. We'll be watching closely."
Luna takes a deep breath, feeling the weight of the challenge settle over her. Otto steps forward, meeting her gaze. "Are you ready, Luna?"
She straightens up, meeting his eyes with determination. "Absolutely. Let's get started."
"Good," Otto replies, gesturing towards the man with glasses, who begins typing commands into the computer. "Step forward and prepare for the simulation. Remember: stay sharp, stay focused, and remember who you're up against. I'll be here, keeping an eye on your progress."
Luna takes her place, steadying herself. She can feel her pulse quickening, adrenaline starting to flow. As the room around her begins to fade and the simulation kicks in, she knows one thing for certain—she's about to enter a world where anything could happen, and only the strongest will make it through.