The competitors gathered inside the military barracks, a place that seemed like it had jumped straight out of a science fiction novel, equipped with the latest technologies and systems that simulated military reality in every intricate detail. The high walls were covered with display screens showing shifting combat scenarios, and the floor was covered with synthetic sand mimicking desert terrain. Everything here was designed to test the limits of human capabilities. Soldiers with stern expressions roamed among the competitors, while specialized officers monitored every movement through control screens, as if they were machines incapable of error. The competitors exchanged cautious glances, some moving with noticeable tension, while others appeared to be waiting for their moment to prove themselves.
"Amazing!" Qusay whispered to himself as he observed the advanced equipment in the hall. "This place feels like a sci-fi movie. Even the synthetic sand looks real!"
Amid this tense atmosphere, Sergeant Johnson appeared with his imposing presence, his voice thundering as he announced the rules of the first challenge: "Handling Light Weapons." The weapons to be used were a semi-automatic pistol (9mm caliber) and an assault rifle (AK-47 model). The challenge was clear and strict: moving between three different cover positions, each 20 meters apart, and hitting five targets hidden behind barriers. The pistol was to be used at the first position with only five bullets, and the rifle at the second and third positions with ten bullets each. Scoring was based on accuracy and speed: 10 points for hitting the center of the target, 5 points for hitting the target, with a deduction of 1 point for every second over the 60-second time limit. This challenge was worth a total of 150 points, but the final score was divided by three, making the maximum achievable score 50 points.
Qusay watched the competitors closely, his eyes landing on Ghadeer. Even though he had known her for a while, it felt like he was seeing her for the first time. She stood confidently, her eyes gleaming with focus, as if her gaze carried a silent challenge. "Ghadeer is always different," Qusay thought, smiling to himself. "But today, it seems like she has something new that adds a spark to her presence."
The room was filled with adrenaline, and the air itself seemed charged with energy. The competitors stood ready, each with a fierce ambition in their eyes to prove their worth. Among them was Ghadeer, the only competitor who possessed something unique, something that made her stand out from the crowd. She had a rare ability to move objects with her mind (telekinesis), a skill she had developed through days of intense training. She had progressed from the first stage, where she could only move objects weighing no more than a gram, to the second stage, where she could now control objects weighing up to a hundred grams. This leap in her ability was proof of her continuous growth and dedication. Moreover, this progress would make the challenge much easier for her, as the weight of pistol bullets ranged between 7 to 15 grams, rifle bullets could weigh up to 20 grams or more, and sniper bullets could exceed 50 grams, meaning she could now handle these weights more efficiently. While the others began shooting at the targets, Ghadeer focused deeply, as if entering a state of absolute concentration. With each shot fired from her pistol, she used her ability to guide the bullet after firing it, as if she had supernatural control over its trajectory.
At the first position, the targets were hidden behind moving barriers. Ghadeer fired the five shots quickly, but these were no random shots. Each bullet followed a precisely calculated path, as if it had a mind of its own. The first bullet pierced the center of the first target, and the second and third followed with the same precision. The fourth and fifth were even more impressive, slightly veering in the air before hitting the last two targets dead center. The points on the screen increased rapidly, as if racing against time itself.
Qusay stood directly behind Ghadeer, watching every shot she fired. He muttered under his breath, as if commenting on an intense movie scene. "Look at those shots! She's controlling them as if they have a mind of their own!"
When Ghadeer moved to the second position, the assault rifle was in her hands, cold and heavy but familiar. The targets here were farther, and the barriers higher, as if designed to test the competitors' limits. Ghadeer gripped the rifle tightly, ignoring the tense air around her. The five shots were fired one after another, each following a precisely calculated path. She used her unique ability not only to guide the bullets but also to adjust their speed, ensuring they hit the targets at the perfect moment. The targets fell one after another, as if collapsing under the control of an invisible force.
"This girl is unbelievable!" Qusay exclaimed as he watched the bullets curve in the air before hitting the targets with precision. "She's doing it as if she's playing a video game!"
The points on the screen were increasing rapidly. She completed this position in just 15 seconds, an astonishing speed considering the difficulty of the challenge.
When she reached the third position, the challenges were at their peak. Time was pressing, and the bullets were running out. But Ghadeer knew she was close to achieving something extraordinary. The last five shots were fired quickly, each following a complex trajectory, as if drawing a map in the air. She controlled each bullet with her mind, as if they were extensions of her will. The first bullet pierced the center of the first target, and the second and third followed with the same precision. The fourth was even more thrilling, slightly veering in the air before hitting the fourth target dead center. The fifth and final shot was the hardest, but Ghadeer knew she wouldn't miss it. The bullet shot out swiftly, seemingly defying gravity before hitting the fifth target dead center.
"That last shot was the hardest, but she didn't miss it," Qusay said as he watched the final bullet hit the target's center. "50 points, perfect!"
Here, too, she took only 15 seconds, the same time she had taken in the second position. When the final bullets were fired, all the targets had fallen, and the points on the screen showed a perfect 50. The total time Ghadeer had taken for the challenge was just 40 seconds: 10 seconds in the first position, and 15 seconds in each of the second and third positions. The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in applause. Ghadeer stood in the center, her breathing heavy but her eyes shining with pride. She had proven her worth, not just as a competitor, but as an exceptional individual capable of turning challenges into victories. Sergeant Johnson looked at her with hidden admiration, as if he knew she would be one of the names talked about in the future.
On the other side of the hall, Michael, Ghadeer's teammate, stood confidently, though he had decided not to use his special ability in this challenge. His ability involved creating fog that could be used for camouflage and disorienting opponents, and he had developed it from a first stage of light fog to a more advanced second stage where the fog became denser and more cohesive. However, Michael realized that this ability wouldn't be useful in a challenge that required precision and speed in handling weapons. Instead, he relied on his military training and his ability to move quickly and focus.
When the challenge began, Michael quickly moved to the first position, his semi-automatic pistol in hand. His movements were smooth and calculated, as if he were dancing with time. He fired the five shots quickly, aiming at the targets with precision. The fog wasn't there to help him, but he relied on his intensive training and marksmanship skills. He moved to the second position, where the assault rifle awaited him. Here, he used his speed to move between the barriers, firing the five shots with intense focus. The targets fell one after another, though not all in the center. In the third position, he completed the challenge with the same efficiency, using the last five bullets with speed and precision. He finished the challenge in 57 seconds, scoring 45 out of 50 points, as he had hit all the targets but not all in the center.
Qusay muttered to himself, "57 seconds and 45 points. Excellent performance, but he needs more precision. I think that's why he was talking so much about accuracy yesterday."
At the same time, Fatima Karami, the mental manipulator, stood a few steps away from Michael. Fatima was known for her ability to influence others' minds, but she had decided not to use this ability in this challenge, as it wasn't suitable for a task that required weapon-handling skills. Instead, she relied on her exceptional military skills and her ability to focus under pressure.
When Qusay saw Fatima, he initially thought she might be an Arab girl, but as soon as he heard her name, his assumption was confirmed. Then, when he heard her full name, he felt as if he had come across this name before. And when he discovered her superhuman abilities from the trainers who spoke about her, he realized that this name had caught his attention on social media. He remembered hearing about a Moroccan mental manipulator with the same name, whose talent had been recruited by the United States. He thought to himself, "Subhanallah! The world is truly small. I never imagined I'd meet someone like her here. And speaking of her abilities, they're of the rare kind, even surpassing Ghadeer and Michael's uncommon powers."
When the challenge began, Fatima took a deep breath and focused all her attention on the task at hand. At the first position, she fired the five pistol shots with steady and precise movements. Although she didn't hit the center of the targets every time, she managed to hit them well enough to score decent points. She moved to the second position with steady steps, tension briefly showing on her face before fading away, transforming that tension into focused energy. The assault rifle in her hands felt like an extension of her arms, and she fired the five shots at a reasonable speed. Here, too, her shots weren't always in the center, but they were good enough to get through this part of the challenge.
At the third position, the tension heightened as the end approached. The last five shots were fired from her rifle with determination, showing a slight improvement in accuracy compared to the previous positions. She finished the challenge in 62 seconds, which cost her two additional points for exceeding the time limit, but she scored a total of 43 points, a respectable performance considering she hadn't used her special abilities.
As the challenge round ended, Sergeant Johnson gathered the competitors to announce the results. "Ghadeer scored a perfect 50 points, with a record time of just 40 seconds. Michael, 45 points in 57 seconds. And Fatima, 43 points in 62 seconds... Excellent performance from everyone, but we're just getting started."
Qusay felt the excitement as he watched the competitors prepare for the upcoming challenges. "This is just the beginning," he said to himself. "The next challenges will be even harder. Who will prove their worth? Who will rise to the top? I'm excited to find out!"
After the excitement filled the barracks, Sergeant Johnson calmed the atmosphere with his confident voice, saying, "Heroes, you've just successfully completed the first challenge, and now you're about to face the second challenge, which will test your skills in 'Heavy Marksmanship and Tactics.' In this challenge, you'll be using powerful and precise weapons: a 12.7mm heavy sniper rifle or an anti-materiel sniper rifle, along with a hand grenade launcher. In this challenge, you must hit two distant targets using the sniper rifle from a distance of 300 meters. This task isn't easy, but I'm confident you can excel in it. After hitting the two targets, you'll need to move quickly and carefully, crawling 50 meters under a camouflaged net to reach the grenade launch site. Once you reach the site, you must fire two grenades at a stationary target representing an enemy vehicle. The accuracy of the grenades and the speed of completing the mission will determine your evaluation in this challenge. Scoring will be based on hitting the targets: 20 points for each target hit with the sniper rifle and 30 points for each successful grenade hit. But remember, speed matters too! Every 10 seconds over the time limit (90 seconds) will result in a deduction of 2 points. You're now facing a challenge that requires precision, speed, and focus. Don't let anything hinder your progress; prove your ability to overcome obstacles and achieve outstanding results. You're here to show your true skills! Forward, heroes!"
And with those words, the second challenge began. Ghadeer stood confidently, the heavy sniper rifle in her hands. She knew this challenge required more than just marksmanship; it demanded absolute focus and speed. At the sound of the starting whistle, she raised the rifle to her shoulder, her eyes scanning the distant target through the scope. She relied on her unique ability of mental control, analyzing the bullet's trajectory before firing.
She fired the first shot, and it seemed to move slowly through the air before hitting the first target dead center. The second shot followed swiftly, achieving the same incredible precision. In less than 20 seconds, she had completed the first part of the challenge.
Now came the harder part: crawling under the camouflaged net. Ghadeer bent down quickly, moving smoothly as if gliding over the ground. She used her ability to focus, avoiding any sudden movements that might reveal her position. In an additional 30 seconds, she reached the grenade launch site.
The first grenade shot out swiftly, hitting the enemy vehicle directly. The second grenade followed with the same precision. She completed the challenge in just 85 seconds, scoring a perfect 100 points (40 points for the sniper rifle and 60 points for the grenades) with no time deductions.
Qusay said, "As expected, 85 seconds were enough for her to achieve a perfect score, and these tests were specifically designed to test her abilities. However, in the middle of the challenge, she had to rely more on her physical strength than her superhuman ability, but she excelled at that too. She's truly a formidable girl."
Fatima knew that this challenge also didn't suit her abilities, but she was determined to prove her worth. When the challenge began, she quickly raised the heavy sniper rifle, her eyes scanning the distant target. She relied on her military training rather than her mental abilities.
She fired the first shot, hitting the first target dead center. The second shot was slightly harder, but she hit the second target with precision. In 25 seconds, she had completed the first part of the challenge.
Crawling under the camouflaged net was another challenge. Fatima moved quickly and cautiously, using her camouflage and stealth skills. In an additional 40 seconds, she reached the grenade launch site.
The first grenade hit the enemy vehicle with precision, achieving a direct and perfect hit. The second grenade, though it almost missed, still hit part of the target, showing a mix of precision and skill in execution. She finished the challenge in 100 seconds, scoring 98 points (40 points for the sniper rifle and 60 points for the grenades) with a 2-point deduction for exceeding the time limit.
Qusay commented, "They're absolute beasts! She was also close to a perfect score, and I'm sure if her superhuman ability had been suited to this challenge, she would have achieved a perfect score without a doubt."
Michael also decided to rely solely on his military skills this time. When the challenge began, he confidently raised the heavy sniper rifle, his eyes fixed on the distant target. He fired the first shot, hitting the first target with precision. The second shot was harder, but he still hit the second target, though not in the center. In 30 seconds, he completed the first part of the challenge.
Crawling under the camouflaged net was easier for Michael, as he used his superhuman ability to create medium-density fog to aid his progress. He moved slowly and cautiously, avoiding any movements that might reveal his position. In an additional 25 seconds, he reached the grenade launch site.
Both grenades hit the enemy vehicles with precision and success. He finished the challenge in 90 seconds, scoring 95 points (35 points for the sniper rifle and 60 points for the grenades).
Qusay muttered to himself, "It seems Michael has a problem with precision, but he's aware of it and keeps trying to improve. He deserves those 95 points."
Sergeant Johnson raised the paper high, his booming voice echoing through the hall, mingling with the held breaths of the competitors who were eagerly awaiting the results. Their eyes were fixed on him, as if catching every word before it left his mouth.
"The final results for the second challenge are as follows," the sergeant began, scanning the list with focus.
Ghadeer: 100 points, perfect! Unbelievable precision and speed. Well done!
Fatima: 98 points! Tactical brilliance and strong determination. Excellent work!
Michael: 95 points! Clear skill under pressure. Very good!
Emilio: 93 points! Strong performance, but there's room for improvement.
Sofia: 91 points! Good speed, but accuracy needs work.
Ethan: 89 points! Clear determination, but time was your enemy this round.
Lena: 86 points! You need more focus in the upcoming challenges.
Alexei: 83 points! You have potential, but you need to refine your tactics.
Amanda: 81 points! Decent performance, but the competition is fierce.
Jonas Erikson: 79 points! Don't give up; the next challenges are your chance to bounce back.
...
Sergeant Johnson slowly turned the paper, then looked at the group with seriousness. "These results reflect your performance today, but remember, the competition isn't over yet. The third and final challenge for today will begin shortly, and it will truly test your abilities. Prepare well, because the fourth and final challenge will come tomorrow, and it will be the hardest of all."
The competitors exchanged mixed looks of determination and anxiety. Ghadeer smiled confidently, while Fatima was already planning her next steps mentally. Michael adjusted his gloves, as if preparing for a decisive battle. The other competitors, like Emilio, Sofia, and Ethan, had looks of resolve on their faces, as if they knew the opportunity was still within reach.
"You have 10 minutes to prepare!" Sergeant Johnson shouted, his voice cutting through the air like a sword. "The third challenge will begin soon, and I'll be here to see who rises to the top."