It was morning, there were about nine of us waiting around in the team room. They conversed among themselves, nothing that really caught to my attention. I looked around to see if I could find Horo or Tingle but to no luck, I was the first one here. My searching caught the attention to someone else though. She walked up to me with concern on her face. It was Violet. She was a caseal but she looked as though she were human with synthetic hair and a human body shape. Large circular glasses covered over her concerned face.
"Who are you looking for? She asked me. "Oh-" I replied sort of out of shock. I was not expecting to be asked anything in my search, "I was just looking for my partners... perhaps you have seen them?" She looked back at me with a serious look for a moment; perhaps she was processing the information back to me.
"You mean Horo? I have not seen her yet, but if I run into her I will gladly tell her that you are looking for her." I grinned and nodded.
"That's quite alright. I feel like if she shows up I'll definitely know." As she smiled back at me I thought about what I had just said, 'I would certainly know' was definitely an understatement considering all of my free time has been consumed by the company of her and Tingle. Though it’s not like it’s a bad thing or anything... I just was not used to all of this extra attention. After every single mission she found her way back into my home for wine... and dinner too of course. I almost have a right mind to just have her move in with me as she's pretty much only at her own room to sleep. But then I remembered Tingle would probably come along too and 3 people in my tiny room is probably not enough space. In either case, it was getting late. Meji had told us to be here at 0900 and its already 15 past. I held my hand through my hair irritated before I heard it,
HAI HAI!
It was Tingle and Horo finally. Both in their usual apparel, though Tingle looked a bit more flustered than usual.
"Sorry we're late" Horo shouts out as she ran up to me, "Tingle couldn't find her shoes and..."
"That’s not true!!" Tingle squealed as she batted her fists on Horo's arm. She cocked a wicked smile while laughing. Before I could say anything, Meji had stepped up to the podium, ready to begin.
"Right, now that everyone's here, let’s begin the meeting. The nine of us were selected to help Arks command test out their new virtual reality program, its being called the 'Extreme Tower!'" Murmurs surrounded the hall as we all grew curious to the project. Extreme tower? Sounds a bit shady, and then why would we just get chosen out of the blue like this...
"Now, Now... There are three different virtual reality towers to test. Since there are nine of us... that would split us up 3 for each tower." Meji pointed towards Violet, "Enforcer. You, Violet and Connie will be doing the 'Extreme Tower: Tundra and Machines.'
"UNDERSTOOD," Enforcer replied sharply to his command. He and Connie, or Cornelia rather, had shared a history together as a special rescue team. Violet is his sister who was also a part of that same recon unit.
"At ease soldier." Meji smiled turning his gaze to me, "Nina, You Horo and Tingle will be challenging the 'Extreme Tower: Forests and Dragons.' While Rin, Techno and I will tackle 'Extreme Tower: Ruins and Oceanids." We all nodded at each other and headed towards the teleports...
"Oh right. The documents stress that the challenge is very difficult and not to expect clearing it. So good luck! I'll expect your results will be the best!" We shuffled to our respective teleporters when I felt a tug on my uniform. It was Violet. She bowed and smiled at me, "Good luck Nina."
"Thanks." I smiled back and entered the teleporter.
Once inside I took a look around our new surroundings. It was a rather machine like appearance with screens showing forests of the naberius forest. Was this their attempt to give the test room a more realistic look to it? I wasn't particularly buying it... A lone computer sat by a teleporter. Tingle hopped up to it curiously reading the information on the screens.
"Hey, it looks like there are some instructions on this screen!" She chirped, as Horo poked at the monitor as well, "Defeat 20 enemies in 120 seconds.... Do not heal...." Horo read off some of those instructions but scratched her head. It didn't make too much sense to any of us, but I’m sure they would become clear soon enough.
"HELLO THERE ~" A voice blasted from the sky. All three of us jumped and looked up to see a speaker system and a lone figure behind a glass window
"Congratulations on being chosen to test our Extreme Training! My name is Karin and I'll be your test Procter! There are 40 floors in our tower, where you will be facing against Naberuius natives and Amaduscia dragonkin. Bare mind that these are all virtual but... well you'll understand soon enough." She giggled at the end of her statement really making me question the sanity of our higher commands to allow such a girl get this job...
"Each floor will consist of you defeating all the enemies but there will also be a specific challenge as well..."
"Hey Tingle! I guess that’s what those phrases were on the screen!" Horo shouts out as Tingle nods blissfully.
"Completing these challenges will provide a better prize at the end of the tower... that is if you make it to the end!" She giggles again, "You only get one try to complete all 40 floors. If your entire team is unable to fight the exam will end immediately. Of course free medical support will always be available in the case of an emergency... Oh! Right! Before each floor you'll have a waiting room... much like this one. Please use it to rest as you need, but don't keep me waiting for too long ~ Step into the gate when you're ready. I'll provide the instructions on each floor using these monitors... Good luck!" There was a sharp echo as the speaker system cut off at that point. Something tells me that hearing her voice and her personality is going to get on my last nerves. I looked back at the others, and then at the teleporter. I pulled out my pair of nei claws and grinned,
"Are you ready?"
Originally Posted by AIDA
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Connect With Us