"Where the hell were you last night?" Adel jumps from her desk as I walk into the hangar, then immediately grabbing me by the shoulders.

"Just... getting lost in the streets, nice long walk. Quite refreshing, really-"

"Oh whatever, you dumbass. I was worried," she transitions to the burliest bear hug I've felt from her in years.

"Did you call the search team?"

"Had you been AWOL another 24 hours, I would have." She tilts her head, examining me. "But I had faith you were just having a moment or whatever."

I shrug.

"You look a bit more... sprightly today."

"I'm okay."

"Well, you sound better than usual, and because of that, I'm happy."

"If you say so. Can't say I feel that different."

"Feelings sometimes are unreliable sources of information."

"Tch, no shit."

"Okay, so today you're up against this bot named FABIAN," she points to a schematic of some humanoid robot on the holo-board. "Whoever-it-was probably designed it to be similar in proportion to you, maybe more powerful, maybe better, maybe not. Not too much other information available about the robot itself."

"Map?"

"You'll be put in this run down ghost town of sorts, with a main street split by an invisible barrier. You are to compete with him to see who gets more kills, or style points."

"Well, well, aren't they in such a hurry to replace me."

"Hard to say. They're obviously experimenting. It's not a deep dark secret that you aren't doing as well as you're supposed to. The only thing the crew doesn't know, is whether this is because you hate your job, or you just aren't feeling good."

I grumble.

~~

FABIAN and I line up at the start of the linear course. The schematics aren't far off– his form is similar in height and weight to mine, albeit with a handheld sword instead of a FAB like mine.

Today I put my hair in a tight bun. It's no longer "too easy" for me to have it out like I used to, especially for what's coming today.

"Hello, Lorianne," FABIAN's black visor of a face nods at me, deadpannedly waving.

No point to reply. What does politeness from a robot even mean? If Cynthia doesn't fuck up, she'll be there staring at me like this rust bucket is. Not even sure if I prefer that.

Whatever.

"A-a-a-and let the slaughter.... commence!"

The fences open, the Jackals roam loose, and we both move forward.

"Remember, don't cross that barrier. It won't kill you, but nothing good comes of it."

"Such as?"

"I don't know. A shock? Deductions in style points? Just stay off it."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Okay."

"Needless to say, don't pay attention to the bot. Focus on your own game. You're way better than the robot, don't worry."

"Glad someone thinks so."

Three Jackals triangulate onto me. I jump up, point my right arm down, and fire at them mid flip. A few more accumulate down the gauntlet, where they make way for my landing in between. The first two, bleeding from the gunfire, I kick back, and slash at three more as I turn 180 degrees.

"That was solid, but keep moving along before you get stale and lose your form. Drop a grenade or something and move forward."

As I grab one from my back-rack, I immediately get a glimpse of the nest of Jackal pups from last week. Now, certainly, no more than a crater of burnt blood.

I too want to be a mom. But not like that.

"Lori! What the fuck? Move!"

Teeth chew onto my right forearm. The rheopectic armor opposite of the brace is just thick enough to prevent the bite from breaking into my flesh. I frantically try to shake loose, then stabbing the FAB at the Jackal's face. It lets me go after I tear open one of its eyes, while another pounces on me from behind, catching me completely off guard, bringing me to my knees.

Not my hair. Not my fucking hair.

Right as I'm about to reach back, the grenade goes off, with the Jackal behind me shrieking as it absorbs most of the shrapnel, though I hear some pepper the plating on my suit as well. Even though the dampeners in my helmet shielded my ears, the explosion pulses throughout my body, and I'm not even sure if it hurt or not.

Regaining my bearings, I look forward and back, and jump out of the scene, running onward to the rest of the course. More Jackals emerge from the alleyways, sizing me up before they make their moves.

"Move it! Go!" Adel no longer sounds impressed.

I glance over to my left side. FABIAN is dealing with a similar number, but slashing through, one by one, with his sword. He's eliminating every one of them, but moving along a lot slower. Efficient, but repetitive.

"Focus!"

Another lunges straight at my face. Just in time, I stick my FAB straight at its mouth, skewering it. It tries to push off, but brings my entire arm down. With my left foot I rip my blade out, and Rabbit Kick another coming at me from behind, using the recoil from the kick to roll under two more who collide above me.

My score is definitely going to turn to shit. Maybe that red-haired twit was right.

I really need to apply for a spot in the Compound. Guess I'll do this when we're off air later today.

As the two Jackals that kissed above my head regain their footing, I check behind me to see another three. They have me in a circle again.

"Repetitive, much?" I mumble to Adel.

"Mix it up, that's all."

One more grenade left. I drop it at my feet. The five take a step back, with a rough idea of what it is.

"Lori! What the-"

After a straight jump upwards, I detonate it, with the shockwave and more shrapnel dusting me from below. I land on the back of one of them, breaking all of its spine under my feet. Two backed off in time, facing me, unable to choose between fleeing or continuing towards me.

"Well, you're 80% there–"

"I'm gonna apply to be a Chosen once today's over."

Silence from Adel. I smack a Jackal away, walking backwards, seeing my backside is clear to the finish.

"W-wh-..." she stammers. "There's still–"

"Whatever. Don't pretend to be surprised."

I glance back to see the pillars of decrepit concrete I must climb up to close the episode. FABIAN is still behind. One block at a time, firing and kicking back at the onslaught, I deplete all of my 9mm ammo, hack and slash until there's none left. One more block, and a spotlight hits me.

I look around, waiting for conformation, but recieveing none. Ten seconds go by, nothing.

"Well?"

"I mean, looks like you made it, just stand by," Adel tensely mutters.

My heart isn't pounding like it used to. I start to quietly hear cheers come through the audio feed. I sit down, even less proud than last time.

The streetlights illuminating FABIAN's run go out, and he disappears into the darkness.

"You did it," Adel cheers. "'Atta girl."

I keep my mouth shut, so Adel can enjoy.

Enjoy it while you can, pal.

~~

The next appointment for a Chosen interview is two weeks out.

I'm told to quit only at the peak of my career, but clearly I thought of this too late.

Adel's dancing as she washes off my suit. It'd be more cruel to ruin this joy of hers, than to blow up another 10 Jackal nests.

I close the webpage from my HUD and walk over to Adel, silently standing next to her.

"Have some, you need it," she puts the pressure washer down, and grabs this sunset-colored cake, slicing me almost a quarter of it.

It smells okay. It's covered in this intoxicatingly intense citrus jelly, mildly sweet, dense but easily chewable texture, almost like a bagel but fruity and moist. I grab a bite. "No butter, no eggs, as requested," she chuckles, mouth full. "Oh, man, I better stop, this was supposed to be all for you."

Either she just forgot about my Chosen application, or she's trying to.

"Thanks," I mutter. I'll eat it this time. I push myself to swallow, with the confection dancing the line between repulsive and delicious.