by Drew Hayes
58.
“I must say, it warms my heart as an educator to see such a robust turnout this morning,” Coach George announced as he paced along the line of skittish students. “How about you, Persephone?”
“Heart thoroughly warmed,” Coach Persephone answered.
“Glad to hear it. I must say, I thought more of you would break by now. I was certain some would take this opportunity to drop out of the program rather than face today’s exam. You’ve proven me wrong so far, but then the day is just beginning,” Coach George said.
It was indeed just beginning. The students had been told to be lined up in the gym on exam day at seven in the morning sharp. Most, if not all, had arrived early rather than risk seeing what happened to those in strolled in minutes after the deadline. Many of them were still blinking the sleep out of their eyes, but they were in attendance and paying attention with the vigor that only fear can provide.
“I’m sure many of you are wondering what today’s test is. Well, as most of you know, this is the last chance any of you will have to show us which training course you’ll be placed in next semester. As such, the only way we felt we could accurately measure your abilities was to pit you against one another,” Coach George continued.
Some of the higher ranked students perked up. If it was just going to be fighting they were confident they would sail through this day easily.
“Now, before anyone gets too excited, this won’t be like your first day. I don’t just want to see who can kick the shit out of each other. I want to see who can think on their feet, adapt to a changing environment, and yes, a little bit of shit kicking will be in there too. You see, my little freshmen, today you enter the labyrinth.”
The student glanced at one another with confused stares.
“As you all know, we’re located underneath the actual Lander campus. What most of you don’t know, though, is that this is the top level of our subterranean stronghold. Farther down are other levels, whole environments designed to simulate real-life situations for training purposes. At the very bottom is a level we call the labyrinth. Constantly moving, always shifting, it’s a maze that would make you go crazy if you were abandoned there. Today, it will also be your battleground,” Coach George said.
Coach Persephone stepped forward holding two boxes. She began at one end of the line, fitting small bracelets on each student and handing out what looked like tasers that had been dipped in paint.
“My colleague is equipping you with the tools for your exam. Each of you will be given a bracelet and a weapon that is color coded. The bracelets will turn yellow on those of you who can be injured by mundane means, while they will be red for those who are only susceptible to more extreme forms of damage. By the same token, if you have a power that allows you to deal out tremendous damage, you get a red weapon, and if you lack that skill, you get a yellow one. How the game works from here is simple. The weapons generate a specifically calibrated electrical pulse that reacts with the bracelets, so if someone strikes you, it will deactivate your bracelet. Once you’re deactivated, you’re out,” Coach George explained.
Coach Persephone was making her way down the line quickly; nearly half the students had already been outfitted. Those that had received their new equipment quickly took the time advantage to familiarize themselves with it. It didn’t take long: there was no interface for the bracelets and only a single button on the tasers. Some of the smarter ones began to idly wonder just how the bracelet knew what color to turn once it was attached to them.
“Now, that should be simple enough to understand, but in the interests of realism, we added the color coding system. Those with red bracelets can only be taken down with shocks from red weapons, while those with yellow bracelets are susceptible to both kinds. Additionally, since some of you folks change form in the course of a fight, the bracelets use a very complex sensor system to determine which category you fall into. That means if you’re only extra durable when you’re composed of steel then your bracelet will only be red when you fit that requirement.”
There was a sound like a sword being pulled across an anvil and suddenly Stella was silver all over. The bracelet on her wrist flashed three times, then turned red.
“So, we know how the game is played. Next comes the question of winning. That is the easy part. You win by surviving and destroying. The three who stay in the game the longest and the three who deactivate the most other students all get the best scores. Everyone else gets evaluated on an individual performance basis. That’s pretty much it. Use your powers as needed, but remember that unless your weapon connects with the other person, no amount of damage counts as a win for you.”
“This sounds fun,” Nick whispered to Vince.
“Really?”
“Are you out of your mind? We’re about to trapped in a maze with over thirty other people who are all much stronger than I am. Most of whom are stronger than you as well. We’re going to get the hell beaten out of us,” Nick whispered furiously.
“At least we can all work together,” Vince pointed out.
“Now, we’ll be using a random drop chamber so that you’ll all be placed at different locations throughout the labyrinth. You’ll be totally on your own and surrounded by potential enemies. Once you’ve been knocked out of the game, a guide function on your bracelets will activate and take you to the nearest exit. I suggest you don’t dawdle, because while you might be out the others will still be looking for blood,” Coach George continued.
“We are so going to die,” Vince amended.
“Yup,” Nick agreed.
“That pretty much sums it up,” Coach George said. “I could take questions, but I’d rather see you find your answers in the field. When we call your name, follow Persephone to the drop chamber. Once you arrive, consider the game started. Remember we’ll be watching all the moves you make, so be smart in your strategies. Oh, and one more thing.”
Coach George faced them, and a broad grin broke across his face. Many of the students involuntarily shuddered. More would have if they’d been perceptive.
“Have fun down there!”
59.
“Pitch black. Of course it’s pitch black. Why would I hope for anything different?” Alice grumbled as she was dropped into a room within the labyrinth. She groped around the walls slowly, finding that the room was blocked off from every direction except for a single exit in the form of an open archway. She floated up a few feet and checked the ceiling too. Whatever opening had allowed her entrance had sealed up immediately afterwards. On the plus side, though, the ceiling were high. Alice was estimating around ten feet. The doorway didn’t extend all the way to the ceiling, but if she only had to lower herself to pass through doors that still might work out to be a pretty good deal.
“Yellow weapon and yellow bracelet. Yeah, I’ll be out of here in time to get breakfast,” she said, talking to herself in an effort to keep focused. It was disorienting to be in this much darkness. Not even her bracelet gave off any light, which, given that it had a glow system incorporated, was odd. Still, she should probably be thankful that it wasn’t exuding light. It would have stood out like a beacon in this environment. At least now she could hug the ceiling and have a fighting chance of lasting.
* * *
Mary wasn’t all that put out by the darkness. As soon as she landed she opened her mind, stretching the perception until she could hear the thoughts of nearly every other student in the labyrinth with her. After a few moments of careful hunting, she located the thoughts of the person she was looking for and began making her way to him. It was slow going without any source of light, but Mary could feel his direction. Plus, she was well aware of any others that were approaching so she steered clear of them.
It wasn’t that Mary didn’t plan on fighting; it merely wasn’t beneficial for her, yet. She moved quickly and carefully through the corridors, feeling the occasional student grow close to her and listening to the grinding shifts as new doors opened while others close
d. She was still listening to everyone’s thoughts and was accumulating some very useful facts about how the labyrinth functioned; however, at no point did she deviate from her plan or alter the goal of her path.
At long last she reached a closed door. She felt around the side and located the switch. As the door slid open she was temporarily blinded by the deluge of light assaulting her eyes. After a few seconds to adjust and a myriad of blinks she was finally able to see again.
“Hey there, stranger,” she said, greeting the room’s other inhabitant. “Need a hand?”
* * *
Roy was on a one-man rampage. So far he’d taken down a stretchy guy and some weird chick with dolls. Now he was hot on the trail of someone else, though whom was anyone’s guess in the damn darkness. He’d been lucky and found a lighted room to fight the first two in, but after twenty minutes of waiting he’d given it up and started roaming the corridors, looking for more prey.
Roy could hear the footsteps ahead of him and didn’t bother to disguise his own. If whoever was in front of him was lucky enough to have a red taser they still wouldn’t be able to pinpoint his location fast enough to stop him. Instead he barreled forward, forgoing all manner of stealth in favor of a full on charge. He heard the steps in front of him quicken as well and the chase was on.
Roy’s senses were above a normal human’s range but they were far from the most powerful thing about him. Still, it was enough to keep track of the person running away from him. They were crafty, moving around corners and doubling back down corridors, but they weren’t good enough to beat Roy. As far as Roy was concerned, no one held that distinct honor. With each turn he was drawing closer and closer, and as he rounded one last corner, he was positive he was almost right on top of prey.
As Roy swung around the corner a blast hit him square in the chest, slamming him back against the wall. His head swam and he saw stars as he tried to pull himself back up. His efforts were interrupted by a small jolt to his neck. It wasn’t enough to incapacitate or even annoy him. It was only enough to cause his bracelet to glow white in the darkness and emit a small, sad beep.
“And another one bites the dust,” said a cheery female voice at his side.
“You ambushed me,” Roy said accusingly.
“Don’t be silly. I trapped you. That’s way more effort that a simple ambush. Thanks for playing though.”
A small green arrow appeared on the bracelet, pointing to the left. As Roy stood up and angled himself in that direction the arrow moved as well, turning until it was facing forward.
“What’s your name?” Roy asked.
“Amber,” said the voice in the darkness.
“Amber,” Roy said, tasting the name and memorizing its flavor. “That was a hell of a shot. You and I will have to spar one day when this is all over.”
“Sounds fun. You bring the muscles, I’ll bring the concussions,” Amber said.
* * *
Vince turned another corner and entered into a new room. It was as dark as the others, but this one had the added adornment of muffled breathing in the corner. Vince’s hand tightened around his weapon. He had a red taser, so theoretically he could take down anyone here, but if it was someone with real combat skill he’d be at a disadvantage if he gave his location away. Never in his life did Vince suspect he would be so thankful to all the times he and his father had snuck aboard a train at night or crept through town silently. Those experiences had taught him to shroud the sounds of his movements, and right now that was likely the only thing keeping the other person in the room from leaping.
Vince readied himself to take the offensive, he’d already prepared an attack plan as soon as he’d arrived in this endless black environment. Before he could strike, though, the other person took him completely by surprise.
“Vince?” The voice was very familiar, it only took Vince a moment to realize who he’d been on the brink of battling.
“Alex? Is that you?” Vince asked.
“Yeah, it’s me,” Alex confirmed.
“How did you know who I was?”
“Man, you guys always forget my power lets me sense others’ minds. We’ve hung out enough to where yours in familiar,” Alex explained.
“That’s... cool,” Vince said, only barely stopping himself from using the word “creepy” instead.
“Comes in handy,” Alex replied. “So... how are things?”
It dawned on Vince that neither of them were sure how to proceed from here. Yes, they had run into a friend, but this was still their test. They both needed to take down others while simultaneously surviving. Still, Vince didn’t know if he had it him to just coldly attack someone he considered a friend.
“Hey, Alex,” Vince said. “In all of Coach George’s ranting, did he ever say we couldn’t work together? I mean, if you and I wanted to team up with someone we trusted on the hopes of increasing our score, I don’t think that violates any of the test rules.”
“That’s true. He said survive and destroy. He never got specific about how we do it,” Alex agreed.
“I like that solution a lot better than us duking it out in the dark,” Vince said.
“You and me both. So we work together until we’re the only two left?”
“I think that would be a beautiful problem to encounter,” Vince said cheerfully. “Let’s get moving.”
* * *
Nick was the only one of the five to be dropped into a room that was lit when he arrived. Rather than leaving his cocoon of light, though, he sat down in the center of the room and began concentrating. Nick had known his plan the minute Coach George had explained the game to them. Nick was going to do nothing.
Well, nothing physically, anyway. Nick’s strategy was a focused, steady stream of luck geared that he hoped would keep him hidden. People were wandering around a maze with no sense of direction or idea where they were going. They were depending almost entirely on luck to guide them, and since Nick happened to hold some sway in that department, it should be guiding them anywhere else but to him.
Admittedly, it wasn’t the most ambitious of plans, but given the circumstances it would ideally ensure that he lasted into the final three survivors. The top head hunting positions were all still open, though Nick was under no disillusions that he’d ever had a shot at claiming one of those. Instead he put his efforts and power into making sure he stayed all alone in his little room for as long as possible.
It seemed to be working for a while, but then at once the door in front of Nick slid open. It was difficult to see outside; apparently it was pitch black in the next room over. Nick made no movement to get up from his seat. If someone had found him then they had found him, and if it was just the labyrinth being weird then he wasn’t going to interrupt his concentration. A few seconds after the door opened, though, a familiar voice came wafting in from the darkness.
“Hey there, stranger. Need a hand?”
60.
“Not even a little bit,” Nick replied. “Thanks for the offer, though. Try not to give away my position on your way out of here.”
“Really? Just kicking me out? Where’s that legendary Nick wit and chatty nature?” Mary asked.
“Seen any good movies lately? How’s the folks? Cold enough for you these days? Get the hell out of here.”
“Now that wasn’t so hard,” Mary said, walking fully into the room. The door swooshed shut automatically as she left its proximity.
“Yet you’re still coming in. For a telepath you sure can’t take a hint,” Nick sighed, rising to his feet. “Or maybe you’re thinking of zapping me and upping your stats.”
“Or, and this is just a crazy idea, I want us to help each other so we can do better in this trial,” Mary said.
“Who needs help here? I had a perfectly good plan and you’re the number one rank on the girls’ side. Pretty sure we’ll be just fine on our own,” Nick said.
“You know Nick, the word ‘us’ can mean more than just the two people currently standing in
a room together,” Mary pointed out.
“So let me get this straight: you want me to abandon my safe little hidey hole so that I can go with you, charging through a labyrinth, all in the name of helping our dorm mates?” Nick asked.
“Everyone except Roy. He’s already out of the game,” Mary confirmed.
“Oh, well, that changes everything,” Nick said, throwing his hands up dramatically. “They’ll be fine. I mean, they’ll lose, and quickly, but they’ll be fine in the long run.”
“Are you sure about that? You know this test is going to determine who moves on to next semester. What if they do so badly they get cut from the program?” Mary asked.
“Then we buy them a conciliatory fruit basket and move on with our lives,” Nick said.
“You can act as blasé as you want about this, Nick, but don’t forget I peek inside your head more than occasionally. You and I both know that you’ve put in a ton of time working this group, creating just the right persona and positioning yourself precisely where you want to be in the group dynamic.”
“And your point here is?” Nick asked.
“You aren’t the kind of guy who will let all that hard work go down the drain if it’s avoidable. The best way to make sure your efforts bear fruit is to keep the group the way it is, and that means everyone advancing to next semester,” Mary explained.
“See, this... this is why I hate telepaths,” Nick all but swore. “Fine. Lead on, oh champion of the misfit Supers.”
“I think I’ll do just that,” Mary said with a smile, opening the door once more and stepping out into the unknown.
* * *
Alice’s strategy was panning out well so far. She’d heard more than a couple of fellow students padding beneath her, but thus far none of them had discerned the floating blonde over their heads. Once or twice she’d briefly entertained the idea of dropping on top of them in surprise and trying to shock them out of the game. Common sense and awareness that her weapon was only effective on a select few had ultimately prevailed and helped her adhere to her hiding strategy.
