Woah! This is great! I've never been able to swim in a pool! Woohoo! This is the best!
But it isn't really the best. This isn't a leisure pool. Pools are a luxury and sought after in the richer neighborhoods here in the Igneol Domain. After all, it's situated in the heart of the Desert Sector and frequently experiences intense heat waves. So a pool is something wonderful for the richer folks who can afford to build and maintain one. The pool that is being used now is designed for endurance testing.
Waves splash against my fully clothed body. I'm not only wearing a training jumpsuit in the pool, I was put into diving suit modified with various weights. An extra 100lbs of weight had been put on my back, and about 20lbs on my chest, wrists, and ankles. Silva wore a similar suit with some reduced weights. She has a smaller build and is only expected to do this test with about half of the weight I had.
In this pool, both Silva and I are fighting for our lives. When the wave simulation pulls the water back, the levels are just below my waist. Silva is submerged to the navel, still. Then the wave hits.
Crash!
I feel a force slam into my chest. My balance is thrown backward. The weight I'm carrying pulls my body down with intense force. I falter. I go down and struggle to move. I keep my mouth shut, but my eyes open.
I'm on my back. Underwater. The wave is now pulling back. I can feel the force reverse and start to pull me the other way. It's not enough to lift me with these weight. I sit forward with all my might, trying to roll with the wave.
Yes! My back leaves the bottom of the pool and I raise myself. I stop my forward motion and brace my legs, lifting my torso above the water. Air! It's so good!
How is Silva handling this? I look to my left. She's just breaking the surface of the water on her way back up. I don't know how it went for her, but she handled it well enough.
The next wave hit. I braced for it. Silva did too. We both hold our ground and stop our bodies from toppling with the wave. It pulls back, I almost slip, but I catch myself.
This endurance test is insane. I can't tell what data they're gathering, but apparently the suit is also recording some sort of biometric data. How we move, flex our muscles, and our breathing are all what I know are being recorded. But there's a bunch of other stuff the researchers mentioned that went above my head. Silva seemed to get it, though. Maybe I'll ask her to go over it later.
We endure for a total of ten minutes. By the end of it, I'm on the verge of collapsing in the water. I can barely leave the pool.
Lab assistants help us get out of the pool and then out of the weighted suits.
After drying our bodies in separate locker rooms, we change into new matching jumpsuits that are provided. No special recording devices are in this one. They're just a dark green vinyl material with a metal zipper in the front, starting from the middle of the torso.
I leave the locker room to be joined by Silva a minute later. Next, we do some other physical testing. Running on a treadmill, lifting weights, and striking a punching bag with impact sensors. I perform alright. I don't feel confident with how I performed in the weights test or striking the target. I kept my pace really well on the treadmill, though.
Silva had some problems following the first endurance test. The amount of energy she had used was obvious. She became sluggish while running and could barely lift the weight sets or strike the target with much force.
This might be the point of the routine they've set up.
Wear down the applicant with the water and the weighted suit. Then put them through the standard physical test. So mean.
The physical testing is now entirely over. Next is skill testing. It's only one type of skill testing, though.
Firearms.
We're then led to a shooting range. This is what I was waiting for.
I take my place as directed. There's a sleek white table in front of me with different firearms. I scanned over them slowly.
First is a pistol. A basic model. Riddler Mk. 2. It's a pistol, but capable of switching firing modes. Single shot, burst fire, and full-auto. A reliable gun, but small caliber.
Next I look to a hand cannon. The leather wrapped handle connects to a gorgeous, bright steel frame. The Haymaker. It never got any other models, but has always been one of the go-to firearms for a lot of Runners. With the high caliber rounds and the sturdy frame, this gun can deliver worthwhile hits as long as the shooter can remain accurate.
Next is a long rifle. Scouts often carried this weapon type, but it issn't too useful for Runners. The rifle in question has excellent range, but fires slow. The Longarm Mk.4 is developed mainly by the folks up in the Terran Domain. They oversee a lot of mountain ranges and forests. Having something like this is great for those regions.
The last gun ahead of me lights a fire in my soul the second I see it. Mk.6 Caliburn. I recognize it from when the researchers were tinkering with the gun before the interview. I wouldn't have guessed that I'd be using this for my testing.
[???] "Take up the pistol from the left for our first test. With each weapon, you'll shoot targets through three rounds. First, the targets will be still. Second, the targets will move. Third, we will require that you can identify weak points on targets shaped like aberrations we've studied. Are we clear?"
The one in charge of testing is someone I haven't been introduced to yet. He seems like he isn't a member of the R&D corps. I guess the light armor he currently has on made that rather obvious though. It's a full suit with steel plating over all vital points and seems easy to move in. But this guy is also pretty big. Probably full of augments under the suit to beef him up.
[Silva] "Yes, sir!"
Silva shouts out in response and readies herself with the Riddler. I watch her check over the gun, looking for the safety switch and the firing mode toggle. I respond the same way and follow suit.
[???] "Look below the table in front of you for an ammo crate. You will be judged on reload speed as well. Be sure to be safe and accurate when dealing with these firearms. We don't want a stray shot or a self-injury to occur. Got it?"
[Silva & Ymir] "Yes, sir!"
We shout in unison.
It's time for me to shine. This test is what I'd been training for. I couldn't keep up physically with my family's expectations, but I have always been one hell of a shot. Auntie Harper taught me a bunch about weapons and brought me to the firing range often. She said it was something my father wanted to do for me, but since he wasn't around anymore, it was up to her. I'm thankful for all the training she gave me.
I ready the pistol and take aim. I make sure to bring out six magazines of ammo and keep the pistol on a single-fire. Wasting all my ammo means I'll need to reload more. If I can hit the targets with one shot each, then I won't need to reload as much. That logic seems sound enough. I just need to reload fast and make it count when I need to.
[???] "Your test begins when the first targets appear. Silva, stick to the left side and handle what you can. Ymir, we're putting your targets to the right. Handle what you can. Now, be ready!"
I aim the pistol with a firm grip and my set my eyes behind the iron sights. I still my breathing. The more heavily I breathe, the more error I'll have when I need to fire. Staying calm is everything right now.
A target flips down from a panel on the ceiling. It was lowered from a rail system that I hadn't noticed was installed until just now. As the target swings, I grip the trigger. It wasn't even fully presented, but I had pierced a hole just about an inch from the bullseye. It's not a perfect shot, but it was close.
I glance to the left for a second. Silva fires two shots into the target, but neither is as close as mine. I don't think Auntie Harper was as invested in her firearm training. After all, she's a daddy's girl and never got along great with Auntie.
Two more targets flip up from the rail system that they installed in the floor. So targets spring up from there too? I grip the trigger. Two shots are fired in succession. I put a hole again about an inch from the bullseye with the first shot, but land a perfect bullseye with the second.
I want to glance at Silva's targets, but I don't know how quick the targets will pop up or how many there'll be on the next set.
The targets we shot are being dragged to the back of the room. It's a few seconds before they reach a stop when three more targets spring up.
Pop! Pop! Pop! I squeeze the trigger three more times. Three perfect shots. Now this is something I wish I could show to Auntie Harper. Every time I hit the target perfectly, she'd throw me into a headlock and haughtily cheer my name.
I glance to Silva's targets this time. She got one perfect shot, but the others weren't as consistent. I wonder how this is going to affect our final results.
[???] "First round is over. Silva, you had to reload on that round. Not very efficient. Have you used a gun like this before?"
[Silva] "Yes, sir, but I've never been as handy with firearms as Ymir or Chief Harper. I may have wasted some ammo, but I do believe I made a decent effort."
[???] "That isn't untrue. Very well! Make sure you're fully loaded! I'm starting the next round in ten seconds! Move, recruits! Now!"
This man suddenly starts barking out an order to reload and I feel a chill hit my spine from his words. Something about his voice, the way he carries himself, and the confidence I feel from him altogether make my mind fall into order right away. I can't refuse his order, even though I haven't even enlisted yet.
I reload quickly and secure the new magazine in place. I ready my sights and prepare for the target. This time, they'll move.
Three targets flip out and begin to travel quickly along the rail systems. I click the firing toggle to a burst fire, then squeezed the trigger.
Gratata! Gratata! Gratata! I fire those three bursts. Each target is punctured with three holes all within a half-inch from the bullseye. I have two bursts left. I'll need to reload after two more targets.
I pick up a mag and bite down on the steel. Holding it in my mouth, I scan in front of me. The second I se the target, I aim and squeeze.
Gratata! Gratata! Click!
The gun fires off the last round. I slide my fingers over to the release on the loaded mag and push. The empty cartridge eject and I slide the new one into place, securing it with a slap to the butt of the gun. I cock it, aim, and squeeze.
Gratata! Gratata! Gratata!
Five moving targets this round. I planted holes near the bullseye on each of them.
[???] "Cleared! That was exceptional, both of you."
I didn't get to see how Silva performed that time, but if this guy was praising her, then I think I can be proud too.
[???] "Ymir, that was a good performance. You're the son of Magni, right?"
I hadn't heard my dad's name come up once since I came here today. What brought that up?
[Ymir] "Yeah, he's my dad. I never really got to know him, though."
[???] "No, I suppose not. But he often told me how excited he was to meet his child."
[Ymir] "Yeah? You knew him?"
[???] "He was my Captain. He trained me. I was on that deployment when we lost him, too. You were born a month later, I heard."
[Ymir] "We'll have to talk more about him sometime."
I relax for a bit with the conversation. Silva looks like she's appreciating the time she's getting to clear her nerves, too.
[???] "Yeah, I'll look you up after we get your results."
[Ymir] "By the way, can I get your name? We've been in your care for a bit in training so I'd like to know who you are."
[Vasquez] "Commander Connor Vasquez of the Runner corps. Don't ever call me Connor."
What? This guy is Auntie Harper's successor as Commander? Nana Gajjet was Commander before that, too! Both of them made it Chief. Shit, is he a really big deal?
Yeah, he's gotta be.
[Ymir] "It's a pleasure to meet you, Commander Vasquez. I plan to join the Runner corps, myself."
[Vasquez] "Wait til after your test results come in. We don't usually put newbies into the Runner corps."
[Ymir] "Yes, sir!"
I step back after the exchange and ready the pistol for the next test. My eyes are trained behind the iron sights.
[Vasquez] "Now you're aiming for weak spots! If you have knowledge of aberrations already, this will be the time to prove it. Ready up!"
I studied a lot of notes that Gajjet left behind. She studied everything there was to know about Vaults and made so many discoveries. Notes on aberrations were something I studied often. After all, if I'm going to fight them, then I should have all the information I need to take them down.
Two targets spring up. One to the right side, one to the left. On the right is a target with the image of a slender creature. Six legs, a long tail, jet black spines protruding out of pink, gooey flesh. A canine head with two rows of teeth. Four black, beady eyes.
On the left, a bipedal mass of flesh. Pink and almost purple in places. The thing has stout legs connected to a bulbous torso. It has no arms. Instead, just an elongated neck with a fleshy snake head at the top.
[Ymir] "Stalker to the right! Viper to the left!"
[Silva] "Heard!"
Silva calls out in response. She's ready for this. It's time to prove ourselves.
I flick the toggle of my pistol to a single-firing mode. I plant two rounds in the head of the Stalker target. Another round into the spine. I look to see Silva hesitating for a moment.
[Ymir] "Shoot the neck!"
Silva moves her arms to lock her sights on the neck of the Viper target.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
She fires three rounds in succession and plants two into the neck. Her first shot went low and hit the torso.
The targets start to be drawn back. One more target appeared in the center.
Fifteen feet tall. Four monstrous legs. Round and stumped at the ends. A heavy, sluggish body. Hard chitin wraps the creature's whole body, making it's head even more intimidating. A row of large, sharp fangs. Massive tusks grow from in the mouth. It has four black, beady eyes just like a Stalker.
[Ymir] "Charger! Aim for the stomach!"
There's one target. I'll be working with Silva. I shout out the obvious place that she'd need to shoot, but there's a secret about these things that I had read.
I put two shots into each front knee of the Charger target. Silva plants three rounds into it's stomach. In combat, the knees are the most important to shoot out. We're shooting targets so this caliber would be fine. I'd actually have to use a much heavier gun for this in the field.
[Vasquez] "Alright, that ends the first weapon test! You both performed admirably!"
I relax. The tension was building in my shoulders. It's good to let it out in between these tests. I eject the mag and slid the chamber of the pistol to eject the last round. Then I set them on the table.
I look left. Silva was watching me up til I turned my head. I saw her quickly turn away. Seemed like she didn't know how to put down the gun safely. She watched what I did and just replicated my actions.
[Vasquez] "Ymir, I have a question."
[Ymir] "Yes, sir!"
The Commander approaches me and looks me in the eyes.
[Vasquez] "You called out to shoot the stomach. That was an appropriate call. Why did you shoot the knees?"
[Ymir] "Sir, a Charger can be disabled with a proper caliber put into the joints of the legs. Toppling a Charger and preventing it's movements allows others to finish it with shots to the stomach. I believe my decision to shoot the knees would have kept my team alive in combat and allow them to deliver the finishing blow. Sir!"
[Vasquez] "You're well-read then. Who taught you this?"
[Ymir] "Nobody, sir. I studied my nana's notes."
[Vasquez] "The Hellion's records on aberrations? Those are extensive."
[Ymir] "I have copies of them at home. Never stopped studying."
[Vasquez] "You really are dedicated to this. I would have expected nothing less from a Sorenson. Magni would be proud of this sight."
I feel the rush of tears trying to break the dam at the corner of my eyes. I know so little about my dad. I only know the family he came from is really traditional and has served as Vault Breakers since the beginning. But I never actually thought I'd be able to make him proud.
[Ymir] "Thank you, sir."
[Vasquez] "Don't thank me. It's obvious what you've done to make it here."
He's a really inspiring guy, ain't he? The Commander.
The next few tests fly by pretty quickly. It's all business from here on out. The Haymaker is heavy and I can only just barely handle the recoil. I never had a chance to shoot one of these before.
Silva falls over after her first shot. I'm sure that'll cost her some overall score, but she stands up and immediately finds a sturdier standing position to fire from.
I know I think and say it a lot, but I'm proud of her.
Contrary to the training set with the Haymaker, I have difficulties with using the Longarm. Auntie Harper trained me with lighter weapons and a couple close-combat weapons. She didn't teach me anything about larger rifles. I think it's because she never used them either.
I keep checking up on Silva to see how she handles the Longarm. She seems to quickly adapt to it. Her first few shots are sloppy, but she corrects herself and lands almost every shot afterwards perfectly. Maybe she's a natural with rifles.
Last up is the gun of my dreams. I can't wait to use it.
30 inches long and made of a massive, heavy steel frame. It's tall, blocky. There's a lot of moving parts inside that controll recoil, accelerate rate of fire, and even a magnetic barrel that can fire a single high-powered round like a miniature railgun.
I reach out, grip the bottom of the barrel and rest my other hand on the handguard. I lift. Or, at least I try.
How fucking heavy was this gun?
A boisterous laugher belts out behind me. I can't lift it at all so I turn to Silva. She's also struggling to move the weapon even an inch.
I turn to see behind me.
The Commander is doubled over forward letting out an ugly wheezy laugh. I watch him struggle to keep his breath.
[Vasquez] "Haha! Oh man! Hah! It never gets old! Haha!"
He continue like this for about a minute until...
[R&D Member] "Um, sir? Commander Vasquez?"
One of the R&D assistants approaches from a data entry station.
[Vasquez] "Haha! Oh, huh? Oh, yeah! I'm sorry."
The Commander rights his posture and puffs a few breaths.
[Vasquez] "I apologize for that. It's just a little prank we pull on all the applicants. I never come watch these sessions, but after hearing your names, I wanted to watch. I forgot how much I loved that little joke, though! Haha!"
[Ymir] "Um, sir? What do you mean by prank or joke? I thought that I was supposed to use this for the test."
[Vasquez] "Nobody can use that gun without the proper augments. There's a link you need installed into your palm, then into a controller wired in your brain. The controller can link with the Mk.6 Caliburn and activate the magnetic system. I can't tell you all the physics of it, but the mag system reduces the weight of the weapon significantly. It's also the only way to use any of it's features. Once you climb the ranks a bit, I'm sure you'll wind up getting all the augments you want, including what you need to use that gun."
[Ymir] "I had no idea about that kind of stuff. Human augmentation isn't exactly something I looked into. Auntie Harper told me to avoid it as long as I can. Uncle Varun, too. Even though they both have augments."
[Vasquez] "We'll discuss it more once you finish up, if you'd like. There's one last test."
Commander Vasquez tells us return to the lockers to get changed into our own clothes before following him to a new location.