Begin Memory Memory Series Sequence 482000152451983...
Memory Series Sequence Sub-001-0909.
A couple of hours had passed before we knew it. My astonishment was overpowering when I saw no one had come in to force us out. They let us have two hours to ourselves when we were supposed to be testing. We dressed in the locker room, changing into white shrubs that were two sizes too small, but we squeezed into them as usual. That is standard wear for us during testing. Outside in the corridor, the same team was waiting for us patiently. For a moment, I was worried we were in trouble. Then, a smile from the Doctor disarmed my tension. They led us to yet another elevator we'd never used before, and the same procedure took place again. 'If we want to escape. We're going to need one of those glass tablets. That seems to be the only way to operate these elevators and most doors.' That would have to be a priority. Maybe this would help us.
'Would he help us? He was being considerate.' The elevator stopped, letting us off onto another floor. There was no way to tell if we'd been here before. Then a thought popped into my head. 'What if each floor had a certain set of doctors and staff that worked with them? I know the others had been counting the time we spent in the elevator. If we could compare notes without being noticed, we could formulate an escape plan.'
Now that I think about it, this could work. Now, If I could find a subtle way to work it into our conversations, we would have a chance. We followed the Doctor down several corridors until we came to our destination. We didn't talk the entire time, and I was relieved they did not split us up. Today's test may not be as grueling as I thought, since we will do it together. So far, all our group tests have been relatively easy to complete. The paired testing was the most difficult to achieve and always wiped us out for days afterward.
A thin slice in the wall began at the center, extending to the ceiling and floor before opening into a medium-sized room. We followed the Doctor and his team inside. It was a round room with a raised platform in the middle of the room. On the platform was a recliner of sorts. However, it looked more like an operating chair than a recliner. On the opposite wall of the doorway, beyond the platform, were three rooms with all glass doors. There weren't any other doors in the room besides those three.
The Doctor turned to us.
"Test subject Kristonia Howel, Dr. Diana Iris, and Dr. Warren. Please proceed to the rooms in the back. There is clothing inside for you to change into once you are ready. Then, test subject Kristen Howel, one of my assistants, will take you to the platform, where they will place you in the testing chair. Once you are in position, I will explain today's test and its intended nature," the Doctor replied.
With a slim physique, the Doctor was handsome. His square shoulders and tall stature made him appear in good shape. A full beard and mustache covered the Doctor's square face. His hair was a dirty blonde slicked back in that old fashion style, and he wore blue metal-framed glasses. The Doctor was wearing a white dress shirt and black slacks. His attire did not differ from what most doctors usually wore.
"I never asked who you were?" Rachael questioned.
"Dr. Ridley Kent. I will oversee today's test," he replied.
"What kind of test is this going to be?" Kristen asked.
"Physical fitness," he replied.
"But what kind of physical test?' I asked again.
"Please proceed and choose a room. You will all have the same setup. There are headsets inside so you can listen to my guidance," Dr. Kent responded.
His assistants gestured us to head for the rooms, so we complied. There was no need to escalate the situation if we didn't have a reason. So, I walked to the middle room after Rachel and Diana went to their respective rooms.
I looked back to see the two assistants helping Kristen remove her clothing. One assistant removed her white medical scrubs, while another held her under her arms. When he finished, he put on the usual underwear, which couldn't decide if it was a bikini or a thong. I didn't see the rest as I began removing my clothes. Once dressed, a holographic assistant appeared as the glass doors to my room closed.
"Please stand on the right wall as your testing machine rises into place," it said before vanishing.
The blue female hologram instructed me to move to the right wall. As soon as I was out of the way, the floor opened up the way the wall did when we entered this testing room. Beneath the floor, a bicycle machine ascended into place. In addition to the bicycle facing the glass door, I could see the two male assistants strapping Kristen into the chair from my vantage point. They were putting electrodes on various spots on her body. I went up to the glass door.
"What are you doing to my sister?" I yelled through the glass.
Dr. Kent turned towards me. He was standing beside Kristen as his assistant hooked her up. He tapped on his glass tablet before speaking.
"These are to monitor her vitals and send an electric shock to her body," Dr. Kent replied.
I heard muffled words coming from Rachel's room, but I couldn't hear words. The rooms were soundproof to a degree and I could not hear her voice through my headset either. I saw Dr. Kent tapping on his glass tablet again before speaking. However, I couldn't listen to what he said. After what looked like a back-and-forth between Dr. Kent and Rachel, he tapped his glass tablet again.
"Today's test will be about endurance. Similar to the other test, but for this trial, Test Subject Kristen Howel will perform in a different capacity. Today she will serve as a motivating factor for Dr. Rachal Warren, Dr. Diane Iris, and Test Subject Kristonia Howel. The purpose is to hit several benchmarks without falling below the specified speed displayed on your holographic HUDs on your stations. If even one of you falls below the stated speed, I will shock test subject Kristen Howel until you rise above the stated speed. Each benchmark will require you to stay above the stated speed and time. Following the individual achievement of each of these benchmarks, the system will reduce the resting time between benchmarks. All of your physical training to this point has prepared you for this. Good Luck," Dr. Kent explained before tapping his glass tablet again.
I fell to the floor in shock. If this was like the treadmill test, I knew we could not keep above whatever speed they wanted. Eventually, one of us would fall below, and it would shock Kristen until we got back up to speed. His words froze me, and I stood motionless for several moments, stunned by the realization that it would shock my sister if I couldn't perform just right. Not only that, but Rachel and Diane had to perform just as well.
It suddenly brought me back to reality when I heard my sister's screams. My heart pounded as I looked up frantically in a panic, only to see her convulsing as the chair sent volts of electricity through her body. It was then that I realized the test had already begun. In the absence of my presence, Kristen is suffering. The system automatically shocks the subject in the chair without remorse. That's what the Doctor said to us. Her wailing screams shook me from my stupor, and I raced to my bike and pedaled furiously. Their holo display showed I needed to go faster than fifteen miles per hour. Unfortunately, my speed was only eight miles per hour, despite pedaling faster and faster.
Kristen was struggling in her seat as the electrodes sent electrifying bolts of electricity throughout her body. Despite my best efforts, she appeared to be experiencing a seizure, so I had no choice but to pedal faster. Several moments passed before I reached the current speed, but Kristen still screamed in absolute pain from the shock. The pain wasn't as bad as before, but it was still evident on her face. It took a few more moments for her shock to subside, but it wasn't as intense as before. Finally, she calmed down, and I knew my cycling partners had reached the desired speed.
Each of us contributed to my sister being shocked, and the level of intensity went up as more of us failed to reach the benchmark. The timer was at 15:00 minutes and only went down. I didn't see what the starting time said, but I didn't care. I had to maintain this speed for the duration, and I knew the next benchmark would be even more difficult.
'What could I do to keep my speed up? All three of us couldn't fall behind at the same time. My sister was tough, but there was only so much she could take. I couldn't recall how long it took me to get up to speed, but it shocked Kristen the entire time.' After that, I couldn't think of anything else, so I stayed calm.
I couldn't afford to overreact or get angry right now. I had to control my breathing and save my energy to make the next benchmark. If this were anything like the treadmill test, it would only worsen as we progressed to the next benchmark. Unlike before, we didn't have helmets to communicate with each other. We could only watch Kristen as she watched back at us. There were no doubts she was worrying about us. Her eyes dotted back and forth at each of our rooms. She could see everything that was going on, and she could see the fear on our faces. If we slowed down for even a moment, it would shock her.
After 8:00 minutes, my sister had a look of pain on her face as the timer ticked down. Her shock lasted only a few seconds. It looked like one of us had slowed down to catch a breath, and Kristen paid for it. There was no logical reason for this test, but here we were, pedaling away so Kristen wouldn't fry to death.
Within minutes, we had completed the first benchmark.
"You have fifteen minutes to rest, but you must keep your speed above five miles per hour. I must add, the same rules apply during rest periods," Dr. Kent explained before the speaker cut out.
'Fuck, they want us to keep our speed above five miles per hour? So we don't get to rest?'
Today's test did not differ from the treadmill test, but it was just as deadly and possibly more. I closed my eyes and focused on keeping my breathing under control. I didn't want to waste energy by getting upset or using mental energy to think about unimportant things. Right now, I have to focus.