Marie observed Dani and Gin as they waited anxiously in her office. Her mind was a whirlwind of questions: Were they the ones responsible for the information leak? Although they seemed to have changed since leaving Radar, Marie knew appearances could be deceiving. She decided to proceed cautiously. She couldn't afford to raise suspicions too soon.
"Hello, guys," she said in a tone that was kind but firm, offering a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. The two former Radar scientists, dressed in white lab coats from the agency, responded politely, though their gazes betrayed both curiosity and a hint of discomfort. "You're here because I'm going to give you a surprise test," Marie announced.
"A test?" they asked in unison, exchanging confused glances.
"Yes, a test. It's always given to new recruits a week after their initiation. Normally, the boss would handle it, but since he's unavailable, it falls to me." Marie explained matter-of-factly, concealing her true intentions behind a professional mask.
The atmosphere grew slightly tense. "There are three very simple parts," she continued. "The first is a multiple-choice exam about general aspects of life. The second is similar to a polygraph, and the third... well, that's a surprise. Let's begin."
Dani and Gin exchanged looks again. "What a strange test," Gin muttered under his breath. "Even at Radar, they never made us do anything like this." But they quickly adopted a positive attitude. "Well, we'll ace it," Dani said with determination. "Now that we're part of this organization, we've learned so much. Besides, Miss Becky has been excellent to us."
"I agree with you, Gin," Dani nodded. "Alright, let's do it."
Marie handed each of them a tablet. "You have one hour. Begin."
The questions were deliberately ambiguous, designed to test their ethics and loyalty. For example: in your previous job, what did you do to stand out?
a) Spy on the competition
b) Steal plans from a colleague
c) Eliminate the competition
"How strange this test is," they both thought as they worked through the questions. Marie, seated across from them, watched attentively. "Twenty minutes left," she announced without lifting her gaze from her own monitor.
When time was up, Marie collected the tablets and analyzed the results. To her frustration, both had answered coherently and convincingly. "Damn it," she thought. "Maybe it's not them."
She moved on to the second test. "I'll attach these devices to your bodies," she explained as she fitted them with chest straps resembling medical sensors. "Answer 'true' or 'false' to my questions."
Once again, the results were clear: both were telling the truth. Marie frowned. "It can't be that they passed so easily. That only leaves the third test."
The final test was the most challenging. "These are virtual reality visors created by our chief scientist, Adrian," Marie explained. "With them, you'll face your worst nightmare. If you manage to overcome it, you'll pass the test. Otherwise, you'll be sent for reevaluation."
Gin swallowed nervously. "Damn it, I don't want to be reevaluated again," he murmured. "I hear you," Dani agreed. Both placed the visors over their heads with trembling hands.
"On three, two, one… let's begin!" Marie announced as she activated the simulators.
Gin found himself face-to-face with an authoritarian boss who demanded he complete impossible tasks, shouting at him relentlessly. Dani, on the other hand, confronted an unforgiving version of his mother, who harshly scolded him for not being good enough. Both writhed in their seats, silently crying as the visions consumed them.
Marie monitored the screens closely. She decided to intensify the test. "If they're truly lying, this will confirm it," she thought as she introduced a new scenario: now, the virtual versions of their authoritarian figures were asking them to betray their friends in exchange for personal gain.
But neither Gin nor Dani gave in. Both remained steadfast, proving that their loyalty was priceless.
"Alright, we're done," Marie said finally, removing the visors. Both scientists were dizzy and exhausted. "Did we pass the test?" they asked in trembling voices.
Marie stared at them intently. She had no choice but to accept the results. "Yes, you passed. But this isn't over. There will be more tests in the future."
Both exhaled in relief and left the office. Marie stood behind, touching her chin thoughtfully. "If it wasn't them, then who was it?"
In the jungle, Podbe ran at full speed, knocking down the mind-controlled youths with precise, non-lethal blows. "Alright, that makes five," he informed the dog telepathically.
"Great, you're now level 11," Reia replied. "Remember, to level up again, you'll need 2,000 points. You have 500 left for the next level, and you've earned a point to upgrade your skills."
"I'll save it for later. There are still enemies left," Podbe growled, focused on the fight.
Rino and Lidia fired their stun weapons, covering each other while Leila used her telekinesis to lift objects and block attacks. Adia, meanwhile, summoned magical vines to trap the enemies, and Drake coordinated the group with military precision.
"One more... and another," Podbe muttered as he advanced. "This is too easy."
Drake intervened: "Leave a couple, buddy. With them, we'll learn more about our adversaries."
Finally, Adia used her magic to bind the last of the mind-controlled children. "I guess they're not that strong because they're still amateurs. They don't fully understand their powers," she reflected aloud.
"Exactly," Drake agreed as they removed the masks from the unconscious kids. "Take them to Adrian," he ordered.
Leila obeyed, moving the captives toward where the scientist was working to reverse the virus controlling them. "I imagine they'll send more reinforcements," Drake commented. "We need to move quickly."
"Tron, scout ahead and scan the area for traps," Adrian instructed. The robot flew over the zone and detected a nearby Radar branch. "Perfect. It's time to pay them a visit," Drake declared.
"Adia, Leila, and you, pup, come with me. The rest of you, stay here and guard Adrian," Drake instructed Lidia, Rino, and the other cadets.
At the Australian branch, Irina Agos, leader of Oceania, observed the monitors with a calculating expression. Her fingers toyed with a silver whip as she assessed the situation. "They're taking too long. What's going on?" she muttered.
"Ma'am, our enhanced soldiers haven't returned," a soldier reported, rushing into the room.
"Miss," Irina corrected coldly. "I'm still young."
"My apologies, Miss. We destroyed an aircraft that was flying over the area, just as the informant passed along from Doctor Maos. But it seems something emerged from the wreckage and wiped out the first platoon."
Irina smirked maliciously. "Good, that was to be expected. They were the youngest. Prepare for the second wave. And, as Maos suggested, I'll double the power of the control to make them more lethal."
She flicked her whip elegantly. "As I always say: 'Elegance in battle, relentless in victory.'"