Simulation Terminated By Melissa Hill

Senior Short Story Entry

She didn’t know where she was. Everything was strange, new to her finely honed senses. The air felt different to breathe, the grass strange under her hands. She sat up, purple eyes scanning her strange surroundings. Gingerly she stretched her muscles, each one protested faintly before allowing her to move. She sighed; travelling through space took some getting used to. Flicking her black hair over her shoulder, she stood up. Stretching for a final time she began to move. Only a few hours of sunlight remained, and Mars became very cold after dark.

At length the city she seeked appeared on the horizon. A handsome city, it was a military base turned religious centre. The second war of Mars had ended before she had been born, but all children heard the stories. The city had been almost decimated in the battle, but years of hard labour brought the sandstone and glass city back to brilliant life. In the centre of the city, glowing in the light of the setting sun stood its landmark, a polished marble cathedral. As she got within hearing range of the city, the sound of ringing bells became audible. The black haired teen picked up her pace. She was late.

Her stride lengthened, low heeled boots crunching on the gravel as she broke into a ground eating run. As she passed through the city’s gates, many people would have seen nothing but the blurry outline of a black clad woman, thanks to the superhuman speed her altered DNA gave her.

After much dodging and weaving, the teen arrived at the ornate gates of the cathedral. Just inside the jewel encrusted silver gates waited the man she had come to assist. He was tall and muscular, dressing in similar attire to her own. He glanced at his watch then over to her, purple eyes clouded with impatience.

“You’re late Alexandria.”

Alexandria bowed slightly. “Sorry Dion, rough trip.”

Dion shook his head, a slight smile creeping onto his face. “You really need to learn to focus on your destination more. You let your mind wander far too much.”

Alexandria nodded. She wasn’t new to travelling through space, no where near it, but she still hadn’t mastered the fine art of keeping a clear picture of her destination in mind.

Dion spoke again, pulling Alex from her self reflection.

“Well enough of that, it’s time to start what we came here to do.”

Alex nodded her agreement. “Is the plan still the same?” she inquired, as she began to check the numerous weapons strapped discreetly onto her body.

Dion nodded. “Get in, get the girl, and get out. As little casualties as possible.”

Alexandria flicked the safety off her last gun and nodded her understanding. Dion looked at her, “Ready to go?” he asked.

“You bet your genetically engineered butt I am.”

Dion laughed and rolled his eyes. “Showtime.”

* * * * * * * * *
‘Silence is a prerequisite of this job’ Alexandria though, as she crept around yet another corner. Guns out she cleared the corner, only to find another empty hallway. Dion was not far behind her.

“How big is this place anyway?” she muttered, all senses on high alert.

“All I can say is it is bigger inside than out.”

Alex nodded in agreement. They had been creeping around corners and through hallways for ten tense minutes. Guards had been posted everywhere when they entered, but as they travelled deeper in the labyrinth that was the cathedral, guards had become few and far between. A sudden footfall caught her attention.

‘This is what I am trained for, designed for. To keep cool and clear headed in any situation. Not to let emotion take control. But, really, if that were so, why do I suddenly feel scared?’

She pressed herself next to Dion on the wall. Keeping completely silent, he gestured down the hallway and moved off slowly. She followed. The footsteps were closer now, and there were more of them. She and Dion moved faster, hardly making a sound as they rounded a corner. Another clear hallway. They were nearing their destination now; the mutterings of revellers was now audible.

‘How can they enjoy such a twisted ceremony?’ Alex thought.

Dion stopped suddenly and frantically backed up. But it was too late, he had been spotted.

Around the corner, a dozen heavily armoured and armed men came. All were broad shouldered and impossibly tall, made in the same way as herself and Dion. Genetically engineered and raised in a lab.

Dion fired the first shot, his bullet flying true to take out the lead guard. Chaos erupted. Fighting both to defend and kill, Alexandria and Dion mercilessly shot at the guards. More soon came, for every man that fell, two more took his place. Dion was inching towards a door on his right. Alex followed, knowing that the moment of truth had arrived. Her partner kicked the door open and darted inside. Alex wasn’t far behind.

She found herself in an open courtyard, the dying sunlight streaming through the open roof. Masses of people stared in shocked silence at the intruders. Then they began to scream. A woman, dressed in virginal white and tied to a pole in the middle of the garden, smiled with relief. There would be no virgin sacrifice here today.

Alexandria’s observations were cut short as a she felt white hot pain explode in her abdomen. Looking down, she watched as her lifeblood spilled from the bullet wound. Collapsing to her knees, she scolded herself. ‘You forgot about the gunman in the corner…again.’ Blackness finally consumed her.

* * * * * *
“YOU HAVE DIED”
“SIMULATION TERMINATED!”

The bold red message mocked her from the screen of her Virtual Reality headset. If flashed again and again, daring her to try to stop it. She sighed and pulled the cursed headset off, turning her attention to the teenager next to her. His hands moved desperately across his keyboard, trying to keep his character alive. She could see he was losing quite spectacularly. The computer screen in front of him gave a bird’s eye view of what he saw in the headset. The same message that had mocked her only moments ago flashed suddenly across his screen. He sighed and sat back, removing his headset. Turning vibrant blue eyes to her, he grinned.

“You forgot about the gunman again.”

It was a statement, not a question. She shrugged and smiled.

“Well dear brother, if you’re up for another go, I promise not to forget.” She said, replacing her headset.

“That is what you said last time.” Her brother said, as they were once again transported into a world light-years ahead of their own.

The End