Just like Miss Roberts had warned them, at 06:00 precisely, X-466's ominous and unmistakably angry voice echoed all over the facility.
X-466
You'd better get up now! I want all the candidates outside in 30 human minutes.
LWAZI
How the hell does he do it?
Said Lwazi, annoyed, trying to drown X-466's voice by putting his head under the pillow.
X-466
You will be doing a lot of running, so be prepared for that!
The clone's voice was coming from everywhere. It came from outside, from within the walls, from under the beds.
JUNIOR
One of their many tricks, I suppose...
Said Junior, who, like probably everyone else, was struggling to grasp the harsh reality he had woken up to. After many grunts and moans, he forced himself out of bed. He wasn't a morning person at all...
R-328
A friendly reminder that if you're not outside by 06:30, you will be eliminated from the selection process!
R-328's falsely cheerful voice reverberated through their hearts and minds. His words shook Lwazi and Junior awake.
JUNIOR
Isn't it nice they went through the trouble of waking us up?
LWAZI
You have a weird sense of humor, Junior...
JUNIOR
If they truly wanted to ban us all, they wouldn't have woken us like this.
Said Junior with a sleepy smile.
JUNIOR
They simply would have let us oversleep...
LWAZI
Does this actually cheer you up?
JUNIOR
Kind of...
LWAZI
If you ask me, they are torturing us on purpose.
JUNIOR
Yeah... that too...
They slowly got dressed and made their way outside. The drowsy contenders were gradually gathering on the grounds.
LWAZI
I thought we were going to get breakfast...
Said Lwazi, moving away from Junior, looking for something to eat.
Amidst the crowd, Junior spotted the young man who had helped him find his room the previous day. To Junior's surprise, as the young man caught sight of him, he raced towards Junior.
YOUNG MAN
John, John! Remember me?!
JUNIOR
Yes, I do... and call me Junior, please...
YOUNG MAN
Good! My name is Nick, nice to meet you, Junior.
Nick extended his hand. Junior shook it.
NICK
So, Junior, what can you tell me about Konos?
JUNIOR
I really don't think now is the time...
NICK
Is it true what they say?
JUNIOR
What do they say?
Replied Junior, curiously.
NICK
That he's an immortal! That he transferred his consciousness into a machine so that he can go on living! Just like in the movies...
Before then, when people had asked him about Konos he had just refused to answer, but this time he felt he had to tell the truth.
JUNIOR
That is kind of true...
NICK
WOW! That would be so awesome...
JUNIOR
I don't think so...
NICK
Wouldn't you want to live forever?
JUNIOR
That's my point! He's actually already dead...
NICK
What do you mean, dead?
JUNIOR
He was very clear on this point. He's already dead. He says that what's left of his consciousness is only a trace...
NICK
So he's like a zombie?
Junior smirked.
JUNIOR
Yeah... like a zombie...
Junior said, sarcastically. Nick seemed shaken by this.
NICK
Anyway, I wanted to wish you good luck on your first day! As a proud American, I'm rooting for you!
JUNIOR
Thanks...
Replied Junior, awkwardly. Nick then lowered his voice.
NICK
If you need anything, let me know.
He winked and left, leaving Junior puzzled.
LWAZI
It looks like they haven't planned breakfast after all...
Said Lwazi, rejoining Junior.
LWAZI
What did that soldier want with you?
He continued, pointing at Nick.
JUNIOR
Why do you think he's a soldier?
LWAZI
With that haircut and that walk? He's wearing no uniform but he's a soldier, no doubt about it...
JUNIOR
That would actually makes sense...
LWAZI
Would it?
Lwazi's remarks were interrupted by X-466.
X-466
It's 06:30 human time and I don't care who's not here.
He clapped his hands once.
X-466
Start running now and if you stop moving before I allow it...
JUNIOR
...we will be eliminated from the selection process...
Said Junior under his breath, as, together with Lwazi and everyone else, he started running.
