Days 8-11 - Test 1: Aptitude

[14_cun4]

Who: All Initiates
What: LACUNA begins her testing phases
When: Days 8-11
Where: Area 2 - Testing Grounds
Warnings: To be updated, but as this is a testing regimen, it will most likely contain language, violence, mentions of sensitive topics (up to and including pondering the murder of children)

At 06:00 hours on the morning of Day 8, every terminal, be it the one in the living quarters or one of the personal terminals within the rooms, begins broadcasting the sound of a klaxon. This sound, loud enough to reverberate, continues for 30 seconds before it ends as abruptly as it began. The lights raise and after they are fully illuminating whatever area your character may have been rudely awoken in, LACUNA's cold voice fills the silence.

"Good Morning, Initiates. Today will begin Testing. Our first Test Round will be for Aptitude measurement only. As such, blows that would otherwise be fatal will spare you. You have one hour to prepare. Afterwards, proceed to the cryopod chamber for further instruction. Thank you."

As incredibly forthcoming as she's been previously, any attempts to question her further are met with cold silence.

(OOC: The Test will be divided by day and function, and for more information, check out the sweet prompts below, also organized by date! You're not required to use this post, but it may be easier if you haven't found a partner! Feel free to make your own posts, either as actions or network posts as well! Remember, it isn't 100% necessary to obey her commands...)

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DAY 1 - THE WRITTEN

[14_cun4]

Exactly one hour after her announcement, the familiar path of lights that originally led you to the Residential area leads you back to the cryopod area, but those who follow will notice once there, a large door on the opposing end of the chamber is now illuminated. Any initiate who approaches this door will prompt it to slide open revealing a long corridor narrower than the one leading back to the residential area. At regular intervals, there are doors off this corridor that appear to have terminals outside each. Just inside the door is a room filled with several of the same terminals, all at the login screen for initiates.

"Welcome, Initiates, to Day 1 of Aptitude Testing. Please proceed to one of the terminals and complete the Written Aptitude test. There are no wrong answers, but participation is appreciated. After your written is complete, you are free for the day. Tomorrow will commence the Practical Aptitude Exam."

After her vague explanation, LACUNA goes silent once again. Do you proceed into the room and take this "written" aptitude test? Do you refuse and try to head back to the Residential area? It...might be a little cold there right now...

(OOC: If you'd like to take a written aptitude test for your own records and in character, check out this one! Feel free to discuss results in character, or just meander about, or discuss what this all means now that things are actually happening! You've got the day to yourselves, after all!)

[actualhumandisaster]

While Anakin has no intention of taking any tests, he follows the line of lights towards one of the terminals and quietly glares at the screen in front of him for a few moments.

Then, without any warning, he proceeds to punch his mechanical fist right through that very same screen and into the wiring and mechanical parts within. For a moment he reaches out with the Force, trying to decipher and understand these unknown electronics.

When he pulls his hand back after another moment, Anakin's expression has shifted a little. He's no longer plain glaring, but much rather seems a little confused.

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan had awoken to the announcement with a groan and a sarcastic comment before getting himself up and ready. He followed along like a good little initiate, interested in seeing what was expected of them.

A written exam? Apparently they needed more information on their captives. All right.

Logic? High.

Management? High.

People: interaction with others, ability to train and council...

And then Obi-Wan heard a loud smash. Looking up with a blink, he wasn’t at all surprised to see Anakin was the cause.

The Jedi sighed and shook his head.

“That was unnecessary.”

He then marked his answer as average.

[actualhumandisaster]

Anakin snapped out of his brief confusion and quickly turned his head towards the Jedi, scowling again.

"Then I shall do something necessary next."

With those words he made to move towards Obi-Wan, raising his hand and reaching out with the Force to use that invisible grip and grasp the other by his throat once more.

[hadthehighground]

Well that feeling sure felt familiar.

Obi-Wan grimaced at the tightening pressure around his throat and gasped, his hands gripping the console in front of him. His eyes turning to his former Jedi brother, he managed to get a few words out.

“Anakin... this will only end poorly for you.”

[movesahead]

(A. In the test)

The whole thing was idiotic, but he could understand where it was coming from - technically speaking. If you were going to have a controlled experiment, you needed to understand the general mindset of your subject pool.

A series of basic testing would give you that sort of data. Which, was, as stated, what LACUNA was doing. Her programmers were rather understandable in that way. At least to another scientist.

To be honest, all of this made perfect sense to Darius. A controlled environment, basic reward/punishment system, and giving the test subjects a reason to want a reward. They were being treated just like any rat in a psychological experiment; and sadly, they were going to have to suffer through it for now. Especially since there were so few of them (not that he expected it to stay that way).

The test itself was rudimentary, but that also made sense. Some of the subject pool wasn't as educated as others, and between their worlds, there were differences as vast as chasms. There needed to be something basic. It was the results that confused him, and that fact was evident on his face.

"Politician?" His tone incredulous, as if the thing had told him he should be the next H.H. Holmes or Moriarty (the second one wasn't that far off from being a politician). "I'm fairly certain I have more sense than that. "There has to be some mistake. Me, a politician? Noooo."



(B. Outside testing)

Leaving the testing chamber was rather anticlimactic, and Darius was still confused about his result. Rockstar he could handle, even something as benign as a grocery clerk, but a politician was just wrong. He had far too much heart for that and he was far too apt to wear his heart on his sleeve and tell the truth. He tried always to tell the truth where he could, actually.

So he wasn't exactly paying attention, instead, running through the questions in his head to see where the test would have gotten the answer from. It was important to him, especially since LACUNA would probably base any testing that she did (specifically with him) on that assessment. Which, wasn't the worst of things. The idea of scientist and tech genius not being at the forefront of her memory banks meant that there was a whole raft of things he could do that she wouldn't see coming.

[overstepping]

Grace had been keeping an eye out for Darius' testing to be over. Hers was happening later in the afternoon, and she was a little bit nervous about it, because she couldn't not be. Yeah, they'd had the week to understand that this wasn't some sort of collective breakdown, but knowing that they were about to be tested still bothered Grace because there was the giant question of what they were going to end up expecting with all of this. And of course LACUNA had been rather characteristically mum about the nature of it when she asked.

Still, she had almost missed him when he bristled past her, and she knew Darius enough to know that whatever had happened in there had bothered him. Scooting to her feet, she called out after him: "Hey, Darius, wait up." That seemed familiar somehow and it made her grin before she caught up with him and placed a hand on his arm. "What's wrong?"

[movesahead]

It wasn't normal for Darius not to notice Grace as soon as she was in the room. Generally, his eyes and attention were immediately drawn to her, but the revelation that this test seemed to think that he ought to be a politician, it was acutely upsetting. Politicians were people like Harris, people who were rigid and cold in the face of new information or cherry-picked the knowledge that they wanted to be true. People who would lock up someone who had managed to risk everything to bring two warring countries together for the sake of saving the world.

Darius was far from that. He wasn't a good man by any stretch of the imagination, but he tried to be. Grace, Liam, Gillian, they made him want to try to be a better man than he had been before, and he thought he was doing a decent job of it.

It was Grace's voice that pulled him back. Reminded him that he was in 'The Cooler' with a rather frustrating AI named LACUNA, and being tested for aptitude so she could better 'test' them in the future.

His footsteps slowed to a stop so she could catch up, and when she did, his hand immediately moves to take hers. They weren't able to do even simple gestures like this in their world, he was going to take advantage of that small luxury for as long as he could. "Nothing, it's just -" It took him a moment to actually say it, and when it did come out he sounded nothing but incredulous about it. It still annoyed him. "They said I should be a politician."

[overstepping]

Grace's fingers just tightened around his for a moment, holding onto his hand because she could without needing to worry about anything else. It was still something precious, to not worry about being judged or having to think about how someone thought that she was too involved (in love with) a renegade mad scientist who cared more about the planet than he did to political allegiances to the US. Which honestly, she did too, but she needed to better protect herself than he did. She still needed to work with the president.

For a moment, she just blinked at the reasoning for how he responded to her question, and she could just as a single word question: "what?" Grace Barrows was probably considered a politician as the press secretary for the Pentagon, and god knew that she was surrounded by them on a regular basis. She knew how politicians were and how they worked and neither of those things were how Darius was.

"But you're you." The statement was matter of fact. "You're like the anti-politician." Which was one of the many reasons that she loved him; he told the truth and was straightforward when few other people in this world were. He wasn't someone who she could ever see fitting into the world that she resided in in that way.

DAY 2 - PRACTICAL APTITUDE EXAM

[14_cun4]

The next day, initiates are awoken in an identical manner as the previous day, given an hour to eat and do whatever else they would do in the morning, and then lead by way of lighting back to the testing grounds. Unlike the previous day, though, LACUNA greets them almost cheerfully...at least for LACUNA.

"Good morning, Initiates. Today, you will proceed with your practical Aptitude Exam. You will be given 30 minutes, beginning now, to choose a partner from those gathered. You are then to proceed to one of the room along this hallway. On the terminal beside each entrance, you are to select a time period, environment, and a weapon. When the door opens, you will enter a virtual environment suited to the time period you have selected. You are to make your way across the course and retrieve the token. There are enemies and they will be hostile, but how you choose to tackle this task is up to you and your partner. As this is a method of aptitude testing, wounds will not be fatal."

(OOC: The sky is the limit as far as what sort of environment they encounter and how they choose to tackle it! Have fun! Remember, you don't have to use this log, but it's available. You can also do top levels initially to find a partner.)

[hard_decisions]

(I: Morning, before the tests:)

There's a new face in the common areas, and he is a bit confused.

Wesley's awakening was rude enough, but he very quickly determined that the artificial voice on the intercom, this LACUNA, was in control. He did as suggested, complied with her orders, got dressed as quickly as possible, and began trying to orient himself. He's having minimal luck, and he looks like he's less frightened or angry and more... distracted by his thoughts.

(II: After the tests:)

Having been informed that the testing was Not Required for new arrivals, Wesley took the hint an decided not to try to push the matter. However, he is still intrigued by the testing process, so he can be found haunting the outer hall of the testing grounds, trying to see and hear as much as he can get away with while avoiding the displeasure of their AI host.

He's definitely examining his fellow... guests... as they emerge from the tests, since actually examining the testing process for himself seems likely to earn reprisal.

[movesahead]

Since their arrival and the rather abrupt end to the information from LACUNA, Darius had been constantly moving around and tinkering. He'd been looking for flaws in the system, ways to bypass the door locks and anything else that could be useful.

There hadn't been much in the end, but he did manage to memorize the faces of the other six initiates. Something that was coming in handy now.

The man sitting in the common area was one he didn't remember from those initial days of orientation. Which only meant that he was a new face for, whatever reason. There were two possibilities to this. The first, that the man was a plant. That he was put in this situation to gather information that LACUNA's tests couldn't. It was a viable and likely scenario, but one that couldn't be confirmed unless the man somehow slipped up and offered some form of information that no one but someone working with LACUNA could.

The second option was far more likely, but also a bit terrifying. That this man was a new addition. That those running this facility could bring people in here at their own will; that they might have unknowing people waiting in the wings that they didn't wake up yet. That they could put any one of them into a deep freeze at any time.

He made his way over, sitting across from the man with his hands linked, staying silent for a few moments before speaking. "You look, pensive." Non-committal, not judgemental, just observant.

[hard_decisions]

Wesley has assumed that the other people here are all fellow prisoners, but he was the only one spared the testing- the newest, it would seem. Lucky him.

He could only guess at how long the others had been here, but it was probably not too long, if they were only now being tested for... aptitude, was it? Which means they may still be off-balance. Suspicious. Might regard newcomers as threats.

And wouldn't that be a fun psychological experience.

The other man's approach gets a slightly awkward smile from Wesley, but he doesn't directly acknowledge Darius until he's addressed.

"Sorry. Trying to get my bearings."

After a moment of looking over his new conversation partner, he manages a more genuine chuckle.

"I suppose I can at least be reassured of one thing; you don't look like a lawyer."

[movesahead]

The first answer is expected and doesn't really require any sort of response. Of course, he was trying to get his bearings if he were truly new, anyone would be. Unless they'd been through this sort of thing before or were quick to downshift to a new reality. Darius was thankful that he was of the second variety.

The comment elicits a soft puff of a chuckle from him. After the politician debacle on the written portion of the test, lawyer seemed a step up; if still incorrect.

"A scientist, actually." Which was probably giving something away, but it wasn't as if LACUNA couldn't discern that much from his actions. She could do that for quite a bit of him, which was upsetting, but couldn't be helped. "I assume you've had quite a bit of experience with lawyers then?" After all, it seemed an odd comment to make upon first meeting.

[floweroftheslums]

Aerith steps into the common rooms, rubbing her arm where she hit the floor from the fight. It's obvious to her that it will bruise, but she doesn't want to waste her powers on herself, not when she's not sure if she'll need it for any of the others. She looks over and pauses when she sees someone new to the facility. "Oh, did you just get here?"

[hard_decisions]

"I'm afraid I did. Hello."

He's not quite startled by her approach, but he wasn't expecting anybody to pay him much mind. Then again, there seemed to be relatively few people here- few enough that a newcomer would stand out.

And he couldn't help but notice the rubbing of her arm.

"... are you injured?"

I. Morning

[infelicis]

[Until he stepped from his room into the common area and found this newcomer, it hadn't actually occurred to Felix that people may be pulled here again. He stops short, blinking for a moment, before approaching.]

...Have you just arrived?

[hard_decisions]

[Wesley lets out a quiet chuckle at that.]

"Is it that obvious?"

[He opens his arms a bit, as if he had been caught sneaking around, then offers a hand to the other man.]

"Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. You have good timing, if you'd come in twenty minutes ago, we'd be rather better acquainted than I'd prefer."

[He seems oddly not-freaked-out considering his circumstances, but then again, this doesn't even make a top ten in the traumatic experiences of Wesley's life.]

DAY 3 - MORALITY TESTING

[14_cun4]

The day proceeds like the previous two, only this time LACUNA actually does sound cheerful.

"Good morning, Initiates. Today marks the final round of aptitude testing. There are no restrictions on group size. Select your fellow participants and log in to the terminal outside your selected Virtual Reality Chamber. Within, you will face a series of randomized scenarios while attempting to retrieve an item. These scenarios are engineered to test the limits of your cause to achieve a goal. They are designed to be 'difficult' decisions. I look forward to reviewing your results."

(OOC: And she means random. There is a goal in mind in these scenarios, but what essentially amounts to 'npcs' in the virtual environment will provide clues to that goal. These can range from a simple 'fetch quest' or defeating an ancient evil, and can happen in any environment or scenario. There will be decisions along the way: people are injured in different places and can't all be saved, etc, but you can make this as mundane or as drastic as you like! Remember, you can use the OOC comm for plotting!)

[actualhumandisaster]

He wasn't in the mood for this. What was the point and what were they trying to prove here?

Contemplating this grimly, the young man stood in front of the terminal, pretty much set to just go in on his own. He didn't need anyone else with him.

[floweroftheslums]

Despite Anakin's decision to go alone, Aerith slides into the chamber behind him. She's watched him and the man that he continues to fight with quite a bit, but she hasn't really said anything to either of them about their disputes. If it spills to her, then she will. "Oh, I wasn't really expecting this sort of space. It's really big, isn't it?" And it is. It's a big, empty room with terminals on one wall and a big area in the middle. "I wonder what sort of situation we'll find ourselves in."

[actualhumandisaster]

The terminals are what catches Anakin's attention at first - But then he hears a voice behind him and he spins around, scowling and tensing up.

"Who are- What are you--" and he shakes his head "Why did you follow me?!"

At least for the moment the terminals were forgotten.

Closed to Yuna

[floweroftheslums]

[Aerith is a little disturbed as she walks into the Virtual Reality Chamber. Not that they'll be dealing with something that isn't real but seems real, but that the chamber is so.... cold. Everything is so cold here.]

So, we're going to deal with random scenarios. That can't possibly be dangerous, right?

[And when the creepy AI sounds happy, that can't be a bad sign.]

What do you think we'll get? I'm not sure I'd be helpful if we have to fight again. We aren't allowed real weapons here.

\o/

[whereishe]

[Yuna glances around at the walls and then shakes her head solemnly from left to right.] I don't know. [She remembers the way the spheres had reacted to Lenne's memories and the feelings that had followed in their wake.

Something doesn't have to be real for it to affect you.]

We should be careful.

[Not having her sphere grid makes her uneasy but Yuna isn't going to let that stop her from trying her best.]

It might be a fight. I've always relied on my magic but it's been difficult to call upon here. [She can feel it, it hasn't left her, but it's more difficult for Yuna when everything around them is so dead and empty.] I'm not going to lose.

[Yuna is stubborn.]

[floweroftheslums]

[Oh, no, when you have a literal link to your world severed completely by arriving here, everything else tends to be rather muted. Maybe it's just that the shock of being alive hasn't worn off and she's taking it all in. Only time will tell.] Well, I'm not saying we charge through like a chocobo in battle, but we won't get out of here unless we follow LACUNA's little tests, will we? And, if it's a fight that we get, I guess we'll have to get creative. I know in the fighting tests, we were at least given weapons to use during them.