First Day To The Rest Of Disaster pt.2

It was a busy day at Star Command's research department. The new candidates for the open positions where waiting for leading scientist, Dr. Cosmos, to make her announcement on who'd get what job. Threw the crowd of yammering newly graduates, one girl seemed to stand out. Unlike the others, who were panicking and/or excited, she was calmly sitting off to the side reading a book on Karn wildlife. Of course she was questioned numerous times by different people on why she was so relax during such a hectic time. Her reply was a calm smile as she would close her book and looked them straight in the eye before saying

"Because, a calm demeanor is a better first impression then acting like a chicken with its head chopped off."

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Dr. Gabrielle Cosmos chewed on the end of her pen as she looked through the applications before her. Giving a stressful sigh, she got up and walked over to the viewing window of her office to look down on the scene below her. The numerous grads giggled and chattered among themselves, unknowingly being watched by one of the most respected scientist ever. Dr. Cosmos sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. Too many had applied and there were just not enough job openings in her department. Tapping her chin with her eye glasses, a thought popped in her mind. Half of these kids were trying to get in because they thought this would be an easy job where they could slack off and look into a microscope at some animal dandruff. Giving a brazen smile, she decided to thin the herd by showing them what they're signing up for.

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"You have GOT to be kidding me." One boy said as a group of kids came staggering out of the training deck. It had only been 2 hours since Dr. Cosmos's announcement that for the final test that would help make up her mind would be held in the battle simulation lab located at Star Command's training deck. 5 groups of 10 had already gone in and out of them, 38 had come out. Now it was the final group's turn to go in. But before they were called in, they had asked the previous group what had happened. "It was terrible!" the boy who gave the earlier statement continued on what he had seen. "It stated out just as a collecting specimen simulation, and then suddenly it became a fight for survival! You know what? Forget this; I'm signing up for speed trap duty." Walking away from the others, he left a trail of blue paint foot steps behind him. The last group gave each other uncertain looks as a loud chime echoed from the speaker.

"Group 6, please report to the lab's entrance." Walking down to the entrance doors, they entered a small room that had 10 backpacks on the floor and a sheet of instructions on the wall. Each member took a backpack and waited for the test to begin. A loud ring startled the group as the room's walls collapse into the floor and a jungle scene surrounded them. "Please collect 10 samples, 5 flora and 5 fauna, while trying not to disturb or harm the wildlife. You may now begin."

"Easy as pie." One boy smirked as he walked ahead of the others. Suddenly a large Trician mosquito buzzed in front of him. "GAH!" Before anyone could stop him, he smashed it between his hands. A loud pop was heard as red paint splattered over him.

"One member down, nine remain." The speaker rang out as the boy was sucked down a hole that appeared below him. "Please remember the rules from the previous announcement. You may now continue." The remaining nine knew this would not be an easy task.

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"Gabby, may I ask you something?" The yellowish green woman turned to the Commander. "What in Saturn's rings is wrong with you?" brushing a purple lock of hair out of her face, she continued to watch the remaining contestants try to fulfill their task.

"Nothing Arnold. I'm merely trying to get compliant workers. Besides, I'd think you would be happy that you've got more cadets for the academy." Another buzz was heard as a student was being carried up to a hole in the ceiling by living vines. "And so eight remain." She said crossing another name off her clipboard. A loud buzz was heard as a long scream followed soon after. "Make that seven."

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Below the observation room, 2 students were close together as they continued on. While one was worryingly looking everything over, the other remained calm as she collected her 5th flora sample.

"How are you not freaking out?" the other girl squeaked as her companion stood up. Looking her in the eye, she calmly replied.

"Because this is all just simulated. It's fake. Believe me, if this was real, you'd be dead by now." She said in a sweet tone.

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"Four down." Dr. Cosmos clucked her tongue as she crossed off the recent competitors names off her clipboard. Placing her pen behind her ear, she watched as two girls continued on when she noticed one in particular. "Arnold?" Commander Nebula looked over to the doctor. "Who is that?" She pointed to the girl with a calm demeanor carefully walking about. Smiling under his bushy mustache, he looked at her.

"That's Lightyear's kid." Looking at the man in bewilderment, she looked back the young woman.

"That's Ozma's daughter?" Gabriella whispered as she continued to watch the girl.

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Getting a sample from a slime spitting gutter, Jill had her 4th fauna sample. She only had one more to go before she could finish the test. She was jolted from her train of thought when a loud scream came from behind her. Quickly running back, Jill saw that the girl who had followed her before was pinned by a mace tailed bog hog. Super. She thought. She could just leave her and continue on, it was just a simulated test. She was about to leave when a deafening crash alerted her back to the scene. The Bog Hog had taken a chunk out of the wall, causing it to glitch back and forth from simulated to normal. Sweet Mother of Venus.

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"Great Jupiter's moons woman!" Commander Nebula yelled at Dr. Cosmos. "Turn that confounded hunk of junk off" Gabby glared at him as she fiddled with the controls.

"I can't, Arnie! Something's jamming the control signals! It's stuck on beast mode!" She screamed back. Arnold looked down on the trapped girl. At least it wouldn't get any worst. A moment passed as a bright light blinded the two. Recovering his senses, he looked down on the scene and nearly had a heart attack when he saw the last thing he needed or wanted.

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The Bog Hog lifted its tail again and drew it back, preparing for another attack. The poor girl closed her eyes as she prepared for the hit. Giving a loud growl, the beast lashed its tail down with a sickening bone crushing sound. The only problem was the girl didn't feel a thing. Opening one eye, she was shocked to see that Jill had shielded her with her own body. The large flail ball tip of the beast's tail was imbedded in her back. The robotic creature screamed as it ripped its stuck tail out of the girl's back causing Jill to scream in pain. Falling to her side, she felt the blood gush from her back as the ripped flesh dangled painfully off. Breathing heavily, she tried desperately to stay conscience as she looked to the girl she had saved. Said girl stood off to the side, staring in horror at the scene before her. Mustering enough strength she had left, Jill reached a hand out to her.

"Please…help me." The girl just stood there like a statue before slowly grabbing her bag, and Jill's specimen samples, and ran away. Leaving the girl to lay helplessly on the ground bleeding and with a malfunctioning robot ready to crush her to death, Jill felt her body slowly go cold. No good deed goes unpunished. She thought as her mind started to go dark. Just before the Bog Hog could get a second whack in, it froze perfectly still. The jungle scene changed back into the training deck as s red alarm echoed throughout the room.

"RANGER DOWN! RANGER DOWN! MEDICAL TEAM REPORT TO THE TRAINING LAB-" Jill blacked out before she could hear the rest of it.