Sherlock woke to the sound of a gunshot. His head spun, his stomach felt uneased and uncomfortable. He swallowed hard to avoid vomiting. After all if he was sick on the floor of wherever he was he might seem spiteful and earn a John a bullet to the head. He winced at the splitting pain in his skull. He studied his symptoms figuring they must have given him a shot propofol about an hour ago and dragged him here. John! Where was John?! He would never forgive himself if that man, that brilliant man, the bravest and most valient soldier, the man he had been so stupid to insult at the cost of his best friends life was killed at the hands of an enemy.
He felt the regret flood over him again. He knew Moriarty either knew already or would most definitely find out somehow about their little dispute and would succeed in using it against them. He hated to admit it but Moriarty was brilliant and could get into anyone's head if he found it necessary.
He had just begun his third attempt to stand when the charming monotone voice of the consulting criminal snapped him back to reality.
"Oh Sherlock, your finally awake! Goodie! Me and your flatmate we're just waiting for you"
Sherlock rolled his eyes drowsily managing with great difficulty to finally stand. Ignoring the temptation to throw up everywhere and just take a bullet gracefully.
"Okay, now pay attention sherly, you're really gonna need this information in a second. First things first, let's start with the basics. This warehouse is surrounded, three snipers aimed from the two buildings at the front entrance, two in each upstairs window and four on the rooftop. The structural lining of the building has been done with explosives and any attempt to escape will set them off, however I will be safe because the only explosives that will trigger will be the ones by the door of your choice, no one gets in no one gets out. All visible weapons have been removed from your body however you will be put through a scanner before this ordeal starts and if we find a weapon of any sort on you, I will personally set off the explosives lining the room your flatmate is in. So last chance drop them now"
Sherlock removed the gun from deep inside his jacket, sighing as he placed it on the ground, sarcasm dripping from his movements.
"Gooood boy. You really like that army doctor don't you? I wonder how far you'll go? Of course what we're about to do will really depend on how much you care."
Sherlock's face twisted in confusion.
"What do you mean, how much I care?"
Moriarty smirked.
"Let's start with why you're here. I need you, your mind specifically, to crack something for me. I know you're not necessarily skilled in code breaking but certainly the most brilliant when motivated. The next part is quite simple. It's the motivation. I have acquired something along the way in this deal. Advanced technology, extra-terrestrial you could say."
Sherlock went pale.
"What do you mean… extra-terrestrial?"
Moriarty shook his head and laughed.
"Do you believe in aliens, Mister Holmes?"
Sherlock raised an eyebrow.
"You're joking?"
Moriarty looked Sherlock straight in the eye.
"No I am not and to prove this matter, I will show you after, I have explained this all to you?"
Sherlock nodded as to allow Moriarty to continue.
"You will be placed in a clear glass room. There will be a computers at the front and back of the room. The computer at the front will appear with a code encrypted exactly 100 times. You will have an hour to decrypt each layer and when you are done you will enter the code into the computer at the back of the room. You will not be alone though. The study will work better tested on an average and an advanced mind so you will have another to help you. The other lad is actually just someone we found wandering the streets of London with his best friend a few blocks away from John but any average mind will do. The purpose of the experiment is to test the effects of an unknown drug. You will each be given a high dose of this drug before entering the room and the faster you complete it, the faster we will release you're flatmate. But that's not all. It wouldn't make sense to just lock you in a room without something on the line. After all power is something I specialise in. John will be hooked up to an intricate technology that will simulate a virtual reality by stimulating parts of his brain through electrical currents. Since the deadline is an hour exactly, there has been a system created. You solve ten layers and you pass one level. Each simulation John will face will last exactly ten minutes. The time of Johns simulation will not change if you complete the level however, it will alter the outcome of the simulation. If you pass the ten layers in ten minutes, John will pass the simulation unharmed, however if you do not, an electrical current will be sent through Johns brain killing him dead in seconds. The other fellow who is to accompany you and help you pass has a person he loves on the line too. The simulations take one person approximately an hour for one person to complete. With two people you should be able to complete the levels separate and speed things up for yourselves. The room in which your John and the other lad's friend are in will be across from your glass room and will be transparent also to give you an idea of the time limits. The vitals of both of them will be displayed on the screens next to them on the right and on the left, the simulation will appear. The two of them will face the simulation together, however it will not come as a shock as they have already been introduced and are counting on the two of you. I also should mention, the simulation itself will be damaging in some aspects to the subjects. Physical damages due to external injuries will be felt but will not harm their physical forms outside of the simulation, however internal physical injuries due to malnutrition, starvation of oxygen or dehydration will be felt and will damage the subject's real body. We have been generous on this note and have added an alternate option. Complete each layer in a level in under a minute and we will turn on the life support for five minutes every level. I would wish you luck but I doubt my luck would mean much to you"