Read Online Testing Zero: a dystopian post-apocalyptic young adult novella series (Remnants of Zone Four Chronicles Book 1) by N. G. Simsion, James Roth - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: N. G. Simsion, James Roth
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sheet to write down their names.
“All eyes on me please,” Cumulus said, and then waited for everyone to quiet down. He picked up the signup sheet and shook his head. “Only eleven of you signed up to fight. I suppose this means the rest of you are counting on your brains to help you rise to Elite. I’ll tell you now that very few of you will test that high.” He grinned with an arrogance rivaling Flea. “The testing is very simple. Today you will be given three tasks to demonstrate your physical abilities—lifting heavy objects to prove your strength, climbing a wall to show your agility, and running to demonstrate your endurance. None of these tests will guarantee you become Elite, but they will help the city officials understand what they are dealing with when it comes time for the draft. These tests are simply to help them make sure they don’t waste a draft pick on someone who couldn’t physically fill their need.”
Someone’s hand from the front row shot into the air. Cumulus looked straight at him for a long intense moment before turning his eyes away.
“What I have just announced to you is very simple. I can’t imagine what question anyone could possibly have, so I shall continue on with my explanation of the day.” By the look of his smile, he clearly enjoyed the opportunity to show them he considered himself above their level, both in intellect and in status. “After the initial physical trials,” he continued, “we shall take a break until sundown. Sundown is when the other Elites shall arrive to watch the cage matches, so those of you who plan to fight must prepare yourselves at that time. Everyone else is free to attend or to entertain yourselves elsewhere doing whatever else it is your type of people enjoy doing.” He smiled again. “Assignments for your temporary dorm rooms are posted on the front doors of the dorm buildings. Breakfast will start at seven, and at eight o’clock sharp you are expected to meet in the testing room, which is located on the second floor of building one.” He pointed a finger at the largest building, which was close to the city gates. “If you have been trying to figure out a way to cheat—” he paused for effect, showing his pearly-white smile all the way back to his molars, “don’t bother. There is no way of cheating. You will each be given a different test, which means there would be no way of copying someone else’s answers.”
Lefty closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Zero looked down at him and felt terrible inside. This battle was feeling like it was over before it could even get started.
“And finally,” Cumulus continued, “the most important reason you are all here: At five o’clock tomorrow evening, after all of your tests have been evaluated we will all gather together again right here. That is when we will announce those who are being accepted to train as Elite. It will be at that time the city officials will look over your scores and call out the draft.”
Lefty sighed.
***
The physical tests didn’t go very well for Lefty. He was already smaller in stature than the rest of his classmates, and adding onto that was the fact that he struggled to grip things with his right hand.
When he was told to carry large heavy boxes from one place to another, and then to stack them, those boxes continually slipped from his right hand and fell to the ground. Climbing the stone wall wasn’t much better. On three successive tries, he was able to make it five feet off the ground before his grip gave way.
Zero knew Cumulus had said the physical tests weren’t important for becoming Elite, but it obviously wouldn’t help his case if he were to be considered the least physically capable, even if he did win his fight. He encouraged Lefty to push himself extra hard during the endurance run, which he did. Unfortunately for him, everyone else tried just as hard. The students ran six laps along the inside of the city fence, which Zero estimated
“All eyes on me please,” Cumulus said, and then waited for everyone to quiet down. He picked up the signup sheet and shook his head. “Only eleven of you signed up to fight. I suppose this means the rest of you are counting on your brains to help you rise to Elite. I’ll tell you now that very few of you will test that high.” He grinned with an arrogance rivaling Flea. “The testing is very simple. Today you will be given three tasks to demonstrate your physical abilities—lifting heavy objects to prove your strength, climbing a wall to show your agility, and running to demonstrate your endurance. None of these tests will guarantee you become Elite, but they will help the city officials understand what they are dealing with when it comes time for the draft. These tests are simply to help them make sure they don’t waste a draft pick on someone who couldn’t physically fill their need.”
Someone’s hand from the front row shot into the air. Cumulus looked straight at him for a long intense moment before turning his eyes away.
“What I have just announced to you is very simple. I can’t imagine what question anyone could possibly have, so I shall continue on with my explanation of the day.” By the look of his smile, he clearly enjoyed the opportunity to show them he considered himself above their level, both in intellect and in status. “After the initial physical trials,” he continued, “we shall take a break until sundown. Sundown is when the other Elites shall arrive to watch the cage matches, so those of you who plan to fight must prepare yourselves at that time. Everyone else is free to attend or to entertain yourselves elsewhere doing whatever else it is your type of people enjoy doing.” He smiled again. “Assignments for your temporary dorm rooms are posted on the front doors of the dorm buildings. Breakfast will start at seven, and at eight o’clock sharp you are expected to meet in the testing room, which is located on the second floor of building one.” He pointed a finger at the largest building, which was close to the city gates. “If you have been trying to figure out a way to cheat—” he paused for effect, showing his pearly-white smile all the way back to his molars, “don’t bother. There is no way of cheating. You will each be given a different test, which means there would be no way of copying someone else’s answers.”
Lefty closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Zero looked down at him and felt terrible inside. This battle was feeling like it was over before it could even get started.
“And finally,” Cumulus continued, “the most important reason you are all here: At five o’clock tomorrow evening, after all of your tests have been evaluated we will all gather together again right here. That is when we will announce those who are being accepted to train as Elite. It will be at that time the city officials will look over your scores and call out the draft.”
Lefty sighed.
***
The physical tests didn’t go very well for Lefty. He was already smaller in stature than the rest of his classmates, and adding onto that was the fact that he struggled to grip things with his right hand.
When he was told to carry large heavy boxes from one place to another, and then to stack them, those boxes continually slipped from his right hand and fell to the ground. Climbing the stone wall wasn’t much better. On three successive tries, he was able to make it five feet off the ground before his grip gave way.
Zero knew Cumulus had said the physical tests weren’t important for becoming Elite, but it obviously wouldn’t help his case if he were to be considered the least physically capable, even if he did win his fight. He encouraged Lefty to push himself extra hard during the endurance run, which he did. Unfortunately for him, everyone else tried just as hard. The students ran six laps along the inside of the city fence, which Zero estimated
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