Why bother?

“Well nothing worth doing can get done in under five minutes.” You say to the room as you slowly follow behind Anderson. Stopping at the door you watch him go and talk with the captain. Once he is finished and has walked away you go ahead and head out. “Here goes nothing.”

As you walk up Captain Montana looks you over and says, "So Anderson tells me the scanner wasn't working properly." He shakes your hand "Let’s try not to make that a habit shall we.”

“No sir.”

“Okay, for the tests an armored wet suit, gloves and shoes are being provided, get changed." You go into the little room and put on the neck to ankle suit, it looks like lightly textured black latex that is rather loose fitting with a button at the neck that shrinks it skin tight, an armored patch concealing your naughty bits. The cute little shoes are padded but grippy with lots of traction, and the gloves seem armored but are very light. All in place your only skin showing is above the high collar. "Up to the line." He then taps his Novacom, "Set your com to link with test one. Are you receiving?” You nod. “Good. Route markers in place. Test one is seven miles."

"Fantastic." You say with a wry grin.

"Go."

Running, swimming, climbing, and even a little bike ride, you race the course faster than you would imagine, the loss of mass must have at least offset the loss of strength. You get back and the captain looks at you, "Very nice time. Nicely done. Okay 10 minute rest then put on the pack, it is 30% of your weight, then you have a one mile obstacle course and run."

"Yes Sir." You walk around with your arms over your head and drink some water, for half the time, then go ahead and lie on your back on the grass and just try to relax for the remainder till you hear him walk up to you.

"Awake?" He asks.

You smile and get on the line, pulling on the heavy pack, “Oh this is going to suck isn't it?”

That gets him to crack a tiny grin. "Go!” He yells, and you take off. The course is an absolute bitch and on two of the climbs you almost quit but somehow you finish, drop the pack off your back, and collapse in a panting heap. “Still alive?” He asks.

“When the doc said I lost muscle mass he wasn't kidding.” You say panting.

He drops a bottle of water into your hand and says, “Well then, looks like someone needs to work out more. The hotel room is paid for, get some sleep. Report back here tomorrow at 0600, you passed.”

Several minutes of lying there on the grass and you hear a pair of footsteps coming. Opening your eyes you see Anderson holding a box, a bottle of wine, and a bundle that appears to be your clothes. “I can't believe I am saying this, but, I got you a present. Would you like to have dinner with me?”