The training yard echoed with the sounds of groans from pain and labored breath as Sergeant Sam paced between rows of soldiers, his voice a whip-crack over the din.
"Again! Until your System pings or your bones break!"
Private Rivas staggered under the weight of his pack, his vision blurring as he forced himself into another sprint. The digital progress bar hovering at the edge of his perception taunted him:
[Stamina: 87%]
So close. He then proceeded to vomit from nausea.
A medic stood ready with smelling salts as another recruit collapsed mid-lift, his [Strength: 91%] still not enough to satisfy command.
Behind reinforced glass, Dr. Velmar adjusted her headset.
"Subject Gamma-12 responding to adrenal compound. Progress uptick in Strength... but his Agility bar just dropped five points. He's shaking too."
On the other side of the observation window, a twitching soldier vomited black bile between convulsions. His [Strength: 103%] glowed an ominous red.
