VR Training

"Hello, Recruit Jackson", the computer program intoned in a calming female voice. "Today, we'll go over your duties as a correctional services officer. Many new recruits understandably feel quite squeamish about their job, but we'll try and fix that". I looked around the virtual space. A featureless grey concrete room with 2 rows of fluorescent lights hanging from the ceiling.

Three people spawned in front of me.
Two were young girls who looked no older than 12, the other was an older boy, who was about 14. "I've spawned three simulated prisoners of the age range that your duty posting will deal with." The computer spoke again. "To your right is a standard issue tool of the trade. It is up to you to kill your prisoners".

A table flashed into existence to my right. On it was a rifle. I walked over and picked it up. The haptic feedback system of the VR sim made it feel like I was picking up a real gun, complete with the heft and coolness of metal.
I turned around and walked towards the prisoners.
All three were wearing bright orange prison jumpsuits, their hands were cuffed behind their backs, and their feet were cuffed and attached to rings embedded into the floor. I looked at the girl to the left, who glared at me through her unkempt blonde bangs.

The computer spoke again. "Lindsey Washington, prisoner number 4635528. Sentenced to death for blackmail." I pull back the bolt handle slightly, and the yellow gleam of a brass case shone back at me. I push the bolt forward, flick the safety off and point it at Lindsey. "Kneel", I state in my best commanding voice. She spits at me. "Fuck you", she growls. "Some prisoners may not be cooperative", the computer says soothingly. "The correctional services officer may then use more forceful methods to induce cooperation."

THWACK.

Lindsey doubles over, gasping in pain.
I grab her by her hair and wrench her face up to look at me. "Kneel" I say, and bring my fist up again. She flinches, and gets down on her knees.
I look over, and the other two prisoners slowly kneel as well. I unsling my rifle and aim it at Lindsey's face. No longer defiant, she averts her eyes. Tears roll down her cheeks as she breathes in her last lungful of air. I squeeze the trigger and the thunder of the rifle shot fills the room. Lindsey's head rocks back, a cavernous crater splitting apart her forehead. Her corpse falls back limply. Blood pools around her head, like a crimson halo. I kneel and place a finger on her neck. No pulse.

I stand up and walk over to the next girl. "Mira Gomez, prisoner number 6556417. Sentenced to death for prostitution." The computer stated. "H-hey mister, you want some fun times? I can show you some f-fun times, you don't need to shoot me eh?" Desperate words poured out of the tanned little girl like a fountain. "You know I can suck d-dick real good, I was the best." Mira opens her mouth, stretching out her tongue seductively. "Some prisoners may offer to perform sexual services in order to save themselves. Please note that while it is not recommended, there are no official regulations against having sexual contact with prisoners. However, attempting to free a prisoner is a class 1 felony and will lead to immediate termination and a lengthy prison sentence" the computer continued.

Mira's eyes follow the rifle as I slowly place the tip of the barrel on her outstretched tongue. The young girl licks it suggestively, her big brown eyes flicking back and forth from the rifle to me. I can almost taste the fear radiating from her. "Close your eyes", I command.
She hesitates, her eyes welling up with tears. "Now".
Mira closes her eyes tightly. I work the bolt, flinging the empty casing from Lindsey's execution out of the chamber and pulling in a fresh round. Mira's teeth clatter around the barrel in terror. She sobs, the reality of her incoming death crashing down on her.

BANG.

The girl falls back, a startled expression frozen on her face. Mira's head hits the concrete floor, blood and bits of brain splattering around her. The young girl spasms, her skinny legs twitching as her fatally damaged brain sends out confused signals. After half a minute, her eyes roll up and her body slackens.

I look over at the last prisoner. The boy looks at the corpse of Mira. His face radiated horror. "Carlos Vasquez, prisoner number 7349822. Sentenced to death for rape." I work the bolt action once more, the empty casing flying out. Unlike the two girls, Carlos just hangs his head. "Make it quick, please", he mumbles.
I walk around and jam the muzzle of the rifle against the back of his head. He flinches. I smell something acrid, and look down. A puddle of urine is growing around Carlos' legs. "Gross", I think to myself. I pull the trigger. The boy's head flies forward, before his body slumps and falls face down on the floor. I roll his corpse over. Carlos' face is a bloody mess, badly torn up.

"Congratulations, Recruit Jackson. You've passed the simulation with flying colors." The computer stated, sounding the closest its ever gotten to excited.
Two buttons flashed up on my HUD, one saying "Exit" and the other saying "Restart". I reach out and press "Exit". Perhaps I should get one of these for my home.