"What happens to the people who fail the training?"

The question was lingering in the back of Lion's mind for a month now. He refrained from asking it because saying it out loud made him feel like he was already admitting defeat.
But it became more and more relevant and imposing with each passing day, as the deadline approached and he still didn't pass five out of seven tests. Heck, he didn't even see them all yet. But the ZOO required him to be able to stand his own against all seven types of Ainolonian Arts or A.A.s, as they called them in order to become an agent.
It was all or nothing because their enemies could easily keep one or more of their dangerous abilities hidden.

"We feed them to the sharks."

Bunny didn't answer him seriously. Of course, he didn't. It was his well-trained answer-dodging at its finest. Years of keeping secrets will do that to you. Besides, sharks were long extinct. Everybody knew it. Unless the ZOO actually kept some as pets.
The younger agent was leaning on the doorway, feeling pity for Lion who was unable to get up and running without ingesting caffeine. It was a sour sight, Lion rushing half-dressed around the small room he slept in when not training. He was trapped inside the ZOO headquarters' depths.
He sipped the hot coffee occasionally while putting on the specially tailored suit Bunny brought him.

"Looking good," the red-haired youth winked.

"I need to know," Lion tried again.

"About the suit's special functions? Alrighty," said Bunny eagerly, "Except that it makes you look like an agent, it's primary function is to keep you alive. The suit will resist extreme temperatures, kinetic and chemical attacks, as well as provide you with basic nourishment for 48 hours in case of emergency.
It can withstand freezing, fire, acid, electricity, tearing, and piercing. It can even absorb some of the kinetic shock but you'll still feel most of the punches, bullets, or whatever comes flying your way."

"Does it make me immune to sharks?" Lion asked while drinking the last of his coffee.

Bunny let out a deep sigh before gesturing for Lion to follow him. The latter finished setting up his tie and followed with a quick step. Shortly after and once inside the elevator, Bunny spoke to Lion.

"We wipe their memories. If you fail, you won't even know it. You'll be back in your apartment wondering what the heck were you doing for the last month."

"How?"

"Simple," Bunny pointed his index finger to his temple, "We have a 'master of the mind' at our disposal."

"Timma..." Lion looked at the floor, "Is everyone required to shoot their dead child as their first test?"

Even after spending 30 days in an underground facility rigorously training, all the sweat didn't expunge the bitterness from the man.
Bunny could hardly believe it, but then again, Bunny never had kids of his own. This made it all the more difficult for Lion to ask him. The anniversary of his son's untimely death was around the corner. Lion's soon-to-be ex-wife and daughter Rebecca would never forgive him if he didn't come with them to visit the grave.
It was in less than 20 days, and the training wasn't going all too well. Besides, Bunny was clear; Lion wouldn't step one foot outside of ZOO until he either became an agent or failed to do so.

"You still mad about that?" Bunny sighed and scratched his nape, "Look... Timma chooses individual methods for every person. According to her, she already knows who will pass and who will fail. Makes the whole thing kinda pointless, I know, but we still need to see it with our own eyes. During her test, she makes sure to hit the weak spot of the candidate. If they manage to push through, chances are their mind is strong enough to resist most of what a nomad could dish out. With proper training and some extra equipment, it makes ZOO's agents almost impervious to this specific type of ability. I've said it before and I'll say it again... the last thing we need is an agent of ZOO working against us."

Lion listened carefully before talking again. He didn't take too long though because he figured this elevator ride was his timed quiz opportunity.

"Correct me if I'm wrong but... the ZOO put a being from another planet in charge of what is basically a process of hand-picking recruits?"

There was no way Bunny could dodge this one. Lion's stare was as sharp as his remark. The young agent shrugged.

"My own research into the agency's founding days proved fruitless. All the data is on the "need to know" basis, even for us agents. All I managed to dig up was that Timma and Anaconda go way back. And besides... she hasn't failed us yet."

"Not that you know," Lion remarked just before the elevator stopped.

Lion was already familiar with the layout of the training area. Seven zones, each dedicated to one of the Ainolonian Arts. Bunny paced through the hallways with Lion following. They were going a familiar route but then suddenly took a turn in an unknown direction.
They entered what could only be a workshop or a laboratory, Lion couldn't get his eyes off all the technologically advanced gadgets, weapons, and half-finished machines.
At the center of it all was a woman. She had her back turned toward them and didn't turn around. Instead, she continued working on whatever it was in front of her on the workbench.
Different mechanical sounds interrupted the silence and sparks illuminated her silhouette. She wore a green and brown tight suit with golden stripes and plated with metal armor in places. She had a helmet with a visor, strange even for the Z.O.O.

"Welcome, agent Rabbit."

Something was off, and Lion didn't need to be an expert to notice it. Her voice, movement, and exterior were near flawless, but the moment she turned around, he could see it.
No matter how beautiful her eyes were, there was just something ... missing.

"A sex droid?" Lion didn't hold back one bit.

"Dude... you can't call her that," Bunny stepped in, "I'm probably the first in line when it comes to AI-aversion of any kind. Heck, I'm the only agent whose vehicle doesn't have one."

"Good. And it will stay that way," Lion added.

"But Lala is a good person."

"Robot."

"Lady."

"Lady robot, fine," Lion wouldn't let up, "Still a robot."

Lala extended her arm toward Lion.

"My name is Lala number 3, but you can call me Lala. Pleased to meet you."

Lion didn't accept the handshake.

"Thank you for standing in my defense, Agent Rabbit, but part of my directives and functionality was indeed related to sex services."

This took Bunny by surprise. It was rare for him not to know something inside the Z.O.O. like the back of his hand. Perhaps no one before Lion picked that subject in her presence.
Lion noticed.

"You didn't know that."

"I sure didn't," Bunny admitted.

"Didn't you guys make her?"

"Nope," said Bunny, "Lala was found roaming the lower levels. She didn't resist as we took her in. She also answered all of our questions, so we didn't need to disassemble her. We wouldn't be able to put her back even if we tried. Whoever made her was a genius.”

"Who did make you?" Lion asked the android.

"I was made by Smythe & Smythe," answered Lala, almost with a tinge of pride in her head movements but nevertheless reciting as if for a thousandth time, "I was the result of experience gathered by two failed prototypes before me; Lala Number 1 and 2. If not for their sacrifice and my creator's unparallel innovative mind, I would not have been born."

"Third time's the charm," Bunny gestured toward her with a smile.

"Created."

Lala looked at Lion.

"Created. Not born," Lion insisted.

"Pardon me, but did you know Ainolonians are apparently not born, but created, as well?" she gazed at Lion without blinking, "They hatch from an egg, created with the power of love."

Lion never made such a skeptical face in his entire life.

"Is that a scientific fact?" he asked.

"I am incapable of lying, but I am capable of humor," Lala answered with a straight face, which threw Bunny into a giggle.

"Be a man and admit defeat, Lion," Bunny nudged him.

"Whatever," said the older man. He'd seen androids before. In his line of work, it wasn't uncommon. Sex bots, servants, butlers, security, you name it... But he once run into a case in which an android went berserk and murdered an entire family.
And what was he supposed to do? Arrest it? To what purpose? It wouldn't go to jail, or repent. It was going to be reprogrammed and put back into the market.
Lion wouldn't have it so he absolutely destroyed the fucking thing.
Tore it to pieces.
The manufacturer sued the department and they had taken the cost off his wages. Ever since then, to say Lion was at odds with AI of any kind was a severe understatement. He fucking hated the things.

"Your timing is impeccable, Agent Rabbit. I have just finished it," she said then turned to Lion, "My data shows you have experienced an accident involving your daughter, scarring her in the proc-"

Lala stopped mid-sentence as Lion pointed at her while his other hand was close to his chest.

"Don't go there," he warned her with a threatening tone. His eyes were seething.

"It was due to the imprecise motor functions of your-"

"I told you don't go th-" he faced Bunny and it was obvious he was one microsecond away from losing his temper.

"Why does this thing have to my history and private information?"

"I have access to Z.O.O. personnel's data files," she said matter-of-factly, "But I can assure you this is strictly for the purpose of aiding you in your duties."

"What... she said," Bunny nodded, not entirely sure how to respond without setting Lion off.

"So who else knows about my past? About my son, my daughter? Mm?" Lion's mouth was trembling whenever it closed, and his eyes were becoming moist, "The Chief Director? The other agents? The trainees? The workers?" after two seconds of silence he shouted from the top of his lungs so loud the scream echoed through the workshop, "Does the fucking janitor know??!!

Bunny was at a loss for words. He literally didn't know what to say and compared calming Lion down to sealing off an erupting volcano.
It was Lala who broke the silence.

"If I have offended you, I apologize."

"I don't want, need, or care for your apologies," Lion hissed at her while his eyes were still on Bunny.

"If you could please look at the bench," she tried to direct his attention to something placed on her workbench, but he had already turned around and was walking toward the door. Bunny heard him say "Go fuck yourself," as he stormed out.

"Sorry... he's a tricky pony," Bunny said awkwardly as he chased after Lion, leaving Lala alone in the room. The door hissed as it closed automatically.

The android looked at the door for three seconds, before saying, "A tricky Lion," and continuing her work on whatever was on the bench.

* * *

“You quitting already?” Bunny caught up to Lion and stopped in front of him, “I thought you were ready to grab this by the horns.”

“Fuck off,” Lion looked to the side. It was clear to Bunny that the man’s pride got in the way of admitting he was wrong. He had a temper problem, but at least he was aware of it.

“You finished?” Bunny crossed his arms.

Lion kept looking to the side before he looked Bunny in the eyes.

“What do you want… a fucking apology?”

“I can’t know what you’ve been through…” Bunny started.

“Sure as fuck you can’t.”

“…But you can’t know what I’ve been through either.”

Lion didn’t say anything.

“And do you see me going around flaunting my luggage at every opportunity?”

“Well,” Lion crossed his arms too, “Do you see me rummaging through your luggage? I’m not the one stepping on your toes every day.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“What?”

“I’m asking you,” Bunny stepped closer, “Can you be sure you’re never bringing up uncomfortable subjects in my presence?”

“Piss off! How is that the same?” Lion pushed him, “… when I don’t know a first thing about you? Unlike you and the agency, who knows of every single shit I took in my life?!!”

“Well then,” Bunny relaxed and spread his arms, “You know exactly what to do if you wanna dig around my past.”

Lion sighed. His shoulders hang and he admitted unwillingly…

“I need to become an agent.”

“Precisely,” said Bunny and started walking. He remained quiet to give the man some time to process all that. Halfway through the hallway, Lion increased the pace and caught up to Bunny.

“Look, man…” Lion said, avoiding eye contact, “I…” he scratched the back of his head, “I acted out of line.”

“Hey…” Bunny put his hand on the man’s shoulder, “My dude… It’s not me who you should be apologizing to.”

Lion frowned.

“Well, I sure as fuck ain’t apologizing to the talking-toaster.”

“Heh,” Bunny returned an unreadable smile, gesturing for the man to follow, “Come. There’s plenty of work to be done.”