CHAPTER 3: THE GURKHAL EXPERIENCE

Somerai arrived at the secluded cabin in the woods. The air was thick with anticipation. Sathya had said it was an experiential assessment to filter out candidates who did not meet the selection criteria for the school. What was the school about anyway, it couldn’t be for real right? Was it even possible for humans to outsmart AI?

She paused before opening the heavy wooden door, she thought about leaving but as she was about to take her hand off the door a beautiful white butterfly floated about her and landed on her index finger. It was there just long enough to be noticed and then flew off. She turned around to walk away and to her surprise, a few metres behind her stood a family of meerkats standing on their hind legs surveying the scene and looking at her curiously, almost urging her to go in. Somerai took these signs as good omens that she was on the right path, the universe was conspiring. She pushed open the door.

As she walked in she saw a familiar face. It was Sathya.

Sathya: “Hi Somerai, how are you doing today? You ready for it?”

Somerai: “I’m fine thanks, just a bit nervous. I don’t know what to expect.”

Sathya: “Don’t worry you’ll be fine. Grab some coffee and a sandwich, the briefing is about to start.”

There were only five other recruits sitting at the table enjoying their coffee. Somerai joined them. A tall, sturdy woman came in and sat down at the table and introduced herself to the group.

Dharma: “Hi I’m Dharma, the principal of the school. Welcome to the Gurkhal Experience.

Over the next five days you will be tested to see if you have the skills to join the Gurkhas. You will receive a backpack containing all you will need for the next five days.

Items included are:

A towel

One change of clothes

Soap bar

Tarpaulin

Sleeping bag

One-person Tent

Swiss army knife

Medical kit with gauze, bandages, antiseptic

The Guide

Pencil and Notebook

Spade

Headlamp

Enamel bowl

Water-bottle

Matches

Flare (in case of emergency)

Needle and thread

2 kg bag of rice

5 fruit

Small djembe drum

Meditation shawl

Fishing hooks

Paracord

You will each be dropped off at a different location. Your mission will be presented when you arrive at your location. Good luck!

Somerai raised her hand to ask where they were going to.

Dharma ignored her and said: “Please assemble outside and prepare for extraction. I have spoken.”

Outside a huge human carrier drone hovered in the air above the cabin.

“Step forward Somerai” said Dharma handing her a backpack with a safety harness through which she had to put both legs. After Somerai put it on, Dharma attached a caribena connected to the drone.

“We’ll see you in five days” said Dharma.

The drone lifted her up till the crowd of people got smaller and smaller below her. She was anxious at first but began enjoying the ride when she noticed the beautiful aerial view over the sprawling African savannah. Golden grass, koppies, watering holes and herds of animals could be seen below.

It looked beautiful but how safe was this going to be? If something went wrong out in the bush what would happen to her?

After twenty minutes the drone bellowed: “Get ready for landing, bend your knees as you’re about to make contact with the ground. As her feet hit the ground, the caribena released.

The drone spoke again: “Your mission is to the reach the top of the mountain that looks like a monkey is sitting atop the peak, do you see it?

There was only one mountain in the distance and she could clearly see the silhouette of a monkey in the rock formation sitting at the top.

“Yes I do`’ said Somerai.

The drone said: “You have five days to get there, use what’s in your backpack to help you achieve the mission. Good Luck!”

The drone buzzed off and all of a sudden she was all alone with the sounds of the African bush.