Emma Libby stood in the middle of a large room. The white plaster walls where punctuated by large rough-hewn timbers that supported the high roof. Against them, a variety of bladed weapons were arrayed on wooden stands. She stood barefoot on the tatami mats that covered the floor, wearing only a white gi. It was, in every detail, a perfect reproduction of a traditional martial arts dojo from Earth that Was, right down to the Buddhist shrine that was set against one wall.

"Now, we fight," said the man before her, as he bowed. Brandishing a katana, the man attacked. Emma, unarmed, quickly cartwheeled to her left, avoiding his attack, and bringing herself to a rack of swords. Grasping one, she brought it to bear just as the swordsman was delivering his second attack. Emma parried with the technique that had been drilled into her, but too slow. His blade bit into her shoulder, severing tendon and bone. The swordsman then followed up ruthlessly with a thrust through her chest. As she fell to her knees, the sword fell from her hands, and Emma could feel her warm blood dampening her gi. She didn't quite know when her body hit the floor, as the room was already fading to white.

Emma Libby stood in the middle of a large room. It was, in every detail, a perfect reproduction of a traditional dojo from Earth that Was, right down to the Buddhist shrine that was set against one wall.

"Again," said the Samurai before her, as he bowed.

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The white-coated doctor watched as the subject's body bucked suddenly in the operating chair to which it was strapped. "Looks like she died again," he said emotionlessly, as he checked the large needed that was inserted through her forehead into her skull.

Another doctor, slightly younger, looked at a display screen. "Hmm, not very good with a sword is she."

"She's no River Tam, granted, but she is better than average, this is a tough simulation."

The woman's torpid body jerked again, as she let out a scream