It's been a few days, and things have calmed between them. I've got a test tomorrow, but I think I'll do good on it, I've studied enough. Besides, I think I'm pretty good at Bio-med. Tech may not be my strong-suit, but I understand enough about the body to do well.
My Dad's been the main money-maker for the house-hold. But in recent times, it's gotten more and more difficult to get money, and he can't afford to pay the bills. Now, the corpos have been trying to claim the house, but he's assured us we will make it through this.
...
I'm on my way to school, and a sign catches my eye. In bright neon letters, it reads: "Join the military today! Serve your country, and get paid! Living expenses taken care of, you just have to serve your country!"
That's gotta be complete bullshit... but if it isn't... I know Dad isn't able to get enough money to keep the house, so this might help keep us afloat. Fuck it, if I'm ever going to do something useful, this would be the time.
...
...
So, I enrolled. I became a recruit in the US military, and let me tell ya, it fucking sucks.
Day in, day out, training. It's been a few months now, and I'm only still in it because of my family. They are getting payed for their living expenses as long as I serve, and after I retire from the military. But if I drop out, it all goes bye-bye.
But, there are some real assholes here that make it more fun to be here. I mean, you ever punch someone who's been on your ass for weeks, and see them run with their tail between their legs? It's fucking cathartic.
"Get up maggots! Time for grub!"
Guess it's time to go eat and train, again.
My commander stops me at the door.
"Not you! You have a special meeting with the admiral, now."
"Okay."
Fuck fuck fuck! Everyone who's gone to meet him, never came back. Word is they get killed before they can cause trouble, or they're sent to the front lines as cannon fodder.
I punch the wall in frustration.
The fuck?! I've been clearing all my tests and exercises with flying colors, why would he want to see me?! deep breaths, Valerie. Deep breaths. Maybe... maybe it's good. Maybe I'm being promoted, and he needs to see me because it's sudden.
I've arrived to his office.
"Come in!"
I enter, and he's looking down at me. He is a good bit taller than me, even with my size, he still outclasses me.
"Valerie, you've been excelling at all tests and exercises we sent your way. Due to this performance, I'm sending you to a facility on the east coast."
"Okay, what's it called?"
"Zealous Institute of Human Augmentation. AKA; ZIMA."
YOU ARE READING
The Mantis Queens Reign
FanfictionI grew up on the edge of the city, and when my parents jobs started failing, I stepped up. I joined the army, and a few months in, I was called to the admirals office, which meant surefire death... well, I wish it did. Well, I used to. Then I met th...
