Our Garden of Dismay

Part 7

Standing in the center of camp and in formation, we all stand scared yet ready for the reveal of the top ten in our class.

"Let us skip the pomp and circumstance, I will now announce the top ten Cadets in descending order."

The tension in the air is thick as we all wait impatiently.

"Number ten: Cadet Laurent Sinclair."

Many of us are caught by surprise, even letting out gasps at this first shock. Sinclair was easily a top seven or even five, but he barely even made the top ten. He switches from parade rest to attention before marching towards the front. The other nine would line up to his left in order, but as he made his way there, his pissed expression was far more intense than I have ever seen it.

"Number nine: Cadet Stan Locke."

A Cadet who would bounce in and out of the top ten but, he is an excellent shot with a rifle as well as a great fighter. Sinclair barely beat him out as best marksman but Locke can lead well unlike the stoic Sinclair.

"Number eight: Cadet Ashley Barrett."

Another Cadet who tended to bounce about in the top ten, she is fairly well-rounded, and she's exceptionally fast with ODM but nothing about her combat-wise stands out.

"Number seven: Cadet Serenity Liese."

I'm a little surprised she dropped to seven but nevertheless, she bounces her way cheerfully to the seventh spot.

"Number six: Cadet Sam Finnegan."

A total surprise as Finnegan not once was ever listed in the top ten. He doesn't have much going for him besides his leadership, which has generally been consistently solid. I suppose leadership goes far when it comes to the top ten.

"Number five: Cadet Nigel Baker."

No surprise, he makes his way to the front, stoic and stiff; he looks uncomfortable but he just must have been super nervous.

"Number four: Cadet Ivan Radenovic."

Radenovic had been a consistent top-five Cadet for his outstanding combat and knowledge which rivals someone like Locke, but Radenovic is the only other Cadet who could rival Buchanan's stature which makes his athletic feats all the more impressive.

"Number three: Cadet Jackson Stinley."

He doesn't seem super happy with his placement as he walks by but when Liese flashes him a large grin as he passes, it seems to cheer him up slightly.

"Number two: Cadet Kitka Novak."

I can almost hear Buchanan shaking with excitement as she proudly marches her way to the front. She truly is an accomplished fighter with moves that I don't think I have seen anyone else ever replicate.

"Finally, number one: Cadet Matteo Giordano."

How can you protest? He is smart, athletic, a great fighter, he may have some leadership issues but his other abilities outshine that so much that it seems like an insignificant skill.

"These are your top ten Cadets, the best of the best! You ten all have the option to join the Military Police, selection will begin later this evening."

Instructor Vidal then dismisses us and everyone immediately begins to crowd around the top ten. We all congratulate Novak and Giordano, who both seem relatively humble about their outstanding accomplishment. Novak gives Buchanan a passionate kiss and Giordano gives all of us high fives as a high overcomes us. Dietrich and Engel look disappointed but Engel manages to let his pride in Giordano outshine his ill feelings; Dietrich doesn't do as well a job but I'm not too surprised. After some time passes we all head for food and by the time we are done, night has fallen, and at the north and south end of the center of camp are wooden stages lit only by torchlight. Instructor Vidal orders us into formation just in front of the north stage and announces that selection has officially begun. The wooden stage is raised a meter or so off the floor, and it has a large flag at its corner. The flag bears the logo of the Survey Corps, a set of wings: one blue and one white. A soldier dressed in the standard-issue uniform walks out into center stage. Her uniform differs from ours by the patches that instead of the crossed swords signifying us as Cadets, she wears the wings of freedom.