All is Fair

Life is a battle

"In line!" the Sargent yelled. Every girl in the cabin sprang out of bed. They each stood at the foot of their bed, heads forward, feet together, left arm by their side, right hand in a salute.

"Classes for the day will continue as scheduled, however the following trainees will report immediately to Commander Allen following breakfast. Kimberly Love, Peyson Anthony, and Emery White."

"Sir, yes sir!" the girls yelled in unison.

"Get dressed!" the Sargent yelled and walked out. The girls scrambled to get ready, especially Emery. She was trembling after hearing her name called. The only time anyone was ever called to see the commander unless they did something wrong. As she finished pulling on her uniform tank-top and cargo pants, and lacing up her boots her best friend Ally started to ask her about it.

"So why were you called?" Ally asked, as if Emery knew, "What'd you do?" she questioned. Emery had always been a good girl, she always followed orders, kept good grades in class, she was even one of the the strongest girls in her training group.

"I don't know," Emery answered, trying to calm herself. She kept thinking through everything she had ever done but there was nothing, she had no idea what she had done.

After getting dressed Emery and Ally hustled into line. The group jogged down to the cafeteria. Emery got her food but didn't eat. She just picked at it, still terrified. Her stomach was in knots and all she could think of was being recruited as a birth mother.

Birth mothers were always good girls, but weren't cut out for battle. They were pulled from their groups at around sixteen or seventeen, roughly Emery, age. They sat around for nine months, gave birth to a new soldier, got a month off, and started the process over. Their lives were misery and boredom. It was the closest anyone got to being exiled. It was the last thing Emery wanted.

Worst case scenarios were flooding her mind as she jogged through the camp. She followed behind Kim and Peyson. She had never spoken to either of them and didn't plan to. Kim was snobbish, she always went against orders and couldn't even throw a knife. She was doomed as a soldier. Peyson, on the other hand, was a kiss up. She always got straight A's and answered any question the teacher had, even if the instructor didn't want an answer.

Upon their arrival they were immediately sent into Commander Allen's office. They entered a round office with a large wooden desk. The room was mostly clean, except the desk which was covered in files, notes, and plans. Commander Anderson faced the girls standing in attention. "At ease," he commanded. The girls lowered their salute, separated their feet, and held their hands behind their back. Emily forced herself to keep a straight face and control her trembling. She stared straight forward and watched the Commander out of the corner of her eye.

"I'm sure you three are all anxious to know why you've been called so I'll get right to the point," he started, "You are all being transferred to your new assignments."

"New assignments?" Kimberly asked, asking questions was completely wrong so she was the only one who dared. Chills went up Emery's spine hearing her speak.

"Ah, Kimberly Love," Commander Allen sneered and opened a file, "you disregard authority, try to stay as the center of attention no matter who it hurts, and you are at the bottom of your training group in combat." Kimberly smiled as if she were proud of her rankings, "You've been reassigned to birth mother. Pack your belongings immediately and head that direction." Kimberly walked out, seemingly satisfied with her relocation.

Emery was perplexed, 'Who would be happy as a birth mother?' she asked herself.

"Now then, Peyson Anthony," the commander spoke as he opened a new file, "You are at the top of your class, however you fall behind in combat. Why?"

"Sir, I focus on my schoolwork, sir." she replied. The commander was obviously unhappy with this answer, therefore he asked again.

"Why is that?"

"Sir, my athleticism has always trailed behind, therefore I focus on my academics to help boost my scores, sir." the commander smiled, pleased with her response. Emery was also impressed. As he spoke her name, asked her questions, and forced her to respond she hadn't moved a single muscle. Emery had scanned her from her ponytail to her white tank top and green cargo pants. Not a single movement. Emery was stunned.

"Wonderful," Commander Allen responded, "You've been assigned to instruction. Please pack your belongings and hustle to your new cabin."

Peyson's smile grew across her face. She quickly thanked the commander and hustled back to pack. Emery was left alone with the commander. Her skin felt like it was vibrating as he stared her down, then turned to his desk to open a third file. "Ah, Emery White," Commander Allen began, flipping through pages in the file, "You have one of the highest academic scores this camp has ever seen, along with an outstanding scoring in all forms of combat." he smiled as he read all about her. "Have you ever heard of Touchstone?" he asked, looking up from the papers.

"Sir, no sir." she replied as she stared forward. Her shaking had calmed as he read about her 'outstanding' scoring, however she was still a nervous mess.

"Good, there's no point in a top-secret school if it's not top-secret." the commander laughed, then went back to serious matters, "Touchstone is a school for the Outsiders' finest. You will be sent there to train as a spy for the Outsiders' cause. there is a jeep waiting for you outside of my office, your belongings are unnecessary." He explained. "And remember, your life is now a battle. Excused." he finished and waved her off.