World War Teens

Chapter Two - Fun and Games?...

Shadow stood in a dark corner, at the edge of the training room, and watch the cadets conduct their first test. The test was a simple one. Each recruit had to dodge laser sensors in a dark room while avoiding detection from a drone that move horizontally and check its surroundings constantly. The objective of this excerise was to obtain the black envelop on the other side of the room and bring it back to the starting line. This was suppose to check their flexibility, analytical skills, and swiftness.

Shadow look over the crowd with a disapproving stare. None of them were getting close to the target. It was pathetic and degrading. Shadow was beginning to think why he chose this year to take a subordinate under his wings. Oh wait, it was because the president told him to. It it wasn't for that order, he would be out already working on another mission...alone. Just like it was always meant to be.

There were three students left now. They were the ones who waited in the back of the room very close to wear shadow was observing, but they didn't notice him there. "Okay next up will be Recruit Gabriel Bennett," Nickcholas called out. Gabriel was one of the shorter recruits. With dark black hair and slim feaures, he didn't appear to be tough. But Shadow knew better than to judge someone by physical appearance. Especially since Shadow bearly made the five foot five mark himself.

Gabriel stood talking to the other three that were with him. They girl who name was Courtney Hursh stood at his left and the other boy, who was Casper little brother, was Daniel. Wondering what they were talking about, Shadow ease drop on their conversation.

"Okay so far we know that the lasers do not move so that's the easy part," Daniel stated. "Yea, and the robot head turns this directon every three seconds so if we time our movements carefu..." Courtney started before Gabriel interrupted. "Wait one moment. I think we are missing one big picture here." The other two look at him in confusion but Shadow lifted his head intrigued. "Remember when that girl Jessica almost drop her bow and drop to the ground to try and pick it up?" "Yea, but what does that have to do with anything," Courtney said. "I think he means when the robot didn't spot her on the ground. So does that mean we stay low to pass," Daniel asked. "Not exactly. We both know from the past few tries that the robot caught a few people moving below the lasers." Gabriel seem to have figured out the trick which made Shadow feel relief that someone might have brains. "Okay so what do we do? We don't have much to go on here," Daniel pointed out. "We have plenty to go on. You see, the robot senses motion first. Which means when the robot looks at us, we stay still so we won't get detected." "That may not work buddy. The robot spotted one dude and he was halfway there," Daniel inserted. "Yea but the first few times he wasn't seen, which means that the robot has to spot you a total of twelve times before it catches you." "Why do you think that? Well I know why, but why would the robot be program that way," Courtney asked. "For saftey reason. Notice that the scanner that is used to activate and deactivate the defense systems is pass the starting line. So when someone has to shut it down it takes about a minute while their hand is getting scan so the robot must dismiss the first few spots in the room."

Shadow smiled which was a rariety for him. Not many people would have thought that far ahead, but he is missing one small thing though. Even so, Shadow was still impressed, but now let's see if he has they physical ability to pull it off. It's one thing to see a way to win, but if you can't pull off the moves needed, then it's a hopless plan.

After the group finish their conversation Gabriel took his stand at the starting line. Ensign Dustin Abrieu was holding the timer in his hand ready for when Gabriel gave him the word to start the clock. After waiting for the robot to turn his head away, Gabriel gave the word and started his mission. He skidded under the first few laser and came to a complete stop at he reached the next one. The robot head turn and then look away. Gabriel lift himslef up and started cautiously making his way to the other side of the room without getting caught my the robot and to not hit a laser. A minute has almost past and the robot was about to make its last look when gabriel finally made it in time to duck around it.

Well look at that. He could do it...even though it was a bit sloppy. Shadow grinned at that thought. After Gabriel grab the envelope, something finally flew across his mind. Shadow chuckled quielty to himself once he saw that Gabriel saw exactly what he did. Now Gabriel, how do you plan on getting back here?

Gabriel look around. He didn't see any possible way for him to make it back. He tried to think, but the cold air that was hitting him made it kind of hard. "Wait the cold air!" Gabriel said outload. Shadow nodded even though he knew that the action couldn't be seen. Gabriel went to the nearest air vent he could see and started working his way through the walls. It didn't take him long to reach the finish line with the envelope in hand. The other recruits surrounded him as the instrutors approach him. Dustin took the envelope from Gabriel and took out what appeared to be a check. "Now next time one of you guys can put your pay check on the line for these rookies. Do you not know how close I came to not getting paid!" Dustin wasn't really made and the others knew he was just kidding around. "Oh relax, we take turns in this bet every year. No need to break the ritual," Kevin said laughing.

The celebration was over and the last two went next and also pass. Daniel time wqs faster than Gabriel, but to Shadow, his score would have been lower if Gabriel didn't show him how it was done. But knowing the others, they probably gave him the high score, so Shadow kept Gabriel in mind. He seem highly intelligent and has some potential if trained by the right person. If he stay doing this good for the last few tests then Shadow without a doubt will pick him as a subordinate.

"All right group. The next test will begin shortly and we do not have time for breaks. We will be moving on to area two for the next test, so follow me," Nickcholas said. The group left out of the room, following Nickcholas, still cheering.

"They are not so bad. Right, Shadow?" Shadow gave a small grin as president Casper approached him. "What do you want Mr. President. To tell me to not kill my subordinate that you are forcing on me?" Casper gave out a long sigh. "No, I just want to talk. Remember how it use to be when we were young?" Without answering, Shadow started walking away without looking back as Casper followed after him without saying a word. The dark empty hallway setted a mood of deppression between them. Casper wanted things back to normal, but as he walk down the hallway next to Shadow, he knew that their friendship could never be as it was. After a long walk of silence they finally made it to the door that led to the next training facility. Shadow place his hand on the scanner by the door and as it was scanning he spoke. "I remember...being human once."