Adaptation and Evolution (Book Two of the EDSOR Military Academy Trilogy)

Chapter 9- Walking to the Barracks

Honora was prestigious and exquisite. EDSOR Military Academy was a let down. I was expecting a big crowd to carry me on their bulky arms. But all I got was a simple greeting from the Mathletes Team Captain. I bit my lip to hide my disappointment. You are treated like a queen in Honora and like garbage here. Just saying.

The aisles were cramped making me really claustrophobic. “Where are we going?”, I asked.

“To the campers’ barracks”, Marco smiled. He seemed genuine about it, as if it were a rite of passage of every survivor.

Barracks? Isn’t that for soldiers only? That doesn’t sound like a prestigious place to spend the night in. God save me.

Dusk was settling on the surfaces of the palm leaves. The sky was a wonderful mixture of red, orange and purple.

“Jesse Hope….”, I suddenly blurted out, immediately regretting that I did since my friend’s face was contorted with so much agony and pain.

“You knew her before, I presume?”, Marco choked on his words. I figured that he was on the verge of tears.

“No. The dusk always reminds me of her. She was a valiant and brave warrior”, I smiled.

“Indeed she was. We were friends”, he sighed as he looked at the horizon.

There must’ve been something going on with both of them. I never saw him look so sad. “I know how if feels like to lose someone really important”, I murmured. Thoughts of Jaime hurt my heart deeply as if the wounds were still fresh and undressed.

He clutched his heart with his right fist and bit his lip. “I….loved Jesse. I was there to watch her break and fall apart. She had too many responsibilities which burdened her, but she never gave up trying to handle them all. She died with the world on her shoulders. I’d do anything to please her but…I couldn’t have everything. In the end, she loved someone else. A man would be a craven to say this but I don’t care about my reputation anymore; She was the only person I lived for. Now, I find no more reason to live”

I know how he felt, broken and yearning for a savior to arrive. When Jaime was declared missing, I knew that I would never see him again. There was an awkward silence. I didn’t know whether to make him laugh or console him. I didn’t know him that well.

He led me through a labyrinth of passageways until we got to the barracks, dingy and small cramped rooms clustered against each other. He opened a half broken dirty white door and showed me two bunker beds clustered together. There was no more room for climbing, as it seemed. There were mice crawling everywhere. I tried not to yelp.

The air was musty with dirt and grime. This was worse than the boys’ locker room I was confined in before testing time. I sighed inwardly. Its really flattering that they’d deliberately welcome newly accepted students with this kind of dingy place. A standard Honora, stiff-upper lip and well groomed, would politely curse with high falluting words. I don’t mean to be a “wealthist” or anything but I’d love to complain to the Student Council President. I could sniff a tincture of a little rum and gunpowder mixed together.

“I am really sorry. Gerard, the current War Council President, will see to it that you have a pleasant journey in EDSOR Military Academy”, a smile appeared on his mouth as he spoke. Underneath it all, he was a frail person just like me.

I stared blankly at him. I didn’t know if I should be insulted or reassured.

“By the way Jamie. Classes will start by Tuesday next week. The Choosing Ceremony will be held on Sunday at the DTASC building. Right now, you are at the Poveda barracks”

I slumped on a dirty wall. My hair strands were sticking to my face because of the heat that surrounded me. I was used to air-conditioned places. My Honora dormitory was way more prestigious than this pigsty. “Choosing Ceremony?”

“It’s an initiation for the new recruits. The Head leaders of the different camps will take their pick of members. Its quite interesting to watch them fight each other for someone. Makes that person feel special and welcomed”, he grinned as he crossed his arms over his shoulders. He adjusted his thin rimmed glasses with his left hand.

“You sound like you’ve been fought for by those Head leaders”, I laughed. At least a little humor was necessary for the conditions I am in now.

“The Xavier camp wanted me so badly because I was good in Math”

“But how could they possibly find out your talent in Math in the testing place?”

“I’ll get to that. They get a transcript of your biodata somewhere in Mandaluyong city meaning they have access to your personal files”

My heart started hammering against my chest. Sweat started dripping on my arms. “No way! You mean they know all about my family, my hobbies, my interests, my favorite colors??!”, I gasped. 

He chuckled. I like the way his eyes squint when he laughs. It was pure, genuine laughter, with hardly any pretense. There was a faint sparkle in his eyes.

“Well, I guess we’ll never know. But one thing’s for sure, they’re gonna pattern your abilities to the needs of the camp. It’s a community in here. Everyone must prioritize the good of the nation rather than their own benefit. I know you don’t like this place. Its dirty and everything opposite Honora but you’ll get through. That’s all I can tell you”, he said as he lightly brushed the rusted copper doorknob.

“Okay. Thanks Marcol. I appreciate all the advice. See you at the Choosing Ceremony?”

“See ya, Stark!”, he said as he briskly walked away.