I didn`t expect so many people. Every street is busy and every walkway filled. As much as I want to tune out Fletcher`s voice, I need to stay present and alert. He talks about people by name as if I know who he`s talking about. I watch the citizens of Centrum dart back and forth between buildings and cross streets. Their clothing is constricting and pristine in white, black, and deep gray colors just like the city itself. It`s the only similarity to the outer regions.

　　In Hallow Point, our clothing is earthy and natural, like the vibrant forest and woodlands. Instead of the stiff suits and dresses of Centrum, we use natural fabrics for tactical and functional needs.

　　I look over Fletcher`s uniform as he throws his brilliant smile at a blushing red-headed girl waiting to cross the street. At least, I`ll be in uniforms which are familiar to me. I study the Elite emblem on his shoulder, a red sword lies between extended wings inside a red circle. Fletcher`s specialty patch reads, Sniper, underneath the emblem.

　　There`s no rank in the squad other than the commanding officer, the captain. They are one unit, each assigned a unique specialty. Every member has a vital role to complete the most effective squad of warriors in the nation. The question is, if the squad is already complete, why am I here?

　　As we drive away from the overheated, crowded city, Fletcher`s voice sounds clearer, and my muscles release their tension. I didn`t realize I was still on sensory overload until I wasn`t. We turn down a long narrow drive surrounded by trees that bow toward each other to form a tunnel. I`m calm surrounded by nature again and the shade is welcome.

　　Fletcher speaks with purpose now, his words take on an excited lilt. He shares names and designation of the other members of the squad too fast for any normal person to retain. But I`m not any normal person and despite what it looks like, I`ve been listening to his every word. He stops midway in describing "the hottest" squad member when we get to two towering white metal gates. Two guards appear in the road in front of us and we slow to a stop. Gone is Fletcher`s easy smile.

　　He gives a curt nod to the guards before pressing a black button on the sun visor above him. The guards stop their advance and move off to the side when the gates slide apart down the middle, revealing a wider road ahead. Only once we`re passed the guards does Fletcher rest his arm in the open window again. Inside the gates are rolling hills and flat valleys covered in the lushest grass I`ve ever seen.

　　"We`ll head to the barracks so you can get ready for your big night." He says, eyes watching the rear view mirror.

　　As soon as we hit the curve in the road, the gleaming white Centrum Building is revealed. It`s spread wide with at least a quarter mile of stone steps leading up to the golden doors. This is the building where the nation`s leaders live and office, where the squad lives and trains.

　　Fletcher turns onto a narrow side road that leads to underground parking. We wind down deeper than the transport tunnels. Finally, we pull into a row of parking spots with the Elite Squad emblem on plaques. I step out of the vehicle with my bag and start walking the way we came. It`s been a long, cramped haul from the academy, and I`m looking forward to stretching my legs on all those steps up to the entrance.

　　Fletcher`s laugh breaks out, echoing across the garage. "Yeah, we`re not going that way my man. We have our own entrance this way."

　　He uses his chin to point out a set of elevators at the end of our parking row. There goes my stretch. "This way is quicker. Plus we avoid the civs." He says.

　　"Civs?" I ask, matching his long strides to catch up.

　　He stops so abruptly that I drop my bag and slide into a defensive stance with my fist up to cover my face.

　　"Whoa. No danger here, warrior." He whistles through his teeth, watching me as I slowly drop my guard. "That`s some reaction time you got. I was just shocked you actually spoke. I cannot wait to see what you can do."Stolen novel; please report.

　　He reaches down to pick up my bag, swinging it over one shoulder and continues to the elevators.

　　"So civs are what we call civilians. Anyone not born a warrior." He presses the elevator button, and pushes my bag into my chest.

　　I was born in a gate side village. Everyone I`ve ever known is warrior born. The metal elevator doors slide open revealing a wide silver car with mirrored walls. I follow Fletcher inside. We lean against the back wall and watch the doors slide close.

　　"I shouldn`t say too much. I don`t want to ruin it for you." He leans over like we`re sharing some secret. "You`ll find out soon enough what it`s like to be part of the Elite Squad."

　　The elevator car hums with movement. Our eyes meet in the mirror in front of us. His mouth lifts into a smile on one side as he watches me.

　　"Okay, okay. I`ll tell you. The civs go crazy for us, man. Especially the girls. Oh, they`re going to love you. Fresh meat and all." He winks as the elevator shudders to a stop and the doors slide open.

　　He moves to pat my shoulder, but I slip out of the elevator a little faster than I should`ve by the sound of his gasp. The only physical contact I`ve ever had was a fight or beat down. Fletcher catches up, wagging his finger at me.

　　"I like you. You are definitely unpredictable and that makes for all kinds of mischief." He rubs his hands together already plotting something.

　　We take a couple of turns and walk down the longest hallway I`ve ever been in until we hit the barracks.

　　The double metal doors are a matte black engraved with the red Elite symbol. Fletcher pushes through the swinging doors, and I barely hold back my surprise. The barracks are nothing like I expected.

　　At the academy, they squeezed us into rows of twin sized metal framed bunks with a footlocker at each end. For ten years, I lived in a 4 x 5 foot space when not in training or at meals. The Elite barracks still has rows, but that`s where the similarities end.

　　There are only two rows, one against each wall, creating a wide aisle down the middle. Instead of open bunk beds, there are square rooms connected to each other, made of a dark glossy wood that rises just shy of the high ceiling. Each room has its own door. Privacy is something I only attained during punishments. I strain to keep my unaffected mask in place while wanting to race into my room at the same time.

　　"No need to hold back. Everyone is excited when they first see their own space." Fletcher`s voice has lost the joking tone. "We call them pods. Don`t know why, it`s always been that way. C`mon let`s see yours."

　　He leads me down the center aisle. I let my powers expand my vision to take in the bronze plaques attached to each door. My name is at the end on the left. There`s one pod at the end of the aisle, the name plate reads Captain. I expected the worst bunk in the barracks. It`s always been mine. So I`m not surprised to see the captain wants to keep me close. Fletcher is my neighbor and I`m not crazy about sharing a wall with him but at least the pod across from me is empty.

　　"So this is you, Oren." Fletcher draws out the sound of my name as he runs his finger along the bottom of my nameplate.

　　With a turn of the bronze doorknob, the thick wooden door swings open. This time, I can`t keep my surprise hidden. The audible intake of air and the thud of my bag hitting the floor gives Fletcher a chuckle.

　　"It`s the best for the best." He pushes me inside with a hand between my shoulder blades.

　　I glare at him, as he gets busy rifling through the cabinets. The room is a square that`s big enough to fit a cushy double bunk against one wall and still have plenty of open floor space. Everything is dark wood, making the white crisp bed sheets appear to glow in the dim lighting. Built in shelves, drawers, closets, and cabinets make up the walls. The ceiling is open to the rest of the barracks. So it`s not completely private, but I`m not complaining. It`ll give me some reprieve from what lies ahead.

　　"Here are the controls for the lights." Fletcher slides a metal fixture on the wall up and down, making the lights grow bright and then dim. "Well, home sweet home. My mission is complete."

　　I turn to thank him, but he`s already down the aisle. With a shaky hand, I close the door—my door, an actual door to close and keep others out. I pick up my bag, set it on the bed, and sink into the thick mattress next to it. The entire pod is bare except for a large digital clock on a side table by the headboard. I look over the walls of empty shelves and cabinets. I don`t even have enough things to fill this duffle let alone this pod.

　　Dragging the bag with me I open the closet and find rows and rows of sharply pressed uniforms hang neatly for every occasion, all in my size. I set my bag behind the rows of polished shoes and notice the formal uniforms. I have a banquet to attend tonight. A quick glance at the clock lets me know I`ve got about thirty minutes to shower, change, and find the banquet room. The powers that be timed my arrival perfectly. Officers don`t believe in down time.

　　***

　　The showers were easy to find. They`re located right next to our barracks so I change in my pod. I haven`t run into anyone since Fletcher left but I dress quickly just in case. I leave my room and walk down the aisle to the exit. My palms are a little clammy. I`m about to be thrown into a room full of the top graduates from every region and the nation`s leaders that branded my family traitors. Many of these people lost a loved one in the attacks too.

　　I rub my hands down the sides of my pants and take a big breath. Before I freak out about who I`m facing tonight, I have to figure out how to get there. I think back through my walk with Fletcher. The long hallway is first and after that I`ll need to rely on my senses to find the banquet room.

　　Putting a little more speed in my steps, I push past the barrack`s swinging doors and run right into a short, breathless, yellow-haired girl.