“Hey, Amy! How much longer will you take?!” asked Jack.

  “Just a second!” shouted Amelia from her room.

  “Please don’t tell me you’re bringing the entire room in your bag. We aren’t supposed to take too much with us, remember?” said Jack.

  “Yeah, yeah, I know.” Replied Amelia.

  Jack sat down at the table in their living room, with a carry bag and a backpack full of his things lying in a chair beside him as he waited for Amelia to finish her packing.

  “Man! She should’ve been finished with this like…yesterday!” mumbled Jack in anger.

  Then, Amelia came running into the room with a carry bag in her hand and backpack on her shoulder, panting. Jack stood up, put on his backpack, and picked up his carry bag.

  “About time! There’s supposed to be some maintenance on buses today, so the next bus might be the last and WE need to catch it.” Said Jack.

  “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry. I forgot to pack up some things. It only kicked in at the last moment.” Said Amelia.

  “Seriously! You might need to keep sticky notes to keep yourself from forgetting things.” said Jack.

  “Geez! I said sorry. Stop rubbin’ it on me.” Said Amelia in an irritated tone.

  Amelia and Jack barely make it in time to catch the last bus of the morning hour, as they took their seats, completely out of breath.

  “Oh, man! If we had missed this bus, I would’ve killed ya.” Said Jack panting heavily.

  “Well, we made it. So, stop complaining and catch your breath.” Said Amelia, also panting heavily.

  5 minutes into their journey, they finally settled down and Amelia took out a small box. She opened it to reveal two pieces of chocolate pastries.

  “Happy birthday, Jack! Here, say ahh!” said Amelia, giggling.

  “I can eat my cake on my own, thank you very much. And I should be the one doing the feeding.” Said Jack.

  “That would be mega embarrassing in this bus. People will see.” Said Amelia.

  “Oh!? And I’m an exception to this rule how?” said Jack in an irritated tone.

  “Oh come on, it’s your birthday. You should enjoy it!” said Amelia.

  “You dodged my question.” Said Jack, in response to which, Amelia gave a nervous laugh.

  “Fine. Just take a piece out of it and feed me as discretely as possible please.” Said Jack.

  Amelia took a tiny piece of the cake and fed Jack quickly, making sure no one spotted it. Jack then proceeded to take a small piece of the cake and fed Amelia in the same manner.

  “It’s too bad we couldn’t celebrate your birthday with Billy.” Said Amelia.

  “He did send me his wishes. He also said it was okay since he already gave us our birthday gifts.” Said Jack as he touched the locket around his neck.

  “Yeah. That was the most thoughtful gift I ever received in my life. I really love it and I can’t thank him enough for it.” Said Amelia.

  “He did ask us to come back alive. For now, that’s about all we can do to repay him.” Said Jack.

  “Yeah. Let’s do our best.” Said Amelia as she fist-bumped Jack.

  They arrived at the 'Outlanders' training institute and were met by two soldiers who checked each entrant's name against a list. They noticed Elena ahead of them. She noticed the siblings and waved to them, who returned her wave. They entered the complex and deposited their bags at a bag deposit area before following signs to an orientation room.

  “Man! Finally. I’m so excited. I’ll finally be a cadet. I’m so happy I could cry any moment.” Said Elena in an excited tone.

  “Yeah. I can’t help but smile. It’s really happening. I can’t wait to start my training.” Said Amelia in an equally excited tone.

  “What about you Jack? Are you excited or what?” asked Elena.

  “I can’t say I’m as excited as you, but I am looking forward to the hand-to-hand combat and sword-fighting training. I always wanted to learn those fancy fighting moves I see in action films, like backkicks and Roundhouses. An added advantage is that we get to kick monster butt using those moves. So, yeah! In a way, I’m excited too.” Said Jack.

  “So, you want to be a martial artist? Is that it?” asked Elena.

  “Kinda. Yeah.” Said Jack.

  “Nice!” said Elena as she laughed at Jack’s comment.

  “But how did you know we would be taught these things?” asked Elena.

  “Uncle Frank gave us an early sneak peek about what we might be taught.” Said Jack.

  “Oh yeah? What did he say we would be learning?” asked Elena out of curiosity.

  “He didn’t tell us much else. Said that everything else would be told to us during the orientation. “Said Amelia.

  “Ooh. Suspense, eh? Now I’m looking forward to it even more.” Said Elena in an excited tone.

  The trio reached the orientation room and sat next to each other. The room began filling up with more and more people and the air resounded the noisy, excited chatter of the newly joined cadets. At 9:00 a.m., The secretary of defense, Frank Anderson, and two other officials entered the room, and silence fell.

  “A hearty welcome to all our new recruits. I am very pleased to see the large number of applicants for this division. Each of you may have joined the 'Outlanders' Army Division for a variety of reasons, but I hope you will all demonstrate courage, patience, perseverance, integrity, and a sense of duty as we continue with your training. I expect you all to work hard and be on your best behavior. Now we'll go over the details of this training program and your accommodations. Please take a look at the screen behind me.” Said Mr. Anderson.

  A white screen appeared on the large display behind Mr. Anderson. A tabular column was displayed on the screen, displaying a three-month training program. The names of theoretical and practical classes, as well as the number of hours they would be conducted, were provided.

  “Ok, We’ve got ‘basic theory of standard procedures and protocols’, ‘Theory of Navigation’, ‘Tactical strategies’, ‘Theory of known X-beasts’. In practicals, we’ve got ‘electronics’, ‘basic mechanical training’, ‘marksmanship’, ‘fencing’, ‘basic combat training’, ‘VR combat training’, ‘Parkour’, and… ‘Live combat training’? What does that mean?” mumbled Amelia as she read the contents of the table.

  “As you can see, it includes both theoretical and practical courses. You will go through this training for 1 year and 1 month. For the first month, you will primarily learn theoretical courses, along with one practical course. You'll learn the fundamentals of the protocols you should follow on the field, the various weaknesses of the monsters we've fought over the years, strategies you must know to gain an advantage, and so on. You'll also learn fencing as a part of your combat training. After your first month of training, you will be transported to a facility about 250 miles outside of the city, in what used to be the Mark Twain National Forest. It's the ideal place for the remaining 1 year of your training, the majority of which will involve intense physical training. You will also be putting what you learned into practice by accompanying your instructors on regular patrols. You will be assigned to one of four regiments after the first month of training based on the instructor’s discretion.” Said Mr. Anderson as he pressed a button on his pointer device.

  Four insignias appeared on the screen. The first insignia was a horse's head, the second a crosshair, the third a sword behind a shield, and the fourth a representation of a robotic exosuit.

  “The scouts, snipers, knights, and tanks are the four regiments. The Scouts specialize in reconnaissance missions, ensuring that the path ahead is safe for the troops to move and, if not, alerting the troops behind them of the situation so that the monsters can be eliminated. They are an important part of our exploratory forces and face many dangers head-on. The Snipers specialize in giving the troops a tactical advantage by attacking monsters at vulnerable points or stunning them so that the rest of the forces can move in for the kill. They may also engage in hand-to-hand combat from time to time with lower-category monsters as backups. The Knights serve as the force’s shields. They are equipped with OL-1 shockwave shields, which absorb monster attacks and release the stored kinetic energy as a shockwave that can stun or kill low-category monsters. These shields have a wide area of attack and massively powerful shockwaves, and you will be taught how to handle these shields responsibly. The swords used by the knights are also heavy and can cause significant damage to the monsters' skin. They will be the first line of defence against a horde of monsters or a single monster in a frontal assault. Finally, our heavy battalions are the Tanks. They use MATE, or Mechanical All Terrain Exosuits, to fight the monsters with heavy suppressive fire. They also contain a plethora of other weapons, providing an overwhelming advantage against hordes of monsters. Based on the results of your VR combat training, we will decide which of these four regiments you will join, as each requires a different set of skills than the others. For example, to operate the MATE, you must have quick reflexes and a thorough understanding of the mechanics involved. As a result, we'll look for people who understand how the machine works and can make quick decisions. You will also be given the option of joining one of our exploratory missions or being assigned to one of the outposts, where you will work to clear the surrounding areas of all monsters while gradually expanding the radius of clearance in that area. It is also my responsibility to present you with some hard facts. This line of work is always dangerous. Many of our soldiers are killed almost every day. Some are killed because the monsters catch them off guard, while others are killed because they fail to obey their commanding officers' orders. This is not a job to be taken lightly. So, please be disciplined, responsible, and dutiful. Give it your all and assist us in ridding our country of the scourge of these monsters. That's all there is to it. I now turn the stage over to you. Ask any questions you have. It is now an open discussion session. You must have a lot of questions because you've been cut off from the outside world. And I always enjoy interacting with bright young minds like yours.” Said Mr. Anderson.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  At once several hands shot up. Jack and Amelia looked around to count the number of hands for fun.

  “You. Yes, you. I recognize you. You were the one who asked about the recruitment process during the physical test. Please stand up.” Said Mr. Anderson.

  “Thank you, sir. My name is June Chang. I have a question about the training program you mentioned. What’s the point of practicing Fencing? We’re only fighting monsters. We can train to fight monsters in VR training. And if its purpose is to just serve as physical training, we have a gym in the complex to take care of that.” Asked June.

  “Ah! That is a valid point. Yes, as you mentioned, your physical training could be easily covered in the gym, whereas your combat training could be covered by our VR training. However, fencing serves two important functions in your training. It assists by sharpening your reflexes and preparing you for a secondary threat that you may not have been aware of. You see, when the X-beasts first rampaged through the world, every prison was emptied and the inmates were transferred to cities. But not everyone was in on it. They chose this as an opportunity to flee law enforcement and go into hiding. Obviously, with the world in disarray, the government would not pursue these criminals. They would be preoccupied with protecting civilians. Some of these inmates agreed to the transfer, but the vast majority chose to flee. They had to figure out how to survive in the wild with the monsters. So they spent the first 2 to 3 years secretly plundering the resources of a few cities, stealing months of rations, weapons, and robotic suits. They then fell silent. Of course, we assumed they'd all been slaughtered by the X-beasts. But, about two years after the civilians moved into the underground cities, we received numerous reports of troops being killed and camps being ransacked and destroyed, not by monsters, but by the very weapons we use to kill monsters. The soldiers who were killed had their weapons, armour, and nanocubes taken from them. These inmates have also gotten very good at hiding their tracks. Six years of manhunting has yielded no results. We don't have enough troops to find and destroy this group. As a result, we can only teach you how to protect yourself against them if you come across them.” Elaborated Mr. Anderson.

  “Thank you for clarifying, sir.” Said June as she sat down.

  “Any other doubts?” asked Mr. Anderson.

  He saw another hand raise up. This time, it was Amelia’s.

  “Yes! What’s your doubt, young lady?” Asked Mr. Anderson.

  “Thank you, sir. I too have a doubt in the training program. What do you mean by ‘live combat training’? Does live training refer to In-person training with the instructors?” Asked Amelia.

  “Oh, right. We couldn't think of another word to describe what we were trying to say. But, yes, this course pertains to your training by fighting actual monsters in a controlled environment. You see, the reason we transfer you to the outpost for the final phase of your training is that we occasionally capture and keep live specimens for the cadets to hone their sword skills and marksmanship. Yes, VR training is beneficial. However, training with a live specimen will provide you with more experience with how an X-Beast's behaves as well as how it reacts to your attacks. It also allows you to predict what the monster will do next. When it comes to combat training, nothing beats hands-on experience. And, as previously stated, you will be sent out on patrol to put your strategic thinking and dexterity to the test. This is also a part of live combat training. The ‘live’ simply refers to training with real monsters.” Said Mr. Anderson.

  The questionnaire session continued for another hour before it ended. Mr. Anderson gave a few final words before addressing the audience.

  “So there you have it! We've been here for nearly an hour and a half. I'm sure you're all feeling exhausted. Outside in the hallway, there are refreshments. Please indulge to your heart's content. Once that's done, we'll take you on a tour of our facility. You've only ever seen this facility's sprint track. There is still more to show you.” Said Mr. Anderson as he moved out of the hall, followed by the cadets.

  Jack, Amelia, and Elena grabbed some snacks and Juice as they chatted about the program

  “We’ve got a lot of interesting courses. It’s gonna be a whole lot of fun for the next three months.” Said Amelia

  “Except for the theoretical courses. Tactical strategies and protocols?! Yeesh! I get the feeling that that’s gonna be boring and monotonous.” Said Jack.

  “Yeah. Learning the protocols will be a pain in the butt. But you’re good with tactics Jack. I haven’t been able to beat you at chess even once. I think you will do good in that.” Said Amelia.

  “Being good at chess has nothing to do with this. Besides, I like the practical aspect of it. Studying it will most definitely be boring.” Said Jack.

  “Same here. I like–hey isn’t that Gordon over there?” asked Elena in a surprised tone. Jack and Amelia turned around to see the large figure of Gordon standing near the water dispenser, listening to William. He had a very stoic look on his face as William talked to him.

  “Yeah. What’s he doing here? Didn’t he take the test for the WSF? This is supposed to be an orientation for ‘Outlanders’ cadets only.” Said Amelia in a tone that clearly showed some anger and frustration.

  Just then Mr. Anderson walked by, and the trio looked at each other.

  “Let’s ask him.” Said Jack.

  The other two nodded and walked toward Mr. Anderson.

  “Excuse me, Uncle Frank. Can we talk to you for a sec? “asked Jack.

  “Hey, Jack, Amelia! You certainly can. However, while we are here, please address me as Mr. Secretary. It's proper conduct. So, what exactly do you want to talk about?” asked Mr. Anderson.

  “Sorry, Mr. Sceretary. We were wondering why Gordon was here. I thought this orientation was only for 'Outlanders' program participants. Wasn't he attempting to join the WSF forces?” asked Amelia.

  “Ah, yes. There was a third way to enter the 'Outlanders' division, and that was through recommendations. Gordon was recommended for the "Outlanders" division by William's father. He stated that he would be a valuable ally to us. Of course, the test left me doubtful. However, William's father is the only major financial contributor to the 'Outlanders' division, and he continues to support us by supplying us with weapons and robotic suits. As a result, it was difficult to say no to him. Personally, I would have rejected his recommendation. But, William’s Father is a tough guy to deal with. If we disappoint him even a little, he may not like it. So, I had no choice but to accept Gordon as an 'Outlanders' division cadet. I know that you guys got in trouble with him, But try to get along with him, please.” Said Mr. Anderson as he left the trio.

  “Well, that’s terrific!” said Amelia in a displeased tone.

  “You know, I used to believe that jerks like William were always accompanied by two lackeys. It's strange that he only has one.” Said Elena in a curious tone.

  “That doesn't have to be the case all of the time. And, besides, I doubt Gordon is thrilled to be his lackey.” Said Jack.

  “What makes you say that?” asked Elena.

  “Well...It's more of a hunch. When he spoke to William, he wore an emotionless expression. Normally, you'd imagine a lackey supporting and agreeing with them. But all he did was stand there and listen to him, without any looks of approval or anything.” Said Jack.

  “Even so, he tried to pick a fight with a girl. I don’t think that excuses him of anything.” Said Amelia.

  “Come on, Amelia. Let’s not dwell on that. We should regroup with the rest of the crowd. It’s time to get on with the rest of the orientation.” Said Jack.

  “Jack’s right. We should get going.” Agreed Elena.

  The trio joined up with the rest of the crowd as they moved on with the tour around the institute. They were shown the various facilities, which included swimming pools, a VR training room, a Fencing arena, and the gym. Finally, at 12:30 p.m., the cadets were shown their dormitories.

  “Now then, there are two dorm buildings, one for boys on the left and one for girls on the right. The dining-living room, as well as the bathrooms, will be on the ground floor. The dorms begin on the first floor, with 20 rooms on each floor, 10 rooms on each side of the hallway, and a total of 5 floors. All of your belongings have been delivered to your rooms. The list of cadets and their assigned rooms will be posted on the ground floor noticeboard. In your rooms, you have beds, wardrobes, bedside cabinets, and work desks. I'm confident you'll enjoy your new surroundings. That brings the orientation to a close. You can now explore your dorm rooms and settle in. Lunch will be at 0200 hrs, and dinner will be at 2000 hrs. Please do not miss your meals. Thank you for your time. You're dismissed.” Said Mr. Anderson.

  Jack parted ways with Amelia and Elena as he made his way to the boy's dormitory. Just then, William passed him and hit him on the shoulder. He turned around, sneered at Jack, and walked on with Gordon. Jack ignored this and proceeded to the notice board. His room was on the second floor, the third room on the right. Jack climbed the stairs instead of taking the lift, as was his habit, and arrived at his room on the second floor. The room was welcoming and comfortable. It was about the same size as his own room at home, if not slightly larger. Jack took his bags that were delivered to his room, placed them on the floor and unpacked his belongings, which included a family photo and an alarm clock, and several casual wear clothes. He placed the family photo and the alarm clock on the bedside cabinet. Then he took out his casual wear clothes and neatly placed them in the cupboard. As he unpacked, he looked out the bedside window, which overlooked the city's thousand bright lights. He'd spent hours looking out over the city from the cliff behind the housing area where he lived. However, it appeared even more stunning from his dorm room. Jack paused to take in the scenery before returning to his work. He unpacked the last few items he had brought along, a flipbook, a stationery set, his desk lamp, a brand-new diary, and Billy’s birthday gift.

  “Phew. Done and done.” Said Jack.

  Jack went to the canteen for lunch and met up with Amelia and Elena. A special menu was created to greet new recruits on behalf of the special army division. The cadets enjoyed the feast while interacting with one another. Jack spent the rest of the day with Amelia, touring the facilities and working out in the gym. Both went back to their rooms after dinner. Jack lost himself in his hobby of sketching environments. At 10:00 p.m., Jack got ready for bed. Before going to bed, he looked out the window at the city, admiring its lights. He had a rush of excitement for the next day. He took the family photo from his bedside cabinet and glanced at it, warmly smiling at his parent’s faces.

  “Mom. Dad. Amelia and I made it to her starting line. I’ll make sure she’s safe while she’s pursuing her goals. I’ll keep my promise to you. You can count on me.” Said Jack.

  He placed the photo back on the cabinet, pulled over his bed covers, and went to sleep.