"And you could be one of them!"
Commander
Oliver looked over the room full of new Time Force cadets as he
paced. The room housed about 10 of them, all watching Oliver very
closely.
Oliver
turned his back to them. You all know the history of Time Force. And
you should all know why you are here. All of you have been chosen
from the current Time Force Academy graduating class for your
exceptional abilities. You will be tested and trained to become part
of the Universal Ranger program, but only 5 of you will make it."
Oliver
faced the cadets. "Look around you. Each of the cadets surrounding
you is now your rival. Work harder then them, and you might actually
have a chance."
Oliver
stood at attention, as the cadets followed suit. "YES SIR!"
"You
will now go through a rigorous test of endurance. Those of you who do
not survive can kiss this opportunity goodbye." Oliver eyed one
young man in the crowed; He looked like most of the other cadets:
Standard clothing, about 6'5" with short brown hair. One thing
caught the commander's eye: He was the only one wearing glasses.
Oliver sighed to himself. "You!" He called, pointing at the
cadet, "What is your name?"
The cadet
looked up, slightly shaken. "…J.. John Sir…" He quickly
jumped to attention and saluted.
Oliver
walked up to him and stared him straight in the face. "Why are you
wearing those things?"
"Sir,"
said John, "I cannot see without them Sir!"
"And why
have you not taken the necessary measures to fix this problem?"
"Sir, I
do not understand sir!"
Oliver
groaned. "YOU know what I mean, cadet! Why have you not had
corrective surgery after entering the Academy?"
John
gulped, then broke a little smile, "Sir, I was given the choice
between have the surgery or keeping my glasses. I choose to keep my
glasses sir."
Oliver was
visibly disgusted by the answer he received. "And WHY is that?"
John
struggled to keep a straight face as he answered, "Sir, because I
like the way I look in glasses, sir."
Oliver was
taken back by the answer, but was not at all pleased with it. A
snicker came from another cadet, who quickly received an evil glare
from Oliver.
Oliver
turned back to John. After staring at him for a moment, he said "I
am watching you…."
Oliver
walked back to the front of the room. "You will all know make your
way to the training facility. Dismissed!"
"YES
SIR!" the cadets saluted Commander Oliver, and then made their way
out of the room.
Oliver watched as the cadets walked out single file. "That kid…" Oliver through to himself, "He is going to be a problem that one…"
………………………………….…………………………………………
John
walked down the hallway towards the training facility with the other
cadets when he felt a sudden push on his back.
"What is
wrong with you?" A voice from behind him said.
John
turned around, "What?" He came face to face with a young woman,
no older then him. She was about 5'6"dressed like all the other
cadets, standard issue white shoes, pants, and jacket. She had long, dirty blond hair that ran down just past
her shoulders.
"You
know what I mean. You could have gotten yourself kicked out right
then and there!"
"Rachel,
calm down. All I did was answering the man."
"He's
got a point," said another cadet walking towards pair. He had short
black hair, about 5'10".
"Yes,
but so does she," said another cadet. She was about 5'3" and
had long red hair.
"Thank
you Katherine," Rachel turned to her friend."
John just
sighed, 'Why do they always gang up on me, Brian?"
The other
boy just laughed, "Don't ask me. You get yourselves into these
situations."
"Ya,
thanks," John smiled and gave a playful punch to Brian's arm.
Brain was
about to retaliate when the group was stopped by a young man.
"Guys
you better get back with the group."
John
turned to the boy, "Barry, calm down. You worry too much."
"And you
don't worry enough. I am not facing the trainer's wrath by
getting there late."
Barry
turned back and ran to catch back up with the main group.
"Well I
am following him," Brian turned to follow Barry.
"We all
should," Rachel said. She and Katherine began to walk away.
"You
guys worry too much. We already survived the hard part. It's just a
little test. What is the worst that can happen?"
………………………………………………………………………………….
John fell face first into a mat on the gym floor. "My everything hurts…."
"Hey, I
told you not to be late," Barry said as he sat down next to his
friend.
"Ya, But
you didn't tell me Oliver was running the test…."
John rolled
over and used a nearby wall to pull him self up. He sat up and leaned
against it.
"You didn't
ask," Barry laughed as he waved over the others.
Rachel sat
down next to John, "Wow… how did you survive all that?"
"Ya man.
How many times did you have to do the course again?" Brian leaned
against the wall as Katherine sat next to Rachel.
"I don't
want to think about it."
Katherine
had an evil smile on her face, "Wasn't it like 50…."
John
interrupted her, "I said I don't want to think about it. Even
thinking hurts right now."
"How is
that different from any other day?"
John made
an attempted to push her away, but he got as far as lifting his hand
an inch off the floor before it fell. "You are soooo lucky I
am tired right now."
Katherine
laughed, as did the others.
"What is
so funny, cadets?" Commander Oliver suddenly appeared in front of
them.
"SIR!"
The entire group jumped to their feet, with John moving a bit slower
then the rest.
Oliver
looked and John and smiled, "So, what did you think of my little
exercise, cadet?"
John
looked Oliver directly in the eye, "It was great sir. Hadn't had
a workout like that for a while now."
Silently,
Rachel sighed. "He just can't stop can he?" she thought to herself.
Oliver
look angry, but then smiled, "Well that is good. I thought you
would be tired from all that running, but if you still have energy in
you, I have the perfect job for you. The research team has been
asking for increased security around the labs for awhile now. I think
you would be perfect for the job."
"Excuse
me, sir, but I thought cadets were not allowed on guard detail."
"For
you, son, I think I can make an exception," Oliver grinned.
"Great…sir…"
John could only fake a smile while he thought of what was coming
next.
