"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.