Sleepwalkers
.o0o. Chapter Ten – Four Score (Cards) and Seven Years Ago .o0o.

.o0o.

*7 Years Ago*

Eighteen year old Aubrey Posen sat bolt upright in her chair, her back as straight as a rod with her knees crossed at the perfect angle. She picked a crumb of fluff from her blazer, pinching it between her fingers and looking at it quite irritably before she dropped it to the floor. Dusting her shoulders for the third time, she fluffed her hair and studied the door, waiting for her fellow Academy Trainees to arrive.

'Hmm.' Aubrey thought to herself as she looked at her watch, a gift from Stacie for getting accepted onto the Freedom Fighters training programme. 'These ding-a-lings have no respect for rules.'

.o0o.

She had arrived late the night before after travelling all day. But she already felt as if it was days since she last saw Stacie, rather than mere hours. The journey over was uneventful, but the ride made her feel as sick as anything and she had quite a few welts on her back to show for her trouble. Living with an unforgiving father, she had learnt at a very young age to ignore the dull ache of a bruise.

The method of travel afforded to Aubrey to get her over to Europe was known as HURL: Hydrostatic Underground Rail Link. This was an underground capsule system, built along the sea bed and powered by high powered water pressure. The rider would enter a capsule, lay flat on their back with the feet securely strapped in at one end and the shoulders secured to the base of the pod via a harness, before being blasted through a tube at such a rate of knots that the simplest of side effects expected would be a bloody nose and a dull ringing in the ears for a few hours.

The tube network had been installed in the early 22nd Century and easily connected what was once known as the United States of America to the area still known as Europe. The Aliens had landed first in America and built an underground network there first before arriving in Europe and making that their main base. They had used the country America as target practice and had over run the country within a matter of weeks.

Many fled the country over the next few years, choosing to bribe, barter or bludgeon their way on to a transport ship headed for Mars. The Doomsday Preppers; mocked in the beginning for their over zealous beliefs, thrived for several decades before their supplies ran out and they turned on each other. Others had simply perished.

Aubrey had wanted this chance, this opportunity to become a Freedom Fighters Agent since she had first heard about the Academy when she was a young girl. She had read up on all she could on the European Division, knowing the headquarters was based in the South of England, a place she had never dreamt of visiting before.

In her own mind, Elementum was the Holy Grail of Anti Alien Academies, lurking quietly in the Fifth World; the moniker associated with the New Order; the term fixed to the parts of Earth that were now cleansed of an active Alien infestation. It was, however, not quite as Aubrey had expected. She had imagined opulence, plush carpets and succulent soft furnishings. Not bare rocks, dirt floors and sparse fittings. She had kicked herself for her earlier thoughts. She fell in love a little more with Elementum for its simplicity.

She arrived for her medical screening at 1000 hours as directed. The assessment had taken only twenty minutes and she was pleased to receive her first pass mark of the adventure. The only point on her medical card showed a tendency to vomit when under pressure or nervous. She was handed a red ribbon and ushered towards an administration department for photographs for admin records and to issue her with her Base security card and tag to be worn at all times. She felt a twist in her stomach as the realisation that this was all real began to dawn on her.

.o0o.

She flexed her fingers under the desk, maintaining her perfect poise as the first Academy candidate entered the narrow, dark room. Fashioned with bare overhead lights, metal tables and chairs and a gurgling water cooler, Aubrey picked up on a sense of depression and despair about the place she found herself in on that fateful but rather exciting Friday morning. It lingered in the walls and was as thick as the layer of dust that had accumulated on top of the storage cupboards and on the shelves running the length of the room.

A tall blonde fellow caught her eye and offered a small smile as he pitched up at a desk to the left of Aubrey. He removed his woollen cap and stuffed it into his coat pocket before taking off his thin jacket and hanging it on the back of his chair. Aubrey wasn't quite sure what to make of the size of the muscles in his arms; his tee shirt was clearly struggling to contain the contoured physique.

He cast an eye over the room, before pulling the chair back and taking a seat, scuffing his feet under the wobbly desk and sighing. He shot a look over at Aubrey who, to her dismay, had continued to watch the blonde young man. He smiled again before turning his attention to his hands.

Aubrey looked away; slightly embarrassed that she had been caught staring. She continued to watch the door for the next person, peering out from under her long eye lashes. The next person to arrive, she noted, was quite short in stature with an unnecessary amount of messy, long brown hair. Aubrey's eyes were drawn to the brunette, who looked even younger than she, which surprised her as she had been under the impression that the intake age at Elementum was currently set to eighteen.

She watched as the young girl tucked her long tresses behind her ear, showing, to Aubrey's horror more than one ear monstrosity. Aubrey didn't feel the need for an abundance of metal work in an ear and she had her own opinion on tattoos. The brunette took a seat to the right hand side of the room, noisily moving the chair with her foot causing the room to be filled with a horrible screeching noise.

As she took her seat, shaking off her leather jacket in the process, Aubrey clocked a number of tattoos and the nicest thing Aubrey could say about that was they all appeared to be spelt correctly. She looked with disdain as a rather ugly pair of heavy boots where thrust up onto the table and the brunette crossed her arms with a huff.

Aubrey was so busy throwing daggers into the back of the alternative, ill mannered girl; she missed the arrival of several other people, all making their way into the room together. She shot a look over each person as they wandered into the small training room, as the room slowly filled with what she could only possible deem as the rejects of society. She was pleased she had arrived extra early and had taken a seat towards the back of the room, it gave her a good vantage point over her fellow contemporaries.

A loud, rather stupid looking boy wearing a maroon jumper was causing a scene by the door telling people to gather around and be ready for a show. Aubrey wasn't quite sure what he meant but she noticed that the room had filled with at least twelve other people, all clamouring to take their seats, removing various outer garments and a pair of shoes in the case of a quiet Korean girl, with long, dark hair and a perfectly trimmed fringe, while she had been distracted by the idiot.

She quickly noted that there was a friendly looking recruit who had a mischievous glint in her eye, albeit that she looked slightly older than the rest of them, but Aubrey couldn't fathom for the life of her why someone would shave half of their head, and dye the other curly half pink. There was also a brown haired boy who looked to be making puppy dog eyes at the alternative girl as he entered the room, ogling so badly that he almost walked into the original blonde young man.

"Hey, man what's up. I'm Jesse." He said, holding out his hand.

"I'm Luke. You're late." The blonde man said with a very clipped English accent, eyeing the clock on the wall as the brown head boy, now identified as Jesse, humbly slipped into a seat.

She scrutinised the next couple of people through the door and for a short moment wondered if the local asylum was perhaps missing a patient. A rather bubbly and overly enthusiastic, curly haired ginger girl entered ... or rather skipped, yes skipped, into the room followed by a slightly built lad wearing a magicians cape who shrank to the back of the room, looking to the floor as if he was desperate to remain anonymous.

The red head looked around at the recruits, smiled brightly to everyone before blowing and popping an exceedingly large bubble bum balloon as she took a seat right at the front of the room. She introduced herself to the brunette who sank so far down in her chair Aubrey thought she may fall onto the floor. The ginger girl gestured wildly with her hands and shrugged off her hoodie, talking animatedly to the people around her.

Aubrey watched as she tucked her chair in tightly under the desk, placing her elbows on the desk in front of her and interlocked her fingers. Aubrey was somewhat impressed by the keenness the girl appeared to show.

Aubrey was surprised to see how full the room was now; the only available seat was directly next to her. She estimated that there were at least fifty chairs. She was just contemplating what a bunch of odd balls everyone seemed to be and wondering to herself how this rabble could pass for an Academy recruit these days, when the last person to enter the room announced their arrival, throwing her arms out to the side and positioning her feet so that her posture resembled a starfish.

"Wassup mates!"

Aubrey's jaw literally fell to the floor at the arrival of the last of the recruits. Clad in bright pink dungarees and purple wellington boots and adorned with what can only be described as a tutu and white, glittery fairy wings, the very smiley blonde barrelled on into the area; her eyes quickly scanning the room and immediately locking onto Aubrey's own.

Aubrey tried not to stare or even acknowledge her but just as if she were watching an accident unfold, she found she couldn't look away as the blonde made her way over towards her, pushing a few of the other recruits out of the way in her efforts to get past.

Sitting with her back ramrod straight and keeping every muscle in her body rigid, Aubrey tried her very best not to panic. She was completely unsure who she had upset in a former life to deserve this ... this eccentric descending into her personal space. How she wished she could move seats. She was flummoxed as to how the girl next to her had actually managed to get into the academy? How? She wished that Stacie was with her right at that moment. She would ignore the girl, yes, that would work. Ignore the weirdo who was currently pulling out the chair next to her, grinning like an idiot.

"Hooroo cobber!" The peculiar blonde half shouted at Aubrey in a thick Australian accent. "Name's Fat Amy. What's yours?"

"You call yourself Fat Amy?" Aubrey said, in spite of her earlier thought to herself. "For all the good graces, why would you do that?"

"Yeah, so twig bitches like yoos don't do it behind me back!" Amy snorted as she tugged on her tutu and tightened up her wings. "What's your name twig bitch? Or can I just call yoos Twiggy?"

"My name is Aubrey, Aubrey Posen." Aubrey said, keeping her voice calm and unwavering, despite her concerns about the sanity of the recruit next to her.

"Oi right Aubrey Aubrey Posen!" Amy called out in glee, thrusting out her hand towards Aubrey, nearly catching her on the arm with her gusto.

"Please don't touch me." Aubrey said, slightly afraid and desperate to ignore the bizarre native of Australia.

"So yoos a Posen then. Any relation ta Charles Posen?" Amy asked.

"Yes, he was my Great, Great Grandfather. Why do you ask?" Aubrey answered with another question.

"Well, Aubrey Aubrey Posen, he probably knew me ol' Great Grand Papa Wilson. One of the Foundin' Fathers of A.T.L.A.S."

"All right, yes in that case he prob -"

"- Alright, settle down class." A large, intimidating man bellowed to the class as he strode purposefully, silencing the room immediately. "All on your feet. Move it!"

There was a shuffle of chairs and the general murmurings of a large group of people as everyone rose haphazardly to their feet, taking their time and a couple of them didn't even stop their conversation. Aubrey smoothed down the front of her blazer and wondered if she had perhaps overdressed for the first day as she noted the array of jeans and shorts worn by the rest of her classmates.

"I am Special Agent James Brooks and I will be your TITTIE for the next 180 days -" Agent Brooks began but was cut off by a snigger from the boy wearing the maroon jumper. Aubrey and the rest of the recruits watched as he stepped forward and squared up to the boy, who to his credit did shrink into himself.

"Oh Mr Allen, we meet again." Agent Brooks spoke loudly so that the rest of the group could hear him. "Tell me Bradford "Bumper" Allen, why are you here with the Undergraduates again when you completed this course two years ago."

"Um, I, um -"

"- Problem Mr Allen?" Agent Brooks barked.

"No sir. I, um ... um."

"You were sent back for disobeying an order, is that correct? And you need reminding of your placement within Freedom Fighters, is that correct? And how it's only by the generous donation by your father that you weren't tossed out above the Crust to fend for yourself, is that also correct?" Agent Brooks said, right up in Bumper's face.

"Yes sir." Bumper said as his face coloured to match that of his jumper.

"Mark my words Allen. I am watching you." Agent Brooks sneered.

"Yes sir." Bumper said, contritely.

"And why Mr Allen is being a TITTIE so funny to you? Explain to the new recruits what a TITTIE is." Agent Brooks took a step back, before executing a perfect about face and taking his position back at the front of the room.

"Um ... it stands for Teacher Instructor Tutor Trainer Ideologist Exerciser." Bumper recited.

"Very good Mr Allen. I am glad to see something managed to get through that thick skull of yours. Do not interrupt me again. Now, as I was saying ..." Agent Brooks cast a steely glare in Bumper's direction. "... I will be your TITTIE for the next 180 days. We will 'Teach' you all about Elementum and the Agency. We will 'Instruct' you in all forms of weaponry and combat techniques. We will 'Tutor' in all aspects of Sleepwalker and Shapeshifter life forms. We will 'Train' you to pilot planes and drive machinery. We ask that you put forward your 'Ideas'; battle plans, opinions and philosophy. We will 'Exercise' your bodies. We do, however, expect you to add your own cardio in the gym and pool."

Agent Brooks turned to the small table to retrieve a stack of hard bound books as the blonde to Aubrey's right muttered something about why she should be doing cardio and not to put her down for it. Agent Brooks began to hand out the books.

"These are the Elementum Code of Practise Handbooks and the Freedom Fighters Health and Hygiene Manual. You will have one of each. You are expected to read, digest and commit to memory the words within these handbooks. You will be required to live by the Code and you must be prepared to die for the Code."

Agent Brooks let the words linger in the air as he handed out the last of the books. The group of recruits each took their own copy and placed it on to the desks. Some began to flick through the first page or two.

"Recruits!" Agent Brooks called from the front of the room. "You are mine for the next one hundred and eighty days. During this time, you will all learn the skills and the knowledge necessary to become Agents. You will be put through your paces. You will hurt. You will bleed. You will suffer. And I will not care. I expect you all to study hard, work hard, and succeed. Now, everyone, look at the people to your left and right.

Agent Brooks gave the new recruits a moment to observe their fellow trainees. Aubrey wished she hadn't as the rookie on her right was pulling a face like a fish when she swung her eyes in her direction.

"There are fifty of you in this room at present. Fifty. So get a good hard look people. Because in one weeks time, just one week, I estimate that at least five of you won't be here. And the week after that even more of you will quit or be killed. Only twenty to twenty five of you will make it graduation. Less than half. Think on that people." He paused for a moment to let the information sink in. "Now, if you want to still be sitting here at the end of this course, and if you want to be an Agent with Freedom Fighters, I recommend that you pay close attention to me. I'm here to turn you little namby pamby mama's babies into hard core Agents, equipped with the skills to survive any situation, and the knowledge to help save our world. I will not wipe your noses, listen to your whinging or solve your problems for you. I will push you beyond your limits and then push you even more. And when you think you have had enough, I will push some more. I will not stop when you are tired or hungry. You will learn dedication, commitment, desire and want. Do I hear a hooyah? ... I said do I hear a HOOYAH?"

Aubrey looked around at the other people in the room as each and every one of them called out in response to Agent Brooks. She hoped to God she wasn't one of the ones to leave in the first week, the second week or heck, even at all. Despite the harsh tone in the Agents' voice, Aubrey felt a connection to him and the Academy already.

"You will be paired into groups next week and I suggest you nominate a spokesperson or Team Leader immediately. They will be the ones to collect and issue you with your assignments and take ownership of a task when necessary. Do not undertake the position lightly. The responsibility and the success of your team will rest largely on your shoulders. There is no such thing as a bad team, only a bad leader. There is going to be three new Units raised from this group of recruits. There will be a further two Units created with a special second recruitment intake planned for three months time. You will be scored on each and every aspect of your training. The scorecards will be held by myself and I will personally be marking you on your achievements. I recommend you put one hundred percent into this as I do not mark highly and will have no problem failing each and every one of you."

Aubrey could see a few heads nodding along from her position at the back. Her mind was racing with the knowledge of a second recruitment drive in the near future and she hoped she could get word to Stacie to apply.

"The hard work starts Monday people. You are to spend the rest of the day organising your bunk and familiarising yourself with the layout of Elementum. I strongly suggest you spend the weekend reading your Handbooks and learning what is expected of you. Make a friend or two. You may have to reply on them to support you when you fall. And you will fall. If you think this is just some school club, where you can duck and dive your way through any big social issue, or confused sexuality, you have come to the wrong place. There is none of that here. That's kiddie school. This shit is real life! Now, don't just bring it, strive for it. And let's do this. If you have any questions, please remain behind after this meeting. Class dismissed until Monday when we will meet back at 0730 hours."

Aubrey took a seat as she began to gather her books and papers together. She watched intently as the bustle of people leaving the classroom died down until only a few people remained. She was surprised more recruits weren't asking questions. Had she missed half of the meeting because she had a thousand questions still to ask? Or maybe she just wanted this more than the other folk who had just gotten up and walked out. With a sigh, Aubrey finally stood and checked her watch again. She was trying to avoid the enthusiastic blonde next to her but she seemed to be intent on waiting for her.

"You don't need to wait for me ... um, Amy." Aubrey said, not really sure how to let the blonde down gently. She seemed like a nice girl, a little weird and odd; the tutu being a large question mark over her sanity but Aubrey wasn't here to make a best friend. She was here to pass through the Academy, to earn her skills and to start seeking revenge for her mother's death.

"It's Fat Amy and yeah I doos Aubrey Aubrey Posen. I saw a drinkin' hole on the way in, wanna grab a cold one?" Amy asked.

"A what?" Aubrey said, unsure of Amy's meaning.

"A cold one, yoos know ... an amber?" Amy repeated, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth.

"I'm sorry, a what?" Aubrey said, starting to feel like the girl was speaking another language.

"Aw shit, what yoos Seppoes and Pommies call it?" Amy mused.

"Us what?" Aubrey retorted.

"The lady is asking what you Americans or us English call a cold one ... a beer in most languages! I'm Luke Bryant by the way. English native." Luke said, coming to Aubrey's rescue, holding out his hand as way of a greeting. Aubrey shook his hand politely.

"I'm Aubrey Posen. American all the way." She said to Luke, thankful for the translation. She turned back to Amy. "Thank you for the offer of an alcoholic beverage. Alas, I am underage."

"Not here, yoos aint."

"She's right. The legal age here in Blighty is eighteen so you can have a tiddley wink. That's a drink by the way." Luke teased.

"Um, well yes, I guess so. It is rather early for a drink though, isn't it?" Aubrey asked.

"Never too early for a sup, cobber." Amy interjected.

"Never too early for a drink, friend." Luke helpfully translated again. Aubrey just blinked. "It's 5 o'clock somewhere in the world, right?"

"Perhaps we could meet up at lunchtime -"

"-It's tucker time now, no? Come on Aubrey Aubrey Posen, let's flamin' go and find somethin' ta eat. A Sheila's gotta eat."

"I've got a thing -" Aubrey started to explain and silently berated herself for using such a word.

"What?" Luke said, looking her up and down as he slung his bag on his shoulder. He took in her very prim outfit as he fingered the woollen cap in his hand. "Flight attendant training?"

"No! I ... oh, I see."

"Come on, it will be fun. I don't know anyone here either." Luke said. "I could use a beer though."

"Yeah, come on Aubrey Aubrey Posen. Get your flat butt into the drinkin' hole with me and the Nancy boy here." Amy demanded.

Aubrey sighed and bent down to collect her bag from the floor. She was pleased to note that the English boy, Luke seemed quite content to wait as well, meaning she didn't have to translate all of the Australian's words by herself. As she stood she noticed that only the few stragglers were loitering in the classroom. Some waiting to speak to Agents Brooks and a couple who just seemed to be taking it all in.

She noticed the alternative girl was still sat in her chair, nervously picking at the hem of her shirt. Aubrey took a moment to study the girl. Her boots were too large for her feet and her clothes didn't seem to fit quite right. None of her outfit was coordinated; something that Aubrey took quite seriously. It was as if she had found various items of clothing scattered about and just wore it as an ensemble because common decency said she should wear clothes. Her hair was long; way past her waist and Aubrey could see that it needed a good cut.

Aubrey knew it was wrong to stare and she should have looked away sooner than she did. She was just edging back up to the girls shoulders when the brunettes head snapped around to look at Aubrey and she found herself staring into two pools of the deepest shade of blue she had ever seen. Aubrey let out a small gasp at being spotted gawping but the girl just looked away, pulling her hair back down around her face.

Aubrey looked over and saw that the ginger girl was still in the room and was pleased to note that she had stopped bouncing quite so much. She caught the girl's eye and was surprised to see her raise her hand and wave at the small group at the back of the room. She watched the red heads face light up when she took in Fat Amy's fairy wings and she noted the slight eye twitch at the same time, as if she was running through a dozen scenarios through her head.

"Hello, I'm Chloe." The red head called out. Aubrey moved closer towards her, unable to be rude and walk way, the by product of a very strict upbringing. She was about to introduce herself when the liveliest member of the party jumped in her path.

"I'm Fat Amy, representin' Australiaaaaa. This is Luke; he's an English Native. And that there is Aubrey Aubrey Posen. American."

"It's just Aubrey." Aubrey pouted.

"Hi everyone, nice to meet you!" Chloe said, smiling widely at everyone, winking at Aubrey as if to say she understand about her name.

"Do you agree that was a pretty intense first meeting?" Aubrey asked politely.

"Oh totes!" Chloe said and Aubrey bristled. Did the girl just say 'totes'?

"Where are yoos from?" Amy asked.

"East Coast of Old America, town called Tampa. Population was 482,000. When I left it was down to less than 700." Chloe said, looking sad at the memory for a moment.

"I'm Aiken, South Carolina. Small town girl. Population now less than 10." Aubrey said.

"Nice to have another fellow American here." Chloe said, happily. She turned towards the brunette, who was eyeballing the whole conversation from behind her hair. "That's Beca, by the way."

"How you know name?" Beca asked in broken English.

"Oh, it says so on the tag on your wrist." Chloe joyfully admitted.

Aubrey stared for a moment at the brown haired, alternative girl now named Beca. She hadn't noticed anything on the girl's wrist before but now she could see a thin band around her arm. She watched Beca retreat back into herself, pulling her sleeves down over her arms.

"Why are yoos wearin' a tag? Are yoos running' from the wallopers?"

"The what?" Chloe asked brightly.

"Lawmen." Luke translated for the benefit of everyone else. Chloe raised an eyebrow so Luke explained further. "Commonwealth folk still use the term occasionally."

"No business yours." Beca mumbled from under hair. Aubrey raised an eyebrow.

"Cobbers and me were just headin' ta the drinkin' hole if yoos would like ta join us." Amy said, swinging her arms around madly as if she was trying to gather everyone together.

"Bar. Beer." Luke repeated.

"Sounds aca-awesome to me." Chloe said. "Beca, come along. Benji, you too buddy."

"Who's Bungee?" Amy asked.

"It's Benji. He's my cousin. Quite shy." Chloe said, beckoning the young, dark haired boy towards the back of the room. Benji fashioned a smile on his face as he drew up alongside his cousin, swishing his magician's cape as he did so. His eye grew wide when he laid eyes on Aubrey and Chloe had to dig him in the ribs to get him to put his tongue away.

"I no come." Beca said and Aubrey was now convinced the girl was quite strange. However, she was drawn to her, like a moth to a flame and found herself quite intrigued now; her earlier notion of the girl seemingly unfounded.

"Yes, you will. Come along. We are going for a drink to get to know each other." Chloe said, cheerfully. Aubrey was surprised when the brunette stood up, clacking her feet onto the floor with a loud slap. She picked up her books and shuffled over to the group as they began to leave the room.

"How did you ...?" Aubrey started to say to Chloe. She paused as she wasn't quite sure what she wanted to ask.

"I'm sorry, what?" Chloe replied.

"Get the girl ... um, Beca to move."

"Well, I just used simple commands. It was her legs that did the rest." Chloe deadpanned.

"No! I mean, she didn't look like she wanted to join us." Aubrey stated.

"She did. I could tell in her eyes. She's just not used to people." Chloe answered Aubrey's unasked question.

"How did you know? Have you met her before?" Aubrey asked, totally confused by Chloe.

"No, but my guess would be that she has been living on her own for a long time. Probably in a bunker or a cave since she was a small child. Possibly been fending for herself for a few years now, living on scraps, with minimal human contact. Notice the basic language and the simple terms used? Watch her eyes and the way they dart everywhere, like they are on the look out for something. Did you see how nervous her hands are, the twitching and the picking at the threads of her shirt? Probably means she isn't used to wearing proper clothes. My guess is that she is from the north East Coast of Old America, around Baltimore. Lost her parents to an Alien sweep or attack or they just went missing one day. You know how families get separated. You watch - she'll have some tricks up her sleeve." Chloe summed up.

"How on Earth do you know all that? Did you read her file?" Aubrey asked in amazement.

"I've got ears." Chloe said, chuckling.

"So have I! But I ... she ... she didn't utter a single word since -" Aubrey said, confused.

"- No, I've got EARS: Extra Awareness Resolution Sensory. I can just tell some things. I just know." Chloe admitted.

"Oh, I thought that skill had died out years ago." Aubrey said, impressed by the answer.

"Oh totes, it did. But I've got it so ... yay!" Chloe laughed, clapping her hands together.

"Wow, I am impressed." Aubrey said, honestly.

"Your sister will be too." Chloe grinned at Aubrey.

"How did you know I had a sister?" Aubrey demanded.

"I just know. Remember! Oh, and by the way, watch out with your attitude towards Beca; she is going to be the thorn in your side. I have a feeling you two will be really fast friends but it's not going to be easy and you will rub each other up the wrong way. Mark my words! Come on; let's catch up with the others." Chloe chuckled.

Aubrey nodded and followed Chloe, turning at the last minute, just before she reached the door.

"Thank you Agent Brooks." She called out to the Agent, currently shuffling papers on the small table at the front of the room. "We will see you Monday."

"Thank you recruit. Be ready, the hard work starts sooner that you think." Agent Brooks barked back, squinting his eyes at the overly prim Aubrey.

A/N - Thank you for everyone's continued support.

Review Feedback:

Expert Ranger - I am sure Fat Amy would make an awesome Ranger! Care to suggest to the powers that be that Rangers start to wear tutu's as part of their kit?

ballpointmf - Glad you are hanging in there with me! Hope you enjoy :)

Rubiksmaniac - I have the next four chapters ready - they just have to be tweaked 100 times before I upload! I'll try and update a bit quicker! The action is ready to start, very, very soon!

Lackluster Brilliance - I'm so glad to have you on board and glad you love Fat Amy too! She'll be back, wait and see. You only know half of the stuff I have planned! Keep reading buddy!

cxcxcx386 - I'm so glad you love my acronyms! I giggle like a hyped up child when I'm writing them! Glad you liked the title too!