Calli looked on in amazement. She never thought she would see this man again. She had only remembered the tattoos. Torn. Calli decided it was a suitable name.
"Now," Torn began. "Tonight is the last time you will get to act like children. From here on out, you're adults, and you'll be treated as such. Want out? The door is behind you."
No one moved. Everyone stared in silence as Torn continued to speak:
"You will be shown to your rooms and then the rest of the night is yours. Enjoy it. Because it will probably be the most fun you will have in the next two years."
Calli started to get fidgety. The Commander had looked right at her as he said this. And that mader her even more nervous than she already was. Did he know she was the little girl from the port? She doubted it. Torn continued.
"When you get to your rooms, you will find your schedules and a map of the training facility and grounds. Use it to your advantage and explore during you free time. The restricted zones are marked. You get caught, you get severely punished. End of story."
You could hear a pin drop during the few seconds he took to study everyones faces.
"Now. Waiters will be bringing in dinner for you. Get to know each other. When you ar efinished, you can exit through the door over there and someone will show you to your rooms. I have business to attend to. Remember, enjoy your last night of freedom."
And with that, he walked off the stage and out the side door. Calli just caught a glimpse of a red hairedwoman in a KG uniform. That must be the Baron's daughter, Ashelin, she thought.
"Well. That was quite the speech." Axel stated, still sitting next to her. Calli had momentarily forgotten he was there.
"That guy was pretty damn serious... But if what he said is true, we might as well enjoy this night!" he looked at Calli with a big smile. "Look! Here comes our steak!" Cali looked over to see a waiter bringing over a tray full of plates. She then noticed the other two guys sitting at her table that she hadn't seen sit down through her near trance-like state as she listened to the Commander. Upon firther conversation she came to know them a little bit. Their names were Travis and Cooper. Two blonde haired, southern boys whose dream was to follow in their fathers footsteps.
As the four of them ate, talked, and laughed, Calli realized that boys were probably going to be the people she hung out with the most over the course of their training. She smiled at the thought. She had never really gotten along with girls as well as she did with guys. And Calli rather liked it that way. No girly drama. They finished their steak and potatoes and sat talking for a few minutes.
"I'm gonna go get my room situated guys." Calli said.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Travis said, picking up his bag and starting towards the door, Cooper not far behind.
As they were being led to their rooms, Axel asked Calli, "So what made you want to be in the KG? I mean I know not many girls have ever done it, no offense, but I'm just curious."
"Oh none taken," Calli said. "It's just that when I was eight, that man who talked to us, Commander Torn, saved my life. And since then, I just always wanted to be an officer."
"Cool, cool." Axel said.
"So what about you?" she asked him.
"Well, my father said I would never amount to anything in my life, so to prove him wrong, I signed up for the guard as soon as i could. Sure shut im up right quick. Broke Ma's heart though... I figure as soon as we graduate and she sees me in that uniform, she'll be proud and not worry so much."
"Calli Conners?" asked their escort.
"Yes?"
"This is your room here. And it just so happens that yours, Axel, is the one straight across. Get settled and enjoy your night." And with that he was gone.
Calli opened the door to her room. She couldn't believe how big it was. There was a queen size bed against the far wall, a large dresser, closet, desk, and her own private bathroom. The window overlooked the side of Haven that contained the stadium. She loved to go to the races. It was something her father had gotten her into... Calli walked into the bathroom, brushing a small tear from her eye that had formed thinking of her father. She stripped off her clothes and hopped into the shower. The warm water felt good. She just wanted to stand under it all night. As she stepped out of the shower, it all began to sink in. She was really here. Finally.
She got dressed and headed out into the bedroom, towel drying her hair as she went. There was a loud knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Calli asked, pulling thetowel of her head and tossing it on the bed.
"It's Axel!" Calli walked over and opened the door.
"Wanna go for a walk?" he asked, " Travis and Cooper are down the hall, and they wanted to know if you were up for exploring!"
"Yeah, sure." She said. "just let me fix my hair." She grabbed one f her hair ties and threw her hair into a loose and messy bun, and out the door she went to join her newfound friends.