The next noon, Laura Reilly led me to Commander Taylor. According to the state of the sun it was at least twelve o'clock. Nathaniel wellcomed me with an a little bit obsessed smile and a cup of coffee. A man, Jim Shannon, was with him. I introduced myself and shook Mr Shannon's hand. We still talked until I had drunk my coffee, then we stepped out on the terrace.
On the place the soldiers who took part in the course assembled. When it became fairly quiet, Taylor started to talk: 'Bad times have broken up for us. We are cut by the future and have to learn, how we can survive without our technical terms! This man …', he pointed at me '… has done it, 7 long years he survived without any other help in the jungle. This course was founded because we should learn at least a part of that what he performs daily.' With that he gave me a sign to talk.
A little bit hesitantly I started to speak: 'My name is Jack Jenkins and I have, as just already mentioned, lived up to now 7 years in the woods. Now, survival is not only lighting somewhere out there a fire. It is an attitude, a life. If one of you does not take this seriously , he'll die. The forest has a structure, but the people have become blind. Only who has lived long time in this structure can see it. It is constant giving and taking. In the woods is important only one right: The right of the stronger! The one who is too weak or breaks the rules is expelled in the herds. You do not know the rules yet, but I am sure you will recognise if the time is ripe. ', I spoke, 'in the course you learn a few basic technics, a few tips and tricks, so to speak. Another part will be a biological excursion in which you'll get the weak points of certain animals illustrated. The third and last part is a test with what I will check you. I think do not have to say much more …' I ended.
My look wandered about the place, during the Commander regulated the details. The recruits were all younger or older than me. I estimated them between 20 and 40 years.