When the jet landed, I was exhausted. Instead of going to Texas, like I had originally planned, I ended up in Washington, D.C. The flight took about 5 hours, and the Director had been talking to me nonstop about Project Freelancer. He told me about what kind of training I'd be going through, where we'd be staying, the bases I'd be infiltrating, things like that. It was silent throughout most of it, I was just too shocked to be able to comprehend it all. He and the Counselor had yet to answer my only question, why?

He'd told me everything else, his name, why he started this, and basically his life story.

His name was Dr. Leonard Church (though I wasn't allowed to call him that in public). His main reason behind this because his wife, Allison, had died while in action, but he didn't really go into all the details. I couldn't blame him.

He also told me about his daughter, Lindsay, and how she was about my age. He talked about the ship we'd be on, the Mother of Invention. The Director also told me how'd I get a code name (which I thought was super exciting, until I learned it'd be after a state).

He had answered literally everything.

Except for why they chose me.

The Director escorted me out of the airport, and into an all black car with tinted windows.

"Where are we going?" I asked when the driver took off.

"To NASA Headquarters," he answered. If I had been drinking something, I most likely would've spit it out.

"To NASA?" I repeated, still completely shocked.

The Director smirked at me slightly, "We've got to get to space somehow, my dear."

I nodded, and looked down at my lap, a slight smile on my face. Oh my gosh, NASA? Space? This is literally all I've ever wanted, and it's finally come to me in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

My smile began to fade, once realizing the Director never answered my question.

"Um, Director? Why-why did you choose me? I mean, when you could have some other experienced soldier?" I asked uncertainly.

The Director was quiet for a moment, green eyes gazing out the window, before he sighed and turned his attention to me.

"Lily, you have to understand that I chose you for a reason. The main purpose of this program isn't about how good of a soldier you are, it's about the ability to get better. It's about your leadership skills, and how you'd give your life for anyone you were fighting with. We...we're turning a girl with no military training into a warrior," towards the end of the speech, I noticed his eyes get a little watery before he turned to face the window again.

It made me think he began talking about someone else, rather than me, but I still felt proud.

I realized that he had chosen me for a reason, and I was proud of my decision. I wanted to make the Director proud of his decision, too.

I don't really know what made me trust him so easily. Maybe it was because we had both been through pain in our lives. Or, maybe it was because he actually believed in me, the first person to do so in a long time. Hell, maybe it was even because I looked up to him as a father figure. Maybe it was because I saw the Counselor as a caring, albeit annoying, uncle that I could confide in.

Whatever the reason was, I really really wish I hadn't.

When we arrived at the NASA headquarters, we immediately entered and were escorted into a room deep in the building. I couldn't really tell where we were exactly in the building, only that I lost track after about 5 flights of stairs, two elevators, and thousands of twists and turns.

I was seated in a chair in front of a desk, where the Director was seated, the Counselor standing a few feet to my left. It was quiet at first, I felt awkward as the Director stared at me once more. Why did he do that? Was he trying to decipher what kind of Agent I'd be?

"So," I started, trying to get the Director to look somewhere else, "I get a codename?"

The Director chuckled and pulled out his briefcase, pulling out the same clear tablet from earlier.

"Enter the state you'd like to be your new 'codename'," he said, handing me the tablet.

I grinned, fascinated by the amazing technology. I thought for a while before deciding which state I'd choose.

California.

Simple, it was where I was from.

The Director nodded at my choice, silently agreeing, before another hologram popped up. It was a black suit of armor.

"This is a model of the armor you will be wearing. You may choose any special modifications you'd like, as well as the design," the Director told me.

I glanced up at him, "You're letting me choose all this? I thought that was your job?" I asked, confused, yet still excited.

"Well, you are our first Freelancer, doesn't it seem fair?" he answered, standing up and quickly exiting the room. The Counselor smiled at me (I blew him a raspberry in return), and followed the Director out.

I spent about the next half hour or so entering my suit design. I decided to make the armor all white. with blue accents. For the modifications, I wasn't really sure where to start. Being new to all this military stuff, I just decided to go with the healing unit, and super speed. I figured being me, I'd probably get injured often; and I just thought being able to run fast would be super cool.

By the time the Director and Counselor turned, I was finished.

"Wonderful," the Director said, handing me a cup of coffee, "are you ready to head off now?"

I nearly spit out my coffee.

"'Head out?' Like, head to space?" I asked, definitely shocked. Didn't we just get here? Aren't they tired?

"Yes, to space. Right now," the Counselor simplified it.

I sighed and stood up, "I guess?" I answered unsurely, knowing they wouldn't give me a choice in the matter anyway.

I'll admit, I fell asleep before the rocket even took off. You think I wouldn't be able to sleep while a rocket launched, but you must understand, I. Was. Tired.

Also, after years and years of space exploration, being launched off into space feels like taking of in an airplane, except faster. And there's no gradual liftoff, just straight up into the sky and boom, your stomach is left on the ground.

Well, that's what the Director told me anyway.

We were on one of his private rockets (private jet, private rocket - what's next? A private planet?). I was strapped in between him and the Counselor. I think they expected me to be extremely nervous, because they prepared some sort of speech to calm me down, but I told them I was fine.

About ten seconds later, I was asleep.

The Director woke me up after we were loaded into a dock on what I presumed to be the Mother of Invention. He led me down a hallway and into the helm? I wasn't sure, not being familiar with giant flying space ships.

"Well, this is it," the Director said, "your new home."

I glanced around at the few people working at the controls. There was a lot of fancy technology stuff that I was unfamiliar with, but assumed I'd have to learn all about it at some point. The workers seemed to pay us no attention, only the occasional worker who would nod at the Director as they passed by.

I sighed to myself, this was it. I was undeniably worn out, eyes drooping and having troubles standing up myself, but I was finally here.

I was finally able to do what I've always wanted to do.

The Director put and arm around my shoulder, seeming to sense my exhaustion.

"Welcome to Project Freelancer, Agent California."