Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 83

The tactical simulation had barely ended when Sergeant Ford gathered all the students at the center of Camp Harrison.

‘Congratulations on completing the tactical rescue simulation,” Ford announced. “But your Princeton Freshman Challenge isn’t over yet. The final phase begins now–wilderness survival training.”

A collective groan rose from the students. I kept my face neutral, though inside I felt a flicker of excitement.

“For the next twenty–four hours, you’ll be divided into groups and assigned to different sectors of our wilderness area,” Ford continued. “Your objective is simple: find water, build shelter, and locate food. Each group will receive only the essentials.”

He held up a small backpack. “Each pack contains a compass, flint, military–grade knife, and fifty feet of paracord. That’s it.”

When my team was assigned to the northwestern sector, a guy immediately complained.

“We got the hardest area,” he said, studying the map. “There’s literally no water source marked anywhere.”

I leaned in, scanning the contour lines. “There should be water here, here, and possibly here,” I said, pointing to three different locations. “See how the elevation drops? And these vegetation patterns usually indicate groundwater.”

My teammates stared at me with expressions ranging from skepticism to surprise.

“What are you, some kind of wilderness survival expert?” Jennifer asked sarcastically.

I shrugged. “I watch a lot of Discovery Channel.”

Twenty minutes later, we were trekking through dense forest. When I spotted fresh deer tracks in a patch of soft

earth, I crouched down to examine them.

“These tracks are fresh,” I said. “Animals usually follow established paths to water sources.”

Julian looked skeptical. “How can you possibly know that?”

“The edges aren’t dried out yet,” I explained. “And see how they’re all heading in the same direction? They’re not foraging–they’re traveling.”

Despite their doubts, the group followed my lead. Less than thirty minutes later, we found a small stream cutting through a rocky ravine.

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12:20 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 83

“Holy shit,” Trevor breathed. “You actually found water.”

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Back at our campsite, the team had divided responsibilities. I’d taken responsibility for finding food, setting up a series of traps around our camp.

“Where did you learn to make these?” Jamal asked.

“Books, videos, camping with my uncle when I was younger,” I lied smoothly.

Twenty minutes later, we heard screaming from the eastern edge of our camp. We found Jennifer on her knees, clawing at her arms and neck where angry red welts were forming.

“Poison ivy,” Jamal said. “Shit, she’s having an allergic reaction.”

Jennifer’s face was beginning to swell, her breathing becoming labored.

“Move,” I ordered, kneeling beside her. Without epinephrine, this could become life–threatening.

I spotted a cluster of plantain leaves growing nearby. I grabbed several, crushed them between my palms, and mixed in mud to create a poultice.

“Natural antihistamine,” I explained, applying the mixture to Jennifer’s affected areas. “It won’t replace an EpiPen, but it should help reduce the inflammation.”

I guided Jennifer through controlling her breathing. “In through your nose, four counts. Hold for seven. Out through your mouth, eight counts.”

Sergeant Ford approached us. “What happened here?”

“Allergic reaction to poison ivy,” I replied. “I’ve applied a plantain poultice to reduce inflammation and slow histamine response. She needs medical attention–possible anaphylaxis.”

Ford’s eyebrows shot up. “And what exactly is in that… poultice?”

“Plantago major–common plantain. It contains aucubin and allantoin, natural compounds that reduce inflammation and provide topical pain relief.”

An hour later, I found myself being escorted to Colonel Edwards‘ office by Sergeant Ford.

Colonel Edwards sat behind his desk when we entered. He looked up, and I felt a jolt of recognition. I’d seen him before–not as Colonel Edwards, but as Major General Edwards years ago.

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12:20 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 83

“What’s your name, Colonel?” I asked.

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“Colonel Tristan Edwards,” he replied, looking surprised by my question. “Please, have a seat, Miss Morgan.”

Ford tapped on a tablet, then handed it to Edwards. “Sir, I think you should see this footage from today’s survival training exercise.”

As Edwards reviewed the footage, Ford turned to me. “Miss Morgan, do you know we have drones monitoring all student activities for safety purposes?”

I kept my expression neutral. “I assumed there was some kind of surveillance.”

Ford’s jaw tightened. “Then perhaps you can explain the military–grade traps you constructed in less than fifteen minutes? The Paiute deadfall with the modified trigger system that’s only taught to special forces?”

Edwards looked up from the tablet, his expression grave.

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“Miss Morgan,” Ford continued, “I spent fifteen years in Force Recon, and I’ve only seen Delta Force operators make traps that sophisticated. No ROTC student or civilian wilderness enthusiast would know these techniques.”

I remained silent, my mind racing through possible explanations.

“Miss Morgan,” Sergeant Ford pressed, “please explain how you possess what are clearly military–grade survival skills?”

“I read a lot,” I replied calmly.

“No one learns to construct a modified Paiute deadfall trap from reading books,” Ford insisted. “That specific modification was developed for special operations in Southeast Asia. It’s not in any civilian manual.”

I held up my hands. They were smooth, unblemished–the hands of a student, not a soldier. “What exactly are you accusing me of, Sergeant?”

Colonel Edwards and Sergeant Ford exchanged glances.

“We’re not accusing you of anything,” Edwards said carefully. “We’re simply… curious about your background.”

I met his gaze steadily. “My background is in the file Princeton sent you, I’m a first–year computer science student who happens to have read a lot of survival manuals and taken a wilderness first aid course. Is there something wrong with being prepared?”

“Miss Morgan,” Sergeant Ford said finally, “the level of expertise you’ve demonstrated today goes far beyond ‘being prepared. The drone footage clearly shows you constructing multiple advanced traps with military precision in less time than it takes most trained soldiers to set up just one.”

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12:20 Mon, Sep 22

Badass in Disguise