Chapter 134*
Angelina’s POV
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She took a step closer. Her voice dropped. “Tansy’s my family. My little cousin. And you embarrassed her. Embarrassed her father. That doesn’t
sit well with me.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It’s a heads-up. Saffron’s smile got colder. “I’m a Gamma. I’ve been training for years. I know how this program works. I know how to play the
game.”
She paused. “And I’m very good at making sure the right people succeed and the wrong people fail.”
I stared at her. “Done?”
“Not quite. Saffron glanced around. Making sure no one was in earshot. I have friends here. Other candidates. We look out for each other.”
“Good for you.”
“We also don’t like it when unqualified people take spots from people who deserve them.” Her eyes locked on mine. “So here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to struggle. You’re going to fail. And by the end of this weekend, you’re going to quit.”
“You seem very confident.”
“I am.” Saffron stepped back. Her professional expression returned. “See you at orientation, Sterling. Try not to embarrass yourself too badly.”
She walked toward the main building.
I watched her go. Noticed she immediately headed toward a group of three other women standing near the entrance.
They all looked at me. Saffron said something. They laughed.
Great. I continued to the main building.
The entrance was crowded. People everywhere. All of them older than me. Most looked to be in their twenties or thirties.
A few glanced at me as I walked in. Their expressions ranged from curious to skeptical.
I ignored them. Walked to the check-in table.
A woman in her forties sat behind it. She had a clipboard and a bored expression.
“Name?”
“Aria Sterling.”
She scanned her list. Stopped. Looked up at me.
“You’re the fifteen-year-old?”
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Chapter 134 *
“Yes.
Huh. She made a mark on her clipboard. “Bunk assignment is building there. Room twelve. Here’s your schedule.
She handed me a packet of papers.
I took them. Walked toward the exit.
“Hey.”
I turned back.
The woman was looking at me with something that might have been sympathy.
“Good luck, kid. You’re gonna need it.”
I didn’t respond. Just walked out.
Building three was on the far side of the compound. A long barracks-style structure with numbered doors.
I found room twelve. Opened the door.
Four bunk beds. Eight people total per room.
Three of the beds were already claimed. Bags on them. No one was inside.
1
I chose a bottom bunk in the corner. Dropped my backpack on it.
I lay back on the bed. The mattress was thin. Uncomfortable. Military standard.
I closed my eyes. Just for a moment.
Then I heard voices outside.
“Did you see that kid? The one who checked in?”
“Yeah. What is she, twelve?”
“Fifteen, apparently.”
“What the hell is a fifteen-year-old doing here?”
“No idea. Probably some politician’s daughter. Daddy pulled strings to get her in.”
Laughter.
I opened my eyes. Stared at the ceiling.
Let them think whatever they wanted.
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Chapter 134*
At eleven-forty-five, I left the barracks.
The main training field was packed. Over two hundred people standing around in loose groups.
Everyone was dressed in similar gear. Black or dark green tactical clothing, Boots. No uniforms yet.
I walked to the edge of the crowd. Stood alone.
A few people noticed me. Did double-takes. Whispered to each other.
1 ignored them.
At exactly noon, a man walked onto a raised platform at the front of the field.
He was in his late forties. Maybe six-two. Heavily muscled. His head was shaved. Face weathered and stern.
“Attention! His voice carried across the entire field without needing a microphone.
ས ཏྟཱ 13%།
The crowd went quiet.
“My name is Felix. I’m the lead instructor for this selection. For the next seventy-two hours, you belong to me.”
He paused. Let that sink in.
“There are two hundred and thirty-six of you here. Only thirty will be selected. The rest of you will go home.”
Felix started pacing across the platform.
“This is not a competition against each other. This is you proving yourself to us. We don’t care if you’re the best in your group. We only care if
you meet our standards.”
He stopped. Looked out at the crowd.
*Some of you are military veterans. Some are law enforcement. Some are private security. You all have experience. You all think you’re
qualified.”
His expression hardened.
“You’re not. Not yet. Everyone here starts at zero. Your past accomplishments mean nothing. What matters is what you do in the next three
days.
Felix pointed toward several people standing at the edge of the field. All wearing black shirts with “INSTRUCTOR printed on the back.
“These are your evaluators. They will be watching everything you do. How you move. How you think. How you handle pressure.”
He crossed his arms.
“The physical tests will be brutal. The scenarios will push you to your limi. Many of you will quit. That’s fine. We’d rather you quit than waste
our time.”
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Chapter 134*
Someone in the crowd shifted. Felix’s eyes locked on them immediately.
‘Did I say you could move?”
The person froze.
“When I’m talking, you stand still. When I give an order, you follow it. If you can’t handle that basic level of discipline, leave now.”
Nobody moved.
Felix nodded. “Good. Now, let’s address the elephant in the room.”
He looked directly at me.
My body tensed slightly. Everyone else’s heads turned to follow his gaze.
“We have a fifteen-year-old candidate this year. That’s unprecedented. Many of you are probably wondering why she’s here.”
Silence.
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“The answer is simple. She met the preliminary requirements. She passed the initial screening. She earned her spot here just like the rest of
you.”
Felix’s voice got harder.
“Anyone who has a problem with that can leave. Right now. Because if I catch even a hint of someone targeting her specifically, or going easy
on her, or treating her differently in any way, you’re gone. Is that clear?”
A few people nodded.
“I said, is that clear?”
“Yes, sir!” The crowd responded in unison.
“Good.” Felix stepped back from the edge of the platform. “Physical fitness test begins in ten minutes. Follow Instructor Martinez to the track.”
One of the black-shirted instructors waved. Started walking toward another part of the compound.
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