I'm not much of a cribber.
Yeah I was, but that came down drastically after I was announced the Squad Commander, and whatever remained, died when Boss claimed me as his dog.

Three months into training at KMA, I convinced myself that there's nothing called too much or little less pain.
Pain is pain. It's a constant state of body. My body.

Soon I stopped crying out the dry tears and cursing my stupid decision to join KMA, against dad's advice.

I was getting used to this new yet difficult lifestyle and by the end of first term, was more or less fine with the agony I went through on a daily basis.
I thought this is the worst it can get and once I pass out from here, all this will get over.

Trust me when I say this - the only hope that drove me to give my best and win in every exam, and hence the best passing out Cadet - was that I'm putting my ass in fire for the last time. Once I march out of that parade ground, life will be easier.
But oh I was so wrong.

I knew it's not true. That life will not be easier tomorrow. In fact I knew it will be worse.
But how exactly? That I didn't know.
So I stayed ignorant to it and believed that tomorrow will be better.

KMA was the only difficulty I needed to face and win over. That's what I kept telling myself. But never in my dreams I saw this coming.

This place - is pure hell.
For a newly commissioned Lieutenant's tryout period of just fifty days, this place looks terribly huge and awfully equipped. The guards are like German Shepherds and the barbings are definitely running high voltage inside them.

And this man - oh god - he's making me believe in god more strongly than ever. It feels like I'll be sending prayers day in and night out to just help me survive.

Our meeting on day 1 made it clear what I should expect from Norman - absolutely nothing other than fucks and shocks.
He's an excellent mo**erfucker and the facts that 1) he's a damn great torturer and 2) he has been assigned the job to test me against his wish - had my nerve cells jump all over my body.

A person with no pain receptors should never be given weapons. And that's what they have done.
They definitely want to prove Beta wrong at any cost.
And the cost is - my bones.

It's Day 1 today, eight hours into it, and I'm already looking for reasons to not back out.

I'm not afraid of any workout that he'll make me go through. Nope, not even a bit.

It's his manipulation that scares me.
He's the judge of all my actions and if I do something that he can frame as drastically wrong, nobody will come and stop him from putting that up to commander. And things will only escalate from there. Before I'll know what to do, I'll be kicked out with my baggage. I just can't afford that right now, or ever! That's why I have to think twice before I even breathe. My brain is on all - time active and it is exhausting most of my energy.

Waking up at 0430, I got ready in a jiffy and knocked on his door at dot 0500 hours.

"Start pushing" is how he wished me good morning.
So I pushed 300 while he got ready.

He opened the door, came and stood in front of me.
"On which count did I open my washroom's door?"

Excuse me, what?
I didn't say anything for a second and kept pushing.
With zero patience he stepped on my left hand and my answer came out a loud cry "I... didn't focus there, sir..."

He moved a little ahead, crushing my palm further, "Keep your eyes and ears open. You can be asked anything and everything. So instead of asking yourself what the fuck is that, ask yourself what information you can cram up in that egg sized brain of yours. Got it?"

"Yes sir."
Fuck you!

"Up." he stepped back and I did as ordered. My hand was crying due to the sting but I waited for him to let me go before I soothe it.

He set a glare on me for a few moments, went back inside and I heard a "Drop again."
I did as told and ensured that my ears are in attention and counts were being recorded in my mind.

After a wait of million years he came out and I went through a similar viva again. Thankfully I had answers this time, so I was shot with less embarrassing fires.

Without letting me get up, he ordered me to commando crawl and follow him. He intentionally moved at a speed that was impossible for me to crawl at.
Still, scraping my elbows deep, I reached the door of Commander's office where his feet waited for me.

"Up."
I did but my heart was still there on the floor.
This is the academy where Class-I agents are trained to become the best. I'm here to be tested for my worthiness.

And the person I'm about to meet is the king of this kingdom.
You have no clue how colossally I was keeping the fear off my face.

"Follow me."
He said and my heart went six feet under.

Norman saluted General Warren who motioned him to sit on the sofa placed in one corner of the office.

"Good morning, sir!"
I gave him my best academy-standard salute and loud regard, because if not him, then who else will I give my best?

I opened my mouth to introduce myself the way I've been trained. He definitely knew a million things about me, than just my name but my own introduction was important.
But without exchanging a word, he pointed a finger to the floor and I just dropped and started pushing.
Nothing less than what I had expected.

"Lieutenant James is it?"
He asked.

"Yes sir."
My voice squeaked but I managed to reply.

"I have read your profile. Reese has worked really hard on you. Best shooter, A grade in physicals, 90% and above in academics, best passing out Cadet, and most impressive - first Cadet to land here directly - he must have seen something in you that he sent you for an impossible task. What is it, boy?"

"Lieutenant Colonel Reese would know that better, sir. I just gave my best throughout."
I admitted confidently.

"I see. Up."
His firm commands were not helping me calm down at all.

"James. I need you to understand this - I'm proud of you and Reese that he thought so much and prepared you and you had the courage to report here despite of knowing nothing. So let me tell you the truth - we will not agree to carry out such a program. We need experienced officers for Class-I, and under no circumstances, I'm allowing a cadet or a just commissioned officer to become a class-I agent. So, instead of all this suffering, you can say no and sign here, and leave. That will help all of us go back to where we are supposed to be. If we had a choice, we could have signed it, but sadly, your dear commander didn't leave us with an option. So it goes till you give up - which you eventually will - because we are not going to give a positive report ever. What do you say - you'll sign peacefully today, or after a suffering of fifty days?"

"This is a trial, as I have been told, sir. And I've been prepared by my training officers and instructors to face these difficulties for past 3 years. For the sake of their hardwork on me, I should go through it before I sign the failure."
I said with my head held straight.

"Hard nut to crack, huh, Norman?"
He said chuckling.
I gulped slowly.

"Harder he is, easier for us to break."
Norman replied without a heart.

Commander then turned to me and became very serious.
"I know you've signed the papers already. And I hope you have not read every single word written in it, because I'm going to give you the deal papers again to read thoroughly and a fresh acceptance/denial form to sign. I want to give you a last chance to choose what happens to you. After those papers are signed in acceptance, your life isn't yours anymore. Not till we break you. So give it a clear thought again and decide. "

Intimidating as fuck!
Hundred times more than Norman's.

"Norman, give the gentlemen a fresh set. Make him go through each word."
"Roger sir."

"James, I'll still suggest you go back and live a normal peaceful life. I'm not saying that you're unfit or incapable, I'm just asking you to gain the necessary experience and apply later. I'm sure you'll be the best there too. But I don't want you inside CCTC right now. May be five years down the lane - which is pretty good if I'm asked - but not today, not this year."

I stood silent counting the number of people who actually want me to be here - zero.

Understanding my silence, he continued "James, you disagree with the deal and all your needs will be taken care of till you are here. But should you volunteer, then Major Norman will be your In-Charge. You'll have to follow every single of his commands blindly. I know you're supposed to follow my orders according to the deal, but then that's my order - Norman owns you till you opt out. Clear?"

"Clear Sir!"

"Norman, if the boy signs for non-volunteer, shift him to guest room and arrange the paperwork. And if he doesn't budge, you know how to begin."
That was a clear cut threat directed at me.

"Roger Sir!"

We both saluted and were about to leave when the General stopped me.

"Boy stays back."
Just three words and I stopped in my track.
My ass-owner left.

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Warren sounds like a harmless man, don't you think?

And I want to hold James's hand tight and tell him - you got this!

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To anyone thinking why the story is not moving forward - read the story prologue again.

Meanwhile, a little trivia for my old readers - which all characters do you expect to have a comeback in this book? Or new specific characters that you want to meet?
I'd love to know your imagination and expectations. Who knows you might get lucky. 😉

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Vote and comment if you like the update.
The tempo is going up soon.