August 24th, 2030, 8:11 pm

The top ten of Class 30 are the only ones that remain in the gathering room once the ceremony concluded. The other recruits were directed by Corporal Porter to exit the headquarters and take the floating train back out to the massive parking lot connected to the city. From there, their parents or guardian will pick them up and take them home. And that will be that.

We, on the other hand, were instructed by Sergeant Lee to stay in here until everyone left. I watched as all the other kids funneled out of the small auditorium and into the small office where we first entered the facility.

I haven't moved since I stepped up here. All of this is just so surreal to me. I see how close I was to losing it all, but look at me now. I am ranked fifth in Class 30 of the Imperial Guard, the most competitive class the organization has seen in years. I would never have thought this would happen. I was expecting to be ranked somewhere in the nineties or not at all. I cannot put into words what I'm feeling other than pure relief.

The stage lights dim out, followed by the entire auditorium sparking to life. A golden glow seeps throughout the room, though it isn't quite as bright as what we were just exposed to. The rays reflect off of the hardwood floor, causing a glare from up here on the stage. It kind of looks like a high school gymnasium, just without all the school spirit. In the center, there is the eagle with its wings spread wide. The symbol of the Imperial Guard.

Take it all in. This is my life now, indebted to the Imperial Guard. Everything I say and do is based on their expectations of me. If I'm going to play the part I have earned, I have to follow them. I need to move past the days of hating the Imperial Guard and the people in it. They're my brothers and sisters now. It'll take some getting used to, but I'll make it work.

"Okay, everyone, form a circle and take a seat." Sergeant Lee nears us, fluffing his hair a little. I guess his professional persona can rub off now. "I want to be the first to congratulate all of you on a job well done. I don't know if I could have created a better top ten myself. You all worked hard to earn your position, and you deserve every bit of it."

I find my place beside CJ, and he examines me head to toe. The way his mouth remains still tells me that he is probably in just as much disbelief as me. Finally, he smiles, pulling me in for an embrace.

Lee squats down to our level. "The pin you all received must be attached to the chest of your uniform on the day of the ceremony, which will be on Wednesday. We'll get into more detail as the date approaches, but that's what it's for if you were curious." He allows gravity to take his butt to the floor and he stretches out his legs in front of him. "For now, it would be in your best interests to get to know each other. Look around you; these nine kids are going to be with you for the rest of your Imperial Guard career. They are your new brothers and sisters. This is the greatest team you will ever be a part of."

I glance at CJ who is intently watching the speaker. I never had a sibling before, but he is my brother now.

"However, you can all become acquainted after we leave tonight. For now, we can start by going over some protocol and procedures that will transpire over the next few days. There are some things that you must take care of as a group before you may graduate into the Imperial Guard." Lee regards the ten of us with a sharp gaze. "All of you are to report here tomorrow morning at promptly nine-thirty. We will get you guys all tidied up and you will have an Imperial Guard uniform tailored. You'll go over etiquette and proper attire for the ceremony as well. Amongst many other things."

Mai Rea lifts her arm, almost instinctively. "We get to go home tonight, right?"

The elder Sergeant nods. "Of course. Your parents are waiting for you to take you home. But we just ask that you come back tomorrow. Monday is your free day to do whatever the hell you want. On Tuesday, you'll return here at six in the evening and we'll go over the procedure for the ceremony. Where you'll walk, how you'll approach the stage, the whole thing." He shoots a look at Craig, his fellow Sergeant. "In all honesty, though, it's all about watching the line leader. He does everything first."

While everyone's heads are turned to Lee, I look over to Corporal Hal van Lester, marinating in self-loathing and silence beside his rival. I didn't get the chance to speak with him after the ranking, as he was congratulating Craig, but something about the way he shrunk into the crowd of us made me believe that he wasn't happy. I think he had his rightful title stripped away from him, and I'm not sure why. There is nothing he didn't do; all of his tests were stellar and respectable. Craig never even came close.

"Everything we just went over will be further elaborated on in greater detail once the week moves along. Before I send you guys on your way, I want to lend a hand to you so that you aren't lost. Even though Sergeant Larsson is your leader, I hope that you all can look up to me as another source of help if you ever need it. I've been in your shoes, guys, and it's tough, I know. I want this to be a smooth transition for every last one of you. They call classes 27 through 30 the "baby tens," and I just want to be there for my fellow guards."

Is this the moment in which I start guiding my trust toward someone who denounced me last week? He told me to impress him for his respect last week, and I believe I did quite enough to earn it. But this is the same person who viewed Luke's assault on CJ as a way to undermine another recruit. Can I still look at Lee like a piece of shit, or must I toss that disguise aside and see him as the Sergeant who extended help to me just now?

I guess we can both move on from that encounter. It's time to be the grown-ups that we are.

Lee jumps up from his seat and smiles at all of us. "Just to recap, tomorrow, be here, nine o'clock. If there are no more questions then you are all dismissed to meet with your guardians. Welcome to the Imperial Guard, guys. We're glad to have you aboard."

I stand up next to CJ, and he watches Hal walk toward us. The broad Corporal constricts me in a grasp and nearly lifts me off the ground. I know Hal has powerful strength, but I never considered that he could pick me up like this. I'm practically levitating a few inches.

"Slater, you are the man! Proving everyone wrong like the badass you've always been!" He makes a kissing sound without actually making contact with my face. "Now look at you! Fifth!"

He plants me on my feet soundly. "Thanks, Hal." I am about to congratulate him, too, but I hide it all under my tongue. He might just take back everything he said.

Dalia prances toward the three of us with her arms tucked behind her black dress. "Look at you. I didn't think you'd be here when I first met you, yet here we are."

Our group steps off the stage and deliberately trots to the doors to the front office. Hal and CJ pair up and fall back behind Dalia and I. She observes me intently, not averting her eyes for a second. I don't want to intercept our gazes, but every so often I find myself looking at her.

I don't know what to think about Dalia. I'm uncertain if she is ever hitting on me or just being nice. Sometimes I have issues picking up on those cues. I think she's a pretty girl, but I don't see her as potentially more than a friend. Hopefully, she's not trying to make a move on me. I'm not interested in dating her, it's just... well, it's complicated.

I bend toward her, studying the flock of recruits behind us. I am searching for one specific person, identifying his location. Once I see him, speaking with Sergeant Lee in the back, I turn to Dalia. "What do you think about Craig? You go to school with him, right?"

Her joyful manner distorts as she shakes her head, rolling her intense, golden eyes. "Unfortunately. We all thought it was going to be Hal. Craig is," Dalia emits a soft sigh. "Okay, so there are worse people in the world. But Craig is arrogant and sometimes just plain rude. It's inevitable that he's going to treat someone like shit."

We emerge into the office with the artificial lights right above our heads. "That's not right." I run a hand through my hair, proceeding toward the exit to the parking lot. "If he's a leader, he shouldn't be rude to us."

"Welcome to the Imperial Guard," she scoffs. "You either have a selfless Sergeant who would take a bullet for you or someone like Craig who would run from the sound of gunfire." Dalia presses the door to the headquarters into the dusk, leading me out.

"Private Tross, I would like a moment, when you're free." Sergeant Lee's voice trails from the rear of the procession. Half of my body is contacted by the moist night air, while the other is stuck inside with the cooling.

CJ stops in the doorway, smiling at me. "Do you want us to wait for you?"

I notice Lee awaiting my approach by the front desk. I should let them go, I'm sure they want to get home. "I think I'm okay, guys. Thanks, though.

Hal pats me on the collarbone with a strong palm. "No problem. We'll see you tomorrow, brother."

Brother? "Yeah, see you guys." They escape into the night while I squeeze through the remaining class behind us. Before long, I'm alone with Lee, with the exception of the receptionist behind the desk. She is shuffling documents scattered around her computer, peering at us through broad spectacles.

The Sergeant adjusts the collar of his jacket, pulling it away from touching his chest. "I didn't think we would be having this conversation, Slater. I am quite shocked to see you go free. It's no consolation for Otto's death, but I will refrain from being exceptional. Ranking in the top five of your class is no simple feat, so I shall give respect where it's due."

"I'm honored, Sergeant. Thank you." That is no overstatement, either. To hear that my former adversary now has respect for me means the world. It seems that all of my feuds have been resolved for the time being. I guess the only person who stands in my way of total freedom is Rodney Roarke, and I don't know when I will see him again. Now that I am a member of the Imperial Guard, hopefully, he will leave me the hell alone and take this mark off of my arm.

Lee avoids the desk and crosses his arms. "Of course. Now I have some bad news." He glances at the receptionist. "One thing that was not finalized in the OLC process was who would pick you up from the ranking. That had to be completed in all typical recruit paperwork, but since you weren't exactly typical, that field was never filled out. We attempted to contact your mother, but we haven't received an answer." He frowns. "Long story short, you're stuck here for the night."

It's eight o'clock; Mom should be home by now. She doesn't work night shifts on the weekends, so why would she be away from the house? She must have heard the call on the answering machine and rushed over here. I bet she's on her way. But we didn't live far from the shore, so I don't know what could be taking so long.

I just want to see my mom again. I haven't spoken to her since March, and I don't know who that hurts more. I'm all she has. Ever since my dad went missing, I was the only person she could talk to after a long day at work. Without me to vent to, I wonder how she made out. I should have never left in the first place. I hope she will still accept me.

"I'm sure she's on her way, Sergeant." I swallow, blinking fast. "I can wait for her."

The woman behind the desk stops filing paperwork for a moment. "I'm staying until nine working on some papers. You can wait in here until I leave."

Lee nods, squeezing his lips together. He maneuvers around me to the door. "You can wait. But if she doesn't show up, you should return to the barracks for the night and set your alarm. It's probably much easier to just stay here instead of going home." He leans his back against the glass door, slightly pressing it out. "But you do whatever is most comfortable for you. I believe you've earned the right to choose. I'll see you tomorrow." He waves to the receptionist. "Good night, Irene."

"Good night, Brayden." She ducks behind her desk as he steps out into the bleak night beyond. "You can take a seat at the couches, Slater. No need to stand around."

I back away from the counter and slump down in one of the sofas against the window. The cushion sucks me in, relieving all the angst from my body. It's comforting to finally have the stress lifted from my shoulders. A new test begins soon, but so far, the hardest part is a thing of the past.

"Congratulations on being ranked, Slater," Irene calls out from her position near the computer. "I'm sure that the Captain is pleased to hear it, too."

I hold my hands in my lap and grin. "Thank you, ma'am. Is the Captain upstairs? I would like to talk to him before I leave."

She paperclips a stack of documents and gazes at me. "You're out of luck. All the officers were across town watching the ranking live. Now that it's over, they're probably on their way home. I could leave a message if you would like."

"No, but thank you." My eyes bounce around the room, inspecting every nook and cranny for a few minutes until a thought crosses my mind. "Excuse me, ma'am?"

She looks up from what she is occupied with. "What is it?"

"Did you know my dad? Calvin Tross?" I never had the chance to ask anyone about Dad before. The only person who ever told me anything about him besides the crumbs from the Captain was my mom. Now that I'm a member of the Imperial Guard, I want to know more. I remember Irene's remarks about him when we first encountered each other.

Irene beams, serene. "Mhm, I did. What an incredible soul he had. Always smiling. There was nobody that he hated, not even if he was ordered to kill them. He loved everyone he was close to like a brother, and he certainly loved you."

I know he did. Mom and I always came first to him unless it was a mandatory order. I wish I could speak to him again, just to tell him how much I love him and what's he's missed. I'd be sure to apologize for joining the Imperial Guard against his word, but he would understand the circumstances.

I'm going to find him. He's still out there, and I'll lead a group to search for him, even if it's dangerous. I'd give anything to have another word with my father.

Irene chuckles to herself, her fingers clicking something into the chunky box of a computer. "None of the officers are going to believe that you made it. You should have seen Brian walking in here every day last week. He kept his words short and kept walking. Well, he's relieved now that you've been ranked." She slides in her chair back to the papers she was working on. "All the officers are like this during ranking week. I've known Brian since he was your age, but I've never seen him get so bad in quite a while. And that's saying something, trust me."

I hope he didn't worry about me too much. It was his responsibility to make sure I was ready for the ranking but it wasn't up to him to pass the tests. That was my job, and I succeeded. I handled them. I couldn't imagine the Captain being stressed about me at all. That guy is an ice cube.

But I guess that means he cares about me, at least a little bit. When we first met, we hated each other's guts and I wanted nothing more than to be thrown in prison or be shot. After the night by Tyson's Gorge when the Medo's identity began to unravel, I grew used to him and Celestine. He would never be the type to express if he actually cares about me or not.

"Ma'am, what does he think about me?" I kick my feet up onto the coffee table, observing how they adjust on top of each other. "You can tell me if he hates me."

Irene rises from her station, slinging a satchel over her shoulder. A purse is clutched in her open hand. "Oh, no, sweetheart, he doesn't hate you. If that's what you think, I'm sure it's just tough love." She steers around the desk, halting in front of me. "He adores you, Slater, but you know he's not a fan of showing emotion. Between you and I, in this room, I think you remind him of his son, Hayes. He wants nothing but the best for you, perhaps as solace for himself."

My heart drops with the rise and fall of my chest. "What happened to his son?"

She motions for the door, tugging the satchel strap closer to her neck. "That's something you can wait to ask him. I'll keep that to myself. You should head to the barracks and get some rest. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning. Take care, honey."

"You too, ma'am." I remain seated as Irene pulls the front doors closed. The ceiling fan above dies down in speed before becoming stagnant. The rainwater from the apparent storm that occurred during the ranking seeps down the drain behind me. Distant voices in the corridors in the offices upstairs echo in my head.

I have no will to disappear into the depths of the headquarters just to sleep. My body is comforted enough by this couch that I could drift off and be content. Sergeant Lee will probably be here prior to nine o'clock, and he can shake me back to consciousness. I doubt I'll get in trouble if I make this my bed for the night. Let's just hope none of the employees upstairs catch me and order me back to the barracks.

I tilt my head against the rear of the sofa and shut my eyes. Tomorrow is a new day with the first siblings I have ever had. And I might not show it, but my excitement is beyond belief. But before my dreams can kidnap me from reality and I may fall asleep in peace for the first time in three weeks, the doors to the headquarters snap open.