Every soldier was lined up in the yard as Commander Adams called out the names chosen for the investigation.

"Alright, listen up. I will call out the names of the special task force team that will head out to Fort Eden. As soon as I call your name please step forward."

He looked at the young men and women that stood in front of him briefly before he proceeded to recite the names.

"James Matthews
Ethan Belikov
Yusef Van Buren
Thalia Xanders
Timothy Carter
Jackson O'Neal
Gabrielle Shaquille
Peter Mallow
Rhodey Bryan
Elizabeth Jefferson
Hakim Alli
Vincent Downey
Christopher Samuelson
Samantha Gibson
Leslie Carter
Harrison Loid
Fred Green
Liam Bowman
Ariana Zimmerman
Winona Pascal

Joining this special team will be Major Vince Larry and Colonel Deidre Samson.

If I didn't call your name then you will remain here in the Fort and carry out our other regular assignments.

Those of you who were chosen I wish you Godspeed."

There were whispers after the names were announced. There were many speculations about the mission but one seemed to be popular. Colonel Samson's involvement. They all knew that the chances of the team's survival were slim. Sending one of the top military personnel raised many concerns.

Jesse searched the scattering crowds for his comrades. He found Liz standing like a statue, her face pale after hearing the announcement.

"Jesse..." She said, her voice weak. It seemed as if she was silently begging him to save her from her fate.

"Liz, you'll be fine." He said as he gave her a comforting hug.

"You can't know that. I barely made it through military training and now they want me to partake in this?!" She said as she slumped her shoulders.

"Yeah it raises questions. Like Jesse was top three of our class, why isn't he on this list?" Came the voice of another one of their team - Liam Bowman. "They probably don't want to risk the next generation of military leaders or whatever."

"But they'd risk the Colonel?" Liz said with a raised brow.

"The Lieutenant Colonel will take her place. Speaking of... Isn't he technically your father Jesse?" Liam said as he gave him a side eye. "I suppose it makes sense how we're on that stupid list and you're not."

"Excuse me? What are you insinuating? That I'd use my connection to avoid duty?" Jesse asked with a frown.

"Liam, you know Jesse would never do something like that!" Liz said with a disapproving look as she glared at him.

"I don't know anything, because that's what it looks like..." Liam persisted. "Don't give me that look, it's not far fetched that people would have their own self interests especially in a shitty world as this?"

"You're all being ridiculous." Came the voice of Captain O'Neal. "The list wasn't chosen by the Officers. It was the Governor's own discreet choice and before you start some nonsense about the Officers getting a say. No they didn't."

"How do you know?" Asked Liam, a sceptic look crossing his face.

"I was on the Governor's guard duty yesterday, remember? Now stop loitering around and go get some work done. Don't you all have base duty?" Jackson continued with an irked look. "Get your asses to work and stop gossiping!"

With a glare he watched the other cadets walk off before he turned back to Jesse and Liz.

"Hey there you two. Don't mind those idiots." He said with an apologetic smile. "Don't mind them."

"You are surprisingly calm." Liz pointed out.

"Panicking about the mission isn't going to solve anything. The only thing we should focus on right now is making sure we come back alive." Jackson told her. "I'm sure your boyfriend Jesse over here will be eagerly waiting for your return."

"Wha-what?!?! HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!"

"She's not my girlfriend!"

Jackson watched as both of their faces turned red and chuckled at how cute he found it.

"I see you two are still denying it, huh?" He said with an amused expression.

"You're impossible!" Liz said as she stormed off.

"You're a total goofball, you know that, right?" Jesse said to him with an exasperated expression.

"Hey, don't mind me, kid. I'm just having fun messing with y'all." Jackson said with a smirk as he ruffled Jesse's hair.

"Hey, stop that!" The blond said, as he pushed Jackson away.

He carefully ran his fingers through his wavy blonde hair, using a rubber band to tie it at his nape.

"Take care of yourself, kid. And keep everyone in line till we get back, okay?" Jackson said.

"Huh, how do I do that? I'm just a rookie remember?" Jesse said as he rolled his eyes at him.

"So what? You've got skill and talent. Overtime that's all that matters." Jackson replied. Don't listen to those idiots who say you're only here because of some connection or another. You're actually far better than them."

"Hm, I don't care what they say."

"Good. You shouldn't. I have to get going now. See you around, Adams."

With a small smile and a wave, Jackson was off leaving Jesse all by himself. He contemplated what he should do next. He had a little over half an hour before he had to take up the night watch duty. That meant he would see the selected team when they left at sunrise.

Would he get to talk to them one last time before they headed off?

As he was still thinking about what would happen next, he saw Doctor Fletcher approach him.

"Oh there you are, kiddo. I was wondering where you had run off to."

"Uncle Cas ," Jesse said as he gave him a warm smile. "What are you doing out here?"

"I thought I could just stretch my legs. Staying indoors for too long always agitates me. Also, I came to tell you that I will be leaving soon."

"Leaving? What do you mean leaving?" Jesse asked, as his eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh don't give me that look kid. You know I have a base to run. I can't afford to leave it for extended periods of time otherwise we will all eventually starve." Doctor Fletcher said with a sigh. "As much as I would love to stay with you here and catch up, I need to go back. They'll be announcing a lockdown soon and Luke advised me to head back as soon as possible."

"Will you be safe?" Jesse asked in concern.

"Don't worry about me, kid. I'm not dying anytime soon." He replied with a confident grin. "Besides, I'll have Deidre and the rest of the investigative squad as they are calling it to be my escorts till I get back home. I know I'll be safe."

"Okay... If you say so. Just, stay safe, okay Uncle Cas?"

"Of course kiddo. Come now. I should make sure preparations have been done."