Renegade

Chapter thirty-five

The training grounds turned out to be only a ten-minute drive away from headquarters. At least according to Sergeant Welsch it was, for the newbies had to get there on foot.

As soon as they had entered the underground parking lot, the agent had led them to an official car. He'd taken a GPS from inside it and shoved it at the closest recruit, informing him he was to lead the group to the address displayed on it. He had then gotten into the vehicle and driven away, leaving a bunch of startled people behind.

When all the GPS carrier had done was gape at them like a fish, Marcy had grabbed the device and left the building in a relaxed jog with Theo running beside her. Though hesitant at first, the others soon followed.

Marcy was silent during the run, keeping a pace that everyone could follow. Though less than thrilled to be here, she was considerate enough to think of the rookies that weren't as fit as her. Theo made sure to always be by her side, energized by her mere presence.

Upon their arrival, they were greeted by Sgt Welsch and another man. The group of aspiring agents stumbled to a halt in front of them, their breathing labored. The stranger beside the sergeant was shorter but no less imposing. Thick arms folded behind his back, he had piercing eyes that sized them up one by one.

"You're late!" Sgt Welsch boomed and though at no point had he given them a time limit for their arrival, no one contradicted him. "Welcome to Training Area G, AKA Gesve. This will be your home for the next few weeks."

Theo's eyes left the imposing man's figure to take a quick look at his surroundings. Ugly, squat gray buildings stretched out behind the men with wide entrances and barely visible windows. A couple of SUVs were pulled up nearby and Theo could hear shouting and shooting in the distance. A man hurried away in the background, not even sparing them a glance.

"Meet your drill instructor," Sgt Welsch continued, capturing Theo's attention again. "Agent Guilbaud."

Introduction complete, Sgt Welsch took a step back, then whirled around and left. The new recruits stared at his departing figure until their drill instructor's voice had their eyes snapping back to him.

"You are late," he repeated, taking the time to shoot them a pointed look. "Tardiness is unacceptable in the ranks of the Intervention Squad. Being late allows the fugitives to flee. Being late gives them enough time to kill dozens of people."

Agent Guilbaud took a step forward and everyone went rigid with their hands behind their backs, unconsciously mimicking his posture. If the drill instructor approved, he certainly didn't show it.

"We are the ones separating order from chaos. Without us, the freaks would run wild," he said and Theo saw Marcy stiffen from the corner of his eyes.

The agent saw it too, for he walked over, stopping a breath away from her. He stared her down but Marcy didn't fold, returning his intense gaze with a glare of her own. Theo swallowed thickly, wishing he could find a way to make her step down. Now was not the time to be bullheaded.

"You've got principles, girl? That's nice," he coldly said. "Now discard them."

Marcy ground her teeth together, her jaw shut so tightly, Theo worried it might snap. The man continued to look at her, though his voice was pitched to carry over to all of them.

"The wielders might look like children, but their abilities aren't toys. You will be faced with unstable, hormonal kids whose raging powers are asking to be set loose. Children who often succumb to the lure of power and use them with no care for hurting others. Are you willing to allow bystanders to get caught in the crossfire?"

Agent Guilbaud shot Theo a quick glance before focusing on Marcy again. "Will you allow your comrades to fall at their hands?"

Marcy didn't look at Theo, but he knew the agent had struck a nerve. For him, Marcy would put all of her convictions aside. He watched as she averted her eyes, shoulders slumping in defeat. As expressionless as before, the agent walked back to his place in front of them.

"For your tardiness, you will run two laps around the compound. For your rebellion, you will do two more." he said, before adding with a menacing smile "Welcome to Boot Camp."

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Hello all. So the reason this is so short is that it used to be part of a four-part epilogue of Part I (yes, I did just use the word "part" four times) that I split according to character groups. It still serves the same purpose, I just renamed it. :p