"Ches, Ches. Don't forget your needles. And I've packed some Squid Ramen."
Ches's Mum raced around the house in panic mode.
Ches looked over at his mum. "Settle down Mum. It's all okay. You made it through three years of Civic Engagement and so will I. You were the best recruit in boot camp and you've trained me for the last two years. If I don't make through then I deserve everything I get."
"Okay, Okay. I've one last piece of advise: Hide your skills as much as possible. They always work you harder if they think they can break you. And rarely use your chameleon colour changing, everyone forgets you have it if you don't use it. Save it for special occasions."
"I know, I know. You've already reminded me three times."
At boot camp Ches found himself lined up front and centre. A large gibbon monkey was yelling in his face. "You call yourself a soldier? I've seen jellyfish scarier than you...and they had more backbone."
Ches really wanted to wipe the monkey spittle off his face. Beside him a young female monkey couldn't hold her embarrassed laughter in any longer.
"And you. What's so funny? Although your father is clearly awesome, what have you achieved? That ulmaridae next to you looks capable compared to you?"
The welcome tirade continued until they were broken up into squads of five. Ches's new squad consisted of himself, Jadish ( the monkey), a fire drake called Ameol, a young spirit hawk, Spar, and a sloth called Benja.
They were put in the 'Loser' team as Captain Sung Mranie described them. Officially they were known as Team Gecko.
Every day for three years their lives were a living hell. Team Gecko cleaned more toilets than any other team, ran more laps than the other recruits combined and were regularly treated as live punching bags for martial arts training.
The only instructor who didn't seem to have it out for them was a young Kenstar instructor, Jemman. She went against what was clearly political manoeuvring and trained them in the art of gorilla warfare. It was a nature-based attack system.
Eventually the final day of training came. A competition in the arena where winning meant citizenship in the province and losing meant, well, as Commander Hershie Jarleson put it, "the basis for an awesome citizenship feast for those who have earned it."
Behind the scenes, the Commander and Captain Sung were discussing the upcoming battles.
"From what you've just said, I understand you expect Team Gecko to be killed in today's battles. Sir, I've allowed my daughter to be bullied for three years due to your hold over me. I'd don't know why she, or the others, need to die."
Jarleson looked at him with deceivingly kindly eyes. Counting on his claws he began to number off the team members. "I hate Ches. Well, his mother to be honest, but he'll do, because of her constant shaming and face-slapping when we were recruits."
This sounded like he was being open and honest but, in reality the young chameleon trainee had simply refused to have a one night stand with him.
"Jresh's son is very expendable, for political reasons and the hawk and sloth are useless. That leaves the tender, monkey-daughter of yours." As he said this he raised a fifth claw on his other limb, "I've always wanted to try monkey burgers and there are only two monkeys left in the whole province. It's either you or her. Your choice."
The middle-aged gibbon was about to answer but finally decided to bow his head and walk away in shame.
The eagle spoke quietly at the monkey's back, "I'll certainly make it worth your while, Mranie."
The primate didn't respond.
Neither of them noticed a set of eyes in the rafters slowly blink.