All recruits slowly awoke and got some time to get used to their surrounding, they of course were a bit nervous after they found them self in a semi dark cave. Herbert still tried to understand the whole situation he found himself in. After most of the twenty recruits calmed down, the "Lieutenant" called out for the group to listen to him.
"I know you are confused but you have to listen to me now. Welcome to the test." The group got noisy. Some of the recruits wanted to ask some questions but the officer interrupted them instantly. " If you have questions, ask them later after I finished explaining you your situation." The group went silence. "Thank you. As I already told you this is the test. The test is going to take 7 days." Some recruits, especially the big guy from before, started to complain. "Wait! When we were invited we were told that we would do some tests today and that that would take around three hours or so." He looked like he wanted to complain much more but he was interrupted. The Lieutenant sounded angry "As I already told you, you ask the questions AFTER I explained the situation to you and it would be important that you are all going to listen because I do not intent to repeat myself."
"So were was I? Ah Yes I still have to introduce myself. I am Lieutenant Becker and I will lead you through this test as I said earlier this test will take seven days. In those days we will test a variety of skills from your skills in the Larunan language over knowledge to your leadership skills but there are also some physical challenges. Your first task will be that you form four groups of five people and you have to select for a group leader. Execute NOW!" The recruits didn't move. "Oh I forgot to tell you that when i say execute then you have to do what I told you before so I repeat EXECUTE NOW!"
Now the recruits went hectic searching for team mates. Most people found a group in an instants. Herbert looked towards Karsten and Karsten nodded understanding what Herbert wanted. Before they could have looked for members in their group the other three groups announced that they gathered five recruits. The three recruits who were without a group went to Herbert and Karsten.
"Does your squad still searching for members?!" came the question from a young woman. Herbert couldn't see it but Karstens face twitched because he thought that he knew the voice. Turning around and seeing her face he thought "No that's not her. Maybe i was wrong she wouldn't do something that stupid." She was something about 20 to 25 years old, small build, blond like most of the dominions, she wore her hair short. After knowing that he was mistaken he answered "Yes indeed we are. If you want you can join us but If you don't then I am sorry for you but as fast as I know you have no other choice but to join us the same goes to the rest of you." "Well i think that you are right. Anyway, my name is Marie Staufenberg. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Karsten stretched out his hand and said "My name is Karsten and the guy who is hiding behind me is called Herbert. It's nice to meet you." Herbert behind of Karsten was a bit ashamed of this comment and said "It's a pleasure." He wasn't really trying to hide behind Karsten but he never liked to socialize with other people and if he wouldn't have to do it then he would try to avoid it.
Herbert thought that it was strange that three people try to join a group of three instead of founding their own group, because in this case they would have a leverage against the two others.
The two others without a group were next to Marie looked like brothers. The older one looked like thirty years while the other one looked like he was twenty years old at the most or so. Both were blond and had the same strong facial features. They came closer and before anyone could say something the older one explained "Just to be clear and before you ask no we are not father and son nor brothers and we never met each other. My name is Hans Reis and the one who looks like a younger but less attractive version of me is as far as i know" Hans was interrupted "My name is Bernd Weber and I can, even if this arrogant idiot of merchant thinks the opposite of me, introduce myself! And I want to add that i am glad i am not related to that asshole! " Bernd already looked annoyed.
Karsten tried to cool down the situation "Well I am Karsten Wagner and the boy next to me is Herbert. You came with Marie so i assume that you introduced yourself before. Now we that we founded a group we have to select a squad leader."
Both Hans and Bernd said simultaneously and loud "How about me?" then they looked at each other with a look that could kill.
"Looking at the Lieutenant who becomes inpatient indicates that i should speed up this process a little and seeing that neither of you would accept the other to be our leader I would recommend Karsten." came the surprising interjection from Marie. "Okay I did not expect that but if the rest is okay with it then i am too okay with it too." Everyone could see that both Hans and Bernd didn't like that but it was better than the chance that each other could get the leader position.
Bernd was the first to say something "I don't like that but it's better than taking the chance that Hans get's the position." Hans reply was a dry "Likewise"
All eyes were now on Herbert because he hasn't voted yet even through it was clear that Karsten would be the leader with four votes. "I vote for Karsten too." and with that being said he hid behind Karsten again.
The Herbert's group reported to the Lieutenant that they assembled a group of five with a leader.
Now the officer shouted out loud so that everyone could hear him "Well now that all groups are ready I can tell you what the first test section is going to be."