Jonah stood outside of the Career Selection Center awating Maria to finish her selection. His head was still whirling with the information and events that just occurred during his selection process.
"Imperial Military Academy....Solitude... Me?" He thought to himself as he paced back and forth, unable to remain still from nerves. "What will Maria get selected for?" He wondered as he looked at the doors awaiting her exit.
Maria had just finished her selection and was skipping out the doors with a smile on her face, "Jonah!" She practically shouted as she saw him outside and rushed up to him, giving him a hug.
"Wasn't selection amazing?! Who would have thought that they could delve into who we were so deeply." She said excitedly as she looked up to him.
Jonah put a smile on his face and returned the hug, trying not to worry Maria. He wanted to hear her selection before he told her what had happened during his. "What did you get selected for?" He asked calmly, his voice slightly cracking with concern.
Maria pulled out a printout of her selection and almost shoved it in Jonah's face. "Intelligence! We only have to worry about being separated while I go off for basic training. Then I can request a post near home!" She explained, assuming Jonah was selected for something that would allow the same.
"That's awesome Maria..." Jonah replied, slightly losing his composure and concern entering his voice.
"What's wrong Jonah? What was your selection?" Maria said seriously, quickly losing her excitement as she noticed Jonah's reaction. She could tell there was something on his mind, in fact she could read him almost like a book.
Jonah looked around noticed a couple of benches nearby, "How about we go take a seat and we can relax and go over things." He said as he walked to the nearby benches and took a seat. The shade from the trees and the distance from the walkway would allow them to have a conversation without too much interference.
Maria followed and sat down next to him, she was worried and just kept looking at him. "Jonah... tell me what your selection was." She practically demanded.
"Have you ever heard of a special selection?" Jonah asked Maria with a questionable look.
"I've heard rumors. Something about a random selection, but I don't know anyone who actually has witnessed or experienced it." She replied with intrigue.
"I was chosen Maria... for special selection. They want to send me to Solitude for training."
"What?!" Maria practically shouted. "The Imperial Military Academy!" She was a mixed ball of emotions, some excitement and now also a mix of dread. She knew Jonah would be gone far longer and most likely wouldn't be coming back here.
Jonah let out a sigh, "Yes. They want me to leave at 0600 tomorrow. Maria this is terrible." His sadness of the situation was clearly evident. He was going to be separated from his best friend and he didn't know what to do.
"Wait, Jonah. Give me a moment..." Maria stated as she placed a hand on his arm and began to think. Jonah looked at here and could tell she was thinking through the problem and all the possible outcomes.
"This isn't forever Jonah. I have to go to training as well as you. I could simply request a posting wherever you end up. I mean who knows, we could end up working together after all." She explained with reassurance.
Deep down Maria knew that she would have to perform exceptionally well to get her pick of posting, and then there was still the external factor of the military placing here wherever they felt she best fit.
Jonah smiled and gave a small chuckle, "You always do look at the glass half full don't you." He said and looked up at the sky with a sigh, "We always did want to go see the world. Maybe this is our chance."
Maria nodded and stood up, grabbing Jonah's hand and pulling him up with her. "Come on, let's go get ready and celebrate. We will be back together making trouble before you know it." She smiled.
There was no way to change selection, and Maria knew that they had to live with the hands they were dealt, even if they didn't agree with them. Refusing to follow your selection was a guaranteed prison sentence and forced labor. Everyone is required to do their part for the Empire.
Jonah and Maria walked over to the pod boarding area and caught the next pod back home. There journey was much like the first, but now there was a sense of certainty about it. This would be the last time they shared the house together and maybe the last time they see each other for quite a while.
Back at the house they both got busy packing their things and listening to their favorite songs as they danced around each other and attempted to enjoy the last moments they would have together. Jonah packed up his picture of his parents and some clothes. His selection form stated he would only be allowed one suitcase of personal item. Luckily for him he didn't have that many as he never had much money to purchase anything that he couldn't go without.
"There is a delivery at the door." The digital female voice of the house computer stated, temporarily muting the music.
"I wonder what that could be." Jonah said to Maria as he walked over and opened the door to find two decent size packages sitting there. He brought them inside and sat them on the table, one addressed to him and the other Maria.
"They don't waste anytime do they." He muttered to himself as they both tore open their respective boxes to look inside.
Inside each of the boxes was a military uniform for their respective training outposts. Maria's indicated she was being assigned to train at the Vatican's intelligence headquarters in Vatican City. Her rank showed that of a recruit and the colors of blue and white indicating intelligence.
Jonah looked at his uniform with similar design and markings, except his was for the Imperial Military Academy, Solitude. The color of blood red and black and the rank of cadet indicated he was being trained to become an officer. The type of officer would most likely be chosen at the academy after they figured out where he best fit in.
"I guess this is our lives now." Jonah said as he looked down into his box and then over at Maria who gave a weak smirk and a nod.
"Remember our promise. Nothing will ruin our friendship or keeps us away forever Jonah." She said definitively.