The captain of the batch stands over the the five top graduates of the military academy, ready to start the announcements.
"Greetings, graduates, being the top five of the 1500 graduates nationwide, I'm sure every one of you is excited for your apprenticeship beginning the first of October. Before we proceed further, I'd like to announce the policies of this apprenticeship.
1. If you wish to reject your apprenticeship, you may do so before the disclosure of your apprenticeship. After the disclosure of the apprenticeship, you are required to complete all services relevant to your apprenticeship.
2. All information pertaining to these apprenticeship must remain confidential between the supervisors, the staff members and the apprentices.
3. Any form of disobedience shown towards the supervisors or the staff members during the apprenticeships will be immediately met with dire punishment.
4. The above policies may be amended under exceptional circumstances.
Any questions?"
Silence spreads across the room.
"I see. Would any graduate like to reject the apprenticeship?"
Once again, silence spreads the room.
"I see. You all may open your files now. Feel free to ask me any questions whether here or in privacy."
Ellisa hurriedly opens her file.
Please, please, please get me to Melholm.
"WINQIS!??", she shrieks as she gets up. Zaroshi's face pales while Alex smirks and Printel, the silver medalist, sighs in frustration.
"Ellisa Brianne, kindly prevent any displays of emotion during this meeting. If you need to discuss something, do so in a professional manner.", the Captain exclaims.
"Captain," Ellisa says desperately, "I don't believe myself to be the appropriate candidate for this apprenticeship."
"Do you wish to reject this apprenticeship? After it has been disclosed to you?"
Ellisa gulps, knowing the consequences will be dire, "No, sir."
"Than it would suit you to not question the Military Staff. They have personally selected your roles keeping in mind your skills and weaknesses. This apprenticeship is your best match, to put it frankly."
Ellisa glances at Zaroshi and Amanda pleading. They both shake their heads in defeat.
"Don't be too sad, Ellisa. Your boyfriend will be there right beside you," the Captain's assistant adds from pity.
Alex grins, "Her ex, you mean. And I dumped her right after I won against her."
Ellisa gasps in her head, "that happened?? When were you my boyfriend to begin with too?"
They all roll their eyes.
"So you're going to Winqis too, huh.", Zaroshi asks dryly.
"Harshest places for the strongest soldiers, am I right?," Alex brags, "Apparently I'm going to be a gang member in this top dog agency, which is the closest thing they have to a government."
"No way, same!", Ellisa chimes in, "what about you, Zar? Amanda?"
Zaroshi remains quiet so Amanda begins, "A waitress in a five star continental hotel south of Melholm, near the sea ports."
"Sounds fun! You get to see the sea. And you, Printel?"
Everyone turns to her. After a long while, she finally answers,
"Scientific research assistant in Winqis, in the facility rumoured to be making clones."
Everyone gawks at her and congratulates her.
"Zaroshi? How long are you going to keep quiet about YOUR apprenticeship?", Alex drawls, to which Zaroshi seals his mouth shut.
"Zar? Is it really that bad?", Amanda touches his shoulder.
"Umm, it's, uhh...," he glances at Ellisa, who looks confused, "....Senior in the same highschool as the children of the elite, in the capital of Melholm."
"WHAAAATTT???", Ellisa get ups hurriedly again.
"Ellisa Brianne, you are forbidden from speaking up at this meeting again. One more word and you shall leave," the captain yells making Ellisa sit back down.
"I'm sorry, Sir."
"Now," the Captain walks back and forth, "You all have one week to pack your important belongings and perform any other activities before your apprenticeship. A letter with details of travelling will be sent to your homes. See you guys on 30th September." With that, the meeting concludes and the captain leaves.
Ellisa sighs, "Worst luck ever." Amanda pats her shoulder, "I'm sure you'll do great there."
"Oh, I will, I know that. It's not that I'm doubting my abilities... I just... had a wish..."
"A wish?", Alex asks. Zaroshi rolls his eyes, "She wanted a chance to meet her favourite singer. You've heard of Hailey Summers, right?" Printel scoffs.
"What? Seriously?", Alex laughs. "The same old Ellisa, right there."
Ellisa pouts, "You don't get it! None of you do!" And then she leaves.
"I'm worried for her.", Amanda begins. "We all know these apprenticeships aren't just about... learning and working. We're supposed to gather Intel on people, on organizations, on governments. We'll probably be put through life threatening situations and a terrible work schedule. We could even be caught by the authorities. Heck, there's a huge chance of our deaths, too! Her carefree attitude about all this is throwing me off even more than Alex's... yeah, that."
Zaroshi remains quiet, deep in his thoughts. Sure, he might be at a lot of risk "studying" in that highschool, but compared to Winqis...
Too hell with Policies, he thinks, I can't let her go to Winqis. Even if it means dire punishment.