The next morning, Mikey woke up to the sound of his alarm blaring, his body aching from the previous day's training session. Every muscle felt tight, as though his limbs had been wrung out like a sponge. His arms, legs, and even his core protested with every movement as he dragged himself out of bed. He stretched, wincing, but quickly pulled on his training clothes, knowing that being late wasn't an option.
Today would be another session with Gregor and Dom, and after yesterday's brutal initiation, he wasn't sure what to expect. Part of him dreaded it—every step toward the training hall sent spikes of pain shooting through his legs—but another part of him was curious, even determined. He wasn't going to back down.
The training hall was the same as before, still quiet and imposing. As Mikey walked in, Gregor stood by the far wall, arms crossed, waiting. Dom was nowhere to be seen, but Mikey doubted that was a good sign. Gregor acknowledged Mikey with a short nod but didn't say anything as he approached. The silence stretched on for a few long moments.
"You're back. That's a start," Gregor said, his voice even. "But today's not going to be any easier. If anything, it's going to be tougher."
Mikey swallowed but nodded. He expected as much. Yesterday was brutal, but this wasn't some ordinary training camp. He wasn't training to be a football player—he was being trained to survive, to fight, to think like an agent.
"Before we begin," Gregor continued, "I want you to understand something. Every piece of training you receive has a purpose. The things we did yesterday—endurance, strength—it's only the foundation. Without that foundation, you won't be able to handle the real challenges we throw at you."
Mikey nodded again, feeling the weight of Gregor's words settle over him. He was prepared for physical pain, but it was becoming clear that this wasn't just about brute strength. He'd need to be smart, sharp, and adaptable. Gregor's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, as though sizing him up, before he continued.
"Today, you're going to learn about teamwork and quick decision-making under pressure. You're not going to be out in the field alone, and one wrong move can put your entire team in danger. So we're going to put you through some drills that test your ability to think fast and cooperate—whether you like it or not."
Mikey raised an eyebrow, unsure of what Gregor meant by 'cooperation.' He'd been so focused on his own survival that he hadn't considered that this training might involve working with others.
Just then, the door to the hall swung open, and Dom entered, accompanied by two others—a young woman with short brown hair and an athletic build, and a tall, lean guy who looked more like a marathon runner than a secret agent. Both of them wore the same serious expressions Mikey had come to associate with people who worked in this world.
"This is Evelyn and Cole," Gregor said, introducing the newcomers. "They're also in training, though they're a few months ahead of you. They'll be your team for today."
Mikey's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly schooled his expression into something neutral. Team training? He hadn't anticipated this. He glanced at Evelyn and Cole, who both gave him short, appraising looks. They didn't seem particularly welcoming, but there was no hostility either—just a cool professionalism.
Gregor wasted no time in explaining the first drill. "The three of you will be tasked with retrieving an item from the far end of the training grounds. There will be obstacles—some physical, some mental. Your job is to get to the item and bring it back here, but you need to work together. If anyone gets left behind or fails, the mission is over."
Dom stepped forward, handing each of them a small earpiece. "Communication is key. You'll need to talk to each other, stay aware of your surroundings, and make quick decisions. We'll be monitoring you from here."
Mikey put the earpiece in, feeling a sense of unease settle in his stomach. He'd barely gotten used to the idea of training on his own, and now he was being thrust into a team exercise with two people he didn't even know. But he couldn't let that stop him. If anything, it just made him more determined.
"Let's get started," Gregor said, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
They moved out to the training grounds, which were set up behind the main building. The area looked like something out of a military obstacle course—high walls, narrow beams, ropes, and trenches. At the far end, hidden behind a series of obstacles, was the item they needed to retrieve. Mikey had no idea what it was, but Gregor made it clear that getting it was their primary goal.
The moment Gregor signaled them to start, Evelyn took charge. "I'll go first," she said, her voice steady. "I'm quick, and I can scout the area ahead. Cole, you take the left flank, and Mikey, stay close to me. We'll communicate if anything looks off."
Mikey nodded, grateful for her decisiveness. He had no idea how to navigate this course, and it was clear that Evelyn had done this sort of thing before. They moved quickly, ducking under beams and scaling walls as they went. The physical strain was intense, but Mikey pushed through it, his mind focused on keeping up with his team.
As they approached one of the walls, Evelyn signaled for them to stop. "There's movement ahead," she said quietly, her eyes scanning the area. "Looks like automated sensors. We need to disable them before we can move forward."
Cole nodded, pulling out a small device from his pocket. "I've got it," he said, moving ahead to take care of the sensors.
While he worked, Evelyn turned to Mikey. "You're doing fine so far, but keep your head up. This is more than just a race. You need to think three steps ahead at all times."
Mikey nodded, trying to absorb her advice. This wasn't just about speed or strength—there were layers to this kind of training that he hadn't even considered.
Once Cole disabled the sensors, they moved forward again, this time more cautiously. The next few obstacles were easier—climbing, balancing on beams—but Mikey's body was already feeling the strain. His legs felt like lead as they approached the final challenge: a trench filled with water, with high walls on either side. The item they needed to retrieve was somewhere on the other side.
Evelyn scanned the area. "We'll need to get across the trench without triggering the pressure plates on the other side. Cole, can you disable those?"
Cole nodded, but his brow furrowed. "I'll need time."
Evelyn turned to Mikey. "You go with him. I'll stay here and keep watch. If anyone gets spotted, it's game over."
Mikey followed Cole, his heart pounding. The trench wasn't deep, but the cold water soaked into his clothes as he waded through it. When they reached the other side, Cole quickly got to work on the pressure plates, his fingers moving with practiced precision.
As Mikey waited, he felt the weight of responsibility settle on him. This wasn't just about physical endurance—this was about trust, about relying on others and making sure they could rely on him. It was a lot to take in, but he knew he had to rise to the challenge.
Cole finally disabled the plates, and they retrieved the item—a small, metal box—before making their way back to Evelyn. Together, the three of them navigated their way back through the obstacles, Mikey's legs burning with each step. But he didn't complain. He couldn't afford to.
When they finally returned to the starting point, Gregor and Dom were waiting for them. Gregor's expression was unreadable, but Dom gave a short nod.
"Not bad," Gregor said. "You worked together well. But remember, this was only a basic drill. You'll need to be faster, smarter, and more efficient in the real world."
Mikey nodded, panting heavily. His body ached all over, but he felt a sense of accomplishment. He hadn't just survived the drill—he had contributed to it. He had been part of a team.
As they were dismissed for the day, Mikey couldn't help but think about what Gregor had said earlier. This was just the beginning, and he had a long way to go. But for the first time since entering the safehouse, he felt like he might actually belong here.