"Sixteen years of my life have been spent waiting for this day.
Even though I once thought it was still far off, sometimes forgetting it would ever come, seeing myself here now makes life feel unexpectedly short."
"Kane, we have to go now!" Leo's cheerful voice jolted him back to reality.
"Yes, the big guy's getting impatient," Liam added, slinging his small backpack over his shoulder as he headed for the door.
"Oh, go on without me. I'll catch up with you downstairs," Kane replied firmly, making his way to the bathroom.
Once inside, he summoned the system screen with a quick gesture, anticipation lighting his gaze. But as soon as the familiar first words reappeared, his face fell.
[Lay siege to your power]
Kane felt a flare of frustration. He didn't want to hurt himself, no—he wanted to smash the screen to pieces. But he'd tried that before; his hand had just slipped right through.
"Is it broken or something?" he muttered, pacing in frustration. "Or maybe… it's glitching because I'm not supposed to be the one who has it?"
The thought stung. When he'd first received the system, he'd felt different, as though he was destined to become someone who'd one day stand out to the world. But with it proving as useless as ever, he could only sigh in disappointment.
---
Downstairs, Kane found the others already gathered by the door, their small belongings packed and ready. Some kids were comforting younger siblings who clung to them, sobbing quietly, while others were saying quick goodbyes to friends who weren't yet of age. Excitement glinted on a few faces, as if today was everything they'd been hoping for.
Spotting his friends, Kane crossed over to them.
Before he could say anything, a towering, muscular man stepped forward, his expression as unyielding as stone.
"Alright, people, listen up. My name is Sergeant Gregory, and I'll only say this once. If you don't want to get killed, follow the rules the academy sets. Every. Single. One."
He paused, surveying them with an intense stare. "Now, everyone, step outside and get in the van."
Leo whispered, "What does he mean by 'get killed'?"
Liam shrugged. "Not sure, but I'd rather not find out," he said, giving Mrs. Elduige a quick wave goodbye.
Kane and Leo waved too, smiling as she returned it with a warm, encouraging grin.
Then, all three stepped outside—and stopped short, their eyes widening as they took in the van waiting for them.
Sleek and metallic, its curved, futuristic design seemed more like a spacecraft than vehicle. Panels of shimmering, dark chrome reflected the light, giving it this outta space look while its tinted windows hinted at advanced tech hidden within. A faint, electric vibe vibrated from beneath, giving the impression it was ready to fly rather than drive. Just one look at it made their hearts race.
"Whoa," they murmured in awe, the van's imposing presence sparking a thrill of excitement and maybe a flicker of apprehension.
Sergeant Gregory ignored their wide-eyed stares and simply ordered them to get in. There were nineteen of them in total, and one look at the van confirmed it would be more than enough to accommodate everyone.
They formed a line, each taking a deep breath before stepping up in single file.
Inside, the van was breathtaking. The sleek, silver interior shimmered under soft, ambient lights, and the seats were a vision of comfort and style, upholstered in a material that looked far too luxurious for anything they'd ever sat on. Kane, Leo, and Liam couldn't help but share a smile, realizing that this might just be the start of the massive change they'd been waiting for.
The three of them settled in the back, beside the tinted windows, sneaking one last glance at everyone outside.
Mrs. Elduige stood waving with a warm smile, the little ones clutching her skirt and some sobbing, especially Lilly, who clung to her teddy bear, her tiny arm waving in their direction.
Leo raised a hand, but he knew they wouldn't see it—the dark glass made sure of that.
With a gentle hum, the engine powered up, purring with a precision they'd never experienced, and then, smoothly, the van lifted off the ground before shooting into the bright blue sky.
"Good luck, my children," Mrs. Elduige whispered, smiling softly as she watched them disappear from sight. Then, with a final wave, she turned and headed back inside.
---
The ride was smooth, with everyone chatting, but Leo's mood was noticeably sour every two minutes as he glared at Sophie, who seemed to be having a "great time" with Ryan.
"Let it go, Leo," Kane said, though his tone was more teasing than comforting.
"How am I supposed to let it go? Look at her! All smiley, all giggly. And you know the worst part? I bet she doesn't even realize it's killing me to watch her get all… 'romantic' with Mr. Perfect over there," Leo huffed, still glaring at the two.
"Oh, come on. They're just talking—that's what friends do," Kane said with a shrug, glancing over to see Sophie's head leaning on Ryan's shoulder. "Okay… maybe a little more than friends. But that doesn't mean they're a couple."
At that moment, Ryan leaned so close to Sophie it looked like they might actually kiss.
Kane winced. "Right. I'll just… stop talking now."
Leo slouched back in his seat, looking on the verge of tears.
A few minutes later, the van pulled up to a massive warehouse.
"Oh no. I hate warehouses," Leo groaned.
"Shut up, Leo," Kane and Liam muttered in unison.
As they got off the van and followed Sergeant Gregory inside, they were all left speechless. The interior was astonishing: real spaceships, gleaming with polished metal, were parked everywhere.
Leo's jaw dropped. "This is so cool!"
"It's like I've finally arrived where I'm meant to be!"
"Awesome!"
"I can't believe it—actual spaceships!"
"I think I can die happy now."
The excitement was contagious, and everyone was buzzing with awe until Sergeant Gregory raised his voice to get their attention.
"The other recruits will be joining us in two hours. For now, head into the locker room and change into your uniforms. Your names are on them, so finding yours shouldn't be an issue. Afterward, meet at the checkpoint over there, where you'll receive some of our tech to help ensure your survival."
He gestured to a checkpoint in the corner, then motioned to a man in similar attire beside him. "This is Mr. Charles. He'll lead you to the locker room. Dismissed!"
Mr. Charles took the lead, guiding them to a large steel door. With a quick scan of his hand on a palm reader, the door opened with a green light and a soft beep, revealing a long row of lockers, each with a name printed on it.
"Alright, get changed. I'll be back in five minutes," Mr. Charles said.
"Um… sir?" one of the girls spoke up, cheeks flushed. "There's only one big room. How are we all supposed to change here? I mean, the boys… and us?"
"Oh, right," Mr. Charles replied, barely holding back a grin. "The government didn't consider that. This is what they provided, so this is what you'll be using. As long as you're not planning anything 'funny,' you'll all be fine."
"Wait, what?" another girl blurted, horrified. "You're saying we all have to change in the same room?"
"Exactly. And remember, I'll be back in five," Mr. Charles said with a wide grin. "Wouldn't want to be late—Sergeant Gregory can be pretty unpredictable."
Everyone understood the unspoken warning, but that didn't make it any easier. The boys were trying (and failing) to hide their excitement, while the girls were far less thrilled.
This was shaping up to be their first real "test," and not the kind they'd been expecting.
'wish my locker is besides Sophie's' this was Leo's thoughts.