---
The only thing keeping the tension bearable was that everyone here was close friends—no family around to complicate things. Still, the situation was just as awkward as it could get.
"Alright, boys," a girl's voice rang out firmly. She almost growled her next words. "You're all waiting here so we can change first, got it?" Her frown was a look that said any protests would be silenced with extreme prejudice.
"Oh, what was that?" one of the boys yelled with a hand cupped to his ear. "I couldn't quite hear you over all this noise!"
"I said—" the girl started again, only to be interrupted by another boy sporting an ear-to-ear grin.
"Hey guys, do you hear something?" he asked with mock confusion.
"Not really. Did you?" his friend chimed in, playing along.
And just like that, the whole 'boy gang' was playing dumb, turning it into a classic battle of teenage wills.
None of them, including Liam, had the slightest intention of going along with the "separate changing rooms" thing. What fun would that be? Plus, dressing alongside the girls? Now that was a small step toward greatness in their eyes.
"You guys are unbelievable," Sophie's voice sliced through the nonsense, drawing every eye. "We go in first, or you do. Pick."
She turned her stare on Leo, who had been gleefully cheering on his friends with the boys' little "we-can't-hear-you" act. Her gaze turned him red in an instant. He wanted nothing more than to catch even a glimpse of Sophie changing. But if he admitted that? His shot with her would nosedive straight into a canyon.
But supporting her demand would mean breaking the universal code shared by guys and guys alone—the Bro code. That was an offense punishable by social exile... and even worse.
'Yep, I'm done for,' Leo thought, sweat practically pouring off him. 'Do I pick love over the code? That would be ridiculous. But Sophie...'
As his mind raced, he finally arrived at a decision.
"Guys, come on. Let's be logical here," he said, playing it cool. "We can't all be pervy enough to want to change with the girls."
Sophie's smile spread as the boys scowled, mentally stabbing him with daggers for his betrayal.
"But," Leo continued smoothly, "going in sets would just slow us down, and remember what Sergeant Charles said? Sergeant Gregory can be very unpredictable."
Liam slapped his forehead. Kane looked down in shame, knowing exactly where Leo was going with this. Sophie's smile dropped, and the guys started to cheer again.
'Nice! Supported both sides, kept my shot with Sophie, and protected my bro status. Leo, you're a genius,' he thought, grinning smugly.
"So, what you're really saying," Sophie replied, voice laced with disbelief, "is that we all go in there and strip." She nearly shouted, "Wow, Leo. Truly, you're the smartest guy I know."
Kane stepped up, dragging Leo away to whisper, "I really thought you'd betray us there, man. Remember, breaking the code is worse than losing your shot with her."
"Shut up, Kane. Stay out of it."
The back-and-forth dragged on until Liam finally had enough.
"Alright, that's it!" he snapped. "We've been arguing like kids for three minutes now, and our deadline is in two."
"Oh yeah?" Celine shot back, "So what's your brilliant plan? Get naked with a bunch of creeps?"
"Here's a thought: if we'd listened and gone with the girls' idea to go in gender groups," Liam replied, "we'd all be changed by now."
Everyone fell silent, collectively realizing just how stupid they'd been.
"We've got one minute left, so—"
Liam's lecture was cut off by the sight of Stacy emerging from the locker room, fully dressed in her uniform.
"Wait, what?" someone gasped.
"She got changed while we were arguing?" another boy pointed out.
"No time! Less than thirty seconds!"
And with that, the entire group rushed into the locker room, changing "together" despite the chaos. Leo, as fate would have it, ended up right next to Sophie. She shot him a devilish look that screamed, "Try anything, and I'll end you." He grinned awkwardly and hurriedly focused on his locker.
'Why, oh why, do I always have to mess things up?' he thought, inwardly groaning.
---
Five minutes later, Sergeant Charles appeared outside the locker room, seemingly teleporting out of thin air. The kids stared, wide-eyed; teleportation was incredibly rare and unbelievably cool.
"That's so awesome," Leo whispered to Kane. "Imagine if I could teleport—I'd never worry about money again."
Kane gave him a look. "Maybe that's exactly why the universe didn't give you powers," he sighed, shrugging Leo's arm off his shoulder. "The only thing you'd use them for is to steal. Leave me alone, Leo."
---
"I see you've all settled your differences and finished just in time," Sergeant Charles said, a playful smile crossing his face before his tone shifted to a more serious one. "Form a single file and move toward the checkpoint stand, where you'll receive the gadgets required for all military students."
The group could hardly contain their excitement. Wide grins were plastered on their faces, unable to believe they were about to receive real military gear.
"According to the files I have here..." he said, and with a quick flick of his wrist, a document materialized in his hand, further astonishing the teenagers. "You're all listed as orphans, which means none of you should have any abilities yet." He glanced around to see if anyone objected. When no one spoke up, he continued.
"Don't worry. Here at the academy, you'll each be provided with power hubs tailored to fit your character. But know this—the hub comes with a price. Accepting it means you're now government property. Any dreams of becoming a doctor or anything outside the military? Well, those dreams will become a thing of the past."
The mood among the boys shifted. Leo, Kane, and Liam exchanged uneasy glances, the initial thrill of gaining abilities now tempered by the reality of the commitment they were making. The cost, it seemed, went beyond money—it was their futures on the line.
"Follow me," Sergeant Charles ordered, turning sharply as the recruits fell into line behind him. Conversations buzzed among the group; the idea of gaining abilities was thrilling, even if it came with a heavy price.
After a short walk, they reached the checkpoint, where a team of officers handed out sleek, futuristic devices that looked like wristwatches but stretched all the way up to their elbows.
"This," Sergeant Charles explained, "is called a Telecom. It will serve as your main communication device and will be crucial to your training. Keep it on you at all times."
The boys marveled at the Telecoms on their wrists, feeling like they'd stepped into the future. Just as they were admiring the new gadgets, a group of other recruits arrived, led by a stern-faced man who could only be Sergeant Gregory.
He addressed the assembled students in a brisk, no-nonsense tone. "Listen up. This is your one briefing. Pay attention. You're about to board one of our ships and head to the academy, where you'll begin your training. Keep up, follow orders, and you might just make it."
With that, he pointed toward a massive, high-tech ship waiting in the warehouse. Its metallic exterior gleamed under the lights, and the sleek, aerodynamic design hinted at its incredible speed.
The recruits exchanged excited looks as they lined up to board.