The waitress brings the pizza to Mike and Zane's table
"here's your giorno's special, enjoy" says the waitress
The boys chow down on the pizza.
"ohhh yeah this has to be the best pizza in town man" mike says.
"sure is" Zane admits.
The pizza joint is the only escape for Zane from the world's worries. He used to come here with his family when he was little too.
"man I'm thinkin'…." Mike says before suddenly not speaking of what he was going to say.
"well what're you thinking?" Zane reminds him.
"do we gotta leave school once we become exterminators?" Mike asks.
"well yeah we gotta leave early, the corps will let us give the school exam" Zane informs
"Ohhhh maan I was thought I was outta school for good" Mike wails.
"the exterminator corps doesn't allow students to join in unless they have completed highschool even if they are 18 or they make us give us the exam to register us as qualified" Zane informs.
"can't we just not give, we don't need to tell 'em we are students?" Mike asks.
"we are registered as students no point in it" Zane says.
Just then both boys get an email from the USAEC. It instructs them to go to the selection facility for a special meeting for students and that it is mandatory. The boys let out a sigh. It was their only weekend to enjoy with no work or school.
"DAMN man can't get just a bit of relaxing time!" Mike wails again.
"could be important…..lets just go" Zane says.
Both boys finish their meals, pay the bill and leave the restaurant.
#
They reach the training facility. There is quite a crowd near the gates. Zane observes various students, some look like they are in college in their early 20s while some are of their age.
A while later the guards start processing the crowd, checking if they are students. Both the boys enter and follow the crowd and go down a basement to enter an auditorium. There are around 100 or more students and all are made to stand facing the stage. Once the final students enter the hall the guards close the door.
A tall lean man, around the age of 30 with fair complexion, golden hair and blue eyes with a rank of corporal then comes on stage, mic in hand.
Mike gives a stare to Zane.
"don't tell me we left that delicious pizza for some speech" Mike whispers.
"I don't know and stop talking" Zane whispers back.
"Maaan I couldn't even flirt with the waitress" Mike whispers again.
"will you shut up" Zane whispers sharp tone.
"Good evening" the corporal says.
"my name is Corporal Joseph Stanley, 4th division, extermination corps. I am the one in charge of the training and selection of new exterminator cadets. All of you here are students, and for that exact reason, I am giving you a talk about a chance…a chance to leave the corps" the corporal announces and pauses for a while collecting himself.
The crowd falls into a commotion of confused thoughts and talks.
"SILENCE!!" a drill sergeant yells, moving the crowd to utter quietness.
"The extermination corps is not a normal branch of the military" corporal stanley goes on.
"the USAEC is a special defense force under the DoD. We do not have any department of our own to control our operations and all command comes directly from the commandant or the president meaning we are a bit unstable. Most of our operations are hidden by the CIA and the our technologies are supplied by DARPA including the process of making an exterminator, for good reason. The information about how exterminators are made is, of course, classified but you might have heard that they have…..'super powers'…and that it is somewhat true. But it is all necessary considering we are tasked with defeating Azazels. Exterminators cannot revert back to normal or lose their 'superpowers' after the process. All of you are students and you might be here either due to some extreme personal problem, but keep in mind that some do not survive the process for becoming an exterminator. The government has itself ordered to give you this warning and a chance to turn back even if the corps have less volunteers and I think you can imagine then how hard becoming and fighting for the exterminator corps might be. So again the corps cannot be your last resort, think about it and take a careful decision because this is your last chance and after this you will not be allowed to leave the corps and will be forced to fight as well. Take your time and leave the hall if you do not want to join the corps."
In an instant the crowd starts whispering and discussing their decisions.
Zane notices some leave while others laughing maybe not taking the corporal's words seriously.
"I think we should stay" Mike says while looking at Zane.
"I wasn't planning, I need the money for sis" Zane says.
"yeah I don't care how unstable they are, pay is good" Mike mumbles.
Zane notices Roselyn standing just past his adjacent row. Somehow she instinctively looks towards him too. She raises her eyebrows and frowns as if asking him to leave. Zane doesn't gives a little smug smile as if dismissing her. She frowns angrily over his blasphemous expression.
After a while the population in the hall goes down to around 90 students. The doors are then closed.
"alright then I guess you brave souls will persevere after all. Well then I would ask the ones who still pursue education to write details of the schools or universities you currently study in, we will then send them notices and you will be giving the final exams of your respective years. You will be exiting your respective schools and universities after giving the exams. You will be called again soon for the physical selection. Thank you for your time" The corporal leaves the stage.
A while later, the crowd starts leaving the facility. Mike and Zane are leaving as well, just when Zane notices Roselyn near the gate.
He goes up to her.
"well, I thought you'd have left considering you go to school and get top grades" Zane talks into her.
Roselyn gives him a side eye, taking a break from her phone.
"after all you act all high and mighty, you go somewhere prestigious?" he goes on.
"I don't go to school" she says.
Zane gives her a genuinely confused look.
"but I have to say I am impressed to see you still here with that vulgar looking friend of yours" She says.
"I thought you'd have left considering you look like a someone who would freak out over the sound of popping balloons" she goes on.
Zane is offended over her calling him out for his skinny and pale build. But he chooses to ignore such banter. Mike however doesn't.
"AY WHO THE HELL YOU CALLIN' VULGAR LOOKING THIS IS OFFICIAL HOOD FASHION I'M GON-" Mike gets interrupted by Zane despite his clear anger over Roselyn's statements.
"Shut it man…lets just go home" Zane says calming mike.
"see you later" Roselyn says mockingly as she walks away from the pale and black duo.
"she got some shit attitude for being that pretty" Mike rants.
"damn I'm exhausted" Zane says.
Although Zane wonders why she doesn't go to school.
Both boys then just go home, not realizing in what world of chaos are they going to involve themselves in, just a week after the selection.