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[b]Chapter I “Initiation”[/b] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMnarFXsPws]*[/url]

There was no doubt that the Oakridge Military Academy graduation party had taken its toll on many students. Even though strict in their methods of education and conduct, the administration spared no expense when it came to entertaining their hardworking cadets, whom shed blood, sweat, and tears on a daily basis in the constant desire and endeavor to be the best. “Uuhhgh…” a voice muttered in the dark. It was the sound of great despair and regret from a night of heavy drinking. These were the first words of a senior cadet who had obviously had an exceptional time at the party, even if she was greeted this morning by an imposing headache. Olivia, which was her name, barely knew where she was or how she got there. Most of what she attempted to remember was but a haze—it was as if she had consumed something more than just alcohol. If it was not for her spirits, which were casually hovering in the air above her bed, the room would have been pitch black. The spirits emitted faint lights of blue and white coloration. It was a marvelous display, comforting to wake up to, but she had seen it many times before and therefore did not care. On the floor next to her bed was a bottle of water and her cell phone. These were good signs, as it meant that Olivia had made it back from the party to her dormitory room in, seemingly, one piece. She could not have slept for more than a few hours, four at the most. Olivia came to this conclusion by hearing housekeeping in the next room over, going berserk with the vacuum cleaner. She picked up her phone and swiped the lock; her worst fears were confirmed, as they were by the sound of housekeeping: it was ten A.M. She had not slept this late in years.

The Oakridge Military Academy was one of the most prestigious and disciplined military educational institutions in the world. It offered a wide selection of programs for students between the ages of seven and up to twenty-one. Olivia and her friends joined the academy at the age of eight, which was thirteen years ago. However, a person has the right to apply and join at any time regardless of age. Oakridge provides an invaluable blueprint for life and all of its challenges and not to mention a guaranteed position within any official army of student choice. The academy complex itself is massive, with hundreds of classrooms, live-action training grounds, combat simulators, relaxation areas, dormitories, two libraries, several cafeterias, recreational areas, and numerous physical education facilities. All regular school subjects are covered in the steering documents, but with minor modifications to make room for military and combat oriented subjects. Students receive lessons in everything from natural sciences to social sciences, applied sciences to philosophy and history, to all things warfare. If a student is accepted into the Special Warfare and Reconnaissance Group upon graduating regular training, the student will commence his or her higher education and receive lessons in unconventional warfare and tactics, tradecraft, interrogation methods, investigation, and black operations.

Olivia leaned over the edge of her bed and grabbed the water bottle. She could not remember the last time water tasted this good. It was probably due to her being severely dehydrated. But, before she could think another thought, take another sip of the water, or turn on the lights, housekeeping suddenly knocked on the door. These elderly women were not to mess with, and they did not approve of what was going on at the graduation party—consuming copious amount of intoxicating substances, dancing on tables, playing with water hoses, destroying the gardens, playing loud music, or anything else of such nature was not appropriate behavior for children. However, the nearly irreparable mess that the students left behind for housekeeping to clean up were probably what pissed them off the most. Housekeeping knocked on the door again, but this time with more punch. “Alright, alright… just a minute…,” Olivia moaned. As she attempted to gather some clothes and collect some things off of the floor, a key suddenly rattled in the lock and the door opened. Olivia was startled and let a modest cry escape her lungs: “Gah! What are you doing?! Get out of here!” she yelled. “You have to hurry up, miss,” the woman replied, somewhat startled herself by the fact that the young girl was barely dressed. “Alright, just give me a second, close the door!” Olivia said. The woman was kind enough to step back outside into the dormitory halls. Moments later, Olivia emerged from the room in her signature clothing: white sneakers, tight marine-blue jeans, a white top, and her father’s leather jacket in her right hand. “Sorry about the mess in there…” she said. The housekeeping lady just grunted and made her way inside with the vacuum cleaner.

There was only one thing that Olivia could think about as disappeared around the corner and down toward the main complex: food. The hotdog specials that the ‘Windsurfer’ cafeteria was serving this week was heavenly and the most popular choice among the students. They only served these hotdogs once a year, and this was the last day! Olivia increased her pace, and with every step, those greasy hotdogs became more and more desirable. However, her rush was suddenly interrupted by a phone call from her aunt. Olivia considered the thought of not answering, but this was her only parent. She had to answer.

“Hi, Janice.”
“Hello, sweetie. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine…”
“Did you have a good time yesterday?”
“It was alright, I suppose…,” Olivia replied and stumbled down some steps to the main academy complex and walkway, which was akin to some boulevard, leading up to the famous Oak tree.
“Did you drink?”
[i]…yes…[/i] “…no…”
“I’m not sure that I believe you, sweetheart.”
“Yeah? Why’s that?”
“I was young once too, you know.”
“Tell me all about it…”
“So, are you coming home today?”
“I don’t know. They might call me for that thing I told you about.”
“What thing?”
“…the special army thing.”
 “Do you have to be in that?”
“Well, no… I don’t have to, but I want to.”
“They are just going to send you somewhere dangerous, Olivia.”
“That’s sort of the point… Janice.”
“I wish you’d reconsider…”
“I’m sure you do, but I won’t.”
“Well, okay… be safe… and call me when you know if you’re coming home.”
“Okay, I will.” Olivia said and hung up.

The academy dormitories were available for free to anyone who desired to stay there, but students who lived close to the academy did not have to. This was not the case for Olivia. Where she used to live with her aunt was far away from Oakridge. Sometimes it felt as if she could never go home even if she wanted to, because it was such a tedious and expensive endeavor to get there. First, she would have to hike to the nearby town of Doral. From there she would have to board the ferry across Lake Oxbow to Makena. The train bound for Norton City from Makena would take her to Eldred, and from there a bus would carry her to Helston—end of the line. This trip would cost her nearly twelve hundred credits, which was two months’ worth of student support. She could have paid and gone home for the summer, but there was no point. There was nothing for her to do in Helston, other than be reminded of Sam and cry all day. Olivia’s aunt understood the predicament, but made sure to frequently call instead.

By the time Olivia hung up the phone, she had arrived at the Windsurfer. That wonderful scent of those hotdogs filled her mind and her body, and it was ecstatic. However, Olivia was met by a dreadful line of other hung-over students, who had the same idea as she did, and it would take forever for her to get her hotdogs. She freaked out: “Grraahh! You got to be kidding me!” she yelled. The other students were too tired and too preoccupied with their phones to care. To her much appreciated relief of despair, Olivia noticed one of her shallow ‘friends’ standing in the middle of the line, closer to the front than to the back. It was Britney Farron. She was a dumb, blonde cheerleader for the Academy’s Football team. Olivia did not care for football, or sports in general for that matter, but Britney was a useful ‘friend’ to have, as she was the queen of student high society—her father was the CEO at some energy corporation.

“Britney!” Olivia said.
“Oh, hey girl… how are ya?” the harlot replied, and kissed Olivia on both cheeks.
“I’m fine, I guess… hey, are you getting hotdogs?”
“Last night was…amazing, we had such a good time. Did you talk to that guy at the bar?”
“What? Yes,… no, I don’t know. Are you eating or not?”
“Me and Stacey were at this after-party in Doral, it was crazy! You should have come with us sweetie.”
“Britney, are you going to eat or not?”
“Yes! Geez, what is with you?”
“I don’t know, I’m just hungry.”
“I thought you said you were on a diet.”
“I am…, but it does not mean that I can’t be hungry.”
“... yes it does.”
“…..what?”
“Never mind, I have to go to the bathroom. Hold our place, okay? Love ya.”
“Uughh…”

Olivia’s eyes nearly rolled out of her skull, but at least she was closer to the hotdogs than she was a minute ago—a fair trade. But before she could settle down, and before Britney was back from the lavatory, the academy PA-system sparked to life with an announcement: “The following students, please report to the administration offices in building C, 4th floor, in ten minutes: Olivia Celestine, Jared Thael Conrad, Fredrick Caine Kang, Kathrine Hardy, Jynette Karridan, Kimberly Rene Faye, Remiel Morgenstern, Royce Guyvers, Magdalena Abendroth, Emily Whitehall, and Aaron Nyles.” The names of the people Olivia had come to love more than anything in the world sounded throughout the academy halls. This was it. This was the moment she had been waiting for a long time—the Special Warfare and Reconnaissance Group. Ten minutes was enough to procure a hotdog. Yes, more than enough time.