The ride to the building was just as Nyaleena Vega had expected. She had been to the Guard training facility many times and knew just what to expect on Recruitment Day. Her brother, Codeeva, sat next to her in the limo, completely silent and staring out the window. To occupy her thoughts, she replayed the morning scene again in her head:

[i]Nya stared intently before throwing her hands up in defeat. “This is hopeless! Focal is about to be overtaken!” she exclaimed. She took a deep breath and adjusted her posture. She was a Guard and knew it needed to show. She tried not to let the sound of panic enter her voice before she continued, “My forces are surrounded on three of the four perimeters but I can clearly see a head on approach will be a slaughterfest. Our rations are low; we haven’t slept in days and…”

“Nya,” her brother interrupted, “how do you know your regiments haven’t slept in days?” He set his blue, Anomalous game piece down and looked across the board with a twinkle in his eye and a slight smirk on his lips. “I mean, we’ve only been playing for 2 hours.”

“Oh shut up.” Nya replied, throwing her red, Guard Commander game piece at his face and slumping back in the dark, leather chair. It was cold. Only the edge of the seat had been used. “I just hate that I always lose.” She paused, leaning her head back to stare at the ceiling.  “I need to drown these sorrows.” She got up from the low coffee table and headed into the kitchen for a drink. Her brother followed silently. He leaned against the counter, watching her. As she poured two glasses of juice, Nya continued, “I don’t even know why I play with you. I mean, the Guard’s best and brightest graduate should be playing with people in his own league. Not a lowly recruit.” She was purposely playing a hurt victim and rolled her eyes dramatically at the last point. In reality, they were quite evenly matched in the game. Codeeva just smiled, not wanting to encourage her outburst, and picked up the beverage she handed to him. He glanced at the bright clock on the wall behind Nya’s head.

“Speaking of,” he started. He swallowed the last of his juice, set the glass down, picked up his jacket and headed to the door. He stood in the doorway and attached two guns, two knives, and a small medical kit to himself, all in one swift movement. Nya watched him like a child watching fireworks for the first time. He continued, “We need to head out. A Vega will not be late on their first day. You will become the best and brightest in no time.” His face became stern, the look of The Guard. Then he winked.[/i] 

Her thoughts returned to present day. [i]No pressure.[/i] She sighed and stepped out of the car. “Good luck.” Codeeva smiled at her one last time. Nya failed to return the smile as she turned to face the next year of her life.