Chapter 22
Chapter twenty-two
Annalise
Turning in our track selections yesterday had felt wrong, in a way.
Sliding an envelope into a drop box outside the Administration Wing shouldn’t be the way you commit to a job that might kill you.
But it was, and for the first time since Matt and I were forced into Scion, I was reminded that while we have our choice in jobs, neither of us chose to be here in the first place.
I don’t hate being here. I actually like the structure, the training, and the purpose.
But in less than a year, I won’t be training anymore; I’ll be fighting in a real war.
A war that I only knew from overheard stories and unreliable news reports because we lived too far inland for it to ever touch us.
The more I learn about what our people are going through, the more I want to help.
There are so many innocent people being murdered, so many towns being destroyed.
That doesn’t change the math, though: my odds of surviving the next decade of mandatory service aren’t great, which is partially in thanks to me putting in for the two most dangerous jobs, plus the one I wasn’t allowed to mark that I’m walking to right now.
Making our way without being seen, Matt, Sasha, and I pretend to jog the running path we took on our first day of Vanguard. As soon as the coast is clear, we cut north through the woods to the clearing and take our seats.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Captain Lin begins, “I hope you’ve all taken the last two weeks to truly consider whether this is a realistic future for you or not.
We understand this isn’t an easy decision.
Embracing a future where only a select few will ever truly know who you are or what you do, and to give up any real relationships until you are out, is not for everyone. ”
I glance toward Sasha, searching her face for any hint of what she’s decided, but it gives nothing away.
“To begin class today,” Captain Lin continues, “I’d like to ask anyone who has decided not to move forward in this program to please step forward.”
Please not Sasha. Please not Sasha.
A guy in the first row stands, then a girl in the third. For a moment, it looks like that’s it, then movement catches my eye to the right, and my heart drops. I force on a supportive friend smile and glance at Sasha.
She’s still sitting.
Relief rushes through me as she meets my gaze and gives a small shake of her head, already piecing together what I thought was happening.
She’s not quitting. She’s not going to lose her memories of this place and join James, Antonio, and Josh on the growing list of friends I have to lie to.
I breathe a little easier when Sasha stays seated.
I can’t begin to imagine doing this without her.
Besides, her talent in Spell Casting and Arcane Healing will be invaluable to our unit.
Captain Lin hands each of the recruits who came forward a small glass vial.
“While there are several forms of short-term memory loss tinctures, the contents of these vials have been specially formulated to make you forget everything you have learned of Ghost Walking, you will believe you never found the classroom. Every student who chooses to leave or is dismissed between now and graduation will take this same cocktail.”
I guess that solves the question of how they’ve been able to keep this class a secret for so long.
Once the last recruit exits, Major Halden gets up from where he’s sitting.
“Each of you has been assigned a number that’s been taped to the bottom of your assigned seat,” he says, hands clasped behind his back. “Please reach down and grab it now.”
Chairs scrape across the floor as everyone bends to check. Unfolding my small, white slip of paper, the number nine is printed in neat black ink.
“The number you each have designates which of the Bravo Ghost Walkers you will be paired with this weekend for your first exercise, as well as the secret identity you will assume while operating in the field. You’ll be expected to maintain your cover at all times throughout the exercise: no slips, no hesitations, and absolutely no breaking character.
The success of your mission will depend on how convincingly you can live as someone else. ”
“This weekend?” One of the students whispers in the front row. “But it’s our off weekend.” That earns a side eye from Hernandez.
“Yes,” Halden replies coolly, his tone even.
“The other students of Scion have a long weekend, but you are not ordinary students of Scion, are you? If you'd like to be the best, then you’ll train to be the best. If anyone has changed their mind and would like to leave this class, now is the time. We won’t waste our efforts on training someone unwilling to give up a single weekend for this position. ”
No one moves. The silence stretches.
Captain Lin steps forward with a single clap of her hands, “All right then. As Major Halden was saying, each of your numbers corresponds to a Bravo recruit who will be your partner for this weekend’s competition.” She turns toward the back of the room. “Recruits, please join us now.”
A group of about twenty recruits walks in, stopping a few feet behind Halden and Lin. That’s more than we even started with, and I’m sure they’ve had recruits quit or get kicked out up until now.
Captain Lin continues, “When I call your number, please meet your partner at the front.”
She starts reading off the list. One by one, students rise, exchanging quick, nervous glances as they meet their new partners. The room hums with low chatter and the scrape of chairs.
Antonio steps out from the back of the group when Matt’s number is called. Sasha lets out a little gasp. Before the guys turn away, I see him shoot her a wink.
So freaking adorable.
“Number Eight.” Sasha meets her new partner, a pretty girl with long blonde hair, with her signature big smile.
“Number Nine.”
I push up from my seat, paper still clutched in my hand. Across the room, another figure moves at the same time. My stomach sinks.
No. No, no, no.
Aiden steps forward, wearing that infuriatingly smug half-smile that makes me want to hit him. Until his dark eyes lock on mine and his nose scrunches up like I’m the one who has been tormenting him, not the other way around.
Of course, this would happen.
My friends shoot me apologetic looks, except Matt, that is. He snorts out a laugh before trying—and failing—to hide it behind his hand. Why am I friends with him again?
Captain Lin clears her throat pointedly as the last team takes their seats.
“This will be a competition between teams. Your mission is to blend in with the public while completing a series of covert objectives. Your goal is to complete the mission as effectively and convincingly as possible, without being caught or raising suspicion. The team that scores the most points wins.”
Lin steps forward, a neat stack of envelopes in her hands. She moves between the rows, passing one to each pair.
“You may open your assignments in a moment,” she says, “but first, let me explain how this will work.”
She paces slowly as she speaks, “Each pair has been given a secret identity. You might be tourists, business professionals, or even homeless. Inside your dossier, you’ll find your full backstory and mission objectives.”
A few students exchange nervous glances, and Professor Lin’s lips curve in a faint, knowing smile.
“Your objectives,” she continues, “are varied. You’ll need to gather intelligence, either through casual conversation or quiet observation.
You’ll perform surveillance on a potential target while maintaining your new identity.
You’ll also deliver an envelope containing classified materials, fake information, of course, to a prearranged contact.
Their details are in your file. The drop must happen without being caught or raising suspicion.
Remember, we have Ghost Walkers planted everywhere, and they’ll be watching for any signs of sloppy work. ”
She lets that sink in before moving on. “You’ll also encounter restricted areas. At least one of your objectives will require you to convince a security guard or authority figure to grant you access using your skills in diplomacy.”
A few recruits shift in their seats.
“Some of you will be the hunters; others, the hunted,” Professor Lynn adds, “some of you will face unexpected curveballs. Your cover may be blown. Rival agents may target you, or you’ll find yourself in an unfamiliar situation that forces you to improvise.
Handle it. The best Ghost Walkers are defined by how they adapt when plans fall apart. ”
She gestures toward the stack of remaining dossiers. “Some of you may be assigned spy gear: hidden cameras, GPS trackers, encrypted comms…but only if you can integrate the tools without drawing attention. Because if you draw attention,” her gaze sweeps the room, “you’re as good as dead.”
The room goes completely still.
“Lastly,” she says, her voice softening slightly, “you’ll be scored across several categories, including how well you complete each objective, your ability to blend into your surroundings, and how effectively you work as a team. Communication and commitment are key.
She glances toward the clock on the wall. “All missions will end at 1500 hours on Sunday. You’ll live out your new identity for the entire weekend with your partner. At the end, all teams will return here for debriefing at 1900 hours to report your results and receive your scores. Any questions?”
A hand shoots up near the front. “When do we leave campus to start our missions?”
Professor Lynn nods. “It’s up to each team to determine when it’s safest to depart without being detected. Remember, the competition begins the moment you step off this campus.
“Now, you are all dismissed to review your dossiers and start making plans with your teammate.”