The Modified (The Biotics Trilogy, #1) (19 page)

The Tactical final is definitely set up different from our previous ones. Since each ability is pretty much non-combative in nature, none of the tasks involve combat drones.

The first task has the whole class of cadets using perception. Dr. Wilhelm walks around every desk and places a copy of
Generation
Kill
by Evan Wright in front of us. He then instructs us to “read” it and answer a multiple choice question test. Our success rate is dependent on how fast we’re able to answer the questions. 

I focus on the book in front of me and put my hand on top of it. Visualizing the words from each page sucking up into my hand, I see the cover of the book as it closes in my head, and now have the entire novel stored away in my memory.

A multiple choice question test projects from my desk and I blow through it quickly. My desk turns green in color instead of the blue it was before, and the word
Excellent
appears on it. The test kind of reminded me of the ones I used to take in A.P. English class back in high school, except for the whole question-projecting-from-the-desk part.

The second task begins and a map projects from the desk in front of me. “Use your scan ability to find the most direct route from your current position on the map, indicated by the flashing X, to your enemies’ position, indicated by the flashing O.”

I focus on the map and feel my eyes begin to pulse with energy. Taking in a full scan of the entire map, I begin to trace my path with my finger, leaving a neon blue line where it travels. My map flashes red when I make a wrong decision in direction and makes me start over.

“Crap,” I mutter out loud accidentally. I look around and a few people are staring at me, including Dr. Wilhelm. Focusing back on the map, I attempt to trace the path again. Reaching my goal, the map turns yellow and the word
Satisfactory
shows on my desktop.

Dr. Wilhelm instructs us to stand from our desks and pushes a button on his touchpad, causing them to suck back into the floor. “Task three is Decoy. I want you to project a copy of yourself and hold it for as long as you can within five minutes.”

I look over at Landon and he already has his copy projecting in front of him.
Of course he already has his, he’s had lots of practice,
I joke with myself.

Concentrating, I project my “twin” in front of me. She looks like an exact copy of me, other than the fact that her image shutters every few seconds. A timer projects from my bangle and I look down at it to see that I’ve held my decoy for just over a minute. Her image begins to shutter more frequently until it becomes too much for me to hold on to. I release the image and it fades away. Letting out a sigh of exhaustion, I look down at my time and it’s just over three minutes.

Galileo projects from the bangle. “You did well, Kenley. That was satisfactory,” he tells me.

“Thanks, Galileo.”

 “You’ve all done well up to this point,” Dr. Wilhelm states as he moves to the front of the class. “We only have one more task, and that’s Optics.”

We all file into the test area at the back of the training room and wait for further instruction. Dr. Wilhelm hits a button on his data pad and suddenly the room elongates and stretches about triple its current size. He calls us up one at a time to stand on a bright blue light line that forms on the floor and stare straight ahead. It’s my turn and I toe the line while facing forward.

“Use your optics ability to properly recognize an enemy from an innocent,” Dr. Wilhelm states, pressing another button on his data pad and starting the timer on the wall next to us.

Without my optics activated, I can barely see the end of the room. I focus and my eyes begin to pulse. Now everything has a blue tint to it. Images in the distance begin to pop into my field of view and I can clearly make out the far wall of the room.

After successfully naming all five images either friend or foe, my time turns green and an electronic voice filters into the room. “Excellent.”

“Good job, Ms. Grayson. You did much better than I was expecting you to,” Dr. Wilhelm states with a smirk.

“Thanks?” I say, giving him a confused look.

“That was a compliment, Ms. Grayson. Don’t get used to it though. I’m not usually one for giving them.” He laughs at his own comment.

Chapter Nine

Division Assignment

Finally, the day of the division assignments arrives. After about a month of grueling training, we’re about to find out which division we’re going to be assigned to. Based on our times during finals, most of us already know which one we’ll end up in, but today makes that assumption real.

As I’m about to leave my room to meet up with everyone, Galileo projects from my bangle, but he doesn’t say anything. “Yes, Galileo?” I ask looking at his hologram.

“Kenley…I just wanted to say that…I am proud of you.”

“Thanks, Galileo.”

“You have more than proven that you belong here. I am honored to be your AI.”

“Hey, that sounds like inflection in your voice, Galileo. Are you showing emotion?”

“The possibility in there does lie…scanning database…All systems seem to be operating at maximum capacity. No sign of change present,” he responds.

“Never mind, there’s the Galileo I know,” I giggle.

Sitting in the mess hall, we all patiently wait for the ceremony to begin. Federation soldiers file into the hall and line up at the front of the stage with guns by their sides. The Federation’s pledge song begins playing in the room, which means only one thing, that General Roman Barclay is gracing us with his presence. As he makes his way across the stage, we stand and salute.

General Barclay flashes us a huge grin. “At ease, soldiers,” he says into the microphone. We all take our seats. “To say that the Allied Federation is proud of you would be a huge understatement. You have all exceeded our expectations and then some.” He pauses for a moment and his face becomes serious before he continues. “As you all are well aware of by the recent attack on the facility, the Bringers are becoming increasingly hostile. South Africa, California, sections of Canada, the southern part of Texas, parts of Asia, Europe—they’ve all seen devastation recently at the hands of these monsters. Our situation is becoming more dire, and this project is looking more and more like our last hope in the fight against this evil. Now, I know it may be overwhelming to think that you’re all that stands between mankind and its extinction, but I want you to use that feeling. Use that fear, strength, and emotion to defeat your enemy.”

This guy sounds just like Commander Archer, not surprising though,
I think to myself.

“I’ve decided that since the importance of this project has risen significantly, I will be staying aboard with my command to monitor your exit exam personally,” the general states.

I turn to Joey and mouth
Exit
exam?
He shrugs, looking just as confused as I feel.

“Now, onto the division assignments,” he announces.

Ten large flag holograms project above our heads. There are five flags on either side of the mess hall. The flags sway like there’s a nonexistent breeze. On each flag there’s an identical picture of a triangle with three stars in the center of it.

“First division up is Strike,” General Barclay announces.

Joey and Landon’s bands begin to pulse and then their AIs project out. I notice Sam’s does the same thing, and so does many of the other cadets around me. I hear Joey and Sam’s AIs congratulate them for making Strike division.

“Congratulations, Strike division. All one hundred and seventy of you.” General Barclay grins with what I assume is pride. A subdued applause follows.

The ten flags ruffle in the wind and the symbol changes on them. It’s now a triangle with three bold lines running vertically down them. “Next up is Fortification division.”

My bangle begins to glow and I see that Caleb’s is as well. He smirks at me and I return it. Galileo projects out, and instead of congratulating me he says, “Well, this was a no-brainer,” followed by an electronic chuckle.

“Hush, Galileo,” I joke, joining in with his laughter. I stifle my laugh with my hand as I notice the room gets quiet. The general congratulates the fifty members of the Fortification division, which is followed up by another round of subdued applause.

The flags change once more. The symbol is now a triangle with three diamonds spanning the shape. “The third and final division is Tactical,” General Barclay states.

Geoffrey is the only band that pulses in our immediate area. Sam smacks him on the back to congratulate him and he sends her a half-smile.

Immediately following the assignments, a disembodied voice enters the room through the speakers surrounding us. It’s followed by the holographic image of the world’s president walking across the stage with his arms outstretched wide toward us.

“Hello, cadets,” he announces with a huge smile. “I apologize for not being able to be there with you in person today, but I want to congratulate all of you on a job well done. You were all handpicked as being the best, and I am glad to be informed that our choices were correct. I feel I know each and every one of you, and though you are young, you have handled yourselves like adults. I know all your parents would be proud if they knew of your accomplishments.”

“I guess he doesn’t know me as well as he thinks he does,” Joey says under his breath. I nudge him and send him an empathetic smile.

“Each and every one of you is special, and I know you will utilize your talents to defend us against these creatures. As I’m sure you’re all well aware of by now, your job is far from over. And with the recent Bringer activity, I’d say it’s only the beginning. I only wish that we could disclose to the world what is going to transpire. But the few of us who do know will be rooting for you through it all. Keep up the good work, soldiers, and know that the world and I thank you.” His hologram fades away when he finishes his speech.

“Damn, didn’t that just bring tears to your eyes?” Joey comments sarcastically.

“Yeah, I know I got a little teary eyed,” Sam comments sarcastically.

“Let’s all hear it for the world’s president,” General Barclay declares as he makes his way back toward the microphone while clapping his hands enthusiastically.

“He does know that the president was a hologram, right? Not to mention that he’s gone now? What a dipshit,” Sam whispers to our section of the table. We all chuckle and then bring our focus back to the stage as General Barclay clears his throat.