The change of tone in the lieutenant’s rambling brought Thomas from his thoughts. “I know why you’re late, and so does the captain. We get it. Your little brother takes some time. We don’t hold it against you. Some of your teammates might, but we don’t. You’re a fine specimen of a man, and we’re excited to see you perform.”
“I’m excited for the opportunity, sir.”
“This will be your trial.” He wetted his lips. “Officially, this is it. You’re in charge of the operation even when the Soldiers get there. You served in Syria. I’ve seen your skillset. No one should give you any grief about leading this thing as a Guard.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you understand what happens if you should fail?”
“It won’t happen.”
“But if it does, do you know what happens?”
“Joseph and I will be transferred.”
“Not Joseph. Just you.”
“What—Why? I…” Thomas’s chest tightened. “Sir? I—I don’t understand. He’s my brother. He has to come with me.”
“It’s not a possibility, not in the slightest. Once removed from the Soldier Program, you’ll be transferred, but he’ll have to stay here. We’ll have to begin grooming him for his life.”
“That…”
“I understand your concern, but it’s not up for debate. So, if you’re successful—“
“Sir, I don’t have a choice. It’s when, not if.”
He smiled smugly. “Like I said, if you make it. If that happens, you’ll be able to write your own ticket.”
“Then I don’t want Joseph to have to do the cadet program.” The request rolled unflinchingly from his lips.
“As a Soldier, we could make that happen, but you have to get there first.”
Thomas nodded. I promised your parents I wouldn’t lose you, Joseph.
The lieutenant glanced at his wristwatch. “Not to be rude, but I don’t have all day here. You have permission to dump the gravel out of your ruck and load it up with the equipment you’re going to need. The scout will meet you at your apartment when he’s ready, so take a few and relax.
“Yes, sir.” Thomas snapped to attention and offered a crisp salute followed by a handshake. “I won’t fail.”
Chapter Two
Thomas stepped through the outer door of the school and onto the landing at the top of the stairs. He shared the flat with another man who hadn’t seemed to notice Thomas’s presence—the two of them simply sharing the overhang in silence, waiting for the rain to pass. The man tucked himself into a corner with only his back exposed. It wasn’t until the wind died down and the man spun back toward him that Thomas realized he was preoccupied with a cigarette.
He eyed Thomas guardedly as if he had only appeared to pluck this treasure from between his lips. It was only a nub, perhaps only enough for a quick drag. In years past, it wouldn’t have been worth the trouble. But man, I could really use one of those right now. The man shielded the cigarette again, trying like hell to get the flame of his lighter to hold steady. He muttered to himself, cursing and begging it to work. Only after the end lit red and the man dropped his hands to tuck the lighter into his pocket did Thomas notice it was another lieutenant. He’d already had enough with lieutenants this morning.
The flat began to stink of cigarettes, renewing his once dormant craving for nicotine. I’ve got to get away from him before I lose my mind any more than I already have. He descended the stairs, unfazed by the storm that had faded to a light drizzle—his thoughts muting the environment around him.
He despised these days—unable to tend to Joseph like he wanted. And although over time, it seemed Joseph grew accustomed to these spontaneous calls to duty, it didn’t suppress Thomas’s guilt. No matter how much Joseph smiled through these absences, it never became any easier for Thomas. He could only hope at some point it would stop. But could it? Maybe he had journeyed too far down this path and there was no longer a chance of ever circling back.
Thomas knew by becoming a Soldier there would be interruptions—at times extending beyond a normal shift, perhaps into days. That would be hard enough on Joseph. But if the unthinkable occurred and Thomas failed his trial, then his relationship with the boy would immediately be severed. The only way to guarantee any sense of normalcy was to forge ahead. Not that failure presented itself as an option before, but now Thomas would feel the added pressure in his gut until this mission ended. Now, he could only think of Joseph—only his fate mattered at the end of this trial.
While looking to his left, Thomas spotted a small group of disgruntled Guards eyeing him from under a canopy at the supply depot. They greeted him with a middle finger and stepped off—a few of them exchanged fist bumps and laughed. All Thomas could do was smile and shake his head. I have bigger issues to deal with than you dumbasses. Keep being miserable. Just days ago we were working together, but now because I get this opportunity… Whatever.
Thomas made his way under the canopy that had been vacated by his so-called friends and set his rucksack to the ground. The meager tapping of raindrops against the canvas overhead prompted the disbursement officers to return to their duties amongst the piles of brick, stone, and scrap metal. Some hustled wheelbarrows about, stacking supplies while others strolled through with clipboards, jotting down inventory—all of it stacked here, lined neatly in rows within this makeshift quarry.
“Hey Chuck!” He grabbed the attention of one of the men parking a cart against the wall of the school.
“Damn, that was a quick storm.” The gruff supply officer set his clipboard down on the table and threw a hand through his wet hair, his blue coveralls splotched with rain. “Brutal as all hell, then it was just gone” he said after pulling a towel from a box underneath the table. “What brings ya down to the yard today, bud?”
“Not a whole lot”—Thomas nudged the rucksack with his foot—“just dropping off the gravel from my pack. How’ve you been?”
“Not bad, damn back’s actin’ up again, but that’s nothin’ new.” He straightened his posture while toweling off, groaning with displeasure as he did so—a chorus of light crackling ran down his spine. He allowed his back to resume its natural slump, and he continued, “They upgrade you to priority status yet?” He took the clipboard from the table and tapped his pencil against it, preparing to take a supply request.
“You mean job classification one? No, I’m not too worried about that. How often do I come down here asking for anything?”
“Hell, you should come down here more often, give an old man some company.” He set the clipboard down again. “You know I’m living alone now, right?”
You never let me forget. One of the reasons I don’t come down here too often. “So I’ve heard…” Several times. Thomas straightened his face up with a polite smile after realizing his response had come with an inkling of annoyance. Damn, Chuck. You need to fix things with your wife. You have to be the only husband in the world whose wife left him after the world fell apart. I like you, man, but I can’t sit here all day and chat. Go apologize and get your damn wife back!
“You wanna come over and play some checkers with me after my shift?”
“Believe me, I’d love to, but I’m not going to be around to do that tonight.” Thomas feigned disappointment. “It may have to—”
“So that’s what those Guards had been talking about. I only caught bits and pieces of it. I guess I didn’t realize they were talking about you. Makes sense then that they gave ya the finger.” His shoulders bounced with a chuckle. “Thought maybe they were just joshin’ ya, but I guess not.” He wiped the debris from his palms, threw the towel back in the box, and put his hand out to shake with Thomas’s. “Congratulations by the way, but I’m not thinkin’ that you’ll hear it from them.”