“You’re a soldier?” Mansel asked. “Sniper, yes,” Brungess replied. “He’s an excellent marksman,” a voice from behind them said.  They both turned around to see Chris Conrad come strolling up with a woman about Brungess’s age in tow.  “I see you two have met.” Conrad was the tallest and oldest of the gang.  He had met Brungess and Meelan when he arrived at UNSF/EDF Academy in his freshmen year.  He had known Mansel since high school.  He was the roughish-looking one of the group, with a mop of brown hair and brown eyes.  Conrad had an aura about him that made other people feel confident. It suddenly hit Mansel where he had heard Brungess’s name from.  “You’re one of the guys Conrad was talking about,” he said. Cadet Conrad nodded.  “Yep.  As a matter of fact, here comes our last man.” Up strolled Cadet Eric Meelan with a woman by his side, much like Conrad.  This one was of a darker-skinned nature, very appealing to Mansel.  Meelan was about Brungess’s height with blonde hair, green eyes, and a goofy smile that made women either instantly fall in love with him or laugh in his face.  Most of the time, it was the latter. “Let me make introductions,” Conrad started, pointing to Brungess.  “Darryl, you already know James Brungess.  We simply call him Jim.  He’ll be living with us in our villa.  As will this character,” he continued, pointing to Meelan.  “This suave fellow here is Eric Meelan, second year freshman.” “And proud of it,” stated Meelan.  Your room is beside mine, Mansel.  Unfortunately, you’re stuck between me and Brungess.”  He held out his hand and Mansel took it. Conrad gestured to the lady that was standing beside him with her arms crossed, examining Mansel.  “This here is Maki Pierce.  Watch out for your doughnuts when she’s around.” Maki had a striking presence about her that made Mansel think twice about making a move on her.  She seemed to be a bit feisty, and Mansel didn’t like feisty women.  She merely gave him a nod. “And this is her roommate,” Meelan stated, picking up where Conrad had left off.  “Makeisha Lee.”  Still taken by her beauty, Mansel fumbled over a greeting. Conrad laughed.  “Don’t worry, Mansel, she does that to all the guys at the Academy.”  He looked at the flag rippling in the wind.  “That’s what it’s all about,” he said, pointing with his chin at the flag.  "Right now, there just isn't anything I can't achieve.”  He looked over at Brungess, who nodded, lost in his own thoughts. "I made it this far...there ain't no turning back now."  He looked at Mansel, Meelan, and the girls.  "You guys." Meelan agreed. "I found myself," he said said, at peace for the first time in his life.  "This is what I want to do...I can make a difference." "Yeah," said Mansel with a bright look on his face.  "The people of the galaxy need protecting."  He took a deep breath and glanced at the UNSF flag once again.  "It's up to us to give them the protection they deserve."  That being said, he took another look at Makeisha Lee and favored him with his best smile.  "And you?" The Agent-in-training shrugged.  "Nobody can do it but us.  Our future is in our hands now, like it or not." Maki Pierce grinned.  "I came to honor my family and because my uncle wondered what I'd look like in uniform." Conrad gave a hearty laugh.  "Well, Mansel, I guess we need to get you fully moved in.  You got your old Honda still?"  He looked surprised when Mansel shook his head. "What do you have now?" "BMW.  Old body style.  2179.  Got a nice bit of storage space." Brungess gestured.  "Well then, lead the way Mansel.  Let's get you in."  He grinned.  "Welcome to the fold."