"Carrying the Torch"
	"Carrying the Torch" March 8, 2008 0500 hrs (Day 8) Through the darkness Enola could see Baz on the bottom bunk, squirming. They hadn't been greeted by the presence of the sergeant yet, shouting at them to get their lazy asses outside. Both Paige and Saf were awake too. Their internal alarm clocks were clanging in their ears, waking them up for the expected entourage of shouting. Enola wondered why they hadn't been called yet. Apparently the others were wondering the same, for Enola heard Paige get out of bed, and start to change. Soon everyone followed suit. They seemed to be in a common agreement of the fact that they should be outside running, for everything was a test and today was no different. In fact, this particular morning was much like the interactive game they had took part in two days back; they had to take the initiative. Not a minute later, they were outside, warming up in the cold air. Enola shivered a little bit, but knew that once she started running the icy wind would be forgotten. No one really spoke, there seemed to be a deadly hush over the whole camp, no activity whatsoever was going on. There wasn't even the usual bacon smell wafting out that them. It was almost like everyone had gotten up and left. Enola watched both Saf and Paige look over to the other hut where Beta team was housed. It was engulfed in darkness and not a hint of motion came from within. Enola shrugged, and took off behind the others. They did their 10-mile run in record time, not that it really mattered at this point. As they neared the camp, they heard the sergeant shouting. They slowed their pace a little bit, going somewhat cautiously into camp. In the Square, Beta team was standing, with the sergeant leaning over them, yelling, telling them what complete screw-ups they were. He stopped for a moment, glancing at them. His expression did not change as he informed them breakfast was being served at 0600hrs, which was in about ten minutes. So they had that much time to clean up and get to the canteen. As they walked into their hut, Enola said to no one in particular, "Glad we aren't them."Everyone smiled and nodded in agreement. When they walked into the canteen, Enola saw the other team, who weren't sitting down to eat like they soon would be. Instead, they were cleaning the canteen, with what appeared to be their toothbrushes. Enola looked closer, yes, it was their toothbrushes. Everyone sort of glanced at each other, all keeping their poker faces. This was not the time to be smirking at the other team, unless they wanted to be doing the same thing. The sergeant was overseeing the cleaning, and Enola sat down. They had been served a hot breakfast, perhaps it was a reward for them because they had gotten their asses out of bed for their jog…perhaps it was more punishment for the others. Enola heaped her plate up with eggs and bacon and toast. They even had hot coffee. Paige, Saf, and Baz were all doing the same thing, eating pretty much everything that was there. By the time they were finished eating, most of the food was now cold. As per the sergeant's instructions, they headed back to their hut to get into their PT gear. Enola wondered what today would bring, probably more exercises and drills. She was beginning to tire of these activities, could use a little excitement, perhaps a new activity. She was certain that everyone else was beginning to feel the same way. Along with boredom however, came weariness. A week straight of heavy physical and mental challenges, does not do a body good. Today however, they received a break of sorts. They all headed into another building at the camp they had yet to see the inside off. Enola was expecting some elaborate physical training exercise; instead, they were greeted by somewhat warm air and the hum of computers and various other devices. They were told to sit down at the computers; each team had one computer. The four of them clustered around their computer, waiting for what was going to be next. Their first task was to analyze satellite pictures. They had a certain number of minutes for each image, depending on the clarity of it. An image came up on the screen. They all looked at it for a moment, studying its details. The other group appeared to be doing the same. Finally, Paige pointed to a building in the center of the picture, pointing directly at a building. "This one sticks out, it is unlike the surrounding buildings," she spoke to the group. "Yes, and notice the perimeter of the building, there is what looks like a wall, fence perhaps." Baz noted. Together, they determined that the building was some type of warehouse. By the looks of it, it housed ground operation by the large number of fuel tanks on the north side of the building. They moved onto the next image. This image took a little longer to decipher, but in turn, they completed the analysis with plenty of time to spare each time around. Once both teams had completed the satellite images, they moved onto the next task, encoding information and messages, along with decoding them. Enola's memory was brought back to Section briefly, remember the time her and Marc had spent decoding the information from the Germany mission that Paige had been on. Enola shock her head, bringing her back to the present. After a time of decoding information, both teams were given a game plan. They were to encode a message that the other team was to decode. The four of them encoded their message, beginning with their original phrase, and changed it a good many time to confuse those who would be reading it. Once they were done, they gave a copy to Beta team, and in turn they received there's. They quickly butchered the code, and had it decoded before the other team had decoded their message. However you had to give Beta team some credit, they were on the last leg of the decoding. Perhaps they weren't a bad team, but just did not work well together. The morning quickly passed and soon it was afternoon. However, they weren't quite so lucky to say inside this time. Everyone was now in the square, including Beta team, waiting for the sergeant to begin. For the moment, he was just standing there, not doing anything in particular, just staring. If Enola hadn't been used to Operations' and Madeline's stares, she would have found it a little unnerving. Enola saw the sergeant take a breath, and then he began explaining what their task was at a yell. "In pairs, you will carry these logs over a set trail. There are various obstacles that you must get the log around…come on, I'm not waiting all day here." Once everyone had formed into pairs and were standing by their log, the sergeant yelled at them to get going. Enola made her way with Baz across the course. Each pair had a different trail to move on. Some parts of the trail were slippery and everyone went down. There was bushed to navigate through, along with water, rocks, and not to forget more ice and snow. When everyone had reached the end, they were forced to do the course again, only starting from where they finished. They spent the whole afternoon with the logs. At one point, it even started snowing. Enola didn't notice the snow much, couldn't make her any colder. Oddly enough though, she warmed up a bit when the snow was falling. By the end of the afternoon, everyone was beginning to drag their feet as usual, but they knew full well, they were far from finished. They were brought inside once again; sat down in front of the computers to analyze more photos, decode more messages. During the evening meal, they had discussed the possible evening activities, and Saf had suggested that they would probably be doing something they had done before, to see if they were getting sloppy. Saf was right. March 9, 2008 0500 hrs (Day 9) They received no call once again. However, luck for Beta team, they had learnt their lesson to not sleep in. All eight of them were out jogging, and in return all received a hot breakfast. After breakfast, they were instructed to pack up all their gear because they were going hiking. There were a number of instructors, 2 in fact. The instructors' load was light, light as a feather, for they carried nothing on their backs and walked at a good fast pace. Everyone was required to keep up with them, even if they did have 60lbs packs strapped to their back. They climbed up hills and down hills, however, there was more up than down. In the end, they had climbed up a steep mountain. It was hard work keeping up with the instructors, but nothing that was impossible. They all worked together and no one fell behind. This was the first time that they got to spend time with the other team that was not competitive. They got to know each other a little bit better, but not much. Everyone was more focused on passing this particular test. They arrived back at camp in the mid afternoon; with a few more cuts and scraps. When they reached the center of the camp, they were all surprised to see Rebecca. She was smiling at them all. When they all stopped in front of her she spoke, "Congratulations, you have now completed Phase two." Enola noticed that Rebecca put emphasis on completed, you've completed, but I'm not telling you if you have passed or not yet." Rebecca continued, "Now, I will be seeing each of you individually to discuss your results from both phases. You all have about 30 minutes before the appointments begin. Do not worry about missing your time, for someone will come to notify you when it is your turn." A few nodded in return, and as Rebecca turned to go into the doorway behind her, everyone else turned around, heading to their respective cabins. Once inside their cabin, everyone pretty much sat down on the bottom bunks. Paige was the first to speak, "At last, the games end." "But does the torch still burn?" Enola responded, not really thinking.Paige looked at her for a moment, "Oh it still burns…" she answered, leaving it like that and heading to the shower. The others did the same before stretching out on their beds, waiting to be called. Baz was the first. After he left, they didn't say much to each other, there wasn't really much to say at this point and dozing seemed much more interesting at the moment. They all awoke when Baz came in. He walked in and observed their faces. Enola knew she wore a face of question. Did he make it? "I'm in" he stated simply. "Way to go!" Paige said to him. Enola smiled at him, happy that he got in, least he did not have to go back to wherever he came from. Sometime late, Saf was called. She was called in as Sara and that reminded Enola about her new name. She had been so wrapped up she had pretty much forgotten. Everyone else had too in fact, she remembered being called by her former name many times within the group. This was something she'd have to get used to. Perhaps she was going to have to insist on everyone calling her Jordan. Saf came back and was followed by the sergeant who called her name. Enola followed him outside, zipping up her jacket as she went. She stepped through the doorway and was met by Rebecca, "Jordan, please sit down." Enola sat down, unzipping her jacket. The room was quite warm. "Now before I begin, I'd like to ask you a question. How do you think you did?" Enola let out a breath she had been holding, "Well," she began, "I completed all the tasks at hand, and even surprised myself at times with certain tasks." "At what tasks?" "Weaponry. I was less timid than I have been in the past while shooting." Rebecca nodded, "As I suspected. We have also picked up on this. From the files we received from Section One, they indicated your fear of guns. I would have to say from the evaluation of these past days, you're fear has diminished to a small miniscule." Enola nodded as Rebecca continued, "Now to more particular matters. Everything during this phase you completed well. Congratulations Jordan, you have passed. Welcome to the SIA as a field agent." Enola smiled, relieved that she passed because she did not want to go back to Section. "Are you going to tell me more about the agency now?" Enola asked. Rebecca smiled warmly and replied, "Yes my dear. You know what I have told you already about fighting terrorism, much like Section does. However, we do it a little differently. I believe Joshua informed you we were looking for those who had lived on the outside so to speak…well you will be living away from us with little supervision. In fact, you will be leading much of your own life." Enola interrupted at this point, "Excuse me, what do you mean by my own life? A life of my choosing?" "Not quite Jordan, similar, but not quite. We have a file back at the headquarters for you, you're new life. However, we are willing to change details for you should you find something completely unacceptable. But as to what you're new life entails will be left alone now, you will find out when we get back to New York." Enola nodded, pleased at what she heard. This was definitely not Section anymore. This was…should she think it…freedom. "Now do you have any more questions that need to be answered?" Enola shook her head. "Alright Jordan, you may go back. We will be heading back to the States tomorrow morning." "Thank you." Enola replied and she walked out. Upon returning, she glanced at Saf and Paige. They were talking with Baz. Both Saf and Baz had passed and now she had too. Only Paige was left to see if she got in or not. They didn't have to wait long for her answer. Moments after Enola arrived, Paige was fetched. The three remaining sat in silence, a heavy silence. Enola thought about Paige, knowing she would make it. Enola crawled under her covers, waiting for Paige to come back. It was the waiting that was killing her. Paige came back and grinned at them. "Well, you think we can terrorize the place or what?" she said. Enola grinned at her, they had all made it, all four of them. March 10, 2008 0700 hrs (Day 10) They headed back to SIA the same way they came. However, instead of hiking from where the chopper had let them off, they drove. They would soon be back, ready to start their new lives, whatever they may be. The fate of the other team was unknown to Enola, but she would soon find out. But it didn't really matter right now. She was just happy they all made it. But, they were trained by the best, so there was no reason why they shouldn't. They were like the people who carried the Olympic torch, privileged to have that honor and in getting that honor they had accomplished some great feat. Surviving Section was definitely a great feat. It was now their turn to carry the torch. Return