"War Games, Part 1"
March 1st 2008, 16.00hrs They were now down to just 8 people after the two tests had been conducted, the unlucky four who had failed had included both the Brazilian girl and Arab who she had shared a table with. Gray had told them they had done well to get this far, it was no easy feat. Saf had smiled a little at that, she and the others from Section had little choice except to survive, and they were more than a little used to that scenario. “Paige, Jordan, Sebastian and Sara, the rest of you are Beta Unit” she realised she had missed the beginning of Gray’s speech and concentrated on the remainder. “Phase II is more physically demanding, you will be leaving in 5 hours time at 21.00hrs,” he pointed to the back of the room, “All you need is laid out on the tables, please pack your bergens’ now.” Saf stood looking for a moment and then shrugged her shoulders, Paige and Enola joined her and they looked at the equipment laid out; along with what appeared to be standard army issue clothing were ropes, crampons, ice-axes and cold weather outerwear. Enola spoke first, “Guess we aren’t off to the Carribbean then?” Saf smiled at Enola’s dry humour, then turned to Paige “How come we both got a name change and you didn’t Paige?” Paige just smiled, like a self-satisfied cat “Why change something as perfect as me?” Saf grinned, she could feel a difference already. Apprehensive as she was about what the future held, it was a world away from the rigidity and constraints of Section. Laughing they packed their own bergens, she picked up some ration packs along with the equipment laid out. Noting idly that some people on the Beta Unit weren’t following her example, and likewise on the clothing. “Paige, Enola.. I mean Jordan, pick up everything and anything spare, we can always ditch it if needed later.” They followed her lead, and the tables were bare in double quick time. She adjusted the straps to fit snugly over the warm clothing, leaving the heavy outerwear to pick up later, she had no doubt that they were going to be close companions for the next couple of days and she was not going to get strap rubs. She stripped down to her bra and briefs and redressed in the army fatigues, the newness of the fabric feeling harsh against her skin. The boots were equally as bad, the leather hard and unforgiving and she pulled them on and laced them up. Finally they were packed, the clock read 18.00hrs, so another 3 hours to wait before they were due to depart. The rest were chatting quietly, swapping life stories, but Saf was going to take the opportunity to rest now, knowing that what lay ahead was going to be demanding and she didn’t know when her next opportunity would arise. She curled up on the floor, head resting on the Bergen, relaxing into a light doze and stilling out the voices of the others talking. 21.00hrs “Sara, time to go” a nudge by Paige’s boots into her ribs, woke her from her doze in an instant. She stood up and stretched, then lifted the Bergen onto her back, she grimaced at the weight as it settled on her shoulders. She turned around to say as much to Paige when she noticed a fourth member, tall and good looking hovering at the side of the group. “Hi my name is Seb Glenn, but most people call me Baz”, Saf noted his attractive southern accent, she waited until both the others had introduced themselves before she responded. “Hi Baz, I’m Sara, but most people call me Saf. Pleased to meet you. Do you know where we might be going?” He shook his head, but whispered “My guess, is somewhere cold.” Gray led them back into the first room, then through and out the other side. Two elevator’s stood side by side and they were split into their two units, each one entering into a separate elevator. Gray remained where is was “You are being transported separately, you will be met and taken to your transport at level 0. Good luck.” He turned and walked away, Saf watched for a long moment, trying to decide whether to follow like a sheep the path he had set and then shrugged. The lift slid down it’s path smoothly, her feet could barely pick up a sense of movement. She looked over at Paige, who smiled reassurance, Saf hadn’t even noticed the confined space, in her anxiety over what was to come, she had forgotten her fears of confined spaces. In stark realisation, she realised that she was no longer worried, perhaps her problems were all behind her. The movement stilled beneath her feet and the doors slid silently open, a figure stood in the shadows “Please follow me”, his tones were clipped and terse, but dutifully they followed him down a maze of corridors until he stopped outside a door, “Transport” he spoke quietly as he opened the door, revealing a blacked out van, similar to those used by Section. They entered the van, still saying nothing, and after stowing their bergens at the back sat down on the seats; it was different inside to the section vans, more open, with full access to the driver and view of where they were going. The silence in the van was oppressive and the tension was enough to start a fire in a swamp. The doors were shut and their guide walked around to the driver’s seat and started the engine. The roads were dark and narrow and then they emerged out into the bright lit highway. Saf had no idea of where they were, until they passed a road sign, that said La Guardia. The driver went past the airport concourse, until he came to a series of private hangers. All through the drive, they had kept their silence, but none of them were relaxed, particularly Paige, Enola and herself. There was no sign of a The van slowed outside an unlit hanger and pulled into the open doorway before stopping. They sat waiting for instructions but it wasn’t long before the door was opened from outside and a silent figure in black appeared “Please bring your packs and come with me”. Saf shouldered the Bergen and rechecked the straps, Paige leaned into her “They doesn’t speak much, do they?” Saf turned towards her and replied idly “They make Mike look chatty in comparison” as she smiled. Despite her own fears and insecurities, she felt that this had been the right choice to make, it was just the pointless security that was beginning to irritate her. They were directed across the tarmac to a large black helicopter, with darkened windows, she couldn’t see anybody in the cockpit. But as they entered the back, they could see the pilot and co-pilot doing the pre-take off check list run through. Strapped in and headphones on they listened to the pilot as he spoke to air traffic control, requesting take-off and confirming his flight plan. Saf didn’t recognise the name but Paige nudged her, her voice was shaky as she mouthed “Glacier National Park” Saf shuddered, as did Enola, damn that was going to be cold enough to make a brass monkey shiver in pain. It was their last conversation for a couple of hours, as it was impossible to hear anything above the noise of the engines, and the mikes and earsets only connected them with the cockpit and not to each other. March 1st 2003, 23.50hrs “LZ in 5 mins” the pilot’s voice broke into her silent reverie, “You will find the necessary equipment to abseil down in the lockers beneath your seats.” They broke into action, taking out the harness and the ropes and affixing them to the relevant connection points. By the time they had put the bergens on, it was time to leave. Baz pulled back the door, and bitter cold winds entered their warm space. Saf looked out, but she could see nothing, though she would bet her last dollar on there being snow down below. She strapped on the Bergen and attached herself to the line, then thrust away and into the darkness. She had been right, it was cold, wet and snowy when she had reached the bottom, she tugged the release strap and caught the rope as it came tumbling down on top of her. Coiling it she stowed in a pocket on the side of the Bergen. Enola had landed close by, and was doing the same. Saf heard the helicopter withdrawing, just leaving them here, in the middle of nowhere with no idea of what they were to do next. Although she was worried, she was going to hide it well, this could just be another test. Turning around she and Enola went to find Baz and Paige, who were just a few yards away but in the wind and snow seemed to be further. Paige was holding a plastic wallet, and Baz was shining a torch on it, “Have we got far to go?” she asked, “Nice night for a gentle trek” Paige smiled broadly, Saf groaned, you could bet anything on the fact that was going to be bad news on the directions if Paige was smiling. They grouped around the map while Paige read out the instructions “We have 5 hours to get to the next point which is about 30 miles from here in that direction” She pointed her finger, which was into the wind. Saf looked at the geographical details on the map, river deep, mountain high she thought. “This is going to be tough, we had better get started.” Paige and Baz tugged on the straps on the bergens, ensuring the fit was tight enough and they set off at a fast walk, herself and Enola falling in behind. The pace wasn’t fast, but they had no natural light and injury to one or more of them would be fatal so they kept to a safe pace. Their first obstacle was 5 miles along the trail, they had to traverse a glacier. Used to working silently, Paige herself and Enola unpacked crampons, ice-picks and ropes and started to rope up. Baz was more vocal “You guys look like you've worked together before,” as he worked. Paige smiled, her teeth glowing white in the dark “You could say that” he smiled “I thought so.” Paige had taken the lead position, Saf followed, with Enola behind and Baz brought up the rear. They climbed onto the icy surface and what had felt cold before, was now surpassed by the additional chill of the glacier and the additional effort of traversing across was making her sweat. Their journey across was not without drama when Baz lost his footing and slid towards a crevise, pulling Enola off her feet, but the ropes held and with Paige and herself pulling, they soon had Baz on the surface again. “Thanks, I didn’t fancy an icy end” he was clearly shaken by the experience, but they had no choice but to continue, and they set off again, this time Baz took every rope connection available, taking fewer risks. It was a relief to them all when they finally made it to the other side and back onto a snowy trail. They stowed the equipment back into the bergens but stayed roped together as the trail descended rapidly into valley and was both steep and rocky. At one point on the journey down, the trail was broken by a rock fall, and they went across one at a time, when it was her turn, Saf felt the shifts of the path beneath her feet and she knew that this was unstable. Even though her instinct was to flee, she slowly made her way across, feeling for each step before she transferred her weight. She was more that a little relieved to make it to the other side. When everyone was across they continued downwards. Saf heard the water, long before they reached it, she shivered as they checked their route on the map, but Paige was already there, her photographic memory giving her full recall, and Saf knew that Paige wasn’t wrong, but it was always worth a second look to see if any other options existed. The river crossing, didn’t look too deep, but it was going to be fed from glacier fed water and was going to be icy cold. “I’ll go across first,” she volunteered, and rig up a line. There was no disagreement from them, at least with a line the bergens would stay dry. Saf stripped down to bare minimum, clothes would be a hindrance and dry warm clothing the otherside would shortly be available. She was roped into a harness, and took a thin line with her from her pack. She stepped into the river, and shuddered with the pain, but there was no alternative and she bit down on her lips and continued on her path. The deepest part, was mid-way when she plunged in up to her waist, but after that it shallowed to thigh level and then she was over. Shivering heavily, she pulled on the thin line until she felt the tug of a thicker rope. Casting around, she tied off the rope to a tree on the bank, and tugged it twice to signal it was ready. With the two lines in place the rest of them made it across without too much difficulty along with the bergens, the first one being hers so she could get access to dry clothing. She dressed swiftly, putting the wet clothing in a plastic bag, and pushing into the depths of the Bergen. It didn’t take too long before she was warm and dry again. “Next one, someone else can go first” she spoke out loud to the group. “No worries Saf, you know us” Paige responded smiling. Pulling on the packs, they set off again down the trail, Saf fell in beside Paige “Do you believe all this?” she asked, “Do I believe we are here? Or Do I believe that we are out of Section?” Paige responded. “Do you really think that we are free?” Saf said quietly, wanting to get some reassurance out of Paige, needing it badly. “Yes, I do, from Section, though it remains what restrictions the SIA will put on us before free really means freedom.” Saf trudged alongside, and slowly, inside, agreed with what Paige had said. March 2nd 2008 At about 3am, they reached a plateau of level ground and now moonlight had come out from the clouds, they made faster progress, they estimated that they had covered just over halfway, and there were only two more hours before they had to be at their objective, so now the pace was picked up. There was no more time for talking, but a silent companionship had been struck and during the next hour, the lead changed between the group several times, they ate on the run, drank on the run, and if anyone stopped for a reason, they all stopped. Now was not the time to separate, their orders were to arrive together. By 4.30am they were reaching their target, another half klick would see them there, he bit was a climb up a steep trail consisting of rocks and loose scree, but they were fighting fit now and adrenalin kicked int to see them reach their objective. Baz was all for marching in but Paige smiled sweetly at him before responding “You can, but I wouldn’t bother..” instead 10 mins before their deadline, they strolled into a camp, at their objective as though they had been for nothing other than a stroll on level paths. They were met by two instructors who greeted them the moment they made their entrance into camp, by shouting a series of instructions at them. After giving their names, they were ordered to change into dry gear, supplied in a near by hut. Without questioning, they followed orders, aware that this was all part of the evaluation. Once changed, into running gear, they were again herded outside and sent on a ten mile run with one instructor, Saf swore she could smell bacon cooking, but perhaps it was just wishful thinking. None of their group complained, biting back the words before they surfaced. Any expectation of a hot breakfast or shower were lowered as they followed their guide down away from the camp and deep into a forest trail. The snow crunched underfoot, but was quite flat. The pace was not too fast and even after their 5 hour trek to get here, it found it quite easy to keep up with the instructor. A little over a hour later and they were heading back to camp, their leg muscles feeling tighter now and in need of food, preferably hot, although Saf had the feeling that they were going to be disappointed on that as well. When they arrived back in camp, the instructors had them walk in a circle, to cool down before leading them into the mess hall. Breakfast was laid out, bacon, eggs, beans, tomatoes, but it was stone cold. Ignoring her mind, she collected some bread and made a sandwich, and bit into it. Cold or not, it was food and she was hungry, surprising herself she had three more sandwiches and would have had a fourth if she could have forced another one down. Instead she satisfied her thirst with a couple of glasses of milk, while coffee was available, it also was stone cold, and she could not force herself to drink that. The rest of them had also tucked in, although Baz had complained, until Paige spoke quietly to him, Saf didn’t hear what it was but it was enough to stop his complaining. They were just looking around their accommodation when the door opened and an instructor came in “Outside you lot in 5 mins” before closing it, they turned to each other in dismay, hadn’t they done enough for the day? Outside, they were led to a wooden billet, four bunks around a central fire which was unlit, at the end was toilet and shower block, and a doorway presumably leading to another room. “You have 20 mins to shower and change” they didn’t hang around, stripping off they grabbed towels and soap and hit the showers running, Baz seemed a little taken back at their lack of inhibitions in front of him, but he soon got over it. After the hot shower, and Saf was a little surprised at the show of kindness, she had expected cold, they had unpacked the wet clothes from their packs and hung it up, not in the hope it would dry, but to stop it going mouldy. She put her bags on the upper berth of the second set of four bunks, Enola was about to sit down on the lower berth and Saf whispered “no, don’t do that”, she smiled tiredly, “Somehow I don’t think we are done just yet, Enola stood up again “Surely not, we haven’t had any rest..” Saf grinned “especially because we haven’t had any rest” was her reply. A shout from outside, made them look at each other and footsteps approaching nearer made them silent. The instructor entered the room and looked at them, “so you think you are good enough for us?” he barked, his voice tinged with faint remains of a scottish burr overlaid with Canadian tones. No-one spoke, or answered his question. “We will see, outside on the double, now.” They passed by him at a trot, heading for the area they had already christened the square. As they passed out of the billet to go back outside, she noted that the other room was empty, the other unit either hadn’t arrived yet or had done so much earlier than their group. Once outside they were issued with weapons, a Sukiroff machine gun with modifications and additional magazines. It was a new weapon to her, she had heard of them, but despite Sections resources Walter had never managed to lay his hands on one. They stood in a line in the cold light of dawn and waited for the next instruction, which was not long in coming. They were taken to another hut, built into a grass bank, and drilled on the Sukiroff, by Staff-Sergeant Jefferson. Then they were given the task of firing them into static targets, afterwards the scores were marked and until they had all achieved a standard of 95% accuracy, they were made to repeat the tests. Finally they satisfied his exact standards and he then tested them on their weapons capabilities from firing to stripping down and rebuilding. None of them had any problems, Baz had obviously had prior experience and Walter had been thorough in teaching all Section Personnel how to handle a range of weapons. The thoughts brought her to a halt, she hadn’t given them a thought, not Walter, Birkoff any of them, only concerned with bringing Section down to consider what would happen. The morning dragged on, but eventually SSgt Jefferson called a break and walked them over to the canteen, giving them 20 mins to chow down, warning them that talking was forbidden. The food was just basic rations, full of proteins, carbohydrates, and calories but as tasty as dry sawdust, but they scoffed it down just the same. Life was full of uncertainties and not knowing when you might get fed again, made them less fussy. 15 minutes later, and they were ready to go again. Ssgt Jefferson took them back to the weapons hut, but this time the different parts of weapons were on the tables. They were each assigned a table and asked to reassemble a weapon from the parts on their table. It was clear as soon as she started that she didn’t have all the correct parts for the Kalashniekov core, but she found an alternative chamber mechanism and a few swipes with a rasp made it fit as though it were made for it. She finished just after Enola and at the same times as Paige with Baz just a few seconds behind. SSgt Jefferson looked pleased, allowing himself a smirk, that he didn’t think anyone had noticed. The afternoon progressed slowly, they changed to laser weapons and were put through a series of films, shooting the targets whilst protecting the innocent. Finally at 15.00hrs, and feeling slightly jaded, they were called outside and marched down to an assault course. They were given a target time of 10 mins in which to complete it as a team and by working together over the obstacles they made it back in just over 9 mins. The only obstacle that had given any problems was a hire wire between two tall trees, but with everyone giving encouragement they successfully negotiated it. No sooner than they had finished it, than they were instructed to repeat it and faster than their original time, Baz was all for complaining, but Paige spoke quietly to him, Saf couldn’t hear what was being said, though it appeared that he seemed to go paler. They set off again, adrenalin pumping, determined to prove the instructors wrong and this time made it around the course in a faster time, with fewer problems, arriving at the finish just 30 seconds earlier than previously. Even though they felt exhausted, there was an unspoken agreement within their team that they would not show it; their tactic seemed to work as the instructors seemed impressed. After a brief rest with hot coffee, SSgt Jefferson handed them over to Corporal Winters for another 5 mile march with full packs. Adjusting to the stresses of their environment was getting easier, although Saf doubted that they had even seen the half of what they were to do and worse still was the fact that they had no idea on how long this would last. Shrugging she pulled on the pack and tightened the straps, enjoying the physical demands that they were placing on them, it was more healthy that the mental demands that Section had employed. On their return, they were fed hot rations, some sort of stew and pasta, followed by a steamed sponge pudding with custard. Saf noted that their was evidence that another group were present, by the number of dishes although there was no sign of them, she wondered if they were deliberately being kept apart. The evening was spent, listening to lectures, and watching video of and on various terrorist groups, they were not given any paper and pencils, but mentally she knew that they were expected to remember this information, somehow a test would be coming, either later this evening or tomorrow or the next day. They were finally released to sleep at 22.00hrs. Each of them exhausted and falling onto their bunks were asleep in minutes. 04.50 hrs March 3rd 2008 The clang of a bell being rung outside, made them start from their bunks, a voice bellowed in the small room to get dressed in PT kit and be outside in 5 mins, to their credit they were. Yawning and still half asleep they were hauled out and down the tracks, Corporal Winter, getting them to sound off and start running, by the time they had been a mile, she felt the sluggishness leave and then began to enjoy the run, regretting the moment when they saw sight of the camp again. Breakfast was served at 05.45am and was cooked fresh and hot, she wolfed down a plate of eggs and bacon, with nice fresh bread, her hunger feeling satisfied for the first time in two days. They didn’t waste time in speaking, they would get time eventually. The coffee was steaming and strong, she felt the caffeine kick in strongly and enjoyed the sensations of the drug in her system, relaxing in her seat. Just as they were finishing, another group of ‘recruits’ were marched in and Saf couldn’t help but note how dejected they looked; Bruce was amongst that group and his lips were set in a firm line as though someone or something had got right up his nose. After breakfast, they were given a written test on the information they had used yesterday, and two hours of intensive brainstorming later, they were done. All the questions were based on what they had been shown or told, but the detail they had been asked for was to the finest element. Saf swore that she could feel her brain trembling at the amount she had been asked to recall. 09.00hrs March 3rd 2008 After their papers had been collected, they were taken back to the weapons hut and SSgt Jefferson. Four hours of weapons drill later, including bomb manufacture and disarming as well as target practice and they were released for lunch, this time having 30 mins to enjoy the food, if enjoy could be used to describe the rations they were given, but like before they scoffed it down, better something that you didn’t enjoy than endure starvation. The remainder of the day, was spent between physical and mental tests, some of the tasks they did she found easier than others, but all the time they were being tested. Deep inside she knew that they were performing well, despite the jeers of the camp staff and the lack of freedom. She knew if she hung on in there that it would get better, it had to, but then anything was better than the restrictions of Section although even that wasn’t a choice any more. She had no idea of how long this evaluation was going to take, but she had the reserves to be able to beat the system at what ever they could throw at her, it was just a question of waiting for them to be able to realise that face. Looking at the set jaws of Enola and Paige, she knew they were probably thinking the same, but going along with the testing that the SIA had arranged. At best, she knew they could evade the clutches of the SIA and escape, but something about the talk that Joshua had given back at Section made her believe that this was in her best interests, and she had nothing better in mind just at the moment.The day was broken by meals and running, interspersed with drills, and tests, none of which were impossible, but were challenging. When they were finally released to go to their bunks it was gone 23.00hrs and they had no idea of when they would be woken up, so hit their bunks and Saf was asleep at about the same time as her head hit the pillow. Return