Training: Month #2…

“Move those steel beams faster, I have seen scrawny people performing better than all of you!” shouted the instructor John to the regiment.

Every five recruits were moving one heavy beam a distance of 100 meters and returning to the starting point, the exercise was very exhausting but not enough to break the will of Alejandro, he was the most prominent on all the activities thus far, during his stay he befriended three recruits: Floyd McCraw, Vincent “Ferret” Hunt, and Sylviane Beauvilliers.

9:00 pm…

“Alright lambs, return to the barracks to rest, tomorrow diving class at 5:00 am, dismissed.”

The recruits go to their quarters, where Alejandro and his new friends talk about the final test.

“Do you even know how the final test is? They say it’s the same as the Hell Week that the SEALs soldiers get, it will make you suffer to the point that you’ll want to give up,” says Vincent.

“As scary as it sounds I’d prefer to give it a shot rather than stay as a lamb,” says Sylviane.

“I doubt that I’ll do the test, it looks like a death sentence rather than the familiar exercises we usually do. And what about you Alejandro, are you eager to do it?” Floyd says.

“What makes you suffer makes you stronger they say. Of course, I’ll do the final test, after all it’s optional,” says Alejandro.

“Those who pass that test graduate with honors, a privilege which I wouldn’t overlook.” Sylviane looks thoughtful.

“Huh, still is not a big deal, just something to brag about…” Floyd smirks.

“Well, all that exercise made me sleepy, see you tomorrow for a swim at the beach.” Alejandro says goodnight and goes to his bed.

***

Training: Month #5 and a half…

Alejandro was getting stronger with the exercises and learned quickly during the academic classes. Lately he was trying to learn what was happening in Venezuela since he began the training, all communication to the rest of the world had been cut off, but now he can make short phone calls. He takes the chance to speak with his parents to know how they are now.

“Hello, who is this?”

“Is Alejandro, how are you, Mom, have you been well these months?” He feels relief to hear her voice.

“Hi Alejandro, everything is ok, the people here are nice, I was worried about what you were doing lately and I’ve heard those exercises are very tough…”

“Nah it’s nothing, besides, I am the most distinguished of all the regiment, I’ll even do the final test, twice as hard as the common workouts… after what happened with our extended family, it still hurts but not like before, I’m now at peace and I can keep going forward.”

“I understand Alajndro, I’m glad to hear that, try to not hurt yourself during your training, your father wants to speak with you.”

“Hey son how are you, how’s the training going?”

“I can’t complain, I’m the leading member of all the regiment and I will take the final test in one month.”

“Good, when you are finished, stop by to visit us, also… I wanted to say I’m sorry for everything I did many years ago, I’m not the best father but I’ll try to improve to become one now, if it’s too late to apologize, I understand.”

“I accept your apology, we can talk about that once I stop by, how’s my sister?” said Alejandro with relief.

“She’s busy right now, I’ll tell her that you send your regards.”

“Alright, I have to hang up the phone, tell the family I’ll see them soon.”

Alejandro finishes the call and waits for the next class. He is pleased his family is well, but he realizes he forgot to ask them anything about how Venezuela is doing. “Let’s see... infiltration, guerrilla warfare, and demolitions, how fitting…”

***

Final test…

“Alright lambs this is the last week, here’s where we separate the weak from the strong, this exercise will make you suffer to the point of giving up, those who want to take the test step forward,” the instructor yells.

Some recruits step forward, including Alejandro, Vincent and Sylviane. Floyd waits behind.

“Those who didn’t move return to the barracks. The rest will be subjected to an intense training which will make you true soldiers, but if you decide to give up now even with only one minute left you fail, is all or nothing, the final test begins NOW!”

The final test includes exercises like running many kilometers carrying sandbags, tolerating the different levels of pressure at diving tests, enduring the effects of extreme temperatures, and those are just some of the activities that encompass the final test.

Final test: Day 5…

With the passing of the days, some recruits began to give up. Alejandro admits that the trial is very overwhelming but won’t giving up, only two days were left to finish the training. After a tough day, the remaining recruits at the barracks encourage themselves to pass it, giving 110% to withstand the oppressing workout and obtain honors…

“Such torment, what do you think Ferret, Floyd is happily sleeping while we suffer,” Sylviane mutters.

“I’m about to get out of the boxing ring but seeing as there are only two days left, I’ll hold up…” says Vincent, somewhat burdened.

“Come on partner just two days, when this is over you can brag about it, it is a status worthy to have,” Alejandro says with a chuckle.

“Of course, my first victim will be Floyd after all…” Vincent laughs.

“Well better go to sleep, just two days left…” says Alejandro.

Final test: Last day…

Only 15 recruits remain. The objective was simple, performing all the workouts on a day, a real challenge for them, every exercise has a very short duration but together it was enough to last until midnight.

“Listen now, all this work will be performed quickly, only with five minutes of break time for every test done, if you survive to this I’ll see you as soldiers and not as lambs, better not disappoint me!”

All the recruits did their best to endure until midnight, every break time the recruits gather together to inspire themselves to not surrender, which allowed them to stay the course and finally finish the rough test, celebrating the victory excitedly.

The instructor appears. The soldiers snap to attention and assume a formation.

“Attention! You have successfully passed the final test, which means you are the toughest soldiers that ever stepped onto this military base until now, you have won my respect and the pride to bear the special recognition of the VOA Superhuman Special Forces Division, now return to the barracks for your next orders.”

“Well what a surprise, I don’t even feel my limbs anymore…” Alejandro giggles, feeling euphoric.

The recruits of the final test went back to the barracks finding stereos, alcohol and party stuff to celebrate after surviving six months of intense conditioning.

“…And here comes the fantastic guys of the test…” Floyd was waiting for them in the barracks.

“It was a hell of a week, I don’t want to go through this again and they told me you were breezy this week,” Vincent says.

“Not interested in fancy awards,” Floyd says. “Anyway, at the end tomorrow they’ll give you the corresponding honors, besides everybody who passed the training is already here, come on let’s celebrate.”

“I need a vacation after all this…” says Sylviane.

A few minutes later the instructor appears with a megaphone.

“Pay attention! Tomorrow is a great day for you, you are done being lambs. You have become true soldiers! Those who passed the final test will receive a great merit, the graduation will be at noon inside the dome of the base, here you have the best beer, musical instruments, American football, basketball, and other things, have fun soldiers, that’s an order.” With that, the instructor leaves the area.

The music began to resound all over the place, all the soldiers had a good time celebrating the vigorous preparation, the party lasted until 3:00 am then everybody returned to the barracks and prepare for tomorrow.

***

Graduation day…

All the soldiers of the VOA Superhuman Special Forces Division are awarded for completing the training. Those who passed the final test receive a special merit, distinguishing themselves from those of lesser pedigree, every soldier is called and gets a medal as a symbol of success and receives a day off before they are assigned to missions.

Alejandro utilizes the day to visit his family, but before he goes, Officer Eve Grant approaches him.

“A good performance, as I expected.” Eve seems proud.

“Truly exhausting, but it was worth it.” Alejandro nods, his posture confident.

“Then I hope that effort has paid off, tomorrow we’ll give some news.” With that Eve leaves him.

Alejandro went to visit his family in the big apartment that the VOA offered to them in Oklahoma City. Since the military base where he is right now is in Arizona the flight will last about two hours, when he arrives to the place he is received with open arms.

“Alejandro! I saw you passed the final test, I have heard it was really difficult…” His mother says through happy tears.

“Yeah, I graduated with honors. It was hard but I learned what I was capable of.”

“Well, I hope when this is over and we return home, you can finish college and have a normal life as before, also, your father and sister want to see you.”

Alejandro silently disagrees, the thought of having a stagnant life like the one he had in the past before the arrival of the alien meteorites is unappealing to him…

***

The next day...

Alejandro waits in the VOA military base to receive his first mission from Officer Grant in a briefing session.

“Now that you have arrived Alejandro, I can give you more details. After the incident at the enemy outpost you assaulted, the Red Confederacy has become more alert in Venezuela, believing that we want to take control of the Bellusaxum. Because of that they have deployed more personnel, set up the main base in Caracas and established small but numerous outposts over the country to oversee the flow of the resources, also there’s a radical pro-government paramilitary group called The People’s Militia, the press are saying that they bring order and help the people, but we know that they often harass and attack political rivals and anyone who would be opposed to the government. In short, they are a legally armed gang, supported and promoted by the regime, and some of them are superhumans. Since you are a local, with your familiarity and awareness we’ll work on dismantling that organization first.”

“The People’s Militia… I’ve heard of them before, they make my blood boil. They can act with impunity and are filled with that revolutionary disease,” Alejandro says.

Eve nodded, “Somehow the country has been militarized by the confederacy and that’s where you come in, we are going to send you back to Venezuela as our field operative, you’ll work alone but receive direct orders from me, you will receive starting equipment so you can begin safely. For every task you complete successfully, you get paid in U.S. dollars, with the money you can buy weapons, supplies and anything you need from our agent—he vouched for you.”

At that, in walks Duncan, the spy who Alejandro and his friends helped flee the shopping mall taken over by the Red Confederacy months ago.

“We meet again pal, you have changed.” Duncan shakes his hand.

“Good to see you, looks like you are my supplier after all.”

“Of course, if you need to loosen up your wallet give me a call.” He winks.

“Alright gentlemen your transport awaits you in ten minutes, bon voyage,” says Eve Grant.

Alejandro and Duncan get in the military helicopter where they are informed about the procedure to follow when they arrive at the insertion point. The trip to Venezuela will last some hours. Alejandro finds that the country has changed drastically since he left for training camp…

***

Cabimas, Venezuela

The stealth chopper arrives and Alejandro gets out, he’s near an isolated industrial area that’s almost deserted. Nobody seems to notice him get out of the chopper as that kind of transport also has sound dampening systems, making for reliable covert insertions. He eyes a small, abandoned factory and decides it’ll serve as a hideout and operating base.

“Hey, Duncan do you see that vacant building? That’s gonna be my headquarters.”

“OK pal, your radio equipment has the frequencies of the VOA so you can contact me, my emporium is open 24/7.” Duncan says.

Soldiers carry black leather bags out of the transport, putting them on the ground and returning to the chopper.

“There is your starting equipment as you requested, good luck Alejandro.” Duncan says with a salute, before the stealth helicopter departs.

“Time to check the tools for the job.” says Alejandro.

One bag has a note attached:

1 Long-Range Radio Equipment

1 Handheld Computer

1 First Aid Kit

1 Class-IVB Bulletproof Vest

1 XM8 Rifle + Ammo

1 ACW-R Carbine + Ammo

1 P226 Pistol + Ammo

1 USMC M9 Bayonet Knife

5 M67 Fragmentation Grenades

1 Reflex Sight

1 ACOG Scope

1 Wearable Flashlight

2 Vertical Forward Grips

If you need more firepower contact Duncan. Feel free to scavenge supplies from the Red Confederacy after combat.

***

He feels pleased with what they’ve given him, and wonders if it’s his to keep or just a loan. He puts the gear on, and prepares to check the abandoned factory just in case there is anything unpleasant inside. Entering in the workshop, it looks desolate, except for cobwebs, dust and some old machines decorating the place. Alejandro finds the electrical distribution box but notices it is damaged and there is an old note next to it:

JORGE, THE DISTRIBUTION BOARD HAS SOME FUSES BURNED UP BECAUSE OF THOSE DAMNED REDS, I’M PRETTY SURE THEY ARE REROUTING ENERGY FOR THEIR LUDICROUS OUTPOST, I LEFT THE SPARE PARTS AND TOOLS NEXT TO THE MACHINE 2A3, FIX IT. – MARLON

The note doesn’t seem recent, but it’s still worrying to know the Reds have been in the building. “Better keep inspecting the place.”

Alejandro checks the other sections of the factory, it seems it is completely vacant and so he claims it for himself. Alejandro hauls the equipment into a room he feels he can defend, installs the radio equipment and reaches out to contact Eve Grant.

“Officer Grant, do you copy?”

“Loud and clear, have you established a base?” Grant says.

“Yep, everything is in order.”

“Very well, I’ll give you your first task tomorrow, data retrieval to begin with, procure a handheld radio as soon as possible to make communication easier, Eve out.”

Alejandro takes advantage of the day to study and carefully inspect the factory, spotting any weak spots and finding things of interest, any gadget of value, such as some discarded but usable, assorted basic tools. Some machines are broken while others don’t look like they would be useful for Alejandro. Suddenly, he realizes he can disassemble and strip them of any beneficial spare materials. The workshop is in good shape but has been abandoned for a while. Alejandro enters the management office to find something useful but it is almost empty; there are two cabinets and some trash. Looking at the cabinets, he sees they are not only a bit rusted, but also empty. Finally there is a desk with a worn piece of paper on top of it.

I write this note to tell what happened here if anybody finds it, a base a bit far from here, some time ago there was an attack to one of their outposts, the Confed about the incident decided to bolster their presence in my country and to top it all the government heavily armed The People’s Militia, they are nothing but a bunch of armed hoodlums that it doesn’t solve the food, medicines and crime problems, we were place, it is very unsafe to work here, I hope the VOA comes here someday and kills those dogs, when the time comes I’ll be ready, I hid a small weapons cache inside

“A weapons cache... I’ll have to look for that when I have more time.”

Finishing inspecting everything, Alejandro secures the entrances of the factory to avoid unwanted intrusions and prepares to clean his new hideout.

“Work to be done…” said Alejandro, stretching his hands.