I entered the room hesitantly as it was dark in the room, there were no windows it was as black as the night sky in New Manhattan from all the coal and garbage fires. Entering into room the lights suddenly flicked on and I started looking around the room, it was orderly, the walls were painted white and looking around I could see a bed and 2 doors.
After everything today I wasn't going to just go and get ready without checking out the doors. I moved towards the door next to the entrance I then grabbed the knob and opened the door slowly while preparing myself to fight, but when I opened the door...it was just the bathroom. I quickly scanned the room, nothing was out of the ordinary so I then turned and walked towards the other door, when I was looking around I realized that the second door must be a closet. With my curiosity cured I finally felt at ease enough to take a shower.
Taking a shower I didn't realize how dirty I was until I had gotten in there, granted I came from New Manhattan but I didn’t realize what clean was until I had washed up. The warm water washing away the grime from the years in New Manhattan, but as I went to turn the water off I realized something was up, looking out of the bathroom door I saw a new set of clothes on the cot.
Moving forward I could see these where no normal clothes, these were U.M.C officer cadet clothing. My mind began to spin with possibilities but what had formed in my mind most was one word, Hope. After living in New Manhattan my whole life the dream for a better life died just like my parents, putting on the uniform made me feel complete like I was meant for this. Just as this thought went through my head the door opened, it was the General.
“Good, I see you've found your new uniform. Well we must get to the assembly where we introduce the new recruits in the new section of the United Military Command, the I.P.S.C.” We began to march purposely down the hall as I looked at the details embellishing the rooms.
As we turned the corner I could see a large set of double doors etched with a logo i've never seen before, it displayed a bald eagle gripping a shield that looked vaguely like an American flag with a ancient warrior helmet and a sword sticking through it and underneath was banner saying Duty, Honor, Country, and the other words seemed to be chiseled out so that no one could read it.
Entering the auditorium I could see what looked to be 100 or more people of all nationalities. I began to panic, the general almost as if he could feel my anxiety said “Son it's fine just follow me.” We began to walk up the stairs towards a podium, the general then leaned back and said “Stand slightly behind me off to my right and look confident, you're the son of General John Renolds.
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We had arrived at the podium, the general as confident as ever walked up to the microphone while looking around at everyone “I assume you've all heard the news.” The room soon became quiet with everyone facing the general. “I said i'm sure you’ve all heard the news” his voice sounded gall when he repeated himself. The recruits quickly replied.
“Sir yes sir”
“Good” the general said. “Then you all are at least semi informed of the current events” the general scanned the room looking to see if anyone would object. “Well as of now the top brass are preparing the battle strategy, i'm expected to meet with them so I will not be here to monitor training. So I expect that Major General Greene will be obeyed without question is this understood?”
“Sir yes sir”
“Now this leads us to our next topic, today the young man next to me is the latest recruit for the I.P.S.C. his name is Ryan Renolds, the son of General John D. Renolds”. A round of applause erupted around the room as cheering and shouting and clapping filled the room. As the noise died down a girl towards the back of the room stood up she was slightly taller than average with long hair that was blond in color, she spoke out with a small hint of German accent.
“But General sir didn’t General Renolds and his family die in the nuclear attack on San Francisco”
The general was quick to respond “Publicly, yes because we needed to ensure the boy’s safety considering his father's many enemies.” The general sounded venomous in his response, the girl looked back with clear anger in her eyes and sat down. “Now it is finally time to assign Cadet Renolds to his squadron, I’m sure you can show him the ropes Miss Schmitt.” The girl looked up with a loathing look.
“Sir” she said.
The general ignoring her wrapped up the speech discussing activities and how things are to proceed following the news. Walking off the stage the general looked at me “Just follow me to my office for a second we need to discuss something.” I just nodded and followed, we then exited the room with many eyes on us but me specifically. But the one set of eyes I noticed the most was from the girl.
We exited back down the corridor towards his office, he opened the door and we both sat down. “So that's why I didn't know who my father was, it was to keep me safe.” The general stared back at me searching for the proper words.
“I can't tell you how sorry I am that you had to live in that kind of environment but that's exactly why I needed to talk to you.” He stared me down, “I need you to understand something, your father was a great man.” He let that hang in the air for a second.
“But…”, I said knowing very well what this was leading to.
“But the greatest men in history have always had the most friends as well as enemies.” He looked towards the clock, clearly he was pressed for time. “Just know that you're father was no exception, we will talk later.” He once again looked at the clock. “Follow me it's time I take you to Miss Schmitt”