Graduation Exam (i)

Caesar = black hair, light grey eyes, white

Ingrid Popovich = natural grey hair, white skin, green eyes.

Rishul Mehta= natural white hair, brown skin, brown eyes

Jonathan Samir = blonde hair, light brown skin, hazel eyes

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Planet: Tarsonis

Year:2529

Place: Confederate ??? Academy

-- Jun 11, 2529 - Confederate calendar - Day of the graduation exam --

Caesar walked into what could easily be described as the widest room he had seen to date. Surrounding him was a dimly lit underground arena built to house just over five thousand people! Within the heart of the three-column high stands wasn't a track, a ring, a maze, or anything else trained in to date.

'It's a city block! Oh, how I missed these!' Thought Ingrid. Her words spread to the neighboring kids, who grunted hearing her joy. As their cell block got closer, she jumped, seeing a small forest at the center of the city block.

Her rampant joy made the staff cringe but do nothing. Everyone coped with stress differently and after years of studying the recruits, they knew that this was hers.

"Your graduation will commence shortly. But until then, please. Kindly take your seats and await further orders," said the facility's a.i.

At her words, the kids took their seats then waited as 200 became 500 then1000 then eventually 2000. 'I never realized there were so many recruits,' thought Ingrid.

'Every child awakes psionic energy at a different time and age. The youngest being 4 and the oldest being 12. This age gap creates a skill gap, which is one of the reasons they separated everyone by rankings,' responded Caesar. His words left everyone shocked. Nowadays he only watched. Studied, evaluated them while making sure they never ratted on him.

Caesar looked on, studying everything in sight. The first row was littered with recruits 13 or soon to be turning 13. The second row was filled with slightly older kids. 'They probably failed last year,' thought Caesar.

In the last row and beyond were guards armed to the teeth, surrounding them were bins of stun rounds. And in the ceiling above and the floor below was vents meant for releasing unknown gas.

Caesar's head rose to the 360-monitor hanging from above. He rolled his eyes as a stunning blond-haired figure appeared for all to see. 'Director Popovich,' thought Caesar. He could tell this charade was to hide his identity from Ingrid.

"Congratulations on making it to the youth graduation exams. We understand that a lot has been asked. And will continue to be asked of you young and highly talented recruits. That no apology is enough considering the tasks, that have been asked of you.

But. For those of you capable of overcoming today's hardship, you will step onto the stage of the elite. Constantly honing yourselves to help them ensure the confederacy's transcendency! To provide a better tomorrow for those incapable of doing it themselves!

All the while, being provided the best and latest in everything your Confederacy could offer! But…" Popovich paused to take one hard look at those below him.

"...I digress. This will not be an easy path. You will be asked to execute anything and anybody, daring to harm confederate transcendence! Be it, old friends or family. You will always be asked to put your nation's needs above your own.

However! In turn we. WILL DO THE SAME!" Yelled Popovich, his voice boomed across the arena. The recruits stomped their feet and clapped as loud as they could to express joy and happiness; most of the recruits.

Clark, Kimberly Ann, and many more did not do any such thing.

'WHAT ARE YOU THINKING! CLARK!?' Asked Bryce. Watching his best friend do this made him hysterical. 'Don't you realize this is a part of the test!? Why do you think Yasha and the rest are clapping?' Said Bryce. For once in years his eyes almost watered.

'I don't care, I'm sick of his nonsense. Besides, it's just one phase. They shouldn't punish us after beating us for expressing emotions over the last three years. I mean look around, half the recruits aren't doing it,' responded Clark.

'That doesn't matter!' snapped Bryce. 'They have to be judging every recruit individually. Think about it? Caesar doing it doesn't matter because he never displays emotion. But you! The most vocal kid in our group not showing support is a red flag. You know this, why are you acting so reckless?' Asked Bryce.

He waited for an answer but it was drowned out by the rampant thoughts, which surrounded them. 'Clark. I can't hear what you're saying. However, pull it together. We've worked...you've worked too hard to spread your words and message. Just to see it die out when we're so close to freedom,' yelled Bryce.

Sadly, like himself. Clark couldn't hear a word Bryce thought.

Time passed, and eventually, the noise came to an end. So Popovich spoke once again. "In today's exam, your grading scheme will be dictated by your previous performances. Along with where you slotted into the program. The basics with the basics, the elites with the elite, and so on and so forth."

As Popovich finished, his face was replaced with a breakdown of today's event. Displayed on the screen were one gas-powered pistol, one gas-powered rifle, and an explanation of today's event.

"Now in a few moments, your identifications will appear on the screen. When it does, the guards will hand you one gas-powered rifle complete with 3 stun rounds. One gas-powered pistol complete with one mag.

Upon receiving these items, your mission is to execute as many of the surrounding targets as possible. Remember! You are not being graded on how many kills you achieve, only how you do so. At this point in time, you should all be competent enough to execute what you learned in class to our standards.

As for those of you who die without gaining a kill. What you do before said death will obviously affect your grade. However, worry not. This is a multi-layered exam and there is a second part."

With that, the screen changed once again. However, this time it displayed 200 recruits id's x2600...x270… the list went on, the kids gathered their weapons before slowly hopping into the arena. Most ran for cover while a few froze under the pressure.

After some time, each kid began to move and the exam was one.

What these kids weren't told was that their exams were streamed to the confederacy's elite. They bet, gambled, then laughed as their loyal dogs summoned their courage. Before fighting with fervor...fervor they placed solely onto them and the confederacy.

What made this really humorous was the fact that these kids still did not realize how replaceable they were.

...After all, this wasn't the only facility.