Free 0692321314 (S) by Simone Pond

up to find orientation.
     
    The assembly room was a large half-dome auditorium with stadium seating that faced a large screen. Grace took a seat in the back row and observed the other cadets as they entered the room. Their enthusiasm and chatter filled the place. She concentrated on the screen ahead, not wanting to interact with anyone.
    “I’m not stalking you. I swear,” Lucas said, sitting next to her.
    “Do I have a tracker on me or something?” she joked, but it came out all wrong.
    He stood up to leave.
    “Wait, I didn’t mean it like that,” she said.
    “No, it’s cool. I see a buddy.”
    She didn’t know how to apologize without sounding weak. Instead she let him walk off.
    A voice came through the assembly room. “Cadets, please be seated. Orientation begins in sixty seconds.”
    The cadets took their seats and sat still. The theater screen lit up, displaying an aerial view of the academy. The academy became a 3D hologram with certain sections lit up to highlight specific areas within the various buildings. A list of stats came up. There were approximately 9,000 cadets with varying degrees on campus and a faculty of 250 instructors—with Director Faraday overseeing the impressive operation.
    Director Faraday came out on the stage wearing his light blue lab coat. He stroked his silver beard and grinned at the audience. He was a peculiar one.
    “Welcome to our newest recruits. We’re quite pleased to have you at the academy. We’ve been fully functioning since 2330, and for the last fifteen years our academy has become the most notable military and communications-training center in the country. Our graduates go on to become great leaders. Each contributing to the ongoing efforts to maintain our free nation.”
    The audience clapped as the screen displayed images of previous graduates who were now officers. Grace couldn’t wait to be among them.
    Director Faraday continued. “Training can be quite grueling and not all cadets are able to make the sacrifices required to graduate the program. In fact, there will be a handful of you who drop out in the first month. The work can be so demanding that our faculty has instituted a gala event at the end of the first month for those who have survived. This is often referred to by cadets as the Survivor’s Shuffle.”
    The cadets laughed. Grace didn’t.
    He continued with his speech. “Until then we will put each of you to the test. In just a few moments, all cadets will be plugged into the virtual system for an aptitude assessment in their specific area of expertise. We will select team assignments and team leaders based on today’s performance.”
    That was the first Grace had heard of team leaders. What if she got stuck with Blythe as her team leader? The thought of that possible outcome was enough incentive for her to perform beyond her best—regardless of how she felt about Search and Rescue. This test would determine the fate of her next six months.
    “Inside the right arm of your chair you will find an individual system panel which will connect you to the virtual program. Results will be sent to your tablets this evening. Again, congratulations to all of you. I hope you will make the most of this opportunity.”
    Director Faraday bowed to the audience and walked off stage.
    Grace maneuvered her hand into the arm of her chair and pressed down into the grove to connect with the system panel . . .
     
    Inside the program, Grace found herself standing in the middle of a desolate boulevard. Alongside were countless buildings butted up against each other, each one plastered with enormous advertisements. Different types of cars were parked along the street, but there were no signs of life. From the looks of her surroundings, she was somewhere in the past. But where? She walked to the closest intersection and read the blue street sign.
    “Sunset Boulevard,” she said.
    The infamous boulevard had been obliterated during the Repatterning over three