Free Fat Girl in a Strange Land by Bart R. Leib, Kay T. Holt Page B

silence, mixing their stares at the ground with quick glances around the room. One by one they were called. Anna sat patiently wondering about her application, second-guessing her answers, thinking of ways to explain herself if she made it past the exam and into the interview. Her confidence had withered as she saw the fast pace and pressed suits of government employees enter the building. The soft sound of her flats no match for the quick clicks of heels marching across marble floors. The classified was for a government job, basic secretarial duties and data entry; it was good money and Anna needed something more stable than teaching sculpture right now.
    “Is there no one sitting here?” Anna blinked away her thoughts to see a hand move her bag away before a woman sat down next to her. “Hi, I’m Michelle.”
    Anna scanned the room, her eyes noticing the other women pulled from their boredom to watch this little interaction. Taking the offered hand, “Anna.”
    “You know I hope there’s more than one opening available. I don’t know about you, but that was the longest application I’ve seen for any job,” Michelle said.
    Anna looked at the women next to her, similar size, but fashionable, bright clothes and jewelry, confident. “It took me awhile too. I guess it’s for security.”
    “Oh, no doubt about it. The essays and signing up for a psychological review threw me off. At this point though, I’ll sign anything.”
    Anna smiled, her lips pressed together, hoping if she didn’t answer she could go back to sitting in silence. The door opened, and her name was called. Standing up, she looked over her shoulder to see Michelle smiling at her. “Well, good luck,” said Anna.
----
    “Hello, I’m Vishnu,” said the man, close cropped black hair and a lab coat standing before them in a small room. “Congratulations, you are both being conditionally accepted.”
    Anna was exhausted. It had been a full day of tests, writing, interviews, and intensely personal questioning. There had been a surprise physical exam as well. After ten minutes, observers marked their clipboards and sent her to the next stage of the testing process. She barely noticed that Michelle was sitting next to her. Her face looked drained as well, though Anna suspected she had touched up her makeup.
    “You will both undergo an extensive training program. If you sign these confidentiality waivers, we can get to business.” Vishnu pulled two sheets of paper from a folder and slid them across the table.
    “All of this for a job as secretary?” said Anna, pinching her pen as she drew her name.
    “Hush sweetie, we made it,” said Michelle, the harsh scribble of her signature louder than her whisper.
    “Thank you, ladies.” Vishnu walked to a far door and knocked. “Now let me introduce you to Lieutenant Colonel Taylor.”
    A fit man in his forties walked into the room. Vishnu stood erect with a crisp salute. Anna watched as Taylor’s eyes locked contact, frowning all the while. “At ease.” said Taylor, though the muscles on his face refused to relax. “These are your candidates?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “I want to be clear to everyone in this room. If I had my way, there are plenty of others I would and could recruit. Sergeant Saha seems intent on taking a fine military unit and turning it into a circus. We have seen fit to give him a chance. I certainly hope both of you pass your training and prove me wrong. Until then Sergeant, best of luck with your civilians.” Turning his back, Taylor walked out the door.
----
    Vishnu’s voice streamed into their heads. “Congratulations on your second week, Anna and Michelle. Today’s simulation will be utilizing different weapons systems. The current program creates a targeting range and uses standard ammunition. Programming your own weapons and ammunition will come later.”
    Anna and Michelle smiled to each other. They had been looking forward to this. Their initial confusion had been