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Wolf sits down on the cold metal bench, staring at the floor as if it might yield some answers to the countless questions that are running through his head. He feels the air stir, and looks up at the figure standing in-front of him. "Mike... don't you have a class right now?"

"Ya, and as far as they know I am still in class." Mike grabs the underside of Wolf's muzzle and forces Wolf to turn his head to the right, allowing the light to hit the numerous bruises on Wolf's face. "Again.. Why?"

Wolf grabs Mike's wrist and yanks it away, then looks back up at Mike. "Failure to comply with orders-"

"Again. Wolf one of these days your going to get yourself killed." Mike looks at the floor for a second before sitting down beside Wolf. "Why do you insist on being so stubborn? I mean if you would just do what your told..." Mike chuckles a bit, and Wolf just stares at him coldly.

They let the silence fill the air, and after a few minutes Wolf sighs. Mike looks at Wolf, "Your thinking of it again, aren't you... of that day..."

"What does it matter what I'm thinking of," Wolf growls back. He looks at ceiling, resting his head against the wall behind the bench. "Yes," he says in an almost whisper. "That was years ago, what does it matter?"

"It matters because that is what keeps you from giving in." A deep scruffy voice replied.

Both Mike and Wolf looked at the man standing to the left of the bench, and after only a brief moment stood up and saluted. "Sir," they said in unison.

"I must say Wolf, it is quite strange to see you solute someone of a higher rank, almost scary. At ease." He pauses for a few moments. "Mike, isn't it, I do believe you have a class right now."

Mike stammers several words in an attempt to form a reply, but to no success.

"There are just over seven hundred soldiers at this academy, all of whom are completely subservient and without emotion. And then there are you two, Wolf who despite countless beatings still refuses to just do as he is told, and Mike who sneaks out of class to check on his friend."

"Sir?" they both ask curiously.

"It has come to my attention that the training you two have been receiving is beneath your skills, that is why you are being moved to tier two. Mike, report to processing." Mike solutes him, and then walks off. "Now Wolf. Why do you make this so hard on yourself. Not that it really matters, they would probably find some reason-"

"They? You're one of them. Don't think I haven't seen you watching." Wolf snarls.

"I watch because every time they hit you, you refuse to give in; that simple act means that perhaps there is yet hope. There is more going on here than what you see, Wolf." He stares at Wolf coldly for a few seconds, then looks away. "You know most of the soldiers here are applicants, very few were taken like yourself. Even among those taken, you were the youngest; they thought that you would break easier than the others, but it is not in your nature to be broken, to follow orders. That is why I am putting you in-charge of a squad, rather than simply assigning you to an existing one."

A loud buzzer sound permeates the hallway.

"Well Wolf, it looks like you'll have just enough time to stop by your room before heading towards the training floor to meet the other two members of your squad."

"Sir, I thought that a squad had four members." Wolf said questioningly.

The man cocks his head, "Didn't I tell you, Mike is being assigned to your squad. Now, before you go, take these." He hands wolf a white, leather book and a wooden pen. "Be careful, if they catch you with them, then I can't even pretend to know what they will do to you... You may call me Travis, and don't bother with the formalities when it is just you and me."

Wolf stares at Travis for a moment, and then hides the book and pen on the inside of his hoodie. "Th-thank you."

"You had best get gone, you don't want to be late for your training."

Wolf nods and runs off, leaving Travis alone in the now empty hallway. "Why... who..." Wolf mutters to himself, before turning another corner and stopping in front of the door to his room. He looks around quickly, then opens the door and slips in, careful to close the door behind him. Opening the book he finds it empty with the exception of a note place between the cover and first page. Suddenly remembering that his training is about to begin, he shoves the book and pin under his pillow, and quickly leaves his room to get to the training floor.