Clandestine (To Love or To Kill)

THE Delta Company arrived early at the new training camp for their Militaristic. Other trainees came simultaneously after them.

Shari quietly went inside with her huge backpack while observing the surrounding. It seemed like they were at the edge of the world, considering the stressful travel from the first camp. In every corner stood those century-old trees. Only barbed wire fencing was enclosed around the perimeter. A shiver ran down her spine, thinking enemies could easily infiltrate them.

Her eyes did not miss the fish-pond-like water body on the left side of the massive ground. She already knew they would swim there if they made a mistake. Yes, it was gross, so she better not make any violation. The only consolation for her fears was these uniformed men routing around the camp to ensure everyones safety.

”Buddy, this is it. Welcome to hell! ” Pamela whispered, halting Sharis wandering mind.

”Piece of cake. Lets enjoy the training. ” She smiled confidently, even feeling agitated.

After a while, their seniors gave them instructions to arrange their things. They went back on formation to the ground while listening to the briefings. The scorching heat didn matter. Shari took a deep breath many times while taking a mental note from the senior officers at a distance.

Before they were dismissed, the officials in charge of Militaristic were introduced to them. Shari tried not to focus on the heat. She stood in the third row, and nobody would probably notice she was not listening anymore.

Darn! This is taking too long. She bit her lower lip because she might pass out anytime.

”Am I understood? ” said the deep voice from the front.

Shari came back to her senses. Her eyes widened when she recognized the one talking.

I know him!

The man was vaguely familiar. She remembered he was the man she met during the application. He wore a camouflage green uniform, and the way he carried himself exudes confidence. He looked serious, too.

Shari scrutinized the man further. She admitted he was good-looking from various angles. She found herself grinning as she admired him from afar.

The man walked back and forth in front. Shari had witnessed his prominent features and assumed he might have a middle eastern ethnicity based on his thick eyelashes and brows.

”Open your bags! We will inspect before you proceed to the barracks, ” said the man with authority.

”Yes, sir! ” everyone said in unison.

Everybody went alert and moved fast as they opened their bags with ease. Shari was confident with all the things inside her backpack. Most were for her personal hygiene. Frida had told her that water was not sufficient in this camp, so she prepared a lot.

Every company had two senior officers to conduct inspections. Shari just waited for her turn. She was sure it would be quick since she was not hiding things against the camp protocol. Her cellphone had been turned over, and she never expected any violation.

Shari heard the harsh words from the other officers when they caught someone hiding prohibited things. She wanted to turn her head to see what was going on, but she could not make it. Military discipline was no joke. She had to use her senses to grasp what was happening. Pamela stood beside her since their height differences were almost the same.

Two uniformed personnel came near Shari and Pamela.

Shari stood straight with her head held high, waiting for the inspection to finish. The line in her forehead deepened because it was taking too long while Pamela was already done.

Shari lowered her gaze to the man, checking her things. She observed him holding the huge bottle of her foot powder.

”What is this? ” the inspector—a middle-aged police officer asked. He stood beside her, examining the bottle.

”Thats a foot powder, sir! ” she answered confidently.

”This is prohibited here. ” He shook his head and went on, ”What we
e going to do with this? Its such a loss if well put this in the trash. You should use this now. ”

”W-what? ” Sharis eyes broadened. How would she use it all at once?

”Didn you hear me? ”

Shari swallowed hard when the inspector handed her the foot powder. She was nearly removing her shoes when the man in camo green uniform came near. She suddenly remembered what his surname was.

Hirsch!

”What is going on here? ” Hirschs forehead creased. He looked at her, and their eyes met. It took Shari a while before she averted her gaze.

”Sir, she brought a foot powder. Thats not allowed here, ” the inspector explained.

The man nodded and asked her directly. ”Who are you? ”

”Police Trainee Shariah Ford, sir! ” She loudly uttered without looking at the man who asked.

”All right. Delta Company, those who brought foot powder. That is not allowed here, so better use now. Pour it in your body, or else everyone gets punished! ” Hirsch shouted.

Shari didn think twice. She immediately opened the foot powder and poured everything into her head.

Damn it! She silently protested. She probably looked like she was marinated in flour, but she couldn care less. The smell was nice, though.

Shari didn want to be the cause of the punishment for the entire company. She was already exhausted from the long travel, and if there were another wave of exercise, her body might not make it.

Hirsch looked at Shari again. ”And you, don worry. Your face looks like stinky feet anyway. ”

How dare this man insult her lovely face!

Shari gritted her teeth in silence. She met his gaze. The mans expressions remained firm. And with that, she concluded their Militaristic would not be easy. He would give them a taste of hell in just one glance at this man.

A handsome devil.

She didn like him. Shari wasn aware she was giving him a death stare while she continuously poured the foot powder in her face. Her vision caught how he raised his brow as if marking her.

Shari immediately looked down again. Hirsch appeared dangerous. She wouldn dare to challenge a high-ranking official while she was nothing but a trainee.

LEVI walked back to the front of the trainees in line. He turned around to hide his smile. He couldn help it. It seemed he would have fun handling the Militaristic. And just now, he had his favorite.

The program he prepared for the trainees was not easy—survival of the fittest. It was difficult to join the police force. The uniform they wore was equivalent to their blood and sweat. He prayed that nobody quit.

Levi was hesitant about this task. It was never easy to hold almost five hundred trainees, and especially the officers in charge in the camp were only a few. At least Allen and Missy were there, along with other close acquaintances.

”What are your plans today? ” Missy asked when he reached her.

”I will let them rest for a while. They should be prepared for the reception later. ” His lips twitched and formed a wicked smile.

”Okay, Ill make the announcement. ” Missy only shook her head, knowing what was going on in his mind.

They waited for a few minutes for the inspection to be finished. Thankfully, there were no grave violations. If there were any, what a pity! Because he would not let them rest. Discipline must be imposed at all costs.

Allen and Missy gave a final briefing before they dismissed the trainees.

Levi heaved a sigh when they were the only persons left on the ground near the grandstand. He was worried about the safety of everyone. The place was not secure. He didn want to be held responsible in case of an insurgency attack.

They could not blame him for being extraordinarily strict.