User:Spartan 501/A Life Stolen/Chapter 2

2300 Hours, September 23, 2517 (Military Calendar)/ Epsilon Eridani System, Reach Military Complex, planet Reach

Leonid-144 watched as the large double doors to the strange room swung open, and then marched forward at the urging of the big man behind him. Leonid couldn't remember much of what had happened; all he could decipher from the jumbled mess of swirling thoughts was being taken from his home by the big men in the black jumpsuits, and being rushed to this strange place. Leonid wondered what was going on, and was frustrated by his lack of knowledge of his own situation. He liked being in control of what was going on, and right now he was feeling positively helpless.

As he marched into the strange room, Leonid's eyes scanned it's contents. Slate gray risers were arrayed in a semi-circle around a podium, and two people stood atop the elevated stage in the center of the room. Leonid swept his eyes across the stern looking man who was standing with his arms cross, then across the other figure, one that he instantly recognized from days before. The lady who had talked to him at school stood with her hands clasped behind her back, watching the other children as the filed inside. Leonid stared at her, but she seemed to deliberately—perhaps unconsciously—keep her gaze from his.

The big man in the camouflage fatigues herded Leonid into a seat marked 144, and then sat down next to him. Leonid didn't look at the man, but kept his gaze of the lady, analyzing her. After several seconds, Leonid grew bored of watching her, and swept his gaze around the other children gathered in the room. They had dark circles under their eyes, and looked tired and confused. Leonid turned his gaze back to the lady, bored with them as well. Finally, the last of the children were seated, and the lady spoke into a microphone.

"As per Naval Code 45812, you are hereby conscripted into the UNSC special project, codenamed SPARTAN II."

Several children attempted to get u[ and leave, Leonid not among them. He was as confused as any of them, but he had learned that you were better off not to show you disadvantages, especially among grown-ups. The men in camo clothing beside every child pushed those that attempted to stand up with firm hands, and allowed no one to rise. The lady looked stricken for a moment, lost in thought, and then took a single step forward. She cleared her throat, and then spoke once again.

"You have been called upon to serve," she said in a clear, warm voice. "You will be trained...you will become the best we can make you."

She stopped for just a moment, as to put a sense of drama in her next sentence.

"You will be the protectors of Earth and all her colonies."

Leonid instantly realized what she was talking about, and abruptly sat up straighter. No longer confused, he was now interested, and he listened with gripped attention to her next words.

"This will be hard for you to understand," she continued, a hint of pity creeping into her voice. "But you cannot return to your parents."

A murmur swept through the gathered children, and they stirred. Leonid stood still, not particularly fazed, and kept his gaze on the lady. The big man beside him planted a strong hand on his shoulder, but Leonid didn't mind. Much.

"This place will become your home." she said. "Your fellow trainees will be your family now. The training will be difficult.  There will be a great deal of hardship on the road ahead, but I know you will all make it."

The lady finished, but she still did not look at ease. Her face was grim, and she seemed much distracted.

"Rest now, we begin tomorrow."

The lady turned to the man beside her and whispered something in his ear. He nodded, whispered something back, and then bellowed: "Fall Out!"

The men in camo fatigues yanked the children up, and Leonid felt a slight pain in his arm. He was tempted to hit the man...but knew it would not be a fight he could win. The children filed back through the door, looking stunned and confused. Leonid wondered whether he did as well, but he didn't think so. He was happy; he knew what was going on now and therein was back in control. As he filed out of the room, Leonid glanced back again at the lady, and saw her whispering to the man and a hologram of a lady in a toga. He wondered at first what was being said, then wondered about what the future would hold. He was certain it would be much, much different.