Ash noticed one thing after spending some time in the bastion, and that was the fact that there were two types of people in the training camp, they were those who joined the bastion willingly, and they were the 'inmates who were transferred from different prisons.
The two of them have two distinct kinds of freedom, although still restricted the voluntary soldiers are more privileged, than the inmates who were serving life sentence for example the inmates used a cramped sleeping quarter, while the voluntary soldier were given a better place to live which wasn't much but way better than the shit hole the inmates used.
Another thing he noticed was that the inmates didn't have freedom of movement around the camp, having a collar strapped to their neck, charged with strong electric currents, and it is triggered when the person isn't in the right place at the right time or an order given by a superior officer is disobeyed.
But one strange thing he was that although he was treated by his fellow soldiers like an 'inmates 'he received the same treatment given to the voluntary soldiers received which was to his relief but the only problem he faced was faring against the inmates who found his treatment not to be fair taking any and every opportunity that present itself …... like what was going on.
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Ash and the other soldiers were lined up horizontally, looking straight at Captain Kruger, who had a calm expression, something that Ash found odd, it was usually she being angry or she is being angry or worst still both of it, she sat on a chair on top of a wide platform which serves as a sparring ground for the soldiers.
Her eyes scanned around looking for something that Ash could only hope wasn't him, dealing with her was something he wasn't planning on doing he made no move whatsoever that could attract any attention towards him and he even position himself in a spot that guaranteed that he wouldn't be seen but somehow she did and a weird smile crept into her face sending chills down his spine.
"Ash, come up here ... Ken, come up here, "she called out, not even bothering to add the titles that came with the soldiers. Usually, it was the cadet who added the name, but he could see that she wasn't having it with him. 'Of course ….. it had to be him, 'Ash thought, already regretting waking up this morning.
The person who happened to be Ken is the guy who tried to bully Ash few weeks ago, insulting Ash parents in the process but there was something different about him and that was the fact that he was missing an eye, which was Ash fault since he retaliated out of impulse stabbing two of his small fingers into his right eye.
Since his arrival he had tried to avoid any form of violence even from home, Kens case was something he wanted to avoid at all cost but he somehow still got into trouble with his impulsive temperament ' I don't want to die ' Ash thought knowing very well that he couldn't beat the big who was bigger and stronger than him, they both looked scrawny …. Yes, but his chances of victory were next to zero.
He could see the rage in his eyes or eye if he had to count the one that was working properly, 'sometimes I just want to just give up on life ' Ash thought as he stood at ease Infront of captain Kruger who seemed rather amused " I presume that you know why I called you two out ?" she asked inn a low tone looking into Ash eyes maybe trying to find something like fear but he kept calm and un wavered looking straight back into hers not with the look of defiance that showed stubbornness .... No …... rather it was the kind that showed nothing .... Not calmness or buried anger, not even fear, just blank.
"Sorry, Captain ….. I have no idea "Ash replied calmly, disappointed that they were nothing to see inside of him she frowned and clicked her tongue turning to Kane who was brimming with anger barely keeping his emotions in check, "you? "she asked lazily looking at Kane who she could read very easily …... heck even a two-year-old could see that he was mad beyond reasoning.
He had been keeping the lid on his temper for weeks so it was potent that if not handled correctly could lead to him taking Ash life which was something that She didn't want, she hates the kid … yes but she would have a hard time if the kid loses his life in the skirmish but something inside of her the part that hated Ash to the bone wanted her to teach him a lesson …. So badly and now she saw an opportunity …. She had used many that she found, doubling the already double training, causing him to be late on purpose, purposely altering his training equipment but he didn't look like he was going to break anytime soon.
Soon she found something or someone she could use .....a mad man who is barely keeping his sanity in check, she could use him to use to probe how far he has grown … so she could know how much effort it was going to take to brake him ' no need to rush ... he is from that family so without doubt is going to end up in my unit ' that thought made her smile inwardly it was exhilarating just thinking about it.
But just as she was enjoying her daydream, a voice said in a tone filled with fury and no less laced with malice "I lost my left eye to him …... and so, I want to challenge him to a duel …. And my prize would be both of his eyes "Kane said staring daggers at Ash with his other eye.