Rescuing the missing people was just half of the day's work. The other half was me assimilating the new protocols and learning how to fill paperwork. I was actually eager for this part, but doing so after running sixty miles is far from ideal. Even after taking a shower and changing clothes I still felt oddly hot and lightheaded. Because of that I went for an ice cream. People may think this is not how a responsible adult acts, leaving his workplace to grab a treat. Let them think what they want they're just envious.
Of course, after exiting the white room and mentioning in passing I would be out for fifteen minutes everyone told me what they wanted leaving me with a list worthy of a mission.
"Hey! What a great errand boy you turned out to be!" Ericssen laughed. He put a twenty in my shirt pocket then asked for tacos without chili. I think I heard extra chili, let's go with that.
I noticed it only half way through the list, but I had ran all over the place buying everyone their orders and my knee didn't hurt. I shrugged it off, but then I realized I wasn't really tired despite finishing the run with everyone's orders in fifteen minutes and still had time to enjoy my ice cream before it melted.
"That was fast." Thompson noted. Then grabbed his order and thanked me. There's another thing I like about him. He's always polite, well mannered and thoughtful. The downside is he doesn't engage with office gossip, but nobody is perfect.
The director asked everyone to show up at the briefing room then started listing the names of the applicants for the new position. One by one, most of the other world affairs division was listed and I wasn't. The candidates were asked to go outside where the transportation waited. It was huge enough for everyone in the bureau to notice, but the cover they chose was solid.
"Too bad you didn't qualify for the special training." Ericssen stayed behind just to drop that bombshell. And that's something I don't like about him. I can't complain though. Five minutes ago he gobbled down the extra spicy taco like a champ. He might be a jerk, but he's also a good sport.
Since the cover was a training camp, even those who weren't on the list had to go. Only instead of the tryouts we would be spending the day relaxing in the FBI outdoors compound. Or so they said, but the director asked me to stay by her side during the evaluation process. I wish I could use the pool instead as the cool water would help keep me fresh.
The training itself was nothing out of the ordinary. It was the same old assault course, only with a few extras. A flamethrower beneath the wall, the entire course had been watered to make it more slippery and there were agents posted at random tasked with taking candidates down. It was also longer than I remembered and the wall higher. Now that I think about it, it really is a lot more difficult than I remember.
"Watch them closely, let me know if you spot anyone that sparks your interest." The director whispered.
"Understood." I kept looking at the candidates keeping a stern look, though inwardly I was wondering why didn't I bring more ice cream.
Candidates were divided into groups of ten, then asked to run the course without any instructions. The fact that there was no time limit made things easier, not that it was easy at all. The first candidate who failed to climb the wall at the first try got burned by the flamethrower which made the one that followed stop in his tracks causing a blockade.
It was interesting to watch at first, but then it got repetitive. Group after group they showed up with cocky smiles only to leave the course with slumped shoulders and a dejected look. I had to sit through the entire thing. Even worse, we had to stay the night without prior notice. It was bothersome and some people complained despite signing up for it.
"I didn't sign for this." I grumbled as I stood by the director's side the next morning.
"Actually, you did," The director said with a smirk. "besides, your presence here is a must." By noon all the teams had taken the test with very few reaching the end of the track. It came as no surprise as I saw them with my own eyes. What did surprise me was that both Ericssen and Thompson were among those who made it.
"What are you doing here, Bob?" I didn't like the tone he used on my name, but I limited myself to shrugging and it was the director who answered.
"He's already a part of the new special division. In fact, he's the leader." The director announced it and only then did I realize what this all was about. I was asked to do field job and up until that moment the one filling most of the paperwork had been the system manager who is technically my boss. That meant our team needed at least one more member, possibly two.
"That's unfair! He didn't even take the test. I bet he couldn't even make it past the wall." Ericssen complained out loud.
"Huh? Are you questioning my decision?" The director frowned at him taking the wind out of his sails, but Thompson butted in after adjusting his glasses.
"I think Bob is capable of finishing the course, but my personal opinion doesn't matter. What does matter is optics."
"You're right, I can't ask you to follow someone who can't even finish the course. Show them how it's done, Bob." The director pointed her chin at the course leaving me with no choice but to take the test despite me agreeing with Ericssen.
I remember when I first made it past the assault course. I was at my prime and it took me several attempts. Now I have a bad knee and back issues I don't think I can handle it, not to mention it's not the same course I ran but one much more difficult.
I got into position and started when they gave the go. The first obstacle was the wall and I didn't notice at first, but it was also wet making it slippery. Honestly, I didn't mind failing as that would give me a quick exit from my new position, but I also didn't want to let Thompson down. I also wanted to make Ericssen eat his own words in front of the director, though I didn't have much hopes.
That was until I made the jump and my knee didn't pop. Not just that, my shoulder, my back, they didn't hurt and I felt the lightest I had felt in years. I kept pushing through the course until the time came to face the agents that tried to stop the applicants. I hadn't thought about it, but they were already a challenge when ten people occupied the track and now here I was alone against two agents blocking my way.
I saw how the few that passed the test had dealt with them, though most of them had taken advantage of their numbers. In fact, other than the flamethrower the ones responsible for most of the failings had been the agents. I wasn't fast enough to dodge or outrun them, but there was no need for that.
"I'm sorry!" I shouted as I tackled my way past the first agent, then intentionally changed my direction to bash at the next one taking them both down. I glanced back at the audience as I grasped my breath and they were arguing something I couldn't hear.
"Is that even allowed!?" Ericssen shouted.
"Sure." The director shrugged.
"He wasn't caught." Thompson said in the closest thing to an excited smile he was capable of.
I just passed the most difficult obstacle in the course, but I wasn't finished yet and I resumed with renewed energy. Crawling under barbwire in the mud was tougher than I expected. Having a broad back didn't necessarily play in my favor and I ended up with a few scratches and a torn shirt. Hope this doesn't disqualify me. Needless to say upon finishing the course I was out of breath and regretting my life choices, with emphasis on the last part. Strangely, the moment I went back to the group they flinched and Ericssen was pale as a ghost.
"Come on, it can't be that shocking that I finished. Even desk potatoes like us can do it if we use our heads. Am I right, Thompson?" I say, adrenaline still pumping in my veins. I shrug at his silence then notice everyone looked at me weird. "is there something wrong, director?"
"None at all. We just commented on your performance. Just above average, not bad." She nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Can I take a break? I'm a bit tired."