Revised opener; started first chapter

Baseline.md

@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ stationing.
 
 ***5. 15***^***th***^ ***AFB -Job Field Airbase***
 
-**Nature's Dumbest Animal**
+Nature's Dumbest Animal
 
 The story reaches its' climax at Adir's final stationing, where all
 faults are magnified, and all lessons are applied. Adir is friendlier,
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ of bad depression and recklessness.
 Despite learning and maturing, Adir at times shows himself worse than
 those he now fiercely hates.
 
-***6. Release***
+6\. Release
 
 Though greatly anticipated, Adir is released at once and without
 ceremony. The base closes down, leaving Adir alone to cope with a place

The_Difference_Between_an_Idiot_and_a_Moron.md

@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 The Difference Between an Idiot and a Moron
 
 Adir sat alone in the waiting room. He could feel the receptionist\'s
-eyes on him, and huddled nervously on a plain plastic chair.
+eyes on him, and huddled nervously on a simple plastic chair.
 
 He was in a small, light-beige colored room, the color almost identical
-to his uniform, blending him in, swallowing him like an unmerciful
+to his uniform, blending him in, swallowing him. Traces of strong noon
-beast. Soft traces of strong noon daylight came through the milky glass
+daylight came through the milky glass panels around the door.
-panels around the door.
 
-Upon it, a small plain plaque read 'Dedicated Personel Officer'.
+A plain, small plaque read 'Dedicated Personnel Officer'.
 
 The room was lit with harsh white halogen bulbs - Adir could scarcely
 raise his head without instinctively reaching for his temples. Some
@@ -18,37 +17,39 @@ he felt it was a weak, false facade.
 
 Adir had forgotten how uncomfortable the uniform is. The heavy black
 boots, the rough unbreathing fabric, the shirt tucked into the pants,
-the vile warm beret on his shoulder. It was the smallest touch he hated
+the vile warm beret on his shoulder, yet of all those it was the
-the most -- the cold metal dogtag touching his heart. He always wore it
+smallest touch he hated the most -- the cold metal dog-tag touching his
-over his shirt against regulations, dreading the cold metal -- but he
+heart. He always wore it over his shirt, against regulations, dreading
-could feel it seeping through the worn fabric.
+the cold metal -- but he could still feel the cold seeping through the
+worn fabric.
 
-Though he had his phone, Adir could not bring himself to use it -- it
+Adir could not even bring himself to use his phone, snugly tucked away
-still felt unnatural to him, used as he was to spending his days away
+in his pocket. Having spent so much of his time cut off it still felt
-from it. From the endless sea of information, entertainment and comforts
+unnatural to him, alien, even wrong. From the endless sea of
-of the Internet, he could think of nothing to do, and so sat there
+information, entertainment and comforts of the Internet, he could think
-staring at his heavy black boots, adjusting his shirt, his socks or his
+of nothing to do, and so sat there awkwardly staring at his heavy black
-cuffs.
+boots, adjusting his shirt, his socks or his cuffs and being generally
+miserable.
 
 The door suddenly opened and a pretty, middle aged woman stepped out
-decisively.
+with bold, confident movement.
 
 Upon seeing him, she drew her notepad and searched it intently.
 
-'Hello! Welcome! Good to have you here!' she said sweetly. Too sweetly,
+'Hello! Welcome! Good to have you here!' she said sweetly. Perhaps too
-Adir thought.
+sweetly.
 
-*Help has finally come*, he thought. *I shouldn't be so bitter.*
+\'You are... Tom! Was it? I\'ll see you inside in just a minute, Tom.\'
 
 'Adir', he croaked in response, surprised at how feeble his voice was.
 
-'I see. There must be some mistake -- I was expecting a young man named
+That took her aback. 'I see. There must be some mistake -- I was
-Tom. Rachel, when is Tom's appointment due?'
+expecting a young man named Tom. Rachel, when is Tom's appointment due?'
 
-'10:30', the receptionist shot back without drawing breath.
+'10:30', the receptionist shot back without so much as drawing breath.
 
-'Well, I shan't wait any further then. Adir, you're scheduled for...
+'Well, I shan't wait any further then - it\'s been long enough. Adir,
-11:30, was it?"
+you're scheduled for... 11:45, was it?\"
 
 "12:00"
 
@@ -56,11 +57,13 @@ Tom. Rachel, when is Tom's appointment due?'
 
 "12:00"
 
-"Well then, there's no need for you to be here so soon. You can go back
+"Well then, there's certainly no need for you to be here so soon. You
-to the office in the meantime"
+can go back to your office in the meantime. We\'ll ring you up."
 
-Adir stared at his feet, never meeting the officer's gaze. He made no
+The receptionist stared murder at her.
-move to rise.
+
+Adir, in turn, stared at his feet. He made no move to rise, never
+meeting the officer's gaze. She sighed deeply.
 
 "\...Though I suppose I *could* push your appointment early", the
 officer said, mild irritation slipping into her voice. "How about you
@@ -77,37 +80,47 @@ just thinking about.
 
 "Adir?", the officer offered sweetly. "Come on inside".
 
-The Dedicated Personel Officer's room was not large, but it felt
+He shot one last frightened look at reception and stepped in.
+
+The Dedicated Personnel Officer's room was not large, but it felt
 spacious thanks to the grand floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the
-entryway outside. Adir could just see the soldiers streaming in and out
+entryway outside -- Adir could just see the soldiers streaming in and
-of the building. The only furnishings were a simple, standard issue
+out of the luxurious building. The only furnishings were a simple,
-wooden desk and three more simple plastic chairs against the wall,
+standard issue wooden desk and three more simple plastic chairs lined
-facing ninety degrees from the desk. A few simple photos were on the
+against the wall, facing ninety degrees from the desk. A few simple
-walls, as well as a small picture frame on the desk -- yet he could not
+photos were on the walls, as well as a small picture frame on the desk
-make out anything in them.
+-- he could not make out anything in them.
 
 The officer made her way behind the desk, her back to the window, with
 well adjusted movements.
 
-"You can sit down, Adir. It's the same price", she said softly, and Adir
+"You can sit down, Adir. Please do feel comfortable", she said softly.
--- who had not realized he was still standing, sat down flustered and
+He had not realized he was still standing, towering over her like some
-huched on the middle chair. The officer watched him with observant eyes
+big dumb golem - and so, flustered, he sat down hunched on the middle
-but made no remark.
+chair. The officer watched him with observant eyes but made no remark.
 
-"Adir, I am Tamara. I've been a psychologist here for just over fifteen
+\"Hello, Adir.\"
+
+\"Hi.\".
+
+\"I am Tamara -- I've been a psychologist here for just over fifteen
 years now. I am the head of the personnel department, and I do not
 usually treat soldiers as they come in, aside from more severe cases.
-However, I understand you've been waiting for some time -- a month or
+*However*, I understand you've been waiting for some time -- a month or
-so, was it?"
+so, was it?\"
 
-"Since December", Adir answered weakly.
+"Since December."
 
-"No, no, that cannot be. How long have you been waiting, Adir?"
+"No, no, that can't be right. How long have you been waiting, Adir?"
 
 "Since December", Adir said again, finally finding some fortitude in his
 voice. "I've asked for an appointment in early November. It was
 scheduled for December".
 
+\"Are you certain?\"
+
+He nodded.
+
 "Adir, you're already here", Tamara said in a comforting voice. "I
 understand how you feel, truly, but there's no need to make an
 impression".
@@ -118,15 +131,18 @@ Adir said nothing.
 
 Adir drew in a breath, and maintained his silence.
 
-"Well never mind about that -- I can look into it later. Tell me about
+\"Well, that\'s interesting - never mind about that, I can look into it
-yourself, Adir."
+later. Shall we begin?\"
+
+\"Tell me about yourself, Adir.\"
 
 "Not much to tell."
 
-This time, Tamara maintened her silence.
+This time, it was Tamara who maintained her silence.
 
-"I was drafted in December, last year. One month of boot camp. Four
+"I was drafted in December, last year\", Adir said after giving it some
-months of training. Five months in 108. And here since".
+thought. \"One month of boot camp. Four months of training. Five months
+in 108. And here since".
 
 "So it says in your file, Adir. Let's go over it, just in case. You
 are... 20?"
@@ -135,25 +151,25 @@ are... 20?"
 
 "Born late December, '97"
 
-"Had birthday in boot camp", he chuckled nervously.
+"Had 19 in boot camp", he chuckled.
 
-"Both parents are well?"
+"Have both parents?"
 
-"Thankfully yes"
+"Fortunately, yes"
 
-"Do you have any siblings?"
+"Any siblings? Brothers, sisters?"
 
 "A younger sister, and a younger brother."
 
-" I'll need you to fill in their details here, please". She handed him a
+"Fill in their details here, please". She handed him a form and a pen on
-form and a pen on her notepad. He painstakingly scribbled them bit by
+her notepad. Adir painstakingly filled them -- it took a surprisingly
-bit -- it took a surprisingly long time.
+long time.
 
 "Any of them in service?" she asked as he was slaving away.
 
 "No."
 
-"Isn't your sister of age?"
+"Your sister - isn\'t she of age?"
 
 "She is."
 
@@ -171,7 +187,7 @@ Tamara looked up and smiled widely. "That's lovely!"
 
 "I'm really proud of her".
 
-"How about your younger brother?"
+"How about your brother?"
 
 "He's fine. Good student."
 
@@ -185,7 +201,7 @@ Tamara looked up and smiled widely. "That's lovely!"
 
 "Where does your father work?"
 
-"Ministry of Defence"
+"Ministry of Defense"
 
 "Sounds interesting. What does he do?"
 
@@ -205,7 +221,7 @@ annoying".
 
 "She is."
 
-"What kind of lawyer?"
+"Of what field?"
 
 "Workspace law. I was the most well treated waiter on Earth."
 
@@ -233,34 +249,33 @@ Adir hesitated. "Whatever comes. I'll see."
 
 "So, let's go over your service thus far, shall we?"
 
-Adir vaguely gestured a 'go ahead'.
-
 "What is your role called, again?"
 
-"I am a Computing Systems Infastructure Manager".
+"I am a Computing Systems Infrastructure Manager".
 
 "Role number?" she asked, scribbling.
 
 "1850".
 
-"Never heard of it before"
+"Never heard of it before."
 
 "It's not air force. Communication corps"
 
-"That explains it. What do you do?"
+"Ah! that explains it. What do you do?"
 
 "We're in charge of maintaining the military's operational data centers
 and classified computing systems. Spread throughout the corps"
 
 "Must be interesting".
 
-Adir said nothing, and Tamara surveyed him cautiously.
+Adir struggled for words, brows furrowed, and relented with a tense
+silence. Tamara surveyed him cautiously.
 
 "You went to boot camp at... Spring Buds rookie base?"
 
-"Yes."
+He nodded.
 
-"December boot camp in the south. Hard introduction."
+"December boot camp in the south. Hard introduction to military life."
 
 "We heard jets and mortars at night."
 
@@ -270,18 +285,14 @@ Adir said nothing, and Tamara surveyed him cautiously.
 
 "Must be hard."
 
-"It was interesting. Didn't struggle especially."
+"For those fighting, I'm sure. I can't say I struggled especially."
 
-"Following that, you were stationed at the Cyber Defence Academy."
+"Following that, you were stationed at the Cyber Defense Academy."
 
-"Defense Forces Academy Of Computer Professions And Cyberspace Defense",
+"Defense Forces Academy Of Computer Professions And Cyberspace
-he intoned sarcastically.
+Defense\", Adir recited out of habit. \"It's a mouthful."
 
-"If you say so"
+"What did you study there?"
-
-"It's a mouthful"
-
-"What did you study?"
 
 "It's a very wide field. There's been a touch of everything. Some
 Operating systems. Some databases. A bit of computer hardware. Some
@@ -293,25 +304,24 @@ programming."
 
 "What's drawn you into computers?"
 
-"Nothing at all."
+"Nothing at all, really".
 
 Tamara looked at him questioningly.
 
 "It's a cold, dead field."
 
-"It sounds like you've gone through some hardcore training. If that's
+\"Yet it sounds like you've gone through some hardcore training. Five
-why you think -- why did you do it?"
+months is a *really* long time for basic training.\"
+
+\"It was brutal. Studying nonstop from 7AM close to midnight.\"
+
+\"Why go through all that, then?\"
 
 "That's what they offered."
 
-"They?"
-
-"The army."
-
 "It's a voluntary course."
 
-"Had no other choice lined up. It sounded cool at the time, so I went
+"I had no other choice lined up."
-for it."
 
 "Let's go over your education, Adir. Finished highschool?"
 
@@ -327,8 +337,9 @@ Adir straightened his slouch and looked at Tamara.
 
 "Not me," he said.
 
-Tamara caught his gaze and held it intently. This was the first time he
+Tamara caught his gaze and held it intently. That was the first time he
-had seen her eyes.
+had seen her eyes. They seemed soft, but now they carried a fierce
+intensity - something he had not seen in a good while.
 
 "What did you study in highschool?"
 
@@ -345,8 +356,8 @@ distracted him greatly.
 
 "I wasn't expecting it as an army job."
 
-"It's funny. Many young men base their studies on their aspired military
+"Funny you should say so. Many young men base their studies on their
-role. Some earn their training in service."
+aspired military role. Some even earn their training in service."
 
 "Not me."
 
@@ -358,24 +369,37 @@ role. Some earn their training in service."
 
 "I didn't choose."
 
-"Many young soldiers are dissatisfied in service. But if everyone had a
+\"You could petition for a different role. It\'s not set in stone\"
-choice, the army could not stay afloat," she questioned him pointedly,
-"Would it?"
 
-"I don't care for that discussion. I was asked to serve, so I did."
+\"I did not choose to serve.\"
+
+"Adir, Many young soldiers are dissatisfied in service. But if everyone
+had a choice, the army could not stay afloat," she questioned him
+pointedly, "Could it?"
+
+"I don't care for that discussion. Nor am I complaining. I was asked to
+serve, so I did - still, it deserves acknowledgment."
 
 "How do you feel about it?"
 
-"There's no way to feel about it. It's a fact of life. So I just don't
+\"About what?\"
-bother."
 
-"That's an interesting response, Adir. Most young men I meet here rage
+\"The lack of choice.\"
-against that 'fact', as you put it. They feel powerless since they
+
-refuse to accept it, and struggle against it until they are released,
+"There's no way to feel about it. It's a fact of life. I had no say. So
-and some even well afterwards."
+I just don't bother."
+
+"That's an interesting response. Most of those I meet here rage against
+that 'fact', as you put it. They feel powerless since they refuse to
+accept it, and struggle against it until they are released - and some
+even well afterwards."
 
 "Can imagine. Not very useful, though."
 
+"Would you say that's important to you? Acting useful?"
+
+"That's a whole other discussion."
+
 "So what's hurting you, Adir? You know where you stand. You knew this
 was coming, from what I gather. Everything's fine at home. It sounds
 like you lead a good life thus far."
@@ -388,7 +412,7 @@ ground.
 Adir composed himself and stared back.
 
 "I am depressed", he said. It still hurt admitting it, but it *was*
-getting easier.
+getting easier. He hated how it was getting easier.
 
 "I wouldn't say it's up to you to decide; you hadn't visited a mental
 health professional, as we've established. Or have you?"
@@ -406,14 +430,17 @@ present."
 
 "What makes you think you're depressed, Adir?"
 
+He took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts. Somehow, the question
+never occurred to him. He just was depressed.
+
 "It's the small things. It gets harder to get out of bed every day. My
 head always hurts, and I can never concentrate anymore."
 
 Tamara listened intently and said nothing.
 
-"I just don't care about anything anymore. I don't bother seeing my
+"I... I just don't care about anything anymore. I don't bother seeing my
 friends, or doing anything for myself, or at all really. I feel hollow,
-and cold. I'm always so, so tired."
+and cold. And I'm always so, so tired."
 
 Tamara remained silent.
 
@@ -421,25 +448,31 @@ Tamara remained silent.
 a blank room, and everything's absolutely fine -- I'll just... get sad.
 Just because."
 
-Tamara nodded and thought. Adir said nothing.
+Tamara nodded in thought. Adir said nothing.
 
-"Why do you think you feel like that?"
+"What is it do you think you think made you feel like that? Is there
+something specific you can point out?"
 
-"I... don't know. I've always been resilient. Nothing really happened
+"I... don't know. I've always been resilient". He paused. "Nothing
-and I just... broke down."\
+*really* happened, and I just... broke down."\
 "How have you been coping?"
 
-"I haven't, really. Back during training, I could still function.
+"I don't feel like I did at all. Back during training, I could still
-Nowadays, I'm utterly useless."
+somehow function. But I remember feeling like there's a stone in my
+chest, and every day it got a little bigger. It gets harder and harder
+to breath. Nowadays, I'm utterly useless."
 
 "Surely you're not utterly useless."
 
-"I haven't been working a good several months now. Nobody bothers."
+"I haven't been working a good several months now. Nobody bothers with
+me."
 
-"What do you mean?"
+"Nobody... bother with you? What do you mean?"
 
-"They kicked me out. I know my job, and I know it damn well. But they
+"They kicked me out. I know my job, and I know it damn well -- whatever
-thought I wasn't worth it. And I've been idle ever since."
+else they may say about me, none has said otherwise. But apparently,
+they thought I wasn't worth it. I was kicked out. And I've been idle
+ever since."
 
 "Adir, nobody thinks you're 'not worth it'. You are here, getting
 treatment, aren't you?"
@@ -448,7 +481,7 @@ treatment, aren't you?"
 
 "Let's not go to such harsh tones! I'm here to help, Adir"
 
-"You see," he said passionately, "I'm sure you are. And my commanders
+"You see," he said passionately, \"I'm sure you are. And my commanders
 have been saying the same thing since boot camp. But at the end of the
 day, those are all just big words that don't amount to anything. I've
 been struggling for... eighteen months now. And I've yet to see anyone
@@ -457,7 +490,7 @@ lift a finger.
 I'm not saying this against you -- I know how it sounds, but I'm not,
 really.
 
-But I've lost faith. I'll believe it when I see it."
+But I've lost faith. I'll believe it when I see it.\"
 
 "I'm sorry you feel that way," she said.
 
@@ -471,14 +504,14 @@ wet towel."
 
 "How so?"
 
-"Training is supposed to be another four months over the Communication
+\"Training is supposed to be another four months over the Communication
 corp training. I've already done it in Hutspace. I had the same role.
 But they insisted I go through it again.
 
 Fine. I did. It took me two weeks -- and they just said I should wait
 until I get enrolled into shifts. That never happened. They 'didn't like
 my energy'. When I came to ask them what's that all about, I was
-berated."
+berated.\"
 
 "What did they tell you?"
 
@@ -533,13 +566,13 @@ doesn't".
 
 Tamara sighed.
 
-"I'll tell you what, Adir. I think you're just a little misplaced. Many
+\"I'll tell you what, Adir. I think you're just a little misplaced. Many
 young men have trouble adapting to their new roles, especially those
 that grasp themselves as resilient -- like you. I think we can have a
 long talk with your new commanding officer, get you reinstated, and keep
 talking from there.
 
-How does that sound?"
+How does that sound?\"
 
 "The new commanding officer," Adir said, "Is from Hutspace, and
 witnessed the whole spectacle I threw to get myself out of there. She's
@@ -580,7 +613,7 @@ emails?"
 
 "Adir, it just can't be. I'm sorry, but I don't accept this"
 
-"And I do? It's degrading. I've never been so humiliated in my life.
+\"And I do? It's degrading. I've never been so humiliated in my life.
 
 But let's go down to the Pit -- to where I'm supposedly stationed. You
 can see my Gatekeeper card get rejected, because it hasn't been in use
@@ -591,18 +624,18 @@ included -- no one's seen me with the beard. I didn't have it when I
 left! That's how long I've been gone. If so much as a private recognizes
 me, I'll withdraw and never bother you again.
 
-All I ask is we come and take a look."
+All I ask is we come and take a look.\"
 
 Tamara drew a tense, long breath.
 
 "So what do you want, Adir?"
 
-"I signed up. I did whatever they asked me to. I pulled through that
+\"I signed up. I did whatever they asked me to. I pulled through that
 vicious course. And as soon as I struggled, I was tossed away like hot
 garbage. They kept telling us, from the second we're drafted, how needed
 we are, but I guess that's not so.
 
-I have my own goals in life. My time is precious. I - "
+I have my own goals in life. My time is precious. I - \"
 
 "And why is that? What exactly do you do that's superior to serving your
 country?"
@@ -611,7 +644,7 @@ country?"
 
 "Why did you, really? Why was so important?"
 
-"Because I signed up for university!", Adir said, heatedly. "Because if
+"Because I signed up for university!", Adir said, heatedly. \"Because if
 I wouldn't get out of there instead of sitting like some kind of idiot,
 I would've rotted there and no one would have twitched.
 
@@ -619,7 +652,7 @@ I'm not needed? That's fine and dandy. We all gave it a shot. No hard
 feelings. But if that's the case, I want my life back. I want to wake up
 early in the morning, like I always used to. I want to be passionate
 about what I do. I want to feel loved, and respected. I'd like to do
-something worthwhile with my time."
+something worthwhile with my time.\"
 
 "So aside from these grand statements - what exactly do you want?"
 
@@ -634,9 +667,9 @@ drawers, strode up to Adir and handed it to him.
 
 "What's this?"
 
-"It's a book," she said, "describing mental illnesses.
+"It's a book," she said, \"describing mental illnesses.
 
-Pick one, or get out."
+Pick one, or get out.\"
 
 It hurt him to hear those words. He saw them coming, but it hurt all the
 same.
@@ -662,3 +695,208 @@ Only this time, he drew a deep breath, and a resolution formed in his
 heart. A decision was made, and he will stick to it.
 
 He got out.
+
+Chapter I
+
+Private Adir Levin was just shy of 19 years of age when he was drafted.
+
+Unlike many, he had had the privilege of knowing his date well in
+advance -- upwards of a year. It has been six months since he graduated
+highschool without too much of a struggle, and began working at a big
+city coffee shop shortly afterwards, aiming to overcome his social
+awkwardness.
+
+Though hesitant and neurotic at first, Adir quickly grasped the nuances
+of working in the rush -- operating the register, sending out the
+orders, and even making recommendations and casual chatting with the
+customers coming in. He had been the youngest to ever work there, and
+rarely came across anyone near his age -- yet he seldom felt out of
+place. It was exhausting, physical work -- and Adir worked fairly often,
+well long after he felt his goal was achieved. But he was happy, and
+fulfilled.
+
+Two weeks before his draft date, though, even Adir put in the towel --
+and went off to get a buzzcut and olive green T-shirts, like everyone
+else told him he should. Adir was never a confrontational character, so
+he did.
+
+He sought, above all, a moderate life. A life of purpose, achievement,
+sure -- but without tribulations, without drama. Certainly without
+conflict. Generally speaking, Adir simply did not like having much on
+his plate. Hand him exactly one to three things going on in his life --
+however big or difficult -- and he would cruise along gently. Anymore
+than that, however, he would get intensely uncomfortable, and his mind
+got the better of him.
+
+Though moderate and unassuming, Adir was not humble nor meek. He knew
+his ability and especially his unrelenting determination will get him
+wherever he should desire, so long as he should truly desire it enough.
+It was this blend of determination and non-confrontational, moderate
+policy that somehow led him to be a Computing Systems Infrastructure
+Management coursee, under the Communications Corps. Widely considered to
+be one of the best occupations in the army (so he heard), CSIM
+candidates go through a grueling screening process, and those successful
+later undergo extensive training at the Defense Forces Academy of
+Computer Professions and Cyberspace defense, where Adir now found
+himself.
+
+"What would you like to do in the military?" the Officer who is Not a
+Commander (why not? He remembers wondering) had asked him at early 16,
+when he was first summoned to the Recruitment Center.
+
+"I don't really mind", he said.
+
+"You probably heard of something. Know someone. What caught your
+interest?"
+
+"I never really thought about it. I'm fine with whatever, really"
+
+"Everyone comes by with such specific requests -- I've had someone tell
+me the exact squad he wanted to serve in today! You've never heard of
+anything?"
+
+Adir was lost in thought.
+
+"Listen, this isn't about your stats. Let's pretend this was a perfect
+world -- you could pick absolutely whatever and you get stationed doing
+it immediately. What do you pick?"
+
+"Well, I... why do I have to pick? The army picks whatever it needs.
+Doesn't it?"
+
+"It does, sure, but it's not just a machine. It's in the military's best
+interest that you like your role as well -- makes you more productive.
+That's no promise, of course, but there is some attempt."
+
+"I really don't care for all that. I'll do whatever the country needs me
+to. I have no preference whatsoever."
+
+"Really?" she said, raising an eyebrow.
+
+"Yeah."
+
+"What if they put you in a tank?"
+
+"Then I guess I'll be in a tank."
+
+"And what if you get stationed as a combat ready soldier on the
+frontline?"
+
+"Then I'll go, of course."
+
+"What if they ask you to be a pilot?"
+
+"I really don't think they'll ask *me* to be a pilot."
+
+"Yes, but what if they do?" she asked, somewhat irritated.
+
+"Then I'll go be a pilot."
+
+She sighed deeply, and massaged her temples. Adir could not figure out
+why she was so upset.
+
+"Okay, let's talk about you for a bit. What do you like to do?"
+
+Adir considered this.
+
+"I like... playing the guitar."
+
+"Would you say you're a good player?"
+
+"I'm decent. Nothing staggering, though, it's just a hobby"
+
+"How long have you been playing?"
+
+"About five, six years now"
+
+"And that's it? You play the guitar all day?"
+
+"No, that would be a little crazy. I do other things."
+
+"What other things?"
+
+"I cook sometimes. I like reading a lot. I read *a lot*. Uh..."
+
+The ONC considered this with blatant disinterest.
+
+"I like computer games too."
+
+"Computers?"
+
+"Yeah. Yeah, I like computers."
+
+"So you're a programmer?"
+
+"Oh, no no no. I suck at programming. Absolutely terrible. I'm a
+hardware monkey."
+
+"A *what?*"
+
+"A hardware monkey."
+
+"What on earth is a hardware monkey?"
+
+"Some people write the code for the computers, because they've got
+something that I really really don't. And others, who have something
+else, take care of the computers themselves. The code monkeys and the
+hardware monkeys."
+
+"So you... *take care* of computers?"
+
+"I assemble them, yeah. I built a good dozen by now. It's really
+interesting."
+
+"What if the army asks you to build computers?"
+
+"Oh, they have that? I had no idea! That'd be swell!"
+
+"They have that, sure, sure. Would you mind if I list that as your
+preference?"
+
+"No, not at all".
+
+The CNO hunched over a flowery pink notebook. Using a bright pink pen
+with a big pink pom-pom on top, she scribbled in it with small, cursive
+handwriting.
+
+He could just make it out -
+
+*Computers*.
+
+She then abruptly stood up and surveyed Adir quickly.
+
+"Good luck," she said and left.
+
+And now he was here.
+
+The Academy was nothing like he had envisioned a military base to be --
+not that he did much envisioning at all, but still. Spring Buds, where
+he went through boot camp, had been *exactly* what he had envisioned --
+stuck in the middle of nowhere and chock full of big, ugly green tents
+and ancient structures and guard posts and lots of dirty empty space and
+being generally repulsive. It was so alike everything he had seen in old
+movies that at times he started wondering whether that really took place
+or was it his vivid imagination.
+
+This place, however, was a strange mix of that classic vision and a
+shmancy high-tech office space. Adir's classroom was in a structure that
+was clearly meant to be temporary -- positioned in a big dusty patch of
+bare earth in a strange angle -- yet their commander's offices, and the
+units stationed in the base, sat in a trio of rather small but quite
+modern buildings, surrounding a paved cobblestone courtyard. It was well
+kept and had lots of emblems and flags protruding from the upper floors,
+and had a million passages to and from it -- as if it was the beating
+heart of the base, and the soldiers flowing into it it's lifeblood.
+
+However, the base was *ridiculously* small -- Adir could circle it
+leisurely in just under eight minutes. Also unlike Spring Buds -- which
+was huge -- was the fact that they were right in the middle of the city,
+perhaps a 15 minute bus ride from his house. The base was elevated from
+the street, which was a good 2-3 meters lower, and was surrounded by a
+tall barbed wire fence covered with thick opaque fabric to keep prying
+eyes away. It resembled, perhaps, an overly protective neighborhood
+school much more than a full blown, top secret army base.
+
+Yet an army base it was, and Adir would not soon forget it. He and his
+peers waltzed in from the city, sure, but after coming in through the
+old-school guard post, it was army alright.