I tried to stay awake during science. I seriously tried.

Mentor Stephen was talking about advanced genetics and meiosis and mitosis and mutation and those three m's turned into z's as I fell asleep with my chin resting in my hand.

I awoke with a jolt as my hand was pushed out from beneath me. My forehead smacked into the table and I heard Wyatt erupt into laughter. I turned and glared at him. For some reason, Wyatt and I seemed to be in most of the same classes, Advanced Science, low maths and Advanced English. He didn't really turn up to Art often.

'You're really missing out Magdalene, Mentor Stephen just ran over advanced hypothetical mutation.' Wyatt joked.

'Shut up, I just wanted some sleep.' I muttered, but I couldn't help the smile sneaking on to my face.

'You know what's more fun than advanced hypothetical mutation?' Wyatt asked.

'What?' I replied.

'Nothing.' Wyatt stated, and I couldn't help but laugh. I tried to cover my mouth with my hand but it was too late. I fake coughed and wiped my mouth, attempting lamely to mask my laughter.

Mentor Stephen stared at me.

'Something the matter Magdalene?' He asked seriously.

'No.' I managed to choke out.

'She breathed in her own spit.' Wyatt offered. I bit the back of my hand to stop from laughing.

'Wyatt shut up!' I hissed, I tried to sound angry but I had a huge smile on my face.

'Shh Magdalene, some of us actually want to learn.' Wyatt replied and pretended to be interested in what Mentor Stephen was saying as he nodded his head and murmured extravagantly after every sentence.

I sighed loudly and tried to listen. I ended up thinking about Avery and his rapid healing ability. Was that even an alm? Avery didn't share his alms like everyone else did. He mostly only used his normal ones like telekinisis, teleportation and time control. He had 6 other alm symbols snaking up his training shirt, but most of the time he had a jacket on and we couldn't see them. I wondered why he always seemed so mysterious.

It wasn't like we could log on to some social networking site like the humans and share it with the world. We had extremely tight computing security on all of the computers and laptops. Even though we were taught how to hack basic and complex computer security, the Base's security was way more secure than anything we'd come across in the real world. I scoffed at that, the 'real world'. God, was I ever going to get out of the stupid base? I groaned inwardly, it was always the same. We never left the base, we never knew how to interact with humans. Had they even planned on letting us out, or were we stuck in this desolate place for the rest of our lives?

I shook the thoughts out of my head. I would drive myself nuts if I continued to think about those things.

Before I knew it, Science was over and I was rushing out of class to my bedroom to get changed for training.

'Hey, Mags!' A voice called from down the hallway. I turned around and saw Mora running to catch up to me.

'Hey Mora,' I smiled. Mora was lovely, she was a year older than me and in my science and English classes. She had curly auburn hair that framed her petite face, and light blue eyes that were piercing.

'So I was wondering if you were going to the meeting tonight.' She pondered.

'Uh... meeting?' I asked, what meeting?

'Oh, did you not, oh um... never mind it's nothing.' Mora stuttered, she'd obviously said something she wasn't supposed to.

'Mora, what are you talking about?'

'Well, tonight we are all having a meeting in the art block after dinner about the new scientist.' She said. I must not have got the invite.

'Oh,' was all I could say. Mora put her hand on my shoulder.

'Come, I'm sure someone forgot to tell you.'

'Uh, well I mean, if I'm not invited...' I started.

'Magdalene shut up, I'm inviting you okay? Come. Please.' She smiled at me reassuringly. I guessed that was an invite.

'Okay, yeah fine okay.' I agreed.

'I'll see you tonight then.'

'Okay.' I said, and then she was gone, shaking her head as she walked down the hallway.

I arrived at training just in time. Mentor Peter stood in the middle of the room. He gestured wildly at the group of us. I noticed that everyone was there, all 26 of us. I quickly took a seat next to August.

'What's going on?' I leaned in and whispered to August.

'We are going on a training exercise.' He grinned happily. 'Outside of the base.' He added.

'Seriously?' I asked with excitement.

'Yeah, I know right.' He smiled and then turned back to Mentor Peter.

'- going to split you into two groups of mixed ages and ability. We will be playing capture the flag. Both teams have a flag to protect and they will get to choose where to hide them within the perimeter that we have marked. You will then have to find, take and hold on to the other team's flag before bringing it back to us. You may defend your flag and fight your opponents but no serious injuries or you will be banned from the exercises for the rest of the course. The winning team gets an advantage on next week's training exercise. The teams you are put in are the teams that you will stay in for the rest of the five training exercises we have set for you. So don't bother asking to change. The teams have been put together by the scientists and each have been analysed so both teams have a mixture abilities and ages, but are compatible with one another. Any questions?' Mentor Peter explained the rules and my heart was beating faster with anticipation and excitement.

'Where is this exercise going to be held?' I heard Carrie ask.

'That is a secret until we arrive. We will be leaving in half an hour. Be prepared to stay there overnight so dress warmly. A medic will attend the exercise with us but I do not intend on having her treat any of you so don't be stupid.' Mentor Peter replied. He got up and left the room, and as soon as he left everyone burst into excited chatter.

Fidelia trotted over to me, she had a wide grin plastered on her face as she giggled.

'I hope we are on the same team!' She gushed.

'Me too, this is so exciting!' I exclaimed.

'We finally get to actually do something!' She smiled.

'Maybe we will get to go on missions!' I added and her eyes widened.

'I hope so!' She nodded furiously. She grabbed my hand and dragged me up. 'Let's get ready.'

I nodded in agreement and we rushed to our room.

**

I grabbed a small waterproof rucksack from my closet and shoved the necessities in it. I pulled open a drawer and added my winter gear. Even though we never left the base, we were completely prepared for an emergency escape. We had drawer of extreme weather clothes, casual human clothes in case we needed to integrate ourselves. We never wore them, but we were always prepared. I shoved a pair of gloves into my bag and fluffy wool socks. The base was always at one comfortable temperature so we never had to use any of our winter gear. As I folded a jacket, noticed that the scientists had fireproofed everything in my wardrobe. They never missed a thing. It also meant that I would have to worry about water. I had no clue where we were going, but I hoped that it would be somewhere new and exotic.

I watched as Fidelia fussed and rushed around, tutting and mumbling to herself. I was ready in five minutes and she was still checking and packing and rechecking and repacking.

'Honestly Fiddy, we'll never leave if you carry on like this.' I gasped and flopped onto the bed. 'They'll give us anything that we need okay. Chill out!'I added and laughed.

'Fine.' Fidelia finally plopped herself down next me with her rucksack in between her legs.

'I'm so happy we are finally leaving this place.' I grinned.

'Only for a few hours though.' Fidelia scoffed.

'Let's go.' I heaved myself up off the bed and slipped my rucksack over my shoulder.

We had to tell ourselves to walk and Fidelia bounced on her toes, eager to leave.

Nearly everyone had arrived at the training room when we got there. We joined Kermit and Tadpole at the back and waited as the last few people filed in.

'Alright, is everyone here?' Mentor Christian clapped his hands together. Mentor Peter stood next to him with a piece of paper. He scanned the room and one he was satisfied that everyone was there he stepped forward.

'This is the list of teams. I will call out the red team first. He motioned to a pile of red packs. You will grab one of these and go and stand over there. These packs have everything you need for the exercise, including vests which you must wear over your training clothes at all times as they tell which team you are in and have a tracking and monitoring device that will tell us if you are in any trouble. Okay, right. Red team: Tammy, Fidelia, Mora, Magdalene, Pansy, Karoline, Avery, Kermit, Diego, Wyatt, August, Vincent and Kip. Go and grab a red pack.' Mentor Peter read out. I was overcome with relief when I was put in the same team as my two best friends. I wrinkled my nose when Karoline's name was called out, but she had been nice to be that one time. I wondered if she knew that I hadn't had a single training with my new alm. Fidelia giggled and nudged me as we stood over in our area.

'-as for the blue team: Wen, Winona, Charline, Carrie, Ria, Kera, Hyun, Nestor, Otto, Tadpole, Max, Chester and Rufus. I understand that there is a different amount of boys and girls. Seven boys to six girls and vice versa but this is the problem with having thirteen in each team.' Mentor Peter continued as the blue team collected their packs.

'Okay, well if you will follow us to the plane out the back we can go.' Mentor Christian said loudly to get out attention.

I grinned at the mention of a plane. I hadn't been in one since I had arrived at the base, and despite that bad memory I was excited to ride another.

'Oh my gosh, a plane!' Fidelia giggled to Kermit who looked rather sad to see Tadpole on the other team
'He'll be fine.' I bumped my shoulder into Kermit's and he smiled gratefully at me.

We all traipsed out after Mentor Peter and Christian, and were shocked to see two planes.

'As you can see, there are two planes. One for each team, you will be dropped in the same location but at different sides. The perimeter is clearly marked so don't worry about getting too lost. You have thirty-six hours to find the flag and bring it to us.

If that time is up and neither flag is found, both teams will be penalised. Blue team, follow me.' Mentor Christian gestured to the blue team to follow him. I was glad that I didn't have to have him. Mentor Peter was strict, but he didn't dish out unnecessary punishments like Mentor Christian.

Fidelia placed her hand in mine as we boarded the sleek black plane.

The inside of the plane was amazing. The seats were comfortable leather and for some reason it seemed like we would be in the plane for a while. The seats in groups of three and faced the front of the plane. There was a spacious walkway that led from the toilet, past the rows of seats, and into the cockpit. On each seat there was a small package. I lifted one up and admired it.

'The packages on your seats are filled with food and water for the flight. There is more food in your packs but we recommend you leave that food until your actual exercise.' Mentor Peters voice rang out.

I managed to get the window seat as Fidelia was afraid of heights so she sat next to me, and Kermit got motion sick so he decided to sit next to Fidelia and closest to the path to the toilet.

'Prepare for takeoff.' A voice that I didn't recognise sounded over the loudspeaker. I buckled myself in and Fidelia dug her fingers into my arm.

'Ow Fidelia!' I grizzled.

'Sorry,' she said but didn't loosen her grip. I watched out the window as we took off. It was sort of bumpy and the plane picked up speed until it wasn't on the ground anymore. We were flying! I couldn't tear my eyes away from the sight of us flying up into the air. The base looked really huge from that angle, but then it got smaller and smaller until it was like a little ant. We were flying in the clouds and I finally got to appreciate the snowy mountains and landscape that we had lived in. It really was breathtaking. I sighed comfortably and settled into the seat. I stole a glance at Kermit who was fine, and was flicking through a magazine that he found in the pocket of the seat in front of us. Fidelia however was not fine. She was white as a sheet and was trembling.

'Fid-'I started before she cut me off.

'Don't you fucking dare.' She snarled through gritted teeth. I gaped at her. She'd never been this nasty before. I decided there and then that I definitely didn't like the scared Fidelia. Kermit contentedly continued to turn the pages of his magazine in awe and oblivion. I smiled and closed my eyes.

I was going to need sleep if I wanted to be able to function for thirty six hours straight.