⭐️ Alessia's P.O.V.⭐️

As I walked into the room, the light shone all around me, almost blinding. Summer put a hand on my shoulder.

"I have to go to my training session, but I'll be back later to get you, okay?"

I just gave a slight nod. Fear started rising in my throat as the woman, who I assumed was Blaire Santiago, motioned me towards a chair.

"Sit."

I sat down and Boomer sat at my feet.

"Ah, I've missed you old boy," one of the men bent down to pet Boomer. The man had jet black hair and a set jaw. He wore a short-sleeved shirt that revealed many tattoos on his arms. When he stood back up I assumed he was probably 6"2. He was probably 40 years old.

The other man had black hair also but it was graying at the temples. His face was also a bit more weathered and rugged as if he had been through a million wars over the past years. That is when I noticed a rugged scar running down the top of his eyebrow to his cheek, barely missing his eye. I'm guessing he was about 60.

Then the woman had long, beautiful, dark, brown hair that shimmered in the light. Her rich brown eyes matched it perfectly. She had a dark complexion that made her look as if she was always out in the sun. And I'm guessing she is in her early 30s.

"This," she said, pointing to the man that had pet Boomer, "Is Mason Dravis. And this is Ajax Johnson." She waved a hand at the scarred man. "And I am Blaire Santiago."

"I'm-," but she cut me off.

"We know who you are, Alessia Starr Priore. Such a beautiful name, but I'm afraid we will have to change it in order to keep you safe. Here, on base you can still go by your real name, but elsewhere, you must have an alias."

"Oh, okay." My head started to whirl. What name could I possibly use? I finally have the opportunity to change it and I don't even know! My best friend's name popped into my head. "Can I change it to Avery Alcott instead?"

"That should work. It will cover up your trail enough. We will call you Alessia Starr here, but outside it will change. Alessia," the woman looked deep into my eyes. "Did you know anything, anything at all about your father's work here?"

"No, ma'am," I said just above a whisper. "I just know that he trained Boomer here and he was on some sort of suicide mission." I pet Boomer's head gently.

"Do you want to explain everything?" Blaire turned to Ajax. He nodded slightly.

"Your father," he started, "Was one of the leaders in our Weapons and Arms Unit. He trained dogs and humans to be killing machines. He was our number one man. We were even debating making him the S.I.A.s fourth leader."

Ajax looked at the others.

"He took on a mission, though, that he knew would be suicidal. That's when he gave you and your brother the trackers and your dog. He was on a mission to discover a new way of training the weak fellows here. Some of them can't get strong no matter how hard they train, so he discovered a serum that can bulk someone up without training."

My mind was blown. My father did all of this? I couldn't believe it.

"So," he continued, "Your father was in danger because of his project. There are hungry scientists and power craving maniacs out there that if they happened to get their hands on this serum, the results could be disastrous. His mission was also to protect the serum at all costs. Blaire, here, is the leader of our Lab. She comes up with different weapons, chemicals, and serums for the men. Mason here is the leader of the Weapons and Arms building. He is in charge of training and strategizing different attack methods. Your father would have joined him in being a leader there. And I am in charge of the Prison and Interrogation of our prisoners here at the base."

My mind felt like it was going to explode.

"Wow, that is a lot of information," I said. "It's nothing that my school will teach you about." I laughed a little. But then I just couldn't help it as words toppled my mouth, one over the other. "I'm not going back home, am I?"

Ajax looked at Blaire as if calling for help. I know that no one knew how to break it to me lightly, although I already knew what was going on.

"Alessia," Blaire started. "I'm afraid you will have to stay here, so we can protect you. Now you know some vital information that we cannot just let loose into the world."

"If you want," I heard Mason talk for the first time since he said a few words to Boomer, "You could join our training program. Seems how you will be living the rest of your life here. I don't think you will just want to sit around inside all day. And anyways, we have people that were born here on the base join the training program all the time and they're not even as old as you."

Then I really thought about it. I think my dad would have really wanted this. He died to save me. So did my mother. It would only be right.

"My parents have done a lot for me," I said. "I just want to give back and make them proud. I do not want to be what has happened to me as that wouldn't be right," I said with determination in my eyes. "I want to be what I choose to become, instead."

The group before me looked solemnly at me and nodded to each other. I don't know what Mason saw in me to even offer such an honor to serve here, but he must've seen some kind of determination, potential perhaps. I've always loved the idea of not being what people expect me to be. But for once in my life I see that they can see beyond who I seem to be. A young girl who was really smart and loved surfing. A young girl that didn't seem like much, but could offer a lot more. Mason was the first to say something.

"Well, welcome to the team Ms. Starr," he saluted me.

I stood and saluted him back.

"You will report to the Weapons and Arms building tomorrow at six o'clock sharp."

And boy was he serious. This will be interesting, I thought. Maybe everything was meant to be this way. Then Blaire spoke again.

"You can pick up your base pass on one of the other levels of this building. They are having it made this minute. And I can accompany you." At that moment there was a knock at the door. Summer poked her head in.

"Is Alessia good to go?" she peeked at me.

"I am going to accompany Alessia to go get her pass." Blaire walked towards the door so I followed her.

"Well, I brought Boomer his food." Summer held out a clear plastic bag full of the brown food.

"Thank you." I took it from her and put it in my pocket. "I'll give it to him after."

Blaire and I headed towards an elevator to go up. This was a big building with a lot of windows and floors. It probably had about 40 floors. Good thing this is Nevada. We are out in the middle of nowhere so people won't notice a thing. As I walked out I saw bustling people everywhere. There wasn't a single person that was not at work doing something.

"This," Blaire announced, "Is where the magic happens. We have some of the top scientists in the world working here and at every moment improving our technology. On this base, we are way ahead of the world in our technological advancements."

We walked past a room where I could see some kind of gun being tested. I prepared myself for when they would take the shot. But, as they fired, the machine made absolutely no noise. That could be deadly for an assassin. I shivered as we kept walking.

Next, we passed a room where some people were testing and mixing different chemicals. The next room we passed I will never forget. Blaire stopped so I could watch. I saw this skinny little boy, who was probably about my age, step into a machine that was shaped like a human body. A lid closed over his body and I saw him tremble a little. There was a capsule on each side of the machine that the scientists filled with a bluish liquid. All of the scientists were wearing thick suits as well as masks and gloves. Whatever that stuff was they did not want to get it on themselves. But, yet, the boy was practically undressed, aside from his undergarments. The machine started up and I heard the boy screaming.

"What are they doing to him?!" I demanded Blaire.

"Watch." She pointed inside. I almost screamed at her. But then I saw one of the most amazing things I have ever and/or will see. The machine opened and the boy walked out. Excuse me, did I say boy? More like a full grown male bodybuilder! He was at least a foot taller and he was way bulkier. This must have been what Ajax was talking about.

"This is what your dad invented."

But I was too amazed to look at Blaire.

"He was a whiz on the computer and trained soldiers just as well," Blaire continued. "Let's go get your pass shall we?"

She led me even deeper down the hallway. One thing was for sure. These people loved the sunlight, there were windows everywhere and it was just as bright in here as it was in the office. We finally walked into a room with a few machines. This room was one of the more relaxed ones. Probably because they don't have a new person on the base every minute. There was a man and a woman working there. They both wore rings so I assume they're married? Blaire introduced them.

"This is Delaney and Donnovin Hunter. Some of our best technicians here on the base."

Delaney had beautiful, dirty blond hair tied back into a ponytail. She wore what I assumed to be the base's suit for scientists. She was sort of short, probably 5''3, but she had big green eyes and looked very young. Donnovin on the other hand was 6"0 and had hair black as midnight. He had dark brown eyes and wore the same blue suit as Delaney.

"And guys, this is Alessia Priore, now going to be Avery Alcott A.K.A. Alessia Starr."

"Nice to meet you," Delaney held out her hand. She seemed like a very friendly person while Donnovin was very shy. I shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you too." I smiled.

"Well, we just have to take your picture then your pass will be complete."

Delaney led me to a stool in front of a green screen.

"You can pick your background once we are done." I smiled as the flash went off. I chose the ocean as my background, seems how I, most likely, will never see it again. I missed how the ocean wind would play with my hair while I waited for the perfect wave to come. I missed the warm sand I felt on my feet as I would run across the beach. Then Delaney's words brought me back to reality.

"So, you have a birthday in a few days, huh? Well, I'm sorry this is how it happened for you." And she really did look sorry. "Sorry for being nosy, but I just noticed your birthday while creating the card."

"Yeah, it will be in three days. And it's okay, it's not your fault." I just looked down. I forgot that Boomer was still with me. I pet his head. He's been so quiet. Oh! I never fed him!

"Do you guys happen to have a food dish so I can feed my dog?"

"Oh, yes. Right over here." Delaney picked up a dish in the corner. "We always have extras," she smiled. "You're going to need to keep that one for him though. Would you like his name inscribed on it?"

"Oh, yes please."

So, she inscribed the name Boomer on the silver dish with some sort of pen-like machine. Then I fed Boomer as I waited for my pass to be finished. When it was done Donnovin handed it to me.

"Thank you," I said, but he just nodded. Wow, he's really quiet. Kind of scary. I didn't take much time to notice though. Then Delaney asked if I liked it.

"Wow." It had the name Avery Alcott on it, my birthday (With a few years added as to look as if I am an actual legal person as this doubles as my ID off base), my description, and some kind of ID number. I saw the ocean background and suddenly again had a strong longing to feel the sun and hear the crash of the waves.

"Well, let's head back shall we?" Blaire motioned towards the door. I thanked Delaney and followed Blaire out of the room with Boomer trailing behind.

"Do you know your way back to the Bunker, or would you like me to walk you back?" Blaire questioned on the elevator ride back down to the first floor.

"Um, I think I can manage," I said.

"Okay, then. I will see you later Ms. Starr," Blaire said with a smile.

"Yes, I will see you later," I smiled back. Boomer gave a little bark.

We stepped off the elevator and headed down the hallway to the heavy exit door. I stepped outside into the hot sun to find some people milling around. I could see the heat rising from the pavement and mirages forming on the horizon beyond the huge fence surrounding the base. The fence that kept the bad things out and all of us in. I felt like a caged animal in this place. I wanted to be free and out of here. I wanted to be on the ocean where I felt free and unstoppable.

Boomer started heavily panting right next to me. I walked back to the Bunker with the dog dish in hand and my pass in my pocket. I made it to the heavy door and pushed it open. Strange, this door should feel like it's on fire in this heat. I just shook my head at myself as the reality of the technology in this place fully set in. I held it open for Boomer and walked down the LED hallway. Ugh, which room was Summer's? I thought. Suddenly, I heard some voices yelling from behind a closed door.

"You need to be more careful!" One voice said. It was a woman's voice.

"It is not my fault Mother, it was an accident!" That's Summer's voice! I opened the door. I was shocked at the scene I saw. Summer was laying on her bed, a nurse by her side. Her leg was being put in a cast and there was an angry woman, who looked a lot like her, staring at her.

"Alessia!" Summer called from the bed. I rushed over to her side.

"What happened?" I demanded.

"After I came to see if you were ready I went to go help load a trailer full of equipment. When I was walking on the ramp of the trailer, one of the hinges snapped and I slipped and fell off. I broke my leg and I won't be able to walk for a little while and I won't be able to train for even longer."

"How could that hinge snap? Wouldn't they have a really sturdy trailer for a place like this?" I was confused.

"I told her she should be a scientist. Not some person who plays with guns and learns how to fight. It's too dangerous." The older woman sniffed.

"Mother, I said it was an accident. It wasn't even due to the training I was doing." So, the older woman was her Mother. Nice woman.

"I'm just sorry Alessia that I don't have any room for you. The staff was preparing a room for you last night. So, you will be living down the hall from me from now on."

Summer looked pretty regretful. I felt my stomach drop a little. I don't get to stay with Summer? I'll be living on my own already and I've only been here not even a day and even more I'm not yet sixteen? I was beginning to feel really nervous. At least I have Boomer, I thought.

"Yeah, it's okay, I understand. Will you need anybody to help you, though? Like, I'll still be around, obviously." I tried to laugh off my nervousness. I hope Summer didn't hear the disappointment in my voice.

"I should be able to manage." Summer said. "Thank you, though."

The nurse gave Summer a list of things to do and what to watch for. Different symptoms and such. I said goodbye to Summer and her Mother because I felt like there were still going to be some words said and it would be way too awkward to stick around for that.

So, I grabbed my duffel bag from the bathroom after I had put everything back into it and went to find someone who knew what room I would be staying in. As I walked out into the hallway, I almost ran into a man as he stepped in my way.

"Oh!" I jumped. "I am so sorry. I just wasn't quite watching where I was going." Then I noticed it was the guy from lunch. The one named Poseidon. "Oh, you're Maddox's friend. Nice to see you again." His deep brown eyes seemed to bare into me.

"Yeah, it's okay. You didn't hurt anything." He smirked. Did I see a hint of a smile in his eyes? "So, I heard you're going to be starting the training program tomorrow. Have you ever done anything like that before?"

"Um, uh, well no. I mean, not really. I'm pretty athletic, but I'm guessing that's as close as I've been up till this point which is nowhere near any of this." I laughed. Was that a nervous laugh? I really do not want to sound nervous right now. Not in front of Poseidon. "How did you know I'm joining anyways?"

"Well, I am one of the top instructors for the training. I work right alongside Mason. I used to work with your Father a whole lot too." He kinda looked down. "He was a good man."

"Y-yeah he was." Was, I thought. I looked down so he couldn't see my tears starting to cloud my eyes. Poseidon started to walk away. "Wait."

"Yeah?" He looked confused.

"Uh, do you happen to know where my room is? Summer can't exactly show me right now so..." I looked at him, embarrassed. I'm going to have to memorize every inch of this place.

"Yeah, of course."

So, I walked next to Poseidon as we headed down a hall. The walk was silent. It made me really nervous. Why am I nervous around him? Am I supposed to be afraid of him? He's probably going to be my instructor anyways, better get used to it. Finally we arrived at a door. There was a sign that said 'Starr' on it.

"Yup, that's definitely it. Thank you," I looked at Poseidon.

"That's your name?" He asked.

"Uh, yeah. My new last name here, anyway. On the outside it's Avery Alcott." I said suddenly worried. "Is there something wrong with it?"

"No, no it's really cool actually. How did you come up with that?" He looked a little uncomfortable. What a sight, I thought. A big tough guy talking to a little girl like me about a name. No wonder he's uncomfortable. I stifled a laugh. I knew he was just trying to make conversation.

"Well, it's my middle name actually and I just kept my first name. But it's your name that strikes me as unique. Where'd it come from?" I was just curious, but I didn't expect to get the reaction I did. No, not in a million years. Poseidon's eyes suddenly turned cold. They seemed black as coal and hard as a rock. His voice had a little edge to it.

"Well that is a different matter and I've got to get going. I'll see you tomorrow at six," He said as he walked away.

Well that was a great way to have a first conversation with a guy on the base. Great going, Alessia. I turned to open my door, shaking my head. As I walked into my room, sunlight hit me like a lightning bolt.

"Woah."

I was speechless. This room was nothing like Summer's. This room was huge! It had a really big bed and one wall was just one huge wall of glass.

"It will never be dark in here," I said half to myself half to Boomer.

There was a really soft carpet in the bedroom. I opened another door and walked into the bathroom. Again, one wall was just glass. Luckily there were shades in there. Will definitely be using those. I laughed.

I walked back out into the main room and found another door. I found myself in a closet. A huge closet. There were shelves and shelves of different guns and weapons. There was also a box on the floor that said 'Boomer'. That's when I finally figured it out. This was my Dad's room.

I started looking through the box. There were some old training toys and dog vests to hold things. There was also a picture. A picture taken of my Father and Boomer. Probably the day Boomer was finished being trained. I kept the picture out. I'll be keeping that.

I kept looking at all of the different shelves. At the back of the closet the wall seemed a little different. It seemed out of place. I pushed on it gently and it flipped. I gasped. Totally cliche, right? But even cliche things tend to happen in real life. There was a huge board full of pictures, definitions, and all sorts of writing. The pictures...They're of me! I couldn't believe it. Why? Why would my father do this? Was I a project of some sort?

All of a sudden, I just felt fake. I felt like I was just being studied, but beyond that I was pointless. On one of the pieces I saw the words 'Defending Warrior'. That is exactly what my mother had said to me. But what does it all mean? All I knew was that I was the only family I had left in this world all alone and stranded, no idea what was going to happen next.

🌊 Poseidon's P.O.V. 🌊

As I walked away from her I felt guilty. But what could I tell her? That I was from the enemy? I felt bad doing that to her, especially her first day. I could never give my actual identity away. Even my closest friends don't know who I really am. Just my sister and our leaders of course. I'll make it up to her later.

I rounded the corner in the hallway. Ever since I saw her at breakfast I couldn't stop thinking about her, though. What was it? She's just different... somehow. Distracting, even. Her face came into my mind. Her big blue eyes and that golden hair... I can't think like this. I'm going to be her instructor soon anyways. And it's against the rules. Instructors cannot have any intimate connection with their students whatsoever. I rolled my eyes inwardly. Such a stupid rule.

I walked out of the Bunker and I decided I would go visit my sister Kairi in the Lab. When I was inside the building I headed straight for the elevator, but someone stepped in my path. It was a brunette girl with large brown eyes. She was dressed in her Lab coat and I saw her name tag. Ugh, Lexi. Lexi has had a thing for me ever since I first got here and she wasn't the only one. She was just the most annoying and pushy b-

"Hey, Poseidon." She giggled. Here we go. "Where are you going?" I tried to be polite but it didn't always work with her.

"Just going to see my sister, Lexi, so if you would please excuse me-." I tried to dart for the elevator, but she just stepped in my way. Again. "What do you want?" I tried not to sound as frustrated as I really was.

"Oh, well, I was just wondering if later maybe you wanted to ha-." I already knew what she had wanted, but asked her anyway. I tried not to let her down too hard.

"Sorry Lexi, but later I'm busy." I tried to go around her again and I finally made it into the elevator. I just saw the look of disappointment on her face as the doors shut and I hit the button for the 40th floor. She never gives up, that girl. The elevator started and I sighed in relief.

When I finally reached the top, I walked out and down the hall into a big room. One side was a big wall of glass, so it was always bright in here. I saw a girl with dark brown hair, just like mine, sitting at a single desk. I walked up and sat on the desk. She lifted her eyes from her computer and looked at me. My sister was a real computer whiz and she was as smart as the best of them. She works with analyzing data here at the lab and she even helped Luke Priore develop his serum for the recruits.

"Yes?" She questioned. Then she held up her hands. "Wait! Don't tell me! Ummm, is it about someone curious about our past or is it about a girl?" She never ceases to amaze me. She's the only reason I believe in twin telepathy. Even though it's sort of like a one way street type of thing. She can always read my mind, although I can't always read hers.

"Well, yes, and yes." Now it was her turn to be surprised.

"I expected the part about our past, but a girl? Really?" Then she frowned. "You better not have given in to Lexi, or I will literally go die in a hole right now." I shook my head.

"No, no. Definitely not Lexi. Have you met Alessia yet? Luke Priore's daughter?" Kairi just shook her head in confusion. But she smiled anyway.

"But what about her?" I thought about it.

"Well, I just haven't been able to get my mind off of her-."

"Ooooh! My little bro finally has his first crush." She giggled. I felt like smacking myself. I wish I didn't even tell her now, but we tell each other everything. It was just a promise that we made to each other.

"Yeah, but you know the rules. Instructors can't have an intimate connection with their students. And it's not like I said I wanted to date her anyways. You came up with that on your own."

Kairi rolled her eyes.

"You just sound like a walking rule book. Besides, you're eighteen, you should be dating somebody by now. Think about it. You've never dated anyone before. You need to start soon or it may never happen. Just as long as it's not Lexi." She gagged.

I thought about it again. She was right. When was she not?

"I think you should tell her how you feel about her. When the time's right of course. Who knows? She could end up feeling the same exact way?" She laughed and winked at me. "But, it is only her first day here. I would wait for a few weeks at least. Plus, she just went through a whole lot." I nodded my head at her.

"Yeah, maybe."

"Well, you obviously like her. I can see it in your eyes. She must be somethin'." She really is, but how I feel about her I don't know.

"I honestly don't know how I feel about her. She's just distracting if anything."

This made her mouth gather into a frown. "How could you not know? You either like someone or you don't."

"I literally just barely met her today! How am I supposed to know? I've gathered that she's really pretty and curious but that about it. Whatever, I'll let you get back to work. Thanks for the advice, sis." She waved at me as I left the room.

"Yeah, sure. Just make sure you bring her by to meet me sometime." She winked again in my direction. I playfully saluted and she giggled. Now I just need to make things right with Alessia.