Chapter 8: recruitment

Derek walked down the quiet street, shadows stretching along the walls. He had just finished his night patrol. The city felt different tonight. He felt it in his chest. Something was coming.

Then, headlights split the darkness. A black SUV slowed beside him. The door opened, and two sharply dressed agents stepped out. Derek’s hand instinctively went to his katana.

“Derek Thunder?” one of them asked, voice calm but commanding.

“That’s me,” Derek said, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m Agent Voss,” the taller one introduced himself. “This is Agent Lira. We’re here on behalf of the government.”

Derek blinked. Government? He wasn’t used to invitations like this. Usually, it was threats. Usually, it was chaos.

“We’ve been monitoring your… extracurricular activities,” Voss said carefully. “Your record. Your abilities. Your efficiency.”

Derek frowned. “Extracurricular? You mean hunting criminals at night?”

“Yes,” Lira said, smirking slightly. “We call it extracurricular.”

Derek’s lips twitched. “And why exactly does the government care about that?”

“Because,” Voss said, “there’s a program. A school for gifted teens. Special training. Controlled environment. We think you belong there.”

“Training?” Derek scoffed. “I don’t need training. I know what I can do.”

Lira smiled. “We’re not here to teach you basics. We want to give you resources, connections, and challenges. Real challenges.”

Derek crossed his arms. “Like what? Fighting school bullies?”

Voss laughed. “Much bigger than that. Threats you can’t even imagine yet. Threats that could endanger the whole world if they go unchecked.”

Derek tilted his head. “World-ending threats? Sounds dramatic.”

“It is,” Lira said flatly. “And we think you’re the type to handle it.”

Derek paused. He wasn’t used to being complimented for what he did. Mostly, he got criticism. Mostly, he got people telling him he’d fail.

Voss handed him a card. “The program is called Meridian Academy. It’s discreet. No one outside knows. Students are chosen for unique skills: intelligence, combat, strategy, and adaptability. You fit all categories.”

Derek turned the card over in his hand. The logo was simple: a silver triangle with a rising sun inside.

Lira leaned closer. “You’ll receive housing, mentors, and access to technologies most people only dream of. But it’s demanding. We don’t take failures lightly.”

Derek smirked. “Sounds like my life already.”

Voss raised an eyebrow. “Exactly. That’s why we want you. You thrive under pressure.”

Derek studied them. Agents didn’t usually give him options. Usually, they just came at him with guns or threats. These two… they weren’t like that.

“So,” Derek said finally, “what happens if I say yes?”

“You get recruited immediately,” Voss said. “Orientation in two weeks. Boarding on campus. Intensive training. You’ll be with teens like yourself. Highly capable. Highly motivated. Highly dangerous if underestimated.”

Derek grinned. “Teens like me, huh? Sounds interesting.”

“Of course,” Lira said, folding her arms. “But if you decline… well…” She let the words hang. Threats were unnecessary. Derek understood the stakes.

He pocketed the card. “I’ll think about it.”

Voss nodded. “Fair. But don’t take too long. Opportunities like this don’t come twice.”

The SUV’s doors closed, and the vehicle vanished into the night. Derek stood alone again. The city was silent, except for the distant hum of traffic.

“Meridian Academy,” he muttered to himself. “Gifted teens. Special training. Real challenges.” He smiled. “Guess I’m officially signed up for trouble.”

He walked home, katana slung across his back. The night felt heavier now. Exciting. Dangerous. The way he liked it.

At home, his mom greeted him at the door. “Late again?” she asked.

“Just a walk,” Derek said casually. He didn’t mention the agents. Not yet. Some things were better left unsaid.

Dinner was quiet. Derek’s mind drifted to the card in his pocket. Meridian Academy. Gifted teens. Real challenges. He could feel a thrill in his chest.

After cleaning up, he retreated to his room. Pulling out the card, he studied it under the dim light. “So this is the next step,” he whispered. “The next test. Let’s see if they can handle me.”

And for the first time in a long while, Derek Thunder felt something he hadn’t felt in years: anticipation.