By Jackson Amacher
[Earlier that day…]
At Dawson Military Academy, before graduation seniors take part in a massive wargame. What it involves, no one knows. Only that it is an honor to be picked.
There are three teams, each led by three cadets with the three highest scores on an exam. Those cadets pick the other players. Less than half the senior class is selected. Anyone who makes it through gets a silver medal on their graduation uniform. Anyone on the winning team, gets gold.
One cold morning the senior class reported to duty, as instructed, in the school’s parking lot.
They all wanted gold.
Good friends Dylan and Mark laughed and nervously chatted with each other.
“I can’t believe you didn’t make the cut for captain. So unfair,” Mark told Dylan.
“Yeah, it sucks. No prize for fourth place, though,” Dylan said.
The lists of students on each team were posted.