The morning sun beat down on the open grounds of the military base as two long yellow school buses rumbled through the gates, their engines echoing against the steel walls. Soldiers posted at the entrance gave a wave of acknowledgment, rifles slung across their shoulders, as the buses came to a stop in a wide clearing marked for visitors.

The doors swung open, and groups of seniors and juniors spilled out, their chatter filling the air as excitement buzzed through the crowd. Some students craned their necks to take in the sight of the base—rows of vehicles parked neatly in formation, the towering obstacle courses, and the sheer number of armed personnel walking with calm authority. A few of the kids fell quiet, realizing just how different this world was from the safety of their classrooms.

Teachers stepped down next, keeping sharp eyes on their students as they gathered them into loose lines. They had been told countless times to keep the students in check, though the presence of heavily armed soldiers was enough to discourage any thought of mischief.

On the far side of the field, Price stood with a few other officers, arms crossed, scanning the arriving crowd. Laswell was nearby, clipboard in hand, checking off schedules with another base official. Behind them, a group of soldiers handled a pack of K-9s, the German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois sitting alert by their handlers’ sides, ears pricked and eyes tracking every movement.

“Alright,” a staff sergeant’s voice boomed over the crowd once everyone was gathered, “welcome to our home. You’ll be spending the day touring the base and getting your hands dirty with a few challenges we’ve set up for you. Nothing too dangerous, but it won’t be easy either. Think of it as a test of teamwork and grit.”

That announcement drew an instant reaction—some students cheered, already bouncing with eagerness to prove themselves, while others groaned, eyeing the obstacle courses warily.

The soldiers led them toward the first field where massive wooden walls, rope climbs, and balance beams stood ready. Medics lingered at the edges of the course, gear already laid out beside stretchers, prepared for anything. The presence of medical staff didn’t go unnoticed; a few students exchanged nervous glances, realizing this wasn’t just a simple field trip.

Price gave a slow nod to his team as he moved toward the group of students. His voice was steady, calm, yet commanding enough to quiet even the most excited teenagers. “You’ll learn today what discipline, focus, and teamwork mean. Some of you will find this easy, others won’t. Doesn’t matter. What matters is how you handle it.”

The students listened, some with wide eyes, others with determined looks. Behind them, soldiers began preparing the first challenge demonstration, while the teachers whispered among themselves, grateful that the military had everything under control.