Project Sigma

Chapter 19 - New Alpha Commands and Sit in Gammas

"Who are you?" Max questioned, raising his eyebrows. The blonde stepped forward and the two shook hands, the grip firm.

"I'm going to be your new Alpha. Name's Chet." The blonde said kindly, a smile brightening his face. Max looked over at the other man, surprised to see he was already staring back at him. Max jumped in surprise, his eyes widening. The man's gaze made his shiver with discomfort.

"I'm Tyler..." the man murmured, offering a slight wave. Max returned it though he could feel the unease inside him. Max continued to watch Tyler, seeing him continue to nervously switch from foot to foot. He looked as if he were going to turn and run at any moment. Max was about to ask him something when someone came onto the intercom.

"Please get into your Groups and orderly enter the appointed training arenas. Your orders are as follows: Groups 1 through 5 on the second floor. Groups 6 through 10 on the first floor..." The announcer continued to ramble but Max cut him out, nodding good-bye to Mathew and following Chet to where Axis was gathering the rest of the Group. To Max's surprise Tyler was still with them and from the looks of it he was going to be the fill in for Taylor.

Axis silently led the Group toward the entrance of the training area, standing silently at attention. Chet took his place behind him with the two Gamma's flanking them. Max and Tempest took up the back, looking straight ahead with their hands behind their backs. The other Groups stood beside them, rowdily fooling around. Yet Max's Group remained still, not moving unless Axis or Chet gave them the order to. Max had a feeling Axis would be pissed if anyone were to break rank so soon.

"I need Beta's and Alpha's to remain where they are. Everyone else, please step into the arena and await orders. You will be receiving your gear within the next few minutes." A voice called over the noise and Axis and Chet broke from the Group. When the steel doors opened in front of everyone, Max tensed. Alexandra glanced over her shoulder, nodding her head for them all to follow. As one the Group stepped into the arena.

As soon as Max stepped into the arena overwhelming heat flowed over his body. He winced, his still stinging sunburns feeling the heat coming from above. In front of him was a large wasteland. To the left in the distance was what looked like an oasis and to the right, nothing but dry, cracked ground. Max looked up, the fake sky looking so real. The heat was unbearable and he winced, already feeling sweat beginning to form on his forehead.

Alexandra stopped, turning around to face the Group. Tyler looked down at the ground, lifting up one of his feet to look at his socks. They were already beginning to wear through and from the looks of it; he was feeling it in the bottom of his feet. Max winced again, it was probably painful. His eyes widened when Tyler just sighed, rolling down his sleeves and grabbing hold of the cuff. He tore a large piece of fabric from his sleeve before kneeling down and wrapping it around one of his feet. He then proceeded to do the same thing with the other foot, carefully tying the fabric tightly to make sure that they didn't come untied.

"Do you not have shoes?" Max found himself asking, raising his eyebrows. Tyler jumped, looking up at him in surprise.

"I don't like shoes. I can run faster without them..." Tyler murmured, looking down at his tightly wrapped feet. Max just nodded, keeping his mouth shut.

"If he can keep up with me, then I won't question it." Alexandra laughed, grinning over at Tyler. He blushed, grabbing his dog tag and beginning to turn it over in his fingers.

"I need everyone to grab an ear piece before we begin." The instructor ordered, a backpack in his hands. Max raised his eyebrows, reaching down to grab the one still in his pocket but stopped when Tempest smacked his hand away, subtly shaking his head. Max opened his mouth to question the Sigma but he was already grabbing two ear pieces, tossing one to Max. He caught it with ease, slipping it into his ear and pressing a series of buttons on the side. Each Group had a code for ear pieces, usually four digits. When they went into training, they put in the code and instantly everyone was connected once again.