The Coding Call

Chapter 12

  Andrew was shaken awake by the meaty hands of a guard. "Get up you lazy slug!" The guard violently yelled. Andrew groggily lifted from the bed and released himself from the grasp of the guard. "Leave me alone, I know what to do." Andrew responded. The guard lifted his hand in a flash and smacked Andrew across the face with the back of his hand. "Watch that attitude boy." The guard angrily told Andrew. The guard lifted himself from the bed and made for the door. He glanced back at Andrew, who was still rubbing his face from the slap. "You have 10 minutes to get ready." The guard muttered. The door slammed. 

  Andrew sped from his bed and picked up the neat black clothing. He slipped on the shirt over his head and changed his pants. He had no time for a shower or a proper wash. He was going to show up looking like a monster. He didn't want to learn what would happen if he was late. Especially on his first day. After Andrew slipped on his clothes he sped out the door. He shuffled out into the hallway. Stress made its way in his body. Every step speeding slightly, until he reached in all out sprint. Andrew's feet slid on the ground as he sprinted at a fast speed through the hallway, cursing under his breath. His cheek stung from the strike of that guard. I'm a mess Andrew thought to himself. 

  After a couple of minutes of sprinting Andrew reached the large computer room. He stopped and heaved. After catching his breath he realized that the door couldn't open manually. Maxwell had swiped at the panel next to the door to open. Now what? Andrew peered behind him to see if he could find help. No one. The hallway was empty. Andrew curiously swiped at the panel near the door. The panel lit green and the door slid open. How did he get my finger print? Andrew wondered. Yet there were many things Andrew was wondering about. Everything at this point was confusing to him. Nothing makes sense anymore. You follow rules or you get punished. 

  Andrew walked into the large computer room. A couple of people were already there. Staring off into space. Not everyone was there Andrew realized. He made his way next to Chase. "Hey." Andrew said. Chase looked back and said nothing. Andrew pulled his chair back and seated himself in front of the large computer. Dang what computer is this? Andrew wondered. The computer was very flat and slick. He had never seen anything like it. Andrew skimmed the computer to look for a brand or company name. Nothing. "What are you looking for Lawrence?" Chase asked Andrew. "My names Andrew not Lawrence, and I'm looking for a brand on this computer." Andrew replied with his eyes still skimming the screen. "I already checked. It's weird that nothing here is branded. It seems as if they make everything themselves." Chase said. "That's crazy!" Andrew exclaimed as he gave up searching the computer. "Isn't it all crazy." Chase started "I just want to get the hell out of this place man!" Chase started yelling. Then he broke out in tears and laid his head on the table. Everyone in the computer room looked over. "Hey, it's going to be okay. They won't hurt us. We'll be safe!" Andrew said to Chase. Although he wasn't sure if what he said was true. 

  Behind them the door slid open and in walked Maxwell along with a very tall man with brown eyes and hair. "Good morning everyone!" Maxwell yelled out. No one replied. The room was filled with silence. Beside Andrew Chase sniffled. "Today is your first day of training and by the looks of it some people haven't decided to show up." Maxwell angrily added. Andrew noticed that Todd and Lawrence were missing along with some other people he didn't know. "Okay so lets get started shall we?" Maxwell made his way toward the front of the computer room with the tall man following. Maxwell turned and faced the group. He pointed his hand toward the tall man. "This is Miles. He will be conducting your training until you all can work for yourselves." Maxwell announced. A sort of relief rained over Andrew. Just knowing that this maniac wasn't going to be training them made Andrew feel a lot better.

  "Lets be real here guys." Maxwell started. "You are all horrified out of your minds! Not to mention you must be confused over many things. But I promise you, after today you will have no questions." Maxwell assured. Then with the press of a button from a small remote in his hands, the main screen flashed on. It flashed to a bunch of statistics and schematics. Andrew recognized the stock market on the right hand of the screen, but besides all that the rest made no sense to him. "This screen right here is going to be your friend." Maxwell announced. "It will show you the impact of your work. You may not fully understand everything on this screen, but just know that this is live. Everything you do here has an outcome." Without thinking Andrew called out. "What exactly are we doing." Andrew yelled to Maxwell. Maxwell smiled. "Curious aren't you child? What is your name." Andrew froze in his chair. "A- Andrew sir." Maxwell walked over in front of Andrew's computer. "Well Andrew, we are changing the world. Making it a better place. How does that sound to you?" Maxwell asked. Andrew stiffened out and felt the gaze of the others on him. Trembling with fear Andrew asked, "Is this a government thing?" Maxwell slammed his fist onto the desk in sheer anger. Andrew and Chase both nearly hopped out of their chairs. "The government is what is ruining this country!" Maxwell yelled out. He calmed down and took a deep breath. He then shuffled away from Andrew and went back to the center of the room. 

  "I picked you all because you have talent." Maxwell started. "You know how to use a computer better than most adults in the real world. You will be applying these talents to make a change." Maxwell continued. "Keep in mind throughout your training. You will be preforming some tasks that may seem illegal to you. But I assure you that what we do here is for the greater good. It will make a difference in the world in a positive way. We will fix so many lives!" Maxwell took a deep breath. "This country is corrupt. We will fix the banks, help those in financial need, and simply alter the foundation on which our government heavily relies on." Maxwell glanced at the confused faces in the crowd. "Do not let me down." He muttered under his breath. Then he walked out of the room, leaving them with Miles. Miles walked forward and cleared his throat. "Alright everybody please flick the power switch on the side of the screen and lets get started."