They waited ten minutes. The minibus was out of sight when Woody turned to them all. He seemed to be trying to decide who should be the first to leave. Eventually his eyes landed on Sami. ‘You first, mate,’ he said. ‘Let’s get you sorted.’

He led Sami to one of the packs and helped him put it on. He slung the weapon across Sami’s chest. Sami looked like he might collapse under the weight.

‘You okay, buddy?’ Woody asked.

Sami nodded unconvincingly.

‘Then go.’ Woody gave him an encouraging slap on the shoulder. Sami glanced at the others, gave Max a quick smile, then ran.

It took five minutes for Sami to disappear from view. Meanwhile, Woody selected Ash and told him to prepare himself. By the time ten minutes were up, Ash was loaded down and ready to go. He followed Sami at a decent pace.

Abby went next. She was obviously stronger than she looked. The weight of the rucksack didn’t seem to bother her as much as it had the others. When Woody announced that Jack would be next, Lukas hissed slightly between his teeth. It was clear that he didn’t want to be left alone with Max. Max saw Jack wince a little as he put on the rucksack. When Woody asked him if he was okay, he brushed the Watcher away with a curt, ‘I’m fine.’ They could all see, however, that he was limping a little as he followed Abby, who had disappeared after a few minutes.

Woody turned to them. Max was crouching, watching Jack go. Lukas had his back turned to them. ‘You two,’ Woody said, ‘I want a word.’

Lukas turned slowly. Max stood up. There was something in Woody’s voice. Until now, he had been chirpy and encouraging. Now he sounded deadly serious. ‘You think this is a game?’ he said.

Silence.

‘I said, do you think this is a game?’

‘No,’ they said in unison.

‘What do you think is the most important quality in a Special Forces Cadet?’ he asked. ‘Fitness? Endurance? Sharp shooting?’

Lukas shrugged.

Max said, ‘I don’t know.’

‘Then I’ll tell you. It’s the ability to look out for your mates. We’re not messing around here. The five recruits who make it through today will be put into situations of unimaginable danger. If they’re unable to work as a team, their operations will probably fail and they’ll likely die.’

Silence.

Woody looked from one to the other. ‘Do you think you can work as a team? Well, do you?’

‘Yeah,’ Max said. ‘I think so.’

Lukas nodded. But he failed to look either of them in the eye. Woody surveyed them both. He didn’t look as if he believed them. ‘Lukas,’ he said, ‘you’re next. Let’s get you prepped.’