Natesh asked, “Does my code work on that door?”

“No.” Replied Lena.

“What’s back there?”

“My living quarters.”

“You need a digital lock on your living quarters?”

She frowned. “We had better head to class.”

They rose and walked outside, Lena shutting the door as they left. Once again they walked next to each other on the gravel path. This time they headed to the second largest of the buildings, the Classroom.

The Classroom sat atop a small hill, which overlooked the runway on one side. A pristine beach of dark grey sand lay just outside its walls on the other. Breaking waves intermingled with the sounds of island gulls hovering overhead.

It was almost eight a.m. Natesh just had to get through this presentation. Then he would have the momentum to get through this first day. Then he would get through the first week. And then...Well, there was a lot of change ahead. Natesh tried not to think of how important his part might be.

As if she could hear his thoughts, Lena said, “Just breathe. We briefed them yesterday on the big picture. They understand what’s at stake here. Remember that. Everyone here wants to help defend the United States. You are a talented man. And our country needs you.” She put her hand on the muscle between his neck and shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I know you’re absorbing a lot right now. We all are. But you need to relax, Natesh. All of this will work out.”

They stood outside the double glass doors of the Classroom building.

“Thanks,” he replied. There was nothing like a few choice words from an attractive woman to prop up the ego of a doubting man. What’s more, Lena seemed to have a gift for handling people.

Moments later, Natesh stood on the auditorium stage, studying the faces in his audience. His nerves calmed as he shifted into business mode. About half of the seats were filled. The others were funneling in. Most people sipped steaming coffee from Styrofoam cups.

The loud drone of aircraft engines caused most people to look out expansive windows. A large multi-engine propeller plane rolled down the runway. Every other day, that plane was supposed to be bringing in supplies from who knows where. Lena and the Major had told them about it last night during their indoctrination. This was the first drop-off.

They had been told about all of the buildings on the island. They were told where to go to get food and to wash their clothes. There was very little infrastructure. Only a handful of Asian maids and cooks lived in back of the cafeteria. None spoke English, not that it mattered. The Major had warned against speaking with them. They were cleared to work here, but no conversations were to go on within earshot of any of them. There were strict security rules to follow. Lena had explained the rules clearly. Don’t go outside the boundaries of the base fence. It circled the runway and the buildings, but split the island in half, with nothing but mountainous jungle on the other side. Don’t communicate off the island. Natesh wasn’t sure how anyone could have pulled that off anyway. It wasn’t like they had a satellite phone. Lena told them that if anyone had any problems, medical or otherwise, they were to see her as soon as possible. No one had raised any concerns.