30. Confrontation
Drake surveyed the group of youngsters lolling about, yawning. They were an undisciplined lot, the result of parents who pandered to their every whim. This did not surprise him — a miracle had spared their lives and answered the prayers of loving families. Gina had been that miracle, though in the end, there were no miracles left to save her. She had died, so that others could live.
Such thoughts clouded his vision. He pushed them aside. It was not the fault of those standing before him.
Drake looked at each of them briefly as he asked, “Do any of you know how to form rank?”
The blank looks on their faces was answer enough, not that Drake was going to stick to form quite so strictly. For now, he only wanted them to be able to form up quickly.
“Alice, to the front,” D
