The Grim Reaper knew he had his job cut out for him. He sat on a bench in what appeared to be a combination locker room and exercise area. It was empty and quiet, except for him. His was a hard life, as was his first life on Earth. The Caretakers had seen he had a talent for combat. When he crossed-over, he had been inducted to the ranks of the Hoplite - those who fought in this world's version of gladiatorial games. Where some had perished on the blood-soaked surface of the game grid, he had thrived and succeeded. His record of kills was unmatched and he had earned the masters many credits.
When you looked closely at his muscular blue form, one could see a vast road map of scars. Some large and long, while others were slight. These were the reminders he had of a life of battle. Now it seemed, the Caretakers had other plans. New groups of Hoplites were being formed and trainers were needed, so they wouldn't get killed in their first taste of the games.
Athurius had met him on the way to the barracks this morning. It was not surprising the see the imposing Caretaker walking among his servants. He was very gregarious for an alien, but he could also be very stern. Obviously, his lover had gotten some news as well during the night. Thralls had delivered an unconscious Prize to the room next to theirs. When she had awakened this morning, she had interrupted a passionate moment. He wanted to continue until he climaxed, but being Russian he knew Svetlana could be forceful at times and told him to stop, so she could tend to the new arrival. That new arrival had been quite fetching! He caught a glimpse of her statuesque form as he headed to the shower.
He tore his thoughts from the lovely new arrival and returned to the matter currently in his hands. It was a data pad that Arturius had given him. On the screen were a list of six men and four women. He chuckled to himself when he thought, "There will enough boys to go around for Hoplite massages. It ought to keep the girls happy and the boys suitably entertained." Remembering the many danties he had sampled in the showers, locker rooms and bunk areas during his long career.
He scrolled through the names and glanced at their records:
•Jorge Hernandez, 24, Law Enforcement - Special Weapons and Tactics
•Dennis Foster, 25, US Army Captain
•Thomas Mitchell, 27, Construction Worker
•Patricia Adams, 28, Law Enforcement - Patrol Officer
•Cynthia Matthews, 30, Mechanical Engineer
•Bruce White, 32, Heavy Equipment Operator
•Vincent Lange, 32, Law Enforcement - Detective
•Michael Peterson, 34, US Navy - Petty Officer
•Bethany Richards, 36, Flight Attendant
•Dana Erickson, 42, Flight Attendant
"Quite a spread of ages," he thought. Flipping through their profiles, he checked-out their before crossing and after crossing photographs and memorized their features, so he could recognize them. He then examined their experiences and saw that they all had combat training in one form or another - from weapons to hand-to-hand. If would have them up to fighting par in no time.
Previously, he had been a fighter and it was obvious he thought, "Arturius wants to now cultivate my leadership." Well, it looked like several of these shit bags had seen the elephant before and experienced some hard training. Let's see if they could survive Hoplite training. He had trained troops before. As he set the pad down and got down to the business of training himself he concluded, "I'm going to do the old mates in the Irish Brigade AND Colonel Meagher proud. Yes indeed!"
- - - -
As they walked through 'Central Park' as Erin thought of it, she peppered Svetlana with questions. With each one Svetlana, would say, "All will be revealed in due time, Erin. Be patient." After the 15th time Erin called out her name and pointed at something of interest to her, she said, "Erin, you may call me Lana. All my friends do. Svetlana is too formal."
Erin nodded and said okay and launched into, "Lana, Lana what's that?"
All Lana could do was shake her head and say under her breath, "Boishi Moi."
Soon it was apparent to Erin, Lana wouldn't answer anything so she just walked looking at everything. She also noticed that people were looking at them - her in particular - as they walked. Erin said to Lana conspiratorially, "Why is everyone looking at me?"
"It is because you are obviously beautiful or ..." Lana trailed off in her sultry Russian English.
"Or what?" Erin replied. She continued by saying, "I think it's obvious to you that EVERYONE here is beautiful. Hell, anyone one of us could be Miss or Mr. Universe. It's has to be something else."
"it is," Lana replied, "You are something very special AND you will find out very soon what that is." Holding up a hand and pointing to the right.
Across an open glade in the park, a large glass fronted building stood. It reminded Erin of an auditorium. Many blue-skinned people were entering through several doors that stood open. They began walking in that direction to join the crowd. She turned to Lana and said, "Will we see Brad and my mom?"
Lana replied, "We shall see."