Disruption by Steven Whibley Page A

there’s something you feel you must change, let me know now and I’ll see what I can do.”
    I glanced at the page. The title read CT/SERE and was followed by Archery, Swimming, Orienteering, Basic Self-Defense, and Arts and Crafts.
    Those were not the activities I had expected to see. Not after what I’d already experienced and not after what Rob, Alexis, and Duncan had told me earlier. I half expected the first learning module to be something like How to Treat a Gunshot Wound or Body Disposal 101 . One second I’m getting blown up and Rylee’s telling me we have psychopaths on our team, and then next, I’m getting a schedule of events that looks like it was plucked from The Parent Trap .
    “You look confused,” Clakk said. “Is something wrong with the schedule?”
    I shook my head. The only thing I knew was that Camp Friendship was not what it seemed. Which meant my list of activities was likely not what it seemed. Honestly, at that point, my head hurt from trying to keep things straight. Even if I’d wanted something changed on my schedule, it’s not like I’d have known what to ask for.
    I shook my head. “No. It sounds good.”
    Clakk raised an eyebrow and then shrugged. “Good, because as I said, it’s not like I could change a lot anyway. This year Deltas are required to take Crucible Training. Believe it or not, Ingleton is leading that section.”
    Rylee gasped. “Robert Ingleton?”
    Clakk nodded. “Deltas only, Rylee.”
    Whatever CrucibleTraining was, Rylee really wanted to be part of it. Or maybe this Ingleton guy was just young and super good-looking and Rylee really wanted to meet him.
    Clakk turned back to me. “You did remarkably well with the preliminary challenge. Just keep up with it and you’ll be—” She stopped abruptly and pressed her finger to her ear. A moment later she checked her watch and said, “I’m on my way.” She dropped her hands and turned back to us. “I’ll finalize these training modules and bring you all your schedules at dinner.” She tapped her watch. “Five sharp. Don’t be late. Oh, and remember, Matt, Crucible Training modules can start anytime, so be prepared.” She bit her lip. “ Always be prepared.”
    “I think she had one of those ear-bud communication thingies the secret service uses,” I said after Clakk left the cabin.
    Everyone looked at me like I’d just pointed at the floor and said, “Lookie, a floor.”
    I wiped my palms on my jeans and cleared my throat. “So, anyone done this CT/SERE stuff before? I can’t remember what those letters even mean.”
    Rylee narrowed her eyes and stared skeptically at me. “They stand for Crucible Training/Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape.” She waited for me to say something, and when I didn’t, she added, “Since Robert Ingleton is leading your training, you can be sure it will be brief but focused. It’s not like he has time to hang out at a camp for three weeks.”
    I had no idea what she was talking about, and I didn’t want to sound dumber than I already had. So rather than ask another question I said, “Well, at least Ms. Clakk seemed nice. I’ve had friends go to camp and they’ve had evil counselors who made their lives miserable.” That wasn’t true, but I felt I had to say something, and that lie just sort of fell out of my mouth. The truth was, Ms. Clakk wasn’t at all what I expected. Every friend I’ve ever had who went to a camp always came back with stories about how their camp counselor was the lamest person they’d ever met. That’s how it was with regular camps. I mean, just imagine what kind of person has to sign up to be a camp counselor.
    “I’ve heard of her,” Amara said. “She ran a few operations in Turkey. Nice is not a term I’d use to describe her.”
    “Turkey?” Juno said. “Was she working for the Agency, or are you saying she’s—”
    “I’m not saying anything other than what I said,” Amara cut in.
    Juno nodded and looked