Interlude- Brandon by Terry Schott Read Free Book Online Page B

approached the men to welcome them. Cooper leaned forward and whispered something to the instructor, causing him to smile and nod his head.
    The five members of the Hand sat down in the chairs provided, and the chief instructor walked towards the front of the stage to begin the ceremony.
    “It’s been an exciting two weeks for all of us during these trials. I hope each one of you is  happy to be sitting here instead of back in your home Centres.” Some of the children called out in agreement. Everyone remaining was relieved to have made it through the trials. The kids who didn’t make it could try out one more time next year, but they would lose a year in the game facility and never be as skilled as the ones who had made the cut today.
    “Normal procedure during this ceremony is to call you up from rank twenty to one and give you your player pin. Before we get to that, we have a special treat for you all. We're fortunate today to have some very special guests with us. The Right Hand of the ‘A’s’ join us  to celebrate your acceptance into the facility.” Again there was more cheering and applause. This was an exciting bonus for the children that they would never forget. Word of this honour would make its way around the rest of the facility, helping to increase their reputation among the entire gaming community.
    “Before we get started, Cooper has asked to address you all. Cooper, if you would do us the honour?”
    Cooper stood up and sauntered to the front of the stage. He smiled and looked out over the students, pausing periodically to make eye contact with some of them. His eyes met Brandon’s and his grin became more sly. Brandon returned his smile and nodded slightly.
    “I still remember my entrance ceremony,” Cooper began. “The General wasn’t as busy back then as he is today, and he was our guest speaker. He didn’t stay long, or say much, but what he did say still occupies my thoughts, whether I’m out on a secret mission, or training other soldiers to fight for our country.”
    Cooper paused and the entire room seemed very quiet. “Don’t save your best effort for later, because later never arrives.”
    Cooper walked back and forth across the stage as he continued to speak. “Today there are thirty children who might have been better than all of you at playing the Games. We will never know if that’s true, because they weren’t better than you yesterday, or the day before.”  He pointed to the doorway and shook his finger. “Out there are kids who have more practice, and training, and experience than you at the games you will now learn to play, but that doesn’t matter. Any of you can beat them, on the right day, at the right moment, under the right set of conditions.
    “Some of you are afraid to be number one too soon. Some of you didn’t do your very best at each moment of competing. I know why you did it. You’re planning strategies… you’re afraid of having others come for you before you’re ready to compete with them. There are many reasons, and although I understand these reasons, I do not accept them.”
    Cooper stopped walking and looked directly at Brandon. “If you were a member of my Hand, I would kick you from my squad and send you home.” Brandon felt the force of those words as if he was being hit in the stomach. “You’re playing games to learn how to play the real game; the game of life. Life wants your best effort every second, not some of the time… all the time. If I were to do less than my best for even one moment, then my brothers or sisters could die.”
    Cooper began to move along the stage again. “Many are afraid that if they use up everything they have now, then they won’t have anything to use in the next game. I am here to tell you, kids, that you will always have more. The more you use, the more you make. I know most of you won’t believe me, but it’s true.”
    Cooper walked back to the middle of the stage and saluted the crowd. “I look