Desert Dark Read Online Free PDF Page B

informing you of the rules. All right?”
    Nadia nodded, rubbing her arm where the blood pressure cuff had been.
    â€œWe have carefully prepared a program of study designed to fast-track the best and brightest our nation has to offer. As such, at Desert Mountain we take security very seriously. Our specialized curriculum is geared toward a career in intelligence. Do you understand what that means?”
    â€œI’m not sure.”
    â€œWe are the preliminary training school for a very specific branch of the Central Intelligence Agency. If you graduate, you will be invited to join.”
    â€œI’m sorry . . . I’ll be invited to join the CIA?”
    â€œA branch of the CIA. Our program stresses both mental and physical development because we train recruits for one purpose: to serve in the CIA’s Black-Ops Division. The division is off-books; it’s not subject to Congressional oversight. This gives us the freedomto perform vital, high-risk missions with complete anonymity—it is absolutely the most critical arm of our nation’s intelligence force. However, everyone who works Black-Ops—field agents, communications specialists, tech staff, medics—must be in top physical form. Any one of these assets may, at a moment’s notice, be forced to evacuate their location, assist with a high-target extraction or fight for their lives and the lives of their fellow officers.”
    Nadia nodded along. “You’re telling me I’ve been recruited as a spy?”
    â€œDon’t get ahead of yourself: you’ve been recruited as a trainee. As I was saying, your workouts may feel excessive, but the instruction we provide serves a purpose. Your physical reactions will become so ingrained in your muscle memory that you will react to a threat before your conscious mind realizes you’re in danger.”
    Nadia smiled involuntarily. “No kidding?”
The CIA!
    Dr. Cameron smiled back. “No kidding. Whether or not you remain in this field is entirely your decision, but in the meantime, we do have specific protocol. You are not to discuss the curriculum with anyone outside of our community. Not your parents, not your friends, not the waiter at your favorite restaurant. If you do, the Patriot Act enables the government to take you into custody. You will be held as a suspected terrorist indefinitely and without formal charges.”
    â€œNo problem,” she said.
This is so cool. I’m gonna be a spy!
    â€œI’m sorry to put this on you all at once. We prefer to familiarize the juniors with our program slowly, but as a transfer student you don’t have that luxury.”
    â€œI understand.” Nadia tried to suppress her smile.
Grinning like a lunatic at the psychiatrist might not be the best way to start my career
.
    He handed her a sealed plastic bag. “Please use the swab on your inner cheek. I also need a tiny sample of your hair. A half-inch from the end will do nicely.”
    Nadia swiped her gum line and placed the swab in the included vial. Dr. Cameron helped her with the fingerprint kit, then gave her a wet-wipe to clean her hands.
    â€œThere is one other thing I need to tell you about.” Dr. Cameron hesitated. “The recruiter may have downplayed what you’ve missed.”
    Nadia shook her head. “I don’t follow.”
    â€œYour cohorts arrived in June. While it’s true classes have just formally begun, our new recruits trained all summer. In addition to extensive physical instruction, they were required to complete an exhaustive list of prerequisite reading. As a result, they’ve started with a strong background in the coursework. Mr. Sloan wouldn’t have chosen you if he felt this was a problem, so rest assured, you can catch up. But it will be challenging. Do you have any questions?”
    Nadia took a deep breath. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
    Dr. Cameron smiled.