“Why men and women?”
General Franco smiled. “Wolves mate for life, as you well know. All these volunteers are unmarried, with no children. We’re hoping they will bond as wolves, making then a more cohesive unit.”
Nora nodded. “Eventually, an alpha pair will emerge.”
“We’re hoping you’d pick them out.”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t work that way. They’ll become dominant on their own. Human qualifications won’t matter.”
The General grimaced. “Understood.” He flipped a switch in the room. “Ten-SHUN!” His voice blared through the speaker in the room; every volunteer snapped to attention.
“Report to the training field at once!”
“SIR, YES, SIR!” They marched double-file toward a wide expanse of land, part outdoor gymnasium and part open ground. Nora and the General made their way to an observation post.
For the next several hours, drill instructors pushed the volunteers to their physical and mental limits, while Nora and the General observed and compared thoughts and notes.
The tests finally ended near sunset. Nora began feeling the impending change as the rise of the full moon loomed closer.
“Well?” General Franco said evenly. “Who will you select for the squad?”
Sun May 12 17:49:27 2002