The training pool's water churned, its surface broken by the violent thrashing and diving of recruits fighting to pass.
Overhead, the sun beat down mercilessly, its glare reflecting off the water in blinding flashes.
Instructor Bear stood at the edge, arms crossed, his shadow stretching long over the recruits struggling below. His voice cut through...
"Your task today is tying knots, specifically underwater knots, bowline, clove hitch, and square knots. You don't come up until your assigned instructor says so. And if you think this is hard, wait until you're doing it with bullets flying over your head."
Neville felt his stomach tighten as he waded into the water. He wasn't that bad at swimming but diving into water was different. It was unpredictable, and suffocating. His breaths came in short, sharp gasps as he submerged himself, the cold shock of the pool closing over his head.
