The Major smiled unconvincingly, spinning the tablet to face me. On the screen, I was clearly seen firing and reloading a semiautomatic rifle at the local range that I frequented.

“Your shooting scores indicate a high degree of hand-eye co-ordination, manual dexterity, and situational and visual awareness. All of the above, combined with genetic markers and other similar data we have on you, suggested you were a good match for the equipment.”

I was stunned. Sure the government monitored us, but that was to keep us safe. To suddenly find they used it for recruitment was revelatory, to say the least.

The footage of my shooting ended with me examining the shot grouping. The major nodded at the tablet appreciatively.

“Better shots than most of the men on this barracks. Questions of surveillance aside, I’m offering you an exceptional opportunity. We don’t have enough men like you to do the testing we need, and this is your chance to work with us – the best of us.”