Read Online C.O.T.V.H. (Book 2): Judgment by Dustin J. Palmer - Free Book Online Page B

be no repercussions; no one will think less of you.”  He grew quiet as everyone glanced around the room.
    “Last chance guys,” Ben added, “Mr. Hernandez isn’t kidding.  A lot more is at stake than just your life.  If things go badly, there’s a very good possibility you could end up as one of the enemy.”
    Again Jake glanced around the room, he saw Buck roll his eyes.  Diana squinted angrily when he looked at her.  Chris looked especially nervous, but no one spoke up.
    Hernandez nodded then began walking around the room.  “Over the next two to three years you will commit entirely to your training.  This will be your life.  During that time, you will learn everything from unarmed combat, firearms, explosives, breeching techniques, vampire lore and history, to survival tactics.  You will receive training equivalent to and in some ways greater than what Marines, Navy Seals, and Green Berets go through.  You will be pushed to your physical and mental limits in ways you can’t yet imagine.  However, let it be clear you are not soldiers. You are Hunters and you will be trained as such.  That is why along with your military training various Hunters will be there to help show you the ropes.
    “At the end of May you will take a break but will return again in August.  Ten months out of the year, six days a week you will be here, training.  Until your trainers say you are ready.  If you survive, you will hunt your first hunt.  Now, knowing all of this there is something I need each of you to understand.  We are not going to win this war.  Do you understand what that means?”  He looked around the room making eye contact with Jake.  “Let me say it again.  We are not going to win this war.”
    “Then why do we fight?” Chris asked, “if there is no chance for us to win.”
    “I said we wouldn’t win.  I didn’t say that victory wasn’t possible.”
    “But . . .” Chris started to say.
    “Let me explain.  As far as we know, most Makers live to be hundreds if not thousands of years old.  So, odds are that the war will be won far, far into the future.  Our grandchildren’s grandchildren will most likely be fighting these same monstrosities.  However, until that day we will do what we can to help the cause.  So as I said, we will not be the victors.  Therefore, if you have any grand dreams of singlehandedly ending the War, I want you to put those thoughts out of your head.  We don’t need heroes.  We need Hunters.”  He clasped his hands in front of him, “any questions?”
    “What about education?” Amber asked.  “We can’t survive on military tactics alone, and you aren’t leaving any time for us to attend school.”
    “I’m working on that as we speak,” Ben answered.  “We had a tutor all lined up for you guys but it didn’t work out.  It’s hard to find someone that fits the right profile.  You have to remember, anyone that joins this operation has to qualify for top-secret clearance.  We can’t just grab some teacher off the street and say ‘Hey!  The world is full of vampires!  Want to come teach our kids?’”
    Amber smiled, “Well if anyone can find one I know you can Uncle Ben.”
    “When do we get to see our first vampires?” Buck blurted out.  “I don’t need any damn teachers teaching me science and math and other crap I won’t need.  I just need to know how and when to hunt.”
    “Don’t be in such a rush tough guy,” John said, “Vampires aren’t something to take lightly.  They’ve killed six Hunters this year alone.  If you don’t take them seriously they will rip you to shreds.”
    "But Buck's already killed a vampire," Donnie said, sarcastically.  "Isn't that right big man?"
    "Man shut up!" Buck yelled, rising to his feet.  “I'll kick your ass right now!"
    "Shut up both of you!" Wes Turner said, rising to his feet and slapping Buck in the back of the head.  "You have no idea of what you are about to face!  You will