If we hadn't known for ascientific fact that the earth simply can't stop moving, we all would havesworn it had just happened.

"Welcome to CovertOperations. I'm Joe Solomon. I've never taught before, but I've been doing thisstuff for eighteen years, and I'm still breathing, so that means I know whatI'm talking about. This is not going to be like your otherclasses."

My stomach growled, and Liz,who had opted for a full breakfast and a ponytail, said, "Shhh," asif I could make it stop.

"Ladies, I'm going to getyou ready for what goes on." He paused and pointed upward. "Outthere. It's not for everyone, and that's why I'm going to make this hard onyou. Damn hard. Impress me, and next year those elevators might take you onefloor lower. But if I have even the slightest suspicion that you are not supremelygifted in the area of fieldwork, then I'm going to save your life right now andput you on the Operations and Research track."

He stood and placed his handsin his pockets. "Everyone starts in this business looking for adventure,but I don't care what your fantasies look like, ladies. If you can't get outfrom behindthose desks and show me something other than book smarts, then none of you willever see Sublevel Two."

Out of the corner of my eye, Isaw Mick Morrison following his every word, almost salivating at the sound ofit, because Mick had been wanting to hurt someone for years. Unsurprisingly,her beefy hand flew into the air. "Does that mean you'll be teaching usfirearms, sir?" she shouted as if a drill sergeant might make her drop anddo push-ups.

But Mr. Solomon only walkedaround the desk and said, "In this business, if you need a gun, then it'sprobably too late for one to do any good." Some of the air seemed to goout of Mick's well-toned body. "But on the bright side," he told her,"maybe they'll bury you with it—that'sassuming you get to be buried."

My skin burned red. Tearsfilled my eyes. Before I even knew what was happening, my throat was so tight Icould barely breathe as Joe Solomon stared at me. Then, as soon as my eyeslocked with his, he glanced away.