Whether you are a Field Marshall or a street sweeper, or college student you will take the "Sorting Test". That isn't its official name, that being "The Imperial Standards and entrance examination" Most citizens take the test at the end of their 12th year of education. Its required to have to apply to advanced education, military, civil service, or other government position, it is also used to selection to the various academies of military and science. In most ways it is used to help the citizen decide what field they wish to enter as it is a very good measure as to what a person is suited for. The test isn't really a pass fail sort of test but it does assist in averting bad decisions of people who dream of being something when they do not have the ability. Foal Shannon alone waits in the waiting area of the imperial military center. She arrived with some 100 others from the surrounding system. With her were people that wanted to be officers or marines, or the Army. Everyone was sure that they would get into something to their liking, even if it was the regional military. Foal wasn't so sure but she was hopeful. For the last 19 years of her life had been filled with anger and suffering. Her mother just disappeared one day when she was 8. Child services took her away from the father when he tried to sell her for drugs. Her parents, even when they were there where always drunk or stoned and used her for government benefits. Child services tried to place her into loving homes but she was far to angry and rebellious and dangerous to remain in one. She eventually was sent to Evangeline house, an orphanage run by the ancient Jesuit Catholics. Even then she was just about unreachable and at the age of 14 she still could not read or write. But one of the staff, a brother Hallorane, found a way. He taught her boxing and a variant of mixed marshal arts as a way to harness her anger and give her a way to deal with frustration. He was able to learn she had dyslexia and helped her to read and write and do sums. By the time she was 16 she had managed to complete what would compare to elementary school. It had been only a month that she completed what passed for high school. But since 16 she wanted to join the military. She felt it would give her the discipline and a chance to resurrect the tatters of a destroyed youth. Foal stood by the railing waiting for her name to be called back. She watched as one by one all those that were with her get called back and then return to pick up their bags and leave for a transport to the service they had gotten. Even the ones in prison clothes, given the choice serve or serve time had long since gone. It wasn't until she saw the janitor come out and start cleaning up before she wondered her fate.