The Recruit

"The Recruit" by Bryce Walton is a science fiction story capturing the journey of Wayne Seton, a restless teenager eager to escape his ordinary life and prove himself through military service. Yearning for excitement, Wayne views his draft call as an opportunity for adventure and a pathway to manhood but discovers a darker reality when he's tasked with eliminating individuals considered threats by the state. Assigned to kill a dangerous psychopath and a young woman marked by tragedy, Wayne confronts his own capacity for violence and grapples with the moral implications of his mission. Ultimately, facing the choice to kill the girl, Wayne's humanity prevails, leading him to defy his orders and question the values he once embraced, resulting in his reassignment for psychological treatment, revealing a world where youthful expectations collide with harsh realities.