Taper: whispering H-h-hey? Is this th-the right channel? Are you... there?
correct channel but I’m not in the ISF. so how can I help you
R-really? Well, uh, I-I was w-wondering if you... uh... I-I mean, do you... uh... Do you know anyone in the ISF? I-I'd like to join...
they won’t let you in unless you are from one of the 50 states or DC. you are, right?
Oh, oh, n-no, no, no! I'm... I'm from a r-rural part of a w-war-torn nation in the Middle East. You know, one of those minorit- mumbles -itary zones, if you catch my drift.
then you are already a US citizen as a US permanent resident
Oh, really? R-really? Th-that's great! But, um, why are you being so nice to me? I-I mean, I'm just a random person from the internet. There's gotta be something you want from me, right?
you are a random person, but your information is very useful for me and for the Federation. I was contacted by someone wanting to get in the IF. they also wanted to send me a message
W-wait, what? Someone wants to get into the IF? And they want to send you a message? Do you think they're... uh... Do you think they're after me?
no, they were after Colonel Batkin. he was promoted to General today and he is probably the one who wants to contact me to send a message to his enemies
G-gosh, I hope they don't come after me too. They were trying to recruit me, you know.
sounds like you should join the ISF soon before you get captured by the enemy
Y-yeah, I-I guess you're right. But, um, you won't tell them where I am, right? I-I mean, if they ask you...
I won’t tell the enemy anything. I’ll tell the truth, but I won’t lie
O-oh, o-okay. Um, I-I have another question. D-do you think they'll b-believe me if I say I'm defectors? I-I mean, I really don't wanna go back to that place anymore.
the more people that want to join you, the more likely it is that they will believe you. but you need to convince some people in the BAHRAM government first to help you before you can get to the Federation
G-gosh, do you think your connections could help me clear my name? That whole desertion thing was a real nightmare...
I don’t know. it depends on how well you can convince them that you aren’t a deserter
W-well, uh, I-I mean, I wasn't really a deserter, y-you see... There were... uh... S-so many things going on back home, and, um, I-I just couldn't handle it anymore, you know? But I didn't run away or anything. I just... tried to find a better job, somewhere safer...
so you left without saying goodbye? that doesn’t sound like you weren’t a deserter
I-I... Well, uh... I just didn't know what else to do, y-you know? And I didn't want to be forced to go back.
I understand. I wouldn’t want to go back to a place like that either. do you have a plan?
I-I think I've found s-someone who can h-help me... p-persuade the Space Force to t-take me i-in?
that’s good. do you know someone in the military?
N-no, unfortunately not. But there's this guy, M-Miranda, he's a l-level 3 Independent Contractor. He's worked with the military before, and he's been helping me try to get into the Space Force.
oh, that’s good. it will be easier if you know someone in the military
Y-yeah, I know! I-I mean, it would be awesome if you could, uh, maybe use your connections to, y-you know, pull some strings and help us out.
I can’t get Miranda into the Space Force, but I can get you into the Independent Contract program which is a level below that. do you want me to ask for that?
Y-yeah, I guess that would be a start. That would be awesome, actually. Thanks, FuzzyShang. You're really helping me out here.
no problem. but you’ll need to pass the entrance exam
Y-yeah, of course. I-I've been studying hard. I even bought a whole bunch of textbooks and workbooks. I've been practicing with online quizzes and stuff too.
that’s good. you can take the entrance exam at any military base. if you fail, you can retake it as many times as you need. if you pass, you can start working immediately
Y-yeah, I-I know. I've heard the exam is pretty tough. But I-I'm determined to pass. I-I mean, this is my chance to finally leave all that chaos behind, y-you know?
yes, I understand. I wish you the best of luck
Th-thank you, FuzzyShang. I-I appreciate it. Oh, oh, I've got so much to do! G-gotta study, gotta prepare... Um, hey, FuzzyShang, do you think you could, uh, maybe help me practice for the exam? I-I mean, just to make sure I'm ready.
I don’t have access to the test, but I can give you some general tips. the test is mostly multiple choice with some essay questions about your motivations for joining the military. the most important part is the essay
Oh, r-really? Th-that's great! I-I could definitely use some tips. I-I've been kind of nervous about the essay part.
i bet you’re writing what you think the test makers want to hear instead of what you actually think. this will make it obvious that you are trying to please instead of being honest. be honest in your essay and explain why you want to join the military in your own words
Y-yeah, I guess I've been trying too hard to please everyone. I-I mean, I don't even know what I really want anymore. But I-I'll try to be honest.
focus on your reasons for wanting to leave your current life behind. you can also mention the political tensions in your country and how you want to avoid conflict. you can also mention that you want to join the military because you want to help people. be sincere and keep writing until you run out of things to say
Th-thank you, FuzzyShang. I-I feel a little better about the essay now. I-I'll keep practicing and make sure I say exactly what I need to say.
remember to be sincere. don’t worry too much about grammar or spelling. focus on expressing yourself
Y-yeah, you're right. I-I should just focus on saying what I need to say. I-I mean, this is my chance to finally make a change in my life, right?
Um... F-FuzzyShang, do you think... do you think they'll let me bring my younger brother with me? I-I mean, he's still stuck back in that awful place, and...
bringing a younger brother might raise suspicion. it would be better if you didn’t bring anyone with you. especially since you live in a rural area
Oh, I-I see. Y-yeah, I guess that makes sense. I-I mean, they probably won't let him in anyway, right?