Training Program

"You didn't do anything wrong tonight."

Butch nodded. Then looked over his shoulder. "Doesn't mean I'm happy about introducing a bunch of children into the war."

"We either make the introductions or the war will find them on its own terms."

"Yeah, this shit might be necessary- might even be for their own good. Doesn't sit well with me though."

-Butch and Vishous after First Night

The Black Dagger Brotherhood developed a program to train soldiers and members of the vampire populace in defense against the Lessening Society.

First Night

There were 60 in the initial pool of applicants, which was too large to be feasible, so in order to whittle them down to a tenable number of ten or less, Butch and Vishous designed what can only be described as an obstacle course from hell. The tests were designed to force them to fight their natural instincts and reactions to stress; in a fight, someone who's unable to overcome their body's innate reactions is a liability to everyone, not just themselves. The applicants were treated to what was basically a cocktail party in the gym at the training centre, unbeknownst to them, the food and drinks were dosed with an herbal emetic courtesy of Doc Jane.

Once everyone was signed in, the lights went out and those who'd consumed anything began vomiting. Some still standing went for the exits only to find that they were electrified, the shocks weren't powerful enough to do damage, but neither were they a little static zap. The exercise equipment taking up a section of the gym was similarly booby-trapped, thus forming a treacherous labyrinth in the dark. Flashbangs in the rafters were set to go off periodically, the flashes of light cycling faster and faster.

There were two exits in the farthest corner: ropes that could be climbed up to a scaffolding or through the non-electrified door that opened periodically. Anyone able to focus could follow the scent of fresh air coming in through the door. Those who climbed found that the scaffolding was set to sway at the slightest movement, which was particularly perilous if there were two people on it, and anyone stumbling into the metal railing got zapped. If they managed to find their balance, then it came to an abrupt stop and they inevitably staggered into the railing anyway. At the end of the catwalk, they were dumped into the pool, which was in complete darkness. Those who chose the latter option were grabbed by Brothers waiting for them in the darkened hallway who hooded, bound, and dragged them down to the pool where they were thrown into the pool after yanking off the bonds and hood.

The water level dropped as they marinated awhile, then Lassiter appeared, glowing in the dark. If that wasn't enough to catch everyone's attention, the hot pink slingshot swimsuit, scuba mask and snorkel, flippers, and kid's blue and yellow floaty around his waist did the trick. He cannonballed into the pool and then dematerialized out. The water drained away completely and the lights came on to reveal the Brotherhood had surrounded them with guns drawn while they were distracted by Lassiter's performance.

They grazed some of the applicants with bullets before offering to let anyone leave unharmed, then the lights switched to blacklight and the Brothers opened fire with rubber bullets. The metal ladders out of the pool were electrified, forcing the recruits to either cower in place or dematerialize. Those who could focus enough to dematerialize out found an exit door open for them.

Outside they found a bonfire and a table with fruit, bottles of water, and granola bars, some of which were tampered with in case any were still unwary enough to not pay attention to the seals on the packaging. On either side there were electric chain-link fences that formed a continuous loop and any time the group tried to stop, the Brothers watching from the woods fired guns; individuals, however, were allowed to drop one by one until there was only one left, who was then declared Primus. Anyone who made it to the forest made the cut.

Wearing night-vision goggles and earpieces for communication, the Brothers monitored the recruits for assessment and safety. Dropouts were checked out by Jane and Manny before being driven home.

History

In 2006, Tohrment developed and led the program, however, after the death of his shellan Wellsie later that year, he disappeared and Zsadist took over. The Lessening raids, led by Lash, scattered the race for a time. When vampires returned to Caldwell, the Brotherhood opened the program again, this time to everyone regardless of class or gender provided they were capable.

Classes

The schedule is three days on and one day off. The original class with John, Blay, and Qhuinn had eleven students. Trainees are picked up and dropped off in a minibus with heavily smoked windows to keep the location of the Brotherhood's compound a secret.

Starting at 7 pm, classes include explosives (they use ASA compound in their detonators), firearms, hand to hand combat, tactics, chemical warfare, and poisons.

Rules

The Brotherhood is given copies of the students' medical records in case of injury or emergency.

While they're trained in firearms, trainees are forbidden from carrying outside of training until they're considered proficient enough to not pose a danger to themselves, innocents, or allies.

Tohr has banned the use of laptops for taking notes in his classes "because the tap-tapping of a keyboard makes me want to get my shotgun."

Students

The cost of training one student over one year is a couple hundred thousand dollars. Each student is subjected to a psych evaluation and at least three sessions of assessing their mental and emotional state.

Class of 2007*

• Blaylock
• Hhurt
• John Matthew
• Lash
• Qhuinn

Class of 2008*

Of the 50 students, only 7 made it through:

• Anslam
• Axewell
• Boone
• Craeg
• Novo
• Paradise, Primus
• Peyton

*Note: Timing is not exact and a guess. So far, there have been two different training programs. The first starts in Lover Revealed, the second starts in Blood Kiss.

Uniforms

Uniforms are loose white cotton pants and t-shirts so if oxiclean doesn't get the blood out, bleach will.