Mornings are for the drills, as soldiers fill the oval for the early exercises. To stay fit and alert, this habit has become ingrained into their very veins.
Private First Class Charity Vox believes that discipline is the best way to form this habit.
With her distinctive black twin-tails, the 22-year old member of the Lupus Squad looks more than ready for the day. After a final leg stretch, she stands upright.
Meanwhile, a young corporal is sitting on the ground while staring at the building’s hall in front of their direction.
“Seems Operation Reclaiming Plutarch has ended,” Corporal Brent Hoover says, a fellow squad member, “but I heard the situation remains tense as before.”
Charity moves her arms to strengthen her back.
“Well, only just few trucks returned. It’s a rich ether mine, it will be harder to just ‘shrink’ it as they will. Creases like that are to be expected.”
“Yeah. The disputes may even be inside the organization, aside from TOPS and other interest groups. But well, we’re also used for their convenience.”
Charity stretches her forearms next. “There’s nothing new under the sun, Corporal.”
“Good morning, Corporal, Vox,” a blonde man greets them and yawns next. His eyes are half-lit, and the dark circles underneath tell some story. Along with him is Ziggs, who also greets the two.
“I thought you will be late, Ed,” Brent remarks to the blonde man while standing. He dusts off some dirt to his pants, then fixes his eyeglasses.
“Thanks to Ziggs, I guess,” Ed says. “I’m still not done recalibrating the blaster W-Engine. I wonder what’s wrong with it.”
“And where’s the privates?” Brent asks.
“They are with Sergeant Nichols,” Ziggs answers.
“Having the neophytes absolve us from menial tasks,” Charity says.
“Yeah, I still feel bad for them sometimes,” Ed says.
“If you feel bad, then why not join them instead?” Charity retorts.
Ed glances at her. “I had enough of that in the past. I’ve already graduated from there. What about you try showing up next time we need you instead of looking for duels.”
“What about not being holed up with the artillery when we also need you.”
“Halt the bickering,” Brent cuts in, “I don’t want you fighting and get chased by our medic again if you injured yourselves. Golly.”
“We’re not even fighting yet,” Charity says.
“Vox, Rothstaylor,” Brent reprimands again. “You’re just feeding each other’s worse.”
The drill officer arrives, and the soldiers snap into their positions. While waiting for a command, Charity catches a glimpse at their battalion’s barracks, seeing a small group heading there. Among them is the young kid under their platoon. Something bubbles within her as a roaring voice flicks her attention back.
“Dress, right, dress!”
Charity knows having a kid in their platoon will cause problems as questions begin to pop out in her head.
For now, Charity refocuses on the drill.
With all the strictness and expectations, Samantha stares at her teammates, somewhat dumbfounded. The former spacious room of theirs becomes a little more crowded, with Sheena occupying the chair now and Charles at the other bunk bed. Myrna is also awake already and sitting beside the young soldier.
Unlike with the repulsion from his face earlier, Charles shows brighter expression.
And these two, Sheena and Charles, are both original members of Corax Squad.
“I’m so glad that Corax Squad is saved from disbanding,” Charles says, gushing over the two new members. Sheena merely drinks her Nitro-Fuel as the squad starts getting to know each other.
Samantha, on the other hand, finds this confusing.
“I guess they still find a use with our dying squad, I guess it happens. We used to be seven members but like what usually happens in the battlefield, only some of us left,” Sheena says.
Myrna widens her eyes and calms down immediately. “Oh, I see. Sorry for the loss, however.”
Sheena puts down her drink. “There are times I am thinking I’m too numb already but I’m glad I still feel something. Becoming a living dead man is the least thing I wanted to happen in my life.”
“I think you’re scaring them already, Sheena,” Charles says.
“Isn’t the best thing to test the rookies is by learning the harshness of reality?”
Myrna lets out an awkward chuckle as she scratches her cheek. Glancing at the side, she notices that Samantha has dozed off.
“Aran…is asleep,” Myrna says.
Charles jolts. “Did I get too excited?”
Sheena hurls a nearby object at him, striking him squarely to the head.
“Go to sleep already. We can skip the drills today,” Sheena says. She leaves the chair and climbs to the other upper bunk bed.
Charles grimaces as he picks up the object—a lipstick—and looks at Sheena.
“You gotta be merciful towards me. My body is still sore,” he says while lying to his bed.
“Don’t be a baby. Besides, it’s an order that you need to get some rest right now as we will be back on our tasks tomorrow. Got it?”
Myrna can tell that her teammates have some…striking personalities indeed, as what Ziggs has told them yesterday. All of them are going to get some rest, but it does not mean she will just take advantage of it. She glances at Samantha, who is so sound asleep on her bed.
Myrna smiles.
“Where are you going, Rhodes?” Sheena asks as Myrna twists the knob.
“I’ll be going to the drills. Have a good rest!”
Myrna leaves.
Myrna is assigned with Lupus Squad again, who are responsible for weapon maintenance. While inspecting one of the rifles, Corporal Brent Hoover approaches her.
“Rhodes, after that one, please check the next room,” Brent says. “Rothstaylor will be there to teach you more about our assignments here.”
Myrna nods. “Yes, Corporal.”
Brent leaves. Myrna remains diligent in her task, and while doing so, she looks around a bit. There are different sets of hand-held rifles and weapons, as her eyes fixate for a while with the one called blaster. There are several kinds of blasters which are often used during Hollow operations. The bullets are not the typical ones as a type of power cell is stored within them. It is a technology built by Lonsdaleite Division, also known as the R&D of Defense Force, which exploits Ether energy as source for this weapon-type.
Myrna has grown up with Hollows already being part of their world, and it has been in default to design their equipment resistant against Ether corruption. The battle against the giant blobs will still take a long time, however, that is better than not moving at all.
The rifle is all clean and functioning. Myrna moves to the next room and almost bumps into someone. All she feels is a tap on her forehead before realizing who it is.
Private First Class Charity Vox.
“Oh, I’m sorry, PFC Vox,” Myrna says.
Charity removes her hand. “Do you have anything to do here?”
“Yes. Corporal Hoover told me to see PFC Rothstaylor,” Myrna says.
Charity seems to ponder a bit. “You can just call me Vox or Charity.”
“Eh?”
Charity taps her shoulder next and walks past by her. Myrna can tell her rookie’s nerves at an all-time high, and Private First Class Charity Vox is one of the seniors she has been wary of. Charity always has a serious look on her face and never speaks unless spoken to. Yesterday has been her first day with the platoon, and Myrna makes sure she stays composed while trying to learn more about her teammates.
As Myrna walks in, a hand grabs her shoulder, only to realize it is Charity again.
“Wait. Let’s train again later at the gym before lunch. What do you say?” Charity says.
An invitation.
Myrna nods. “I’m good with it, PFC.”
Charity eyes her for a moment then leaves.
Myrna jolts. I called her PFC again! She calms down in a second. Oh wait, was she testing me?
Samantha wakes up. Albeit abruptly.
She gets up in a hurry, realizing something is wrong. Samantha looks at the wall clock—it is already two in the afternoon.
Morning drills are eight in the morning. Trouble now awaits her, and it may be worse than yesterday.
Frozen in her spot with her eyes wide as plate.
The door suddenly opens. Samantha panics—only to see Sheena, holding a tray of food. The sergeant notices her as she closes the door.
“Oh, you’re finally awake,” Sheena says. “Good thing I add more with this meal. Here, eat with me.”
Samantha is unsure how to react as her gaze shifts across the room, spotting Charles still asleep on the lower bed of the other bunk. She hears a light scraping and feels a weight at the end of the bed, late to realize that Sheena has moved the chair and placed her legs on the bed. The tray is atop of her legs as she starts to eat.
“Are you picky with food?” Sheena asks. “Sadly though, we just eat what’s available in the canteen.”
Samantha shakes her head. “Ah, I’m…fine with any food. As…long as it’s edible…”
Sheena lowers her head, trying to get a better glimpse of Samantha’s face.
“Is there something that bothers you?” Sheena asks. “Well, I think I get it. You’re just getting used to us, but I’ll reassure you that we won’t harm you. Charles has been a roommate of mine for five years and he knows how to respect ladies. But of course, if something bothers you, you have to tell me.”
Samantha cannot help but feel a rush of emotions all at once. Maybe it is because she barely woke up, but minutes have passed, and she cannot find the words to say nor how to react.
With all this conundrum, Sheena asks again.
“Well, can you tell me something about yourself? This way, I’ll know how to work with you in the future.”
Samantha spares her a glance and enters her own head once again. Herself? She is unsure about that. This kind of question is something she has not heard from anyone to her.
The silence is enough hint for Sheena. She stands and moves the chair closer, and sits down again, appearing with a softer expression.
“Here, eat first,” Sheena says, “I’ll be giving you the meat since you need this more than me.”
Samantha stares at the tray as Sheena uses her chopsticks to pick a small chunk of meat. The young girl is lost in thought when she notices the food is already in front of her.
“Open your mouth,” Sheena instructs. Samantha does so, getting fed in result. For some reason, Sheena smiles on her own while watching the young girl. “Well, you know I am friends with the chef in the canteen, I could tell him to add meat to your meal whenever he sees you on the line. As long as…it’s available on the menu, however.”
Samantha blushes a little. “T-Thank you…”
Sheena picks another chunk. “Here, another one.”
“Uhm,” Samantha voices out. Panic is evident in the kid’s eyes. “I can do it myself…”
Sheena pauses and then chuckles. “Oh yeah, you’re…already fourteen. I just remembered that I used to take care of children before,” Sheena says and hands her a spoon. “Just get whatever you like. I don’t eat that much anyway.”
Samantha grabs the spoon and closes her eyes.
“Thanks for the meal…” she mumbles and scoops rice. Sheena gazes at her fondly, while fully aware of the reality. Someone like Samantha is supposed to be attending middle school, not a sniper in the military. Children do not belong in a place like this, and yet…
This can be considered normal, but it doesn’t mean it’s right. There are only certain people who can do this. Sheena frowns. And it’s them.
“Can I ask something?”
Sheena snaps back to reality.
“What is it?” Sheena asks.
“I…missed the drills,” Samantha says, “would I be punished again?”
“Punished? Again?” Sheena reevaluates her question. “Did the young miss done something that earned the drill officer’s attention for her first day?”
Samantha’s face redden.
And nods.
Sheena chuckles.
“What a bad way to start your career here,” she remarks.
“It’s…that bad?” Samantha asks.
“Well, not really, but sometimes, they’ll call you nicknames and what not about it. What happened yesterday?”
“The drill officer told me my voice is too quiet…” Samantha fiddles her fingers. “Then he sent me standing near the statue for half a day.”
Sheena chuckles again. “Oh my, who’s that drill officer?”
“Gunnery Sergeant Denrich…”
“Oh, that guy.” Sheena leans back. “He’s my classmate in military school. He didn’t even go easy on you?”
“I thought it’s just the way things are here…”
Sheena relaxes. “Well, yes, that’s how it is here indeed. That thing sort to happen to teach us how to reflect on our actions, because one error can cause friction in your team. Basically, it’s saying that’s gonna be your fault. At the same time, there is a reason why the superiors in our division thought it’s best to enlist someone older than you. That’s something I also believe in.” She takes a bite before adding. “I will talk with Gunny about it, and about your concern, just relax about it. They know Corax Squad just came from a campaign, so we can just rest today. It’s gonna be on me first before they look for you.”
“I see…”
“But I need to see your skills soon, Sam,” Sheena says, “I have to know your capabilities in the field. That’s gonna be tomorrow though, so just relax today.”
Samantha stares at her for a moment and nods.
Myrna finishes the final lap around the oval and notices the sun setting. Though the day is filled with training, it feels like the time has passed too quickly. Another breath, she stands idle at her current spot.
“You’re a new face ‘round here.”
Myrna sees three people approaching them, all in sandy shirts and camo pants. She assumes they must be part of the ‘mafia’, and they can be plentiful around. Her former superior has told her about skaters and why she reaches this conclusion? The three soldiers appear generally alright, without any signs of work in their demeanor.
Best not to mess with them , she supposes.
Myrna spins her heels around and pretends not to hear such call—when an arm wraps around her shoulders.
“You know it’s a bad behavior not to respond to your seniors, right? Let’s see, I heard your name is Myrna Rhodes during the training yesterday. I’m here to give praises, so please don’t ignore us,” the blonde from the three says. He is also tall, and she can feel the rocky build in his arm muscles. The wrap tightens as he asks another question. “What rank are you, huh?”
Why can’t they just leave me alone? Myrna wants to smack his face. “Private, sir…”
“Oh, I’m not a sir! I’m Corporal Tyrone Licht,” Tyrone says, “you guys, introduce yourselves to the private!”
The other two walks in front of them. Myrna can only stare at them in silence, while being repugnant at the smug look on their faces.
“I’m Private First Class Edmond Bas,” Edmond says and places his hand on Myrna’s head heavily, then chuckles like a clown.
“That’s not a good way to greet a junior, Edmond,” the female one says, “I’m Private First Class Wilma Paize, junior. Oh my, let’s fix that hair of yours.” She tries straightening Myrna’s curly ends, only hurting the receptor.
Myrna twitches. She isn’t any better!
In a flash, Myrna escapes their grasp and distances away.
“I apologize, but I need to go!” She runs at the utmost speed as she can right now, when a hand grabs her back. She falls to her bottom, as the three boxes her in. Almost rising from her feet, when Wilma pins her shoulder to stay down.
“Wow, that’s the rookie for ya,” Tyrone says in mocking tone. “That’s what we like, confident types!”
Tyrone leans over when he halts. He realizes that Myrna has caught his hand despite being in a disadvantageous position. Her eyes are sharp and unwavering, just as Edmond swats her arm away.
“Know your place, you twerp!” Edmond yells.
Thump!
Edmond almost falls to the side, as Myrna sees a boot on the ground. If she actually has witnessed it right…the boot slammed Edmond’s face.
“Who’s that?!” Tyrone voices out. He looks for the interceptor and lates to find a spectator behind them. A guy with tank top and bandana—and a missing right boot.
“You bastard!” Edmond yells and charges but once again gets hit to his temple. They turn to the side, seeing a black haired guy with a straw and seemingly curling something with his fingers.
“Calm down, accusation is bad if you aren’t sure the culprit is,” the raven haired says.
Edmond grits his teeth. “It’s so obvious that damn boot was his! He’s missing one!”
The raven haired turns to the bandana guy. “Is it true, though?”
The bandana guy remains silent for a while then turns to Edmond. “Sorry, I just accidentally threw it at you, my bad.” He then points at Myrna. “Also, can you let her go? It’s just gonna be easy to report the three of you in the office if you don’t stop.”
Tyrone grins. “Ah, acting savior eh. What about I also teach you what a punishment is…” He walks towards the bandana guy, ready to square him up.
As an attack to launch, another boot hits Tyrone’s head this time.
“Score!”
Myrna shifts where it originates from and sees a familiar corporal approaching. Corporal Charles Tausend with another teammate of theirs, Samantha, and he keeps clapping his hands.
With the cheery demeanor from the show stealer, Tyrone gets up with an indignant face.
“Tausend!”
Charles stops clapping upon getting into the vicinity, smiling towards all of them before resting his sight last to Tyrone.
“Hrrm, I wonder why Corporal Licht is here in our area. Oh wait, we’re in the oval, of course we share this area… Oh right, I know the Tourmaline’s gym is big enough to host your ego,” Charles remarks, “or did they spot already your hiding area, eh?”
Tyrone smirks. “Still big mouth as ever, freaking Seagull. It seems like you’ve forgotten that I’m your senior.”
Charles rubs his chin. “As far as I know, we fall in the same rank. I think I was promoted earlier than you are though. Huh, that makes me think why’s that the case, Tyrone?”
A bad string. A smirk.
“You’re not any better, you’ve been a soldier for six years, but your junior has surpassed you!” Tyrone taunts.
Charles shrugs. “I don’t really care about that. Why bring up about the ranks, or perhaps, you’re wishing to get promoted, no? That’s a disgrace to the Great Association of Loyal Enlisted Officers.” He crosses his arms. “I mean, I won’t blame you. But I refuse to be your projection why you can’t become a sergeant.”
Tyrone’s smirk dies down.
“I’m flattered that you know a lot of details about me, Tausend. You have a lot of time in your hands,” Tyrone smirks.
“Hehe, sure,” Charles chuckles and goes on, “it’s just all a guess. After all, I indeed have a lot of time in my hands to know a lot of things. You even brought two who would have been great members of Great Association of Loyal Enlisted Officers. Well, not I have something against with people of similar ‘profession’ like me.”
“Stop your bullshit already, Charles Tausend,” Tyrone says in a low but serious tone. “I’m not a bum like you.”
Charles chuckles again. “Well, my bad! I mean, I don’t have anything against with fellow members of association, but…” he pauses as his eyes turns sharp, “you can’t simply pick on my squadmate.”
Tyrone glances at Myrna.
“Ah, so that’s your squadmate. I’m just teaching her a lesson—”
Tyrone is dragged down by his shirt, and next, Charles’ face is near him.
“Ahh, you think you can square up just because you’re bigger than anyone here,” Charles taunts.
Tyrone smirks. “How about this, let’s settle this here. If I win, you’re gonna surrender your year-end bonus to us.”
“Oh, what a wager, what if I win instead, you’ll voluntary clean Cat’s Eye Battalion Barracks till the end of the year.”
Tyrone removes Charles’ grip to his shirt.
“You heard it everyone, we’ll have a duel!” Tyrone announces. “Let’s do it on your gym later in 1800. Ready another two in your team, but whoever they are, you’ll still lose to me.”
“Oho? So eager to call your victory, huh?” Charles says.
“Let’s go,” Tyrone says to his companions. Myrna is finally left alone as the bandana guy offers his hand to her. Myrna takes it and gets up.
“Thanks,” Myrna says as she dusts off some dirt in her camo pants. “What kind of losers they are?”
“Well, they are resident bullies here, I still wonder why they aren’t still being disciplined. But it does mean why no one exactly reports such incidents,” the raven haired remarks, carrying two different boots. He hands one to the bandana guy.
“It’s just seven minutes before 1800,” Charles cuts in, approaching them. He then receives his boot from the raven haired man. “Are they disturbing you for long, or just now, Rhodes?” he adds.
“I, uhh, just today. It wasn’t on my bucket list though getting picked on my third day here…”
“So, she’s your new junior indeed,” the bandana guy says to Charles, and his eyes turn to the young kid beside him, “and this…”
“Yes! Private Rhodes is a transfer from another fort, and here’s the real rookie of ours, Private Aran,” Charles says, “and my juniors, here are Private First Classes George Redford and Cheng Jinhai. They are from the same platoon as ours, but just in different squads, obviously.”
Myrna forms a salute in a flash, showing her respect.
“I apologize. I’m Private Myrna Rhodes of Corax Squad…”
George, the bandana guy, returns the salute. “Private First Class George Redford, scout and engineer of Lyre Squad.”
Jinhai, the one with raven hair, does the same. “Private First Class Cheng Jinhai of Fornax Squad, combat specialist.”
Charles pats Samantha’s back, and the young soldier looks at him. Charles points his lips at the others, then smiles again, seemingly giving Samantha some confidence.
Samantha steps forward. “Uhm…” She salutes. “I’m Private Samantha Aran…”
George and Jinhai salutes again, now this time for Samantha.
“Looking forward to working with you,” George says.
“Likewise,” Jinhai adds.
“Now that we all know each other,” Charles says, “who are we gonna send to beat their asses?”
“I’m good with it,” George says. “There’s nothing good seeing a fellow platoon mate being mocked by those Tourmaline guys.”
“I gotta pass on this one, my corporal tasked me to do something, and she might be looking for me already,” Jinhai says.
Charles jolts a bit. “Oh, sorry about that. Please send my regards to Corporal Ewing.”
“She’ll only say, ‘Get your shit together!’” Jinhai even imitates a female voice. “See you all guys later.”
“Later.”
Jinhai leaves. They watch as the Fornax member diminishes from their sight.
“And here we are, we don’t have time to look for someone to fill our team,” Charles says. “Where’s Ivan?”
“Ivan is with Corporal Allard.”
“Oh.”
“Well… I can fill it in…” Samantha suggests.
They all look at Samantha.
“You serious?” Charles asks. “I’m afraid I have to decline your proposal, Sammy.”
“I can do close combat…” Samantha adds.
“Kiddo, calm down,” Myrna says. “Corporal, I can take the last spot. I had a feeling anyway that the other two we’ll be fighting against are those two with him…”
Charles smiles. “Okay, that’s settled.” He looks at Samantha. “Let your older brothers and sister handle this, okay, Sammy?”
“We should hurry up,” George reminds, “before our squad leaders knew about this.”
Charles chuckles. “Haha, you’re right. Let’s go. Oh yeah, by the way, I like how you scored earlier! You can now apply to be a master sharpshooter, George.”
“I wish I had my wrench so I can use that instead.”
Myrna asks this time. “Corporal, what is Great Association of Loyal Enlisted Officers you mentioned earlier?”
Charles looks at her. “Oh that. Haha! Do you wanna join?”
“Corporal, don’t poison your own junior…” George cuts in.
Meanwhile, at the main building of Fort Maraga…
Sheena walks through the hallway in her dress uniform. She has been summoned to the conference room, an announcement for all squad leaders, and she suspects it will be about their next operation tied to the ongoing clean-up operation of Hadrian Hollow in the Faunus Quarter. It has not been a day since they returned from the last operation, but it seems their homecoming to Fort Maraga is just a false respite.
The fort’s management shall have given them a full day of rest, but she also understands how dire the situation is right now in Faunus Quarter.
As she goes on in her stride, two squad leaders have met her along the way. They are from the same company as they exchange salutes. Despite the professional air, their demeanor is clear as day that they know each other well—not just as colleagues, but as close friends.
“Good evening, Staff Sergeant Charow and Staff Sergeant Wu,” Sheena greets.
Staff Sergeant Wu Jian of Yildun Squad smiles. He looks dignified in how he carries his dress uniform like a true warrior, as his red hair being brushed up behind gives a neat appearance. On the other hand, Staff Sergeant Maylene Charow of Lyre Squad is significantly smaller than Jian, as her short dark silver hair shines from the illumination outside.
“Glad to see you again, Sheena,” Sergeant Wu Jian says. “I assume you’ll be Sergeant Dane’s stand-in again.”
Sheena nods. “Technically, he’s only our squad leader on paper. Things are still messy about the promotions because of the constant deployment lately.”
“The situation even chaotic or not, they are slow about it,” Sergeant Charow remarks. “But they have to fix it soon. Your responsibilities and pay grade do not match anymore.”
“I do hope so,” Sheena says. “It’s obvious that we’ll be sent there again, and I wonder why they have a bad rotation amongst the battalions here. Cat’s Eye is overworked.”
Staff Sergeant Charow sighs. Her eyes softens a bit, not out of fondness, but in resignation. “Since when they had good rotation anyway. It may be in a day or two, or next week, which is just few days away but who are we to complain about it.”
“To be honest, one of my squadmates is now suffering with constant distress. We’re just waiting for the official diagnosis and might get discharged since he cannot perform his job well anymore,” Wu says.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Sheena says. Dark circles are almost conspicuous under Wu Jian’s eyes and Sheena recalls that his team are always part of the squads sent to assist the cleanup operations in the Hollow.
Wu nods. “Let’s go inside. Oh wait, why Charles isn’t with you?”
Sheena grimaces. “I don’t know with him. He said he’s going to show our new squadmates around but it’s taking him so long.” I’m gonna kick his arse later. “It’s on him if he gets another memo for his misbehaviors.”
“Charles really just follows the beat of his own drum,” Charow comments.
Sheena pauses and then nods.
“Pretty much so.”