Book 3: Chapter 118: Blue vs White

Book 3: Chapter 118: Blue vs White

USD: 48 Days after arrival at Fort Glisson

Location: Van Biesbroecks star, Meltisar, Fort Glisson, Company S, 1st Cadre

Despite the threats from the instructors, the physical punishments and non-stop exhaustion was slowly ramped down over the course of the week. They were given a solid chunk of hours every night to sleep, and time spent in the classroom slowly eclipsed the time they spent doing drills outside.

Alex learned about the militarys unit structures, how ship deployments worked, the various different MOSs they would be eligible for after graduation, and lists of tons of different military things they needed to memorize from etiquette to how to file different forms of paperwork.

When they got their initial assignment orders, Alex was happy to see that, as per her deal with Thraker and Admiral Westlake, she had her OCS ATSC slot.

Rachel exploded when she saw. Holy shit, you have OCS ATSC? Thats like the top 1% of all recruits!

Alex smiled weakly, not wanted to reveal that maybe shed purchased her slot. Tia looked over at them and frowned, letting her datapad show that shed received the same grade.

They slated you for Advanced Tactics Starship Command? I guess standards are falling. Tia said.

There hadnt really been any bullying since Alex had returned, but the comment seemed full of a hostility toward her that hadnt existed before.

Whats your problem, Tia? Alex asked.

They probably just thought having a stuck-up bitchy Tia by herself would ruin the atmosphere, so they needed to balance it with someone that wasnt a bitch. Rachel chimed in.

Tia tsked and then turned away and disappeared.

Alex shook her head. I still dont understand.

Shes just upset that there is someone thats competing with her. Rachel offered.

I dont know. It seems deeper than that. Alex said.

The next day, Cadre S was lined up outside. Instructor Hills kept them waiting for longer than usual before arriving. He was flanked by two small drones hovering above him.

Listen up recruits, today you will have adversarial training. You will be splitting up into two groups and competing for victory. Youll need to work together and show that your group is the best. Winners will get first call to the mess for the next week. Losers will go last.

Alex and the other recruits bristled. Eating first at the mess was a big deal. It was the difference between having time to eat and being forced to swallow an entire ration in a few minutes.

Myers! Tia! Up front!

Both of them moved forward, Alex sharing a wary glance with the other girl.

Youll be your platoons leader. Youll take turns picking your squad members. Well flip a coin to see who picks first.

Hills didnt wait for them to acknowledge the plan and tossed the metal in the air. Pick a side, Tia.

Heads.

Hills caught the round metal disc and slapped it on the back of his hand.

Tails. Myers, pick your first recruit.

Alex looked out over the forty so members of the group. Rachel waved at her excitedly, but Alex rejected just picking her friend first. Tia already had the advantage, just by being in her own group, and Alex didnt want to let down her team by stacking the odd against them.

It only took a few seconds for her to know there were only a few major players to choose from. It wasnt likely that Tia would pick Rachel first, anyway.

Tasha. Alex said, making her first choice. The tall, cybernetically enhanced girl was the obvious choice. She was confident that with the two of them, theyd be able to take on Tia at least.

A hurt expression appeared on Rachels face and she lowered her waving hand as if Alex had smacked her.

Hikari. Tia said.

Alex had expected that Hikari was fast and would be useful for scouting or rushing a position, but she wasnt quite the disruptor as Tia would be.

Shoot her every 45 seconds, sooner if she moves.

Thats

Are you sure thats not against the rules? Tasha said.

Thats my order. Now, forget Tia and lets plan on how well make our assault. I didnt like the look of those sentries on the roofs

Without Tia, the other team did their best, but the result was never really in question. They slowly picked at Tias team and stole their flags one by one.

At some point Tia had almost broken out of her stun lock, but the tables had turned so much Alex simply put Rachel and an entire fire squad to stunning her repeatedly.

When the match finally ended, Tia got up off the ground and gave Alex a look of pure hatred. She started forward, clearly intent on a fistfight when Instructor Hill arrived and prevented it by calling them to attention.

They were all brought to the parade ground and Alex carried all six flags up to the front. Blue team claims victory, Drill Sergeant!

Tia smoldered with particular violence, and Instructor Hills nodded to her. Do you have something to add, Recruit?

Blue team cheated, Drill Sergeant! Myers had her squad shoot me repeatedly to prevent me from returning to base!

Instructor Hills looked to Alex. Is this true, recruit?

Yes, Drill Sergant!

Why?

I did not think our team stood a chance of winning unless we removed her from the competition!

There was silence on the field for a moment, before Hills finally nodded. The rules didnt specifically say that you had to permit someone on the other team to return to their base. Ill allow your capture of her to stand, but I dont want to see this done again.

Tia wasnt finished, Sir!

Hills looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Something else, recruit?

I shot Myers first. Instead of touching the flag to revive, she stunned me. Thats an obvious violation of the rules and lead to me being captured by the blue team! Tia said.

Hills looked back to Alex and narrowed his eyes. Is this true, recruit?

Alex took a breath before answering. Yes, Drill Sergeant! Recruit Tia shot me, but it had no effect, so I returned fire!

Bullshit, I hit you with maximum power! Tia blurted out.

Hills didnt address the other girl and focused on Alex. Care to explain, Myers?

Alex nodded, The stun rifles dont work on me. I was attacked with them before and figured out how to make a personal field that nullifies their effects.

After returning from orbit, she had spent an entire day researching the stun rifles the kidnappers had used and figuring out how to counter them. It had eaten into her free time and sleep, but she had no desire to ever be kidnapped again like she had been on the station.

Hills picked up a rifle without warning and switched it to full auto and blasted Alex at point blank.

Alex gritted her teeth. Being shot multiple times in succession was not the same as taking a single hit to the chest. The energy rippled through her skin and made her feel nauseous, but the low level sonic field that shed generated by making her nanites vibrate in a counter frequency absorbed almost all of it.

When she didnt go down, Hills let out a confused, Huh.

Anything else to add, Tia? Hills asked.

No, Drill Sergeant.

Alright, Im granting the win to the blue team. Well adjust the rules for next time.

Alexs team broke out into cheers, and Hills let them celebrate for a few moments before sternly reminding them to maintain military bearing.