The Empire

As Delryn returned Daniel looked him over, “Jeez, if I thought you’d get that beat up I’d have gone with you… you alright?” he asked as he lowered his weapon form watching the checkpoint. Artemis and Anora came up from the other side of the building; Artemis’ coat was covered in blood, presumably none of it being his. Anora however had one of her bangs scorched off, and she didn’t look too happy about it.

“Bastard got one lucky shot, it’s gonna take hours of regrowth magic to fix this.” She sighed and looked to Delryn with a scowl, “Oh come on, you got shot again!” she commented as she took out the glass and forceps again. Artemis stopped her though as he looked Delryn over.

“The sniper… you got him right?” he asked directly.

“You think he’d be standing here is he didn’t?” Daniel commented with a smirk but a cross shot glare cut his attitude down like a blow form one of his swords.

Artemis continued his glare at his subordinate, “The sniper has been neutralized…right Sergeant?” it was as if he knew something was up… but there was something else, a small shadow in the back of his eye that was almost begging the man to lie to him. Daniel glanced at his watch and then toward the hospital, they needed to get going but he wasn’t about to tell the colonel that. Artemis’ look was shallow, and Anora looked suspicious (or angry, it was hard to tell) but Daniel couldn’t’ tell why, maybe fourth years just assumed that their third year counterparts were incompetent.

Delryn starred up at Artemis and pointed to the second riffle on the ground. "Her rifle is right there. She had a name you know Her name was Sarah." Delryn responded. He was furious he was shaking with fury as he took a step towards Artemis "And for the record sir. "Had you listened to Daniels advice and mine Sam may be alive and So might Sarah. You have asked a lot of me and to have me....." Delryn turned around staring out to the rubble. She was gone, left the building. disappear and hopefully to her own fate now. "You lost a freind today I lost My lover and you ask me if I did my Job..."

Delryn was fuming. But then it was tapped emotion he had to for her they had to believe he had killed her, and in a sense he had. He had given her a chance to start her own life with a new identity Sarah was dead the true gift a lover could give her. A new life, "As far as Im concerned leave the bullet in...."

Delryn sat down and and re applied pressure to his shoulder as he pulled back his hood staring at the ground. He would probably never see her again. why is it so much harder now than it was the first time. He slung his rifle and grabbed hers in his bad hand and stood up.

"Because I could help." Kayle replied simply. "I had to prove I wasn't a useless healer." he dove a little deeper into his thoughts. "And now I'm the general of the medical corps." he smirked, "funny how things work out that way." He gave the cadet a pat on the back. "Maybe one day you'll be something special." Or Dead the thought echoed in his head darkly.

"You managed to cheer me up." He smiled at Karu. "Whether it was intentional or not, thank you, I was starting to dread returning to the front lines." Kayle spoke with a kind heart. He wasn't truly happy but there was a spark of cheeriness to him now. The cadet seemed nervous Kayle was trying not to scare him off now.

Delryn snapped back and yet when he started mentioning the Colonel’s mess up that had cost their friend his life Anora snapped back, “Watch it, CSM!” but Artemis waived her down as Delryn pushed past, he had his shoulders hunched and was clearly insubordinate, Anora picked right up on that, “Sergeant!” but it was too late he’d moved past them.

“What the hell, Colonel, he comes back bloody and wounded and you pull that shit?” Daniel questioned as well, Anora shot him a glare but Daniel was of similar rank than her so she’d leave him to Colonel. But Daniel just frowned at her and head over, picking up Sam’s body and following after Delryn telling him to ignore them and that the higher ups had this superiority complex much like he had.

Artemis, however, was still looking at the building. Anora turned with him and put her hands on her hip in frustration, “He’s lying… there’s still an aura trace there.”

“Yeah, she slipped on some rubble; it wasn’t hard to spot her.” Artemis commented.

“So what do you want to do?”

Artemis sighed and looked at the two leaving, “My subordinate just told me he killed the sniper who shot Samuel Goldman… as far as I’m concerned…,” He stopped and turned on his heel to move on, “Let’s go, rendezvous is in fifteen.” Anora sighed and followed, never understanding why he always alienated the men like that when he was really doing the exact opposite.

-=-=-=-

The hospital was empty, though clearly that was only because the men occupying it have come to the hotel to engage the group earlier. Setting up on the roof with his rifle Daniel moved to the ledge looking over to the highway beyond, though spotted with rubble the road was mainly intact, one of the main thoroughfares in the city still standing, “Targets sighted… the convoy is on the move up the road… damn it, where’s the General?” He was just on over watch, like Delryn, meant only to watch the convoy, they didn’t have the gear to take a shot. That was the General’s job… so why was the enemy still moving. “They’ll leave the combat zone at this rate.

Artemis just stood off to the side, looking toward the road but at almost a half a kilometer he’d never get a good view, “Don’t worry, he’s always fashionably late.”

“That term doesn’t apply to a military operation, Artemis.” Anora commented, “We barely got here in one piece. What chance do you think he’s got, going in alone like that?”

After a few moments following that comment Daniel’s eyes sharpened, he’d spotted something. Not a second later the convoy was eclipsed by a good dozen hemi-spherical seal constructs of green and gold that completely obscured the entire convoy. A moment later the seals vanished, the convoy of large armored vehicles was nothing but a line of twisted scrap, each car looked like it had gone through a shredder and crushing machine at once, with flaming fuel littering the roadway. The highway was almost untouched however, only the vehicles were destroyed. “See…” Artemis commented, “Daniel… what’s your call?”

“Target confirmed destroyed… I don’t see any possibility of escape, Delryn how about you?” Daniel asked his spotter.

Delryn sat his shoulder bandaged While Anora wasnt going to remove that bullet they would make him once at the academy. Delryn looked through his scope and gave a small sigh. "Targets destroyed, Ten enemy vics destroyed potential 55 KIA." Delryn said as he adjusted slightly as he sat up "Mission accomplished...I think its time we wrap this up. you sir?" Delryn would ask at Artemis as he ran his hands through his hair.

“Alright, point taken… oh and Delryn,” Artemis surprised the man with a shot in the shoulder, literally, with a pain killer that Anora had handed him despite her telling Delryn that they were out of meds, “Sorry, I had Anora lie to you about the meds earlier as punishment for your smart mouth.” He gave him a rather solid slap on the back, no doubt sending another shot of pain through his arm, “Next time watch your bearing.” He was smiling like it was nothing and juts walked toward the door to the stairwell, “You guy’s stay up here, Anora and I will go wait for the General, Daniel call for EVAC.”

Daniel had a bead of sweat dripping down his face as he looked rather shocked at the past comment and actions the Colonel had taken, and he looked terrified as well as taken aback by the whole ordeal. After a moment or two of blinking he looked to Delryn and swallowed hard, “You okay? That looked like it hurt, but hey at least this gets you out of a demerit back at the Academy.” He looked back to the stairwell and smiled slightly, “I’ll never know what the hell goes through that guy’s head.” Daniel mused before taking up the radio and making the call.

On the bottom floor Artemis and Anora waited, both cocked and ready to attack anything that came to the entrance of the hospital. After a few moments a figure appeared out of the darkness of the night that had fallen full force now, Artemis didn’t bother calling out a challenge and instead, with a fling of his arm, send one of his blades flying toward the silhouette. The man howled in surprise and barely managed to dodge the attack, calling out, “colonel! Wha-what are you thinking? The challenge isn’t supposed to be a blade!”

“Shut up… an enemy could find out a call and response… but not many could have dodged that attack,” he held out his hand and the blade came flying back, tethered to him by a thin strand of mana. The General scratched his head in exasperation before Artemis continued, “Targets confirmed destroyed, Evac is on the way.”

“All according to plan then?” the General asked with a smile as he entered the stairwell with the others.

Anora spoke up, her voice thick as she stopped cold, “We… we lost Sam.” The General stopped dead too, his eyes wide with surprise. Looking to Artemis he only saw a darkened face with nothing but regret apparent.

“Oh I…”

“It was my mistake, General, and mine alone. I take full responsibility as the unit commander.”

“Do you really think that, Artemis?” the General asked as they continued up. When reaching the roof there was already a vehicle there, a VertiLift, into which several armored soldiers were loading a black bag. The General stepped up and got in along with the rest, the aircraft pulling away. Looking at the body bag General Desmond Ruler’s sad eyes turned to Delryn whom a proper medic was treating at the moment to the forward side, “You alright, Delryn?”

Delryn Gave a stiffled gasp as he felt the fist of Artemis and the injection shoot into his shoulder as he then. gave a surprised cough and watched the man walk off aand shook his head slightly as Daniel made his comment. "It would have been worth the demerit in my opinion...But at least its over. Ill be fine I suppose i have two funnerals to attend now. and school will be starting back up so I guess i should enjoy the little vacation." Delryn paused as he had put his good arm on Daniels shoulder. "You okay?" he would ask although he didnt excpect an answer.

As the Vertilift would land Delryn would take a few steps forward as the soldiers piled off taking over the security on-top of the building. Delryn would lock his weapon into place as he would grab hold of Sarah's riffle in his hands with a death grip. Once he got onto the bird he seemed to check out his gaze glancing over the city. She had made it Artemis might know something was off but she was free...

After a moment the General came out the medics had stripped off his top layer of clothing and begun assessing his wounds. "We are going to leave the bullet in and remove it back at Archon... Here is something for the pain to take more of the edge off. Also eat this it will help with the dizziness." Delryn was robotic following their demands as General Ruler made his way to the vertlift and paused staring at him...Delryn viewed the man more of a wizard in the classical sense. Wise and all knowing and arriving precisely when they were supposed to.

As the Generals words reached his ears he stood up for the general mindfull not to salute. "I could be worse sir...so could the team...." He said then looked in the direction of the wreckage. "But all in all it seems like it was a mission well accomplished. Glad to see you made it in one piece sir." Delryn said his hand never letting go of the riffle in his left hand. It was odd he had never been so sentimental but perhaps that is what the empire had shpwn him was a family life... people had something to hold onto. he wanted that and If perhaps they ever met again he would do just that sit her down and perhaps start a life. But in the mean time he would look to the generals answer.


--

Sarah sat in a destroyed building as she stared up at the Vertlift that was leaving the city. Delryn was on that one she teared up for a moment as she watched the Vertlift leave. "Till next time....Perhaps it will be in a more civilized setting..." She muttered to herself as she wrapped herself up in the cloak she had found and walked toward the boarders of the Empire itself....

Desmond turned to Delryn as he spoke of the mission as a success and shook his head, his gaze passing to the black bag in the middle of the plane, “Yes… a rousing success, that’s exactly how the boys upstairs will see this, the elimination of three Class 1 targets with only one confirmed loss…” his eyes were glazed, unable to pull away from the body, “That’s their cold calculus, but between me and you I can only chalk this up as an absolute failure… one loss is far too many.” He sat there for a moment, Artemis looking at the general from the corner of the airframe and Anora sitting with her head in her hands, Daniel wasn’t speaking as he stood at the entrance to the cockpit. After a few moments the General stood and moved to the bag. He knelt and gripped the zipper, pulling it down to expose Sam’s face. His eyes had been closed by Daniel after they had retrieved his body so he could have been asleep, however the blood stained neck and clothing gave the truth more volume. Reaching into his pocket the General took out two silver coins and placed them on Sam’s eye’s, muttering something in some foreign language before resealing the bag and stepping to the front of the bird, instructing the pilots to head for the Academy instead of the Capitol Air Command Base.

GM Post

Three days had passed since most of the students had reported, however the last few cadets have just come trickling in, arriving at the last minute the morning before. Still everyone now had their assignments, knew which company and platoon they were in, and had been issued proper orders. And no matter what rank or station one had everyone shared one order, to report that morning September 1st at 0900 to the main courtyard for the opening ceremony.

The school was everything it had promised to be, ancient and majestic, commanding and polished, and as much a military fortress as a school. There were as many training fields as classrooms and the armory was a stocked as any at a major military base. The main building before which the ceremony would take place still had the old world opulence and elegance of the Imperial City. The courtyard had four areas, more or less, formed by tree lines, radiating outward from the central stage; the Companies would each gather in a specified section, in formation, to away the opening of the school officially.

This was the day their true new lives began, the day they became full-fledged students of the nation’s greatest school, and the day they became true soldiers.

Rallen was lost in the crowd of students all about the court yard. All the noise of the excited students was a bit overwhelming for him. Not being one for crowds uncomfortable was an understatement for. The fact he didn’t even know most of them didn’t help much. That when someone caught his eye. His mother walking in regal as usual dressed in a military uniform with awards and medals sprinkled all over. The uniform blended in well with her long blond hair that hung just under her neck. Her eyes were a strange dark purple that were mesmerizing yet commanding. A rather terrifying woman in every use of the word. “Showing off like usual aren’t you?” he said under his breath with a sigh. He continued looking around for any signs of his father but found none. “Busy I guess.” He spoke once again silently to himself.

Seeing his mother’s uniform reminded him of the new additions on his own. Guardian, Rank Cadet, Class C. He gave a sigh at his class knowing how this school worked he probably become a target. With allot of luck that wouldn’t be the case and he’d be able to avoid any confrontations but that was a shot in the dark if ever. The thought put a frown on his face as his hand began to shake slightly. In response Rallen took one of the pills he always carried on him and calmed his hand. With that he turned his attention back to the courtyard awaiting the beginning of this ceremony.

Caspian looked about his room, it was sparse and his roommate wasn’t around that he saw. Kyle was what the guy had said his name was, go figure it was the same guy that he’d met on the train, Stepping off his bed he stretched for the sky before dropping to the floor for his morning exercises, simple stuff more focusing on his core and forearms than most would have, a feature of his training as a swordsman. He worked up quite a sweat and so grabbed a towel from his stack in his closet and headed out the room. He was fairly modest, wearing pants was a given but some of the more show-offy guys on the cadet first floor had a tendency to walk around shirtless, but Caspian was still not used to communal living. Heading into the bathroom he got in the shower as fast as, and as modestly, as he could. He’d been told by a Sergeant that he would lose that soon enough and that he might as well get over it, yeah right.

After his shower Caspian hit the room again, got into uniform, and ensured everything was in order. He placed Raziel upon his belt, slung from his back instead of his side or shoulders. Seranor, however, remained atop his dresser. “Welp, guess it’s the last day of my life.” He mused as he ensured that his uniform was in order. He didn’t have any special ribbons or symbols on it, he didn’t even have rank just like the other cadets. He did have his name tag though so his last name was broadcast, not that many knew about his family, he wasn’t a member of the Noble class, just a soldier. He subconsciously stroked his lapel, feeling the metal crest beneath, he’d been careful to hide it incase his roommate saw, he was technically required to have it on him, even at School by both the family and surprisingly regulations but he didn’t have to flaunt it, at least that’s how he’d decided to take the rule. Besides, there was nothing special about it, he wasn’t the best at the school, far from it. Looking in the mirror at the color of the small circle on his neck he sighed. E class, really? I mean come on, I swear I did better on the test than that! But he couldn’t dwell, and headed to the cafeteria on the ground floor.

An hour later he was moving into the mass that was his company, looking around to see if he spotted the people directing everyone. He did see Suna, so she was in his unit? And that other guy, Rellan, Raylen, something like that. Obviously his roomy and plenty of others he didn’t know were there too. Finally he saw a ranked Sergeant, master Sergeant to be procise he believed, directing them to their units. “Sir-”

“It’s Sergeant, Cadet, I ain’t no officer.”

“Sorry, Sergeant, Cadet Polaris reporting…”

The Sergeant checked his list and pointed to the first platoon, “You’re over there ,Squad two.”

Caspian saluted and head over, awaiting the whistle ot blow to direct them to fall in to line.

Suna

waking up at the crack of dawn she was glad she had her own room as her last roommate always gave her grief about her morning routine. And since she woke up so early she was usually the first one to take a shower and have time to her. She started her morning exercise that required she use her whole body and was drenched in sweat when she finished. Grabbing her bathroom necessities she headed off towards the showers with nothing more than a small white towel wrapped around her body and her red chain like anklets. She looked herself in the mirror, commenting on the battle scars that had accumulated on her body from her freshman year. Stepping into the shower she was met with hot water and enjoyed the feel of it on her bare sweaty skin. 'i wonder how today will be like will mother be here will she watch me' her face turned serious just thinking of her surrogate mother and without noticing she subconsciously began stroking her many body tattoos, each one having its own meaning.

After her shower she got dressed in her uniform which she hated wearing as it wasn’t very comfortable. Some people even told her she looked out of place and awkward in it as if she didn’t belong in Archon Academy. Not that she cared much for appearances unless her mother was involved. Standing in front of a full length mirror she noted the few ribbons and at least 2 symbols that decorated her uniform with the Rank C badge near her neck, and remembering how her mother felt about appearances began to brush her wild shaggy hair into something a bit more presentable.

Soon after getting a small snack she walked about the mass of student bodies but was starting to get annoyed by being in such a tight moving space. So she walked over towards the trees and climbed it and began to jump from one tree to the next until she found her spot as Sergeant of the second platoon. She looked about and caught sight of Caspian and Rellan as they found their places in the first platoon. 'oh seems there in a different platoon than me'. A hand clasped her shoulder breaking her train of thoughts and on instinct she grabbed the hand and her foot to tip the strangers balance she nearly flipped him over her shoulder on the ground. But before she knew it she was the submission hold, her mother smiling down at her in her rather nicely decorated uniform of the imperial army. "Mother", "Daughter still instinctive as usual but it was a nice try though you almost got me there" "well i learned from the best didn’t i" giving her mother the rare a smile she hardly ever let anyone see.

Her mother Kathryn Alkard looked nothing like her adopted daughter; with her long blonde hair in a tight bun, pale skin sprinkled with freckles and her expressive steel grey eyes, while Suna had short shaggy white hair that was always messy accompanied with dark skin and pale red eyes.

Her mother was the complete opposite of her. She gave off an intimidating and orderly aura everything was in place. Kathryns face had a few wrinkles most were from her smiling a lot unlike her daughter. Who hardly ever showed emotion or smiled at that; Suna gave off a wild animal like aura yet it also made her seem harmless though neither were anything but harmless.

“So why have you come mother”

“What I can’t visit my daughter during her entrance ceremony” stroking Sunas cheek, pulling a strand of hair away from her face in the process.

A man then interrupted the two and whispered in her mother’s ear, her face soon became that of a serious officer. Her mother looked back at her giving her a sad smile “well it looks like I have to go but I’ll see you another time alright sweet heart” and she soon followed the officer as he lead her away. Suna watched her mother walk away but wasn’t really disappointed by the fact she wouldn’t be here to watch ‘oh well duty calls’ and went back to looking ahead waiting for the whole thing to start.

Michale Struggled with the uniform He wasn't a fan of tailored outfits, not that he had worn them allot in the past but his first impressions where not promising. He gave a sigh as he stepped out looking over his orders one last time "First Platoon Second squad...." He mumbled as he made his way down to the parade deck where the muster was being called. Michale had an apple in his hand as he looked around the mass of students. It was almost like chaos. unfolding a few dozen seemed to know where to go everyone else lost in the chaos of voices and screams. Michale placed a hand over his pocket the deck of cards safely in place as he Made his way to the symbol for First platoon and began to deduce which was second squad.

Michales heart raced as he suddenly saw the crowd. as he stepped into the ranks most just milled about. but he didnt have anyone to talk to. Just a spot to stand on and wait no family coming, no old friends just himself. Michale swallowed hard as he nodded silently to himself and awaited the start of the ceremony.

----

Delryn had dressed sharp in his uniform. His left shoulder held a gold red and green braided cord looping under his arm and back up the other side. on his head he wore the red cap of the SDU and his D class pinned and shined brightly to his collar. Delryn had gotten up particularly early as he headed out the back side of the campus looking out into the forest as his gloved hand massaged above his eyes. His shoulder was stiff and as a memento the medical team had given him the bullet Anara had recovered from his gut the one in his shoulder had splintered and shattered on impact. He had bored a hole in the round and hung it from his neck and now he sat staring at the sky in front of a small wooden cross, he had pounded in the ground. It had an single S on it and was made carefully by Delryn. It served too purposes now. One as a symbol of hope that he would see her again. Two it was something to prove that he had Neutralized the Enemy sniper.

"Sarah Im hoping i see you again soon, and i hope you made the right decision." Delryn mumbled under his breath as he touched the cross and made his way back to the campus. He had made it back into the chaos. Delryn hated the opening ceremony's he instinctively watched the roofs and the crowd. made mental notes on angles of optimal attack and egress routes. that's when he saw the little scoundrel...No that wouldent do at all.....

---

Michale stood there with a hand in his pockets the other eating the apple as he stood whear the formation would be It seemed harmless enough as he took another bite of apple..

"Hey! You...No not you The one with the Apple Yes you What on gods Green earth are you doing Cadet.....? No dont answer fix yourself. Get your hands out of your pockets and that food out of your mouth when standing on the parade deck....What do you think this is chow time..."

The man who had confronted him was obviously older and came out of no where his uniform was decorated his rank insignia was higher than his and instantly reliased he should have studied more. on the rank structure. Michale gave one last swallow as the man got into his face and began to yell at him correcting him...perfect just how he wanted to start his next four years....He had to be the one....

Kai pulled back his soaking wet hair as he stepped out the shower, So began another year at the academy. Like any sensible student he had already been through his morning exercises. wrapping a towel round his lower body he made was back to his room, his uniform out ready so that as soon as he dried himself off he could dress himself immediately. For someone who always looked ragged in his casual attire. His uniform could be exceptional but this was not due to him liking it, more so habit that had been drilled into him that now fixing his uniform up was all muscle memory.

Once his uniform was sorted, and his hair slightly pulled back to look presentable. He did not make his way down yet, Rather he polished up his weapons. The dark grey glint of his shield and great sword now sat proudly on his back, just as proud as his Class D pin.

Making his way down to gathering point, he stopped slightly seeing the crowds of people. the new cadets lost admits the crowds with the ranked soldiers directing them correctly. Those with more sense waiting in their positions already having found all they need. He remembered his first year to be fair, and he was almost as hopeless. But now he knew the drill and made his way through the mass of students, also minding out for any relatives of the new Cadets. His family would not turn up, but he did not mind either way.

Having made his way through the crowds of people, which was no easy task for someone as big as Kai to slip through a crowd, he stood himself in what loosely resembled an at ease position. His mind focused on the ceremony a head. He kept scanning around though slightly, he did wish to know who was in his squad and who he would be working under. But at the end of today all questions would of been answered though.

Clink... clink... clink...
Azyr heard the same sound over and over. He awoke from his nap and peered across his dormroom.
Clink... clink... clink...
He saw small sparks fly throughout the air. As his eyes adjusted from sleep and focused the light, he noticed his roommate cleaning and sharpening his sword. "Just my luck to get stuck in a room with mr. soldier boy" he thought to himself. His roommate was a large man and the most patriotic soldier the academy had ever seen. His only flaws were that he was as dumb as an ox and he had an odd infatuation with his sword. However his sense of honor, duty, andy loyalty to the empire was second to none. The vast majority of conversations with him ended with glory to the empire or some other corny slogan. Azyr believe it was a conspiracy having them plaaced in the same room.
Clink... clink... clink...
"Finnally", his roommate yelled, today is the day I become a true soldier of the empire. Azyr placed his pillow over his face in annoyance. Knowing he would not be able to get anymore sleep he arose out of his bed and began to put on his uniform. After his roomate finished shining his sword he saluted Azyr and ran out of the dorms. Azyr's eyes rolled into the back of his head thinking about the imbecile they placed him in the room with. He then put on his uniform and let out an apathetic sigh after looking in the mirror. The uniform was snug, crisp, and sharp as it was fitted to his frame in perfect fashion. He noticed an envelope in his pocket with a circular pin wit a D inside of it. A note beside it said "Alpha Company, Third Platoon, First Squad, D Class." Azyr looked at the not and thought,"Damn, D-Class, I was hoping for E. D just means I will end up having to do more work." He threw the pin in his pocket and left the dorm.

Azyr headed toward the courtyard to await for the ceremony to start. He gazed at many of his fellow classmates being greeted by their families, getting chewed out by superiors, and performing various other tasks. He began to mentally analyze the rest of his platoon when he noticed a young woman being held in a submission hold by an older blonde woman. A moment of exitement overcame him when he noticed how attractive the older woman was. "Maybe this wont be so bad he thought." That moment quickly faded when he noticed here uniform and realized she was not a classmate but just a family member watching the introduction ceremony. He let out a sigh of relief that his sisters were on missions on opposide sides of the world. If they were here they would probably berate him for not making a higher rank class. Azyr layed out under the shade of a nearby tree and decided to take a quick nap before the festivities began.

Staring at the ceiling as the night just seemingly flies by closing his eyes trying to go to sleep, but for some odd reason, he isn't able to do so. Staring at the ceiling as he pulls out the small cylinder out of his pocket, he grips is tight as he sighs and puts it back into his pocket. As his view diverts away from the ceiling and looks around his empty and dark room.

As the sun arises and the light slowly makes it's way into the room Karu is still staring at the light in the same position he has been for the past 6 hours. Looking at the clock, he gets up and grooms himself. His hair disheveled with his bang down his right eye yet again, he dresses himself in uniform making everything is in check and sighs to himself as he stares at the necklace that's blatantly showing in front of the uniform. "I promise." Karu speaking to himself as he speaks to the reflection with resolute eyes. He leaves the dorm room head strong with the words in his head, "Alpha Company, Third Platoon, First Squad, D Class." These words kept ringing in his head as engravings so that he never forgets where he first began, the start of it all.

Walking towards the courtyard as his eyes stare into the sea of people, he feels sick to the stomach as unable to handle wide amounts of people, taking a considerable distance until the very last moment he was allowed. Analyzing the people who enter the courtyard getting thicker and thicker, he feels like he wants to leave the area, but at the same time feels obligated to not doing so; as such Karu swallows his uneasiness and tries to hold it in, just long enough for everything to be over with.

"OMG!"

Lucy instantly got up rubbing her eyes at the noise, her roommate was standing there next to her bed fully dressed in her uniform jumping up and down, screaming with...Joy? Once Lucys eyes had adjusted abit she could see her mother and father standing at the door, "Your father and I decided to come and get you dear," Her mother had said laughing quietly. "Wait, how did they let you guys into the dorms?" Lucy rubbed her hair confusingly.

"I went here to dear, I just simply asked that we could just get our daughter. Now get dressed, we have a ceremony to get to," Her father laughed with her mother.

"Alright I will meet you down there now GO your embarrasing me infront of my roommate," She shoo'd her parents out and closed the door looking over to her roommate. "YOUR THE DAUGHTER OF THE GREAT CHARLIE MARETTA?!" Her roommate excited-ily asked.

"Yes," Lucy replied while smiliing happily, her hair messed up and her beddress still on.

"We have to get you ready! Oh by the way my name is Jana Faye," Jana was going into Lucy's dresser getting her uniform and some of her accesories like her blue bow and placing them neatly on the bed for when they come back. "Lets Go!" Jana grabbed Lucys hand and they were out the door heading towards the showers. Once there Jana turned her back on Lucy and stood their like a personal bodyguard. "Have a shower and be quick!" She quickly said.

Lucy was flustered as she quickly had a shower making sure to wash her hair, she got dry and put a towel on, once again Jana grabbed her hand and now they were headed back towards their room on the third floor. Lucy ran in quickly and Jana closed the door, pressing her face against it. "QUICK GET DRESSED!" She hastily spoke. Lucy got dressed quickly into her uniform which was surprisingly comfortable she felt something in the pocket she reached in and pulled out a envelope with a pin with a 'D' on it. I guess im in Class D then... she pinnded it to her uniform and noticed a note in the envelope aswell getting it out, it said. "Cadet, Second Platoon, Third Squad" She turned to Jana and spoke quietly, "You can turn around now Jana," Jana sat her infront of the mirror while grabbing a brush, stroking Lucys long blue hair, then placing a bow in it.

Lucy stood up infront of the mirror and twirled while nodding, "I like what you did with my hair Jana...Jana?" Lucy had turned around and noticed that Jana was frozen with excitement. "It is true...You are beautiful like your mother" Jana had praised Lucy. 'Thank you Jana," Lucy had smiled at her as Jana suddenly grabbed her hand again running out the door onto Courtyard while asking a few Higher-Ups they were able to find Lucys parents. "Well See you Lucy!" Jana gave a wave and went to find her own parents. Lucy turned to her parents and hugged them both tightly. "Dear you look as beautiful as your mother!" Said her father astonished at Lucy. "Always the hint of suprise father?" Lucy and her father laughed then went on talking.

Ethelyn woke up to her roommate-less double, sure she had a roommate a day ago but that girl didn't understand that Ethelyn's snakes were completely harmless. You would think an Archon student would have the guts to live with a few reptiles. Regardless she enjoyed the extra space for willow's giant tank.

She sighed and looked at her alarm clock realizing today was the entrance ceremony, she had to be at her best today, as Lieutenant she actually had a real title to defend now. To wake herself up she grabbed darts from her bed side table and started with her dart board, as silly as it seemed it was the best way to warm up her wrist for the heavier, far more deadly needles and daggers. Once she could get a bulls-eye every time she unrolled her throwing needle kit. She took a plantless pot of soil from the window sill and emptied its contents on the floor of her room in a simple pile. Hand outstretched toward the soil Ethelyn formed the incantation on her lips and the dark earthy runes formed at her fingertips. Pooling aura at the soil it soon began to coil and move as six small dirt mice formed. That was all it took to set Ethelyn's aura on fire, incantations poured from her mouth as she instructed the mice to scatter and play a game of moving targets.

With a scary level of lethal accuracy Ethelyn pulled a needle out with a single swift movement and hit the first mouse through the eyeball. As her incantations continued the mice began to run faster and evade her attacks. She danced around the small room singing her incantations with her needles firing at the tiny targets until every last one lay a defeated pile of dirt. With a final stretch she sang the dirt back into the pot as runes shined in front of her.

She was no well prepared for the day both mentally and physically. After a shower and dawning her uniform for the first time this year she admired the way her uniform fit her form perfectly, regal, deadly, yet feminine. This year her uniform was actually starting to look professional with the lieutenant decorations and Class B ranking. With a final good-bye to her snakes she left the room for the morning's ceremonies.

Arriving on the crowded scene Ethelyn was able to find the location of her Platoon rather easily, especially since Kai the Giant hitchhiker was in the area already. She smiled as she saw the giant was the firearms leader for one of her squads.

"Specialist Cavelier, I believe we met before under different circumstances." Ethelyn approached Kai standing tall and letting her aura add to her presence. "I see you are the firearms leader for my first squad, it will be pleasure working with you specialist." She greeted him with all of the formalities necessary, she was barely recognizable as the angry rich girl that lost a stupid card game to a street rat of a boy.

Daniel barely heard the alarm, even though he had it set to the loudest he could, and snoozed lazily on his bed. However he’d planned for this so after three minutes of constant buzzing and blaring his alarm shut off by itself, instead diverting the current to the metal plate beneath his right leg. Zap! He was up like a bullet, gun drawn as he looked about trying to figure out why his entire lower body just felt painfully like it had been jabbed by something very sharp. Of course after a moment or two he stood straight and came to terms with where he was. Yawning he stretched high and took another look around his new room. It was sparsely furnished he could barely believe it, of course it was over twice the size of his old one. He had all the room for his workout gear, that he still wondered why he’d bought, no doubt the younger students were busy that morning working out and getting settled, he wasn’t that moronic, he knew full well that there would be plenty of training later, he was on faction and being that he’d been in combat not but forty eight hours prior.

He wondered how Ethelyn was doing, two floors down, poor girl’s lieutenant room still had to be repair from the last occupant’s… eh, shall we say experiments. She’d be the only lieutenant with a roommate in the whole school, he chuckled at that. He headed to the bathroom across the hall to wash up, he was already later than most. Of course there was one thing about the lieutenant’s floor he’d forgotten. As he turned to exit the showers he found himself face to face with another… who was blank with shock. “Daniel!” Anora roared as she slammed the shower area screen and stormed out the bathroom in her robe.

“Oh… right… co-ed floor…” he commented, before heading back to his room to get dressed. He was sure he was going to hear about this later, and rather loudly. Still he had to get used to it, it was just how things were. He got into his more decorated uniform; all the officers were wearing their awards and medals which they normally did not. His uniform had a few more medals than most of the other officers his rank, and the reason why was the cord on his right shoulder. As he headed out his room his grabbed his officers hat and made his way to the parade grounds.

Glancing at his unit he sighed, “Damn kids are green as the day is long.”

Kayle stuck out like a sore thumb and he hated it. The crisp clean white of his uniform with stripes of red flashed with brightness next to the drab navy of other uniforms. Not to mention his natural glow from too much light magic use was visibly clear to most magus and those rare guardians familiar with auras. He was the perfect example for the Medical corps today, shiny and pure, he was even polite enough to wear his proper uniform with all of his honors pinned to his arm badge, some for lives he saved others for teams lost where only he remained in the end, mission complete, and blood on his hands.

He didn't want to be so visible today, entrance ceremonies made him feel so young among the parents. He had talent and experiences that could match many of his elders but he was still young for his position as general and felt it showed the most on days like this, he hated being reminded of his responsibility.

He shrugged off his embarrassment though and carried himself as tall as he could and wandered the crowd toward the front where he would stand alongside the other generals and commanders. Medical Corps personnel stood with their squads so except for a few scattered specialists he was alone in his white uniform, left to his thoughts as he waited for something interesting to happen.

Kai watched as numerous cadets where still trying to get everything straight, find their way and generally get a clue on what to do. This was the first of many days the cadets had any opportunity to make an impression, and it was on their own shoulders to do it this time because after today, they would start training and impression there on in would ripple outwards from its focal point, impact not only the trainees but the trainers as well.

Something however broke his thoughts. A rather formal call for him, using his rank and last name. Turning his eyes instantly saw the rank markings of a Lieutenant and from habit alone he came to attention and saluted. They certainly had drilled somethings into him. It was During the salute he noticed actually who it was. He almost did not notice who she was, what with the more confident regal look, and the aura adding to the package.

"Lieutenant Drake, indeed we have been acquainted before... my audacity to hitch a ride made sure of that" he said, his tone of voice level and calm. Just like his aura calm and never imposing at all. "I look forward to serving the platoon and the squad Ma'am". In the back of his mind Kai was starting to wonder if he was being too formal, but then again this first day, the ceremony was all about formalities. Besides any officer who did not like too much formality would normally just come out and say so.

"At ease soldier, but don't relax the formalities, the cadets need good role models." Ethelyn smiled deviously. Kai would be good to have around, he seemed to know what he was doing and his formalities were impressive, she hadn't even expected the salute but I guess that's what you get if you're a Lieutenant.

She glanced over to the end of the grounds past the people to see the sniper from the SDU yelling at her other hitch-hiker. For a moment she thought about joining in on the fun but decided since he wasn't in her platoon there wasn't any reason for her to intervene, what a pity, she was looking forward to whipping the rat into shape after that card game. She turned her attention back to what was important.

"Sergeant Alkard, Specialist Cavelier, gather your squad the ceremonies will be commencing soon and we don't want to be embarrassing ourselves on the first day." Ethelyn gave preparation orders as it appeared the crowds were beginning to settle into line.

Artemis was blinking away sleep deprivation as he stood before his company, his uniform ablaze with the awards and merits he’d earned to reach his station, the black and gold command cord that hung from his shoulder was something only nine people in the whole academy were permitted to wear. It brought him more than one awkward stare form the new recruits that moved here and there, chatting amongst themselves about how they came to be there, which squads they were in, what the higher ranks uniforms meant, and the topic of major discussion; the news that the night before the Emperor had collapsed during a state dinner. His morning had been full of irregularities, some would pass like the news of the Emperor, and still others he’d have to get used to. For the first time when he entered the dining hall it was no longer his voice calling out a call to attention but another’s, calling about him. The whole room had jumped to attention and he had to answer them with at ease, not that he was unused to command, he’d been a platoon leader after all, it was just strange having everyone he looked at being under his direct command. Absently Artemis wondered how Desmond felt, having truly no one above him, the peak of power, the feeling of a throne. The thought made him nauseous. “Some commander I am.”

“What? Did you say something?” Anora piped up at the comment Artemis had made, interrupting her rant about the mornings events.

“Eh? Oh uh… no,” he cleared his throated and looked at her more thoughtfully, “So you saw Daniel naked, it’s not like it’s the first time, there was that mission in Alastar.”

Anora growled and gave Artemis a slight kick in the shin, making him wince as he grabbed the spot in surprise and pain, “That was different! It was dark and…,” she blushed a deep scarlet as if lit on fire, “…and I was more focused on you.” Now it was Artemis’ turn to blush. Her hand slipped up her side and grazed his.

“Ahem!” a near-by sergeant coughed aloud, one of Artemis’ aids; he’d glanced over his shoulder and must have heard them as he was rather taken aback by the colonels actions in such a place. Artemis was reminded of when and where they were but still shot the sergeant a dirty look and jerked his head to the side, signaling for the man to get lost. As the soldier saluted and departed into the crowd Artemis crossed his arms and swallowed hard before letting out a grunt, “Well uh… you know… lieutenant… if you find that, uh, the third year floor arrangements aren’t to your liking you could always use my private wash room, if that would make you feel more comfortable I mean.” She looked down and began to squeak out and OK before another voice piped in a greeting.

“Hey there Anora, morning sir!” it was Daniel and he waved in a friendly and completely aloof sort of way.

Anora’s mood instantly worsened and she ground out a “Morning, Lieutenant…” be froe turning more stock toward Artemis, “Sir, we’ll discuss your generosity later, sir, I’ve got to get to my unit.” and began marching away from the two leaving a rather heavily sighing Artemis and a very confused Daniel in her wake.

With question marks practically popping out his head he cast his gaze to Artemis with his head cocked slightly to one side, “Did I miss something?”

“Apparently someone forgot to use the occupied sign on the fifth floor today… any idea who?” Daniel came back to reality and chuckled scratching his head with slight embarrassment, or was it pride, Artemis couldn’t tell, “Jeez, Dan, at least act like you’re an officer every now and then.” Dan saluted sternly but his broad grin never wavered.

With an exasperated inhale Artemis turned to look at the stage that had been erected for the instructors and battalion staff in the middle of the courtyard. While the teachers were all seated on a raised section at the back there were six chairs prominently placed forward on the patio, just behind a podium. It was here that the five Generals of the Battalion would sit, along with the headmaster of the Academy. For all legal rights the headmaster maintained the final control of the school, however for all political intents and purposes it was the five generals who were in charge at the school, and the head of those five who was in command of every cadet on that field. Again Artemis felt the vertigo press in on him.

-=-=-=-

GM Post

The morning was slightly chilled, with a dampness clinging to the grass, still warm as was expected for the new born fall that crept over the southern lands. It was a quarter to eight by the time all the last of the cadets had come from the dorms to stand in the parade grounds now, a muddle of uniformed young men and women preparing to begin their journey into adulthood. The actual start of term was not to commence for another hour, however they had been roused early to ensure everyone was in their right place. Of course sour news for the city to the south had most of the lips in the field flapping relentlessly. The evening before the Emperor had collapsed at a state dinner with the nobles from across the nation. He’d been rushed to the nearby hospital and was currently resting there, being treated for exhaustion. Still the news had the students on edge, as it always did when the Emperor was reported to have been in some form of danger. Still life resumed as it always had, and the students had far greater thoughts bearing their minds toward the Earth with the impending ceremony. It was their first inspection, their first showing of what they had to offer the nation, their first test at the school. True they were new blood, and at almost every other academy they would have not had such a ceremony until a few days if not weeks into the year when the students had been given time to be properly instructed on the formations and uniforms they were to keep up. However Archon, as it is always said, is not a normal academy. Here the students were provided with the handbook before they ever arrived and were expected to have diligently studied the basics of drill they would be executing that day. Even the most lax of students at the academy would not forsake this, they may have put it off until the last minute but they would know how not to fail. If they didn’t they wouldn’t be at Archon in the first place. as the large clock struck eight the cadets began to move ever closer to their proper place, discussing with one another how to properly fall in when the time finally came.

(OOC Note*: throughout this and several more posts my characters will be speaking to multiple characters without me waiting for a response to ensure the game keeps pace, please read carefully and reply at your leisure to all comments as if we’d had a full conversation)

-=-=-=-

The slight chill of the first September morning had Desmond rather thankful, the full uniform he was forced to wear consisted of not just the officers uniform and medals as well as ribbons and cords of his typical formal attire but as Battalion Commander he also wore a large black cape that covered half of his whole body, the seal of the Academy embodied in gold and silver on his shoulder. His cap was more trimmed than that of the other generals which was saying quite a lot and his over-all appearance was more regal than most thought a man only twenty years old could bear. And yet as he stood there on the patio, the other Generals arriving as well, his demeanor was more of a young man who felt it was far too early for this sort of show. He looked to Kayle with an apparent apology stinging his eyes before turning to again survey the cadets again as the clock struck the hour. One hour to go, and where the hell is the headmaster? h thought as a third year officer came rushing to the stage and came to his side, whispering in his ear. He sighed heavily in disappointment.

-=-=-=-

“Eight o’clock…” Artemis commented to no one in particular as the clock rang out, “Captain! Fall them in please.”

The Captain looked at Artemis quizzically, “Are you sure sir? We’ve got about half an hour before the headmaster speaks.”

“I’d like to ensure that they get it right so we’ll fall them in now and fix any idiots who screw things up. Then when things get rolling we’ll be set.”

The captain didn’t argue any further and just shrugged, heading to his post and taking a deep breath, “Company! Fall in!” he called out, his voice echoing around the grounds for all of Alpha to hear. Daniel looked over as the four platoon sergeants all to their place before the Captain, saluted, and then turned on their heels, stepping out and over before finally resting in position for the first squad of each platoon to form up. All the Sergeants roared the same order to their platoon as the Captain had for the company, and the first squad set up their line the same way, stepping off the Sergeant and counting their paces to the proper location. From there all the Cadets should know to find their locations based on where the first squad leader was standing.

Caspian found his place standing beside his fire-team leader swiftly after the call rang out, knowing the drill form his days in the Polaris school which used the same basic set up. He looked at the man who stood beside the Captain, watching his Company like a hawk. So that was the infamous Alpha Company Commander, Artemis Halken, eh? He allowed himself the small moment to size the man up; did he look like much of a fighter? Yes, and he was wearing a sword, but no visible crest. So he was self-taught? Could I take him? the thought entered his head without him even realizing it but as his eyes fell on the small glint of the circle on the man’s neck he couldn’t believe his own folly. He was far away but Caspian could still make out the color, even from there; an incredibly brilliant silver, almost white in its reflection… a platinum pin. He didn’t’ need to see the letter to know that the rumors were true. His company commander was ranked S.

The Sergeant’s each reported on their squads status (how many absent) and called out to the platoon sergeant, who turned on his heal, saluting the Captain. In succession they reported in, until the last was saluted to and lowered their salute. Finally the Captain turned and saluted the company commander, saying something Caspian and the others couldn’t hear. After a returned salute the Colonel stepped forward and stood straight, Caspian could swear he was glaring right at him, but he also suspected everyone else could have promised the same thing. Stranger still was he was sure they’d all be telling the truth. The man spoke, seemingly at a standard level and yet his voice pierced the air and reached everyone’s ears, “Post!”

Like clockwork the Platoon leaders and Sergeants switched places, the lieutenants now standing at the head of the ranks with the sergeants behind. “Stand at ease!” at that the more prepared students slackened slightly, though they never let their eyes leave the man standing at the front of their ranks, “Now… we’ve some time before the official inspection begins, so Platoon leaders, sergeants, look your cadets over, make sure they don’t embarrass our company. When you’ve completed the inspection put your men at ease…” a pause to ensure he was heard, “Platoon Leaders, Assume command.”

All four lieutenants resounded with a snap to, “Sir!” and turned on their heels, each issuing various orders to stand at attention, for the platoon staff and sergeants to fall out and check the cadets over, for the cadets to ensure they didn’t screw up, and various other demands. This was how military school worked, so Caspian decided he’d have to get used to it.

Daniel ordered for the sergeants to begin inspecting the cadet’s uniforms first, then to make sure they knew how to stand properly and such. Turning himself he headed over to the Colonel and stretched his neck, “geez, colonel, don’t you think you could have warned us?”

“You know there are no warnings in the real world.”

“You do realize this is school right?”

“Most of these cadets will be on the battlefield someday, better they be disciplined now right?”

Daniel rubbed his head again, “Whatever you say, Artemis, it’s you company. Alienate them all you want.”

“Speaking of alienating, don’t you have some cadets to attend too?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m goin’” Daniel commented dismissively as he headed back to his unit and began inspecting his troops, correcting flaws on the uniforms of several young first years. He came ot second squad and looked the mover. He first turned to Rey, “Sup, Sarge? Good holiday?” he commented. Caspian gulped, this guy seemed too laid back to be an officer yet still seemed a good sort, but he still had one thing that made him hesitate to lighten up; the red cord the man wore was the sign of the SDU. They slang for those cords was ‘blood rope’ as they were said to really be white, but it was tradition to stain them red in the enemies’ blood after this first mission. Caspian highly doubted that, but still. He didn’t want to even think about trying to take the man as he had with the Colonel, that naiveté was evaporated after his first splash of reality. Looking Caspian over the man’s gaze stopped on his lapel which was slightly raised, “Hmm, odd… something wrong with the stitching?” Daniel tried to smooth it out and instantly his expression changed, “No… not the stitching…Cadet?”

Caspian knew he’d felt it and gulped, “Uh, sorry sir… just a good luck charm, never leave home without it.” he explained with a sincere look, not a complete lie. Daniel was suspicious at first, and to be honest that look of extreme interest and doubt never left his eye even as he shrugged and looked him over the rest of the way.

“Okay Cadet, you’re good except for one thing…” Caspian’s pulse skipped, “You’re hat… should be tilted to the other side, right, not left…” Caspian nodded and made the adjustment. Daniel smiling the whole time and nodding at his competence, “Oh, and next time leave the picture of your sweetheart at home.”

“Si-Sir, yes, sir!”

“Good lad!” he slapped Caspian on the shoulder, almost knocking him over, “oops, sorry, forgot you must be a magus, sword threw me for a moment there.” He commented before stepping up to the next in line. “Ironclaw? Well, interesting name… uh, sorry to spoil you’re fun, Cadet, but that gauntlet isn’t exactly standard issue. Want to tell me why you’ve got it on in uniform?” he asked. He’d eventually approve the cadet having it and tell him he was just giving him hell but not without a few minutes of giving him the third degree. Finally he came to Michale, “Cadet Sear… rumor has it you cheat at cards… is that true? Wait! Better question! How you teach me?” Daniel would have to tell the cadets that every advantage, fairly won or not, must be taken in war, something they’d learn in time at Archon, regardless of Michale’s answer, though he would let him comment with a smile.

Caspian couldn’t really agree though, victory by any means wasn’t the way to go, because karma always bit you in the ass; at least in his experience. “Meeko… what are you doing now?” he wondered aloud.


Artemis stood by at the front, watching as the platoons did their thing. He turned to Delryn and cleared his throat, “CSM, do you mind taking fourth Platoon for the day? Lieutenant Winters looks like he’s going to faint in second.” It was more an order than a request and he left Delryn to get it done. He didn’t turn around as a man in a much more flashy uniform than any other stepped up beside him and looked out over the cadets. “General.” Artemis commented in greeting.

“Oh, you’re not ignoring me?” Desmond asked rather excitedly.

“What? Why would I be ignoring you?”

“Oh well, you know, I just figured you’d want to look all cool and such in front of your new cadets is all.” The General was making over exaggerated movements as he spoke with the Colonel, being rather loud.

“You’re hopeless.”

“And you’re too stiff! Oh well, I’m sure you’ll lighten up after a few drinks, you’re of age now right?” he hung over Artemis’ shoulder much to the colonel’s chagrin.

“Are you propositioning me, General?”

“Maybe, what if I was?” the General asked lewdly, finally eliciting a smile to break form the colonel’s straight face, the general jumped back claiming victory with gusto.

“First, Kalen would have my head on a platter… secondly; don’t you have a speech to give?”

“Ah! You had to bring that up!” he flittered his thumbs with a shy face and posture, “Hey, you wouldn’t be willing to give it instead would you?”

“No.”

“Wha-!” you didn’t even consider it!”

“Nope, and I never will… anyway, “his voice lowered so as to ensure no one over heard, “where is the headmaster? He should have been here an hour ago? We can’t put this off for much longer, at this rate the alumni won’t get their word in edgewise… and the new year starts at 0900, period, no exception.”

The general straightened up, “He’s headed into the city, the Noble’s council called an emergency meeting.”

“Is it that serious?” Artemis asked, not really specifying what.

The General seemed to be well aware as to what he was revering though, “Yeah, it is… why do you think they called the Five to his side.”

Artemis cursed, “How’s the old man?”

“Come on, you can show a little more respect than that can’t you?”

“What? I always call him Old Man. Is that a problem?”

“Well yes!”

“Then what should I call him?”

“Maybe ‘Your Majesty’ or ‘My Emperor’! It’s not hard!” the General sighed and returned his voice to a low level, having elevated it slightly, “He’s alright, they called us in the other day though, he wanted ot speak with the Five Apparents… two of which were absent.” He cast a shady gaze at Artemis, “Which reminds me, where were you last night? You did get the summons right?”

“Oh uh, yeah, I did but Anora had me take her to dinner in town to make up for a major screw up and well uh.”

“Uh, honestly, you’d think that the number four in the line of succession could show a little more enthusiasm for the throne!”

“Oh, I’m still number four?”

“I didn’t say that… you were downgraded, Maretta is the new number four, you’re five now. That’s what you get for not showing up.” The General added with a slight ‘it’s your own damn fault’ kind of tone.

Artemis, however, seemed un-phased, “So who was there?’

“Lady Heritosh was already by his side when I arrived. But Lord Maretta had apparently come and went by then. Judith showed up too, but you were clearly indisposed and Marshal Octavian is at the western front right now.

“Ah… what did he want?”

“Well he was mostly out of it, but the main thing was that he wanted to ensure we each knew that he had great hope for us all. The doctors didn’t know why but his condition just wasn’t improving.”

“So the exhaustion?-”

“A ruse, it’s just to keep the public from freaking out, they wouldn’t have been told anything if he hadn’t collapsed in a reception… and before you ask no, it wasn’t poison, they analyzed everything at the dinner, whatever this is it’s natural.” The Generals hardened face broke again just as it had when he’d first came up to Artemis, “But, the old gu- uh I mean, his Majesty is pretty tough, I have no doubt he’ll pull through whatever this is, his aura was as strong as ever.”

Artemis cursed, “I’m suddenly regretting that delicious steak last night.”

“Oh, where’d you go?”

“What? The situation is like this and you’re thinking about food-”

“General!” a stern voice broke into their conversation as a woman approached, at the sight of her however Desmond moved behind Artemis.

“Oh uh, hey there, Kalen. What’s up? Do you need something?” he asked with a sheepish look in his eyes.

Kalen put her hands on her hips and stared him down, “Yes, actually, you! You’ve got a speech to make in five minutes, it’s time you fall the Battalion in!” she marched around Artemis and grabbed the General’s arm, pulling him along with her as she headed back to the podium. “Sorry, Colonel, we’ll catch up later okay? Have thme fall in if you don’t mind.”

“No problem, you be careful and don’t let him slip away again Kalen!” Artemis replied before turning back to his company, “Company fall in!” he called out. It was a simple matter of those how had moved getting back in place and his company was ready.

The General returned to the Podium, Caspian looking at him the whole way, he’d noticed him approach as had most in the company and like most of the cadets was looking at him in disbelief. That moron in our battalion commander? that was clearly on the mind of most of the cadets ,however everyone who had been at the school before didn’t have that look at all and rather had a gaze of admiration and respect if they looked toward the man. Caspian thought it strange. The clock chimed again, a whole hour had passed without anyone knowing, and all four companies had fallen into place.

Stepping up to the Podium the General cleared his throat and tapped the microphone, “Uh… Ahem. Can, can you guys uh hear me… i-is this thing. Oh, it’s on? Good uh. Unfortunately the Headmaster is currently indisposed so we will be , uh, amending the schedule slightly , and I’ll make the opening remarks. Th-thank you.” He cleared his throat again and spoke much more clearly this time, though Caspian was again at the moron stage, “Welcome, both new and old students of Archon Academy, to this the first day of the new term. I’d also like to welcome the many family and friends that have shown up today to support our new cadets. They’ve come to show their pride in what you’ve done, and that pride is well placed. Here, at our prestigious school, we become what most strive to dream of being. It is in these hallowed halls that so many of the greatest our Empire has ever known have found their calling, and it is my hope that you too will find yours here. The entrance selection has brought us the very best of you all, but this is not the end of your journey. No.”

The General was certainly showing signs of split personality with is speech, as he’d started barely able to make it through one sentence and yet the moment he began to focus he was fluent in a way Caspian never felt he could be before such a crowd, “This is the very beginning, here you will strive, here you will compete, and here you will become the next leaders of this great and powerful nation. I wish you all the very best of luck, however I do so with the knowledge that of the hundreds standing before me, only a few dozen will ever cross this stage. All of you are capable of greatness, and indeed all of you will achieve it someday in your own way, but only those how are strong will graduate from this school. Never forget the pride you feel right now, standing in this crowd of th best of the best, because that is what will fuel you into the future, however do not be consumed by it, for that pride will drag you form our graces just as swiftly. It is-”

Over the past few sentences a thunderous sound had been growing in the south east of the plaza and at last it crescendo’ed to a deafening roar as a Vertilift appeared on the horizon, cresting over the mountain that separated the Academy and the Capitol. The Aircraft was painted with the Academy seal and colors and as it flew over the parade ground, sending several caps flying and skirts blowing, the vessel made to land at the clearing behind the companies. “Uh… it is… ahem, excuse me for a moment.” The General stepped down and moved forward to look out as the door on the Vertilift opened.

A man in a blue suit and with several military officials stormed out, marching rather hurriedly across the courtyard. Still being picked up by the microphone the generals voice echoed although a great deal quieter than during his speech, “Headmaster, sir, you’ve arrived.”

The man didn’t answer and instead ascended to the stage and pulled the general aside, whispering in his ear with a blank face. The General was at first as clueless as the rest but as the man spoke to him, the others unable to hear a thing, Desmond’s face changed from confusion to something akin to despair. The Man patted the general’s arm and moved to the Podium, “Ahem… I must apologize for my absence; and my untimely arrival.” Those behind were whispering amongst themselves and was everyone else, all wondering what could be going on, “I am afraid I must dispense with the formalities as I have come with grave news…” every last whispering voice stopped abruptly as all ears leant to the man in the suit, “I regret to inform you all that our beloved Emperor Augustus VI has passed away as of 0617 this morning of apparent heart failure…”

“What!?”

Rallen found his place in line rather easily and quickly after all he would ever so much hate to displease his mother. Formation where all second boring to him as he let out a yawn but still kept rank without any issue. Despite all the things he’d weather be doing it couldn’t be helped. The higher ups all need to feel like they were running some great military force, and to be fair they kind of where, and show it off like some kind of trophy. “Can’t be helped I suppose.” Rallen said softly with a sigh. Did people actually find this entertaining? Or better yet did anyone outside of the military even care? He looked around to see who was part of the new squad he found himself in and saw Caspian along with Rey. He raised a brow a bit thinking fate had a funny way of working. It was probably best that way at least like this he didn’t have to deal with people who were unreasonable or at least he hoped.

He waited patiently for the Lieutenant to show up to him. He looked at his gauntlet that rest comfortable on his left hand and frowned at it. “This should be good.” He spoke under his breath. Rallen turned his attention to the fellow and listened to rather politely if anything to make up for the yawn from earlier. He lifted up his left arm a bit and shrugged at his question. “Didn’t read my file did you?” He chuckled at the fellow and dropped his hand back to his side. “I’d take it off but I do ever so much like living you know.” He gave the man a smile as he walked on and turned back to the stage waiting what would come next.

Much like the walking around, he found the speech rather boring though the change of tone put a smile on his face. At a point he just sort of faded out from the speech going into his own little world in his head just waiting for it to be over to he could go home and leave from the peering eyes of his mother. He woke from his trance at the sound of the air ship coming in. He peered out to the exit looking to see the headmaster walk in and up to the stage. He listened to every word the man spoke it was clear by the entrance something was wrong. Hearing the news of the emperor’s death his eyes turned serious as the crowd began to act up. He knew fully well what was to fallow the man’s death and he kept his focused on the headmaster toning out the noise of the others.

Karu at attention at his spot, seated and at stand and seated back on his chair. Looks around as he tries to see if he can recognize anyone, but to no avail no one except for Medical General Kayle, he looks for a moment until his eyes become diverted to full attention at the battalion commander just listening to his speech as it impacted Karu. Thinking to himself briefly,

"(Wow, is this going to happen the my in the future? Most likely not, but it's great to dream; it looks glorious and yet, at the same time nerve wrecking to stand up onto the podium as such and talk in great lengths of this school, yet as well must not be from wars and uprisings and falls that time has slowly whittled down, corroding my very soul. I don't think i could handle this, so I shouldn't try to get my hopes up and aim for such a high role, I just have to get through my first battle. As my father used to say when I was young, at the time I didn't know what it meant, but I do now... 'You're only strong when you decide to spare a life, not take it away.' I learned from that greatly, although in my mind I feel the inkling of morbidness from this as well, 'when taking someone's life, the choice is yours yet the possibility is going to be high. Will you be able to sleep at night, or not at all?' As this other comment struck into my mind. I don't understand both of them, yet individually they make sense. Why?...)"

Karu goes through several and more thoughts in his mind thinking deeply as he further proves himself wrong again and again with counter arguments going throughout his mind. His eyes as slowly shifting color at a rapid, but consistent rate:red, green, and yellow; as his hair is long enough his face is staring to the ground with his hands to his head as the neighbor cadets look at him with worry and try to shake him back to reality. Karu wakes up from such conversation with himself and his hair covering his eyes just enough that no one is able to see them where Karu just barely arrived back into the ending of the loud thunderous and deafening cheers as it quickly died down. Looking back to the others he shifts his hair to the right and his eyes are normal again as he looks at the commander once more upon looking at the headmaster whispering to the Battalion Commander, Karu looking in confusing where he has been the last few moments almost forgot to tell his neighbors that he was fine, letting them know to ease their worry and look at him with a uneasy smile still, makes them feel better but not that much.

The last words Karu listens to, “I regret to inform you all that our beloved Emperor Augustus VI has passed away as of 0617 this morning of apparent heart failure…” Looking at the headmaster with shock and surprise leaving himself speechless with no words to convey as he just stares on.