“Get your asses off this steel crap, and outside!”

  Xander jerked to consciousness almost immediately.  One of the upsides of farm life is the abillity to rouse yourself from a sound sleep.

Pa woulda beat me good if I’d stayed in bed

  The room was a chaotic mix of shouting noncoms, scrambling recruits and flying icewater.  Xander hit the floor running. He snapped to attention at the end of his bunk, and listened as one of his fellow noobs grumbled.

“It hasn’t been fours since light’s out, never mind getting up early,”

Pa woulda beat me for backtalk, too

“You. Brig. The rest of you, clear out this building, report to the shuttle outside, full gear, we’re going to do a bit of cooking today,”she said in an eerily calm voice.

He quickly moved to gear up.  Throwing on his bodysock and securing his new armor.  His parents had purchased the vintage Shock Trooper armor for him as a going-away gift.  The plate had been completely refurbished, and was like new.  They knew his love of all things Mandalorian, and purposly got him the older gear because it resembled the warrior races’ look.

“ Boys, you heard the gentlemen, I gave the Army Kitchen staff the day off, told them I’ll take care of it…now move,”she prodded as she stepped away from the doors.

“Ma’am, cooking? In full gear?”another recruit asked.

Xander shook his head. Too many questions, too much backtalk.  He knew his place.  He was a tool for the Empire.  He was expendable.  His job was to make sure that he was a sharp and deadly tool; not too QUICKLY spent.  A perturbed look spread across Gunny Aeos’ face as she zeroed in on the questioning man.

“Helmets, blaster pistol, backpack, the lot…Oh, and by the way, don’t forget the aprons.” She stated as her ice blue eyes flared.

  Xander could’ve sworn he saw the eyes swirl and pulse.  He shook it off.  Now fully geared up, grabbed his helmet, E-11, and raced out the barracks door.  He felt a surge of pride as noted that only one other trooper had beat him to the parade ground.  He threw on his lid, and stood at parade rest, waiting for the Gunny to give further orders.

  The remaining members of his training squad filtered out.  It was a ragtag collection of armor. Some newer standard Stormie gear. Some classic Clone Wars gear, like his, and even a few obviously lower class recruits with no armor at all.  Even with all of their armor on, Xander could tell those who understood the honor of wearing the gear.  A few of the assembled grunts stood tall and alert.  The vast majority sagged and slouched, still trying to shake the sleep and ice water from their eyes. 

Punks, they ain’t gonna make it

  Xander would not be among them.  For as long as he could remember he had only one dream, to serve the Emperor.  When the Rebel scum killed him at Endor, Xander’s purpose was crystalized.  Make them pay.  The only way that he could do that was to throw himself into the grinder.  He had spent the last three years honing his body to be a deceptively deadly weapon.  He had worked hard to become an adept practioner of Echani and K’thri.  He knew he was nowhere near proficient in either, but he knew enough to be dangerous.

  The full squad was now on the parade ground. Gunny Aeos and the rest of the Noncoms followed.

“Atenn-hut!”screamed one of the sergeants.

  Xander and the rest of the grunts snapped to.  The Gunny calmly strode to the front of the formation, eyeing the motley crew as she went.  A look that mixed mild approval and disgust churned on her face.  The accompaning noncoms filtered through the ranks, verbally shredding the troopers.

“You call that attention…Did your momma sew that piece of shit uni for you….This is the best that the Rodians can send us…”chorused over the dark gound.

  Gunny Aeos held up her hand, and the other DI’s melted into the dark.  She paced in front of them like a hungry Boma.  Stopping in front of Xander, giving him a once-over.

  “Where’re you from Trooper?”she asked quietly.

  Oh crap, here it comes

  “Concord Dawn, Ma’am!” he snapped.

  “This armor,”she queried as she fingered the shoulder plate of his kit,”where did you get it?”

  “A gift from my family, Ma’am!”he returned

  The Gunny softly observed,“Hmm, nice, we’ll see if you deserve to wear it soon enough, or if you’re just a boy playing ‘dress up’.”

  It was a carefully placed and devestating phrase.  Xander knew she did it to strengthen him, and didn’t know or care if it hurt.  His resolve hardened.  Beneath his helm a scowl settled on his brow.

“Yes Ma’am. You will see.” He answered defiantly.

  He knew he shouldn’t have replied the moment the sound crossed his lips. But it was too late.  Now he stood out, now he was the center of her attention.

  She turned and bore a look through him. Xander felt a strange unease. Something that even his father had not been able to accomplish in many years.  It was if she was inside his head, poking through it, sifting his thoughts.  He shook off these fantasies and focused on the woman standing mere inches from his face.  A wry smile carressed her lips. Xander was now actually afraid.  He had some idea what a steak felt like right before it was eaten.
 
  “Oh, that I will trooper, that I will.”hissing as she turned away.

She retuned to the front of the assembled noobs , now raising her voice,”You all now belong to the Empire, and for the next few hours, me.  We are going to go on a little walk, and have some breakfast.  Does this sound good?”

“Ma’am, Yes Ma’am”shouted the squad in unison.

“Good, because I get very hungry after a walk, and I’m very particular about what I eat.  Move out.” She signaled to her sergants to move out.

“Right… face, Hoooo”bellowed the the noncoms.

  The troopers moved as one.  Xander fell into stride and thanked the Gods to be moving.  He hoped that the Gunny wasn’t paying too much attention to him.
This hope was dashed as he heard her voice in  his left ear,”We’re going to get aquainted trooper. Very, very well aquainted.”

Damn

OOC:

1066 words

Xander and his fellow noobs boarded the waiting transport.  It was an Imperial Armored Transport. It could easily handle his training squad of nine, the noncoms and Gunny Aeos.  The Gunny had not strayed far from his side since they fell in.  She situated herself across from him as he strapped down.  Her eyes continually boring through him.  Xander felt the unease that he felt upon her initial scrutiny.

  The transport lifted off and wheeled about.  Xander knew they were facing west when he boarded, they now were headed in a southeasterly direction.  His study of Tadathan geography prior to arrival let him know they were headed out into the Arboreal Deep.  The Arboreal Deep was a continent spanning forest that few Tadathians ever went into, and of those who did, few returned.  The edges of the Deep had only recently been probed for logging and other commercial interests.  The one thing that stuck in Xander’s head was the reason most given for the lack of commercial exploitation of the Deep was the overwhelming number of Cistox attacks.

  Cistoxs were the kind of beastie that parents frightened their children with at bedtime.  The idea of 2m., carnivorous, pack-hunting frogs did not fill Xander with a warm fuzzy feeling.  He looked around the transport.  The body language of his fellow recruits said it all.  Many of the armored troopers fidgeted in their seats. Heads nervously turned and attempted to look out of the darkened ports.  Gunny Aeos reached back, over her head and flicked a switch.  Armor plates slammed down over the ports, cutting off all views of the darkened landscape.

  “Now, now ladies, I don’t want you to spoil the surprise. “She announced

  Xander tuned back to see the Gunny once again boring a visual hole through his helm.  Her eyes danced.  He felt a swimming sensation wash over him.  He began a K’tri mantra to focus himself and push the sensation away to limited success.  His head continued to swim. He felt as if someone were trying to pry open his skull and look inside.  He tried a more powerful mantra; on that usually put him into a deep trance.  He faded away…

**Minutes Later**

  Raibaux jerked back to consciousness as the transport slammed to a stop.  The noncoms were instantaneously screaming at the troopers to disembark. Xander jumped to his feet, E-11 at the ready.  Gunny Aeos was at his side almost as quick.  He fell in with the others and marched down the gangplank.  The sounds and smells of the Deep overwhelmed his helmets filters.  The moist, live smell, the rotting vegetation, the cries of unknown beasts inundated him.  He reached up and adjusted his helm controls

  “Too much for you, farm boy?” the gunny’s voice cut through the cacophony. 

  Xander flinched slightly.  He knew she was close, but not that close.  He shook off the momentary shock of surprise, and came to a halt.  Aeos stepped away from him and moved to survey the assembled troopers.

  She snorted as she commented, “Sloppy, very sloppy.  Any game within a half a klick is now gone.  You all need to learn stealth.  That is why we are here. “

  The half the noncoms busily set up a homing beacon.  The other half moved through the recruit ranks, slapping positioning badges on their left arms. 

  “You are now dully tagged.  This tag will show you the way back to this spot.  You have two hours to forage.  You will come back here and then cook what you have foraged.  I, personally, will sample it.  If I am not pleased you will walk back to base, understood. “She calmly stated for all to hear.

  “Ma’am, Yes Ma’am!” chorused the troopers.

  “Excellent, oh, one more thing. “She mused as she turned back to the transport, “hand all of your rifles and blasters to Sergeant Zafo. You will not need them. Gentlebeings, the clock is running.”

  The Gunny strode up the ramp as Sgt. Zafo collected their weapons.  The rest of the squad grumbled as they handed over the shooters.  Xander quietly handed his over, and watched as his classmates melted away into the underbrush.  He waited a bit until the majority of them chose their routes.  He did a dead reckoning from the position of the sun and the landed transport.  He broke out in an East by Southeasterly direction.  He knew that the transport engines would have frightened off any of the larger game, regardless of what the Gunny had said about their noise level.
 
  A half to a full klick should do it

  He continued to push through the thick brush, periodically checking his distance on his PB.  When he hit the one klick mark he stopped and surveyed the land.  Typical Deep forest.  High canopy, low heavy underbrush, punctuated by openings brimming with medium growth.  Kneeling he checked his gear.  He had his twin Treppus-2 vibros, and the usual standard issue items including high-tension wire. What he did not have were the food rations.  Those seemed to be mysteriously missing.

  Must’ve removed those as we slept

  Xander shrugged to himself.  If they wanted to test him they could do what ever they wanted, this was the army.  Stowing his gear he turned his attention to the business at hand – breakfast.  The area was teeming with life; he just had to find the right kind.  He started to search the plant life for edible items.  He quickly found several wild versions of Boorginger and Crinroot; these would make most meats tangy and savory.  Further poking found some wild tubers and some edible flowers.  He had found almost everything but the main course. 

  After about twenty minutes of scanning he found a set of tracks. They were fairly fresh. He could determine there were at least two or more of whatever they were, so off he went.  Raibaux tracked the beasts for a matter of minutes before he came upon them. 

  Damn

  Just what he didn’t want to find, Cistoxi.  From what he could see, and from the brief info he had received at induction, it was a breeding pair.  The larger male paced restlessly around the female who was feeding on a downed carcass.  The two together would be a handful, if not impossible to kill. He formulated a plan to take them out individually. He reached down and removed the high-tension wire, and fashioned a slip noose.  He then weighted the end, and found a low hanging branch.  Silently, he moved closer.  The only reason they didn’t know he was here was the fact that his armor was self-contained and kept his scent from escaping.  When he was within striking distance of he male he flung the wire over its head.  The Cistox immediately pulled and snapped at the unseen binding.  Xander yanked the noose shut, and pulled with all his strength. The Cistox resisted mightily, but Xander was more than his match.  Nearing the branch, he threw the weighted end over the branch and pulled the frantic animal up and into the air.  He secured the free end and waited as the thrashing animal slowly asphyxiated.

  As the male died, Raibaux turned back to the remaining female.  She had abandoned her meal and was now in a defensive mode.  She saw him coming and attacked.  The angry animal hit him low and knocked him to the forest floor.  It came up biting, and caught Xanders left arm in its razor-like teeth.  The armor crinkled under the vise-like pressure of its jaws, but held.  He could feel the teeth piercing the plate and sickening into his flesh: the pain started to form.  Not wanting to drag this out any longer than he had to, he pulled one of his vibros and sank it into the middle of its skull.  He felt the blade sink through the bone and meat, glancing off his armor as it went hilt deep.  The Cistox twitched and went limp.

  Xander pried the lifeless animal off his arm and examined his wounds.  He pulled off the forearm piece and dressed the small punctures.  A purplish bruise was starting to form where the powerful jaws had clamped down.  Once finished he replaced the now dented and scratched armor.

Oh well, wasn’t gonna stay pretty forever

He cut down the strangled male and tied the free end of the wire to the female.  He positioned himself between the two and started to drag them back to the LZ.  He stopped only to gather up the previously found tubers and herbs.  Arriving back at camp he was surprised to see only the noncoms and Gunny Aeos. They had set up a fire, camp stove and tables.
 
  “Welcome back, Trooper you have 45 minutes, and I’m hungry. “She stated flatly from the head of the table.

  Xander nodded and began butchering the pair of kills.  He didn’t know much about Cistoxi, but he knew they were edible and didn’t have much meat.  He trimmed them down to a decent amount of flesh and threw it into a waiting pot.  As the meat began to simmer, he cut up the tubers and the herbs, dumping them in as well.

  The smell of cooking Cistox filled the LZ.  Xander periodically stirred the mix.  A few of his compatriots wandered back to camp as time was running out.  They had little or nothing to show for their efforts.  Raibaux motioned for them to add their items to the pot.  One by one they added their items.  The cooker filled with a motley mix of tubers, veggies and herbs.

  “Times up.”Gunny shouted as she rose from her seat, “Serve it up.”

  Xander looked at his teammates and shrugged.  He grabbed a field plate and served up the stew.  He walked over to the Gunny and placed it before her.  She sniffed it cautiously.  Grabbing her utensil she shoveled in a mouthful.  Chewing slowly and methodically she turned to Xander.

  “Well done Trooper. This I can eat. You pass.  The rest of you fail.  Trooper Raibaux was the only one to find, cook and serve a meal. “She stated as she swallowed the food. 

  The rest of the troopers started to protest when Xander shushed them.  Taking off his helmet he stared directly at Aeos.

  Calmly he began, “With all due respect Ma’am, but without the help of my team I would not have been able to fulfill your assignment.  If they failed, so did I.”

  The other troopers also removed their helms and looked to Xander and then Gunny Aeos.  She put down her utensil and stood up.  Xander and the rest immediately snapped to attention.  She eyed each of them in turn and leaned in to Xander.

  “Is this how you want it Trooper?”She asked. 

  “Yes Ma’am.”Replied Xander.
 
  “So be it.  Sgt. Zafo, please mark all of Hellgate Squad as passed. Well done Troopers. “She announced to the stunned recruits, “This was meant to be an exercise in team building and leadership. You all demonstrated both.  Trooper Raibaux you performed above and beyond. I congratulate you all. This was your graduation test, and you are all now Troopers in the service of the Empire. I salute you.”

  Aeos and the other noncoms snapped to and broke off a salute.  Xander and the rest of Hellgate returned the salute.

“Trooper Raibaux, I am personally going to recommend you to an old friend of mine in Raiders squad.  I think you’ll do nicely there.”

  “Thank you Ma’am.”  He replied.

  Xander broke into the biggest smile he’d ever had.

OOC:

1925 words - I want a cake for my grad party, and Twi'leks

Zolos was awaken from a loud noise. He opened his eyes and yawned. Around him were other troopers standing and getting ready, along with drill sergeants awakening the rest of them. He stood up and rubbed his eyes to see if he could get a better view of his surroundings. After some seconds he wore his armor and walked out of the bunk,carrying his helmet and his E-11. He saw the Drill Instructor talking to some troopers.

" Boys, you heard the gentlemen, I gave the Army Kitchen staff the day off, told them I’ll take care of it...now move"

"Ma’am, cooking? In full gear?" a recruit asked.

"Helmets, blaster pistol, backpack, the lot...Oh, and by the way, don’t forget the aprons"

"I don't get it" Zolos thought as he was standing in position with other squad members. While he was waiting, he saw Aeos trying to vanish most troopers' confidence about their success in their first mission. Aeos suddenly stood in front of Zolos and said

"Don't think I'll just talk to you and then come back here and sleep"

"Yes Ma'am!"

Zolos said, not knowing whether to keep his mouth zipped or show a sign of respect to his superior. Aeos left, and Zolos marched with the rest of the troopers to the transport. He found a seat and sat, looking at the rest of the squad boarding. A recruit who was near Zolos said to him in a low voice

"I wonder what will she tell us to do next.."

"Don't ask me, if I knew her better I'd tell you" Zolos replied to him as the transport took off.

Then he sat back and listened to the engines. He was a bit nervous about his first taste of being a Stormtrooper, especially with Aeos' words.

The transport landed with a loud noise. Zolos went out with the rest of the squad and took a look to see the landscape, so he could have a small idea for what was awaiting for him out there. He then stood with the troopers who had already assembled. Aeos went near them and said
"Sloppy, very sloppy. Any game within a half a klick is now gone. You all need to learn stealth. That is why we are here."

"You are now dully tagged.  This tag will show you the way back to this spot. You have two hours to forage. You will come back here and then cook what you have foraged. I, personally, will sample it. If I am not pleased you will walk back to base, understood?"

Zolos with the rest of the troopers said

"Ma’am, Yes Ma’am!"

Just as Zolos was thinking about using his blaster for the first time, Aeos said

"Excellent, oh, one more thing. Hand all of your rifles and blasters to Sergeant Zafo. You will not need them. Gentlebeings, the clock is running."

Oh great thought Zolos as he handed his blaster to Sergeant Zafo. Think positive. What kind of beast or enemy could possibly be out there?
But deeper in his mind, he was thinking the opposite. But he walked into the forest anyway.
As he walked he thought Thank goodness there aren't any big animals around here. But the only thing that seemed edible here was some vegetation. It wasn't much, no one would be full with these.

Well, I guess I'm gonna starve here. But I must bring something or I'm gonna ruin it. Wait... if I couldn't find anything what about the others? I guess it's just the place here doesn't have anything. I'll look somewhere else.

So Zolos went a little bit deeper into the territory, searching for more edible plants. After finding enough to make a meal, he went back to the place they were. There he saw some troopers, a fire and some tables.

Just in time, I'm really hungry

Zolos cut the herbs he gathered and put them into a pot where the rest of the troopers were putting their herbs in as well.

"Well done Trooper. This I can eat. You pass. The rest of you fail. Trooper Raibaux was the only one to find, cook and serve a meal.", Aeos said

Great..., Zolos thought.

But the conversation continued

"With all due respect Ma’am, but without the help of my team I would not have been able to fulfill your assignment. If they failed, so did I."

"Is this how you want it Trooper?"

"Yes Ma’am."

"So be it. Sergeant Zafo, please mark all of Hellgate Squad as passed. Well done troopers. This was meant to be an exercise in team building and leadership. You all demonstrated both. Trooper Raibaux you performed above and beyond. I congratulate you all. This was your graduation test, and you are all now Troopers in the service of the Empire. I salute you."

Phew, Zolos thought in relief.

"Hack that computer already, brat, before we beat ya up again!" a rough looking creature of some species Tekyutsu didn’t know spat into his face, forcibly grabbing him by the arm and throwing him into the computer chair.  They took a roll of adhesive, and taped his legs to the chair so he couldn’t escape. Another pulled a stun stick, and held it menacingly, an evil smirk on his face.

A small rodian, walks around a corner, smoking a cigar, and says, “You’d better do as we tell you, Twi’lek.” He holds his hands behind his back, and laughs. “If you don’t, you’ll never leave my service.” He took a puff of his cigar, and the smoke puffed out in circles before rising into oblivion.

Tekyutsu tried to kick the tape free, but to no avail, and then tried to reach down and pull the tape off, but the goon nearest him backhanded him, leaving a nasty welt on his cheek. “I’m not going to do this again! You are crooks, and you can’t force me to steal!”

All three laughed, and the goon turns on the stun stick, a slight hum emanating from the device, “Wanna bet?” He walks close to the twi’lek, and brings the stun stick so close, he can feel the tingle of electricity.

Tek struggles some more, and the thug swings the stun stick. He grimaces, waiting for the blow, but instead feels a splash of water near him. He woke up, and looked around him. He hears the words full armor and gear and stands up, avoiding hitting his head against the bunker and soon was dressed and in the transport. He looked around; his vision was bleary, after yet another nightmare.

They landed in a swamp, and after being pushed and shoved around before getting all lined up, they were assigned to cook something. Tekyutsu slowly made his way deep into the swamp, before finding small tracks. He set up a small vine trap, and soon had a small mammal killed and gutted. Using his nose, he found some good smelling herbs and pulled them, stashing them in a pocket.

Tek set up a small campfire, and once that got going, stood up one of the wet boards, and using his cleaned knife, stuck the small mammal hind first onto it, with some herbs stuffed inside the cavity. Soon his roast was done, and instead of yelling for the commander’s attention, waited for her to come around, warming his hand with the fire he had kept stoked. He remained at parade rest, and only moved to add more wood when it was necessary.

He watched as the commander slowly made her way to all the Privates, assuming she’d eventually make her way to him.

There is a snort from a bunk in the corner "*sniffle* What? Oh......Wait Cooking?!" The trooper rolls off his bed and stands up. He puts on what armor he has then follows everybody outside for the line-up. He then followed everybody to the landing pad and boarded the Shuttle.
When the shuttle touched down and the door opened Semian looked around. He scrunched his nose. It wasn't the kind of place he would have expected as a first exercise.
Semian stepped out on to the landing platforms of the kitchens. All the troopers were led into the building that housed the kitchens and the mess hall. When they got into the kitchens Semian took a deep breath through his nose. He could smell the eggs and bacon from the mess hall and he could hear the clinking of silverware against plates. Semian suddenly felt jealous of the rest of the troopers in the academy who didn't have to be in the kitchens with the Platoon Sergeant.
He was roused from his thoughts by the very person he was just thinking about.
"All right! Like I said, I've given the Kitchen crew the rest of the morning off! So what you're going to do this morning is, again just like I said, cook something. You will then be assigned one of these gentlemen here" Aeos gestured to the other sergeants flanking her "And you will serve them your 'dish'" on the last word she smirked. As if she knew that this first test would be very hard to pass.
"Weellll Ladies, GET TO IT!!!!!" The sergeant on the left of the Platoon Commander yelled.
As one, the line of troopers turned to face the stoves behind them with a collective groan they all walked towards the flat iron grills. The gray suited sergeants, however, went over to the table in the middle of the kitchen and sat down.
Semian approached one of the stoves. He could feel the heat of the fire coming off of it. He then set to work.
One thing that he had learned from working in his father's restaurant (Semian worked in The Golden Freighter until he was 16) was that, before you can start working in a kitchen, you have to be familiar with the kitchen. So Semian took a few minutes getting to know the place. He found the spices, the fridge, and the pots and pans. At the latter, he took out a pan and headed back to the stove he had designated as his own. He then went back to the refrigerator and grabbed 2 eggs.
He looked around at the other Privates and smirked, he knew he probably had an unfair advantage over the rest of the trooper's. But they didn't know, and he didn't really care if they failed.
He set about making one of his specialities, omelets were Semian's favorite thing to make when he was working for his dad.
About 15 minutes later a Sergeant looked over Semian's shoulder.
"About done? Well when you are you'll be reporting to me"
"Yessir"
The sergeant smiled and walked to the trooper 4 stoves down from him.
Semian took a plate off a shelf and loaded the omelet onto it. He walked over to the Sergeants table just as the one he was supposed to be serving sat down.
"Ah, here we go! Mmmmmm...... this smells fantastic!" He pulled a data pad towards him and took a bite
"Mmmmmm.........."He sighed. Then, to Semian's amazement, the Sergeant finished off his meal in 4 bites.
"That was good" he said after he had swallowed "Now you can head through that door and tell Aeos that I'll send your evaluation along in about 2 minutes."
Semian did as he was told and walked through the door. Just as the Sergeant had said, Commander Aeos was standing on the other side. Before he could say anything Aeos yelled out
"Congratulations! You've passed your first test! Welcome to the Academy!"
"Huh? Wait, you didn't even get my evaluation yet."
"This First test was just to make sure you're made of the right stuff for the army, you know how to follow orders, and" She smiled "To give some of our Sarges a meal."
She then ushered him through another door, to the mess hall where he had a somewhat downcast breakfast.

Kyle365 awoke with freezing water going down his back. "Get up you rag" she Aeos said. I got my clothes on and boots. Aeos then said "Everyone head to the mess hall." "You will cook today!" So, I went to the kitchen and a lot of my friends were there also.  I did know how to cook very good meals. I dropped some things and then Aeos said "Get your butt moving now!!""Yes, yes, right away." I said. I got out a frying pan and got some eggs. Everyone else had troubles and I got my meal done before everyone else. Aeos ate the eggs. Aeos had a smile. "That is the best eggs I had ever tasted. Now I want you to feed everyone." she said. I then said "Does this mean I pass?""Of course you pass!" I then went to a table and relaxed.

Aeos, slightly dumbfounded at this weeping female, frowned while she silently stopped behind the female. Aeos squatted down, bending her knees down while resting her rear on her calves. She cocked her head to the side, and reached out with a hand to the crying soldier.
The latter, slightly caught off guard, bolted about surprised.
Blue met blue in their gaze. Aeos refrained from allowing her expression to soften at the slightly older female.
“Now that’s enough trooper, “she muttered softly. The majority of troopers wisely chose to scatter away from them.
Kat arched an eyebrow an eyebrow at Aeos warily, suddenly seemingly drained.
Sighing, while expressing facial disapproval of Kat’s behavior, Aeos stood up, extended a gloved hand to Kat to bring her back on her feet again.  Kat came about her feet, brushed off the few dry leaves that stuck to her. 

Aeos clapped her hands, and called the troopers together.
“Right, time for one of another of my favorite exercises, it’s another joust for teamwork,”
One of the extra Assistant Drill Sergeants at hand dragged the infamous bag of clinking metal to their vicinity. Around them, a breeze was stirring softly.  Frowning Aeos glanced at the clouded sky.  Was this rain?
“Right,  a Sergeant will assign you to another trooper, and hand-cuff you together. You see that small mountain, “Aeos pointed to the shadowy object which lied a few miles south of them.
“I’ll meet you at the foot of it, Decembrist! Please see to the partnering, I’ll be seeing you lot on the other side,” Aeos continued, though she motioned Kat with one hand closer.  As soon as Aeos finished a loud squabble broke out among the troopers, already desperate about partnered with the perfect companion.

Kat hesitantly neared Aeos.  Aeos stifled the grin trying to break across her face. It was still difficult for her to maintain a faceless façade, especially when it came to working with people. 
“As soon as you finished training, and completed your level one specialty, report to me at my office, dismissed,”  she muttered softly to Kat, before turning on her heel, back to the Academy to collect her bike.

OOC:

Damn, this is a crappy piece of writing:P

lol,all of ye

"Over the river and through the woods... to Aeos' "house" we go..." mumbled Ron in a singsong whisper.  The day began quite as he expected it.  A pail of cool water in his face, the screaming of the staff sergeant; and a pleasure cruise to the middle of nowhere... nothing short of normal. 

Ron-Goron got out from the crowd of the new recruits, eager to get his partner, and to get the mountain trek over with.  His partner was a scrawny, skinny soldier with what can only be referred to as an "irish accent", and a tattoo on the back of his neck that read "delinquent". 

"Well, well." smiled Ron-Goron.  "A fellow criminal." 

The other boy in question looked up at his taller companion and said, "What yoo get canned for?" 

Ron was about to answer, but instead he flinched as the handcuff bit into his skin. "Sorry." replied the staff sergeant.  "Your friend here has a smaller wrist than you."

"No problem." came Ron's hesitant, and painful reply.  To his partner he replied, "I was set up in a murder case... you?"

"Stole 2500 credits worth o' drugs, an' sold 'em for dooble thar worth."

"I see." Ron answered.  "How'd you get caught?" 

"Sold em to thee wrong people."

"Nice." came Ron's sarcastic reply.  He looked around him as other recruits began taking off into the distance.  "You ready to go?"

"Ahm ready when yoo are."  said the scrawny soldier.  With that Ron took off at a steady pace, dragging the bag behind him, his smaller friend easily tagging along and dragging his part beside him. 

"So what's your name?"  asked Ron. 

"Al Mac-Dur, just call mah Mac." said Mac.  "Yoo?"

"Ron-Goron, I prefer Ron."  answered Ron.  He looked at his bleeding wrist.  Something needed to be done about these cuffs.  Ron looked at his smaller friend's own wrist, it was sliding freely.

"Mac, can you slip you hand through your cuff?"  asked Ron. 

"But Ah thooght we were supposed to keep em on, yoo know, for thee trainin." 

"If getting these damn cuffs off help us finish our training, then I'm sure it's allowed."

"Alright lemme try." answered Mac.  Sure enough, with enough lubrication (sweaty palms) the cuff slid off Mac's hand. 

"Alright, hold up, we gotta get mine off." said Ron-Goron.  The pair stopped.  Ron tried to pull the cuffs off his arm, but to no avail, the cuffs were tightly embedded into his skin.

"'old oop, 'old oop." cried out Mac-Dur, while pulling forth a small rod of metal.  "Ah think Ah can fix this with soom luck-pickin."

"Lock-picking?" said Ron.

"Sure, sure." came Mac's enthusiastic reply.  "These ahr single-pin lucks, real simple things... with a littl' bit o fidgetin an soom jerks 'ere an thar..."  a small click followed by the snap from the opening of the cuffs reaffirmed Mac's skillful work.  "Tis real simple really, anyone can doo it." 

"Thanks." answered Ron.  He had picked up some more respect for his smaller friend, who was smarter than he looked.  "Alright then, mate, lets get over that mountain."

***

Without the cuffs, the going was much easier.  The two used their heads, Ron-Goron doing more of the heavy work, which meant dragging the bag, and Mac-Dur planning it out as they went, which meant finding the easiest route to go.  In fact, the two carried out the drill very efficiently.  It wasn't long before they stood at the top of the mountain looking down at the small camp site set up for them on their return.

"Them cots look ah lot better now then they did yesterday." said Mac.

"Yeah." answered Ron-Goron. "I think thats the idea they want us to have."  That was the last of the small talk for the two until they made it to the bottom of the hill, arriving at the site just as dusk was falling.

"You two made it just in time." came a corporal's cheerful shout.  "Grub's on and anyone who ain't here don't eat!"  This was followed by several laughs from the other soldier's new and old alike.

"Well mate." whispered Ron to Mac-Dur.  "We made it through the first part of the training.  I think tomorrow will lead to some more grueling training. 

"Weell, thah mah be."  said Mac-Dur.  "Boot lets see how yer wee stomach can stand up to mahn in the battle fer the grub!"

"What?"  said Ron.  "Your skinnier than a rail.  You'll never eat more than  me."

"That's what me fat uncle said, but 'e died in thah effort of defending his 'onor, the title which me good self now 'olds."

(And as you probably guessed Mac-Dur held onto that title that night.)