Akio searched through his room in desperation for his school bag. He had just turned seventeen, the age of conscription and wanted to become an officer to avoid being cannon fodder for the great war.

The only way to become an officer was to never skip school, keep your grades up and pass the United Earth Front (UEF) officer exam which had been scheduled for tomorrow.

With a huge sigh of relief, Akio found his bag at the end of his single bed.

Akio quickly grabbed his bag, swung it over his shoulder, shot through the small room and out the door.

Children are taken away from their parents at the age of ten to attend military school. Students are taught battle strategy, weapons training, first aid and other various military based training on top of core subjects.

Akio wasn't lucky, he had failed all of the specialist training tests allowing one to be enrolled as pilots, snipers, tank drivers and so on. Not that there was much heavy or specialist weaponry left. The only options that were available for him was infantry or officer training.

Becoming an officer sounded like a safe and awesome job to Akio. Rarely were they on the battlefield. Instead they devised battle plans from the safety of a command center.

Akio ran outside, down the metal stairs leading to the ground and past the adult infantry soldier.

"Last to class again Akio?" The infantry soldier shouted as Akio ran past him.

"Last Sir, but not late!" Akio turned and responded.

The young students from around the world study on the various remaining military bases around Japan. The UEF considered it vital to replenish the lost soldiers during this one thousand year long war.

Akio approached a large green gate with multiple soldiers guarding the entrance. As he entered he was stopped by one of the soldiers.

"Name please cadet?" The soldier barked.

His black short hair flicked in the wind as Akio raised his left arm. He then clenched his fist and touched his chest. His dark eyes locked the eyes of the soldier as he replied.

"Akio Takao. Sir!"

With a cheeky smile, Akio lowered his fist and placed both hands down his side. He knew he wasn't late but would still get scolded by the gate soldier. He didn't care as it was his last day as a cadet. Tomorrow he will officially be an officer. Once he passed his test that is.

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"You are just in time Akio. Do you know what would happen if you were even a minute late?"

"Yes Sir. I would be held on trial and be disqualified for the officer exam!" Akio responded sternly.

The sound of a female voice suddenly boomed out from behind him.

"Aki!"

Akio turned around. He then noticed a girl his age with long blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin. Her cheeks appeared to have a slight pink tone to them. Her plain green soldier outfit had a little red cadet patch on the left shoulder.

Akio disregarded the soldier and ran over to her.

"Hey Mia." Akio chirped while they both quickly gave their mandatory salutes.

"You're almost late again, Aki. What if you didn't make it and they canceled your officer test?" Mia questioned with a concerned look on her face.

"Not going to happen. For seven years, have I ever not made it in time?" Akio responded as he caught Mia eyeing his dirty cadet uniform.

"Let me guess, you didn't wash your uniform again. You know that's a minor infraction point right? Are you trying to get placed in an infantry squad?"

"Come on. Minor infractions barely affect your record. Besides, most of the time we don't even get pulled up on it." Akio responded as they both entered a large hall.

Inside the hall was a line of students in similar cadet uniforms. As Akio approached to check in, he could see the tables and chairs neatly separated. He could also see the closed officer examination paper and stationary sitting on each table. Akio was confident but still anxious.

A soft but reassuring hand touched Akio on the shoulder.

"Relax Aki, you'll easily pass this test." A voice spoke from behind.

Knowing that voice from anywhere, Akio turned around. Facing him was a large and well built boy. His brown hair and brown eyes peering down at him.

"Yeah but you won't, Ard." Akio jokingly said.

"I never planned to. I have always wanted to be on the front line defending our freedom." Ard proudly responded.

"Spoken like a true American." Akio sarcastically responded, even though he didn't know why people said it.

Akio turned around and wrote his name on the check in document.

"Good luck." Akio said as he left to find the desk with his assigned name tag.

One hour had passed and Akio felt confident in the responses he had provided to the exam questions.

"How'd you do?" Mia said as she and Ard approached him.

"Pretty good I think." Akio replied.

"We should get the results pretty quickly. All the exams run through that interpreting machine over there." Mia said as she pointed.

Akio looked to where Mia had pointed to see two test administrators feeding each exam paper into a large computer device.

The two test examiners finished. The conversations from the other cadets went silent as the computer loudly printed out a result sheet.

One of the test examiners ripped the paper from the machine and walked it over to the school commander who was standing at a podium. A large man with a scar running down his face with dark gray military attire and metal shoulder pads.

"Sit down!" The commander shouted as the cadets quickly dropped to their knees.

"If I call your name you are to stand up." The commander said.

The commander read through the names one by one. Cadets began rising to their feet as little cheers could be heard.

"Akio Takio!" The commander listed.

Akio shot up in pride. He then looked down and grimaced in a taunting but fun manner at Mia and Ard as the commander continued through the list. Ard looked up at Akio and gave him a thumbs up.

"Thank you to everyone who took part in the officers exam." The commander said as Akio proudly stood with a smile. He was also saddened by the thought that both Mia and Ard's names had not been called.

Soldiers then suddenly entered the hall from the multiple entry points and appeared to stand guard.

"Those of you who have stood up did not pass the officer examination and will be taken immediately to your new squads. The rest of you, remain seated." The commander concluded as Akio looked with a horrified look on his face.