The shuttle ride is mercifully brief. While nothing happens during the ride, with the exception of a few annoyed glances being sent my way, the atmosphere of the shuttle is stifling. The whispered conversations of the upper class serve as a needling reminder that I don’t belong.
I try my best to relax, looking out the shuttle’s window to watch as the street flies by. Through the window, I see people on the street stop and stare at us. A small child waves at the bus, and I raise a slight hand and wave back at them, watching as they quickly fade into the distance.
The road is fairly empty. With most of the private vehicle owners still at the academy, it is, as usual, clear of clutter, with the exception of a few transportation trucks and buses. All who clear the road for our shuttle as we make our way to the port.
As I watch the empty asphalt, my mind wanders. When I entered the academy, I never expected things to end up like this. All I wanted was a little bit more money to help out my family. With mom already working two jobs and dad already in the service, the best option was the Elysium Military Academy, especially with the scholarship that I managed to win. However, if I knew what I would have to endure, I would have just looked for a normal job instead.
The moment I was announced as one of four special scholarship scholars, a target was placed on my back. From day one, the wealthy and those who wished to suck up to them made my life hell. Everything short of physical violence was used, though not for lack of trying. Of course, I wasn’t the only one. The other scholarship students all dropped out, with one making his… disappearance… rather public, displayed for the whole school to witness.
However, I stuck with it and endured. It was the only option available. I couldn’t bear to see Mother disappointed after making it in. And I couldn’t try to get them off my back by self-sabotaging as the scholarship was tied to having grades in the upper percentile. So enduring was the only option. Fortunately, I managed to do well enough for myself. I figured I would be able to get a decent position, but never did I ever imagine that I would end up here.
The shuttle’s shudder as it comes to a stop pulls me from my memories and thoughts. A hiss fills the bus, ending the conversation of the others as a pale-skinned man with short brown hair steps onto the bus. His office’s uniform looks to be practically brand new, and across from the bronze Astral Cross, there is the insignia of a Lieutenant. Marking him as above us in rank even though he looks to be fairly fresh from the academy himself.
“Hello,” the man says, offering a salute that we all quickly return. “I am Lieutenant Sean Blaustien. I have been sent to retrieve you and lead you over to what will be your home carrier, The Mother Wolf. Please retrieve your baggage and follow me.”
Our orders received, the others head out of the shuttle. I follow after them, falling into place at the back of the line. While there are plenty of whispers and glances toward the Lieutenant, it doesn’t take us long to all be lined up on the walkway, with bags at our side. Without any words, the officer enters the port terminal, and we follow. The building is clear of traffic, but the signs of the recent military conversion still litter the port, from tarps covering unfinished areas to recently painted walls. Walking through the once-bustling port, we make our way to our boarding gate.
As we arrive at the gate, we are able to see what is to be our new home waiting for us. Sitting in the gate with what looks to be a fresh coat of red and bronze paint is a Liberation Class Battlecarrier, the newest ship in the UCC fleet. Its prow proudly displays its main canons for all to stand in awe. Some of the others take the suggestion of the ship, pausing to stare at the ship. However, Lieutenant Blaustien doesn’t stop, and I keep after him, unfortunately, joining the likes of the Shutz-Seishoku and the other members of the top three, the number two student Minerva Reese-Cato and Walter Auclair-Stolz, the number three.
As close as I am to them, I can’t help but observe them a little. Despite sharing the status at the top of the academy and society in general, the three of them are so very different. Shutz-Seishoku leads the trio, walking forward with confident and assured steps, her black hair trailing after her. To her slight right, Reese-Cato walks, her tanned skin and blonde hair at perfect odds with Shutz-Seishoku as well as the relaxed steps she takes, effortlessly keeping pace as she glances over at the ship, her ponytail whipping around as she does so. Walter immediately stands out amongst the three for his gender and sharper energy. Each of his steps is a forceful staccato, and his slicked brown hair reminds me of the recruitment posters I would see before entering the academy.
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I do my best to keep my distance and limit my glances, but Walter takes notice of me, shooting a glare my way. Taking the glance for what it is, make sure to create some distance between us. An act that unfortunately leads to me getting bumped into from behind and shoved to the side as the rest of the group catches up. I quickly move to the side to avoid getting shoved again and look back to see Lieutenant Blaustien shooting an apologetic glance my way.
With me back at the rear, we board the ship. As we make our way through, we are treated to the sight of crewmen and marines saluting. We continue making our way through the ship till, eventually, we are led to a large open hall with several rows of people standing at attention. The Lieutenant leads us through the crowd to stand at its center, where several of the ship’s officers stand on a raised platform. At the center is a fierce-looking man whose lips are curled into a smile that looks like it is barely restraining itself from becoming a smirk.
“Greetings, young pilots. I am your commanding officer, Captain Julius Jackson-Gladio. You all have been assigned to my personal unit, the Wolf Corps. As such, you shall join me in giving the first true display of our new nation’s might. But before we get to that, I will assign you to your squads. First, I would like the following pilots to step forward. Liutenant Junior Grade Shutz-Sieshoku, Ensign Reese-Cato, and Ensign Auclair-Stolz.
At the Captain’s order, the three of them step forward, Shutz-Sieshoku and Reese-Cato both wearing calm expressions, though Ensign Auclair-Stolz’s face reveals a hint of pride on his.
“As you were the top students at the academy, I am entrusting you to lead your fellows well alongside me. You are to be the next generation of leaders, and that starts now. Lieutenant Junior Grade Shutz-Sieshoku, you shall be designated as Wolf 2, and you shall lead Squad 2. Ensign Reese-Cato, you are to be designated as Wolf 3, and you shall lead Squad 3. Finally, Ensign Auclair-Stolz, you are to be designated as Wolf 4 and the leader of Squad 4.
“Now, I know that you may be a bit tired, but I will need to keep you squad leaders around for a little bit. As for the rest of you, your designations and flight uniforms are in your rooms. There will be a welcome ceremony in two hours in the mess. I expect to see you all there. Lieutenant Blaustien, if you would guide the new pilots as you have been.”
“Yes, Captain,” the Lieutenant responds, snapping to attention before motioning for the rest of the pilots to follow him. We are led to the officers’ quarters, where we see several doors with names on them. As the others disperse to head to their rooms, I walk over to Lieutenant Blaustien.
“Excuse me?”
“Yes, Ensign Kizashi?”
“Umm, were you part of the revolutions on Blaustien?”
“Yes, I was. Why do you ask?”
“Well, I was curious what it was like and how it compares to your service now. When the revolutions were over, we were told about them as “glorious examples of revolutionary action to be modeled,” but they didn’t talk much about them.”
“If they didn’t tell you much about it, how did you figure I was part of them?”
“...I figured that being one of the revolutionaries would be the only way for someone from a place like Blaustien to get as high as a position as yours,” I say after a few seconds, looking away at the wall.
“You wouldn’t be wrong,” The Lieutenant sighs. “Tell you what, we can talk after the welcome ceremony. I have duties to handle before the ceremony. Would that work for you?”
“Of course,” I reply eagerly, nodding. “Thank you so much.”
“Not a problem at all,”
With that, he heads off, and I make my way over to my room. On it, I see my name and the unfortunate words “Squad 4, Wolf 13.” I stare at the sight for a few seconds before sighing and opening the door. As I step into the room, I am treated to the familiar sight of a spartan room. Placing my bag down, I quickly peek into the closet to see that there are a few pairs of uniforms as well as a flight suit. I stare over the uniforms for a few seconds before closing the closet and heading over to the bed. Lying down, I set my alarm for an hour and allow myself to drift off.