It has been weeks since Gilbert started training with General Beckett. Every day, regardless of the circumstances, he was interrupted by practical classes. Even then, he was assigned a task to accomplish, which the General reviewed upon his return. If Gilbert failed to accomplish a task, he was given a private trip to Doctor Eden's office.
One night during training when he was receiving a lesson on how to employ dual guns, the General unexpectedly stopped him.
"What? Is it time already?" Gilbert asked with a much more comfortable demeanor compared to his first session.
"No, I just have a new task for you," replied the General, who took a seat on the floor and motioned for Gilbert to follow.
"Tomorrow, you all will receive your bone lacing, for those who have achieved a hundred radions. But before that, you will be given a squad assessment as squires before three Company Captains. They are the ones in need of capable squads, so they get first dibs in selecting capable squads to supplement their ranks. They will also be in charge of your second-year lessons here at the academy. Captain Cade's first company is the best and the hardest to get into. I want you to lead your squad and secure a spot in his company" As he spoke the General showed Gilbert an image of their practical class instructor.
"Why do we have the assessment before the bone lacing, why not after? And why do I have to go to his company" Gilbert asked.
General Beckett's gaze remained steady as he regarded Gilbert's furrowed brow and the lingering tension in the training hall. He shifted slightly on the floor, gesturing for Gilbert to come closer, and then spoke in a measured tone.
"The assessment comes before the bone lacing for one primary reason, in order to receive the lacing we will be breaking your majority of bones before we do it hence we hold the assessment before allowing you to be at your optimal while hopefully breaking a few bones before. " He let his words settle before continuing, his voice growing even more deliberate.
"Captain Cade's first company is among the finest—and the most exacting. While he is also one of the few company Captain who does not care where you are from plus he has the highest chance of being given the option of forming a special company"
Gilbert's eyes darted between the General and the image on the display—a stern portrait of Captain Clade, the embodiment of skill and discipline.
"What is a special company?" Gilbert asked noticing the unfamiliar tone. The General pulled up a simplified schematic of the military structure focusing on the part of the tree that focuses on companies.
"In the military, there are times when we need to expand numbers but there aren't enough to fill out the structure, we may need a special unit for certain assignments, or more often than not someone is to be promoted but the timing isn't right a special unit is the loophole created to fulfill these roles. In Captain Cade's case, he needs a promotion while at the same will be fulfilling unique assignments." General Beckett explained.
The room fell silent for a few heartbeats as Gilbert absorbed the magnitude of the task that lay before him. Finally, with a measured nod filled with determination, Gilbert said, "Alright, General. I'll lead my squad as you've instructed. I hope to prove that I am more than enough."
General Beckett's eyes gleamed while a smile fleeted across his face as he responded, "I expect nothing less, Gilbert. I hope my time training you hasn't been a waste. Come for your final lesson in a long while." And then for the rest of the time echoes of their exchange flooded the training field. Squad 9 was in the armory gearing up for battle. Today was another practical class. While everyone opted for the standard load out, Gilbert chose his dual swords and two sub-machine guns.
"What's with the dual weapons, are you trying to say you have four hands now?" asked Kean, tossing a glove in his direction
"Mo, I just think I'll be better off this way," Gilbert replied as he rearranged his weapons, searching for the perfect configuration.
"Leader, I have a feeling something important is happening today. What is it?" asked William, his intuition suggesting something is off.
"Nothing is off; you could even say something is on," Gilbert responded, picking up his helmet and donning it. "Okay, guys, let's go." As he strode out he bumped each of his team members on the shoulder, stepping into the gathering he ran into Alexander and the rest of Squad 5
"Oh, if it isn't the mixed blood of Squad 9," Alexander said, removing his helmet and extending a hand in greeting. Gilbert barely glanced at the outstretched hand as he tried to step past him when Squire 314 blocked his path.
"Our team leader is addressing you," the Squire 314 said.
"And our team leader is ignoring him," Kean replied.
"Oh, don't worry Gilbert I'm just here to send my greeting, today is special, after all," said Alexander he then offered a respectful bow before moving on to greet the rest of the squad, his smile charming. "How are you, Lady Chen Mei, Ms, Kruger?" he asked warmly. Chen Mei returned the courtesy with a slight bow of her own. "Hello, Sir Gallifrey. We are doing fine today, thank you." While Anastasia gave a small wave.
From behind William, Vivian's head popped out with a perky tone, "It's a fine day to you too, Adam."
"Attention!" Colonel Z'yna's commanding voice sounded across the field as she appeared. Flanking her were three Captains clad in power armor each wearing a black helmet instead of the standard red, adorned with an array of military insignia and decor. At the sound of her voice, every soldier quickly fell into formation. As the squads assembled, Alexander departed with a final nod to Gilbert.
"You have all spent the past year as squires under our protection," the Colonel began, her tone firm as she started marching amongst their lines. "Today, that changes. You will undergo an assessment, and those of you who perform well will be chosen by the Captains behind me to join their companies. The remaining candidates will be assigned to a company. Following this, you will receive your bone lacing and officially be awarded a military rank, also marking your transformation into a knight.
"Now, each of you will be assigned a random number. Squads sharing the same number will face off in combat for the Captains to evaluate and select the warriors they desire. Any questions? No? Then let us begin." As she finished each squad leader received a notification on their HUD.
'Squire 141, Squad 9 has drawn the number 3'
"Okay first match we going in order so match number 1," commanded the Colonel. Stepping onto the field were Squads 3 and 2. As Aisling advanced with her squad, she fixed her stare on Sohan.
"Okay pretty boy it is you versus me," she said spinning her tonfas as she secured her buckler on her left arm.
Sohan smirked as he raised a saber whose blade was already beginning to heat up. "Aisling, we both know how this will go, so why pretend? I know you'll try to hold me off until your squad can reinforce you, but how long do you think you can last against me?"
"I guess we will just have to find out." She replied with a slight smile. The signal sounded, and the clash erupted on the cleared training field, Squad 3 moved with disciplined urgency taking cover behind scattered debris and low walls meanwhile across the field Squad 2 advanced with equal determination the team moving in a tight formation. As the two sides squashed explosions of energy and clatter of metal filled the air as soldiers darted from cover to cover, the members of Squad 2 tried to stay together but a good place grenade from a well-armed member of Squad 3 carrying a machine gun dispersed them forcing them into the tempo of Squad 3. In the thick of it, the leaders met. Aisling's fluid, acrobatic movements with her dual tonfas spun in a display of strikes and blocks, forcing Sohan on the back foot as energy explosions from their ends caused him trouble. Sohan replied with steady blocks and staggered counterstrokes from his heated sabre sending sparks flying upon contact. They fought with more urgency than usual as their every move was scrutinized by the observing Captains.
Around them, the battle raged on. The heavily armed Squire from Squad 3 used his submachine gun to pin down a group of advancing adversaries with a spray of controlled fire. As his squad tried to use the opening to close in on their enemies a shotgun blast shattered a part of his armor. The medic a quick to rush in, deploying a compact healing kit to stop the bleeding before the wound could turn fatal. Simultaneously, the mechanic crouched behind the barrier, feverishly working to restore a fractured joint on another comrade's power armor.
Aisling ducked behind a sweeping blow of a saber meanwhile spinning her tonfas she charged it with extra energy before firing a blast at Sohan and his teammate who tried to sneak up on her, Sohan blocked the charge though forced back his teammate wasn't so lucky so the medic raced over to try and help but before he could arrive Aisling threw her tonfa at him breaking his arm forcing a team member to save them while simultaneously activating her thrusters to dodge multiple as she moved along the field as ballerina a sniper bullet tore through her shoulder forcing to the ground. Sohan, as stealthy and swift as a stalking lynx, pounced on her with the ferocity of a predator ambushing an unsuspecting prey. Instead of re-engaging her thrusters, she moved close to the ground while pulling out her pistol to fire at him, but Sohan was a predator who smelled blood and wasn't going to give her a chance to catch up to her he stepped on her ankle Before bringing down his heated saber for the kill but was interrupted by a squadmate of hers who who blocked the strike for.
"Move, I do not need a sacrificial lamb," Sohan's said his voice low. Grabbing the shield he pivoted off Aislingsankle while activating his thrusters arriving above the Squire he ran his saber through the gap in his collar sticking out through his back before landing. Even though he took out a member of Squad 3 Aisling managed to escape.
"You won't be so lucky next time timid deer," Sohan said pulling his sword from the Squire
Time seemed to stretch on as the clash intensified. Each squad fought not only to prove their individual prowess but also to demonstrate the seamless coordination of their roles.
As the battle reached its climax, the relentless cadence of gunfire and the sharp clash of blades began to wane, fading into silence. On the blood-soaked field, only Asling remained, her breath steady yet quickened, beside her stood the heavily armed squad mate who stood resolutely across from Sohan.
"Nowhere left run my injured deer," Said Sohan throwing his broken helmet to the ground.