Apex Legends: The Pilots

The Arrival.

I must have dozed off, because the next thing I remember was Bodt gently shaking me.

"Hey, buddy. We're here. Best get up. The guards from that syndicate are here."

Shaking my head, I get to my feet. Min is laying near my feet, with my coat still slung over his back. I glanced from side to side to make sure no one was looking, before grabbing the sword and securing it across my back and pulled on the coat. Min looked up at me in surprise. I started to leave, motioning him to follow me.

I quickly exited the ship with Min at my heels. Bodt was talking to a nearby guard. I've seen them before. Black clothes, with white armor strapped on and a white helmet. I suppose the padding underneath is to make them look bigger and more intimidating. To me, they just look like an overstuffed pillow holding a gun.

The guard stopped talking to Bodt and turned to me. "Are you the new Greenhorn?"

Greenhorn. A term I knew well. It means a person who's going into the games for the first time. Most likely to die.

"Yes. I am." I reply.

"Well, you look strong enough. Tough enough. I guess you'll be able to prove it in the arena. You ready?"

I nod. Turning to Bodt, I offered my hand. "Thank you, Mr. Bodt. For everything."

Shaking it back, Bodt said, "No problem boy. Don't you worry 'bout your mum. I'll make sure she's ok. I remember how she was after yer da' left."

I turned back to the guard. "Ready."

"Ok. Hold up, is that your dog?" He said, pointing to Min.

"Yes, he's my friend and partner. I never go anywhere without him."

"Well, alright. Although he might be seen as an advantage to the games. You can have him here, but you might not be able to compete with him."

Nodding, I started following the guard to the transport train. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Bodt.

"What is it?"

"Just, try really hard to win, ok? For yer mum."

I managed a small smile. "I'll try. Isn't that what you do here?"

Patting my shoulder, Bodt let go. I waved over my shoulder, before catching back up to the guard. I didn't say a single word as Min and I stepped onto the train and sat down. The sword was still on my back, making it a bit uncomfortable. But it was given to me, and I wasn't about to let the guards confiscate it.

I leaned over a bit to scratch Min. He was a bit nervous, I could tell. He had never been anywhere except town and the forest back home. Calming him down was pretty easy though. Min's been with me since he was a puppy, and trusts me.

The train ride was fast. About 20 minutes later, we were at the capital. I forgot the name, but back home, we just call it The Council. The same guard lead me through the train, to a compartment where there were other people. Judging by the looks of them, they're Greenhorns as well. Some of them looked young, almost too young. There was one girl who looked about 14. Nobody wanted to take her place I guess, or she was too scared to show the card. The oldest was a man who looked about 40. When someone this old is in the games, it's cause they stepped in instead of their kid.

"Listen up." a booming voice said

All the heads turned to a man standing in front of the exit.

"In a few minutes, these doors will open and you will be led up to the Syndicate Building. Don't mind the people watching you. They are always here to see the newcomers."

The man stepped down and we all waited. After a few minutes, the doors opened, and there was indeed a huge crowd of people. Min pressed himself against my legs. He had never been exposed to so many people, or so much noise. I bent down and started to scratch him, trying to calm him down. By the time he had settled, most of the people had left the compartment. Only one person was still there. It was the 14 year old girl.

"Is your dog ok?" she asked.

"Yeah, he should be fine now." I replied, while standing up.

The guard, who was watching, motioned for us to follow. We did so, and when we stepped out of the train car, the crowd starting cheering. We quickly walked, or jogged through the street to get  to the Syndicate Building. When we got inside, the guard seemed a bit surprised.

"That's the first time a couple of Greenhorns aroused so much applause from the crowd. I wonder why."

"I'll tell you why." said a voice.

I turned towards the voice. It belonged to Kuben Blisk, the organizer of the games.

"I'll tell you why." He repeated. "It's because in all the games, the Greenhorns always walk out in one big pack. Never have 2 of them stayed back to walk out together. And since you're boy and girl, they think you're together. Let me tell you, the both of you just played the crowd. Now, more people actually want you two to win. Why? There's nothing better than a good romance, and that's what you just gave 'em."

Romance? I don't even know the kid. Besides, I'm almost twice her size, and surely twice her age. Before I could say anything though, guards came and whisked each of us away down a hall, and to a separate room.

The guard led me inside before saying, "This is your room. For the next two weeks, you will sleep and eat here. The training will be in another room. You will train with the others. You will not know who you are with until the day of the games, nor will you know the 3 legends you are going up against. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir." I say.

Once he left, I sat down on the bed, while Min laid down on the floor. Two weeks. Two weeks of intense training. I must decide what training to do, besides using a gun. Then I realized I still had on my coat, and the sword. Taking them off, I shoved both of them into a dresser drawer.

I had no time to waste. After all, everyone knows that since you're transported during the night, you arrive at sunrise. That means that today, is not only the arrival, but also the training begins.