Apex Legends: The Pilots

Intense Training

30 minutes, or was it more? I lost track. There's no clock in this room. At least, not one I can read correctly. No hands, no ticking. It's weird not to have it. Anyway, what felt like a lot of time, eventually past. I was still sitting in the same position at the end of the bed when the guard came in. The only difference is that I had changed into the training clothes they had left on the desk. Plain black, with 2 yellow stripes across the chest. I'll be living in this all day, only to change at night, and be back into it the next.

I follow the guard down the hallway and turn with him. Left, left, right, down some stairs. Memorizing the path so I can find my own way if needed. He leads me into a big training room. 

A few others, wearing the same uniform as me, are already there. More come in, but not everyone I saw on the train was there. About 10 people are in the room before the door closes. A young woman approaches us.

"Listen up. My name is Aasira. I will be overseeing your training. As you can tell, this is where you will be training for the next 2 weeks until the games. To contain order, the 57 greenhorns that came here are split up into 7 groups. Each group has 8 greenhorns, except for this group which has 9. The rules are simple. You may train with any machine you like. The more lethal weapons are outside. You must not engage in any physical combat with each other. If you wish to spar with a partner, we have trainers to help you. If you wish to use a more lethal weapon, by all means head outside. You are not allowed to bring the weapon inside. Doing so will result in consequences. Understand?"

A lot to take in a once, I think. What are they trying to do, melt our brains?

It's over though. Once she dismisses us, many of the others look confused. I don't blame them. Seems like they randomly picked names and put them together, cause we're all different ages. In fact, I look like the oldest here.

One young boy who looks 17, leaves the group. He walks over to the weight rack, something that is familiar to most people, unless they're dirt poor. His courage sparks a few other people, and the group starts to break apart. Some join the boy at the weights, a few go to the back bench machine, and one goes to the treadmill. 

I think for a minute. I'm already very fast. I can out run Min. A feat nearly impossible for many. After all, a dog runs faster than a human. I am also very strong. I can lift up the 200 pound tree trunks I cut down in the woods. Yes, I'm already physically fit. The best thing to focus on, is weapon wielding. I walk outside, into a deck-like room. Everything is clear, and the sun is shining through the glass roof. I walk to one of the walls and tap on the glass.

"It's bulletproof."

I turn to find a man about my age looking at me.

"Bulletproof." He repeats, "Technically, its also arrow-proof, axe-proof, sword-proof, and spear-proof. So, I guess that makes it break-proof."

I chuckle a bit. "Could've just said that to begin with. Then you wouldn't have had to list the qualities."

"True. But, that's me. I get carried away on long descriptions. See? Rambling on and on at you right now."

"I see."

"So, you need anything? I notice you're not in the building, fooling with all the fancy machines."

"No. I did much of that at home. What I want to learn, is how to use a sword."

"Sword? That's a first. Most greenhorns are usually scared to deal with a big weapon their first day."

I shrug and say, "Guess I'm different."

"Guess you are. By the way, call me Jack. I'll show you how to use a sword." He waves me over to a rack full of swords.

He looks at me for a minute, then at the rack. He goes to another rack of fake swords and pulls 2 out.

"Since you're new at sword fighting, we'll start with this. So you don't accidently kill someone. And don't worry if it's straight. A lot of people come in here wanting to train with a katana. That's generally harder, and we work up to that. But, if you can get the basics of sword training, you'll get the basics of katana training."

He hands me one and I turn it over in my hands.

Not bad. It's not sharp, but it is weighted to give off the impression of a real sword.

"Not too bad." Jack says. "You're grip is good, and your stance is better than most beginners. Have you tried a sword before?"

"No. I lived near the woods. I was more of an axe type of guy."

"I see. Eden, is it?'

Planet Eden, he means. My home planet. Filled with large forests. But also, many earthquakes.

"Yes. Eden. A fine place, but on shaky ground."

And one of the poorest planets in the Frontier.

"Oh, look at me rambling on." Jack says. "Let's get started."

Throughout the day of training, Jack taught me much. In fact, I learned so quickly he had trouble keeping up. A habit I picked up at a young age. To learn fast and adapt quickly.

After training came dinner. I didn't pay attention to what it was. I just ate it. After dinner, we had some free time. I spent it with Min. One of the guards who noticed us allowed us to go outside in a fenced in area. It felt like a prison yard. No bars, the walls were glass, but I still felt confined.

Once free time was over, I showered. Open shower with all the other young men and boys. There were about 25 of us. Lights out was a 10 P.M. Min followed me to my room. The guard leading me was pleasant, and said Min is allowed with me at all times. He handed me a piece of paper declaring so, signed by someone with very messy handwriting.

Once he left, I changed into my night clothes.

I got into bed, with Min laying across the end, just touching my feet. Today wasn't so bad. Now just 13 more to go.