Before they were the Aces of Razgriz, before they were Wardog, they were rookies. Follow Blaze, Chopper, Nagase, and Grimm as they navigate through their years at the Osean Air Force Academy, where they learn what it means to be a team, and more imp...
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and a lot of bitching."
~ Rusty Bradley ***
Elizabeth
"Fucking hell," I muttered as I pushed myself up from the final, hundredth pushup. I'd been training for years for when my time finally came to be at the Academy, but arm strength had never but my strong point. At least I wasn't the last to finish.
"I know we need to be in top physical shape," Cassie began, taking a swig of her water, "but I am regretting my life choices right now."
"Should've gone for that international relations degree," I joked.
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"And be on the fast track to becoming a politician? No, thanks. I'd rather do the peacekeeping than talk and preach about it."
"Cadets, up!" our instructor barked. Keeping our groaning as silent as possible, we stood at attention. Captain Hardman, aptly named, strode up and down our ranks, surveying us, analyzing us. "You have joined the greatest Air Force in the world. We have the best planes, the best technology, and, most importantly, the best pilots."
I bit my tongue, knowing now was not the time to debate the fact the Belka still probably had the best pilots, and their technology was on par with Osea's, if not better. The last thing I wanted to do was get on Hardman's bad side on my first day at the Academy.
"Each of you will be assigned an academic mentor to ensure you don't slack off in your studies and responsibilities," Hardman continued. "They were chosen for you based on your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. They will come get you from your dorm room at noon. You are to stay in your dorm room until then. Dismissed!"
Cassie and I, along with the other exhausted cadets, meandered back to the barracks, our bodies already aching despite it being only nine a.m. and having only been up for two hours. I couldn't wait to sleep tonight, but that was so many hours away.
"Hey, babies!" a fourth-year greeted, running through our ranks and ruffling the hair of as many cadets as he could reach. The two of us narrowly dodged him.
"See you in a bit," Cassie said, reaching her room. Mine turned out to be a few doors down. Entering, I took a dismayed looked at my suitcases. I had so much to unpack and so little time, not to mention I wanted to shower. I'd been so exhausted arriving last night that I hadn't bothered. Deciding I didn't want to smell in front of my mentor, whoever they were, I took a quick shower, but I would need to utilize as much time as I could afterward to unpack and straighten up my room before our first inspection. I heard their first impression of your room would determine how much the inspectors liked you for the rest of your days there. I wanted to be on their good side in case I ever needed anything.
Within an hour and a half, I had showered, dried my hair, curled it, and done my makeup. I then set to work unpacking, quickly losing track of time as I dove into organizing all my belongings. How did I pack so much in two suitcases? Surely this was some sort of special talent!
