Altitude ~Liam Payne AU~

Chapter 12

~Day 36~
"Attention!" Malik called out as we all filed into the gymnasium wearing our No. 1 Uniforms. This was the one and only day these outfits would be worn. With pressed uniforms and polished shoes, we were finally ready to graduate.

"Assemble into alphabetical order by District!" He ordered as we moved around the gym quickly.

"District 22 over here!" Horan called out as his students filed over towards him. Malik called out the same for his, and Payne for ours.

"We have some last minute instructions to go over before we walk you outside." Malik announced as he pulled out a list. "We will walk outside to the ceremony by ascending district. We will then demonstrate our foot drill as a whole before we stand for the ceremony. Your families will be sitting behind you and you may not talk or wave to them until after the ceremony is complete."

"Yes, this ceremony shows your discipline and bad behavior will not go unnoticed." Payne added as a threat. "We expect the most professional behavior out of all of you."

"Anything to add Horan?" Malik asked as he nodded his head and walked towards the center of the floor.

"After the ceremony you will be free to converse with your families in the banquet hall of the camp. After it ends at 18:00, you are to go back to your bunk to pack your things and board your designated bus once you check in with your Squadron Leader. The buses leave at 18:45 sharp, and you will have to arrange your own transportation home if you miss them." Horan said as he walked back towards his district.

"Alright, let the ceremony begin!" Malik yelled as we began marching out of the gym in rows of three. As we walked out, I could see the seats overflowing with families showing their support to their children.

We marched to a steady beat, all the way around the seats and towards the podium, halting to attention and facing forward when the ceremony was to begin. The first person who took the stage was a man I had never seen around the building before.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen, I can only imagine how proud you are to be here today." The man welcomed. He was tall and had gray hair. "My name is Tom Peterson and I am the Air Marshal of Districts 22 to 24. I am very pleased to see all these new faces here today. This has been one of our largest graduating classes in the past ten years." He said as the parents began clapping.

"After almost a year of training, your son or daughter has finally met the qualifications to become an official RAF Fast Jet flyer. We couldn't be more thrilled of their decision to join the RAF as we are always looking for new intelligent recruits. With that, I will let Major Horan take over." He concluded as the crowd cheered again as Major Horan took the podium.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. My name is Major Horan and I am one of the three Squadron Leaders that has been working with your child for the past five weeks. We are very pleased to have you all here today to show support for your children as this once in a lifetime chance does not happen very often." The parents once again cut in with his speech to applaud.

"With rising North Korean tensions, we are desperately in need of a new fast jet flying generation. Air Chief Marshal, Robert Hamilton, has requested we send our top three students into service early. This opportunity for these three students will allow them to learn how to fly the fast jets early, and teach the rest of their peers when they fly in for duty." Horan announced making me gasp. I had no idea they had received such a request.

"The three students we have picked to be sent in early for service and receive a guided hands-on training are: Jeffrey Fredrick, Mitchell Miller, and Cameron Woods." Horan said making my eyes go wide as I heard my name.