The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 12 : Bad Start to Training

The distance from the Dorm Cluster to the Parade Grounds by road was 4 km. It took Dusk half an hour to run at her full speed. The officer did not let her slow down. She was not used to running so much and by the time she reached the Parade Ground, she was ready to fall off to the ground. Luckily, her new cross-trainer shoes seem to be far better than what she had ever used, so it was a little easier.

However, stopping and resting on reaching Parade Ground was not an option. The hover-bike stopped at the edge of the ground and the officer who had brought Dusk to the grounds jogged up along with her to one of the groups undergoing training. They stopped behind a massive officer who was shouting orders at a group of cadets undergoing their training exercises.

Probably sensing their presence, the man in brown camouflage uniform gave a series of orders and turned to look at Dusk. His face had a hard and harsh look, that was typical of Military Trainers. He looked at Dusk critically and with a look of disgust clearly reflecting. He nodded to the officer besides her, who then saluted and went off to do something else.

The trainer then gave Dusk his full attention. "So, are you one of those spoilt rich kids who think that all they need to sleep, and problems will go away? Or are you of the opinion that the rules do not apply to you?"

Dusk paled. This was a bad start. She had obviously annoyed that trainer, who was both a Professor and a Military Officer. She did not want to be on the bad side of either!

She tried to clarify "No Sir, I am not a rich kid ..."

"Oh, then tell me, why do you think the rules do not apply to you? Why were you not here at 7 am when you were required to?"

"Sir, I am very sorry, I overslept."

The trainer looked at her with even more derision. "Overslept, did you? So very nice and thoughtful! Have you heard of things like wake-up alarms? Or, poor thing, you had some maid to wake you up and get you ready for school when you were at home ..."

Dusk was even more embarrassed. She had a perfect track record in every study previously. And now, on the first day, at the first class, she was marked as a slacker. She had to try and rectify the situation.

"No Sir, that was never my intention. I did set the alarm but for some reason, I went back to sleep after I switched it off..."

But the trainer did not let her finish. "ENOUGH! I am not here to listen to more nonsense. I do not understand why you people sign up for voluntary training just because your parents want you to or you think it's going to be cool! Or you think some cute boys are coming for training!"

"But I didn't, Sir, Sargent Staton ..."

"SARGENT STATON IS NOT GOING TO PROTECT YOU ON THE TRAINING GROUNDS!" He shouted at her. "Now, forget all the pretty things you thought will happen. You signed up, you cannot cancel it. And if you do not follow the rules, or do not come on time, do not obey the orders, you will be liable for punishment. The punishment can extend to being put in confinement for up to a week, so don't try my patience. NOW GO AND START!"

Dusk stepped back in fright. No one had ever shouted at her like that before. This man was not even ready to let her explain. She was not here voluntarily! But saying anything more would only make the matters worse. She just nodded and looked down.

"Sargent Bear!! Take this kid over to that side. Get her to do 300 sit-ups, followed by 100 push ups and then 1,000 same-spot skips. Check her endurance, she is here for the first time. And finish all of that by the time Team F finishes the warmup and let her join them for the run." Saying so the trainer turned away from Dusk and walked off.

Sargent Bear did not look like someone who would have sympathy either. He waved calling her over to where he as standing, and then the two of them jogged another 200 metres to a 'Trainers Station' that seem to have been built to one side. Once there, he asked for her name and Citizen-Id and entered that into an AI interface that was built on the station table. He then nodded and turned to her.