The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 13 : First Day at School

The first day of Military Training was bad. But it did improve a little after the orange drink. She managed to finish a lot of the revised exercise regime she was given ...

And she was fine till she was taken to Group K (Or was it called Team K). Every person in the team was a huge and well built, muscular professional Military Cadet! Compared to them, she looked tiny, thin and ... unfit.

She had one look at her 'Teammates' and knew she was in trouble. Just to keep up with them would be a nightmare.

By the time her training schedule ended at 9 am, she was exhausted and wondered how she would manage the rest of the day. She really felt like she should go back to the Dorm, have a shower and sleep. Or maybe, even sleep in the shower...

But of course, that was not an option. Her Military Instructors already thought she was useless and unreliable, the last thing she wanted was for her tech professors to think likewise. She ran with the rest of her group to the Trainer Station and picked up her Sixth-Sense. She wore it and then turned away, trying to figure out where the Mass will stop to take her to the Academic Cluster.

As she stood there, a massive hand clapped her on the shoulder, almost making her loose her balance. It was one of the girls in her group, Piggon. "Hale! We are going to have breakfast at the Military Complex Mess. It's right there, close to the Tech Buildings in the Academic Cluster. Come with us, you will save time too."

Dusk nodded, happy to get help. "What time do your classes start?"

"Our first today is at 10. On the days it starts at 9:30, it's a problem. Today we have enough time. Come."

Dusk ran after them, wondering if these guys and girls ever walked like a normal person. They were always running. She wondered if Piggon would consider carrying her ... after all, it would be hardly any effort for that girl!

As they ran to the edge of the Parade Ground, Dusk saw 4 hover-vehicles coming down the road at a sedate speed. These were like buses, but they didn't have walls. Instead, the sides were open. There were rows of seats with handles for those who wanted to stand. Some of the Cadets were already standing next to the road. The vehicles did not slow down. The cadets just paced themselves and jumped up to the vehicles. After the vehicle cross a certain marker, it sped up and zoomed off towards the Academic Cluster.

Seeing that the Cadets were all jumping on the moving bus, Dusk felt unsure and slowed down. But Piggon turned back and pulled her forward. The second vehicle had left and the third one was coming their way.

Piggon saw Dusk looking doubtful and suddenly turned to one of the Cadets with a laugh. "Slider, pick her up."

A huge cadet who was in front of Dusk, suddenly turned (without slowing his running pace), banged into Dusk and picked her up like a gunnysack on his shoulders, turned again, ran next to the hover-vehicle and jumped up with everyone else. Then he put Dusk down, steadied her and gave a wide grin.

For a moment, Dusk wondered whether everyone here was mad. But then she was grateful that they helped her up.

Piggon was laughing at her reaction. "Civilian, you need to learn to get on to these vehicles. It's a part of the training skills. That is why they don't stop. I don't think Slider will pick you up every time."

"Oh, I will! It will give me extra credit at the exam if I can pick up a buddy and board the bus"

The gang laughed and hooted at the idea, and a few others wanted to try it next time. Dusk had the next month or so booked for the ride. She shook her head and joined in the laugh. At least they did not dislike her at sight.