Welcome to the first chapter of How To Train Your Dragon: MechPilots. I hope you enjoy the ride.

The year is 2275, and Humanity is on it's last legs. An Alien race known only as the Skinnies has conquered much of the planet, but a few locations still hold strong. One such location is camp Berk, located in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. It is here that a new technology is about to make it's debut, the Dragons.

Transmission initiated Jan. 23, 2075

Hostile contact in region NA

Requesting immediate mobilization and activation of project VIKING

Request pending

RE:Request granted

Sonoran Desert, Arizona USA

May 3, 2275

Camp Berk Training Facility

Private Log of Private Jason Haddock

Callsign: Hiccup

Certified for vehicle mechanics, weapons repair and refit, Sniper Rifle Maintenance and Operation

This is camp Berk. It's just a few clicks north of the Mexican border, and just a few degrees shy of spontaneous combustion. The plants that grow here are tough, tasteless, and generally covered in needles. The people who live and train here, not much better. While I suppose that previous wars have been fought against other people, or maybe nature itself, this war is fought against...

"Skinny Raid!" Private Jason Haddock threw his log recorder down on his bed seizing the AXE 170 submachine gun he had been issued. The man who had issued the cry, Major Craig Belch, call sign Gobber, raced past on his way to the armory.

"Hiccup, report to the armory on the double!"

"Yes sir!" As he raced after Gobber he caught sight of the training squad he usually bunked with. The squad had been on fire duty since arrival and were currently occupied with putting out any fires that were started. Hiccup gave them only a passing glance before ducking into the heavily armored bunker that served as the armory.

The Raid lasted an hour before things got hot in the armory. Jason had finally had enough. Grabbing a rocket launcher and a pack of four missiles, he slipped out the back door to a good firing position and sighted in on one of the approaching aircraft. As he pulled the trigger the rocket flared to life and went on it's merry way. The aircraft rolled to evade the missile and homed in on the source. As the crafts guns began firing an explosion rocked its frame. Jason glanced to his side before cringing at the glare the general sent his way.

"Get inside private, I'll be talking to you after this is over." Jason looked at the ground, ashamed.

"Yes sir." he ducked back into the armory and shut the door.

It was another ten minutes before they got the call of 'raid over' and were allowed to come out of their bunkers. Hiccup went immediately to General James Haddocks tent, which had somehow survived the raid. Before he entered he called out.

"Private Haddock as per orders sir." The generals voice called back out.

"Get in here private." He pushed aside the flap of the tent, ignoring the pointed stares at his back. The general sat at his desk, looking over the post raid report. "Sit down son." Jason opened his mouth, but didn't say anything as the general held up his hand. "Don't say anything yet, not until you hear me out son. I'm disappointed in you right now. You used a weapon you are not certified for, you wasted a rocket, and you put the armory in danger. Those are court martial offenses, son. I can overlook it this one time, just like for anyone else, but not if it happens again." Jason looked at his father.

"I know dad. I got hot under collar, lost my temper, and grabbed the nearest weapon available. I probably shouldn't even be in the army at all."

"Stop that line of thinking soldier. I don't want to hear it. I'm damn proud that you tried, but trying isn't good enough out here. You need to make sure every shot counts." General Haddock looked down at his son before a sigh escaped his lips. "Go fetch your squad and Major Belch. I have something to tell all of you."

"Yes sir." Hiccup stood up and stepped out of the tent, looking around for the familiar faces of the Wolf Pack. He finally found them in their bunks. Major Gobber with them.

"Major, the general want the pack in his tent, now." Gobber looked up before slapping his prosthetic left hand on the table.

"Sergeant Hofferson, gather the squad and report to the generals tent on the double." Sergeant Astrid Hofferson, call sign Valkerie, jumped up from the table.

"All troopers, follow me!" Jason waited for her and the Major to pass him before taking his place in line. Ahead of his was Corporal Sven 'Snotlout' Jorgenson, Private's Riley 'Ruffnut' and Brad 'Tuffnut' Thorston, and Private Jack 'Fishlegs' Ingerman. As he fell in behind Jack, he noticed that the large man smelled suspiciously like fish, again. Rolling his eyes he allowed a little space to grow between them. The man's love of food was bad enough but when he had fish he tended to develop an odor. The group jogged through the camp until they arrived at General Haddocks tent. Major Gobber stopped the squad just outside and hollered in.

"Sir, the Wolf Pack to see you, as requestes."

"Just get in here Gobber, and bring the kids." Gobber jerked his head to signal the pack to follow him in as he entered the tent, his prosthetic right leg clanking against the floor plates.

"So what's bugging you Stoic?" the General raised an eyebrow at his old squad mate.

"What I have to say concerns you all. I'm assigning your squad to Dragon training." Gobber nodded for a moment before speaking up.

"So who'll be where?" The general handed him a sheet of paper before answering.

"These are my recommendations for each of them. And before you object to anything, I've thought this through carefully." It was Gobbers turn to raise an eyebrow.

"I wasn't going to question your selections. They make damn good sense." Jason remained quiet, but sergeant Hofferson didn't.

"Permission to speak?" Stoic looked at her, studying her carefully.

"Shoot."

"Sir, as much as I appreciate the generals confidence in my men and myself, I fear that there are select members that are not suited for this duty." Stoic ran a hand over his beard.

"I understand your concerns, and have considered them myself. But the training is not for those who are ideal for the job. It takes those who are insufficient and makes them ideal."

"Understood sir." Astrid obviously didn't like the fact that she had been reprimanded in the way she had been, but made no more comments. Gobber motioned for the group to follow him as he walked toward the entrance of the tent.

"Major." Gobber looked back at the general.

"Yes sir?"

"I'm leading a platoon out to hit the skinny's nearest encampment. Try to have these kids ready before I get back." Gobber nodded.

"Yes sir, and good luck on the raid." Stoic returned the nod, and sat down as the Wolf Pack left the tent.

Okay, so let me know what you think.