Cosmic Era 100 : 12th August
On the year that the main military forces in the world were pretty inactive and everyone was celebrating the first century of the Cosmic Era and everything that had come before a new group of recruits were attending the opening ceremony of the ZAFT Academy on Apprillus Colony.
"On behalf of the staff here at the Academy I would like to welcome you new recruits to the ZAFT Academy stationed here on Apprillus. During you're years here you will learn how to become damn good soldiers of ZAFT. During you're time here I would like each and every one of you to remember why you are here in the first place and what is compelling you to fight for ZAFT for I am not so naive to believe that all of you are here for the sole reason of wanting to defend you're country. Whatever you're reason I can assure you that you will leave this place as competent soldiers of ZAFT ready to fore fill you're purpose. Future soldiers of ZAFT, I salute you." At this the principle of the facility, an old man with white hair who seemed like he had said this speech many times before brought his right hand up and saluted the crowd of 300 or so teenagers that were standing in front of him. Said teenagers then in unison brought their hands up in salute until the old man dropped his.
"You will now be sorted out into the roles that you have applied for and shown to you're dorms." A woman with long red hair and wearing a white and black Captain's uniform shouted. "Reds! You're with me" she shouted again before turning around and walking through a corridor into a much smaller hall. As the students came into the hall she watched them fall into line. A class of exactly 50 recruits stood in front of her. They are all very young she thought to herself although secretly she was thinking that it may have been because she was getting a year older every time she was introduced to a new batch of recruits.
"I am captain Sylvia Maroon and those of you in this room are in line to become ZAFT Reds, just to make sure that each and every one of you knows what this means I will spell it out for you right now. You are to be the best." She paused to let that line sink in. "You will become exceptional soldiers in every form of combat and will eventually become a pilot of a mobile suit. Some of you may even learn skills beyond that." She added in quickly referring to the recently introduced policy of making sure that every soldier was taught basic history, maths and english to make sure that they would never just be mindless soldiers. "As of right now you will be called in twos to the next room to be introduced to you're room mates for the next four years and to make sure we have our records correct. Classes will begin in room 2C47 tomorrow at 09:00 hours. Stand easy until you are called." she informed the students before walking into the next room.
It was all so routine so far until she came to a duo who seemed just a little bit different. In front of her stood two young men. Both were wearing the standard ZAFT Red academy uniform of a white Jacket, white trousers with black boots and red trims along the jacket and a logo signifying that they were part of ZAFT academy on Aprillus. The first recruit there stood out as he had dark orange hair which was long by military standards but not even average length by anyone else's. What was also unusual was that he had green eyes – a rarity in the gene pool in recent times. The second recruit had standard length brown hair and brown eyes and looked average in almost every way. "Names?" Captain Sylvia asked making sure that she had the right records.
"Thomas Raiaka" The orange haired recruit replied calmly.
"James Marshall" The other recruit replied.
"And what are you're reasons for wanting to become ZAFT pilots?"
"I was never really good at anything else and a ZAFT pilot sounds like an exciting life at least" James said. A common response thought the captain. Don't think they can do anything else so become soldiers. She then turned to look at Thomas for his answer.
"To make sure people are shooting at me."
Now this was an interesting answer she thought to herself. "Care to elaborate recruit?"
"My father was a pilot and when I was young I asked him why he had to go and fight. He replied to make sure that people were shooting at him so that the people who could not defend themselves could go on living their lives."
"Trying to aspire to be like a parent can always be a strong motivational factor but I hope that during you're time here you gain a more personal reason to fight. Ryan here will show you yo you're room. Dismissed." She said saluting the two young men. After they had saluted back she watched them walk away, going to have to keep an eye on that one she thought to herself.
Thomas took a step into his new room. The front part was a small kitchen with all the essential stuff with a small bathroom off to the side and 2 beds at the far and of the room each having their own chest of draws and wardrobes.
Thomas walked in and sat down on the bed on the left before facing his new room mate. "So we are room mates, nice to meet you."
"Indeed we are" James replied as he walked in and unceremoniously dumped all of his bags beside his bed. "You fancy heading along to the common room and see if we can meet some people? With a bit of luck some of the girls that were at the induction might be there." He suggested as his average face suddenly changed to having a huge grin on his face
"Nah, I need to unpack mate and get some rest for tomorrow, something tells me we are going to be in for a long day." Thomas replied.
James' grin slowly vanished as the thought of going himself suddenly hit him. "Suit yourself then, see you tomorrow" he said as he walked out the door.
Thomas proceeded to unpack his clothes and put them away inside his new room. He then pulled his chess board out of his bag and slid it underneath his bed. After he was happy with everything in the room and had checked all the appliances in the kitchen and unpacked his laptop and sat with it on his knee on his bed. As he checked the news it looked as though the new space elevators that were just opened this year were becoming more popular and civilians were now allowed to start taking full advantage of the service for a nominal fee. He then looked at the news for the Semptembrius Colony, where his siblings were still living and was not surprised to see that nothing was happening there either. With a yawn he slid his laptop underneath his bed, hung up his uniform and proceeded to fall asleep, wondering what was going to be in store for him tomorrow.
AN: Just a short chapter to start guys. This story is the history of my RP character from the Long War RP (http://thelongwar./) Thomas Raiaka. I'm doing this to carve out a personality for my character as well as giving him a reason to fight in the future. I've tried to tie it into the history of TLW but also make it an interesting read for anyone whether or not you take part in it. (Although I much suggest you do have a look at TLW if you fancy playing a good RP) Im also going to start putting in music tracks which you may or may not want to listen to in future chapters just to try and further put across the scene I have in my head. Hope you enjoy it when I do!
Reviews are also welcome guys.
Tommo
