The development of massive war machines called Dragons have fractured the world into three coalitions which constantly wage war on each other: the Lookout, the Red Ribbon Army, and the Cold Regime.

After years of military standstill, two new recruits rise through the ranks. One, a promising young pilot with plenty of military lineage. The other, an engineer who gave up her life as heiress to play soldier. Together, these two shake up Captain Vegeta's tidy post and might just be the tipping point the Lookout needs.

Part romance, part shenanigans ... all military!AU

Influenced by too many military 'toons (Heavy Object, FMA Brotherhood, Voltron, etc)

Enjoy! :)

From the crisp blue jacket of her uniform to the pin-straight fall of her blonde hair, First Lieutenant 18 Gero was impeccable. She'd risen past her younger (all of 8 minutes) brother in rank, and now reported to the iciest captain in the iciest speck left on the map.

Screens circled the room showing live broadcasts of all the happenings around post; all of which was bleary and white. So much fucking white everywhere, since it snowed 365 days of the year. She didn't shiver though. Despite everything, Lieutenant Gero could keep her cool.

She was described as being a bit icy herself.

"Bitch is so cold, they say if you stick it in her, your dick'll fall right off," Second Lieutenant Nappa joked.

18's lip curled. "Charming," she spat back, brushing past the hulking man and letting her heels clack against the marble floor.

She didn't have to wear heels, but she quite liked them. Made her feel tall, powerful. She liked the extra few inches her shoes gave her; looming over her moody Captain was something that amused her on this frigid base in the middle of nowhere where little to no entertainment was found.

When she found Captain Vegeta, it was to no one's surprise that he looked as though he'd just swallowed a mouthful of sand. His lips were turned down in a frown, his eyes held the hard glare he wore when he was displeased by something. And Captain Vegeta was the kind to find displeasure in everything.

His fierce stare was this time was fixated on the screens not showing the ever-falling snow, but this year's recruits who were unfortunate enough to get shipped to the Lookout base butting up to Cold Regime territory.

"Captain," she said, momentarily pulling his attention from the pair of photos on screen.

His ire raised a touch. "And you're positive these are the best recruits of this year's class?"

"Yes. Sergeant Roshi said they flew beyond their peers at the Academy this year." Her lips flexed. It was almost, but not quite, a smile. "Light years ahead of the pack."

Vegeta's glare swapped back to the two photos splitting the screen. The female recruit was flashing a peace sign in her fucking military ID picture and the male was winking at the camera like a moron.

"Were they instructed not to smile?"

"Uh." Lieutenant Gero paused. "They were, sir."

"So my top recruits are insubordinate…"

"Possibly, Captain. But you didn't ask for the most obedient in this year's class. You asked for the best."

A low growl rumbled in his throat. "They graduated from the Academy," Vegeta snapped. "They should be capable of following rules. That isn't something I should have to be specific about."

Nappa entered the control room, his beefy hands wrapped around a coffee mug. He stared at the screen, then shrugged a hulking shoulder. 18 exhaled. Apparently she was the only capable member in the room...

"Private Bulma B. Briefs is a genius," she began, her voice even. "She knows how to fix Dragons better than anyone in the Lookout. She's resourceful, quick on her feet. She's a huge asset to our team. Don't look past her abilities just because she's a bit… unconventional."

Nappa stared at the side-by-side photos. And, finally deciding to make himself useful, supplied, "Private Kakarot is the son of Major Bardock, brother of Sergeant Raditz."

Vegeta snarled. "Some lineage..."

"And the first recruit to score a perfect 80 points on the physical part of the exam," 18 added. To this, Vegeta stilled. Nappa bristled. 18 bit her lip to control a grin.

"Impossible," Captain Vegeta croaked, barely above a whisper. Injecting a bit of venom in his tone, he spat, "I scored a 78."

"Nearly flawless, sir," Nappa chimed in, as though to cushion the blow.

Nearly flawless wasn't flawless, though. Vegeta's hands compressed into twin fists at his sides. His knuckles white beneath the black standard-issue gloves.

"Private Kakarot set a new record." After a deliberate pause, she added, "Sir."

His jaw locked, Vegeta growled out a barely audible, "And on the technical?"

"An… 11, sir," 18 mumbled.

Vegeta felt inflated in that, at least. He'd gotten a respectable 69.

"But Private Briefs scored top of her class in the technical." 18 inclined her head toward the photograph of the peace-sign flashing beauty. "They're a good pair."

Vegeta growled. "Fucking useless is what they are…"

"If you think so, sir, I can request other recruits."

"No," Veget barked. "I asked for the top… Now, show me what other imbeciles graduated in this class that will be stationed here."

"Yes, very well Captain." 18 moved her finger across the screen. A grinning bald man replaced Bulma and Goku's photographs. "This is Private Krillin. Sixth in his class."

"He isn't smiling at least," Vegeta commented.

"Yeah, but he looks right terrified," Nappa joked.

Ignoring him, Vegeta read over his stats. "5 foot, even?"

"You should know height isn't a factor, sir." 18 rocked on her heels, trying to suppress a laugh at the rage that tightened Vegeta's features. Quickly, she swiped another finger. A docile looking bluenette stared timidly back at them. "Private Launch." Another swipe to a reveal a bald man with a third eye right smack in the middle of his head. "Private Tien." She swiped again. "Private Puar."

Vegeta froze. "He's a cat."

"Yes, sir. With a very special ability."

Vegeta fought the urge to slam his head against the wall. Instead, he asked, "And...?"

She swiped once more, settling on another smiling idiot. "Private Yamcha, sir. That completes this year's roster."

Vegeta shook his head. "Fine. I have their first assignment ready. Have them report to Nappa when they arrive."

Nappa's teeth gleamed beneath the fluorescent lights. 18 fought the urge to give a dramatic exhale.

"Very well, sir. I'll have Staff Sergeant Chichi make sure their rooms are readied so they can settle in and get comfortable here."

"I assure you," Vegeta said, his lips lifting into the first thing that could pass as a grin all day. "They'll be anything but comfortable."