Team Doable
Prelude
Anyone who wants to be someone goes to Academy. There, you can learn anything from fashion design, to microbiology, to combat and tactics. So of course Kaley Doable is a cadet there. This teen girl Extraordinaire can do anything. While her real interest is Archeology, her list of skills include 20 different martial arts, rock climbing, sky diving, repelling, and gymnastics, just to name a few. Her dream is to graduate as a top class archeologist and explorer. And she is well on her way, as one of the Academy's best students.
So it is a surprise to everyone that her best friend from Grade school is Ethan Expendable. While he was eligible for entry into Academy, he is one of its lowest scorers overall. Since he is friends with Kaley he has many of the same skills she does, but not at the same level. But his most noteworthy skill is piloting. If he doesn't know how to pilot something, he can learn on the fly. He is attending Academy to be a Titan pilot. Titans are the militaries mechanized combat suits created to fight the Sentinels. A race of sentient cyber-robotic aliens.
The name Expendable is mud. Ethan's father Professor Drew Expendable is shunned in the scientific community for his research into what he called aural energies. He believed that organic life produce a natural life energy and spent a good portion of his career trying to study and prove it. After several years of coming up with nothing but theories his lab was shut down, funding cut, and was kicked out of the lab he worked at. He now is a physics teacher and is married to Marie Expendable, a psychiatrist.
Kaley's parents are Anne Doable, a neurosurgeon, who works at the same hospital as Marie, and Johnson Doable, an Astrophysicist. Both are outstanding in their fields but work is only a secondary concern to them. Their primary concerns are being good parents to their daughter Kaley, of whom they are very proud, and twin sons, Jake and Tony. With a combined IQ of Nearly 300, these two are years ahead of their education level, but are mischievous.
As mentioned before, Kaley and Ethan are best friends. They spend nearly every waking minute with each other and been through the best and worst for and with each other. While they both have their own goals and dreams, they activity encourage and push each other to strive forward and work hard.
So here begins their adventures together as they strive to accomplish their goals and do what no one says can be done,
Operation Dropout
Firing his titan's boasters, Ethan narrowly dodged the enemies' rocket barrage. This enemy being the last of three that all attacked Ethan during the halo-simulator exercise in class today. While struggling in pretty much every other class, Ethan was one of the best titan pilots in the academy. Well, in the simulator anyway, he hasn't yet climbed into a real titan yet, but at the rate he is going, according to Professor Hospin, the Academy's headmaster, he'll start training in a real one by the start of his third semester at the academy. He waited for his titan's shields to recharge and then, to the great surprise of his opponent, vaulted over the wall and fired a burst from his XE-49 chain gun. Ethan customized his titan for defense and maneuverability, making him a very hard to hit target on the battlefield. And while his opponent was fast, it lacked defensive power, or enough to make it a challenge for Ethan.
He then opened up with his own rocket salvo and quickly dropped the enemies' titan's shields. Once it failed, he unloaded with his chain gun and the lightly armored titan was eliminated. But not before his own shield dropped and he lost another quarter of his titan's health. A few seconds after the enemy pilot ejected, a voice came over the radio. "Pilots, hold them off for another five more minutes, the team is almost ready." "Really, five minutes, this mission is really starting to tank." Ethan thought to himself as he readied himself for the next attack.
In a classroom on the other side of the Academy, Kaley sat in an almost comfortable chair and listened to her teacher as they began a new lesson in ancient history.
"Today class we will begin our studies in feudal japan. Which started around 1185. A system similar to the monarchy in Europe called the shogunate emerged. The countries' military, led by the samurai, the Japanese equivalent to the Western Knight, became the ruling lords over various Lands and Manors throughout japan that all answered to the Shogun. The supreme warlord over all. The shogunate ended in 1868, when the western world was introduced to japan. Turn on your data pads and go to the lesson on Japanese shoguns. We will look at the first shogun, Azuchi-Momoyama, which lasted from 1568-1600."
Kaley was already exhausted but obediently did as Professor Damon asked. "Oh boy, another two hour lecture" she thought miserably.
Elsewhere in the Academy, Headmaster Hospin stood in front of eight vertical plasma screen projectors and addressed the board of directors, "Professor Hospin, the Board has made a decision." "I recognize the Board has made as a decision, but given its one of the stupidest decisions I'm telling you, you need to reverse it." "It's already been done, the paperwork has been sent to your office." "Mr. Expendable is one of my most promising students and is one of the best titan pilots the academy has ever seen. And you want to expel him because of his father?" "This has nothing to do with his Father. On average he has the lowest scores in the entire Academy. We pride ourselves on having the best students, not the most promising ones." "Cut the crap, I know that you know that this is about is Father's removal."
The members of the Board were silent "It reflects poorly on the school to be associated with the Expendable Family." "I thought we were about training the best students, not looking good to the public eye." "Professor you know as well as we do that the Academy is privately funded. Our sponsors will withdraw if he stays." Professor Hospin had to admit defeat, if funding for the school disappeared, so would the school. "It's still a terrible idea. Mr. Expendable has what it takes to be here, no matter his Father's name." "Don't make this harder than it already is Professor."
He hung his head, the board had overruled him and they had the power to circumnavigate him as well. "Can I convince you to allow him to finish the semester? He's halfway through." "Sorry professor, effective immediately."
The Board signed off and Professor Hospin stood alone in the Conference room. The weight of the entire conversation pressing down on him. Like a smothering blanket, chocking the life out of you. When Ethan applied to the Academy, the only thing he had going for him was his history with Kaley Doable. The two of them had been working together to explore ancient temples, lost city ruins and historic wonders. They had a reputation for doing the impossible. Yet both Ethan and Kaley showed even greater potential. Now he was being cast out like some kind of baggage. A soft light glowed and his AI Deja appeared.
"Hello Professor, how did the meeting with the board go?" "I've had better talks." "Why?" "The board sent me paperwork Deja. Do you have it?" "Let me check my receiving sub-routines, yes I have here the expulsion paperwork for … Oh that's why." Hospin looked up "Deja, I'm sending you some changes. Make two copies of the form, the original I will give to the board, apply the changes to the second form. Once you've made those changes, call Ethan Expendable to my office." "Yes sir, and may I ask, why you are doing this Professor?" "Because I must Deja, its better this way." And with that, Professor Hospin left. Deja quietly applied the changes to the second form and wondered what the Professor was thinking.
A few hours later, the students were released and Kaley and Ethan quickly made their way toward each other. They were an inseparable pair, they spend every second of every day together. "Ethan, how was class today?" "Oh hey K. Boy was I in for a workout. Today's titan simulator lasted for over an hour, I am wiped out." "At least yours was interesting. I had to sit through four hours of lectures today." "Harsh, what say we get some snackilious at the café?" "Snackilious isn't a word but sure, I could go for a bite."
As they walked, Alex Ren came by and called out "Hey Ethan, what is up my man?" He and Ethan were friends too. They bonded late one night playing a game of Space drop in the simulator. "Not much Alex, just heading to the café to get something to eat." "Oh I can believe that. Especially since you took on three titans at once and beat them all in the simulator today." "Wow Ethan, you didn't mention that" Kaley jumped in. Kaley looked at Ethan, while his hair was a mess like it always was, and his uniform wasn't exactly in regulation was exactly that as to why she was so close to him. While he was able to toe the line, he was always laid back and easy going. Not to say didn't take things seriously, during missions he would always put his game face. But he could always find the silver lining or say the funniest things at just the right time to lighten the mood.
The three of them made their way to the cafeteria and Ethan took a look at the menu. "HOAH, they got pizza sticks, it's a good day my friends." "Alright, I was wondering when they would bring them back." "Sure, you guys enjoy your pizza sticks, I'm getting something that's actually good for you." "Come on K, what could be better than deep-fried cheese, pepperoni, and bread dough?" "Uh anything, anything else at all." "Whatever, hey Alex want to join us?" "Actually I was going to catch up some of the guys I ran the simulator with today." "Okay see you Alex." He left and Kaley and Ethan got in line and grabbed their trays. All Ethan was looking for were his pizza sticks while Kaley made herself a salad, complete with a low carb dressing. She also grabbed a glass and filled it with skim milk. Finally Ethan found his food. "Ahh… the last four, all for me." Quickly snatching all of them from the warmer, and he filled his glass with Mr. Fizz's root beer. "Ahh, what is better than pizza and root beer?" he sighed and sat down next to Kaley. She smiled and shook her head. Ethan loved to eat and could hork down helping after helping, but she was used to it.
They had just started eating when a girl's voice called out "Kaley, what's up girlfriend?" "Hey Melissa just getting something to eat." "I see hey Ethan" "Hewllo Melrissa" Ethan replied with his mouth full. Ethan didn't really feel the need to practice good table manners. "So class today was a drag, it was boring lectures about the use of make-up in Ancient Egypt." Melissa was studying fashion Design and had a real knack for making top notch designs. "Same here, I had to listen to Mr. Chapman talk for two hours about the Samurai of Feudal Japan." "Hey Japan is not pointless, it is the home of Sumo and Sushi" "Feudal Ethan not futile. As in the medieval period for Japan." "Okay now I'm confused" "Never mind, anyway I know how you feel girl." "So Ethan, a little bird tells me that someone set a record in the titan simulator today?" "People do like to talk, but yes I did." "Well, I feel safer knowing that you're going to be fighting the Sentinels in the near future."
Suddenly Deja, the school's AI came over the halo-projector. "Would Ethan Expendable please report to Professor Hospin's office?" "Hunh, I wonder what that is about." "It might have something to do with your run in the simulator today." "Well, I need to go. Looks like I have to eat on the run. See you ladies later." "Bye Ethan." And Ethan took off, cramming the last pizza stick into his mouth. "I sure hope he doesn't trip while he's eating, he might choke himself." "Ethan will have that gone before he leaves the building. He loves those things."
Ethan quickly left the cafeteria and found the nearest lift. "Professor Hospin's office please." He told the computer. The lift rose into the air and shuttled away toward the center of the Academy's campus. It then linked to a tower where the Professor's office was and started to climb. From this height, he could easily see across the entire campus. Ethan often rode the lifts just for the view. Normally, he would enjoy it, but he had a real talent for sensing danger. In the field with Kaley it had served him well, avoiding traps and pitfalls all the time. And something was telling him that this wasn't right. Which only made the situation worse. This past semester had been hard on him. He had struggled more than usual. Because of his Dad getting fired. He tried not to let it show, but he wasn't sure how good of a job he was doing.
The lift finally stopped and a door opened to the waiting area outside Professor Hospin's office. He walked over to the intercom and reached up to tap the mike. A knot formed in his stomach but he keyed it anyway. "Professor, this is Ethan you wanted to see me?" "Please come in" a voice responded and the door slide open.
He walked in and there was Professor Hospin standing facing out and looking through the wall sized window in the back of the room. His hair was greying as he was well along in years and the glassed indicated his vision wasn't as good as it used to be. But he was slim and well formed, as he had served in the military and attended Academy in his day.
"Hello Mr. Expendable, how are you today?" "Tired and all, but I'm okay otherwise." "I heard you set a record in the titan simulator today. I'm very impressed" "So that is what this is about?" Ethan asked with no amount of hopefulness. "You don't sound too certain" "I have a pretty good sense of knowing when things are wrong" "Well I hate to prove your instincts right, but something is very wrong." The two men were gloomily quiet for a long time.
But Finally the Professor spoke "I had a meeting with the board today. I'm afraid they are having you expelled." Ethan didn't react, not on the outside anyway. But on the inside he was screaming in a combination of anger, hurt, and disbelief. "Did they say why, or do I already know why?" "You are smarter than you think Ethan. That is why I accepted you as a student." "So this is about my Father?" "In part, they are also less than impressed with your overall performance." "What do you think Professor?" "You deserve to be here Ethan, more than most." "I mean what do you think of my Father?" The Professor stopped short. He was critical of Dr. Expendable's work, but was one of the few who knew better than to shun him for it. "Scientists often time must take risks. In your Father's case, it didn't pan out. We cannot fault him for that."
Ethan was silent again, the professor could tell he was hurting. "I will give you some time alone. To allow this to settle in. Once you feel you are ready, come out to my desk in the waiting lobby, Deja has some paperwork for you to sign." "Umm, Yes. Uhhh…thank you Professor" Ethan stuttered. Professor Hospin turned and left his office, allowing Ethan to be by himself. Once the professor had stepped out, Ethan walked over to the window and looked out across the campus. The Entire conversation replayed itself in his head, and this time, it was too much for him. He sank to his knees and screamed. He looked back up and in his reflection he could see tears rolling down his face.
Nearly an hour later, Kaley was walking up and down the halls, looking for Ethan. But instead ran into Melissa again. "Hey Kaley, what are you doing?" "I'm trying to find Ethan, have your seen him?" "Last time I saw him was when I was with you and he got called to Professor Hospin's office." "Well, same here, and I'm starting to get worried." "Maybe that meeting wasn't so…" "Don't say that Melissa. It can't be true. I know Ethan was always struggling but" Kaley stopped short as something caught her eye. A lonely figure, slowly shuffling down the hall, looking down at his feet.
Both girls recognized Ethan's form, but given the way he was walking, they were hesitant to approach him. Melissa Whispered "I don't mean to run off on you girl, but I think I'll let you handle this." "Yah, thanks Melissa" Kaley answered without taking her eyes off Ethan. Melissa left and Kaley slowly made her way toward Ethan. "E-Ethan" She called out hesitantly. He picked up his head and looked her way. Kaley and only once seen Ethan cry, but this time she could still see his red-rimmed eyes and it was obvious his checks were still wet. "Ethan, what's wrong?" "K-Kaley, I'm dropping out." "WHAT!?"
The end for now
Next up Operation he's a what?