Disclaimer: I do not own "Escaflowne". Nor will I ever own "Escaflowne". There, happy?
Chapter 1
The boys sat on the floor of their barracks. This was one of the few moments in several weeks they had to themselves. They looked at their surroundings. Not so nice. The paint was peeling off the walls. And...hey, was that a cockroach that just crawled across the floor? Sheesh...the army can afford better than this, can't they?
Gatty watched the roach. It fit in here. It had armour on, and it walked like it had a purpose. Cliet watched Gatty watching the roach. "Ugh...He's so weird...watching a cockroach...ugh!" he thought. But, who is the weirder; the one who watched the cockroach, or the one who plays imaginary commentator to the event?
"So..." Cliet begain." You plan on doing anything today?" Gatty didn't give him an answer, staring intently at the roach and barely even paying attention to Cliet. There was a moment where no one said anything at all.but then Cliet snapped. "Will you stop looking at that bug!?!?!" "What for?" Gatty asked, still watching the roach. It went over to Cliet's rack, and crawled inbetween the pillowcase. "I dunno. Because insects are naked, and you know how Zaibach just hates anyone who enjoys watching nakedness." Gatty rolled his eyes.
"They do not. It's only certain people from Zaibach who hate that," he said. "Besides...I think it's a very worthwhile fact to know that you'll probably have a bad night." Cliet raised an eyebrow. What was that supposed to mean? Gatty was always trying to be such a clever little prick...thinks he's so mighty just because of his prospective rating {{The job skill he signed up to learn after basic training.}}. He'd find out. It wouldn't be so good for him later on. No one can stand in the light forever without getting burned. They heard a commotion outside, moving closer, and closer. Screaming, crying, the smack of a fist hitting someone's face. Ah, yes...the new recruits have arrived. With a smirk, Cliet said, "I'm going to get a good place to watch. Wouldn't want to miss a moment..." Gatty rose and followed him. He didn't care about watching and having a bit of fun at the terrified expressions of these newbies, but he did want to be out of the crossfire.
"Alright, you better fucking move. MOVE MOVE MOVE!! Let's double-time it, let's go! Get in there, line up, and I mean NOW!!" The young boys stumbled in with their bundles of belongings and rolled-up mattresses. Two days without sleep. Two days of medical interrogation. Two days of those commanders and their insults. It was getting so hard to concentrate, so hard to keep moving.
They formed a heightline, and stood in front of the bunks, still holding everything. One of the rules they had learned was not to put anything down. Recruits are filthy, and their belongings would poison the decks. The commander turned to Gatty and Cliet. "I expect you two to instruct them on what they need to know until we begin training. DON'T leave anything out. Understand?" They answered 'yes, sir' in unison, and the commander left.
"Alright," Gatty began. "I know you've had a hard night, so I'll try to get everything done as quickly as possible so you can get some sleep. First, you need to -" Gatty was interrupted by the sound of someone being punched in the face. "Hey, recruit! Keep your damned eyes open! Don't you dare fall asleep while someone is telling you something." Oh, Cliet just couldn't help himself. He had had enough of punishment, he was ready to deal out some of his own.
Gatty glared at him. He knew this couldn't be good for the recruits. They needed a chance to settle in and unwind, before they completely lost their sanity. They were all watching the two, waiting to see what would happen. Gatty, who was already suffering from too much time spent with Cliet, wasted no time in making an example of him. He grabbed the front bars of the bunk next to Cliet, and shoved it full force at him. Both went sliding into the wall. Cliet was, for the moment, squashed and unconscious, and the recruits didn't know who to be more afraid of.
Gatty turned towards them. "You see him? He's not a good teammate. Recruits will not hurt other recruits in this division. Recruits will not beat their teammates down in order to reach the top in this division. Because, if you do, I'm sure you'll find cause to regret it." He walked to the middle of the awestruck group, and pointed at one of the bundles. "Do you see that? Inside are the only possessions you will have for many years...and technically you don't even own them. You have nothing, not on your own. But, as a team, we have each other. Together, we will survive this test, and go on to do what we really came here for - to serve our country. Do you understand?"
They gladly nodded yes. Those words...good strong words of encouragement. A weight was lifted, and they knew that they were going to get through this. They would live to be soldiers. "Good. Now, set your mattresses and sheets on the racks, and..." He paused for a moment. He knew this next part would be well received. "Get some sleep!" Cheering commenced as the group readied for taps. It was the best nights' sleep any of them would ever have. Gatty helped those that needed it, then walked to the front entrance of the compartment, and turned out the lights. He would be on watch. It was Cliet's turn, but...Cliet was incapacitated for the moment.
The next few days passed by in unearthliness for the young recruits. They had left their home, and they didn't belong there anymore. They would be welcome if they could come for a visit, but they were not part of the life of those homes, and would never be again. And yet, they didn't have a home here; still not in the army, like a person who is stuck at the gate of a mansion, waiting for permission to enter in. These thoughts filled their minds when they weren't doing things like learning how to iron uniforms, shine boots, make their racks, or everyone's personal 'favourite': folding their underwear.
A few more groups of new recruits were to come in before the division was complete. They came right on schedule, every three days. Those who had been there longest became snide and condescending. They would see these poor new saps, and feel most high and mighty when compared. They wouldn't help them. These people should just figure it out on their own. After all, that's what the army pays them for, right? Not all of them were like that, however.
Gatty showed true leadership quality in the way he took care of everyone and everything. He made sure everyone knew what they were doing, and what was coming next. He wouldn't allow someone to fail if he could help it. They all respected him, even if they didn't emulate his goodwill.
The seventh and last group was just like all the others. At least, they seemed that way at first. No one had much trouble, except one small blonde recruit. He seemed...distant...lost. His eyes...well, what was there to say about that look? It was inexplainable. Confusion and fear filled them.
When the others were told to set up their racks, they went at it as happily as the first group. Except for that one recruit. He didn't move. Not the slightest bit. He was as still as a statue, and looking very haggard and warn. There were whisperings among the older ones. A person would've caught the phrase, "What a freak!" many times, had they been listening in. "Shut your face-holes," Gatty said. "No need for that. You need to get ready for taps." Grumbling, they all went to it.
Gatty walked up to the recruit, intending to take him aside, and try and talk him back to normal. He was probably suffering from shock. He looked a little ill, that could have been it. "Hey, aren't you tired? I'll help you-" When he got close enough to see well, he couldn't say anymore. He saw that poor recruit's arms...all covered with scars and needle marks. And his face was drained of any colour whatsoever. He seemed about ready to die.
"I...uh...I'll set up your stuff for you, okay? Don't worry about anything right now." He smiled, trying to make the recruit feel better, but it didn't work. He only stared back, with that hollow dead look. Gatty avoided that gaze as he worked. He finished the last corner. Normally, he would've been teaching how to fold it, but this was not the time. "There, all finished. Get some rest, okay? It'll be better tomorrow, and if you're up to it, we should talk a little."
He turned to go, but realized that the recruit wasn't moving. He waited another minute. THe recruit still didn't move. And that look was starting to really freak him out. He walked back over. "I'm serious. You need some sleep. Please...lay down." And once again, he was ignored. "Hmm....Why won't he cooperate?" Gatty's wondered.
"I apologize, but you have to get in your rack. If you don't and one of the commanders comes in, you'll be in a lot of trouble. ANd so will the recruit on watch." He put a hand on the recruit's shoulder, intending to guide him to the rack. But, that proved to be a bad idea. The recruit flinched and grit his teeth together. He glared at Gatty. It was a desparate and angry look. He tensed up, and backed away from Gatty.
"Oh, come on. We can't play games here. It's only two minutes till taps, and I have to get to my rack on the other side of the compartment. Just cooperate with me." He tried once again to guide the recruit to the rack. THe recruit lifted his hand up to push Gatty's off. His movements were full of ticks and twitches.
"I...am...tired...of help...Don't help me...anymore..." The word help had terrible pain attached to it. Gatty didn't want to know what memories were associated with it.
"Well," Gatty said, now trying to make the conversation normal, "Now that I've seen you know how to move on your own, I'm not going to play around with you. You've got to get into your rack. Now." He tried to be gentle, but the recruit wouldn't cooperate. He was acting as if his life depended upon him not being forced to lie down. So, he ended up practically throwing him down into the rack. The recruit put up what was to him a tremendous fight, but was to Gatty something easily overcome. The recruit tried to get up several more times, but Gatty refused to allow him to. He finally conceded defeat, and curled up into a ball on the mattress. Gatty covered him up with a blanket.
"Poor kid," he thought. This one was badly off in the nerves department. Gatty decided that some time had to be set aside the next day, so that he could talk with him. He took out his little notebook, to copy down the name of the recruit. Dirandau.
After that, he had just enough time to run to his rack, before a commander came in to make sure everyone was asleep. Gatty sighed as he drifted off. He prayed that nothing happen until the morning, when he would be able to stop it.
{{Ah...it feels so good to be back in the habit of writing. ^_^ ::Cracks knuckles:: It's a nice release from boredom. The title is a phrase we always used to hear, when we'd start complaining about something that seemed wrong at bootcamp. Therefore, I felt it was appropriate, because there are a great many injustices which Zaibach soldiers probably have to deal with. Especially that special recruit Dilly. Oh, and before I forget, I'm going to say that this is separate from the other fics, as usual. It has nothing to do with Weapon of War}}
Chapter 1
The boys sat on the floor of their barracks. This was one of the few moments in several weeks they had to themselves. They looked at their surroundings. Not so nice. The paint was peeling off the walls. And...hey, was that a cockroach that just crawled across the floor? Sheesh...the army can afford better than this, can't they?
Gatty watched the roach. It fit in here. It had armour on, and it walked like it had a purpose. Cliet watched Gatty watching the roach. "Ugh...He's so weird...watching a cockroach...ugh!" he thought. But, who is the weirder; the one who watched the cockroach, or the one who plays imaginary commentator to the event?
"So..." Cliet begain." You plan on doing anything today?" Gatty didn't give him an answer, staring intently at the roach and barely even paying attention to Cliet. There was a moment where no one said anything at all.but then Cliet snapped. "Will you stop looking at that bug!?!?!" "What for?" Gatty asked, still watching the roach. It went over to Cliet's rack, and crawled inbetween the pillowcase. "I dunno. Because insects are naked, and you know how Zaibach just hates anyone who enjoys watching nakedness." Gatty rolled his eyes.
"They do not. It's only certain people from Zaibach who hate that," he said. "Besides...I think it's a very worthwhile fact to know that you'll probably have a bad night." Cliet raised an eyebrow. What was that supposed to mean? Gatty was always trying to be such a clever little prick...thinks he's so mighty just because of his prospective rating {{The job skill he signed up to learn after basic training.}}. He'd find out. It wouldn't be so good for him later on. No one can stand in the light forever without getting burned. They heard a commotion outside, moving closer, and closer. Screaming, crying, the smack of a fist hitting someone's face. Ah, yes...the new recruits have arrived. With a smirk, Cliet said, "I'm going to get a good place to watch. Wouldn't want to miss a moment..." Gatty rose and followed him. He didn't care about watching and having a bit of fun at the terrified expressions of these newbies, but he did want to be out of the crossfire.
"Alright, you better fucking move. MOVE MOVE MOVE!! Let's double-time it, let's go! Get in there, line up, and I mean NOW!!" The young boys stumbled in with their bundles of belongings and rolled-up mattresses. Two days without sleep. Two days of medical interrogation. Two days of those commanders and their insults. It was getting so hard to concentrate, so hard to keep moving.
They formed a heightline, and stood in front of the bunks, still holding everything. One of the rules they had learned was not to put anything down. Recruits are filthy, and their belongings would poison the decks. The commander turned to Gatty and Cliet. "I expect you two to instruct them on what they need to know until we begin training. DON'T leave anything out. Understand?" They answered 'yes, sir' in unison, and the commander left.
"Alright," Gatty began. "I know you've had a hard night, so I'll try to get everything done as quickly as possible so you can get some sleep. First, you need to -" Gatty was interrupted by the sound of someone being punched in the face. "Hey, recruit! Keep your damned eyes open! Don't you dare fall asleep while someone is telling you something." Oh, Cliet just couldn't help himself. He had had enough of punishment, he was ready to deal out some of his own.
Gatty glared at him. He knew this couldn't be good for the recruits. They needed a chance to settle in and unwind, before they completely lost their sanity. They were all watching the two, waiting to see what would happen. Gatty, who was already suffering from too much time spent with Cliet, wasted no time in making an example of him. He grabbed the front bars of the bunk next to Cliet, and shoved it full force at him. Both went sliding into the wall. Cliet was, for the moment, squashed and unconscious, and the recruits didn't know who to be more afraid of.
Gatty turned towards them. "You see him? He's not a good teammate. Recruits will not hurt other recruits in this division. Recruits will not beat their teammates down in order to reach the top in this division. Because, if you do, I'm sure you'll find cause to regret it." He walked to the middle of the awestruck group, and pointed at one of the bundles. "Do you see that? Inside are the only possessions you will have for many years...and technically you don't even own them. You have nothing, not on your own. But, as a team, we have each other. Together, we will survive this test, and go on to do what we really came here for - to serve our country. Do you understand?"
They gladly nodded yes. Those words...good strong words of encouragement. A weight was lifted, and they knew that they were going to get through this. They would live to be soldiers. "Good. Now, set your mattresses and sheets on the racks, and..." He paused for a moment. He knew this next part would be well received. "Get some sleep!" Cheering commenced as the group readied for taps. It was the best nights' sleep any of them would ever have. Gatty helped those that needed it, then walked to the front entrance of the compartment, and turned out the lights. He would be on watch. It was Cliet's turn, but...Cliet was incapacitated for the moment.
The next few days passed by in unearthliness for the young recruits. They had left their home, and they didn't belong there anymore. They would be welcome if they could come for a visit, but they were not part of the life of those homes, and would never be again. And yet, they didn't have a home here; still not in the army, like a person who is stuck at the gate of a mansion, waiting for permission to enter in. These thoughts filled their minds when they weren't doing things like learning how to iron uniforms, shine boots, make their racks, or everyone's personal 'favourite': folding their underwear.
A few more groups of new recruits were to come in before the division was complete. They came right on schedule, every three days. Those who had been there longest became snide and condescending. They would see these poor new saps, and feel most high and mighty when compared. They wouldn't help them. These people should just figure it out on their own. After all, that's what the army pays them for, right? Not all of them were like that, however.
Gatty showed true leadership quality in the way he took care of everyone and everything. He made sure everyone knew what they were doing, and what was coming next. He wouldn't allow someone to fail if he could help it. They all respected him, even if they didn't emulate his goodwill.
The seventh and last group was just like all the others. At least, they seemed that way at first. No one had much trouble, except one small blonde recruit. He seemed...distant...lost. His eyes...well, what was there to say about that look? It was inexplainable. Confusion and fear filled them.
When the others were told to set up their racks, they went at it as happily as the first group. Except for that one recruit. He didn't move. Not the slightest bit. He was as still as a statue, and looking very haggard and warn. There were whisperings among the older ones. A person would've caught the phrase, "What a freak!" many times, had they been listening in. "Shut your face-holes," Gatty said. "No need for that. You need to get ready for taps." Grumbling, they all went to it.
Gatty walked up to the recruit, intending to take him aside, and try and talk him back to normal. He was probably suffering from shock. He looked a little ill, that could have been it. "Hey, aren't you tired? I'll help you-" When he got close enough to see well, he couldn't say anymore. He saw that poor recruit's arms...all covered with scars and needle marks. And his face was drained of any colour whatsoever. He seemed about ready to die.
"I...uh...I'll set up your stuff for you, okay? Don't worry about anything right now." He smiled, trying to make the recruit feel better, but it didn't work. He only stared back, with that hollow dead look. Gatty avoided that gaze as he worked. He finished the last corner. Normally, he would've been teaching how to fold it, but this was not the time. "There, all finished. Get some rest, okay? It'll be better tomorrow, and if you're up to it, we should talk a little."
He turned to go, but realized that the recruit wasn't moving. He waited another minute. THe recruit still didn't move. And that look was starting to really freak him out. He walked back over. "I'm serious. You need some sleep. Please...lay down." And once again, he was ignored. "Hmm....Why won't he cooperate?" Gatty's wondered.
"I apologize, but you have to get in your rack. If you don't and one of the commanders comes in, you'll be in a lot of trouble. ANd so will the recruit on watch." He put a hand on the recruit's shoulder, intending to guide him to the rack. But, that proved to be a bad idea. The recruit flinched and grit his teeth together. He glared at Gatty. It was a desparate and angry look. He tensed up, and backed away from Gatty.
"Oh, come on. We can't play games here. It's only two minutes till taps, and I have to get to my rack on the other side of the compartment. Just cooperate with me." He tried once again to guide the recruit to the rack. THe recruit lifted his hand up to push Gatty's off. His movements were full of ticks and twitches.
"I...am...tired...of help...Don't help me...anymore..." The word help had terrible pain attached to it. Gatty didn't want to know what memories were associated with it.
"Well," Gatty said, now trying to make the conversation normal, "Now that I've seen you know how to move on your own, I'm not going to play around with you. You've got to get into your rack. Now." He tried to be gentle, but the recruit wouldn't cooperate. He was acting as if his life depended upon him not being forced to lie down. So, he ended up practically throwing him down into the rack. The recruit put up what was to him a tremendous fight, but was to Gatty something easily overcome. The recruit tried to get up several more times, but Gatty refused to allow him to. He finally conceded defeat, and curled up into a ball on the mattress. Gatty covered him up with a blanket.
"Poor kid," he thought. This one was badly off in the nerves department. Gatty decided that some time had to be set aside the next day, so that he could talk with him. He took out his little notebook, to copy down the name of the recruit. Dirandau.
After that, he had just enough time to run to his rack, before a commander came in to make sure everyone was asleep. Gatty sighed as he drifted off. He prayed that nothing happen until the morning, when he would be able to stop it.
{{Ah...it feels so good to be back in the habit of writing. ^_^ ::Cracks knuckles:: It's a nice release from boredom. The title is a phrase we always used to hear, when we'd start complaining about something that seemed wrong at bootcamp. Therefore, I felt it was appropriate, because there are a great many injustices which Zaibach soldiers probably have to deal with. Especially that special recruit Dilly. Oh, and before I forget, I'm going to say that this is separate from the other fics, as usual. It has nothing to do with Weapon of War}}