Glory of the Valkyries
Chapter IV: Power, Beauty and Guts!
The next morning, the entire camp was quiet without any activity. The women remain in slumber with only a few preparing themselves. Midori Sugiura was the first one up and ready to begin the upcoming training. She tried to wake her fellow roommates up, but it was no easy task. Not even the wrath of God and Satan can awaken heavy sleepers like Nao and Mikoto.
"Wake up guys, it's just about time!" said Midori. "You don't want to look bad on our first day as soldiers!"
Nao opened her eyes slightly and snapped back at Midori's request. "I don't care! Besides, it's too damn early..."
"Delicious ramen!" shouted a dreaming Mikoto.
"I don't believe you guys! Akane! Yukino! It's time!"
"I'm sorry Midori, but I agree with Nao. It's too early to get active and the sun hasn't even come up yet." said Akane as she yawned.
As the sun slowly rose and the women continued their chatter, a bold silhouette could be seen outside of the tent. The silhouette didn't seem too happy. Whomever it was, he or she was pulling hair out in frustration.
"Just a few more minutes, I need time to adjust myself." said a very tired Yukino.
"Oh that does it..."
"Okay you guys, but don't say I didn't warn you." replied Midori as she crawled her way out of the tent flap when all of a sudden..."AAAHHH!"
The bold looking woman stuck her snake-like head inside the tent and examined all of the lazy tenants. For some unknown reason, she kept her striking eyes focused on Yukino. As the woman turned redder and redder, Midori slowly exited the tent, knowing the eruption would end all life as we know it.
"YUKINO!"
In an instance, all of the girls jumped up and screamed bloody murder, causing their tent to collapse.
"PATHETIC! EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! GET YOUR ASSES TO FORMATION IMMEDIATELY!"
Moments later, the entire roster of women were assembled and ready awaiting command from Colonel Kuga and Major Fujino, who have just arrived at the scene. The colonel wasn't happy as she shook her head in disapproval.
"Not good, ladies. You were all supposed to be here over an hour ago. I cut you some slack because you've all had it so rough. Tomorrow, you will be assembled, even if it means by force. I have assigned our Sergeant Major from Armitage, Haruka Suzushiro, to train you all. I trust in her abilities to turn you all into proper soldiers. That is all.
Colonel Kuga and Major Fujino left the area, with Major Suzushiro staying behind with the women. Uh oh...
"STAND UP STRAIGHT, YOU IDIOTS! From now on, I'm in charge of each and everyone of you. Do as I say and you will survive in battle! When I was once a slave, you know what those First District bastards called me?"
Half of the women looked at each other in confusion, while the others shook their head.
"A PEBBLE! I was nothing more than a rotten stinkin' PEBBLE to them! They feel the same way about you! Worst of all, I can see the fear in your eyes whenever First District is mentioned. You should be scared, because it's little pathetic slave weaklings against a brick wall. Now...how does one face a brick wall? Common sense would say, you walk around...BUT THAT'S NOT OUR WAY! We're gonna get a head start and RAM through that brick wall! And when it does not fall, we'll get up and do it OVER and OVER again! You morons gave your SOULS and they call you a pebble! The day you finish my training and you have one of those First District soldiers by the balls, with his eyeballs popping out of his evil little mind, you're gonna ask him that one simple question...DO I LOOK LIKE A PEBBLE NOW? DO I? DO I?"
At this point, the women were more scared of Major Suzushiro than they were of First District.
"Welcome to Hell, ladies."
With that, the women began a marching practice along with Major Suzushiro. She was not impressed by what the women considered marching. The sounds of the Major's disapproval could be heard throughout the training grounds.
"WHAT IS THIS? You all march like a bunch of crippled ol' grannies! Ugh, we're going to be here day and night till we get this right. One! One! Company halt!"
The women stopped.
"About face!"
The women turned.
"You are all ugly, stupid and lazy WHORES! But we'll fix that soon enough. Forward at the half step, MARCH!"
As the women continued marching, Major Suzushiro heads over to where Nao is.
"You half-wit slave bitch! Do your types truly give hand jobs for free? I'm gonna work on you 'til I get you broken!"
The fury on Nao's face as the Major left was so noticeable that she bit her lip in anger. "How dare you...you're the bitch!" Nao thought to herself.
The Major noticed another flaw in the marching. Something that seemed off since the beginning of practice.
"COMPANY, HALT!" shouted the Major, now heading over to young Mikoto Minagi. "FOR GOD'S SAKE, GIRLIE! DO YOU NOT KNOW YOUR RIGHT FROM YOUR LEFT?"
"N-n-n-n-no Major!" replied a very nervous Mikoto.
"Okay. How many here do not know right from left?"
Almost the entire line up of women raised their hands, which didn't make the Major happy at all.
"Jesus H. God..."
The Major picks up Mikoto as if she were a cat and uses her as a demonstration. Mikoto struggles but once you're in the Major's grasp, you must endure the experience. Chopping Mikoto's chest, the Major says: "THIS IS YOUR FRONT!" Next, she slaps Mikoto hard on the behind. "THIS IS YOUR REAR!" She finally sets Mikoto on the ground, then steps hard on her right foot. Being barefoot, this hurt tons. "THIS IS YOUR RIGHT AND THIS..." Quickly noticing the Major aiming for her left foot, she dodged and finally understood. So did the others who looked on in sheer horror.
"Ha! Now you're learning girlie! COMPANY! FORWARD, MARCH!"
The day continued with Major Suzushiro training the women in various fields, mostly marching, which still needed some work. Colonel Kuga appeared on the scene to check the women as they did their best to improve. Major Suzushiro notices the Colonel yet doesn't make any attempt to water down her instruction. Colonel Kuga admired this quality, since it represented a sense of independence and free will. The women circled around the cafeteria building once more and headed towards the the center of the training grounds, with the Major not too far behind, who made sure these women looked good in front of their colonel.
"LEFT! RIGHT! LEFT! Don't give in now! We're not finished yet!" shouted the Major as she notices Yukino marching towards her. "Well, well, well, look at here! If it isn't little Miss Priss. Dressed fancy for training? Are you a proper lady? Are you dressed for a girlie tea party? OR ARE YOU THE PRINCESS OF ALL HOOKERS?"
"Haruka-chan! Please don't call me a-"
The major slaps Yukino, causing her to fall in the mud.
"Don't you ever call me that! Get your ass up!"
"I'm sorry." replied Yukino as she rose to her feet.
"Get back in formation."
"Yes, Haru-I mean Major."
The Major gives herself a face palm and quietly whispers. "You haven't changed, Yukino..."
Colonel Kuga looked at Yukino as she cleaned the mud off her glasses while marching. Yukino looked at the the colonel and smiled. The colonel couldn't believe it. Even after all that harsh abuse, the prim and proper Yukino continues to smile. Major Fujino walks over to her colonel and watches the on-going activity. Major Suzushiro heads in her direction.
"You know, the people of Armitage are not noted for their fondness of women." said Major Fujino as she smiled at Major Suzushiro.
"YOU'RE JUST A BUMBLING BUBUZUKE!" screamed Major Suzushiro as she pointed at her rival Major. "And one day, we will prove who is the greatest Major of all time!"
As the aggressive major stormed off, Colonel Kuga moved closer to Major Fujino's ear.
"Bubuzuke?"
"It's a long story."
"Oh. Anyway Major Fujino, I believe it's time."
"Yes, the girls have been working hard."
"Major Suzushiro!"
"Yes, Colonel?"
"It's been 13 hours, dismiss these women and take a break yourself."
"Aww! We were just getting started too! FINE!" The major turned her attention to the women."You ladies are dismissed! But tomorrow..." The major cracks her neck so loud, one of the windows of the cafeteria shattered. "...the real game begins!"
As the women headed back to the camp site, Major Fujino and Colonel Kuga got together in their bunkers, exhausting themselves from so much observation.
"Ara ara, Haruka sure means business."
"It's what the women need right now. I'm confident in their abilities to succeed. If we can do it, Shizuru, so could they."
"I agree, Natsuki. Though you could be a little more considerate towards our ladies."
Natsuki smirked smugly, "Considerate? Shizuru, they just began their training."
"Perhaps my beautiful Natsuki would like to think that over? I'll be in the bedroom, where I'm always waiting for you..."
"Shizuru..."
"Goodnight, Natsuki." said Major Fujino as she blew a kiss for her Colonel.
"That Shizuru, I swear." sighed the Colonel. She then sat down and began writing a letter to her mother, which was long overdue as it is.
Dear Mother,
The women learned very quickly. Faster than male troops it seems to me. You remember Yukino Kikukawa? She was having a rough time today, getting adjusted to the rough training. However, like the others, she remained sedate under instruction. The women restrained themselves perfectly...
At that moment, Colonel Kuga decided to head outside and continue her letter by observing the camp site. Upon walking into the site, she could not believe the sound of laughter and music ran rampant. Weren't these the same women who were called vicious names and abused by Major Suzushiro? It's almost fascinates her...
...and the moment they're dismissed from drill, everyone is relaxed and very content. You wouldn't know from the sound of it that this is an army camp. It's rare to see a smile on the face of any soldier in training. After so many years of meaningless and inhuman work in the land of First District, you wouldn't expect them to set their minds free so quickly. It's the great energy that will assist us in this war, leaving us victorious in the end. Best regards to Father.
As ever, your daughter, Natsuki.
As the colonel got up to call it a night, a male soldier walks up to her with a delivery letter.
"Colonel Kuga! I have been sent to deliver this letter. They have done it."
"They?" asked the colonel as she read the letter. Her face suddenly turned pale.
"Major Fujino!"
The Major came out of the building, with her bed sheet wrapped around her. "Are you ready for love now, Natsuki?"
"Assemble the women."
The Major nodded in disappointment. "Yes, Colonel."
It had begun to rain, which reflected the uneasy atmosphere of the training grounds where all the women reassembled. Each of the women had a look of concern, wondering what could be so important that even their Colonel looked worried. Major Suzushiro walked out and ordered...
"ATTENTION! BATTALION!"
With everyone standing at attention, Colonel Kuga faced her fellow regiment and hesitated to announce the latest update. She decided to speak very loudly, because of the heavy rainfall.
"In accordance with President Kazahana's wishes, you women are advised that the First District congress has issued a proclamation. It reads:
'Any slave woman taken in arms against First District, will immediately be returned to a state of slavery. Any slave women taken in federal uniform...will be summarily raped and put to death. Lastly, any female officer taken in command of female troops, shall be deemed as inciting servile insurrection and shall likewise be raped and put to death.'
Fear struck the hearts of all the women, even Major Fujino who usually shrugs off anything stated by First District. It was a powerful wave of shock to find out these women would not be kept prisoners of war like the men. Their punishment would be much worse. The blue haired colonel continued on...
"Full discharges will be granted in the morning to all those who apply. Dismissed!"
"DISMISSED! BACK TO YOUR TENTS LADIES!" cried out Major Suzushiro while Major Fujino slowly walked back to the bunker.
"Shizuru, wait."
"Yes, colonel."
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah."
"Listen, Shizuru. If you're not here in the morning, I'll understand."
"I don't know about the others, Natsuki. But I'm staying. It will never be over between you and me."
"Shizuru..."
"I'm going to bed."
"I lov-"
The Major quickly enters the bunker, leaving her colonel outside. Some of the women were still at the training ground, unable to move from the shock. Mikoto was one of them, knowing she was too young to risk her life and body for this war. Nao quickly noticed this and smirked.
"Still want that blue uniform, retard?"
Nao walked away, leaving Mikoto alone. She began to cry, burying her face in her hands as her knees collapsed. Yukino, Akane and Midori rushed over to her. Major Suzushiro saw the four women and prepared to seperate them, until Colonel Kuga shook her head telling her otherwise. These women had a right to be upset and share that sorrow with each other. The Major nodded and walked away.
The next day, the colonel awoke to the sound of the morning trumpet. As she walked out of the bunker, she spotted Major Fujino standing in position.
"Formed and ready, Natsuki."
"How many are left, Shizuru?"
"See for yourself."
Colonel Kuga walked towards the middle of the training grounds and found a special surprise awaiting her. Every woman, including Mikoto, stood in perfect formation all around the Colonel. None of them willing to give up the dream of defending their nation. The beautiful Colonel couldn't think of any other words to express how grateful she was, except...
"...Glory hallelujah."
Welcome back! How did you enjoy the latest chapter? ^_~ That Haruka, you gotta love her. This whole chapter focused on the training our heroines go through, but it mainly focuses on our H.B.I.C. xD The reason I didn't get into the minds of our heroines much was to give Haruka some attention, as she's such a fun character to play as. Like Nao. XD The aggressive types are made of awesome. The next chapter will be a long one, once again getting back into the character development of our underdog HiME soldiers in training. Look forward to chapter 5, I know I will! ;P
As a special side note, I want to announce that the new Mai-HiME manga (Mai-HiME Battle EXA) has been translated for our English readers. Thanks to myself and my best friend Vicky, chapters 1 and 2 are available at Mai-Multiverse forum (check my profile). Join up and download the latest chapters. Chapters 3 and 4 will be available soon. ^_^