S.E.E.D.
Chapter 4: Training Day
The recruits were on stand in front of Big Boss. They had been transported from Midgar by helicopter towards this military base. None of them had any clue where they were. All they knew was this base was in the middle of forest covered mountains. The base wasn't all that big. Barely a dozen of small buildings, not counting the guard towers that were around the base. Snake mentally made note of the disposition: The base was protected by concrete walls with barbed wire on the top. The sentinels were dispersed around the base, covering it all. He could identify a comm. center by the antennas and satellite dishes on the top. 5 barrack building were also lined on one side of the base. On the other side of the small alley were the medical station, the mass, the supply building, and a couple of other buildings he couldn't determine the exact role yet.
There were other men in the base: guards in the sentinels and patrolling, but also people in the distinct black uniforms of the SOLDIER. Snake guessed it was one of their legendary training centers. Snake understood that they really meant business when they said they were training them. They were about to do what was reputed to be the most difficult military training in the world. Snake was a little apprehensive about it but remained fairly confident that he could succeed. He wasn't however so sure about some of the others here. On one side their was the two twins, the scarred man, the black haired woman and the ex cop who looked like they knew how to play rough, but on the other hand were the two scientists and the female doctor. How could they expect them to survive the training?
Most of them had let their baggage down. They had been authorized to take some personal effects with them. For most of them, it had been weapons, judging by the shape of the containers. The most noticeable one was the rocket launcher the black haired girl had taken. It was quite impressive and bulky. It was unusual for recruits to take customized weapons, but then their unit wasn't a usual one either.
With Big Boss were three other men. The first one was a SOLDIER sergeant by the gallons he had. He had dark skin, a black moustache and an expression that said he was in charge. The two others were SOLDIER grunts. One was blond and had spiky hair whereas the other one had dark hair that was combed towards the back. They both had huge swords on their backs.
Big Boss addressed himself to them.
- Recruits, we are in the official SOLDIER training base. This is where you will be doing the first part of your official training for the next five months. This part will be purely military and physical training. You will learn to run, shoot, sneak, fight, survival and all these skills. It is obvious that these skills will be required for your calling.
He paused for a few seconds, before continuing.
- Some of you might not feel capable of going through such a rigorous training. Rest assured that this has been taken in account. I must warn you that it is very demanding and potentially lethal if you are not careful. Now, let me do the presentations. This is Sergeant Johnson, official SOLDIER trainer. He will be in charge of you during that period. These are his assistants 1rst class Strife and 1rst class Zacks. Sergeant, they are all yours.
Sergeant Johnson walked forwards a bit and then started speaking.
- OK recruits. My job is to turn you dandy, soft, slow city dwellers into fully operational soldiers. Believe me, this is going to be my biggest challenge yet. I don't know why they chose you guys for whatever they are planning to do but frankly, you aren't the sort of people we usually have. But then, they promised me a big paycheck if I manage to do the job so I'm going to give it a try. Do try not to get yourselves killed stupidly during training. That's the formal bit, now you all have thirty minutes to unpack our stuff at the barracks. Building 4 for guys, 5 for girls. You will have to bring your weapons into stock for security reasons. Beer and guns don't mix well, and I know some of you guys will want to play macho. After that, training starts. Didn't think you could get away for the evening I hope.
There was a general groan from the crowd. It was already 6pm. Big Boss was apparently amused by their reaction.
- You better get used to it. I'll be seeing you in 5 months times. Enjoy your stay here.
To that he then went back to the helipad. Leaving the recruits with the sergeant.
- Still here? Go to your barracks. By the way, you've got uniforms, put them on.
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- Boy, I bet he never gets invited at parties.
It was Vergil's brother's opinion on the situation. What did he expect? It was the army. Vergil had the uneasy feeling Dante hadn't really thought that through. Vergil found the fact funny. The three that will be probably really suffering will be the two scientists and the blond woman. Vergil didn't even understand why they bothered with them. Sure, experts would be useful, but in field they would be heavyweights. He really hoped they wouldn't bother HIM too much. He had no time for the weak.
He was organizing his stuff. His katana: Yamato, lied against the wall. He would take it to reserve once he was done with unpacking the rest. His brother Dante had taken out his sword
Rebellion and his guns Ebony and Ivory. He took a look around to see what the others had. The dark clad scarfaced boy had a hybrid weapon: a gunblade. He could see it was very well crafted and looked after. The others hadn't taken anything. He just knew the black haired woman had a heavy weapon. They probably had relied on standard issue weapons so far. It disgusted Vergil to think he would probably be forced to do the same.
- Your average drill sergeant simply. The one I had at the police was pretty much the same. You learn to get used to them really quick. They bark a lot and tend to have sadistic tendencies. Don't give him any reason to cast his attention on you.
The group just continued unpacking, each imagining what the grim future months would look like.
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- OK you sissies, from now on your life is gonna be hell. You will be put through the most gruesome, hardening, exhausting, sadistic training that is legal in this country. Well, that's the official version. Couple of things we don't talk about to the press, but, you get the gist of it. To survive this, you will need all your wits, all your strength, all your willpower, but also, you'll need to work as a team. You're each specialized in something, that means you will need the others no matter how much you think they're a bunch of weenies.
Why did Squall have the impression the message was for him?
- You will face some trials in teams. If one fucks up, you all fuck up. That's the rule. I read your files and saw how much a bunch of dysfunctional sociopaths you are. So, to start the fun, see these lorries?
They could hardly miss them.
- They're gonna take you at the other side of this mountain. Your first task is to find your way back home.
Oh Fk!
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And the lorries let them in the middle of nowhere with a few boxes of supplies. And that was it. For a few seconds, the group stood there, not really knowing what to do. Quistis thought she might as well break the ice.
- Maybe we should start by checking what they left us. It's better than standing here until the sun comes back up again.
- Good idea but may I suggest a slight alteration to this? Now would be a good time to introduce ourselves. Might seem dumb but I don't know anyone's name yet.
It was the guy with the ponytail who had pointed that out. He wasn't wrong with that. If they were going to spend so much time together, they might as well get to know each other.
- I'll start. My name's Irvine Kineas. I was a sniper in the police SWAT teams. I'm good with long range weapons and intervention missions.
One of the white haired twins went second.
- I'm Dante and he's Vergil. We had a business in kicking fiend and demon ass until they came with the job. I won't bother with explaining what we're good at.
Quistis decided to have her go:
- My name is Doctor Quistis Trepe. I was a surgeon at Midgar Hospital.
- I'm David Haiter, mot people call me Snake. I was training for SOLDIER for infiltration but got mutated here.
- Mary Ann, demonhunter, that's all you need to know.
- Hal Emmerich, I worked as weapon designer for Shinra. They moved here and I'm not sure exactly why.
- Gordon Freeman, was a physicist that is trained in the use of hazardous materials. Have vague ideas of what they want with me.
The last one to speak was the scarfaced boy.
- Squall Leonhart, mercenary…
It didn't sound like he wanted to talk much. Like the other woman and Dante's brother. Three sociopaths, oh great. Freeman started opening the boxes and others extracted them. By the time they had organised the stuff, it was already pitch dark. Dr Emmerich went through the items.
- So we have…
He turned on a flashlight that helped people see around.
- One flashlight.. three actually, three portable tents, some MRE, water reserves, utensils, medical kits, ropes and that's it really. Your basic camping gear.
The one who referred to himself as Snake spoke next.
- It's the basic survival training. They dump you in the middle of nowhere and tell you to find your way back home. Nothing really exceptional. Didn't expect it to happen so early however.
Squall spoke next, in a monotone way:
- How far are we from the base ?
Dante answered in his own way:
- Too far away to be back by midnight if that's what you're thinking. We've been one hour in the lorries, so it's gonna be a pretty long trip back. Might as well camp here for the night.
The group unanimously agreed to that, people either confirming or staying silent, that Quistis took as a yes. Emmerich, her and Gordon were installing tents while Ann, Leonhart, Snake and Vergil were gathering firewood. The rest were sorting gear and preparing a campfire. Most people were getting to know each other, her included.
She was happily discussing with Gordon and Hal.
- So Gordon, you didn't tell where you worked before joining here.
- I use to work in Dr Odine's research lab. I was under Dr Kleiner's supervision. We studied various strange materials that were brought from various sources. It is rumoured some come from another world.
Both other scientists went woo at his revelation. He worked on interesting stuff.
- Explains why they took you, guess the grunts will be finding weird stuff to analyse.
- Hey, I resent being called a grunt!
All three were surprised by Irvine who had sneaked on them during their conversation.
- They others might do more than resent if they hear you.
- Aren't you supposed to make a fireplace?
- Done, waiting for the rest to bring wood. Can't do much without wood.
Quistis found him a job.
- Then you can help us with the tents.
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10 minutes later, they were eating around the fire, like on some camping trip. Dante had quickly made the comparison.
- Aww, they forgot the marshmallows. That sucks.
- I'm sure the good sergeant will be glad to give his apologies once we get back, brother.
So that Vergil had a sense of humour. One less sourpuss to worry about Irvine thought. Still left Squall and Mary. These two had the social skills of black widows. Irvine took a mental note not to flirt with the Mary girl. Sounded like suicide.
Snake seemed to like the food:
- Don't know what your complaining about, these rations are quite tasty.
- You got weird tastes…
- Should hear about Big Boss, the rumours say he really loves snakes for his meals.
- Wonder what they taste like?
And so the crew went on with their supper, exchanging stories, biographies and such.
Sorry for the long wait, I've been having a extreme authors block. Should get better now.