Chapter 5: Rainbow Dash, Airmare Basic
Dash smiled as she entered the Ponyville Air Base. She was a little lost for navigation, but quickly deduced which building was the Command Centre, and within minutes was entering the building. As she entered, she was greeted by a bright beige Pegasus.
"Rainbow Dash I presume? Sergeant Buck at your service," the pony said as Dash closed the door.
Rainbow nodded in recognition. A familiar dark face emerged from an adjoining room.
"Sergeant, I see you two are already getting along."
Buck stood at attention and replied, "Yes sir."
Shadow walked out of his office quickly, and took a stand beside Buck.
"Dash, this is Staff Sergeant Buck," Storm stated, "He's the drill sergeant for the base. Since you're a civy, we're going to have to run you through a quick test that sums up all of basic training. If you fail, you'll be shipped to Trottingham AFB for basic and return in about a month. If you succeed, you'll be dumped into the training program going on here. Are we clear?"
"Yeah, I think so," Dash answered, somewhat nervous.
"Dash, you are now part of the RAF. You're an Airmare Basic, and should act like one. I am to be referred to as sir at all times. Buck will give you a quick briefing on what you need to know. Any questions?"
"No sir," Rainbow replied with a smile.
Storm nodded and returned to his office. Within seconds, Dash found herself dragged into a conference room. Buck stood at one end, his chest puffed out, and ready to begin.
"As Airmare Basic, you will face a modified version of the final basic training test. The test will be comprised into six challenges. You will receive instructions for them during the test. The main thing you need to know is military protocol. Understood?"
Dash nodded and said, "Yes sir."
"Good, you've already got one part down. Always refer to your superiors as sir, ma'am or by their full title. Rule number two, respect the chain of command and do what you're told. Rule number three, only question orders if they seem dangerous to the utmost degree. That pretty much covers everything. Am I understood?"
"Yes sir," Dash replied with a smile.
"Good," Buck responded, heading to the door, "Report to the barracks and join with Charlie Wing."
With that the Staff Sergeant was gone. Dash made her way out of the conference room into the command centre. Rainbow's heart was glowing. She was finally seeing her dream come to fruition. Her happiness was dampened, however. A shadow of doubt and despair hung over her mind. Storm was preoccupied with paperwork, and she left without a word to him.
She made her way to the barracks rather quickly, and found herself amidst a small crowd of young, aspiring flyers.
'Very young…' Dash noted, 'They're barely grown up.'
After some investigation with the local crowd, she was pointed to a Pegasus on the edge of the room. He was sitting silently, observing all around him. Dash walked up to him quickly, causing him to raise his purple furred head to look at Rainbow.
"Can I help you?" he asked snidely, annoyed at her disturbance of him.
Dash frowned and replied, "Yes sir, I've been assigned to Charlie Wing and you're the commander."
The Pegasus sighed, and responded, "Yeah yeah, I'm senior aircolt Windbreak. Just line up with the group when the Sarge calls."
With that, he looked away dismissively. Dash sighed and walked to the edge of the room. She flopped down on the floor and waited. Within five minutes, everyone stood at attention and saluted. Dash quickly followed suit. Sergeant Buck strode in and pointed to Dash, signaling her to follow. The two made their way to the door.
"At ease," Buck ordered as he closed the door to the barracks.
The beige pony led her to a small, military obstacle course on the outskirts of the base. He indicated for her to take a place at the starting point.
"Airmare Dash," Buck stated with a sniff, "You must run this course within two minutes. Wings are not permitted. You're hoofing it. Understood?"
Dash nodded and indicated her understanding.
"On your mark!"
Dash shifted into a running position, ready to take off at a moment's notice.
"Get ready!"
Dash began to breathe fast and heavily, preparing herself for the challenge. She waited anxiously for the sign.
"GO!"
With that, she was off. The course was easy, easier than even Dash had thought. Almost as quickly as she had started, she was done.
"Time, 47 seconds," Buck stated as Dash slid across the finish line, "Wow. Maybe you are as great as the Captain says."
Dash laughed and retorted, "I'm the best."
"Not yet airmare," Buck responded with a serious face, "Get your hind over to the barracks and wait for orders there."
Rainbow nodded and went on her way.
'Ugh,' Buck thought, 'already I can tell this is gonna suck.'
"You never did tell me how it went."
Dash found herself snapped out of staring at the entrancing candle in front of her. For a moment she lost her wits, not realizing where she was.
Shadow noted the confused look on her face, and asked, "Dashie…? You okay?"
Rainbow shook the feeling away, and responded, "Yeah I'm fine… and it went great. Sergeant Buck can barely keep up with me, not to mention the rest of the crew."
Storm laughed and remarked, "Yeah, I kind of guessed that. Never really doubted you'd have any issues."
Dash nodded confidently and continued eating. It was nice enough for Storm to get her into Wonderbolt training, but he was really impressing her lately. First the symphony picnic and now bringing dinner to her house for her.
"You really are a gentlecolt, Shadow Storm," Dash thought out loud, not realizing.
Storm smiled, and agreed, "I like to think I am, or at least I try to be."
The two Pegasi talked as they finished dinner and soon, Storm began packing what was left over in a small bag. As he finished, he turned to speak to Dash, but found she was nowhere to be seen.
"Dash?" Shadow called out quietly.
"Up here!"
He heard her raspy voice call out calmly from upstairs. Storm frowned and headed up to the second floor. After glancing into a couple adjoining, unused rooms, he sighed and entered Dash's bedroom. He found her lounging on her bed, resting her head on her right hoof.
Storm sighed and put his head in his hooves, "Really Dash? You tried this last night."
Rainbow was still visibly nervous, but acting as cool as possible said, "Come on Shadow, sit down."
Storm shook his head and replied, "We both know we're not ready for this, not yet. Well, I'm not at least. This is a big step and I don't want to buck up what we got going."
Shadow cringed at his choice of words. Why did he have to say that?
Rainbow smiled awkwardly at his comment and retorted, "Well, you certainly have it on your mind."
Shadow was at a loss for words. What did she think this was accomplishing? He coldly walked out and took a seat downstairs in her living room, hoping she may come to her senses. The night was late, and Storm soon found himself slipping to sleep. Soon, he was sleeping soundly on the floor of Dash's house.
A cry from upstairs awoke Storm. He raced up to the second floor and smashed through the door, breaking the fragile cloudy surface.
"Dash!"
She was sitting straight up, the room now lit only by the eerie moonlight. Storm glanced around the room and found no assailants. He slowly made his way toward the bed.
"Dash?" he said again, attempting to get a response.
"Shadow… sweetie," Dash began, trembling slightly.
Storm knew something was wrong as soon as she began. She never called him sweetie.
"I just had another nightmare."