Kaiser's eyes slowly opened, blinking through the blur in his sight. Correcting his vision, he glanced over his side. He had woken later than normal but still had plenty of time for the day.

First showering then brushing his teeth he recalled the night prior. Despite his intention to only help the maintenance crew, he had ended up staying later than the majority of them and departed only when Piper began to drift asleep while welding.

Thus his sleep and morning routine was cut shorter than normal. Foregoing breakfast for the day, Kaiser dressed in his regular, carefully ironed school uniform, packed his supplies into his black bag, and departed his room.

Locking the door he glanced left and right to see no other students present outside the student dorms or 'Barracks' as some had taken to calling them. Like many other students aboard the ship, he lived alone due to his transfer as opposed to others, such as Virtanen whose grandparents transferred their jobs on ship to be with him.

Descending the stairwell and beginning his walk the crisp morning air gently rolled along the ship's deck as the sun lolled itself on the horizon. He had awoken late but still earlier than most and this allowed him to enjoy the mornings. Unfortunately, though the majority of the ship was only beginning to stir awake, an unexpected presence drove down the road next to him.

A Mercedes Gross 770, in jet black paint, had cruised to a sudden halt next to him with its engine purring. Only one vehicle of this type was on ship and only a handful of individuals had access to it. The school staff and Commanding students of the Senshado team. "Virtanen" Kaiser greeted the smiling face behind the rolled-down window.

"Mornin' Lieutenant Colonel" Virtanen cheerfully responded as he kept the car moving along to Kaiser's pace. A few moments and Virtanen couldn't restrain himself. "Really? Not gonna say anything about the ride?" he prodded, seeking comment.

"Very well then..." Kaiser acknowledged stopping in place, his eyes shifting slowly to Virtanen's. "I'm rather certain that the rules state only a majority consent from the school staff was required for authorized usage of staff vehicles. I doubt you managed to obtain that in one night." he criticized.

"Oh come off it" Virtanen quipped to joyful to be put down despite the time. "It has to be driven every now and then to make sure it works. Just consider this a periodical checkup." he reasoned. Kaiser merely rolled his eyes at the loose reasoning. "So what's the matter?" asked Virtanen. "Bags under your eyes seem rather noticeable today." he teased.

Despite being tired of the conversation already, Kaiser obliged the question. "Funny you should ask. That little favor Ms. Cartier asked for ended up going on a tad too long." It was then Kaiser noticed Virtanen's smug grin through his peripherals which caused his head to snap to the side. "Speaking of last night, how did my shared workload come across? Finish it all?" Kaiser asked stressing the importance, all of it was done.

Virtanen's vehicle slowly fell behind Kaiser's pace at the mention. Glancing over his shoulder unamused Kaiser was just quick enough to catch Virtanens excuse. "Look at the time, don't want to be late!" Virtanen called out as he peeled away down the road.

'Not the answer I wanted yet the one I expected' Kaiser sighed internally. He proceeded to school content with the peace that had returned and the fact that he would get back at Virtanen eventually. The work was that urgent anywho, but Virtanen didn't need to know that.

The school day went on short and uneventful. Classes consisted of nothing more than introductions, orientations, and schedules for the semesters ahead. The short day ending with the principal's address to the current student body in the auditorium in which he acknowledged the heads of each department within the school's structure.

Naturally, Virtanen and Kaiser, now changed into their black SS Senshado dress uniforms, were on stage as well. Although they stuck out like a sore thumb in contrast to their peer's standard school uniforms and sports equipment. Even the maintenance, engineering, naval, and air course students' uniforms paled in comparison.

While their uniforms were undoubtedly sharp the Senshado team had invested in two sets of uniforms. A standard match uniform intended to get dirty for 'field' play and another sharper 'dress' uniform which would be adorned with medals and other various awards and ornaments.

Currently, the two stood amidst the long line of student peers onstage as the principal began to wrap up his speech. Their uniforms were freshly cleaned and boots polished. Both, presenting their issued sidearms of personal preference generously lent from the marksmanship teams collection for aesthetic purposes on their hips.

A final touch that had been added By Kaiser's request upon seeing Anzio's dress daggers. It was allowed on the condition only former InfanterieKampf cadets could wear if they were in a position of leadership and for a formal event. Their chests were also filled with ribbons and medals awarded not from Senshado yet, but from their time in Infanterie Kampf. Virtanen's awards surprisingly failed to compare to the amount of Kaisers.

With their black dress caps blocking the stage lights from their eyes and sight from the crowd, the two muttered to each other impatiently wishing to proceed with their day. Virtanen, foregoing professionalism, pestered Kaiser with a series of 'psst's' to make small talk so he could ease his mind off the discomfort of standing under the bright light fixtures and heat for up to twenty minutes now in their thick clothing.

"So why were you walking? You got that motorcycle in the hangar that caught your eye right?" Virtanen asked as the principal brought up another 'important point of trying your hardest to achieve success to the student body. Waiting until the principal took a deep breath and began to ramble on once more, Kaiser took the opportunity to mutter a response.

"I prefer to walk in the morning. Clears the mind and I'd rather not catch unwanted eyes" Kaiser whispered back.

"That the confidence of a lady killer huh?" quipped Virtanen glancing at his friend underneath his visor.

"As if. I've seen enough of your misfortune with romance to not try my hand with it. May have rubbed off on me from always being around to clean up after you." Kaiser retorted. The two locked glares underneath their visors, neither showing any facial expression below the visor to the crowd, but both could see the annoying and cheeky glare they gave each other.

"Moving on" Virtanen muttered, shifting his feet slightly.

"As I was saying, I don't want any unnecessary eyes on us just yet. New school, new program, new commanders. Someone somewhere is going to be digging their nose around to find out something to make us look bad or irrelevant. We have a clean slate. Best to build PR while we own it." he explained.

Coincidentally as Kaiser finished his explanation so did the principal announcing for the students to be dismissed. Then the principal turned and did the same, instructing the club leaders to return to their respective team practices. Each group did so except for Virtanen and Kaiser who saluted before taking leave.

Rather than descend the stage and join the mass of excited students the two went backstage and waited a few minutes for the halls to clear out. Neither enjoying the stares of countless, wandering eyes. Virtanen due to his stage fright and anxiety. Kaiser because he found it a nuisance.

After a few minutes, the two, having taken their caps and jackets off to relax for a bit, donned them once more to make their way to their office before moving to the hangar for vehicle inspections. Making their way through the school's courtyard which stood as a rather large and ornate garden, they began the usual chat.

"I'm surprised you didn't faint up there, to be honest" mocked Kaiser, carrying on their conversation.

"I told you I'm working on it alright. Like I said you can't change someone in a day." Virtanen reiterated. "And yes, I do want to change. Enough about me, let's jump back to our reputation. How do you plan on working that? He asked.

Kaiser pondered for a moment. "Good question. I suppose a school paper or some form of media outlet to release whatever news we want and to control information leaks would be necessary," he explained bringing a finger to his lips in thought.

"Sounds like despotism" Virtanen quipped.

Ignoring the remark however Kaiser continued. "We'll need to start locally and build our image up in the school."

"Isn't it good by default?" Virtanen asked curiously.

Kaiser shook his head and sighed as if explaining to a child. "No. Right now we're just some strange students dressed up and siphoning a chunk of the school funds. Despite no other clubs having any achievements yet all eyes are on us at the moment. We'll have to take some steps to make ourselves look good."

Virtanen stopped under the shade of a tree, now invested in the talk, and turned to face Kaiser. Before he could speak a book flew between their faces and slammed against the nearby tree.

Quietly Kaiser picked up the book as Virtanen turned towards the direction it came. A large group was mulling around jeering while shouts came from within. It was only growing in size as other students began to run from the nearby doorways to join.

The two nonchalantly stepped up to the crowd and without any resistance from the students shrinking away from them, they arrived in the center with deadpanned looks. "Start locally," Virtanen repeated.

"Not like this," Kaiser sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Before them, was the beginning of a fight between two groups of students. Already past the point of calmly settling the dispute, one side had chucked their opponent's belongings hence the wild book that had found its way to them.

Looking on Virtanen and Kaiser noted that out of the eight students posturing themselves for a fight, four of them were their subordinates in Senshado. Though wishing an end to the conflict and figure out the cause they waited listening in on the bickering and asking the students next to them of what they knew.

They got immediate responses once the other students saw their demeanor and uniforms, recognizing them to be the Senshado commanders. Quickly shrinking in on themselves at being questioned, a quick answer or two were given while the offenders continued to bicker and shove, tempting their opponents to throw the first swing. Soon Virtanen and Kaiser came to a conclusion.

"Seems they're arguing over who has the biggest pair" Virtanen blatantly stated stepping next to Kaiser.

"Not just that, it seems that one of our subordinates talked down to another cadet and one of their friends outside of Senshado didn't appreciate it and retaliated in kind till it escalated." clarified Kaiser.

A glance around showed the environment encouraging the confrontation. The strict academic environment should have restricted most freedom to students and yet, suddenly, a new entertainment unfolded before the mass of students. While the occasional female looked on the crowd was overwhelmingly male and jeering as opposed to the opposite sex's worried looks.

Looking in at the two bickering crews, one could see three students attempting to get a word in only to be ignored. Eventually, the two males and lone female, were pushed away into Virtanen and Kaiser who continued watching on.

"Why! this is all your fault! The leader of the trio before them shouted. Glancing down at the boy Virtanen and Kaiser noted his armband with the school's crest signaling his appointment on the student council.

"Hey there Danny boy," Virtanen greeted hoisting the boy up from a knee. "How's everyone's favorite student council president?" Virtanen asked mockingly.

"My name is Daniel! and why haven't you stopped this yet!" the shorter boy demanded from behind his thick-rimmed glasses. Despite the shorter stature and thick lenses, the boy's ire was transmitted clearly through his face.

Virtanen's smile and thin silver glasses hid his own anger at being ordered around by the petulant peer. He held no authority over the Senshado club as it was overseen by teachers strictly and its funding was handled separately from academic school affairs yet when the two had first met during the summer before school started their initial meeting hadn't hit off so well.

All Virtanen would tell Kaiser of while he was away for the summer, or to be more precise complain of, was how 'Danny' would give orders with no thought as to how to execute them and do so in the most enraging way possible. Kaiser was impressed when he was told of the sheer fact of Virtanen's deep patience being withered dry in such a short time.

"Stop what?" Virtanen asked innocently. "That!" shouted Danny directing his finger to the conflict, where a couple of students had begun to grapple.

Kaiser, who had been staring down Danny's peers to the point where they averted their eyes, glanced past them. "Those idiots don't even notice our uniforms sticking out and are still going at it" he hissed.

"Oh, that~" Virtanen hummed, his grin slightly twitching. "Yes, that!" Danny shouted. "Such irresponsibility! Why I'll have you know I'll be seeing the principal about this! You, You'll-" He began to rant only for Virtanen to sling an arm around his neck and bring his head close to his chest.

"Kaiser I think we have all seen enough," Virtanen said, patting Danny's shoulder. Kaiser nodded his head once and faced Danny, still in the headlock. "Mr. Jameson, remember your agreement with Virtanen from the summer." he reminded

"No interference with each other. No matter the situation lest unavoidable or requested. Essentially we stay in our lane's" Kaiser spat, now annoyed at the ongoing conflict more than the offended president before him. Stepping past the two prefects that accompanied Danny Kaiser stopped just before the fighting students.

"Now watch this" Virtanen whispered excitedly. Danny looked onward from Virtanen's forceful embrace, confused. Kaiser reached to his hip and drew his sidearm, a luger, and unexpectedly fired it into the air. Silence reigned over the crowd at the sudden noise. Danny glared awestruck at Kaiser then at Virtanen's grinning face.

'Where the hell did you get the live ammo?!' Virtanen screamed internally, unprepared for the sudden act himself yet remaining composed as if he had. Kaiser glanced back at Virtanen. His eyes showing his joy at the mischief with a small tug of a grin at the edge of his lips. Virtanen shook his head dejectedly knowing the look all too well. "Don't ruff them up too much," Virtanen ordered.

"Never dreamt of it" Kaiser fibbed.

"What are you on about?! Help him!" Danny demanded trying to break free from Virtanen's grasp.

Virtanen chuckled at his attempts and the demand. "Danny you don't seem to get it. He may usually be calm and poised but Kaiser has a very high disposition towards violence."

"Quiet" demanded Kaiser at the offending students. At his words, the silence continued on and out of the eight boys, the four Senshado students stood up from their scuffles and warily backed away. It was the other four who didn't care for who he was, that stood defiant.

"The entertainment is over" Kaiser shouted to the crowd. "Those of you within the Senshado team will report to the hangar for further instructions and those who are regular students will accompany me and the prefects to the staff offices," he instructed.

"Who the hell are you?" Came their four resisting students' reply. "Just because you're in the Senshado team, you act like some big shot?" one of the boys shouted standing up.

"Not a part of. I lead it." Kaiser corrected. This clarification didn't deter the boy as he began to make his way towards Kaiser, seeking to silence him.

Virtanen dug a finger into Danny's cheek and began to explain. "Now pay attention, as you'll soon see why Kaiser was so fond of close-quarters combat in Infanterie Kampf." As the words left his mouth, Kaiser holstered his sidearm, and the boy stomping towards him, reached out with his left hand to grasp Kaiser's collar. "Oh, bad move" Virtanen commented.

Kaiser grabbed the boy by his extended wrist and grasped the boy's left shoulder, turning the boy 90 degrees. Next, Kaiser drove a knee into the back of his adversary's leg and forced him onto his knees.

However, Kaiser wasn't done. Still holding the boy's left arm, wrenching it up behind his back, and driving the boy's head into the ground with his right hand, while simultaneously driving his right knee into the boy's back, Kaiser pinned him to the ground.

Glancing to his right Kaiser saw the remaining boys flinch at the speed and force of what just occurred. His friends, bravely and to Kaiser's delight, took a step forward to try and aid him. Kaiser nonchalantly grabbed his sidearm and pointed it at the nearest opponent who was coming to intervene. A single 'bang' reverberated through the air as the boy clutched his inner thigh in pain at the impact.

Kaiser glanced over the other boys and spoke condescendingly towards them. "I'll repeat myself once more. Senshado cadets will report to the hangar for discipline. Regular students will accompany me and the prefects to the office for disciplinary actions. This can happen in one of three ways. After I incapacitate you as a threat, disable you here with a few rubber rounds, or voluntarily."

The words held their desired effect as the remaining two students backed away and the third clutching his leg did the same although limping. "Everyone else disperses!" Kaiser ordered as he stood from the incapacitated boy who had stopped resisting.

The crowd was slow going, some even stopping to take a picture or two of Kaiser, who was preoccupied moving the offenders along, and Virtanen meanwhile smiling down at Danny, now released. "If you think that's bad wait till you see what he's gonna do to our boys" whispered Virtanen wickedly.

The two prefects watched as Kaiser told the four regular students to walk ahead of him as they followed in tow. "He seems more like a prefect than us" The female officer dejectedly stated. "More like a bouncer" The male counterpart added. The two were silenced when Kaiser glanced back at them with his default stern gaze. The two prefects lowered their heads and continued walking on while a quick chill ran through them.

Kaiser turned facing forward and annoyed, thought to himself. 'Why am I doing their job for them?'

-Transition-

The four male students were quickly pawned off to the prefects and Danny to be handled, leaving the four remaining cadets at the hangar to be dealt with. Kaiser had informed Virtanen to continue with the day's plans without him so that he could deal with them.

Immediately the four turned stiff as their two commanders entered through the large bay area doors. Virtanen proceeded with getting measurements from the four then the rest of the Senshado team to finalize the order for team uniforms. As he did so Kaiser wasted no time in dredging up a surprisingly well improvised course of hazing for them, Which even more surprisingly lasted until the sunset later that day.

The boys at the end of it were practically tripping over themselves exhausted and bruised, unable to keep up with Kaiser's demands. "Or at least that's what Kaiser told me this morning before passing out in class," Virtanen relayed to his homeroom teacher.

"He even went as far as transferring them all into one vehicle under O"Diveley saying 'he could deal with that mess' and to be honest if anyone could get them to voluntarily play nice it may be him and that overbearingly charismatic attitude of his." Virtanen leaned back in his chair taking a deep breath after his explanation as his teacher typed silently on his computer responding to faculty mail.

"Oh, and the best part was when in front of all the other cadets he ordered them to get on the ground face down and, I kid you not, with a face full of disgust said 'Don't worry. I'll fix you. Why today even'. One of the most sinister looks I've ever seen on his face!" Virtanen recalled, now bent over exaggeratedly laughing.

"Sounds like he put them through the wringer, reminds me of my days when I was younger" The tall and stout man chuckled. Standing at six feet four inches, Mr. Pokorski was a domineering presence in the class. A prided teacher and even more so proud mentor to students who sought his help. "I'm surprised he didn't use any of my pointers" grinned Mr. Pokorski, glancing over at Kaiser's sleeping form."

"I'm sure he did sir, but I doubt he could use them all lest it causes an infraction with their parents," noted Virtanen anxiously, laughing along.

Kaiser's head sprang up with a quick remark. "Not as if I'd ever befriend a bunch of fools like that, I'd gladly do worse" before nestling back between his arms.

Mr. Pokorski and Virtanen glanced back at each other before shrugging their shoulders and continuing their talk. Kaiser was an oddball student at first to most teachers but the majority had grown used to his actions in the few short days the semester had been going on. Reports from his prior schools already stated what he would and had been doing about simply sleeping through classes. Yet this was not considered a problem as he still passed all subjects with near-perfect grades.

It didn't set the best example of work ethic but it did set the bar higher for students around him to try harder so it was excused, although it did stress some teachers regardless and annoy some peers when he would score higher when seemingly not trying.

"They're not such bad blokes!" O'Diveley piped up from across the classroom. He and Sokolov happened to find themselves in the same homeroom as Virtanen and Kaiser and were usually found in each other's presence. "I talked with 'em and they're just energetic lads. Besides, our sleeping sir could stand to make a better impression with the rank and file after the show he put on yesterday."

Virtanen cocked his head in confusion at the statement and Kaiser glanced an eye out from under his arms. "Take a gander at this," O'Diveley said, gesturing to Sokolov next to him. Snagging Sokolov's phone and chucking it towards Virtanen who caught it haphazardly, while the phone's owner seemed unbothered by the action and rather accustomed to O"Diveley's spontaneousness.

Virtanen quickly became invested with the Phone as their teacher glanced at the screen before giggling to himself and returning to his work. Virtanen made his way over to Kaiser's desk and shook him. Sluggishly Kaiser raised his head and looked at the phone extended towards him.

It was a shoddy-looking gossip page at first glance but upon closer inspection, it was far more. It seemed to be the self-proclaimed 'official Transcendence newspaper, revealing the ecstatic world of Transcendence's Senshado'. At the bottom, a disclaimer stated no affiliation with the school's real newspaper who shared the same title.

Though a freshly made website, no older than the semesters start at most, it already had a few burgeoning stories ranging from the team's roster of cadets and vehicles, updated as of yesterday's events as well, to cover more private information of students as a highlight.

Kaiser clicked a link with his name as it was near the top of the page. The screen loaded up with the most views and a corresponding amount of articles on him. It told of his personal information such as height, school history, and whatever stories of his past they could dig up. Thankfully there weren't any falsehoods spread and relatively little on him, but the unnerving part was how accurate they were.

They had his dislikes and interests down to specifics, especially on the other cadets. He clicked onto Virtanen's name and the case was similar as such yet more detailed. He clicked on a random Cadet's name and it did the same with varying information such as her preferences in boys and career plans.

Kaiser's eyes widened at the investment within the site. It seemed that the main page's claim of "Keeping every fellow student up to date with their newest 'celebrities' and their escapades" wasn't a mere boast. They had been able to dig up a lot of info and compiled it for the entire student body to see.

Clicking on the story of the day caused Kaiser's brow to furrow. The picture was of him in uniform standing before the troublemakers from yesterday. It was followed by a short editorial, a few pictures of the infraction with him, and a video capturing his actions in rendering the troublemakers immobile.

Mixed reactions of adoration, spite, and awe flooded the comments below the story which despite the intent further painted their image in a light none too friendly. Kaiser handed the phone over and dropped his head with a sigh.

Mr. Pokorski spoke up, drawing the class's attention. "All right now, matters outside of class can stay outside of class. Besides Mr. O'Diveley and Sokolov, you two can grin about Mr. Kaiser's fame once you two actually have results equal to his. I've seen your grade reports from last year and let me be the first to say. That will not cut it here, especially in my class."

Sokolov's grin and O'Diveley's taunting smile turned awkward as their attention immediately found focus elsewhere. The class resumed its personal studying and the periods of instruction flew by with Kaiser not moving from his sleeping position. Virtanen tried to keep pace with notes as always and despite Sokolov's quiet demeanor and his intuition within a vehicle, he was rather poor at academics or at least lectures. O"Diveley himself struggled to take notes at all.

The school day eventually finished, the class was quick to empty, leaving a few stragglers. Kaiser did not stir from his position while Virtanen was slowly packing his things Regardless of Kaiser appearing asleep Virtanen talked to his slumbering form as if he was holding a regular conversation.

"I convinced Danny to report any infractions regarding our cadets to us immediately. He seemed willing to oblige after your stunt," informed Virtanen, giving a weak laugh at the memory. "Speaking of which, I suppose that newspaper isn't good for us either." He let a sigh drag out for a long moment showing just how much worry had been on his mind.

"I just don't know what to do" He meekly muttered to himself as he stretched towards the ceiling cocking his head back. Wincing from his stretch he heard a tapping next to him and looked down. Kaiser, still face down in his seat, had extended a sheet of paper towards him.

Virtanen lifted the sheet and skimmed it although there wasn't much to skim in the first place. Despite being written quickly and most likely without Kaiser even looking up, it was neatly written and organized into a few words explaining a series of steps.

Virtanen read a few aloud as he processed the information. "Camaraderie, basic training, rounded training..." his voice slowly devolved into a pondering murmur before with a surprised gasp, alarmed the few stragglers in the classroom. "Hawaii?!" he exclaimed. Realizing his outburst, Virtanen looked around before lowering his head to Kaiser. "What do you mean by this?"

Kaiser raised his head slightly and looked at him through a single half-lidded eye. Voice still groggy from sleep, he answered. "What it says. The schools making a pitstop in Hawaii in a few days before going around the pacific as per school year regulations for sanctioned ships."

Kaiser let a small yawn out before continuing. "We'll make use of their free time for a training camp. I was stressing over the same problems as you last night. Ended up making a lot of calls and sending a lot of messages that I only got responses for earlier today. Hell, I didn't even sleep for the first half of school and was busy returning emails." he finished with a long yawn.

Virtanen gazed at the hunched form of his peer in amazement. Seemingly asleep Kaiser had done more for the team than he had been worrying all day. Almost in response to his gaze Kaiser, without changing his resting posture, presented a lethargic thumbs up. Virtanen abruptly stood from his chair, now motivated. "Alright let's do it!"

Virtanen wouldn't admit that most of his motivation came from the reassurance that Kaiser had already thought of almost everything for it. 'Although he probably knows me well enough to guess that's why' he mentally conceded.

Now ready to depart and mentally amped, Virtanen stopped in place as he saw the shadows cast by the sun suddenly start to shift far too quickly. 'Is the ship changing course this late?' Virtanen pondered as he walked to the door. "Hey, Virtanen" Kaiser called after him.

Virtanen saw Kaiser slowly raise his head with a sinister smile. "Looks like we'll be arriving in Hawaii earlier than expected." Then pressing a button on the phone hidden beneath his crossed arms.

Virtanen nodded in acknowledgment before closing the door behind him. Shaking his head at the ground with a nervous laugh Virtanen chuckled. "Oh those poor cadets, he's really pulling out all the stops."

-End chapter-