HMA – Receiving Area
Aki hauled her luggage through the door of the receiving building. The solider that "greeted" her turned and began to leave.
"Wait here, miss." With that comment the solider exited the building. Aki stood surrounded by her luggage in the middle of the room. The bright overhead lights beat down on her reflecting on the brightly polished floor. "Wow," Aki thought, "Hate to track water in here. Someone might break his or her neck on this floor. Probably me." Aki wasn't the most graceful of people; her long legs always seemed to want to do their own thing. This caused a great deal of embarrassment to Aki during her young life. She had hoped it would stop as she got older, but it seemed she was frequently tripping over her feet. Especially when her arms were loaded with something. "It was a good thing I didn't trip on those steps, I'd been a goner. Especially with Capt. Friendly watching me," Aki thought to herself as she smiled. Aki had a good sense of humor about the whole thing. And most people thought it was funny to see such an intelligent woman lose her balance for no apparent reason. She wasn't quite sure how these people would handle it.
Just as Aki was thinking about her gracelessness, a cadet walked up to the counter.
"Identification"
Aki handed her ID card to the cadet. He looked about her age, with short blonde hair and a pointed chin. His nametag read "SCRUGGS." He scanned her card; bringing her information up on the screen. As he read the info he started punching keys on the display. He quickly handed Aki her ID back to her.
"The CO wants to talk to you. Leave you stuff, it needs to be searched and cleared, then we'll take it up to your room."
"Searched?" Aki asked curiously. She looked nervously at her bags as she followed Scruggs towards the CO's office. She understood the reason why the enlistees bags were searched, but she was volunteering.
"Standard procedure, Ms. Ross. The CO wants every bag check for 'contraband'." Scruggs replied. Aki didn't want to know what was considered "contraband" around here, so she just figured she'd have to "go with the flow."
As the reached the CO's office, Aki read the nameplate: "Major Hein – Commanding Officer – Houston Military Academy." Scruggs knocked precisely three times on the door.
"Enter!" shouted a deep voice from inside. Scruggs opened the door for Aki and moved aside. As Aki walked in she noticed the room was very dark, with only the desk lamp on. She really couldn't see where she was going very well. Aki moved cautiously towards the desk, not wanting to trip. Scruggs closed the door behind her, propelling the room into total darkness. The high backed leather chair was facing away from her. Aki couldn't tell if there was anyone even in the chair the back was so high. A hand appeared from the side and started touching the keys on a display pad. Aki could see her image and stats on the screen; Major Hein appeared to be scanning the info. Aki reached the front of Hein's desk and saw there were two chairs angled towards each other. She was so tired from lugging all her stuff around; she decided to sit down; as she did Hein's voice called out, "I didn't give you permission to sit, Ms. Ross." Aki paused mid way, looking incredulously at the back of the leather chair. She sighed softly and rose.
"And belligerence is also not permitted." Hein replied as he turned his chair around to face Aki. "Great," Aki thought, "what a great start, Aki." Hein continued to stare at Aki, not saying anything; Aki was getting very annoyed.
"Have a seat, Ms. Ross" Hein gestured towards the chair Aki had just vacated.
"Thank you."
Hein steepled his fingers, glance thoughtfully at Aki. "You come to us in great time of need Ms. Ross. Medical Technicians are sorely needed in the field, and someone with your credentials is a welcome addition. Your recommendations are impeccable."
"Thank you again, Major" Aki smiled slightly at Hein's apparent complaint. "I am curious about a few things though. Judging by your training schedule, you'll be doing a little more than the standard med tech training." Aki looked at Hein curiously, since she hadn't picked her schedule; Dr. Sid had.
"I'm not sure I understand, my training was scheduled by my former professor, Dr. Cummings." Aki lied. Dr. Sid had told her not to reveal any connection with him or the Gaia theory – just to keep things simple. Hein motioned towards her image on the screen behind him, "You're scheduled for all the normal med tech training, yes; but you are also scheduled for wasteland recon and aerospace operations and procedures. I wonder why Dr. Cummings scheduled you for that?"
"I'm not sure. He did say that there was a possibility I might be stationed to the Zeus once it was completed." Aki thought quickly to cover her story. Hein nodded as if satisfied with Aki's explanation.
"Well, Ms. Ross. I am sure you have heard that there are a few rules around here, and I expect those rules to be followed explicitly. I have recently taken over command of this facility and would like to see it flourish under my tutelage." Hein rose from his chair and moved to the window behind his desk. The blinds had been drawn; Hein opened them with the press of a button. Aki could see a large concrete pad in the middle of the quad; "Obviously the 'exercise' yard." Aki thought as she looked at the groups of cadets running in formation around the pad. The quad surrounded on all four sides by the building's halls, which wrapped around overlooking the quad on all 5 stories.
Hein turned back to Aki, hands behind his back, looking down his nose at Aki. "I expect everyone to maintain optimum physical performance and collegiate standards, here. As a med tech you are not 'socialize' with those outside your designation. Speaking frankly Ms. Ross, you are a female in a building that is 99% male. I don't want any distractions with my cadets. If you have ANY problems, you must report them to me, or the senior cadet leader, immediately. I am I understood?"
"Yes, sir"
Just then three knocks came from the door. Hein called for them to enter; it was Scruggs again. He stood at attention in the doorway, "Major Hein, Ballentine is here to escort Ross to her barracks room."
"Excellent. Send her in." Aki breathed a sign of relief at the thought of having at least one other woman to talk to. Ballentine walked in; she had dark complexion, medium build, about 5'6", with dark brown hair pulled back from her face. Her face was pleasant; although it seemed a little pinched right then. "Probably from being 'summoned' by Major Hien," Aki smiled to herself.
"Maria Ballentine, reporting as requested." Maria stop short of the two chairs in front of the desk. Aki rose from her seat and glanced at Maria. Aki reached out her hand, offering a greeting, but Maria didn't take it. Aki awkwardly lowered her hand, looking back a Hein.
"Ballentine, this is Ross. She's just checking in. Show her around. Make sure she understands the rules and follows them. You're her 'spotter' for the next 3 weeks."
"Yes, sir." Maria replied, still not looking at Aki.
"You're both dismissed"
Aki followed Maria out the door, with Scruggs closing the door behind them.