Enrolment was a simple process. I managed to enter the academy ahead of many other students, thanks to Luna's parents' recommendations. We also ended up in the same class.

"I thought that the Junius Seven treaty was signed, and a truce was reached between us and the EAF!" Youlan Kent said one day, "then why did the EAF attack us that other day?"

"Maybe the commander of these people didn't hear about the signing of the treaty," Vino joked. News about the treaty has been broadcasted continuously for the last week.

"The people who attacked us are an extremist group who could not accept the notion of peace between coordinators and naturals," he added, "now you know who did it, mind if I continue the class?"

They mumbled a 'yes sir' and reluctantly turned back towards the front. Basic military tactics lessons can be extremely boring. The conversation only started because the teacher showed us the weak points of the Strike Dagger for the tenth time.

I looked around the class, Vino and Youlan were sleeping, Meyrin was playing with her hair absentmindedly and everybody else was either looking at the sky or drawing on their notepads. Rey and Luna were the only students who were paying attention to the teacher.

The school day passed by without anything exciting happen. In general piloting class, Rey and I teamed up again and won against the class in a simulated battle, with only Luna's team giving us trouble. In first aid training, my teacher told me that my partner, Vino, would have died if the mock situation was real.

As usual, I asked for Rey's notes as soon as we got back our dorm at the end of the day.

"Did you hear?" Rey asked as he handed his book to me.

"Oh, is it about specific piloting class tomorrow?"

He nodded.

"I was wondering if you'll be okay," he paused, "You'll be stepping into the weapon which took your parents away from you."

He was right. Tomorrow, everybody will be given a chance to try out any military vehicle or position. From there, we decide which vehicle we want to specialise in, hence, we enter a specific skills class. Needless to say, the class was looking forward to this, as it was a change from the usual school day. I was a bit hesitant when I heard about this, and Rey noticed it.

"Ah, you don't have to worry about me," I said, trying to appear normal, "it's a good change from flying a jet."

I woke up the next morning, soaked in sweat. The nightmares about my family were slightly more vivid last night. Rey came over and helped me up.

"You okay?" He asked, "Must have been worse than usual."
He was referring to my nightmares. It was not uncommon for me to wake up looking pale.

"Yeah, but don't worry, it's nothing really."

We met up with Meyrin, Luna and Vino and started walking towards the academy's armoury.

"So what do you guys want to try first?" Luna asked.

"I think all of us want to try out a mobile suit. I mean, it's the best weapon we have."

"Not me," replied Vino, "I'm more interested in designing them, but I wouldn't mind stepping into one to see how they work first hand.

We were met with an amazing sight as we turned the corner and saw the armoury in its entirety. Ten GINN Trainers lined either side of the runway. A magnificent ZuOOT artillery mech was emerging from the shelter, followed by a panther-like BuCUE. There was even a huge reconstruction of the command deck of a Laurasia-class frigate. In the distance, we saw Youlan running towards us.

"Oh hey guys, I've already started checking out the stuff. Let's go see the fully equipped GINN!" Youlan said, pointing behind him.

"Alright, I'm coming!" Vino said as he went with Youlan.

"I'm just going to see what it is like inside the command deck, I'll meet up with you guys later." With that, Meyrin headed towards the reconstructed command deck.

The rest of us continued walking, looking up at the GINN Trainers.

"Hey you lot, want to try piloting one of these?" It was our teacher. Without waiting for an answer, he beckoned towards me, "Shinn, you're first up," indicating towards a GINN Trainer.

As I entered the cockpit, I heard the teacher say, "alright everybody, please move away from the mobile suit. First timers always fall or trip."

"Don't fall on us!" I heard Luna yell out to me.

At a press of a switch, panels started lighting up, one by one. I could hear the dim hum of the electronics.

I know this, I thought to myself, as I looked at the controls. Everybody in the class has studied the basic controls on paper, just not actually tried them before. The first step was getting up. Slowly, my mobile suit reared to its full height, accompanied by loud mechanical whirring.

I can do this

Within minutes, I was moving fluidly and began to move the arms as well. By this time, almost everybody was looking up at my mobile suit.

I raised the beam rifle in my hand. Unexpectedly, the images of my family flashed in my mind. This thing took my family away. For the first time in a year, I could not make the image leave my mind. Losing focus, the knees of the mobile suit gave way and I crashed down onto the ground. The cockpit shook around me, warning indicators flashed. I clambered out the GINN and tumbled down the side. Luna and Rey were running towards me.

"Are you alright Shinn? Are you hurt anywhere?"

I got up to show her that I was fine. Sounds of explosions echoed in my head.

Everybody was crowding around, except one large male who roughly shoved past Luna and stood in front of me.

He let off an obnoxious laugh. "That was pretty shit even for your first go. You must have pretty slow parents. What's the matter? Did they choose the wrong genes?"

Images of my parents' bodies appeared in my mind.

Ignoring him, I walked towards Luna to help her up from the ground.

"Oy! I am talking to you," he yelled, grabbing me by my shirt.

Without saying a word, I pushed him away. It was the last straw for him. The guy whipped out a combat knife and lunged at me.

I was startled, but somehow, the attack missed. Quickly dodging his second attempt, I rolled sideways while drawing my knife. There were now people crowding around us, blocking the fight from the teacher's view.

He lunged again, I countered.

Appearing to be frustrated, he began to slash at me repeatedly. Dodging left and right while moving closer, I stepped within his reach. Startled at me moving so close to him, he doubled back. I took this opportunity to deliver a punch to his stomach, followed by a kick to his jaw. He fell in a heap onto the ground.

The term passed by rather quickly. My friends explained to the teachers that I did not start the fight and I was just defending myself. With the collective testimonies of my friends and the onlookers, I was let off the hook. Luna, Rey and I ended up selecting to specialise in piloting mobile suits. Meyrin became extremely interested in working from the command deck while Youlan and Vino followed their real interests; working with mobile suits and understanding how they operate.

After choosing our paths, we became very serious about our future. Each and every one of us studied hard, putting a lot of effort in our work. As months passed, Luna, Rey and I improved markedly in our chosen field. As a team, we defeated every other team in the academy's mobile suit war games. When we were pitted against each other, however, Rey and I bested Lunamaria, who was better suited for a long-ranged fire support role.

"Geez, would you guys go a bit easier on a girl who is not fighting in her style?"

Rey gave her his usual smile and apologised.

"Do you guys know that we only have a month left in this academy," Rey continued.

He was right, graduation day was sneaking up on us.

-Graduation Day-

I woke up that day, not feeling as happy as I hoped. Rey came up to me and shook my hand. You were a good roommate to have, he said.

The official graduation ceremony was held out at the entrance of the academy, with ZAKU mobile suits with ceremonial decorations. It was an emotional moment as we were handed our dress uniforms. Rey, Luna and I graduated as redcoats, top of our class. Meyrin received a special orange uniform, graduating as a communications officer. Vino and Youlan were two of the many technicians who also graduated.

"You lot! Come over and take a group photo." It was our military tactics teacher.

1…2…3… Flash. After the photo was taken, we said our farewells and went our separate ways. I looked back at the academy and smiled.

The photo marked the end of my time at the academy and the beginning of a new life ahead of me.