Thank you so much for the reviews, and the fave! It really does help
when I see some come in, as opposed to just coming in and getting hits.
I'm sorry about the long wait, but I kept getting bouts of writer's
block so I apologize for any weak places in this chapter. I'm glad that
people are curious about Rokai, like me, and want to read this little
AUish line I'm cooking up for him. Please review.
Imperial Academy: First Week
Since I can't write letters to send home, I decided to write down what happens in this journal. Though I'm not sure how often I'll be able to write in it. This week was pretty rough. I hadn't been doing much physical training since I was hiding out, but I think I did much better than most of the other cadets. I'm positive that I'm the oldest one here, but thankfully it's just a few years. All of the cadets share bunks, and I was the unfortunate one with the top. I keep thinking I'm going to roll out of it while I'm sleeping. Then, my bunkmate is a bit...strange. His name is Thomas Schubaltz, which is a well known name within the Imperial military. Though with some of the things he's done, it's obvious that he would be considered the 'black sheep' of the family. I guess I really don't have much to say to that though, considering my desertion. He's not really that bad of a person, he's well meaning at least. And he is a mechanical whiz, something I'm definitely not. Not that I can't get by with my skills, but I swear he eats, thinks, and sleeps machinery twenty-four seven. We've gotten along so far, even if he does freak me out a little, so I should at least get out of the academy all right. I hope. It's getting late and I really do need to get some rest.
The next couple of weeks saw a slightly tired Rokai. The academy was its own boot camp, only with more academics. The young, former deserter didn't find the physical part of the academy so tiring, it was the academics. He wasn't stupid, he was actually a bit above average, but the work he had to do with that wore him out mentally. Being mentally tired meant that he was also physically tired and created a nasty cycle for him. He wasn't sure how it was that his bunkmate was the infamous Thomas Schubaltz (only infamous as he wasn't the most popular of people), but all in all it really did help him with his academics. Thomas was definitely a genius, and after a few days of watching Rokai struggle with some of the work, was happy to help the slightly older man out. Rokai honestly wasn't sure how he could pay Thomas back, aside from maybe helping the blonde out with his firing skills (or lack thereof). Rokai hadn't actually been on the front lines that often. However, he knew more about combat and being in actual battle than the other cadets, which put him at an advantage when it came to learning about those subjects.
He often found himself shaking his head at some of the young cadets, as they would often talk about the 'glory' of war and how they'd prove themselves even without the war. Though the brunette knew better. Sure, for some people, there was much glory to be had. However, when it came to people like most of them, there wasn't any left to go around. He himself once entertained such notions when he first enlisted. Though, the events in New Helic City forever changed that. He knew the fear and what primal panic could do to a person, and that was far from glorious or even 'romantic' as some would place with war. He hoped, knowing it was in vain, that they would change their minds about their notions. However, with the war done with (or it appeared to be, though Rokai wouldn't be surprised if something happened), there was less chance of battle and therefore, less chance that these cadets would experience the horror that he had been through.
It was also due to his age that some of the cadets, lacking his obvious experience (though what that experience entailed he dared not say), started to look up to him. Some even went as far as calling him their big brother. Needless to say, it made Rokai just feel the effects of their age difference that much more acutely. Aside from the training grounds, he wasn't seeing much action inside the cockpit of a zoid, and for that he was a bit thankful.
As he went through his duties and training for the day, he began to wonder just what kind of zoid Rudolph had in mind for him. Maybe he would be allowed to pick from a list? He didn't want to get anything too fancy. He didn't really find it to be necessary, coming from the farming roots that he had, he was quite happy with something simple. He didn't really want to settle for the Molga, being an officer now, but he didn't feel any particular need for a Zaber Fang for instance. Not to mention, he wasn't sure if such a nice zoid would take kindly to a someone like him to start with. Zoids were alive and had their own personalities after all.
The entire time he was at the academy was similar to that. It wasn't until towards the end that he was called out to the zoid hangar. He assumed it was to find out what zoid he would finally end up with. As the brunette walked down the hall, Rokai found that he was eager in spite of himself. It was his very own zoid! Even after coming back from being a POW, he never did get another one after he was captured in his Molga. That zoid's fate was uncertain, as the young man wasn't told after being taken prisoner of course. This was a huge deal to him, even if he hadn't let it show to anyone until now and it shocked him. Even after all he had been through, and all of the thoughts of not piloting, he still deep down wanted a zoid. By the time he reached the hangar's entrance, his mind was running away with possibilities, all of his previous reservations gone. Any Imperial zoid would do, even a Molga. He didn't have to fight in the military with it, at least not unless another war started and he desperately hoped that wouldn't be the case. Emperor Rudolph at least appeared to have political sense, if a bit too generous.
That was when Rokai took a deep breath, he needed to calm down. After all, the Emperor really had no reason to do this for him in his opinion. And even though it was disappointing to think, he didn't leave out the possibility that he may just have been called to test a zoid. He was still in the academy and it wasn't uncommon to have some of the cadets test something or another, though that honor typically went to the more experienced and competent zoid pilots. The brunette soldier then noticed that he was being called over by the zoid combat instructor, and it wasn't wise to keep him waiting long. As he finally reached him, he began to salute until the instructor waved him off.
"Lieutenant Rokai, I got a zoid in today, along with this letter with the Emperor's seal. I was told to give them to you personally, and to allow you to see if this is indeed the zoid you want," the instructor said, holding out the said letter. With all of the zoids around, Rokai really wasn't sure which one was actually his. However, he accepted with letter and quietly opened it.
Rokai,
It is with great appreciation that I personally assign this zoid to you. The Empire and Republic have agreed to a Weapons' Exchange Program, and I have chosen you among others to be honored with a zoid from that program. Please take it in good graces, it's a wonderful zoid.
Signed,
Emperor Rudolf Gehard Zepplin the Third
Rokai really had wanted an Imperial zoid, but beggars couldn't be true choosers, especially with the honor of this. So, he looked around and saw that there were two zoids - a Dibison and a Command Wolf. Honestly, he wanted the Dibison. No, he didn't want it for the power it held, and he knew that it was a rather slow zoid. The only reason he wanted it was because he didn't want the Command Wolf. Just looking at the faster zoid made him want to cringe from the memory of his last encounter with one. Not knowing which, he looked at the instructor
"Sir, which zoid am I assigned to?" Rokai asked, trying hard to keep with protocol. The instructor turned to the two zoids in thought. Then, he pointed to the Command Wolf.
"You were assigned to the Command Wolf," was the casual reply. It was a shock to the instructor to see Rokai's eyes widen in shock, and he patted the younger man on the shoulder. "It's a nice zoid, glad you like it so much." With that, the instructor left, apparently mistaking Rokai's shock to be positive. However, this wasn't the case at all. He was completely horrified by this, even with what he told himself to be thankful before.
The brunette walked over to his new zoid, hesitating to place his hand on its leg. He could barely bring himself to touch the machine, could he bring himself to pilot it? Even if he did manage to pilot it, he felt that the Command Wolf wouldn't take well to his emotions and probably would have a conflict in the piloting and it would more than likely continue until his emotions stabilized to where he felt indifferent. Even rookies knew that the zoid and pilot must be in sync to work together. Rokai's brown eyes looked up at zoid, sure he heard it call out, perhaps confused as to why its new owner was acting like this. "I'll come back later," was all he said before turning on his heel and leaving the room. He had a lot of reflecting to do it appeared.
Ha, I just figured out what that line thing was for. XD Please don't forget to review!
