The story focus is on Mark's first few months at the Academy and his relationship with Cronus.

A little about my BOTP universe….

This is set in a time before the team was on active duty. An arbitrary year was set for this story even though there is not year given in BOTP. The team is in high school or the Academy (depending on the character). Tiny is a year ahead of Mark at the Academy (hey, the big guy had to go to the Academy too). The team lives in a town called Crown Point, Oregon on the coast; they have not yet moved to Center City.

The BOTP characters are not mine, the others are.

Occasional mild language.

This is my first fanfic I have ever finished and shared. Many thanks go to Pintail for beta reading. Your comments are most welcome.

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Trial by Fire

Chapter 1

The lounge was nothing special. It had the standard white walls, an uncomfortable couch, a few chairs, a card table, and a small vid screen that always had the news on with closed captioning and no sound. Mark was lying on the couch with his hands behind his head and eyes closed. He wasn't sleeping; he was trying to relax enough to meditate without much success. Pete and Tom, casually dressed in muddy shorts and t-shirts, came in from outside tossing a football back and forth. Tom launched it at Mark and it landed squarely on his stomach.

Mark grunted and sat up reflexively throwing the ball back at his assailant. "What was that for?" he growled.

"Just wanted to see if you were alive." Tom grinned as he caught the football.

"Yeah, you okay?" Pete asked with concern.

"Why is everyone asking me that? I'm fine," Mark replied, a bit irritated. He had lost track on how many times he had been interrupted that afternoon with that very question.

Tom and Pete exchanged a knowing look.

"He really let into you today. That's all everyone has been talking about all afternoon." Pete walked over and sat in the tired lounge chair across from Mark.

"That's not all they're talking about. How did you do it?" Tom asked. "You tagged him today. No one has ever done that. I want to know how you did it so I can get him next week."

Mark ran his hand through his hair and a small smile crossed his face as he remembered the events of earlier. Cronus had him in sights from the start; a quick 180 roll and fast decent followed by an abrupt change in air speed was all it took to turn the tables, at least until they got back on the ground. His smile turned to a frown. That was when the yelling started. "Yeah I did, didn't I? That's something good that came out of today." Mark leaned back on the couch in defeat.

"I don't know why you put up with him. It's like Col. Cronus has something against you. It's not right. If it were me I would go talk to the Dean." Pete had been trying to get Mark to talk to the Dean for two weeks now. The situation was bordering on ridiculous.

"But I am not you Pete. I will just stay out of his way for the next few days and it will pass. It always does."

"Yeah well let's hope you are still a student here in a few days."

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Anderson sat at his desk staring at the large pile of papers and the cup of steaming coffee on his desk wondering when his job description changed to paper pusher. He pulled another paper off the stack and signed his name by the sticky arrow put there by his administrative assistant. The sooner he finished the paperwork the sooner he could get back into the lab where the real work got done. He was thinking about buying a name stamp when his intercom buzzed.

"Yes Nancy."

"Sir, I have Col. Cronus on the line. He sounds a bit, how can I put this… annoyed."

Anderson sighed. It was never a good thing if Cronus was calling him. It was even worse if he was annoyed. "Put him through."

"To what do I owe this phone call?" Anderson tried to sound relaxed.

"Michael, that kid is going to be the death of me!"

Anderson raised his eyebrows and shook his head slightly, "What happened?"

"He has no fire. None. He just stands there and takes it. If you expect him to lead you can forget it. I have tried everything to draw him out, but it's like talking to a wall."

Anderson considered a moment. "Keep trying, but don't be too hard him. He has only been there a few months. Give him some time."

"We'll see, Michael. I am not sure pushing will be enough."

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Mark was reviewing his geometry homework for the next day later that evening in his small unadorned dorm room. Cronus was an ass today. Maybe Pete had a point. Maybe Cronus does want me out of the Academy, he thought. Mark couldn't focus on his studies so pushed one of the buttons on his desk to access the terminal. A portion of the desktop concomitantly slid back revealing the glass below.

To:princessA at pinkpassion
Subject:just another crappy week
Date: Monday, October 22, 2118 23:41:07

Hey Princess,

How are things back in Crown Point? Things here are…well…the same as last week. Cronus may be my idol, but he is such a jerk. If this keeps up he will definitely fall from idol status. What happened you ask? What did I do this time? Nothing wrong I assure you (stop shaking your head, I'm serious). I tagged him in a combat game today. I tagged him. You should have seen his face. He was shocked. Hell, I was shocked. I admit I pulled a non-standard maneuver to get him, but it wasn't like it was dangerous. Not really. Okay, maybe just a little. But still….I got him! What did I get for it? A whole lot of verbal abuse. Trust me, he has the Chief beat in this department by miles. He made a huge scene. These reprimands have always been in private in the past. You could only hear if you were the next guy in line outside his office. Today…it was out on the tarmac in front of everyone. Pete thinks Cronus is out to get me. I don't know what to think. Trials are coming up next month and they are not going to be fun.

-Mark

P.S. Say hi to Keyop.

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To: MarkTurner at Academy
Subject: Re: just another crappy week
Date: Tuesday, October 23, 2118 08:15:34

Dear Mark,

Things are good here at home, though it is not with same now that you have joined Tiny at the Academy. With both of you gone Jason now thinks he has to keep an eye on me. Like I need his help. Apparently he heard a rumor that Chris Maken was going to ask me out and that sent him into a fury. You know how he can get. Now he shadows me all over school. He is driving me crazy! Chris is harmless. Jason needs to get a new hobby.

Keyop says hi and wants to know when are you going to write to him? Tiny writes him almost everyday. In fact the Chief wouldn't mind a letter or two. Now before you get worked up….I haven't said anything about Cronus. I can't say that he doesn't know, but he didn't get it from me. Maybe you are over reacting? Maybe he just didn't like the thought of being bested by a student? I mean, if you were this legendary pilot would you want to be taken down by some high school kid? Keep smiling and things will be okay. I know you will pass the trials. I have faith in you.

Are you coming home this weekend? I have my ballet recital on Saturday. I would love it if you could come.

Love always,

Princess

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To:Jasonthehelldriver at allabout cars
Subject: Fwd: Re: just another crappy week
Date: Tuesday, October 23, 2118

princessA at pinkpassion wrote:

)Apparently he heard a rumor that Chris Maken was going to ask me out and that sent him into a fury. You know how he gets. Now he )shadows me all over school. He is driving me crazy! Chris is harmless.

Jason,

Who is this Chris guy anyway?

)Jason needs to get a new hobby.

I like your hobby. Keep it.

-Mark

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To: MarkTurner at Academy
Subject: Chris the football star
Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2118 01:15:20

Mark-

I thought you'd like it. He keeps my skills sharp since we have less training sessions now that you and Tiny are away. Chris is the new kid in town and the new wide receiver. He thinks he is the coolest guy in school. I assure you, he is not. I got him covered.

Hey I was thinking about what we talked about the other night. You might be right. It would be just like him to do that.

See you Friday, turkey.

-J

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It was late in the evening, almost time for lights out, and Mark was in the gym to let out some steam after another wonderful day in flight tactics class with the beloved Colonel. He had been there for over an hour taking full advantage of all the specialized equipment. After nearly wearing himself out on the set of uneven bars that he had set a bit higher than normal so he would have more room for full rotations from bar to bar he turned his attention to the new boxing buddy.

"Hey man, if you keep at it all the wiring will be on the floor," Tiny scolded jokingly as Mark rounded on the boxing buddy with one more kick. The boxing buddy fell backwards to the ground beeping and flashing.

"Better this thing than the Colonel." Mark grabbed the towel on the floor and dried the sweat from his face and bare chest.

Tiny frowned. He hated seeing his friend in distress. The first year at the Academy was hard, and Tiny had the scars to prove it. "Maybe you should just go talk to him," Tiny gently encouraged.

"Tiny, I know you mean well, but come on. He has a stick up his butt and it is so far up there no one will be able to pull it out."

He's not the only one, Tiny thought to himself rolling his eyes slightly. "But it can't keep going like this. He changes the courses on you at the last minute. How can you be expected to succeed? If he does that during the trials…I mean…" Tiny faltered.

"I'll say it for you. I'll fail. Just like I have failed everyday this week. One giant crash and burn." Mark moved his hand like a plane through the air accompanied by sound effects. Mark snickered, "And this has all been simulation. Imagine the skinning I would get if we were doing some of these courses for real."

Tiny winced at the thought.

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To: Jasonthehelldriver at allabout cars
Subject: venting again
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2118 23:15:22

Jason,

I am so angry I could spit nails. And no that won't make it better, so don't even suggest it. I would like to keep all of my teeth. Two hours in the gym and I am still pissed. If I hear that damn buzzer one more time I am gonna…well I don't know what, but I am sure something will come to me.

-Mark

BTW, do you know how to fix a boxing buddy?

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To: MarkTurner at Academy
Subject: Re: venting again
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2118 23:25:45

Nails huh? I wouldn't suggest nails either. You need long ones to do any damage, but you loose accuracy due to the weight. I would suggest dart shafts though. They are lighter and sharper. Maybe you can get some out of the common room for tomorrow? It really does sound like a good idea to me.

You will have to ask Princess on how to fix the robot. She has fixed ours a couple of times when I got a little carried away.

Hang in there. Just remember tomorrow is Friday!

-J

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To: Jasonthehelldriver at allaboutcars
Subject: Re: venting again
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2018 23:31:01

)Nails huh? I wouldn't suggest nails either. You need long ones to do any damage, but you loose accuracy due to the weight. I would suggest )dart shafts though. They are lighter and sharper.

I can't believe I am asking this question, but does this mean what I think it means?

-Mark

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To: MarkTurner at Academy
Subject: Re: venting again
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2118 23:36:55

)Nails huh? I wouldn't suggest nails either. You need long ones to do any damage, but you loose accuracy due to the weight. I would suggest )dart shafts though. They are lighter and sharper.

)I can't believe I am asking this question, but does this mean what I think it means?

I can't believe you are asking either. (grin)

-J

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When the car pulled up the circular drive at the big Victorian house at the end of the block early Friday evening Keyop was right there waiting for it. Princess and Jason were sitting on the steps to the large wrap around porch. As soon as Tiny stepped out of the car Keyop tackled the unsuspecting big guy sending his bag skittering across the lawn. With a dour look on his face, Mark picked up Tiny's bag and headed in the house followed by Chief Anderson without saying a word to anyone. Princess and Jason just looked at each other with concern.

Mark dropped the bags in the hall and trudged to Anderson's study at the back of the house. He plunked himself down in the plush brown leather chair. Anderson gave him a reprimanding look as he went to his desk in front of the floor to ceiling bookcases and took out a letter opener. Anderson carefully read the letter Mark had given him in the car. Then he reread it.

Tugging at his glasses he sat down, "Mark, care to explain this?"

Mark had his elbows on his knees and his fingers laced while staring at the floor tracing patterns in the multicolored antique Persian rug. He said nothing.

"I would expect something like this from Jason, not you."

Mark looked up. "You are so wrong about that. I am just better at hiding it than he is."

"So what are you hiding?"

Mark sighed as he looked at his bandaged hand, the hand he had used to turn off the buzzer once and for all. "I fought the flight simulator and it won."

"You should have gone to the gym and use the proper equipment to vent your frustration." Chief was starting to get angry at Mark's evasiveness.

"Couldn't do that. I deactivated the boxing buddy yesterday."

Concerned that this had been going on for a while an exasperated Anderson probed further, "Mark, you can tell me. I am not going to punish you. The Academy has done that for me by suspending you for two days and making you pay for the damages. I will be taking that from your allowance, by the way."

"Great. So I will be paying for it until I am 40." Mark quipped. He brushed his hair to the side and continued a bit reluctantly, "Chief, I am not going to make it. They might as well have sent the 'you failed' letter. Col. Cronus has been riding me since day one. Nothing I do is right. He makes an example of me every chance he gets. I adjust and then adjust again, but I can't seem to get it right. It's aggravating."

That's one way to describe him, thought Anderson as he leaned back in his chair and took off his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. "How are you really doing in your classes? Is he justified?"

"No. I am at the top of my class. Well, in all except his. In his class I get a different test so who knows what my standing is. I sure don't. His class is a good portion of the trials. I will fail for sure and not because I couldn't actually pass, but because he can't stand me." Mark stood up. "I am sorry I let you down."