Chapter 9: Arise in Valor

Basic training was surprisingly fun.

While it was a bit difficult making sure that the twenty greedy mercenaries under my command actually listened to me while making sure they stayed on track, after a while I realized something.

Most of the other kig yar aren't here by choice. The majority of them joined because didn't have enough food for themselves, and some of them even had a family to provide for. The anger and fighting between themselves suddenly made a lot more sense to me once I figured out that this was their last ditch effort to stay alive for a lot of them.

Sitting down and talking to each of them dramatically helped my standing between them, as they all seemed to want to share their life stories between each other. A lot of them had common ground, and a few times it made me feel like the odd one out.

Nonetheless, camaraderie and friendships formed easily as we turned from a group of antagonistic competitors to a division we could actually be proud of.

Once the unggoy arrived, there was significantly less bickering then I thought there would be. The kig yar under my command all settled nicely into their roles as leaders once they had someone to lead, though a few instances of bullying and aggression appeared between the two races.

The unggoy were divided into two 'lances' which took up each of the floors above the kig yar sleeping quarters. Each unggoy lance elected a leader for themselves which "supervised" their own sub division called a sub commander.

While my responsibilities were greater than the rest of my division, the tasks given to us as a whole, and the eventual professional friendships that we developed over time made all of the tasks rather easy. After a while, even the unggoy began to trust me, though they definitely reserved judgement on some of the more annoying jackals under my command.

The only long lasting arguments came between the ones I designated as team leaders, and the ones the unggoy elected amongst themselves as sub division commanders. Those problems had to be solved by me personally, otherwise the major would get involved…

No one wanted that. Least of all me.

After the first few days of training went by, it became rather clear how this training was designed. The Covenant set it up as a sort of massive competition against each of the divisions, with each group being trained against the others with every individual skill being marked as the average, best, and worst among each grouping with a large holographic screen in each barracks showing where you were listed.

Thankfully, our training wasn't exclusively one big competition, as the major made it rather clear that how good we did as individuals was going to directly correlate to where we would be posted. The competition was just another way to motivate everyone to do their best.

It also explained why the sangheili major tasked with overseeing us was always on his datapad and typing into it whenever we were completing a task. He was evaluating us all and recording it.

A few of the ambitious individuals in the division seemed to work a lot harder than the others, and I knew just from that, they would move up in the ranks faster than the others.

Each week, our schedule was set up to train one skill or another. The first week was spent getting a baseline for where everyone was, and learning our chain of command. It wasn't too difficult.

If someone from a higher caste tells you to do something, you do it… Unless someone even higher than them says otherwise.

Oddly enough, there were some interesting exceptions to the rule. For instance, a san'shyuum prelate sometimes takes orders from sangheili generals, some unggoy deacons have enough religious authority to order around small ships, and anyone promoted to the rank of Zealot will be treated as an equal to anyone else who holds the rank regardless of their caste or race,

There haven't been any recorded examples of any unggoy or jiralhanae reaching the rank yet, but surprisingly, the Major was able to point out two different instances of a kig yar that has. It was ancient history however, and most of the grouping lost interest after the words "four hundred solar cycles ago" left his mandibles.

The second week was focused around basic combat training and drills. The unggoy all got plasma pistols and were being trained with them, while each of the kig yar under my command got point defense gauntlets. The drills were set using plasma rounds that only lightly burned the skin, leaving a small welt in the affected areas, and the kig yar were tasked with finding the best way to cover their bodies without being shot.

Sadly, I didn't get one. I still don't know why…

The Major just told me to dodge.

The third week was basic survival skills. Swimming, endurance running, and the like.

I don't think I have ever laughed louder in my life than when I saw sixty unggoy floating in a massive pool, trying to waddle their way to the other side while trying to keep their heads above water.

The good news was, they couldn't drown since they already had a rebreather on. The bad news was, the methane in their tanks was actually lighter than air which caused them to float with their backs turned upward and their heads underwater as they did a poor imitation of ducks diving down for food.

Swimming was actually harder for me then the rest of the kig yar. Since I was covered in large black feathers, the water caught onto me every time I made any motion and dragged me down. I finished last among all the kig yar, but one glance at an unggoy behind me that somehow turned around and bumped his head against the starting point made me feel slightly better.

Fourth, fifth, and sixth week was driving training, and that was a blast.

Using ghosts which had their guns ripped off, we were given a crash course in how to pilot them… literally.

Unlike anything I have seen up to now, the ghosts had two joysticks on either side which controlled the two gravity generators on each side.

This task was surprisingly unbalanced against the kig yar. Most of the unggoy seemed to be in their element when it came to the task, even surpassing most of the jackals under my command when it came time to test their skills.

I learned very quickly that I was never meant to be a driver, but that quickly changed when we got into the air.

We were given banshees, and the moment I stepped into one I was already smiling. Quickly getting the hang of the controls, I laughed into the coms like a maniac as I flew circles around my division.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. After that we were trained with orbital insertions using orbital carapaces, station roles on ships, basic EVA navigation, and the operation of heavier vehicles like wraiths and phantoms.

The instructor during this time didn't seem to care very much about if we succeeded or not, but that didn't stop me from organizing the group as best I could. It got to the point where the division as a whole started to laugh about how none of us actually knew his name.

After a few days of asking around and trying to figure it out, I finally asked him what it was.

"To you, I am your superior. I will never be anything more than that."

Eventually, we came down to the last two weeks of training. Practical use of advanced technology.

For the most part, we learned about jump packs, energy shields, and other armor attachments we would need to use. All of the gadgets we were given to use were fun to experiment with, but eventually all things must come to an end.

We were in the final week at this point, and the last bit of our training involved moving silently with active camouflage.

"Augh! Ow! Stop, kig yar! Ow!"

"Stop crying and move! We are running out of time!"

Glancing over from my spot past the finish line, I spot two shimmering forms currently in a small one-sided fight in a corner near one of the obstacles we were tasked with clearing.

All of us in the division were currently training in the use of active camouflage, which was surprisingly difficult. Unlike my first encounter with the technology, we had to clear an obstacle course with it on. Climbing and moving stealthily through any difficult terrain without being able to see your limbs clearly leads to faceplants more often than not. Thankfully, it became easier the longer we did it. It came down to trusting yourself to place your limbs in the correct place, rather than second guessing yourself.

The first day of this training was filled with pained squeals of unggoy and hysterical laughter from my kig yar, but eventually after almost a full week of this, most of us got it down.

"Ow! Stop! Not my legs! Ow!"

Most of us.

Making my way over to the squabbling recruits, I decided to end the small argument where it was.

"Hey!"

The two shimmering forms blur into existence in front of me, the two of them rolled up into a ball of tangled limbs with the jackal biting down onto the poor little unggoy's leg. Honestly, I didn't actually know how they managed to get into the position, causing a snort to escape my muzzle.

The two bickering beings stare at me with confused eyes, wondering what was so funny. Deciding to just get this over with, I place my hands on my hips and look to the kig yar disappointingly. "What are you doing?"

Not even bothering to remove his beak from the unggoy's leg, he attempted to defend himself. "Hphee phwoodn't stohpp phrying."

I give him one of the most deadpan stares I could manage. "So you decided to wrestle and bite him?"

The jackal removes his mouth from its position, before standing up and running his talons through his quills in obvious embarrassment.

Looking over to the unggoy, I tilt my head. "And you? Why were you crying during training?"

The unggoy seems to perk up at the idea that he will be able to defend himself. He gives me one of the grunty eye smiles through his gas mask, before taking in a massive breath.

Oh no.

"I wasn't doing a crys!" He yelps out, rubbing his stubby little legs. "I was simply getting readys to climb my ways over the wall there. I gotta get readys. It isn't super easy you know, and I doesn't know anyone who haven't done a readys! It's really dangerous after all, and I needed to be bravers to climb that high."

I immediately rub my hand over my face and groan. This unggoy has been a constant source of frustration for me recently, and the fact that I could very clearly see the tear tracks falling from his eyes didn't help the situation any.

"Dimkee, how many times have I told you not to lie to me? I can clearly see that you have been crying."

The jackal under my command took a moment to start laughing at the unggoy before glancing over to me once he regained his breath. I jerked my head toward the rest of the course, which he promptly nodded and faded from existence once more as soft footsteps were heard fading away.

"Look, if you finish the obstacle course in the next five units, I will give you an extra meal when it comes time for chow. This is our last run through for the day and-"

"Free food! Why didn't you say so!"

I didn't get to finish the thought as he turned his active camouflage back on and proceeded to sprint back toward the course. I was slightly impressed at how fast he began to clear the course, only for me to shake my head.

The point of this exercise is both speed and stealth. It doesn't help if you are yelling at the top of your lungs.

"Wahoo! I am the fasterest unggoy to ever lived!"

Silence reigned supreme as the entire division, bar one kig yar supervisor who was still completing the course, watched from behind the finish line as Dimkee loudly barrels his way through obstacle after obstacle.

How did he even get accepted into the military?

Making my way back over to the finish line, I waited for Dimkee and the kig yar to finish, before turning to the major who was standing there tapping away on his handheld device.

"Sir, all personnel present and accounted for."

The sangheili doesn't even look up as he begins to speak. "Good. Do it again."

The entire division groans, before turning to line back up under the starting line.

"Stop."

The softly spoken word has a resounding effect. The Major didn't need to project his voice for everyone to listen to it. Everyone could tell that the sangheili wasn't someone you wanted to get on the bad side of, the large alien practically radiated combat experience.

"Not the division. You." He points to me.

Tilting my head, I ask. "Just me? Why?"

The sangheili lifts his ever-present datapad. "I have gotten the average time of everyone on the course except for yours. You have stayed back every time to help those that struggle, not allowing me to document your time. Do it again, recruit, I won't ask a third time."

Shivering from the tone, I promptly ignore the jeers and chuckles from the rest of my division as I make my way back to the start.

Standing at a ready pose, I hold my finger over the activation button of my camouflage.

"Begin."

With a soft whoosh, I began my run. Keeping my steps as silent as I could, I bobbed and weaved around each obstacle. Using my superior speed and training from before, I clear each one swiftly and quietly making a good time.

All of the random obstructions and barriers in my way nearly caused me to growl, but I know that sound was another thing that would reduce my score. Keeping as quiet as I could, I continue on.

With my heightened hearing, I heard a few of the kig yar start to cheer me on causing the unggoy to start to ask around for what was happening. I knew due to how their eyes weren't as sharp as ours, there was no way they would be able to make out my form, but the eyes of the other jackals definitely could.

Eventually, I reached the final stretch. The large wall I had to climb looming in front of me. Not even hesitating for a moment, I continued to run forward before folding my legs on themselves mid stride and pushing as much as I could.

The finely tuned muscles from my household training held true as I reached the top of the wall without even needing to climb up. Grabbing hold of the top and shifting my legs over.

Sadly, getting down wasn't as easy as jumping up. I may have legs that would make a kangaroo jealous, but falling nearly eighteen feet onto solid ground would still hurt. Climbing back down a flat wall wasn't easy either, since the shape of my legs made any vertical surface motion difficult.

Deciding to make my way down as much as I could using only my upper body, I managed to shimmy my way down about five feet before deciding to jump and land with a roll.

The small obstacles that were the remaining were not even a challenge to me as I sprinted the rest of the way as fast as I could. The soft thumping of my padded feet impacting the floor filling my ears in a steady rhythm as I cleared each of the challenges before me.

Eventually, I crossed the line and glanced over to the sangheili who seemed to not even be paying close attention to me. He grunts, seemingly uncaring of my performance as he turns towards the exit and begins to leave.

Looking back to my division, I see a few of them looking at me with a new light. Thankfully, most of the unggoy appeared to be staring at me with appreciative eyes as they thought back to how I helped a few of them around particularly difficult challenges for them.

"Hm. Very good." I heard the sound of the Major behind me, his voice as monotone as ever. Spinning around, I found that he was already making his way out of the building. "Follow me."

The entire division fell into step behind me as we made our way out of the building. For what could be the hundredth time since we arrived, we were a massive disorganized blob of people following behind the larger sangheili in front of us.

((*v*)/)

Eventually after walking for a while, we made it to yet another giant building. I have long since figured out that this training facility didn't do things by halves due to how many people would need to fit in each place.

Glancing around, I could see other divisions filing into the building. Everyone from sangheili to unggoy we're making their way inside and a sort of giddy atmosphere was present.

Glancing over to the Major, I try and get a bit more information.

"Sir, where are we going?"

He looks down to me, and gestures to the building. "The final competition is about to start."

Confused, I tilt my head. "What final competition?"

The elite snorts, as if what I said was some kind of joke that only he knew. "Each one of the top ten divisions are gathering for one last time before you graduate. There will be a… game of sorts that you will participate in."

The words begin to sink in as I look around, seeing sangheili and jiralhanae jeer at each other.

All of the other divisions present seem to be composed of higher caste warrior species. The only division present that was composed entirely of kig yar and unggoy was ours.

"We have to go up against that?!" I hear one of the unggoy in my division exclaim as the growl of a nearby jiralhanae chieftain reaches my ears.

"Yes. Such is the downside of being the division with the seventh highest marks." I hear the major say. For the first time since we arrived, I heard an emotion in his voice that wasn't annoyance or apathy… Sadly, it was mirth.

Against my will, I let out a whining trill leave my muzzle. We were about to go up against the best that this training facility had to offer. If it was anything like the last 'competition' the odds of us making it out of this unscathed were slim to none.

Feeling a large hand grasp my shoulder, I nearly jump out of my skin before I look over to see the major looking down at me yet again. His eyes seem softer than they have for almost two months now. "You earned your spot among these warriors. I would not have placed your division where I did if you didn't deserve it. You will be fine. Just remember to listen to the rules, and I'm sure you will come out victorious."

Nodding, I feel my confidence return. I turn back to my division and shout out. "Form up!"

Reluctantly, the rest of my division gather in and walk together. I could see the sub division commanders and my kig yar lieutenants looking to me for leadership, and I nod to them. If they need me to be the rock they can lean against, I will be it.

Turning around, I am met with the sight of a sangheili zealot leading a group of fully armored minors into the building. The fluid motions they made clearly show that each of them has trained since they were young for this moment.

I wasn't going to let them intimidate me though, after all…

So was I.

((*v*)/)

What is it with the Covenant and giant circular rooms?

The more I thought about it, the more I saw. After all, wasn't High Charity just a giant circular room?

"Attention divisions! You have been brought here to compete in a competition to decide who is the best among you." A loud voice booms from somewhere above. "The goal is simple. Capture the glowing sphere in the center and bring it back to your instructor."

Looking into the middle of the massive room, I could see a small blue orb floating on a small lift which was being held up by a small cylindrical platform in the middle. The divisions were all equally spaced out from the center, all stuck behind a shield door on the far edge.

"The rules are simple… no permanent injuries or maiming, no weapons, and no killing. We have taken the time to train all of you, so breaking these rules is strictly forbidden. Other than that, you can use whatever is in your disposal to complete your goal. We will commence in five units. Take the time to come up with your strategies. Good luck."

Glancing around, I analyzed the terrain, and honestly it looked to just be a massive coliseum. There was nothing as far as I could see, just a simple dirt circle.

Turning back to my division, I could see a few unggoy panicking in the corner. The kig yar appeared to also be in a similar state, though they tried to hide it a bit better.

"Well, division leader? Got any ideas this time? No weapons, so you can't do the same thing you used on me."

Looking over, I spotted the same kig yar from the beginning of our training. His tone was sarcastic, but I could easily tell that that was just his way of coping with the situation.

Sadly, I couldn't think of anything. The terrain was flat, so hiding wasn't an option. As a whole, our division was weaker, so overpowering our way to the orb wasn't an option. We couldn't use weapons, so using our superior eyesight was out…

My silence must have spoken for me, as he sighs in defeat. "Didn't think so. Honestly, we should have done worse in our training so we could avoid this."

I immediately shake my head. "No. We belong here. The Major said we placed seventh, so that means we have higher scores then three of the divisions out there." Looking back out the shield door, I continue to scan the area for a way to win. "There has to be a way… I'm just not seeing it."

Minutes pass, and the battle cries of the warrior species begin to pick up. The jiralhanae seem to be challenging the sangheili, and vice versa.

Maybe I could slip beneath their notice in the resulting brawl? I can use what I have on me, so active camouflage is an option… the problem would be somehow getting the orb in the first place.

Everyone here was trained in the spotting of a combatant in active camouflage. It would definitely help, but I couldn't rely on it to keep me safe. Especially if I had the orb. The camouflage was notoriously bad at keeping anything that emitted light hidden.

The moment I obtained the orb, everyone would be drawn to me like a moth to a flame invisible or not.

Growling, I continued to try and piece together a solution to-

"Why don't you just go grab it, leader?"

The kig yar lieutenant snorts next to me. "Yeah, why didn't I think of that? Why don't we just win eh?"

Half of the division begins to laugh, and I could see the unggoy shrink back into his shell.

Turning back around, I am met with one of the unggoy sub-commanders. Ignoring the group around me, I decide to hear him out. "What do you mean?"

The unggoy appears to be surprised that I decided to humor him. Perking up at the attention, he clears his throat and continues. "The only thing I can think of, is for you to run to go get it before anyone else can. We have all seen you run, you gotta be the fastest one here!"

Another unggoy pitches in. "Yeah! Look at those jiralhanae, they all gots heavy metal armor on! And even the sangheili gots to be heavier with their energy shield armors. Just run for it!"

The entire division seems to perk up at the idea, and the thought goes through my mind for a moment.

If I manage to sprint using my active camouflage to reach the orb before anyone else, I could cross a bit of the distance back before I am overwhelmed by the other divisions…

One by one the pieces of a puzzle begin to fit together in my mind and a plan forms.

"Kig yar!"

The small grouping behind me stands up a bit straighter as I addressed them.

"Form into a single file line. I will run and get the orb."

The kig yar beside me tilted his head, but nonetheless did as he was told. "Why are we forming into a line?"

I give him the biggest smile I could, giddey with the absolutely ridiculous plan I have concocted. "You are going to follow behind me, while stopping one at a time equidistant from each other. Once I reach the orb, I will throw it back to you, and each of you will pass it to the next."

Their eyes begin to widen at the idea, a few of them laughing loudly.

"What about us?" The unggoy sub-commander asked from the side.

"You will all activate your active camouflage, and follow behind. Try to remain as unseen as you can, but try to hurry. By the time the orb reaches your area, the other divisions will most likely be close behind." I grimace before I get close and place my hand on the sub-commander's shoulder. "I'm sorry to ask this of you, but I need your unggoy to slow them down as much as you can. Trip them, grab them and drag them down. You might get a bit trampled, but if you slow them down enough… we will win."

The unggoy didn't even hesitate, as he placed its chitinous hand over his chest. "Let's show those stinky brutes who's boss!"

"Yeah!" The division yells from behind the unggoy, as ready to this as I was.

Turning back to the shield door, I started to stretch my muscles as I prepared myself to sprint as fast as I could. The only possibility that we had to succeed was speed, and I refused to let my division down.

"Divisions, ready?" The sound of the intercom sounded, causing my heart to beat a bit faster.

As each of the instructors gave their approval, we readied ourselves for what was about to happen. Activating my active camouflage, I coil my muscles and ready myself to run.

"Begin!"

The shield doors dropped, and I exploded from the entrance. The rapid sound of my clawed feet impacting the dirt floor in rapid succession was the only thing I heard as I focused intently on reaching the center before anyone else could. No distractions, and no idle thoughts as my heart beat loudly in my ears.

After what couldn't have even been half a minute, I reached the pedestal where the orb was placed. I quickly snatched the orb up and, using my hand, I grabbed hold of the cylindrical platform that the orb was placed on and whipped my body around, allowing the momentum of my run to propel me back toward the entryway.

I could see the line of kig yar behind me, but they were so far away. I could see them running, but they were nowhere close to me.

Am I really that fast?

With that idle thought, the sounds of hundreds of battle cries and roars sounded from around the room. Every division was focused entirely on me, as hundreds of warrior species all tried to intimidate me with their battle cries.

But I didn't care. They were not even halfway to the center yet.

Starting my run back to my division, I knew they noticed the orb moving on it's own. They all started to wave their hands in my direction, but I knew I had to cross a bit of the distance between me and my small bucket brigade of jackals. I knew I couldn't throw it that far while being accurate enough for it to matter.

Racing against time, I could see the two divisions that were placed beside ours begin to sandwich together, attempting to cut me off. At this point they were starting to get too close for comfort, but I kept my eyes placed firmly on my division.

You throw where you look. Don't take your eyes off of-

"Give me that orb!" I heard a deep voice yell from beside me, and I knew it was now or never.

Cocking my hand back, I let the orb sail as far and as hard as I could. I could only see the blue device leave my grip before something slammed into me from the side with the force of a freight train, and the cold blackness of unconsciousness took me.

((*v*)/)

Ow.

Reaching up, I place my hand over my head and begin to massage it. The throbbing wouldn't cease however, as the moment I opened my eyes they were met with the sight of a blindingly bright light.

After a few moments for my vision to clear, I found myself in my sleeping quarters in the Jardam barracks. Looking around, I couldn't find anything out of the ordinary.

The memories came rushing back, almost as if a dam busted. The competition, the orb…

What happened?

"Congratulations, recruit."

Surprised by the sound of the major's voice, I spin around to see him sitting near the entrance. It felt a little bit awkward to still be lying down with the stoic sangheili nearby, but I wasn't in the best shape right now.

"What for, sir?"

He grunts, before pressing a button and opening the door.

"Sohm!"

"We did it!"

"You should have seen those stupid sangheili faces! … no offense."

A crowd of kig yar and unggoy flood into the room, all cheering and smiling. It took me a moment to realize what they were saying.

"We won?"

At my soft realization, the crowd seems to get even louder. It didn't help my headache at all, but the happy atmosphere easily transferred to me and I couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah! It was really funny seeing all those sangheili and jiralhanae falling over from nothing."

"Yeah! All we had to do was lie down and they tripped right over our methane tanks!"

"Your plan was genius! The zealot said that was the fastest win on record!"

Allowing myself to fall into a sense of contentment, I lean back onto the soft padding of my nest. Everyone around me was happily chatting with each other, happy to have won against all odds.

"Listen up!"

The sangheili's voice cut through the giddy laughter like a hot knife through butter. Almost two months of training under him is easily shown as the room falls into dead silence in less than a second.

"Congratulations are definitely in order, but in case you all have forgotten, that was the final test." He looks to all of us for a moment before continuing. "As of right now, your training is complete, and all of you are now Covenant soldiers. It is your duty to bring honor to the military you have now found yourselves a part of. Remember this time fondly in the days to come, as now the real journey begins. This will be your last night in the Jardam barracks, and come morning you will be transferred to your next duty stations."

A somber mood filled the room, but not an unwelcome one. Reality hit us like a ton of bricks as we all quickly realized that all of the training we have done up to now will be put to use in one form or another.

The elite stands up, and makes his way next to the door before gesturing outside. "Let the division leader get her rest. She earned it."

One by one, my division made their way out of the room, most likely to go to their own. Grumbles of disappointment filled the air, but eventually the door slid shut and I was left with just the Major.

A tense silence followed for a moment before he decided to break it.

"You were requested for a specific duty station by name at the very start of your training, you know."

Confused, I tilt my head. "What?"

He gives me his trademark noncommittal grunt before he continues. "During the first chow, us instructors are tasked with figuring out exactly who is in our division. When your name came up, there was already a specific request that if you passed you were to be transferred to a specific duty section." He reaches down to his hip and begins tapping away. "Specifically, you are to be transferred to a special operations detachment under an ultra named Rtas Vadumee. Something about his second in command making a recommendation."

My mouth fell open at his words. I recognized the name, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out why he would want me to be a part of his detachment.

Images of a sangheili with half of his mandibles cut off arguing with the prophet hierarchs about the changing of the guard filled my mind for a moment before I shook it off.

Rtas Vadumee was the Shipmaster of the Shadow of Intent. What could he possibly want with a newly graduated kig yar mercenary?

The Major interrupted my thoughts before they could go any farther. "You have shown promise, no doubt about it… but I'm going to let you know right now." He walks over to me, his nearly eight foot tall form towering over me as I lay back into my nest. "The life of a special operator isn't kind. You best learn how to actually use that sword quickly, or you will die out there."

And with that, he walks out and leaves me alone to my thoughts.

I sat there in my nest, unable to think for a few seconds. I looked down to my hands, seeing my familiar three taloned fingers clenching and unclenching in my lap.

Life was moving extremely quickly and there was no way to stop it now, but I was willing to meet any challenge I might face.

Reaching over, I grab hold of my sword and press the activation rune. Staring into the brightly glowing weapon before me, I feel my hand tighten around the hilt.

I can do this.

—Authors Note—

Another blooper at the end, this one brought to you by my own personal pain and suffering for your enjoyment.

Oh. My. God.

My new promotion sucks. I've been working CONSTANTLY!

I'm just too dang tired to want to write when I get home now, even though when I wake up I'm like "omg that's a great idea, ima put it in!" Then I get home and I'm like "omg my feet hurt and ima go to sleep."

Don't get me wrong, more money is always good. :)

I wasn't actually planning on this chapter being during her basic training. I wanted to skip right over it and go straight to the end, shoving her into Rtas's lance… but ya know. Plans don't survive first contact with my imagination.

Anyway, ya'll can finally see why I have the "Rtas Vadum" tag on my fanfic now. Expect a lot of him for a while starting with the next chapter… though expect a bit more jaw then his normal half-jaw-edness

Anyways, read review, follow and fav! Your reviews make my day every time I get one. It's really heartwarming to know you guys actually like this, considering I just write it because I find it fun.

—Blooper Scene—

This blooper scene is brought to you by my personal boot camp experience. I miss my old petty officer.

We were actually trying out marching for the first time.

The Major was yelling at all of us to stay in step, even getting to the point where he was half-heartedly trying to sing his own cadences. Sadly the effort was completely wasted because he was so mad his voice cracked.

I couldn't help but laugh, but that was a sad mistake.

"DIVISION, HAAALT!"

Oh no.

The sangheili strided over to me, and got about an inch away from my muzzle.

"Recruit, what's so funny?"

Oh gods, he spit on me.

"Nothing major!"

"Nothing huh." He turns to the unggoy next to me. "Recruit! Did this Kig yar laugh at me?"

"Yes major!"

Traitor.

"Oh you done messed up now!" The sangheili furiously searches around before spotting something that makes his eyes light up. Looking back to me, he gestures for me to follow him.

Unable to disobey, I dutifully follow the angry instructor to a singular tree next to the walkway we were on.

"Recruit, I want you to apologize to this tree."

I stare at him dumbfoundedly. "Sir, what am I apologizing to the tree for?"

"FOR WASTING THE OXYGEN THAT THIS TREE WORKED SO HARD TO PRODUCE RECRUIT!"

Scared out of my mind, I walk over to the tree, and say my apologies. "I'm sorry tree, for wasting your oxygen."

"HUG THE TREE RECRUIT!"

Awkwardly hugging the plant, I am forced to uncomfortably press my face against the bark.

"NOW GET BACK IN LINE!"

"Yes Major!"

Running back into the line, I hear the unggoy next to me begin to laugh at my expense.

"UNGGOY, YOU DON'T EVEN WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT I AM GOING TO MAKE YOUR METHANE SUCKING FACE APOLOGIZE TO."