Chapter 3

Everyone at the Academy was sound asleep until, a loud horn started being played over the speaker. James and Maverick bolted out of their beds, startled from the sudden noise waking them up. When the horn stopped playing, a voice began speaking "Good morning, cadets! Time for another great day at the Cornerian Academy to begin. Breakfast will be served in twenty minutes."

The two young canines got dressed, quickly and headed to the mess hall for breakfast. Upon arriving at the mess hall, they saw Theo Pepper sitting at a table, by himself. The hound dog noticed the fox and wolf duo walk in, waving them over "Mornin' youngins!" he stated, "Did you enjoy that wake-up call this morning?"

"I don't know about Maverick, but it didn't really bother me" James stated.

"Right" Maverick snickered, "is that why you jumped out of your bed like you were waking up from a nightmare?"

"I'll admit I was surprised, but I wasn't scared" James stated, "can you blame me though? It was so quiet and then the noise came out of nowhere."

"I'm guessing that's a normal everyday occurrence?" Maverick questioned.

"No, not every day" Pepper replied, "they let us sleep in on weekends and holidays."

"Not surprising, since it's training to be in the army" James stated.

"On the bright side, we'll be able to get accustomed to waking up by horn" Maverick shrugged.

When James and Maverick finished their breakfast, James asked, "Alright, Mav, you ready to go see General Pepper?"

"I sure am" he replied, "I'm super curious to see what the calendar looks like."

"Good luck, you two" Theo stated, as the two stood up, "whatever that calendar looks like, I'm sure you'll be able to handle it."

"Thanks, Pep" James replied, "we'll make sure to show you the schedule when we see you next, since I'm sure you're curious too."

The two young canines found their way to the General's office as fast as they could and when they reached his door, Maverick took the initiative to knock. "Who is it?" asked a strained voice.

"It's James McCloud and Maverick O'Donnell, Sir" James replied.

"Oh, great! Come on in!" he instructed. They walked in, seeing the General sitting at his desk holding some papers. "Good morning, you two, how are you doing today?"

"We're doing great, right James?" Maverick replied, looking at his roommate.

"You bet, Mav" James smiled, "How are you doing on this fine morning, Sir?"

"Never been better" he answered, "Now, you're here for your advanced pace schedules, correct?"

"Yes, that's right, Sir" Maverick answered.

"And you've thought this through, no second guesses or anything?" he asked.

"Well, we only had some second guesses when we were talking to your son about it last night" James admitted.

"Oh, you talked to Theo?" he asked, "What'd he say?"

"Just that others have attempted to do the advanced schedule but gave up real quick" Maverick stated.

"And that didn't deter you from giving it a shot?" the General asked.

"Not at all" James replied.

"In fact, it makes us want to be the first ones to accomplish the feat" Maverick added.

"Wonderful!" the hound dog said, giving them two thin packets of paper "Okay, so these packets list what you need to do to complete the program faster. It gives you options depending on how fast you want to get it done. You can complete it anywhere between three to five years. Five being the maximum since the typical cadet joins the army in six years."

The two young canines looked through the packets, then glanced at each other. "Which one do you suggest?" James asked.

"Honestly, I wouldn't have even volunteered to try it, because I get stressed out when things are moving too fast" he admitted, "however, I would suggest doing the one that takes five years, since it would be the least stressful."

"Do we have to decide right now which one we want to take on?" Maverick asked.

"Of course, not" he replied, "I understand how intimidating that packet looks, I created the program and still would never do it. I'll give you boys till the end of the day tomorrow to make a choice, and you can keep those packets to look at while making your decision."

"Thank you, Sir" James stated, grateful "I guess we need to go to our first session."

"Very well" he smiled, "I look forward to hearing which plan you boys choose."

As they were walking to their first session, they were flipping through their packets. "So, what do you think about these different plans?" Maverick asked.

"I wouldn't feel so intimidated if there was only one option" James replied, "having three different variations is the only thing making this a tough choice."

"I totally agree" Maverick nodded, "which plan are you leaning towards doing?"

"Definitely not the fastest plan" James admitted, "completing a six-year training plan in half the time sounds nice in theory but might be a nightmare to try finishing."

"Yeah" Maverick agreed, "So, that leaves us with the moderately challenging four-year plan, the slightly easier five-year plan, or the normal six-year plan."

"We can't back down from doing one of the quicker schedules" James stated, "especially since we told Theo we could do it as long as we stick together. What do you think, Mav?"

"Hm" he said, scratching his chin "I think it wouldn't make much sense to do the five-year plan, since it's too similar to the original schedule. That four-year plan is the best option."

"Yeah, you're right, Mav" James concluded, "Let's do this thing!"

"Okay, on one condition" Maverick stated.

"What's that?"

"We make a pact right now, that if one of us starts getting stressed about the schedule, the other one has to keep encouraging him" Maverick proposed.

James stared at his wolfie roommate for a second, "Mav, if you think I'm not in this with you one hundred percent, then you couldn't be more wrong."

Maverick smiled, "That's exactly what I needed to hear. Of course, we're in this thing together."

James and Maverick continued on with their first day sessions, until it was time for lunch. They hadn't told anyone else about their decision yet. They got to the mess hall, seeing Theo sitting at the same table as this morning and waving the two over. He saw them carrying the packets, "So, I see you got the packets still" he pointed out, "they didn't deter you from your path?"

"Nope, the packet only gave us a tougher decision" James replied.

"But we already made our decision" Maverick added.

"Can I look at one of them?" Theo asked, "I've never actually looked at any of the plans before."

"Sure" James said, handing the dog his packet.

Theo's eyes widened, "Holy shit!" he exclaimed, "Excuse my language, but none of this freaked you out?"

"Nope, we're confident that we'll finish it no problem" James said, crossing his arms.

"So, which of these god-awful plans did you psychopaths settle on?" he chuckled.

"We picked the four-year plan" Maverick replied, "We haven't told your dad yet because he gave us until the end of the day tomorrow to decide, but we were quick to agree on the best plan."

Suddenly, Maverick's packet was ripped out of his paws. "What do we have here?" came a familiar annoying voice.

The three canines turned and saw Andross holding Maverick's packet plan, "Andross, give that back to Maverick!" Theo demanded.

"Why?" he scoffed, "What does that little brat need a packet of papers for?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but General Pepper gave both of us that packet" James replied.

Andross looked at the packet of papers he stole, "Don't tell me you two losers are actually dumb enough to attempt the advanced training plan" he mocked, after reading what was on the paper.

"So, what if we are?" Maverick asked, "At least we've got more balls to try it unlike you!"

"He's got ya there, Andross" Pepper smirked.

"Shut it, Pepper!" Andross snapped, "I never saw your ass attempting to do this!"

"That's because my father, the General, persuaded me not to" Pepper replied, "he told me that even he wouldn't attempt it, but if these two knuckleheads want to try it we should let them."

"I agree" Andross stated, "maybe it'll get them to drop out sooner than I was hoping."

"Don't get your hopes up, monkey boy" James stated, "as long as Maverick and I stick together, there ain't no way we're going anywhere."

"Is that right, runt?" Andross asked, glaring at James "In that case, it'd be a real shame if something bad were to happen to your wolfie friend, here."

"You touch him, I'm hunting you down the rest of my life" James declared.

"Don't worry, James" Maverick smiled, putting his arm on the vulpine's shoulder "this fool won't be able to do anything to me without you knowing about it."

"Knock it off!" Pepper shouted, yanking the packet out of Andross' paws "I'm sick of this childish bullshit and it's been less than twenty-four hours!"

"I'm sorry, Pepper" James apologized, "I don't normally get so hostile towards other animals, but if he keeps pestering me and Mav, I'm going to have to take him down."

"Ha! You, take me down?" Andross laughed, "You're funny, little boy, I'll give you that. You wouldn't last one minute against me."

"He might not" Maverick spoke up, "but as for me, it would give me so much pleasure to put you in your place!"

Before things could escalate any further, the warning bell for the next session sounded, "Oh, thank the Lord!" Pepper exclaimed, giving James his papers back. "Off to the next session with you all!"

"You two runts better watch your backs" Andross stated, walking away "you never know when I'll make my move."

The rest of the day went by quickly for James and Maverick. They found Pepper in the mess hall, who said, "While I would normally invite you pups to sit with me, I really don't want to give Andross a reason to come here and start more problems."

"We understand" James nodded his head, "We just aren't sure when we should go tell the General that we made our decision involving the training plan."

"Oh, I would probably tell him as soon as possible, so you can start and let the more advanced Majors know. I think he'll just be excited to hear someone is actually going through with doing it" Pepper explained.

"Yeah, we haven't told anyone about it, except you" Maverick stated.

"And Andross" James added.

"He doesn't count" Maverick countered, "he only found out because he stole them out of my paws."

"True" Pepper nodded.

"Having said that" Maverick continued, "even after hearing you, Andross, and the General himself say that we're crazy for not backing down from it, we're still determined to complete it."

"Is that so?" Pepper asked.

"Yeah, hearing all the comments about it makes us super motivated to be the first ones to do it and prove to other animals that it can be done" James replied.

"That's good to hear, guys" Pepper smiled, "maybe we can talk more about it later. You know when Andross is less likely to be around."

"Okay" Maverick stated, "We're probably going to be at the gym after we talk to your dad, if you want to join us."

"I'll consider it, but I make no promises" Pepper replied.

The two young canines continued eating their dinner at a deserted table. Andross walked up to them, seeing that Theo Pepper wasn't around to protect them this time. "Well, well, what do we have here?" he snickered. The two kept eating, choosing to ignore the monkey. "Looks like my two new favorite cadets are without their guard dog this evening. Did Pepper finally realize he's too cool to be hanging out with the Academy's newest tryhards?"

Maverick shook his head, looking at James, as if to say, 'don't acknowledge his presence.'

"Answer me when I'm talking to you!" Andross demanded, grabbing James by his shoulder, that was Andross' biggest mistake.

James, quickly, grabbed Andross by the arm that was touching him and flipped Andross over his body onto the table. The sound of the monkey being slammed on the table caused other's to look in their direction. "Listen good and well, ape" James stated, calmly "You are going to leave me and Maverick alone for the rest of the time you're at the Academy, or I'll have no hesitation to kick your ass."

Maverick just sat back in admiration of what he was witnessing. When James let Andross go, the monkey got up and quietly walked away. The rest of the audience in the mess hall continued staring at them in amazement from what just occurred. "Damn, James" his roommate whispered, "where did that come from?"

"I'm not entirely sure" James stated, "I think I blacked out. What happened?"

"You just did the whole Academy a favor by taking that ape down a peg or two" a buff hare stated, walking toward the canine duo. "The name's Bandit Hare, third year."

"Hare?" Maverick questioned, "As in the legendary General Hare, the general before General Pepper?"

"Yup, that's Grandpa Hare" he replied, "it goes without saying that my family, as well as Theo's have a long history with the Academy and each other."

"So, how did I do the Academy a favor?" James asked, confused.

"Andross has been the bully of the Academy for the past six years" Theo replied, joining the group.

"I think this is the first time I've seen someone actually physically stand up to him" Bandit added.

"I'm surprised he didn't retaliate" Maverick admitted.

"Knowing Andross, he didn't do anything now because he wants James when he's left by himself" Pepper pointed out.

"Well, that ain't gunna happen anytime soon" Maverick smiled, "James and I are a bit of a package deal."

"You got that right, buddy" James spoke up, "speaking of which, we should head over to the General's office and give him the good news."

"What is he talking about?" Bandit asked, looking at Theo.

"You two go do what you need to" Theo stated, waving off the young canines "I'll clue him in while you're at my dad's office."

James knocked on the General's door when they got to his office "Come it" came the strained voice. They walked into the office and the General's face lit up "Ah, there's my little daredevils!" he stated, seeing them approach his desk.

"Good evening, Sir" Maverick replied.

"I guess you've made your decision on the advanced plan?" he asked.

"Yes, Sir" James replied, "We…"

"You don't have to apologize, boys" the General interrupted, "to this day, no one has chosen to give any of the three an attempt."

"What are you talking about, Sir?" Maverick asked, confused.

"You boys made your decision extremely fast" he explained, "I can only assume that means you are backing out, based on past experiences anyway."

"Quite the opposite, Sir" Maverick denied.

"The two of us discussed it, and we decided to go ahead and do the four-year plan" James added.

"Really?" he asked, surprised.

"Absolutely!" Maverick smiled, "When you first handed us the plans, we were a bit shocked. Not by all the sessions that we'll have to do, but the three different routes we had to choose between."

"So, even after seeing everything those plans are asking of you, you boys still want to do it?" the General asked, "And not even the easiest of the three choices."

"Yeah, it seems like it'll be a fun, yet challenging experience" James stated.

"Besides, Sir, wouldn't it be nice to have someone prove that one of the advanced plans can be done and are nothing to be scared of?" Maverick asked.

"It would be nice. I just never imagined someone would actually attempt it, let alone two in the same year" the General admitted, "you two are going to be something special that this Academy and army have never seen before."

"Thank you, Sir" Maverick smiled, "now, if you'll excuse us, we're gunna go get in a quick workout in before bed."

"Very well" he nodded, "thank you for informing me of your decision. I will be letting the rest of the Academy know in the next few days."

After James and Maverick had gotten changed into some workout clothes, they headed to the gym for their leg workout. James had taken liberty of choosing five of the exercises he normally does for them to do tonight. As they were working out, Maverick stated, "I wonder when I'll be able to see Lana and Wolf again."

"I forgot to tell you about that" James replied, "the General told me that there's a special day each year when our loved ones can come visit us."

"Did he tell you which specific day?" Maverick inquired.

"He didn't say" James replied, "He also said that we get holiday breaks. I know it might be weird, but if you'd like, you and Lana can come have Thanksgiving with my family."

Maverick smiled, "I'll consider it. I'm sure it would be better than sitting with Lana's dad, who clearly hates me and wants nothing to do with Wolf."

"Well, he's missing out" James commented, "I've only known you for like two days now and know you're a great guy, who'll do anything for those he loves."

"You're only saying that because we're roommates" Maverick stated, as they we're wrapping up their workout.

"I'm saying that because it's true" James countered, looking at the lupine.

While they were heading back to their room, they ran into Theo "Well, if it isn't my two favorite canines!" he smiled.

"Hey, Pepper" James replied, shocked "What are you up to?"

"Not much, just heading to the gym for a quick evening workout" he answered, "how about you youngins?"

"We just finished with our workout" Maverick smiled, "James is going to get my legs built up like his in no time."

"Now we're about to get ready for bed" James added.

"Glad to hear it. By the way Bandit is going to be looking for you in the morning" Pepper stated, "he didn't believe that you're doing the advanced schedule."

"Okay, well I'm tired so we'll see you tomorrow, Theo" Maverick stated.

"Alright youngins, see you in the morning" he smiled.