Author's notes: Hey everyone! This chapter and several upcoming chapters will mostly cover the eight weeks of ZAFT basic military training. The reason I'm covering ZAFT military training is because we don't get to see much of their training style in the anime. I'm aware that my fanfic's portrayal of ZAFT's military training may not live up to anime's standards but I did what I could after conducting research online on real-life military training around the world. I do apologize if my fanfic's portrayal is not up to your standard. Let me know in the comments if you have any comment or feedback on my fanfic's portrayal. Thank you.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed at all and all the rights belong to Bandai and Sunrise.

Phase 11: Physical Training

Mess Hall, Citadel Military Base, City of Aprilius One, PLANTs, 11 February CE 71, 1135 hrs

During lunchtime…

As Flay stared at her portion of food on the tray, she couldn't stop thinking about ZAFT's military laws. Flay knows the EA forces do not take any ZAFT soldiers as prisoners. She remembers Blue Cosmos-affiliated EA soldiers taught them to kill any ZAFT soldiers on sight, even if they wanted to surrender. However, ZAFT forces would also commit the same thing, but to a more horrifying extent. Based on their military laws, ZAFT soldiers had the right to execute any civilian Naturals deemed a threat to them.

This worries Flay as she remembers during the military lecture. She saw lots of ZAFT recruits openly expressing their views of taking Naturals as hostages before torturing them to their death. She even heard some of them talking about Flay in unfavorable terms and wishing to make her suffer during the eight weeks of military training. "Let's make that pure blue witch suffer everything for her father's actions," Flay recalls hearing the statement made by one of the ZAFT recruits. She wished ZAFT soldiers didn't capture her at Heliopolis so that she could return to her home nation. However, there's nothing Flay can do to change her current plight. Right now, she's undergoing ZAFT military training on one of its bases, and backing out would lead to her death.

"Flay, are you alright?" Sacha looks at Flay, wondering why she is not eating her lunch. "I'm fine, Sacha. I'm just feeling lost in my thoughts." Flay assures. However, the green-haired Coordinator overheard them and butts into their conversation. "She thinks she was not born as a Coordinator on the PLANTs," Stefania mocks before looking at Sacha. "We shouldn't be too close to her, Sacha. She is the daughter of Blue Cosmos shitbag George Allster. What if she switches sides during battle and shoots us down?"

Flay feels hurtful after hearing Stefania's negative comments about her. Although her father is a high-ranking Blue Cosmos official, she feels it is unjust for her to bear all his sins. Flay felt that god was cruel enough for her to live with a family that despises Coordinators. Now, she is paying the price where ZAFT Coordinators would no doubt exact revenge on her. Luckily, Sacha saw this was too much for Flay and call-out Stefania with the following statement: "Hey, stop with the Blue Cosmos accusations against Flay. She wouldn't be here training with us right now if ZAFT forces found out if she's an agent for them. Just give her a break, Stefania!"

Flay felt grateful that Sacha stood up for her, but she knew it would happen again. In the coming days, she has an uncomfortable feeling these ZAFT instructors and recruits will look for ways to make her training life miserable. Hence, Flay knew that failure was not an option for her, and she had to put in double the efforts in upcoming training sessions to win their trust.

Running Track Square, Citadel Military Base, City of Aprilius One, PLANTs, 11 February CE 71, 1350 hrs

After lunch…

After changing into their Inner Uniform set and ZAFT-issued running shoes, all the recruits of the Striker company assemble at the base's Running Track Square for their first physical training. "Good afternoon, recruits. Welcome to the first session of your physical training exercises. Let me explain what will happen during these few weeks." Filip announces before going into further details. "All of you are taking part in these training exercises twice weekly before taking ZAFT's NPF (National Physical Fitness) Test towards the end of Week 5. Also, every one of you will do basic military push-ups, sit-ups, and several rounds of a 2-mile run in your Inner Uniform during these training sessions. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Petty Officer Vilhelm!" All the ZAFT recruits reply firmly in unison. "Good. For today's session, we will begin with some warm-up exercises before doing 25 push-ups, 25 sit-ups, and four circuit laps of the 0.5-mile run. Let's begin!" Filip announces before the squad commanders guide their assigned squads to do the warm-up exercises.

Fifteen minutes later…

After completing the warm-up exercises, the squad commanders order the recruits to form into pairs before doing the 25 sit-ups in two minutes. Luckily for Flay, Sacha teamed up with her to do the sit-up exercise together instead of other recruits that are hostile to her. "Thirteen." Sacha counts the total number of sit-ups while holding her feet together. "You are halfway through. Need another ten more to go. You can do it!" Though Flay had undergone military training under EA instructors in the past, she wasn't trained intensively in endurance training. 'Damn, this looks tougher than I expected.' Flay thought as she tried her best to lift her body up. Despite facing difficulty, Flay forced herself and successfully completed 25 sit-ups with one second to spare.

"Good job completing 25 sit-ups, Flay." Sacha commends her. "Now help me hold my foot while it's my turn to do the sit-ups." Sacha lies down on the ground as Flay holds her feet together before doing the sit-ups. To Flay's surprise, she sees her Coordinator friend do the 25 sit-ups quickly and successively without breaking a sweat. 'Woah, she's fast and shows no sign of weariness at all!' Flay thought while looking at Sacha. Hence, Flay understands why many Naturals fear ZAFT Coordinators upon seeing them. Their physical toughness and high endurance levels surpassed ordinary Naturals. Is this why the EA forces cannot overcome ZAFT easily in battles?

Soon, all the recruits successfully complete the 25 sit-ups, and the squad commanders verify sit-up counts by recording them down onto a clipboard. Then, they order the recruits to be in a push-up position before blowing the whistle to start the push-up exercises. "One." Every recruit says the number after completing a push-up before the whistle sounds again. They continue doing push-ups until they reach 25 counts and seek permission from the squad commanders to recover from their position.

With both sit-up and push-up exercises completed, everyone gathers in a column at the corner of the running track to prepare for the 2-mile run. "I want all of you to follow me while running or jogging. Try not to walk and treat this 2-mile run as if you are in a war zone." Filip instructs before receiving a chorus of acknowledgement from the recruits. "Very well then. Let's go, everyone!" Filip orders everyone to follow him while he jogs on the running track. Immediately, all the ZAFT recruits begin their 2-mile run as they follow behind 1st-Class Petty Officer Vilhelm with the squad commanders, watching them at a corner.

Thirty minutes later…

As they finish the 2-mile run, 1st-Class Petty Officer Vilhelm releases all the ZAFT recruits for a quick five-minute water break for everyone to cool down before dismissing them for a quick shower. "Whew!" Flay lets out relief as she finishes the run. 'I thought I would have trouble completing the 2-mile run. Thank god, I completed it successfully.' Flay was glad to complete the run without disappointing her fellow recruits or squad commanders. She had to give credit to the EA's military training (in her younger days), which gave her the strength to overcome ZAFT's rigid military training.

Later, most of the ZAFT recruits return to the Running Track Square and gather near 1st-Class Petty Officer Vilhelm for a quick announcement. "Great job completing your first session of physical training exercise, recruits! I'm proud that no ZAFT recruits failed to complete the objectives for today's exercise." Filip commends the recruits of Striker company. "In the upcoming physical training sessions, we will progressively add more sit-ups, push-ups, and several laps of 2-mile runs. This is to prepare all of you for the NPF test in Week 5, and we will release further details in Week 4. As for the next training session, it will be on this coming Friday. All of you will do 30 push-ups, 30 sit-ups, and six circuit laps of the 0.5-mile run instead. Is that clear, everyone?"

All the ZAFT recruits acknowledge the Petty Officer's instructions with a firm reply before he releases them for a quick shower. Though Flay was lucky enough to clear the first physical training session, she had to train harder to keep up with the training sessions. 'I need to train hard to improve my strength and stamina to the level of Coordinators. Time to hit the gym tonight!' Flay mentally reminds herself as she joins the crowd of ZAFT recruits to return to their respective bunks.

Bunk Room 3-2, Level 3, Block 4, Citadel Military Base, City of Aprilius One, PLANTs, 11 February CE 71, 1950 hrs

After dinner…

Flay and her fellow squad mates enter the squad's bunk room after attending an end-of-day briefing. "Didn't know Recruit Allster is physically strong enough to clear the first training session. It seems she is not an ordinary Natural after all. If only the Naturals follow in her footsteps, Blue Cosmos will dissolve long ago." These are the comments that Flay heard while walking to her military locker. At least she was glad her fellow squad members began viewing her more positively. Wanting to accomplish more, Flay plans to head down to the military base's gym for her own personal training.

"Flay, are you going to the gym?" Sacha asks her after seeing Flay taking essential items from her military locker. "Yeah, I want to train myself harder to improve my strength and endurance levels," Flay replies. "I see. But I'm worried that you may wear yourself out. Today is only the first session, Flay. You can hit the gym tomorrow and let your body have a good rest for tonight, Flay." Sacha says out of concern for her Natural friend. "I know, Sacha. But I feel I'm not good enough for my personal strength and endurance as a Natural, so I had to do more to buck up if I want to complete the NPF test in Week 5." Flay explains. "Don't worry, Sacha. I know when to stop when I reach my physical limits. Thank you." .

"But…" Before Sacha can say further, Stefania interrupts her. "Just let her go! Don't need to be too friendly with that damn Natural, Sacha!" Stefania reminds her not to be too close to Flay. Not wanting to see Sacha quarrel with the squad leader over her presence, Flay intervenes. "It's ok, Sacha. I will be fine. Don't need to worry much about me, and thank you," Flay persuades. "Alright, Flay." Sacha sighs before reminding her — "Be careful. Don't forget that lights out at 2200 hrs. See you tomorrow during the morning roll-call at 0710 hrs." .

Flay nods and gathers all the essential items she needs to use later before leaving for the gym. Over the next few days, Flay heads to the gym to train herself further to improve her physical traits. Apart from her personal training and attending military lectures, she takes part in first-aid training on how to save herself and others.

Stairways, Level 1, Block 4, Citadel Military Base, City of Aprilius One, PLANTs, 14 February CE 71, 1530 hrs

After finishing the second session of physical training exercises, Flay heads back to their bunk room with her fellow squad mates. "Flay!" Sacha calls out to her. "It seems your own additional training pays off. I'm in awe that you can clear today's training session despite the ZAFT instructors adding more exercises." .

"Thanks, Sacha. You are right, though. If it wasn't for my additional training in the gym recently, I would have trouble clearing today's session and getting marked down instead." Flay says in a cheerful tone. "Good to hear this, Flay. Keep it up, and you may get the chance to become a ZAFT officer in the future." Sacha smiles as she encourages her Natural friend and comrade to do well. Touched by her words of encouragement, Flay feels grateful for Sacha. Despite the animosity surrounding her when she first enlisted, there were Coordinators willing to collaborate and interact with her. However, Flay feels shameful for not doing much to stop her father years ago.

"Flay, you looked depressed. Are you alright?" Sacha becomes worried after seeing sadness on Flay's face. "It's nothing, Sacha. I don't know how to thank you for being supportive of me. Usually, the others would stay away from me or ghost me upon seeing me." Flay says. "Don't feel guilty about yourself too much, Flay. It's not your fault that you were born into a racist Blue Cosmos family by choice. The only thing that makes you different from them is doing the right thing by denouncing their hateful views. You already did by enlisting yourself in ZAFT," Sacha tries to cheer her up. "You can thank me later, Flay. Right now, focus on finishing the ZAFT basic military training first." .

"Yeah, let's finish this training," Flay confidently agrees with what Sacha tells her. It may be hard for her right now, but she sees improvement in her strength and endurance levels. Also, she cleared the second training session despite worrying earlier she would fail the exercises. Encouraged by her progress, Flay eventually accepts her fate to become a ZAFT soldier and fight alongside Coordinators. 'You are here for a purpose, Flay. Don't quit on yourself now.' Flay mentally reminds herself as she walks up the stairs with her Coordinator friend to return to their bunk room.

To be continued…

End of Phase 11

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