Jim's alarm blared angrily from his bedside. He briefly considered keeping his plasma gun under his pillow so he could shut the thing up once and for all some morning. But the danger was far too great, and the guns were far too regulated for that. He groaned and sat up as he shook the fantasy from his head.

He pulled his hairband out from under his pillow and tied back his short ponytail at the nape of his neck. It wasn't long enough to braid yet so the tiny band was required to tame the small strands. Captain Amelia had insisted he trim up and look presentable for his first year. Cutting his hair had been the only thing about joining the recruits that he had not liked. Aside from leaving his mother, of course.

The young man reluctantly located his uniform and shower caddy in the exact spot he had placed them in last night. Rubbing sleep from his eyes he stumbled out into the hall. The daily singing from the showers could be heard long before you joined the line for a free stall. Almost all the boys sang in the shower. Normally they sang their own songs or a reprise from something yesterday. It was not unheard of, however, for someone to start a song that they all joined in on. Group shower sings had been a rather interesting part of recruit life to get used to.

Two boys were singing a duet about how one was out of shampoo, but otherwise the various voices were keeping to themselves today. Jim was grateful he wouldn't be compelled to join in on any musicals so early in the morning.

A stall opened up for him. He shut himself in and turned on the hot water. As much as he wanted to stand under the spray for hours, he knew the other boys would get irritated with him quickly for taking too long. A fast wash up like always would have to do. He did take the time to condition his hair, the one luxury he allowed himself in his speedrun showers.

He dried off and dressed in his whites before heading to breakfast. Sy, Matt, and 628 were already waiting at their table. Jim was pleased to see that the younger cadets were officially joining them now. He jogged over and plunked down in a seat beside Sy. "Hey guys."

"Hiiii!" 628 waved enthusiastically.

"Hey Jim." Sy nodded towards their third companion. "Matt was showing us some of the things he's been working on in his art classes. This one's my favorite." He turned Matt's tablet towards Jim so that they could view the sketch together.

Jim sighed heavily. "I will never understand how he manages to recreate things so perfectly after only seeing them once. I swear you can describe anything and he'll be able to draw it."

Sy nodded. "Yeah, probably. Thanks for showing us, by the way."

"Any time." Matt said as he put away his tablet.

Braxton plunked down into the seat beside 628, his bowl of cereal threatening to slosh. "How come I'm the only one with food?"

"Because you're also the only one that didn't come here to say good morning before deciding to stuff your face." Jim countered. He reached over and stole some of Braxton's bacon. "And now I have some."

"I don't have to share that with you, you know. I could make you get your own."

"I know," Jim agreed. He took some more bacon. "But since you're here to guard our seats, let's go guys. Braxton can sit by himself and contemplate his lack of sharing."

Braxton stuck his tongue out at Jim. "Jerk. You left me alone at dinner too. Bring me some more bacon. The extra crispy ones."

"Will do. We'll be back soon."

The boys joined the omnivore line together. Matt parted for the herbivore line. "Get me some eggs!"

"You're as bad as Braxton!" Jim shouted back affectionately.

"You're the one that was eating his bacon earlier." Matt countered.

"Fair." Jim turned towards the younger recruits. "Anyone not getting themselves eggs?"

"I'm not." Sy shrugged. "I don't really like them. I'll get him his portion."

"Get the hard boiled, the scrambled is cooked next to some of the meats. He'll want two, if you could. Thanks man."

628 licked his lips as he grabbed his tray. He headed along the short statured line while the other three boys joined the medium height line. Jim slid his tray along and nodded to the lady behind the counter. "Good morning Echidna."

The beastly woman gave him a warm smile. "Well good morning Jim. Extra crispy bacon again?" She was already picking out four of the crispiest pieces.

"Yes please." Jim held up his tray so it was easier for her to put his allotted amount on. "Thank you very much. How are your kids?"

"Oh, they're doing just fine dear. You are so sweet for asking. Alright then, I'll see you later." She turned to Sy and gave him a smile. "Bacon or scrapple love?"

Jim moved on down the line with his friends as they assembled their meals. Their identification cards were scanned as they reached the end of the line with their selections. They regrouped at the table, settling their trays and themselves into their seats. Sy clasped his hands and bowed his head. Jim passed half his pile of bacon to Braxton. Slowly they organized themselves and their meals into the most satisfactory arrangement.

"One of these days I'm going down the carnivore line." Jim crunched down on his bacon with a happy sigh.

"You keep telling us that," Matt accepted the two eggs from Sy gratefully. "But you like egg-toast and purp juice too much."

Jim glanced at the two offending items on his tray, then sighed heavily. "Okay, yeah, you're right. Maybe I'll make you guys bring me some so I can get all meat someday."

"It's like you have an underground trading ring here." Sy said.

"We basically do." Matt shrugged. "And now you're part of it. You egg dealer."

Braxton picked up one of his strips of bacon. "We gotta do what we can to get around those regulations somehow. It's so unfair that they won't let me have sixteen servings of bacon."

"I left my tablet in my room," Jim ignored his friends rolling their eyes at him, "but this morning we're in the simulation room, right?" Matt nodded and slid his tablet to Jim. Jim and Sy both checked the schedule. 628 jumped up onto Braxton's shoulder so he could hang down over the table to look at the tablet with everyone else. Braxton ruffled his ears affectionately.

"Oh! We must be training together again. We've got the same classroom and same teacher this morning too." Sy grinned over at 628. "Looks like we get to pick up some more tips from our expert second years."

Matt puffed up with pride. "Yes, well, hang out with us, and you'll pick up a lot!"

"Including a few diseases." Braxton smirked at Matt. Matt threw a piece of toast at him. 628 caught it out of the air and popped it into his mouth. "Thanks little buddy." Braxton patted him on the head again. "I know who my partner is going to be again!"

Jim looked over to Sy and raised an eyebrow. Sy blushed and shrugged, though he looked quite pleased. "If you like."