Disclaimer: I do not own RvB nor the elements of Halo. They belong to Rooster Teeth and 343 Industries respectively
The next morning
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*
The alarm clock blared its ringtone in the silent dorm room of blue team. It was the time for them to wake up and start their day as supposed huntsmen in training. But the group didn't give a fuck as it was too damn early. Much to Church's annoyance, he was the one who solely awoke and turned it off. Ever since being enlisted into the Army, the blue sim trooper was now used to waking up early in the morning, even though he was not a complete fan of it. But his body and mind unwillingly adjusted to it.
Church rubbed his eyes and saw that it was 5:00 in the morning. It was 2 hours and 30 minutes before their first class. He got off from his bed and took a look around his room. His three teammates were soundly asleep, dead to the world around them. Due to just moving in last night, their room was disorganized. Their equipment lay scattered near the beds and the floor. Their weapons were placed on the bookshelves, not the lockers. It was somehow a miracle that it supported the weight of Doc's rocket launcher. The books were piled to the side, seeing as they were not interested in it at all (except for Doc).
Figuring out what he's going to do first, the leader of the blues grabbed a data pad and opened it, pressing the call button to get in touch with a very specific contact. It didn't take two seconds for the responder to accept the incoming transmission and her face was showed on the screen.
"Hey" he greeted.
"Hey yourself" Tex grinned as she was sitting on her bed, already dressed in her school uniform fully prepared.
"You just woke up?" she asked
"Yeah, since we're not back at HQ, we have some leeway this time to wake up when we want to" Church answered. "Anyway, how are you guys doing there?"
"Oh, the usual. We'd get briefed from the Director on what are our tasks for the day, then trying to keep my teammates out of trouble. You should see Carolina. I'd feel like she's about to have crow's feet on her face from trying to keep herself and South in check from their constant admirers instead of decking them right there in the hallways. So yeah, just peachy."
Church snorted after hearing the last part. "I thought your group was supposed be the disciplined ones."
"Shut up asshole" she snapped.
Church then smirked as he wanted to ask this for some time. "Did Wash wet his bed over there?"
"Fortunately, no."
"Hey, that was only one time!"
Church could hear Washington yell in the background. He must have caught wind of their conversation.
"What about you guys? Did anyone destroy anything while I was away?"
"Do you really have to ask that?" Church sighed and shook his head. "Caboose burned at least a third of our school's forest during initiation."
Tex laughed in amusement. Thing were always the same even without her it seems. "That's it? How about the reds? Any trouble from them?"
"Surprisingly, no. But still you've got Simmons bitching about Grif's habits from time to time, Sarge trying to make life harder for us, Donut just being himself and Lopez, well…"
"I see."
"And don't get me started on Felix" Church began his tirade. "Locus, he's cool I guess. But that self-centered, egotistical prick who thinks he knows everything and wants to be the boss all the time-"
Tex rolled her eyes playfully while hearing Church rant about the mercenary. "It sounds like you're just describing yourself there."
Church looked offended from that statement. "Ack! Hell no! I'm not anything like that loser. Somehow, those two ended up becoming a two-person team while Sarge got a staff job here."
Tex eyes widened in disbelief at the latter. "Really now? Sarge, a teacher? The world must be ending."
"For Beacon Academy maybe. They have no idea what they just did after hiring that moron." Church paused for a few moments before figuring out what to say next. "Anyways, it's different without you." He then backtracked about what he said just now but was interrupted by Tex's usual ridicule of him.
"Aww~, already missing me Lenny?" she cooed with mirth. Church slightly blushed at what she said but then got pissed after hearing the nickname she gave him.
"I told you to not call me that!" the boy hissed and then restated what he said earlier. "Yeah, it's different here. A good kind of different. We won't have to worry about you kicking our assess all the time."
"Hmm. I could say the same here. It's a bit weird not hearing all your whining during the first thing in the morning. I guess I've gotten used to being surrounded by you idiots. And yeah, it's great to hear from you aga-
*Static Hsssh *Static*
Church was surprised at the interruption.
"Tex, hey, can you hear me? You're breaking up."
*Hsshzszsszhshh*
"Is you're signal okay there?" he asked one more time but tried not to sound desperate.
'CONNECTION LOST' was all that displayed after he asked that question. The guy chucked the pad onto his bed in frustration as he didn't get to hear what Tex had to say and continue their conversation.
"God damn it, why can't I get a good signal from here? Stupid CCT" he muttered in annoyance.
"Sounds like you two were enjoying yourselves."
He sat up after hearing that intrusive voice. "Tucker, you're already up?"
"Yup, just when you and your girlfriend were in the middle of your virtual pillow talk" he joked as he stretched his limbs. "Looks like you two were having a good time there."
"Yeah, we did." Church just nodded along, not feeling pumped to have an argument this early during the day or continue their usual banter.
"It's kinda weird to hear Tex like that. Usually, she's always threatening to castrate me whenever I talk to her or use us as training dummies whenever she's back at our base."
"What can I say? I guess you just don't have that charm with the girls you've always blabbered about."
That irked the ladies' man of their team. "I'll have you know that I've scored with way more chicks in my entire career than you ever will."
Church grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh yeah? And please do share the names of these fictional broads that you hooked up with" he challenged. Oh, screw peaceful mornings. It's time to get back to the way things were usually done with their group. Tucker was left speechless after that and walked off muttering angrily. Well, that totally exposed the validity of Tucker's success with the chicks.
"Fuck you man. I am not going to defend myself."
"I knew it" Church said victoriously.
The aqua sim trooper then grabbed his own pad and checked for stuff. Even though they were far away from Gulch, the data pads they were given can access connections on their current location and has the ability to make calls all the way back to their country without being tracked by network security. Although it's not without its flaws as being far away and on a different connectivity does hamper its ability to contact consistently.
"How about we radio in Vic? He might be able to do something about your call" he suggested to Church but the Blues' leader but Church looked put off after hearing that name.
"Oh no! Anyone but him!"
"Do we have any other choice?"
"Customer support would provide actual help than this idiot" he grumbled but conceded. In the end, Vic was their only go-to guy when the time came when they needed stuff delivered or assistance. He grabbed a transmitter and connected his helmet to it then gave the call.
In the communications center of Gulch's Military Headquarters sat an overweight man wearing a yellow and grey Gulchian Army work uniform propping his legs up on his desk and having one arm rest behind his head. An M6D pistol was strapped to his side and was stained with small streaks of ketchup and crumbs. The man was enjoying a meal of burger and fries and was sipping a drink while staring at the monitor. He then notices an incoming call from one of the screens and tapped the button to accept said call. He immediately ceased his eating and did his job.
"Hello, this is Vic from UGM Communications Center, how can I be of assistance?"
"…..Vic."
Upon hearing the familiar tone and voice, his demeanor changed on a dime.
"Oh, hey dude! Long time no hearing from you muchachos! What's going on that you need your old pal Vic to go-a-fixin?"
Church and Tucker shared a look before the dark-skinned teen urged the irritable blue to answer, eliciting a sigh from him. Blue team's leader and sniper then answered back to the call.
"It's about our data pads and how they keep losing connections when trying to contact people in the different kingdoms."
"Oh, about that, can't say I could help with that dilemma you have going compadres. You see, those doodads you have isn't exactly compatible with the kingdoms' method of network." Vic supplied.
"Figures."
"Yeah dude, you're just gonna have to live with the inconsistencies of that device when it comes to dialing up your homies. If it makes you feel better, you could always use those things called Scrolls that they have."
"Alright, thanks man."
"Glad to help you out homeslice. Just remember" he began his jingle "If you want to talk, don't email~. And don't you click click click click, just call me up at 5-5-5 V-I-C-K" and then the call ended.
"You know, it would have been better if he ended it with his name so it rhymes. Like 5-5-5- V-I-C Vic" Tucker muttered. "Hey, you doing good over there, buddy?"
Church was silent as he toyed with the Scroll that he received. "I don't even know her Scroll's number." He whispered quietly to himself. At least he managed to talk to her.
"Yo, Church."
The teen snapped out of his musings and turned to his teammate. "Yeah, I'm fine. Uh, let's just get ready for class."
"Do we even know the schedules?" Tucker asked him
"It's going to be uploaded on our scrolls for us." Then there was a ping. Church then opened his scroll and looked at the email. "Oh, it says grimm studies here with Professor Port, and… Oh fuck."
"And?"
Church stared at him blankly.
"No way…" Tucker responded disbelievingly.
"NOOOO!" a familiar voice cried on the room directly above them.
"Looks like they got the memo as well." Church noted at what the reds also just discovered. Caboose and Doc approached the two, having awoken from their slumber because of Grif's cry of despair.
"I'm sure it won't be that bad" Doc reasoned. "I'm honestly excited to see what they teach us."
Church scoffed as he rebutted. "I'm already sure some shit will go down later on. We necessarily don't have the best record when it comes to behavior Doc." He scratched his chin before contemplating. "I wonder what stupid bullshit Sarge told those people that they wonderfully hired that lunatic."
"Ooh, is mister red sergeant man gonna be a principal here? Like principal Miller back at Rat's Nest?" Caboose eagerly asked.
"Yes Caboose, Sarge is gonna be a principal…" Tucker drawled.
"Neat. I wonder what it's like to be pals with a prince. Why does it only have to be principal when we could also have princessespals for princesses!"
Tucker and Church shared a look before quickly getting up and going out.
"I'm not going to deal with this crap this early in the morning. Come on, let's just get breakfast and go to this stupid class." Church ordered.
The classroom itself consisted desks that formed in a semi-circle that and is descending towards the teacher's table. And on the blackboards were various drawing of the species of grimm. On the wall right above the board was a blunderbuss axe that was placed on the center like it was some kind of trophy, and right below it, a familiar shotgun that was hastily placed there with duct tape.
A man wearing a red outfit with having the bushiest of beards was standing firm with hands behind his back, waiting for the students to fill up the lecture hall to begin his lesson for today. And behind him was Sarge, dressed neatly in ironed red BDUs.
"This class is definitely gonna suck balls." Grif groaned from his seat. The Sim Troopers and the mercenaries all sat together for the lecture.
"Just pay attention" Locus chided. "Back at headquarters, we were taught on the different species of grimm, but we weren't given a thorough rundown on their anatomy, behavior, and attack patterns" he said as he prepared his notebook and hid a recording device underneath his desk. There was also a hidden spy cam that was tucked in his school vest's pocket.
"It's just grimm, we can just shoot 'em with our guns." Tucker protested.
"Plainly shooting them will just get you killed" he retorted. "We need to understand these creatures better as we have never fought them with much experience. Our initiation was proof that we were in trouble if not for that unorthodox plan and Caboose's miraculous sneeze. We'd probably have lost that battle."
Tucker relented and grumbled. "Alright."
"Doesn't change the fact that this class fucking blows." Grif muttered out loud as he and Sarge were locked in a staring contest.
"Ditto" Felix agreed lazily playing with his knife.
Simmons got tired of hearing the demeaning words about his superior's ability tot each so he went in to defend in behalf of the crazy sergeant. "Oh, come on, Sarge is not that bad of a teacher. He taught us many things to survive in the battlefield."
"Yeah, like hiding behind a rock screaming like a little bitch is the number one survival strategy when it comes to a firefight. Real practical there Simmons." Church offered sarcastically.
The nerdy red got offended by that. "That was just a diversion! And also, the new battle rifle was a bit complicated to use" he reasoned.
"If you've got any more tips to use our bodies as bullet magnets, then hook us up. We're here all day." Tucker joined in on the fun.
There just wasn't a day that could go by without Reds and Blues just bickering and hurling insults at each other. Life was easier when they just stayed that way, but now they are stuck doing this mission that was about world peace or something like that.
"If you would kindly remain silent, class is now about to start." The professor addressed the group.
"Yeah, shut up you scatterbrained maggots. Especially you Grif. If I even hear a single hint of noise, then I'll be dragging your keister outside for a hundred-mile lap!"
The whole students were shocked at the second man's attitude and were wondering if he had some personal problem with that student he mentioned.
"You're not the teacher here Sarge, just some damn assistant who needs to push papers and handing everyone coffee!" the orange one clapped back. Sarge then glared at the boy and grumbled obscenities.
The professor was a taken aback at the display and was now ready to cut the tension and proceed with his lecture for the day. He then cleared his throat before speaking.
"Moving on from that, good morning, everyone. My name is professor Port! Your teacher here at grimm studies!" he introduced himself jovially.
"And I'm Sarge! Your assistant teacher for today and you best remember it!"
Port then walked around the room with arms behind his back. "All of you have come here today to become brave warriors. To help the people and the kingdoms, saving them from the problems that plague this very world! And may I ask you, what could these problems be?" he questioned as he looked at the students. A white-haired girl politely raised her hand up to answer as did a few others as well but they never got the chance as someone from a group directly gave his answer.
"Getting personally ass-violated by the government so you could pay your fucking taxes."
The room was stunned to silence after that answer. Then came another one and soon followed others.
"Finding out your virtual girlfriend was some 30-year-old unemployed man."
"Discovering that the vegan meat you ordered was actually real meat and not the vegetarian one."
"Working with assholes you hate?"
"Raising the price of your porn viewing account to 20 bucks a month?"
"Que nadie te entienda?" (Having no one understand you?)
Okay, these people were bold in suggesting those things. Have they got no shame at all? Every student stared at them with equal mix of incredulity, shock, amusement, and more, all because of the answers they gave.
Caboose then spoke cryptically to give his piece. "Finding out your entire existence was a lie."
Port could feel his sweat drop. The boys who answered had blank looks on their faces, as if they already faced those problems themselves. "Uh, y-yes! Those are all plausible answers but the problem we face in this very world we roam in are the grimm!" he raised his fist in the air in an act of triumph.
"Oh" they chorused flatly. Who were these people? Even Sarge joined them in uttering it. It was common knowledge that grimm are the worst enemy. Why did these people just realize that?
"Not only that, but terrorists and insurrectionists!" Sarge interrupted. "You brats better be aware that sometimes, the worst enemy you have is basically our own fellow species. And the color blue as well! Those damn dirty blues… And a hint of orange too if I may add."
"An excellent point made sir!" Simmons followed up his usual compliments to his C.O, hoping it would earn him some recognition.
The students looked at Sarge and Simmons strangely but Port nodded along to his fellow instructor. Sarge did raise a good point after all. The students must understand that, but this is currently grimm studies, where they need to know about grimm. Port decided it was time to take things back on track.
"Nevertheless, I will teach you on how to slay these nefarious monsters of the dark. But first a tale."
And after he uttered those words, all attention the Sim Troopers were giving him was lost.
"Knew it." Grif smirked as he nudged Simmons on his arm. "Alright, you win" the maroon red relented, not wanting to put up with the shit Grif was trying to rile him up with.
"Okay, this class was a damn bust. Turns out the guy was just padding his ego." Tucker said openly as he yawned and relaxed back on his seat to tune out the rambling.
"Do you not have any sense of respect!?" a haughty voice grilled behind him. Tucker just gave her the side eye before returning back to his business.
"You unrefined miscreant. Do you know who I-
Tucker plugged in his earbuds to listen to his beats. There, problem solved. He could see Church trying to argue with the girl behind him but he didn't give a fuck. Port noticed the tension going on so he loudly coughed, effectively silencing and ending the squabble.
Church rested closed his eyes and once again crossed his arms over his chest and muttered quietly to himself. "Prissy bitch."
The angry leader of blue team could feel glares of students (and the white-haired girl) settling onto his back but he easily ignored all of it. They don't deserve his attention and time. Screw classes, they weren't some fucking goody two-shoes students. They were soldiers here sent on a mission. Technically, his group would be considered spies. It's amazing that they haven't been caught out yet.
Felix noticed the display and turned to his partner Locus. "You're taking notes of this, right?"
Locus got all the information of the grimm needed and was secretly uploading the files on his scroll. He would transfer it to his data pad soon.
"I got all that is needed. When the class is over, I will be disseminating them to our group because with the way the man is teaching, they don't have it in them to take in useful information."
The mercenary leveled a stare at the man still going on with his tale. If he was a professor, he should be going straight to the point. Not divulging into time-wasting stories that was useless on the field. He looked towards Sarge who did not know what to do and grabbed his shotgun off from the wall to check on it.
He hoped the rest of classes were not like this. He checked back on his scroll for the schedule. The ones that caught his attention were history, weapon maintenance, and combat classes. He was curious about history classes as he would like to know history from Remnant's view point instead of Gulch's. He also observed that attendance was not recorded on this class. If the other classes did not do this, then he and the rest of the crew could pull out and do some planning to complete this mission of theirs. So, for the first day, he had to make sure that all of them would be attending each class.
Once the man was done babbling tall tales, he asked for a demonstration against the grimm. Everyone was now back on full attention. It would be interesting to see how a huntsman fights and dispatches grimm so the troopers and the mercenaries stayed and watched. It was the girl who was disturbing Tucker that volunteered and she fought a boarbatusk.
"Well, that was anticlimactic." Simmons said.
"You could say that again" agreed Tucker.
The grouped walked over to their next class for the day, unimpressed with grimm studies. Even if there was a battle between grim and huntress at the end, it didn't impress them and the endless weaving of tales by the mustached professor drained the energy out of them.
"God, that blowhard would not shut his mouth about how great he was. He didn't even discuss what we needed to know about the damned grimm, only giving us moral lessons at the end" Simmons continued to rant.
"Yeah, well that was one of the best naps I've recently had. This next one is history, right? Sleeping through this would be a breeze" Grif proclaimed.
Doc then supplied "It would be interesting to know about Remnant's history and culture. And also, about their current viewpoint of Gulch."
"I hoped it's not biased." Donut muttered.
"I would not keep my hopes up if I were you Donut. They did wage war against us and we whooped their asses. It's pretty obvious that they've got a fucking grudge." Church said to the pink member of Red Team.
"Let's not jump the gun on this one" Locus countered, "Time has passed after the war. Maybe they have changed, maybe they have not. Either way, we'll just have to wait and see. I'm intrigued as to what will be discussed."
"Trying to let that nerdy side of you be revealed partner?" Felix taunted.
"It would be wise if you took this seriously."
"I wouldn't be caught dead trying to listen in on some egghead's discussion about things during the time of the dinosaurs" the orange mercenary quipped. Well, it was time to get things done by sitting uncomfortably in another probably boring lecture. He then asked one of the most important questions needed to be answered. "Is that Sarge guy gonna still be an assistant on this one?"
That stopped them in their tracks. Simmons pulled out his scroll, ready to reveal the in the groundbreaking revelation.
"Yes."
There was one word that could describe their very mood and Grif made sure everyone heard it.
"Fuck."
END
Edited 10/15/'23