Imperial War Academy |Year 2|[FT/Fan-T][OPEN][IC]

[Danceria]

"Of course you could help the way you are, dear sister.. all you had to do.. was to give in..to accept what you are.. to accept your blood.", Michael said, laughing."You took advantage of the kindness of those around you.. and that's why they all payed.. and that's why they will all pay...until you learn to mend your ways. Until you accept what you are supposed to be..." The Prince then looked directly at her.. with his dark red eyes.. so much like those of Alexander.. and so much like those of their father."You can't die.. of course, you're unfortunately part of our own bloodline... but trust me... I'm good at.. changing people... you'll see.."

But just as he was about to continue... something hit him.

"What the hell?", the red eyed boy answered angrily, turning towards the person which had just.. thrown with a stick in him?"How dare you ruin my wonderful reunion with my little sister? I couldn't possibly care less about this simulation, but be sure, I'm not going to be let behind. You don't have any sort of responsibility towards me, so do something good for this universe and mind your own business." The Prince then giggled."A foot race? What do you think I am, some sort of a low soldier? Go and set up a camp if that's what you can do. I have much more important things to do...stupid.. whatever the hell you're supposed to be.." Michael than looked back at his sister, only to see her walk away, dragging a really confused Slaine after her.."We'll continue our talk soon, my dear sister... really soon.."

The blue eyed boy obviously had no idea what was happening, but he followed the princess as she dragged him towards the others. He remained quiet for a few moments, simply looking at her.. weird. Under normal circumstances, he would have felt really weird to hold hands with anyone.. after all, it was a symbol of trust... but for some reason.. he wasn't feeling like that. It seemed.. normal.. as if he had done it before.

Strange.

"Your h...", Slaine started to say, stopping right as he realized what he was about to say, correcting his mistake. "Elaine... is everything alright? Did that man.. upset you?", the boy asked.

"Those who act like children need to be supervised..." Nalli began, hoisting a canister over her shoulders "And where I come from, each soldier has a responsibility to the whole unit, rank only indicates how well you command, how strong you are..." she emphasized this by hoisting another canister "And as such, you appear to carry much clout. Prove it by preforming better than a "low soldier", and try to keep up." She shoved the container in the arms of the cocky crimson eyed man. "I trust you won't wander off by yourself and go with the rest of the squadron? I'll see if I can wrangle the rest of the soldiers over here. Consider this your head start!"

With that she was off, Prideful little prick... she thought to herself with a growl, her legs propelling her to the others. A good thing that his arrogance will get him killed After a few moments of composing herself, Nalli spoke with the others. "Hey..." she began softly. "I hate to interrupt this...reunion. But we have a simulation to win...if you're planning on working with us, step it up. If not...then you're on your own. Sorry." she shrugged. It was straight and too the point, somebody has to make sure the squadron doesn't die on the first simulated mission.

[Ministerial]

Vaans was irritated by the red-eyed boy. So much so that he almost went over and punched him in the face, just because of the way he looked. Luckily, a flying soldier came and hit the boy instead. "Hehe" Vaans chuckled in a raspy voice as he watched the girl drag Slaine away. Vaans did not listen to the instructions that the flying soldier was saying at the time. He was thinking about introducing himself to Slaine the next time he met and ask if Vaans could do a medical check up on Slaine. Then he shifted his gaze at the flying soldier jumped to the sky, he had taken an interest in the classmate. It was not an interest of relationship, but more of an interest in the anatomy and physiology of the student. He gripped his scalpel tightly and continued to survey the area, passing by the red-eyed boy.

Vaans was a bit bored as he had no one to talk too. It seemed like all the other classmates had their conflicts with other students and seemed to ignore his presence. It was a bit unsettling, but hopefully he would make friends with the newer students.

[The Empire Of Davtonia]

As Breaker enters the simulation he wondered how will it be like inside, altho he had been training in simulation on a regular basis granted those were more physical. Once he was in the simulation, Breaker looks around and sees that he was in the crashed ship, he also sees a backpack with his name on it. "Alright lets see what my equipment is. A assault rifle, a knife and two pistols." Once he whas outside Breaker sees 5 of his teammates, two of them seem to be having a fight, two other people were close to the first two, and one who he can only describe as a bird person is up on a tree. After a few minutes the situation escalated a bit more as the bird girl throws a stick at one of them after that two of them leave. "I wonder wat was that about, anyway its time to go after the others but before that i will wait on the other three " he says in his mind. "Come On people lets go less talking more walking" he says out loud.

[Tracian Empire]

"And you should realize that this isn't the place from where you come from. Ranks indicate a hierarchy, ranks indicate subordination. You are not my superior, and hence, I am not obliged to listen to anything you say. Mind your own business. And go and lay some eggs, or whatever the hell your species is supposed to do.", Michael said, sounding pretty disgusted. But now that the.. bird thingy soldier had left, he could focus on the matter at hand, so he took one of the supply boxes, and followed the others. This was going to be boring..

The blue eyed boy on the other hand, simply remained quiet as Elaine spoke.. as he continued to look at her.. of course, he still had his usual empty look in his eyes.. but he did look sort of worried. He was confused.. but for some reason, he really felt like he could trust the princess.. although as far as he remembered, he had never trusted anyone before. And even if that guy was clearly a member of the Imperial Family... so someone he had to listen to..he felt.. a little bad.. that he was hurting her.

"Do not worry about me.. I'm.. used to being hurt, so it's.. alright.", Slaine answered after a while.."But if that man tries to hurt you.. I will protect you. I live to serve you, after all."

[Castle Crashers]

"And you should realize that this isn't the place from where you come from. Ranks indicate a hierarchy, ranks indicate subordination. You are not my superior, and hence, I am not obliged to listen to anything you say. Mind your own business. And go and lay some eggs, or whatever the hell your species is supposed to do.", Michael said, sounding pretty disgusted. But now that the.. bird thingy soldier had left, he could focus on the matter at hand, so he took one of the supply boxes, and followed the others. This was going to be boring..

The blue eyed boy on the other hand, simply remained quiet as Elaine spoke.. as he continued to look at her.. of course, he still had his usual empty look in his eyes.. but he did look sort of worried. He was confused.. but for some reason, he really felt like he could trust the princess.. although as far as he remembered, he had never trusted anyone before. And even if that guy was clearly a member of the Imperial Family... so someone he had to listen to..he felt.. a little bad.. that he was hurting her.

"Do not worry about me.. I'm.. used to being hurt, so it's.. alright.", Slaine answered after a while.."But if that man tries to hurt you.. I will protect you. I live to serve you, after all."

While Elaine knew he only had good intentions, something about that last statement still stung a little. After all, she'd always seen him as equal to her, if not better...but she'd never thought of him as any less. He mattered too much to her to call him anything less than her best friend, even if he was a soldier. "...It won't come to that." She replied softly as she held his hand. "...don't worry about that. I already promised I'd never let you get hurt again, and I'm not about to let you down." She knew he probably didn't even remember that conversation, when she'd temporarily been able to shock him out of the mindless state before Lise shot him and sent him spiraling back down again. "...and don't say that, don't say that you live to serve me...you're my friend, we live to help each other, not serve. That would just put you on a lower level than I am, and I don't want that...don't consider me to be superior than you, because at one point, a long time ago, you didn't believe that anyways." She spoke, and while she knew he must've thought she was telling lies, she didn't care. As long as her point was getting across, that was what mattered. She could focus on details when she had a way to shock him out of that state again.

[The Tophat Empire]

Wiking took the box containing the shelter and attached it to the right side of his backpack, he nodded as the Avian-esqc student quickly climbed up one of the many thick and tall trees. "Unless anyone objects i suggest we get a move on now. So, tree climbers, how is it looking, you got vision on anything?" he said, before adding "Someone also pick that bag of rations with them, we are going to need it" he said. Turning towards anne he switched to private comms "This pack here" he started, placing his hand on the black box he kept on speaking "Contains a generator that will create our tent" he said.

Over the treetops the students that had climbed it would see a massive forest, only hindered by a few grey spires from the city right in front of them, altho the time they would spend peeking over it would be short. For something was approaching over the sightline, if they used the magnifiers they would see that it was flying craft, no doubt sent to investigate, and take out the students. They would probably the safe in the forest from it, the foliage was dense at the top of the trees, creating a green sea of leaf crowns. Even if that failed, the splinter woodland camo that the armour had been set to carry would make them blend well with the rest of the forest.

"Ah, well that makes much more sense." She replied on the private comms, smiling a little. "But are the tents personal, or is it a big tent that we all share?" She, personally, didn't mind either option, but she decided clarification would be best in the case that she needed privacy or something. They were all going to be spending a whole week together, after all, not that she was complaining...at least with the factor of spending it with Wiking...the others, and the enemies, not so much. She would prefer if this were more of a recreational thing, and that it was just her and Wiking...that sounded so much nicer than this. And, actually, it sounded a lot better were it on her planet. But, alas, they were just here. They could make the best of it.

"I do not have the faintest of ideas, we will see in due time" wiking replied, adding quickly "But we are running out of time, forgive me, but we need to move" he said, before switch his comms to squad comms. "Alright, listen up. We need to move now. You in the trees, climb down and rejoin the rest of us. Avian, Nalli was it? Seeing as you are one hell of a climber, could you recon for us in a southwestern direction? away from the city? Shas'Saal Michael , not sure who you are, but cut it or i personally remove your community and then you can snark and lower your own darn morale. Understood, and before you ask, i am one year higher than you" Wiking said, but his voice was different. Gone was the the soft voice his combrad would be used to, instead the voice of a soldier or commander. It was not for nothing that wiking spent two years in the Auxiliary, you learned many a thing during that time. Like how to speak to command, convince, ect. Now he just needed the rest of his team to shape up.

[Elysian Kentarchy]

Maria

"Rodger that!" I yell down but remember that we are using communicators and have probably yelled in everyone's ears so I begin softly. "Sorry. Anastasia and myself will be right down." We do so and pull down the rope for later use.

"Maria grab a pack of the stuff you will need and prep weapons for engagement." Anastasia barks as she slings her rifle across her back and prepares her pistol. "Everyone, Maria and myself will provide the rear guard when we move out but we must move quickly." I move to grab the kit of stuff I will need if we need to set traps and rejoin Anastasia quickly. Despite everything I know Anastasia well enough to leave my back to her.

Rache

"Fight well Anastasia." I tell her over the communications and Rain and myself fall in with me standing next to the new Tracian. Michael... I remember Alexander mentioning that name once when we were talking about family and if I remember right this is his elder brother. Though the conversation with Elaine would also suffice to inform me of that detail. I say nothing though but I do want to chuckle at all the family reunions happening today.

Flavia

I confess to not being a good soldier, or really being a soldier at all, but Rain's command comes through crisply. "Flavia, grab medical supplies and join up with the other medic. Best to have one central source of medical supplies."

"Yes." I reply quickly, the nervousness leaking into my voice as I do and I grab a pack of medical supplies and head over the other medic giving a nod while tapping my fingers against my side. I can't be too nervous otherwise I might lose control and who knows what will happen since I am in a simulation. But I can't help it.

[Tracian Empire]

"And you should realize that this isn't the place from where you come from. Ranks indicate a hierarchy, ranks indicate subordination. You are not my superior, and hence, I am not obliged to listen to anything you say. Mind your own business. And go and lay some eggs, or whatever the hell your species is supposed to do.", Michael said, sounding pretty disgusted. But now that the.. bird thingy soldier had left, he could focus on the matter at hand, so he took one of the supply boxes, and followed the others. This was going to be boring..

The blue eyed boy on the other hand, simply remained quiet as Elaine spoke.. as he continued to look at her.. of course, he still had his usual empty look in his eyes.. but he did look sort of worried. He was confused.. but for some reason, he really felt like he could trust the princess.. although as far as he remembered, he had never trusted anyone before. And even if that guy was clearly a member of the Imperial Family... so someone he had to listen to..he felt.. a little bad.. that he was hurting her.

"Do not worry about me.. I'm.. used to being hurt, so it's.. alright.", Slaine answered after a while.."But if that man tries to hurt you.. I will protect you. I live to serve you, after all."

While Elaine knew he only had good intentions, something about that last statement still stung a little. After all, she'd always seen him as equal to her, if not better...but she'd never thought of him as any less. He mattered too much to her to call him anything less than her best friend, even if he was a soldier. "...It won't come to that." She replied softly as she held his hand. "...don't worry about that. I already promised I'd never let you get hurt again, and I'm not about to let you down." She knew he probably didn't even remember that conversation, when she'd temporarily been able to shock him out of the mindless state before Lise shot him and sent him spiraling back down again. "...and don't say that, don't say that you live to serve me...you're my friend, we live to help each other, not serve. That would just put you on a lower level than I am, and I don't want that...don't consider me to be superior than you, because at one point, a long time ago, you didn't believe that anyways." She spoke, and while she knew he must've thought she was telling lies, she didn't care. As long as her point was getting across, that was what mattered. She could focus on details when she had a way to shock him out of that state again.

This was weird.. so weird. She promised that she'd never let him get hurt again? She considered him to be her friend? She didn't want to be superior to him? That was.. the complete opposite of everything he knew.. and of everything he believed in. Once again.. this was all.. so confusing. Was she.. just playing around with him?.. it wasn't unusual.. for them to be playing around with him. To be fooling him around. That's why.. he stopped believing in what other people were saying long ago. But even so... somehow.. he just couldn't believe that the princess would be trying to lie to him.. even if he was unable to comprehend something like what she was saying... how weird.

"Thank you.. for your kindness...", Slaine said after a while."But it's not like.. you can do anything about it. I'm a penal soldier. Nothing more than a possession. I will get hurt.. but I'm used to it.", the blonde boy continued.. with only a little bit of sadness in his voice."I'm only a mere traitor.. I can't be on the same level as you. I don't know what I believed in the past.. but.. it's not like I have a choice now." Slaine than looked directly at the purple eyed girl."I exist to obey orders... to serve. No matter what you would order me, I will follow it. But.. I will protect you... and I will help you... not because of any orders.. I just.. feel like I have to."

"Sir yes sir...", Michael responded in a rather sarcastic way as he started to walk... his sister and Slaine were still seeming to talk, but well... he was going to take care of them.. later.

[Danceria]

It would appear that everyone's finally on the same page... Nalli smiled from beneath her helmet, and leaping in the direction that her newfound commander directed her.

"Commander" was a relative term, as right now this "Wiking" character knew how to lead, and to make sure his followers were onboard. Of course, the red-eyed pain in the arse was his own problem, but beggars cannot be choosers, and there's no such thing as a perfect battle.

"All right..." she responded over her comns "I'll do a 1.6 kilometer arc around this direction and cover you. If anything comes from behind us, we'll be the first to know." Nalli explained "In the meantime, I would suggest finding a temporary camp spot to set down any supplies we currently have, and maybe get as many supplies as we can before sunset. Make sure you tread lightly, no sense making it easy for any bogeys to find us."

[Castle Crashers]

While Elaine knew he only had good intentions, something about that last statement still stung a little. After all, she'd always seen him as equal to her, if not better...but she'd never thought of him as any less. He mattered too much to her to call him anything less than her best friend, even if he was a soldier. "...It won't come to that." She replied softly as she held his hand. "...don't worry about that. I already promised I'd never let you get hurt again, and I'm not about to let you down." She knew he probably didn't even remember that conversation, when she'd temporarily been able to shock him out of the mindless state before Lise shot him and sent him spiraling back down again. "...and don't say that, don't say that you live to serve me...you're my friend, we live to help each other, not serve. That would just put you on a lower level than I am, and I don't want that...don't consider me to be superior than you, because at one point, a long time ago, you didn't believe that anyways." She spoke, and while she knew he must've thought she was telling lies, she didn't care. As long as her point was getting across, that was what mattered. She could focus on details when she had a way to shock him out of that state again.

This was weird.. so weird. She promised that she'd never let him get hurt again? She considered him to be her friend? She didn't want to be superior to him? That was.. the complete opposite of everything he knew.. and of everything he believed in. Once again.. this was all.. so confusing. Was she.. just playing around with him?.. it wasn't unusual.. for them to be playing around with him. To be fooling him around. That's why.. he stopped believing in what other people were saying long ago. But even so... somehow.. he just couldn't believe that the princess would be trying to lie to him.. even if he was unable to comprehend something like what she was saying... how weird.

"Thank you.. for your kindness...", Slaine said after a while."But it's not like.. you can do anything about it. I'm a penal soldier. Nothing more than a possession. I will get hurt.. but I'm used to it.", the blonde boy continued.. with only a little bit of sadness in his voice."I'm only a mere traitor.. I can't be on the same level as you. I don't know what I believed in the past.. but.. it's not like I have a choice now." Slaine than looked directly at the purple eyed girl."I exist to obey orders... to serve. No matter what you would order me, I will follow it. But.. I will protect you... and I will help you... not because of any orders.. I just.. feel like I have to."

"Sir yes sir...", Michael responded in a rather sarcastic way as he started to walk... his sister and Slaine were still seeming to talk, but well... he was going to take care of them.. later.

She frowned, his words only saddening her knowing that he was still nothing like he had been, like she remembered him as. She knew she could never make him the same after all he'd been through, but she knew she could get him close, or at least get him to show more emotion again. She just...needed to cause him pain, but she had no way of doing that, not now. She could still figure out a way to help him through her words, she was sure. She had done it before, and she knew she could do it again if she tried. "You aren't the only traitor, you know." She said softly, returning the look he gave her.

"I've...been exiled from the public eye of the Empire for as long as I can remember, always confined to the grounds of the Palace, the place I always dreamed of getting away from...yet, I knew, if I left...I would be dead before I got a mile away from that place. My father...he shifted my image, twisted it into something far beyond what is was so everyone, even my own siblings, would hate me...I've been branded a traitor, a killer, and a lot of other things...but I still have a choice. I can still choose to be the way I am, or conform to what they tried to shape me into, the mold of a perfect daughter..." She sighed. "If anything, I'm on a lower level than you..." and then, suddenly, a determined look crossed her face. "What if I order you to choose what you want to feel? To feel anything?" She asked, a bit loudly, obviously excited about her new thought. "What if I order you to follow what you think!?"

[Tracian Empire]

This was weird.. so weird. She promised that she'd never let him get hurt again? She considered him to be her friend? She didn't want to be superior to him? That was.. the complete opposite of everything he knew.. and of everything he believed in. Once again.. this was all.. so confusing. Was she.. just playing around with him?.. it wasn't unusual.. for them to be playing around with him. To be fooling him around. That's why.. he stopped believing in what other people were saying long ago. But even so... somehow.. he just couldn't believe that the princess would be trying to lie to him.. even if he was unable to comprehend something like what she was saying... how weird.

"Thank you.. for your kindness...", Slaine said after a while."But it's not like.. you can do anything about it. I'm a penal soldier. Nothing more than a possession. I will get hurt.. but I'm used to it.", the blonde boy continued.. with only a little bit of sadness in his voice."I'm only a mere traitor.. I can't be on the same level as you. I don't know what I believed in the past.. but.. it's not like I have a choice now." Slaine than looked directly at the purple eyed girl."I exist to obey orders... to serve. No matter what you would order me, I will follow it. But.. I will protect you... and I will help you... not because of any orders.. I just.. feel like I have to."

"Sir yes sir...", Michael responded in a rather sarcastic way as he started to walk... his sister and Slaine were still seeming to talk, but well... he was going to take care of them.. later.

She frowned, his words only saddening her knowing that he was still nothing like he had been, like she remembered him as. She knew she could never make him the same after all he'd been through, but she knew she could get him close, or at least get him to show more emotion again. She just...needed to cause him pain, but she had no way of doing that, not now. She could still figure out a way to help him through her words, she was sure. She had done it before, and she knew she could do it again if she tried. "You aren't the only traitor, you know." She said softly, returning the look he gave her.

"I've...been exiled from the public eye of the Empire for as long as I can remember, always confined to the grounds of the Palace, the place I always dreamed of getting away from...yet, I knew, if I left...I would be dead before I got a mile away from that place. My father...he shifted my image, twisted it into something far beyond what is was so everyone, even my own siblings, would hate me...I've been branded a traitor, a killer, and a lot of other things...but I still have a choice. I can still choose to be the way I am, or conform to what they tried to shape me into, the mold of a perfect daughter..." She sighed. "If anything, I'm on a lower level than you..." and then, suddenly, a determined look crossed her face. "What if I order you to choose what you want to feel? To feel anything?" She asked, a bit loudly, obviously excited about her new thought. "What if I order you to follow what you think!?"

"But even so.. you are a member of the Imperial Family. You have the Imperial blood running through your veins....even if what you say is true.. you are still above someone like me... who is not even allowed be a human being..."Slaine answered after a long silence... sounding pretty.. sad. He thought that he had stopped caring long ago.. but somehow, this girl still managed to affect him.. it seemed that being in this academy had changed him.. at least a little. And for some reason.. he was afraid... but then, the princess continued to speak.. taking him completely by surprise.

"I.... I suppose that.... I would have to follow that order.. to do my best to.. follow that order.", the blue eyed boy answered, his voice lowering with each word he said, until it was nothing more than a whisper."An order from you... would clearly overpass.. the Index.... and we're supposed to listen from our superiors.. no matter what...." Slaine was however, clearly confused. "The problem is... I... I don't know how to feel... I.. forgot how it's like.... after so much trying to hide... I'm.. I'm not sure that I can.. follow such an.. order.."

[Castle Crashers]

She frowned, his words only saddening her knowing that he was still nothing like he had been, like she remembered him as. She knew she could never make him the same after all he'd been through, but she knew she could get him close, or at least get him to show more emotion again. She just...needed to cause him pain, but she had no way of doing that, not now. She could still figure out a way to help him through her words, she was sure. She had done it before, and she knew she could do it again if she tried. "You aren't the only traitor, you know." She said softly, returning the look he gave her.

"I've...been exiled from the public eye of the Empire for as long as I can remember, always confined to the grounds of the Palace, the place I always dreamed of getting away from...yet, I knew, if I left...I would be dead before I got a mile away from that place. My father...he shifted my image, twisted it into something far beyond what is was so everyone, even my own siblings, would hate me...I've been branded a traitor, a killer, and a lot of other things...but I still have a choice. I can still choose to be the way I am, or conform to what they tried to shape me into, the mold of a perfect daughter..." She sighed. "If anything, I'm on a lower level than you..." and then, suddenly, a determined look crossed her face. "What if I order you to choose what you want to feel? To feel anything?" She asked, a bit loudly, obviously excited about her new thought. "What if I order you to follow what you think!?"

"But even so.. you are a member of the Imperial Family. You have the Imperial blood running through your veins....even if what you say is true.. you are still above someone like me... who is not even allowed be a human being..."Slaine answered after a long silence... sounding pretty.. sad. He thought that he had stopped caring long ago.. but somehow, this girl still managed to affect him.. it seemed that being in this academy had changed him.. at least a little. And for some reason.. he was afraid... but then, the princess continued to speak.. taking him completely by surprise.

"I.... I suppose that.... I would have to follow that order.. to do my best to.. follow that order.", the blue eyed boy answered, his voice lowering with each word he said, until it was nothing more than a whisper."An order from you... would clearly overpass.. the Index.... and we're supposed to listen from our superiors.. no matter what...." Slaine was however, clearly confused. "The problem is... I... I don't know how to feel... I.. forgot how it's like.... after so much trying to hide... I'm.. I'm not sure that I can.. follow such an.. order.."

"Sadly..." she sighed, looking away. "I wish it wasn't so. My life would be so much more simple if I wasn't. And...while it's probably against all the rules of the Empire and the Index...while you're with me, and even when you're not, you're allowed to be a human being. Strip that thought from your mind, because it isn't true. If it was, you'd be noctournal and covered in fur." She said, as an example. She could hear the sad tone in his voice, and while she was sure he didn't want to, he did have to follow her orders...so, perhaps for once, being a member of such a godforsaken family was a good thing...for now, at least.

Then, he spoke of not remembering how to feel, and a thought struck her mind. "Well, I...think I know more than a few ways to help with that, that we can at least try...but it should wait until later. For the moment, I think our main focus should be trying to eliminate hostiles, if and when they pop up." She said, and while he was listening, it was easy for him to tell that she wasn't giving an order. Instead, she was talking with him rather than to him, as if waiting for his input on her suggestion.

[Elysian Kentarchy]

Rain

I start fiddling with my helmet. "Come on." I mutter cycling through the functions on my visor. Finally I find what I am looking for and presses the button. "Ah that is much better. Tell me if they say anything relevant cousin."

"You didn't did you?" Rache asks.

"Yep. I am ever thankful to the Ancestors that this included a function to mute certain channels. I can't stand such drama like those two do. If they want to cry, confess love, or whatever nonsense they want to spout they can do it in private. Our goal is to survive and kill the enemy, not get mopey." If I could I would rub my temples, why the hell is that girl here? This is a combat situation and she is clearly unwell mentally for such a thing. Had she been in my fleet I would have ordered her discharged and reported to a psychiatrist, or discharged out of the air lock if it annoyed me enough. Though I suppose I brought Flavia here despite her knowing nothing about being a soldier so I am a hypocrite in a way but so be it, at least she is trying to make herself useful. I turn to Prince Michael and adopt my more formal tone. "Tell me Prince Michael, was she always like that back in the Holy Tracian Empire? I know she is your sister and I apologize for saying so but this... drama is most unproductive in a combat simulation."

[Tracian Empire]

"But even so.. you are a member of the Imperial Family. You have the Imperial blood running through your veins....even if what you say is true.. you are still above someone like me... who is not even allowed be a human being..."Slaine answered after a long silence... sounding pretty.. sad. He thought that he had stopped caring long ago.. but somehow, this girl still managed to affect him.. it seemed that being in this academy had changed him.. at least a little. And for some reason.. he was afraid... but then, the princess continued to speak.. taking him completely by surprise.

"I.... I suppose that.... I would have to follow that order.. to do my best to.. follow that order.", the blue eyed boy answered, his voice lowering with each word he said, until it was nothing more than a whisper."An order from you... would clearly overpass.. the Index.... and we're supposed to listen from our superiors.. no matter what...." Slaine was however, clearly confused. "The problem is... I... I don't know how to feel... I.. forgot how it's like.... after so much trying to hide... I'm.. I'm not sure that I can.. follow such an.. order.."

"Sadly..." she sighed, looking away. "I wish it wasn't so. My life would be so much more simple if I wasn't. And...while it's probably against all the rules of the Empire and the Index...while you're with me, and even when you're not, you're allowed to be a human being. Strip that thought from your mind, because it isn't true. If it was, you'd be noctournal and covered in fur." She said, as an example. She could hear the sad tone in his voice, and while she was sure he didn't want to, he did have to follow her orders...so, perhaps for once, being a member of such a godforsaken family was a good thing...for now, at least.

Then, he spoke of not remembering how to feel, and a thought struck her mind. "Well, I...think I know more than a few ways to help with that, that we can at least try...but it should wait until later. For the moment, I think our main focus should be trying to eliminate hostiles, if and when they pop up." She said, and while he was listening, it was easy for him to tell that she wasn't giving an order. Instead, she was talking with him rather than to him, as if waiting for his input on her suggestion.

"I'm not.. sure that I will be able to follow such an order...... but if it is your wish... I will.. I will try.", Slaine tried to answer after being quiet for a few moments.. although the order clearly made him feel conflicted. How could this girl give orders that completely contradicted all he believed so easily? But of course.. he was going to try to follow it.. although the mere thought of considering himself a human being was so weird.. he didn't deserve to be considered one, after all. And it wasn't about him being an animal or anything.. but he was a possession. Nothing more than a thing. That's what he thought about himself.. that's what he had been learned to think about himself.

"I understand... we must focus on the simulation firstly.", the blonde Thracian boy said, after Elaine spoke.. although he only did it after a few moments in which he had remained silent, looking at her, confused. It didn't seem to be an order.. at least... not in the way he was used to receive an order. It was as if.. she was merely suggesting something.. and waiting for him to add something to it... which was weird. Orders were orders.. they weren't supposed to think about them, or comment them. But the girl seemed determined to try what she had said... he didn't exactly understand her determination. Why would she care so much about him? He was disposable after all.. but if that was her order.. he was going to try to act like a human being.. although he didn't knew exactly how to do something like that..

"We should.. follow Wiking's orders. We seem to need to move..", Slaine continued."We should follow the others.."

Meanwhile, the Prince sighed, as he tried to answer Rain's question."Yeah.. sort of. She's always been the softest in the family.. I still don't know what she's doing in a military academy, to be honest.", the red eyed boy answered after a few moments of thinking."You don't need to apologize, though. She's only my half-sister.. and it's not like we don't know how much of a shame she is for our nation...but unfortunately, we can't ignore the fact that she has the Emperor's blood in her veins.", he tried to explain."By the way.. you don't need to be so formal...it's not like there is a big difference between our ranks. And as long as we're in this academy, we're supposed to be classmates, after all."

[Castle Crashers]

"Sadly..." she sighed, looking away. "I wish it wasn't so. My life would be so much more simple if I wasn't. And...while it's probably against all the rules of the Empire and the Index...while you're with me, and even when you're not, you're allowed to be a human being. Strip that thought from your mind, because it isn't true. If it was, you'd be noctournal and covered in fur." She said, as an example. She could hear the sad tone in his voice, and while she was sure he didn't want to, he did have to follow her orders...so, perhaps for once, being a member of such a godforsaken family was a good thing...for now, at least.

Then, he spoke of not remembering how to feel, and a thought struck her mind. "Well, I...think I know more than a few ways to help with that, that we can at least try...but it should wait until later. For the moment, I think our main focus should be trying to eliminate hostiles, if and when they pop up." She said, and while he was listening, it was easy for him to tell that she wasn't giving an order. Instead, she was talking with him rather than to him, as if waiting for his input on her suggestion.

"I'm not.. sure that I will be able to follow such an order...... but if it is your wish... I will.. I will try.", Slaine tried to answer after being quiet for a few moments.. although the order clearly made him feel conflicted. How could this girl give orders that completely contradicted all he believed so easily? But of course.. he was going to try to follow it.. although the mere thought of considering himself a human being was so weird.. he didn't deserve to be considered one, after all. And it wasn't about him being an animal or anything.. but he was a possession. Nothing more than a thing. That's what he thought about himself.. that's what he had been learned to think about himself.

"I understand... we must focus on the simulation firstly.", the blonde Thracian boy said, after Elaine spoke.. although he only did it after a few moments in which he had remained silent, looking at her, confused. It didn't seem to be an order.. at least... not in the way he was used to receive an order. It was as if.. she was merely suggesting something.. and waiting for him to add something to it... which was weird. Orders were orders.. they weren't supposed to think about them, or comment them. But the girl seemed determined to try what she had said... he didn't exactly understand her determination. Why would she care so much about him? He was disposable after all.. but if that was her order.. he was going to try to act like a human being.. although he didn't knew exactly how to do something like that..

"We should.. follow Wiking's orders. We seem to need to move..", Slaine continued."We should follow the others.."

Meanwhile, the Prince sighed, as he tried to answer Rain's question."Yeah.. sort of. She's always been the softest in the family.. I still don't know what she's doing in a military academy, to be honest.", the red eyed boy answered after a few moments of thinking."You don't need to apologize, though. She's only my half-sister.. and it's not like we don't know how much of a shame she is for our nation...but unfortunately, we can't ignore the fact that she has the Emperor's blood in her veins.", he tried to explain."By the way.. you don't need to be so formal...it's not like there is a big difference between our ranks. And as long as we're in this academy, we're supposed to be classmates, after all."

Elaine nodded. "It is my wish...but I understand that it isn't easy, so I don't expect things to be exactly as I imagine right off the bat...but I can help you. I've done it before, and I'll do it again." She frowned a little. "I guess I just have to try a different method this time...but I'll figure it out, don't worry. You aren't taking on this command alone, even if I am the one who issued it." She then smiled briefly, before her expression became a bit more neutral as the conversation shifted towards the simulation, and what they should do. "Agreed, let's keep heading after them." She nodded, releasing his hand so she could pull her gun out, keeping the barrel pointed low as they walked. She needed to be ready for an ambush, because she knew that the hostiles could strike at any moment. She could just barely hear the snippets of conversation between Michael and Rain, but she ignored it for the most part, already accepting the fact that, even though that girl was new, everyone grew to hate her. She feared that it was just a matter of time before someone convinced Slaine to feel the same, and she would truly be alone.

[Elysian Kentarchy]

Rain

I faintly smile and let the formality drop from my tone. "Perfectly understandable and thank you Prince Michael. I am not used to talking to foreign royals, or in fact have never talked to them so I wasn't sure how to talk to one. Equals does sound about right. Though it is a bit refreshing to be among foreigners I am not actively warring against." I don't add that my last conversation with a xeno was talking to the Ralitari leaders and stating they are condemned to death in the name of House Olderen after my fleet swarmed into their space.

[The Tophat Empire]

It would appear that everyone's finally on the same page... Nalli smiled from beneath her helmet, and leaping in the direction that her newfound commander directed her.

"Commander" was a relative term, as right now this "Wiking" character knew how to lead, and to make sure his followers were onboard. Of course, the red-eyed pain in the arse was his own problem, but beggars cannot be choosers, and there's no such thing as a perfect battle.

"All right..." she responded over her comns "I'll do a 1.6 kilometer arc around this direction and cover you. If anything comes from behind us, we'll be the first to know." Nalli explained "In the meantime, I would suggest finding a temporary camp spot to set down any supplies we currently have, and maybe get as many supplies as we can before sunset. Make sure you tread lightly, no sense making it easy for any bogeys to find us."

"Copy that, be on the lookout" wiking replied back. Before switching his attention to the rest of the section "Attention, we are heading out now, spread out, three meters between each one weapons at the ready. But only fire if fired upon" He said, before starting to head of away from the wreck, praying that the others would follow. He had done what he could, and they needed to move, fast. The woodland was think, and that wiking was thankful for, it would make it harder for whatever was looking for them to find them. But the opposite was also true. Less than two minutes after wiking and hopefully, the rest left the site the aircraft was upon it, and after the craft had cleared a LZ with the use of high explosives fire, several creatures would repel down to secure it. No doubt killing and sending and one who remained back to the academy, and the disappointed staff.

[Tracian Empire]

"Yes, I am in a similar position. I have never spoken to foreign royals either, and meeting some good foreigners is actually a nice experience. But I am afraid we must go.. we should talk later.", Prince Michael said, before he joined the others as they started to move. The three Thracians quickly followed the orders, leaving three meters between themselves and the others, and keeping their weapons ready, with Slaine being the closest to Elaine, though. Of course, while each of the three Thracians had their own problems, with Slaine not exactly understanding the concept of acting without being ordered, with Michael not used to getting orders from a xeno, and with Lise still deeply affected by the fact that her own brother didn't recognize her anymore.. they were all, more or less, soldiers. And they knew what they had to do. The three of them, probably followed by Elaine of the others, entered deeper and deeper into the forest, following Wiking.

[Castle Crashers]

Elaine walked the closest to Slaine, at least on his left, keeping herself alert for any movement that wasn't friendly. She kept her gun's barrel low, but her finger ready in the event she needed to pull the trigger fast. Keeping yourself calm and steady was a big factor when trying to shoot to hit, and she'd always made this an important skill when she'd learned to shoot. She doubted she'd let herself down now. Of anything, she was going to try and win this simulation, because she felt as if she needed to prove herself to Michael. She knew nothing she did would get him to respect her, but after everything he'd done, it was hardwired into her instincts. She always felt she had to do something to make him hate her less...but everything she did seemed to be wrong. Now was her chance to succeed.

---

Anne, in the meanwhile, followed closest to Wiking, keeping her gun ready and keeping her ears open for any rustle of movement other than themselves and their suits. "Do you think they're watching us from somewhere?" She asked softly, looking to him for a moment. "The enemies, I mean. Do you think they're simply waiting to strike..?"

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Now, someone had been missing the whole time. Or better yet, 2 someones had been missing. Then again, they had been very anti-social lately and kept to themselves and the older one wasn`t particularly well liked so it wasn´t exactly surprising to see that they had been forgotten about. Though this was going to change now. A sudden increase in noise coming very quickly towards the group should serve as indicator of that. It was the sound of something breaking through branches and all that with massive speed, accompanied by a long screech.

"WWWaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

And then the branches above the group suddenly parted, letting someone in the same armour as the rest fall down flat onto the floor where he stayed for now, only twitching eratically. A tirade of swear words also came closer quickly and soon a small but also appropriately armoured person came out of the bushes, stopping shortly in her endless spewing of insults to gaze at the group in disbelief before continuing her way to the downed trooper though this time not only insulting him anymore but the whole group.

"Stupid Dieter. Sitting in bushes again. Fucking Xenos. Just running of before I can gauge their eyes out. Worthless foreign scum. They`ll serve as food source and I bet I`ll vomitt if I taste them."

Then she finally reached the downed soldier. Grabbing him by the neck, even though she looked pretty small and fragile, she just lifted him up from the ground without any visible effort.

"I should`ve never trusted a coward as spineless as you! MURDERER! TRAITOR!"

"Now now Prinzessin. Everything at it`s time don`t you think? I`m sure there will be better opportunities to make him pay for his crimes than right here in front of everyone."

A third voice suddenly said. Shortly after another fragile looking rather short female came out of the shadows. What was strange was, that this one seemed to carry a lot of knives with her. She walked all the way up to the 2 and put a hand on the shoulders of the Prinzessin.

"KrchkrchahahahAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA! I was already asking myself how much longer it would take you to get here Etheltryth. You pretty much failed at your job as protector of the Prinzessin. If the Kaiser would still be here and have heard of this, he would`ve held the whole order accountable for that. And I would`ve been the one to carry out his orders for the dirty work.

Face it you 2. You can`t kill me. And you can`t crown yourself as the Kaiser`s daughter because officially the Kaiser had no daughter and with the scientists of the Kaiser`s secret research facility even the last witnesses have died. You have nobody to support your claims. Except the Order. But who do you think the people will follow? Or much more important, where are the loyalties of the army? Will they follow the ZZ or you? Give it up. You can`t become the new queen and she won`t bring the order back to it`s former glory.

What? Did you believe I didn`t know? Oh my dear Etheltryth, you have much to learn. It was all too clear that the Order wanted to influence the Prinzessin. That`s why they choose you. Also small, somewhere in her age, same hair colour and also exceptionally skilled. Someone with whome the Prinzessin could feel on par and become friends with. Didn`t you know this Prinzessin? Ach come on! Nobody is this naive! Nobody in Exilvania helps out of pure cameraderie. "

Now she let go off his throat and he slumped back together, shaking from occasional giggles. Ethelytryth tried to speak to the Princess but she just pushed her hand away and joined the rest of the group. Ethel`s gaze followed her before returning back to the man who had just ruined the bond she had created with Antonia. He was getting back up on his feet, towering high above her and looking down on her. Even through the helmets she could feel the burning hatred in his gaze. And she was sure he felt the same in her gaze. He was the usurpator, the tyrann, the secret puppet master of the outer universe. And she was the most talented assasin of the highly religious Ordo Curdelitatis in 2 Millennia. Who would win this battle in the end was depending on the one between the frontlines. It was all depending on the Kaiser`s dynasty and it`s only living offspring.

[Tracian Empire]

The three Thracians stopped, with even Slaine seeming to be a little confused while seeing what was happening, even if he recognized two of those three Exilvanians as being Dietrich and that Princess of theirs. Lise was even more confused than him, as she stopped near her brother, using the confusion and the time to take her position near him, even if of course, she had no intention to speak with him.. yet. She still couldn't fully understand the fact that he didn't remember her.. but she wanted to make him remember. She had to.

"And they told me that I was disrupting the simulation.", Michael said sarcastically."And well, at least I'm not so incompetent as to fall right from a tree when I was trying to hide."

[Elysian Kentarchy]

Anastasia
Shaking I turn toward Dietrich leveling my pistol at him from mine and Maria's position in the rearguard. Even though this is a simulation I sincerely hope he will feel this in the real world. Before I can do anything Maria grabs my pistol and shakes her head. "Anastasia this is not the time."

"Fine." I return my attention to the flank.

"My. I have never seen you get so annoyed before." Maria quips.

"I hate pedos." I grunt.

"Ah. Feel free to shoot him later but for the moment we need more guns."

"I am pleased to have your blessing." I tell her sarcastically.

"How I have missed this."

"Less talk, more watching the forest for the enemy." I snap at her.

Rain

"You know them Cousin?" I ask him

I can tell he is slightly annoyed at this disruption. "The male is Dietrich. The one that is beating Dietrich up is Princess Antonia von Folterburg of Exilvania. The one other one I do not recognize."

Rache

"I see... Is the Princess of them always this... volatile?" Rain asks me, and I am guessing she is unsettled by such a person as the Princess.

"Towards Dietrich? Certainly. I first spoke to her after she gave a flying kick to Dietrich's head. On an unrelated note we will have to have tea. Anastasia is quite good at making it as you well know."

"Better at making it than my Serventi certainly." Rain mumbles.

"Don't remind me. His tea reminded me of that distilled engine juice I tried with the troops out of boredom shortly before the Battle of Aritallia."

"How did it taste?"

"It will get you drunk certainly but you might want to have a stomach pump on hand. And be near a medical bay. And have a full detoxification treatment ready and waiting."

"I think I will refrain."

"Good move. You are a Princess after all."

"Yet the Emperor can?"

"I could because I was the Emperor." I answer giving a chuckle. "But Adina should and would not do so since, setting aside the sentiment it is unladylike, her health shouldn't be jeopardized anymore than it already is."

"True."

[United Human Planets]

Zaahir stood just inside the simulation room, where the rest of his class was. He had only gotten there a minute or two ago, and had just stood off to the side waiting for something to happen. Off to his left was a younger woman, also from the UHP like him. She had walked in a bit after him, and stood by herself in her own little corner. They were fairly close to one another, but it was more the relief of seeing a person from the same nation rather than because they actually knew one another. They hadn't really spoken, both of them had just nodded to one another on the shuttle in after seeing that they were both wearing UHP uniforms. He was exited to be earning a degree, after all it would enable him to move up in rank past NCO. The military was his career, and so everything he was doing here was important to him.

"Oh hell yeah! I thought I was gonna be the only one of us here!"

Zaahir turned, as well as the girl. They saw a third man coming up to them, his skin brown like theirs, and a LRAC Black Beret on his head. Zaahir didnt know if he was technically allowed to wear the beret with the Academy's uniform, but it didn't look like this guy cared very much. He walked with a certain swagger, like there was nothing in the world that could touch him, and even if something that could presented himself, he wouldn't care.

"Yeah, your not the only one here," said the girl.

"Right?" said the man with the beret, "I was thinking it would just be me here with all the xenos. I mean, theres nothing wrong with that per se, but I saw a few around who seem to know who the UHP is and dont like us. I think they may have been some of the people who fought against us on Spit."

"You know," said Zaahir, "xeno isnt really the word the brass would want us to use. Person of Separate Species, please." He smiled at the man. Weather the term xeno was politically correct or not was a running gag in the UHP military. Soldiers weren't supposed to say it, but there were very few of them who actually card enough to follow that rule.

"Hah," said the man with the beret. "Sure thing pal, Ill make an effort to contain my insensitive language." he came to a stop in front of Zaahir and the girl, and extended his hand to Zaahir. "Im Astronaut Petty Officer Second Class Valentin Vasiliev, LRAC."

Zaahir took Valentin's hand and shook it. "Astronaut Petty Officer First Class Zaahir Ahsan, SGT," he said.

They both looked over at the girl, who had yet to speak at all. She looked back and forth between the two of them, before saying. "Senior Astronaut Camille Aubertin." Zaahir and Valentin watched her. She watched them back awkwardly before saying "What?"

"What do you do?" said Valentin.

"Oh," said Camille, "I load torpedoes."

"Thats not very exiting," said Valentin, an over dramatic frown taking over his face. "I was hoping you would be something cool, like a GAT handler, or a drone operator."

"Uh," said Camille, "sorry to disappoint?" It was a statement, but it came out more like a question. She was trying to hide it, but Camille felt incredibly small in the presence of Valentin and Zaahir. They were both from some of the most elite units in the UHP, while she was just a lowly astronaut. These guys had probably fought bears, and punched pirates in the face for breakfast, while she just piddled away in a space ship. This wasn't to say that her job didn't have perks, but it was nowhere near as glamours as her new companions.

Valentin turned and looked over the room. There were simulation pods lining it, and it seemed like everyone was already inside. "Are we supposed to get in one of those?" said Valentin.

"Looks like it," said Camille.

None of them moved. Camille and Zaahir looked at the pods nervously, but Valentin looked more like he was waiting for one of them to make a move. When neither of them did, he looked at them with mock disdain and stepped forward, walking up and down the pods looking for one that was open.

"Your uh, just gonna hop in one of those things are you?" said Zaahir apprehensively.

"Yes sir, that is exactly what I am gonna do." said Valentin. When he found one that was open, he clapped his hands together and said, "there we go. Now, how do I open this thing."

"Ill do it," said Camille. There was another empty pod next to Valentin's, and across from them was a third. Camille showed Valentin, and then Zaahir through the pods, how to work them and how to operate them once inside. The three of them clambered inside their pods, and one by one closed them up and entered the sim. When they were all safely inside, Zaahir looked around. There were many more people all of a sudden, talking and chatting among themselves. Many of them were aliens, many others humans as well. It looked like they were headed out on a mission, most were armed in some way, and many were carrying supply's with them.

Before he could really take anything in though, Zaahir heard Valentins voice again.

"Whats going on yall!" he said, stepping forward from Zaahir and Camille. "Now, I know you all were worried, but its all gonna be okay now. Im here, and the party can start."

Zaahir could already tell that Valentin was going to be a handful. But for some reason he liked the guy.

[Ministerial]

Maria

"Rodger that!" I yell down but remember that we are using communicators and have probably yelled in everyone's ears so I begin softly. "Sorry. Anastasia and myself will be right down." We do so and pull down the rope for later use.

"Maria grab a pack of the stuff you will need and prep weapons for engagement." Anastasia barks as she slings her rifle across her back and prepares her pistol. "Everyone, Maria and myself will provide the rear guard when we move out but we must move quickly." I move to grab the kit of stuff I will need if we need to set traps and rejoin Anastasia quickly. Despite everything I know Anastasia well enough to leave my back to her.

Rache

"Fight well Anastasia." I tell her over the communications and Rain and myself fall in with me standing next to the new Tracian. Michael... I remember Alexander mentioning that name once when we were talking about family and if I remember right this is his elder brother. Though the conversation with Elaine would also suffice to inform me of that detail. I say nothing though but I do want to chuckle at all the family reunions happening today.

Flavia

I confess to not being a good soldier, or really being a soldier at all, but Rain's command comes through crisply. "Flavia, grab medical supplies and join up with the other medic. Best to have one central source of medical supplies."

"Yes." I reply quickly, the nervousness leaking into my voice as I do and I grab a pack of medical supplies and head over the other medic giving a nod while tapping my fingers against my side. I can't be too nervous otherwise I might lose control and who knows what will happen since I am in a simulation. But I can't help it.

Vaans was casually following the group leader's orders and trailing behind the group. He felt dejected and alone until a person rushed up to his side. Vaans gave her a curious look. The person was tapping their fingers on the side. "Is there anything wrong?" he added, "Is there anything you need?" He twirled a scalpel in his hand and stared at the soldier, "Based on your armour shape, I'm assuming you're a female...am I right?" He leaned in closer to the soldier's face and squinted. "Oh well, that doesn't matter now. What is your name?..."

[Tracian Empire]

Michael sighed. For some reason, it seemed that despite the promising way they had started this simulation, everything soon crumbled into some sort of a chaos, beginning with the unceremoniously arrival of the so called Exilvanians, the reaction of the Elysians, especially of that servant girl of Prince Rache.. yeah, he had forgotten her name. But for some reason, she nearly shot that guy called Dietrich, before she was stopped by another one of the Elysians. And then, some new students seemingly entered the simulation, and the Thracian Prince couldn't help but frown in disgust. They did look human, at least through the armor, but their faces showed that they had a pretty brown colored skin. Which certainly did not meet the standards the Thracians required to consider a person a pure human.

"Oh, we were so worried. But now, that these three weird people have arrived, we'll definitevely complete with simulation with no sorts of problems.", the red eyed boy said rather sarcastically, bored. Turning his attention from the weird humans which had just arrived, he looked at his sister, only to see something which surprised him. She was actually moving around and standing in a stance like a soldier should. She was keeping her gun barrel low, but her finger was ready to press the trigger when needed. She was surprisingly calm, keeping her gun steady.. well, this was pretty weird, for that Elaine he knew. For her, a girl who detested the military so much, to be able to act so close to how a real soldier would? How.. interesting..

"So tell me, my dear sister... how are you so natural with a gun in your hand? I've never seen you use one before..", Michael said, approaching her. "In fact, I should have thought about it earlier, but what are you doing here anyway? In a military academy?"