ZNS Kalilikane
April 21, 1807 C.E.
0800 hrs. GST (Galactic Standard Time)
"Platoon! A-Ten-Tion!" A voice called out as a platoon of soldiers all snapped to attention. This platoon was filled with the faces of newly recruited men and women of the Zarethian Marine Corp, each and every one of them eager to strike back at the Lorcar menace that had destroyed them only 45 years earlier. They all stood clad in Zarethian Combat Uniforms (ZCUs) and were focused on the Gunnery Sergeant that stood in front of them.
"Officer on deck!" the Sergeant shouted, as another officer came up behind him. The sergeant turned around and saluted. "7th Training Platoon, all present and accounted for, sir." he reported.
The Officer in front of him exchanged the salute and they both dropped them. The Gunny stepped aside and allowed the officer take his place. "At ease." the officer called to them. The recruits all went to the at ease position and awaited the officer to talk. "Ladies, and Gentlemen. As you all know, my name is Captain Richards, your training company commander, but what you may not know is why i am here to talk to your particular platoon today." he paused and examined the group. 40 soldiers, mostly male, and in in good shape stood in front of him. In the background of the officer were some suspicious looking individuals. About 3 of them were standing next to a transport vehicle talking to the Colonel in charge of the training on the ship.
"You have been specially picked by the Ship's Captain to show some demonstrations to our guests over there," he points behind him. "Lets show them how we do it in Alpha Company." he shouts.
"HOORAH!" they called back.
As the captain continued to talk to them, the "guests" were having a little talk of their own. "Nice to see you again Colonel Crosby." the ICS (Imperial Clandestine Services) Colonel, Anderton greeted the training commander.
"Likewise Colonel Anderton. Who might these two be?" Colonle Crosby asked about the other two personal standing near Anderton.
"This is Agent Nero of the Special Activities Division's (SAD), 66th SOG (Special Operations Group)." the Colonel introduces the young female agent to the training commander. "And Lt. Commander Dare of Navy Special Warfare." he introduces the second person. They briefly shook each others and and turned to the platoon. "So this is where we put them Colonel?" Anderton asks,
"Yes. Every single none of these soldiers were hand picked from a database of the population who decided to enlist. All 40 have the potential to be the person you're looking for." Crosby responds. Anderon, Nero, and Dare all look over the group of people before them.
"Agent Nero, would you like to go and speak to them first?" Anderton asks.
"With pleasure, sir." she says and walks over to the captain, who immediately stand down and lets the Agent address the unit. Many of whom couldn't help but stare at her. "Evening recruits... I am Agent Andrea Nero, of the Studies and Observations Group. As your Company Commander was saying, myself and my colleagues are here to study and observe how recruits go through our current basic training program."
"I'd like to study , and observe that ass all day." one of the soldiers remarks as she passed him. This caused her to stop dead in her tracks.
"Recruit, do you have something to say to me?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Maybe you should leave the fighting to the real men here. A small good-looking girl like you would make a better house die anyways. "he said to her, and took one step out of formation.
She simply turned to the 2 Colonels, and Dare with wide eyes, and a murderous look on her face. They simply shook their heads. She made a small hand gesture, which causes them to nod. In one quick motion she turned around, and brought her fist into the recruit's face. He flew back into the formation, almost knocking down the 3 squads behind him. "Does anybody else have anything to say to me?" she questioned them. They all stood frozen in terror, "Thats what i though..." she does an about face, and walks past the captain. "They're all yours, Cap."
"Thank you Agent Nero..." The captain continued what he was saying, and Nero returned to the group of people by the vehicle.
"Hey, Colonel? Who is that guy over there?" Lt. Commander Dare points to a skinny looking man, with brown hair in the formation.
"Not sure, Dare... Crosby?" he asks the other Colonel.
"That is Recruit Andrei Tarkov." he said.
"You've gotta be kidding me... I ask for prime subjects, and you give me this?" Anderton asks.
"He's a good kid, Anderton... i've seen what he can do. Hell, id say he should be first on your list, Anderton." Crosby said.
"What about that recruit over there?" Anderton pointed over to a well-built, handsome looking man in formation. "Prime example of a Zarethian Marine," Anderton said.
"He's a bully..." Crosby retorted.
"We'll see." Anderton said. He walked over to the truck, and found a grenade. He casually walked back over to Crosby and handed it to him. "See who the coward is, and who the man is..." he hands it to Crosby.
"You're fucking insane Anderton... but i'll call your bluff here." Crosby said, and took the grenade. Promptly pulling the pin, he throws it into the middle of the formation, with great accuracy. Crosby calls out, "Grenade!"
Immediately, they all ran for cover, some even jumped behind crates, and some went into a cowering position. Crosby and Anderton could make out someone running the other way. the second the middle was in sight, they could see Tarkov run and jump onto the grenade in an attempt to shield others from it. "Get back! Run!" Tarkov calls out and shuts his eyes, prepared to die. After a second, he opened his eyes and looked up. He could see the 2 colonels, Dare, and Agent Nero surrounding him, and looking down.He sat up and looked around at the cowering soldiers around them.
Crosby offered his hand and helped Tarkov up. "Congratulations Tarkov... I have some friends that you may want to meet." Crosby said.
