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Monday, 0600 Hours
“Begin preoperational sequence.” ordered Cadet Major Mohammed As`Zaman Bey.
“Sword Two commencing.” reported Cadet Captain Elias Bahar.
“Sword Three, yes sir.” replied Cadet Momtaz Kuyar.
“Pre-op begun.” responded Cadet Lieutenant Suleiman Maliq.
The cadet major watched the flat crystal display and observed the list of components. As each component passed its diagnostic test, the corresponding line flashed and highlighted.
Warning lights flashed as the mechhangar doors slid open. The cockpit As`Zaman sat in was sealed and he could not hear the klaxon horns. The dark structure framed the concrete pad visible by the predawn light. Mohammed Bey tapped his throttle control lightly and his Stinger battlemech creaked and whined. The Stinger’s servos and actuators moved its twenty-ton bulk at a slow, majestic walk.
“Column formation, to the sequence markers, speed five, move,” commanded Mohammed Bey. The Stinger casually stepped out of the hangar, followed by another. The third battlemech was the modified Wasp piloted by Kuyar. One more Stinger took up the rear position. After a few moments, each of the battlemechs stood in a bright yellow square painted upon the concrete. The squares, scuffed and scratched by the months of use, were spaced thirty meters apart.
“Team Sword in position, sir.” transmitted Maliq.
“Acknowledged.” responded As`Zaman, “As we covered in the briefing, Team Sword shall negotiate Training Route Seventeen and practice formation changes.” He checked his harness one last time, “Switch to maneuver mode.” The cadet major reached out, removed the safety from over a toggle and flipped the switch. His command console began to move, raising him from the sitting position to a full upright stance. His harness held his body in place and he could operate the battlemech’s legs manually instead of allowing the compass and throttle to move the twenty-ton machine as done in casual operation.
The cadets reported that they were ready.
Mohammed Bey ordered the formation to move. “Forward, march.”
Each of the light battlemechs stepped forward, left foot first, then the right, arms swinging to maintain balance.
“Left, right, left, right.” called Mohammed Bey, “Diamond formation, move.”
The second machine in the column stepped to the right while the third stepped to the left. The other battlemechs marked time and marched in place. “Forward, march!”
1735 Hours
“The last navigation point is 100 meters ahead, be prepared to change into the Finger Four formation and run to the concrete pad.” announced As`Zaman. He checked his proximity sensors, “Maintain your interval.” Despite the environmental controls, the cadet major perspired profusely. The sun was setting and he was very hungry. As the four battlemechs passed the navigation point, they changed from the Box formation to the loose line of the Finger Four.
“Team Sword, double time, march!” As one, the formation of battlemechs stretched their legs and lengthened their strides. The hangars stood a kilometer away.
Cadet Captain Bahar nervously watched the concrete pad as Team Sword swiftly moved toward the hangars. He could see the flashing lights on the hangars as well as the other teams of battlemechs walking into their respective shelters.
Less than fifty meters from the edge of the concrete As`Zaman keyed his communicator, “Forward, march!” The battlemechs slowed to a walk. “Speed two-five, to the sequence markers, move!”
Each of the ponderous machines reached their respective yellow squares and marched in place. “Speed one-five, in column, move.” Team Sword was the last formation to march back to their hangar.
The cadets positioned their mounts at their assigned bays and followed their shutdown procedure checklists. Technicians scrambled up the scaffolding and along catwalks to attend to their charges.
Mohammed Bey unbuckled his harness and removed the jacks from his neural helmet. “Cadet Captain Bahar, please collect the data chips and have Team Sword ready for debriefing in ten minutes.”
Captain Kageyama waited for the cadets to take their seats. “Team Sword, you cadets have logged in half a week’s worth of live cockpit time on your first day.” he looked at each of the young men, “You aren’t the first team to push themselves and you won’t be the last.” He pushed a button on the remote he held in his left hand and a large diagram of the training grounds appeared behind him. “As you can see,” The first path glowed red, “your team took the medium-difficulty course right off and finished it in record time.”
As`Zaman raised his hand, “Sir.”
The lead instructor nodded.
“I would like to know how we may improve our times,” asked the cadet major. “We completed five training courses today and certification requires a minimum of ten, is that not so?”
Kageyama bowed his head, “That is so, As`Zaman Bey, although some teams take all day to finish one of the difficult courses.”
“Team Sword is aware of that, sir,” said Bahar, “we plan to tackle the two most difficult courses tomorrow –the last three will be the easiest.”
The Captain smiled, “I see you have planned this portion of your training well.”
“Sir,” Cadet Kuyar stood up, “I have been training in the simulator lab for two years and only now have I been able to train in a battlemech.” He looked at his teammates, “Because of the efforts of these cadets, I am here instead of trying to be battlemech certified by some obscure school.” The cadet sat down, “After two years at the simulators, I know our training courses all too well –I even dream about them.”
The others chuckled.
“It is late and I, too, am looking forward to a good meal,” announced Captain Kageyama, “Let us summarize today’s training.”
“Sir,” said As`Zaman, “except for Cadet Lieutenant Majid’s minor stumble on the third course, Team Sword should get a pass for each of today’s training runs.”
“I have to agree, Cadet Major,” replied Kageyama, he picked up his databoard and initialed the box next to each of the five entries. “Team Sword is halfway to certification.”
Mohammed Bey leaned over and whispered to Elias, “I would be happy with three out of five.”
“I know.” replied Bahar, smiling.
Mess Hall, 2045 Hours
The four cadets had to run from the barracks after the long shuttle ride, showering and changing to clean uniforms.
“Fifteen minutes to spare!” exclaimed Majid. He held the door open for the rest of his team.
“Thank you, Cadet Lieutenant.” said As`Zaman, who made a beeline to the buffet counter. “Make sure Cadet Kuyar gets in, he’s taking his time.”
Suleiman nodded, “Yes, sir!”
Mohammed Bey peered though the glass at the food in the steamer trays, “Elias, I’ll order dinner for Momtaz as well as lunch boxes to take with us.”
The cadet captain nodded, “Good idea.” He pointed at a tray, “Teriyaki beef, steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables, please.” He looked at a stack of boxed meals, “I’ll have two of those to go.”
As`Zaman waved to the server, “I’ll have the same, twice.” He grabbed a pair of trays from a stack, “Five bento boxes for me, please.”
The mama-san behind the counter shook a serving spoon at the cadets, “You boys so hungry!”
“The food here is the best, mama-san,” said Bahar, in a cheerful voice. “We leave at five in the morning and train for twelve to fourteen hours!”
“Poor boys study too hard.” she replied, shaking her head, “I give you some extra.”
“Thank you very much, mama-san,” said As`Zaman, “Cadet Kuyar just walked in. Elias, have him sit down –I’ll bring him his dinner.”
The cadets attacked their meals, far too hungry to engage in idle conversation. Bahar sat up, looking towards the main entry.
“May I sit with you?” asked Cadet Captain Benhaddad.
Mohammed Bey stood up and bowed, “Please join us, cadet captain.”
The other cadets rose from their seats and waited for Rachel to take her place beside As`Zaman.
“Are you men going to be training like this all week?” asked Benhaddad.
“Cadet Captain,” replied Elias, “Our team plans to be certified by Wednesday –Thursday at the latest.”
“We have Cadet Kuyar,” said Mohammed Bey, “He knows the training fields as if he owned them.” He filled a ceramic cup with hot tea and placed it in front of Rachel. “Team Sword has the knowledge, skill and motivation to do it.”
Benhaddad smiled as their hands met under the table. “I see you guys are taking bento boxes with you.”
“Yes, Cadet Captain,” responded Maliq, “The lunch wagon out at the training site is horrible.”
“They don’t call it the Roach Coach for nothing,” added Bahar, “I swear, only cockroaches could survive on the stuff they serve.”
The cadet major shoveled the rest of his meal into his mouth with a flick of his hashi. After swallowing his food he released Rachel’s hand and stood up, “If you will please excuse me, gentlemen,” he announced, “I shall escort the cadet captain back to her billets.”
The cadets rose from their seats and bowed, “Good night, Cadet Captain,” said Elias.”
“Good night,” said Benhaddad, “Perhaps I’ll see you all tomorrow evening.”
“We shall look forward to that, Cadet Captain,” replied Kuyar, waving.
Mohammed Bey bowed to his teammates, “I shall see you tomorrow morning.”
Once the two cadets left the mess, As`Zaman discretely slipped his hand about Rachel’s. “The weather’s changing.” he said, “We’re having light rain for a day or so but it will really storm before this coming weekend.”
“Is that why your team is trying to finish certification so early?” asked Benhaddad.
“That’s the main part of it,” answered Mohammed Bey, “We’d all have to wait for two weeks before starting again if we trained at the regular pace.”
“I can understand that, Mohammed,” She said. “But what is your hurry?”
He slowed and turned to face her, “Trust me, I have my reasons and I shall tell you when we have more time.” He hugged her for a moment and whispered, “And I want to share as much of the next two weeks with you as possible.”
Mohammed Bey returned to his room and removed his coat and tunic. He sat on his bed to remove his boots.
Momtaz quietly entered the room, “Sir?”
The cadet major pulled one foot clear of a brown leather boot. “Yes, Cadet Kuyar?”
The rotund cadet sat on his own bed, “I know it isn’t my business but I am very concerned about you and Cadet Captain Benhaddad.”
Mohammed Bey sighed and removed the second boot, “I know that many people are, Momtaz.” He closed his eyes, “The more I think about the situation the more helpless I feel.”
“Sooner or later, you will have to tell her, Mohammed,” warned Kuyar, “I believe she will understand.”
Az`Zaman lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling, “Maybe she will and maybe not… I can’t leave anything to chance –I love her and there has to be a way to solve this.”
“What will you do?” asked the cadet, “You have your obligations to your family and clan.”
“You do not have to remind me, Momtaz Kuyar Bey,” said Mohammed Bey, “Don’t you think that they demand too much of us?”
The other cadet stared at the floor and collected his thoughts for a moment. “That may be but we have already benefited from our nobility in the form of comfort, possessions, our education…”
“I must agree and I’ve done my best to ignore Benhaddad, show her that I was not interested in her.” As`Zaman closed his eyes.
“Just about everybody in school knows you two have been friends since you first met, Mohammed.” He leaned over to set his alarm, “There isn’t a male here that doesn’t envy you. I envy you, even though I can’t see any way you and Rachel could be together –Her mother’s association with the Arkab Legion was solely through her husband,” said Momtaz, “and he wasn’t Azami.”
“I am Azami and a Rif,” replied As`Zaman, “You are a Sunna Turk yet your family associates with the Azami.”
“Yes,” answered Kuyar, “Many in the Legion do so because they have more in common with the Azami Shia sect than with the rest of the Combine.” He slowly kicked off his boots and unbuttoned his tunic. “I am sorry, my friend. I owe you so much for all you have done and it pains me that I cannot find a way to help you in this matter.”
Mohammed Bey shifted his body and lay his head on his pillow, “I shall find a way,” he said, determined, “Even if I have to defy my parents.”
0450 Hours
Two dozen cadets awaited the arrival of the shuttle. It had been drizzling since midnight and they all wore their inclement weather coats over their utility fatigues. Each cadet carried a kit bag containing their cooling vest, protective boots and neural helmet. The more experienced cadets stuffed an extra meal or two in his kit just in case he did not have the time or money to obtain food from the vendors who visited the training site.
Team Sword stood at one corner of the crowded shelter, discussing their day’s schedule.
“Good morning.” Cadet Captain Benhaddad stepped under the shelter, accompanied by Cadet Captain Tanaka and Cadet Ahwaz. “We brought you guys something.”
“Good morning, Cadet Captain,” As`Zaman bowed, as did the others of his team. “Good morning, Cadet Captain Tanaka and Cadet Ahwaz.”
The women handed the team some small cups and filled them with hot tea. “We also made some lunch for you.” Announced Leila, she opened her kit bag and showed the men four thermal containers. “It’s Lamb curry.”
Cadet Captain Bahar was already hungry, “This is a surprise! When did you have time to do all this?”
“We discussed it over lunch yesterday,” replied Rachel, “We thought it might be a good idea.”
“It’s a great idea!” replied Cadet Kuyar, “Thank you ladies so much!” He sipped his tea, savoring its subtle flavor and feeling it ward off the morning’s chill.
As`Zaman pulled Benhaddad aside and whispered, “You don’t have to do this,” He leaned close to her, “I want to kiss you but we’re in uniform and everyone is watching.”
The cadet captain smiled, “We’re going to bring your team food and drink every morning.” She took his hand and squeezed it gently, “We’ll see you at the mess.”
Cadet Lieutenant Majid bowed, “I could really get used to this.”
Elias leaned over and whispered, “Do you get the feeling that we’re being watched?”
“Do you mean as if we were under the scrutiny of a mass of cold, hungry, and miserable cadets, who were seething with sheer jealousy? Is that what you mean?” whispered Suleiman in return. “Not really.”
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[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans
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