# The Academy - A New Challenge

Author: SrA havenofimage
Tags: Bear, Bird, Fox, Hostage, Military, Otter, Snow Leopard, Story Series

#7 of The Academy

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Congratulations to the new cadet privates of the class of 37!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I clapped with the rest of the school as the forty two cadets who had just been recognized walked off the stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It was Monday, a week before the start of term.&nbsp; Most of the upperclassmen had moved in and were attending our recognition.&nbsp; They had handed out some awards and now we were in the process of officially becoming cadets.&nbsp; I received the marksmanship ribbon, and Tank had gotten a physical fitness ribbon.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "As we all know, the cadets who win the squad challenge receive an extra promotion, so could we have those cadets come up?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I walked onto the stage with the rest of the squad and Lewis.&nbsp; We were all awarded commendations and made cadet PFCs.&nbsp; Lewis was given a metal and promoted to cadet sergeant first class.&nbsp; We returned to our seats to listen to the rest of the ceremony.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright, unless there are any other announcements?"&nbsp; Cadet Reese looked at someone off stage.&nbsp; "Right.&nbsp; For those of you who are interested, there is a meeting for all squads who want to participate in a special event at the mess hall right after this.&nbsp; Room Ten Hut!&nbsp; Dismissed."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I turned to my squad mates, "You guys want to check it out?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They agreed and we headed out of the auditorium.&nbsp; We walked to the mess hall, admiring our new rank and ribbons and wondering what the meeting was about.&nbsp; What sort of special event could be coming up?&nbsp; We filed in with a small group of squads.&nbsp; I recognized one other as being freshmen, but the rest were all older.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright."&nbsp; It was Cadet Reese again.&nbsp; Did he do everything around here?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Some of you have done this before, but for those of you who don't know, there is a small competition at the beginning of each year.&nbsp; If you chose to compete, you will attempt a multi day task that will most likely push you beyond what you are capable of.&nbsp; It will test your strength, problem solving, and most of all teamwork.&nbsp; We haven't had a squad successfully complete the event in seven years but if you do, you and your squad will be given a special reward."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What the reward?" someone asked.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Complete the challenge and you will find out.&nbsp; This event will take place over dead week before term, so your would-be free time will be taken up.&nbsp; I'll give you some time to talk about it.&nbsp; If you decide to attempt the challenge, come up to me and I'll take your names."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I turned around on the chair I was sitting on to face my squad to discuss the competition.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What do you guys think?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Let's do it!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I don't know, some of these guys look like seniors.&nbsp; Do you think we have a chance?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Ya and no one's completed it in seven years."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So what?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So, I don't want to waste my time on something that we can't even do."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "How would it be wasting time?&nbsp; Sitting around here doing nothing would be wasting time."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So what if we fail, it would be a new challenge, and it will be fun."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Fun!&nbsp; By the sound of it it's going to be a pain in the ass."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Come on.&nbsp; Didn't we just complete a huge pain in the ass?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Ya, if we can do that, we should at least try this."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "But Lewis isn't going to be with us."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "We don't need Lewis.&nbsp; He's taught us well.&nbsp; We should be able to do this."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "If we don't make it, we at least can be prepared for next year."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "And imagine if we do succeed.&nbsp; The first squad in seven years.&nbsp; Probably the first freshmen, and who knows what the reward is."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "The only way we can find out is by doing it."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So let's do it."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hooa?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hooa!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I led the squad up to Cadet Reese.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "We're in."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright, that's three.&nbsp; You will be Charlie.&nbsp; There will be a bus at the basement entrance to the barracks tomorrow mooring.&nbsp; Meet it at o four hundred.&nbsp; Where you're ACUs and bring only you're empty packs.&nbsp; Good luck."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We walked outside to find Lewis waiting for us.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So, are you guys going to do it?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yes!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I wish my squad had done it freshman year."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Why don't you do it now?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, now that I'm a squad leader, I'm not technically in an eligible squad.&nbsp; I we won't have a chance again till next year.&nbsp; I was really hoping you guys would.&nbsp; Good luck."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He ran off to meet a friend of his.&nbsp; We walked together back to the barracks.&nbsp; Some of them were going to the lounge, but I said I was going to my room to sleep.&nbsp; It was going to be an early morning tomorrow and who knew what they had in store for us.&nbsp;&nbsp; I got back to the room, sat down at my desk, and shot off an e-mail to Traci.&nbsp; We had all been issued brand new tablets that we could keep after graduation.&nbsp; I powered mine off and let it charge using the barrack's broadcast power system.&nbsp; I set my alarm and fell asleep.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was woken next morning at 0315.&nbsp; I shoved Teague out of bed and whet to the closet.&nbsp; As I pulled on my uniform, I noticed the single celestial still sitting on the floor.&nbsp; Odd that it was still so alive.&nbsp; I grabbed my pack and dumped out the few remaining oddments left over from camp.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I walked out to the lounge to wait for the rest of the squad.&nbsp; Tank and Trestan were already there, playing a silent game of cards.&nbsp; Trestan nodded at me.&nbsp; I sat down and watched them play in silence.&nbsp; We were soon joined by Jessica and Teague.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;We got up and walked out toward the loading docks.&nbsp; In the basement, we passed and open box of apples.&nbsp; I nabbed a few for myself and the squad.&nbsp; We got outside to find the sky black and overcast.&nbsp; It seemed to fit the mood of the morning.&nbsp; A white van pulled up.&nbsp; A buff rabbit wearing black sunglasses stepped out of the passenger seat.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You Charlie?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yes."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Get in."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We climbed into the side door of the van.&nbsp; Despite its outward appearance, the interior was luxurious.&nbsp; The rabbit explained that the van was usually used to transport high profile individuals who didn't want their presence known outside of the fort.&nbsp; We rode in the back of the van for about fifteen minutes before coming to a stop.&nbsp; We were let out and I saw that we were at an airfield.&nbsp; We walked in a line, all carrying our packs to the open door of a nearby office where there was some sort of reptile waiting for us.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hurry up Charlie, we don't have much time."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We walked inside to find a group of chairs around a Smart Board.&nbsp; The reptile, a lieutenant, flicked on the projector and a topographic map appeared on the screen.&nbsp; He indicated us to sit in the chairs.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Here's the mission cadets.&nbsp; A hostage has been taken by a rebel force.&nbsp; They are holding the hostage in a weather monitoring station they are using as a bunker located on top of eagle peak.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A dot was highlighted on the map.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Your task is to infiltrate the bunker, retrieve the hostage and escape.&nbsp; Due to its view of the local terrain, we will have to drop you fifty miles away here."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A second dot was highlighted.&nbsp; The map rotated, showing a 3D view.&nbsp; A small image of a helicopter traced a flight route from their current position to the DZ.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Now's the part where it get's difficult.&nbsp; If the hostage dies, the mission is failed.&nbsp; If more than one of you is killed, the mission is failed.&nbsp; If you take more than four days, the mission is failed.&nbsp; If another squad gets the hostage out first, your mission is failed.&nbsp; Are there any questions."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Dies sir?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Simulated.&nbsp; Follow me."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We got up and were led to a second room.&nbsp; This one had weapons lockers around the walls.&nbsp; The lieutenant handed me a weapon.&nbsp; It looked like a cross between a paintball gun and an assault rifle.&nbsp; I looked over it with curiosity.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "These are nark rifles.&nbsp; They're what we use for more intense training.&nbsp; They have greater range than a paintball and shoot a small dart loaded with a powerful tranquilizer."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He began handing out equipment which we quickly loaded in our packs.&nbsp; Along with the rifle, we were each issued a sidearm.&nbsp; We got N2 tanks, remotes, smaller cartridges for the pistols, two days worth of MREs, and small handheld radios.&nbsp; We were each given a small signal flare and I got a copy of the map we had seen earlier.&nbsp; Finally, he handed me a green box full of ammunition for the nark guns.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "There's also one clip of pellets in there so you can get some practice without using up ammo."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The sound of rotors was heard overhead.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "That's your ride.&nbsp; Good luck cadets."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I led the squad outside as a personnel transport helicopter was landing in front of the building.&nbsp; The van had gone.&nbsp; I saw the pilot motioning to us.&nbsp; I ran, head ducked to the open door and climbed in.&nbsp; I saw a rack of headsets and put one on.&nbsp; The noise was instantly silenced.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A female voice came over the line.&nbsp; "Alright, buckle up so I can get this thing off the ground."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I strapped into a seat facing the squad.&nbsp; When we were all in and seated, a motorized system shut the door and I felt my stomach settle as the pilot lifted the helicopter off the ground.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I switched my mike to the squad com.&nbsp; "This is intense so far."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Tell me about it." Trestan's voice crackled in my ear piece.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright Charlie," it was the pilot again; "There's no safe LZ so you're going to have to repel out.&nbsp; Are you okay with that?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Roger that."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We sat in silence as we flew over the beautiful mountain terrain.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "We'll be there in one, prepare to drop."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I unstrapped myself and walked, three pointed to the door.&nbsp; There was a coil of rope hooked to the ceiling.&nbsp; I strapped onto it and grasped the coil in my hand ready to throw it out when the door opened.&nbsp; We had practice this procedure at camp so I wasn't too worried about it.&nbsp; The pilot put the chopper into a hover.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thanks for the ride I called as the door slid open.&nbsp; I hung up the head set and threw the rope out the door.&nbsp; I back out, feet on the edge of the fuselage, rope in my gloved hands and dropped.&nbsp; I free repelled fifty feet and checked my speed only when I was about to hit the ground.&nbsp; My feat landed on dirt and I ran out of the way as the rest of the squad joined me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The pilot gave me the thumbs up.&nbsp; I returned it and she flew off, the rope pulling itself back up.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, here we are.&nbsp; Let's get moving."

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/Xek9vPpn
Part of the series The Academy
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