Basic Training (Private, Alana Hybrid)

Soldier · August 20, 2007, 09:53 PM

Several others crowded around waiting for training. Some wanted to join the Lions, some just wanted a weapons education, some had darker motives.

As all waited for 0700 hrs to roll around, a Half Elf could be seen coming toward the group. He was dressed in an impeccably clean and well-maintained blue uniform with a shortsword and dagger at his belt. He wore steel capped boots, and had a stern countenance. At precisely 0700, he snapped to attention and bellowed in a remarkably powerful voice, “Serale! I am Sergeant Gerron Silverblade! If you are looking for an easy way to make money or a lazy existence, you are in the wrong place! If you want to train with the weapons of war, if you want to join the proud tradition of one of the empire’s greatest military units, then you have come to the right place! I will be your Senior Drill Instructor! You will listen to me and follow my orders! You will train long and hard, but in the end I will make sure that by the time you graduate, you will be prepared for the worst that the world can throw at you! Remember, the more you train in peace, the less you will bleed in war! Are there any questions?”

Alana Hybrid · August 21, 2007, 02:12 AM

Alana listened to every word her Senior Drill Instructor said. She felt that if she missed something she would be left behind when she started her training. Alana made sure to look like she was paying attention as well. There was a difference in paying attention, looking like you were paying attention, and looking like you were paying attention while paying attention. She wanted to make a good first impression but she didn't want to over do it either. This was the military now and there was no room for too much kissing butt and not enough trying extra hard. The last thing he said was about any question.

Alana stepped forward and said in a strong confident voice "I have two questions. My first question is, what shall I address you as Sir. My second question is, what will the training consist of?" With that Alana stepped back to her original position and waited for her questions to be answered.

Soldier · August 22, 2007, 09:53 PM

Silverblade began to pace back and forth as he answered questions, looking at each person in turn, sizing him or her up. “You pay your training fee in a few moments. Training,” Silverblade said, “will last five days. At the end of it, you will know the use of the dagger and the weapon of your choice. I know the use of just about every weapon in existence, so your needs will not go unfulfilled. This is intended as a primer on the military. Citizens are encouraged to sign up and learn basic military skills. If you pass you will be given the opportunity to enlist in the Lions. If you do not, you go home a wiser person. If you do, you will undergo another set of training to make you into a soldier. In case anyone is concerned about discrimination against Elves, Giants, Dwarves or anyone else, you needn't worry there. I show no favoritism and hold no animosity toward any race, creed, gender, or religion. Within these walls there is only one race and that is “LION”! Leave your prejudices at the gate! I hate only one thing and that is insubordination! I expect you to do what you are told to do, when you are told to do it and to do it as quickly and thoroughly as possible. As long as you are in my training program, I am the all-powerful god of your universe! DO NOT MESS WITH ME! I have killed more Giants, bandits, Orcs and assorted monsters than any three Lion soldiers put together. I will chew you up, spit you out, and pick my teeth with your bones. If you doubt me, you are welcome to try me. Are there any other questions?” There were none, so Silverblade continued.

“Alright everyone. When I say ‘ATTENTION!’ you are to stand erect, feet together, shoulders back, and head up, eyes parallel with the ground. When I say ‘LEFT FACE!’ you will all turn and face the left. When I say ‘FORWARD MARCH!’ you will all walk forward, stepping in time starting with your left foot.” As he talked, he walked up and down the line of recruits, evaluating who was going to be a troublemaker, who would need extra help, and who he should talk to about joining the Lions. “COMPANY, that’s all of you… ATTEN… SHUN! LEFT… FACE! FORWARD… MARCH!”

The group headed off into the barracks. Everyone’s name was taken on a role, the 100 crowns fee (waived for those who signed up to enlist for 6 months) was paid, and all recruits were given a quick physical exam to make sure they ware capable of getting through training without dying. Corpses tended to be a real morale buster. After getting uniforms, standard issue dagger, and stowing the gear in rough wooden footlockers, several Lions soldiers, Silverblade’s assistants, guided them to an exercise yard.

Silverblade was in a plain blue training uniform now, just like everyone else. The recruits formed up in a line and Silverblade said, “We will now exercise. The purpose of this is to build your strength and stamina.” They began performing various exercises and several of the recruits felt as though they were about to die from exertion, but Silverblade has been doing this for eras and knew how far to push the new recruits. Looking barely winded himself, he exercised with the group. Finally, he stopped and called everyone to gather around.

Everyone gathered around and sat on the ground in front of Silverblade. He was pacing back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back as he spoke. “Before we begin,” he said, “I feel it is important for you to know a little more about me. Like I said earlier, my name is Gerron Silverblade and I am a Sergeant with the Crimson Lions. I am a 25-era combat veteran of 4 different major campaigns. I am not a sadist; I will not try to crush you, no matter how much some of you may deserve it. I only ask for 2 things. First, that you follow my orders as if they were the mandate of the gods. Your success in this program and your survival on the battlefield will depend on you doing WHAT you are told WHEN you are told to do it. Second, I expect 100% effort in everything you do. Half measures will produce half results. Now if you ever have a problem or need help, I expect you to come speak with me. Otherwise I will assume that all is well. Later, I will divide you into three squads. The first squad will consist of all Katta, Humans, Dracons and Elves. You will be referred to as the “Dark Horse Squad.” My assistant, Jakab Morovia, will lead you. The second squad will be the “Stone Breaker Squad” made up of Dwarves and lead by Jeri Ironmane. Third squad will consist of Halflings and Gnomes and be called “White Eagle Squad”, led by Tillic Twillindon. All females will barrack together separate from the men, but will come back and rejoin their operational squads during actual training. If you have any problems, complaints, or issues, you bring them to me. Do not be afraid to ask for help in any matter. Now, let us begin dagger training. The dagger is the simplest of weapons in the Lions arsenal and the methods you learn from it will be used in many other weapons.”

The recruits line up into two rows of 15 each and Silverblade stood in front, dagger in hand. “Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, one foot slightly ahead of the other. Lean slightly forward. Hold your dagger blade up and your other hand up next to but slightly less than shoulder width apart from it, palm out, as if you are going to push someone away. Katta should have their claws out and ready to rake. This is the Basic Stance.” Silverblade demonstrated the correct position. “From here, we will practice the basic thrust. Throw your dagger hand forward, following through with your shoulder and shifting your weight forward. After contact is made, twist the dagger to open the wound. Then pull it back and get ready for a second thrust. Everyone practice and I will go around and check you.”

One of Silverblade’s assistants counted out a cadence of “THRUST! TWIST! RECOVER! THRUST! TWIST! RECOVER!” as Silverblade made his rounds.

Alana Hybrid · August 23, 2007, 10:02 PM

"Wow a real hard ass. I'm going to have so much fun." Alana was never really one to take orders. She vividly remembers becoming more rebellious to Mono as she reached her teen years. Sadly enough she wasn't rebellious enough she still don't know much about the common world. No matter, she was getting along just fine, what more could she want.

Alana's whole attitude about being a little goody goody changed the instant this so called Silverblade gave that speech. Well she wasn't having it, he was one to be messed with and she loved to test the rules out. It wasn't like she planned on being a trouble maker it just sort of happened. "Must be all the alone time." Alana thought, "never did me any good." Be that as it may she did as she was told for the first few minutes of the day. She marched in line, she made her little left face, she stood up straight, and so on and so forth.

"What in the world is this. They expect me to wear this dumb get-up." Alana absolutely hated the blue, plain, ugly uniform. When much disgust she put on the bad excuse for uniformity. Yet she did not remember him saying no jewelry so she kept on the small crystal necklace she had received from Mono before he sent her away. There wasn't much time to do anything before they were quickly taken to the training yard.

"Oh fun, we get to exercise now." Alana said aloud in a sarcastic tone. "What are you going to try to do, KILL US?" Alana was ready, she had lived in the woods her whole life. There was nothing he could make her to tire her out. And he he did try, and try, and try. The other recruits were barely clinging to life when they finished and though she knew she would be sore in the morning and just a little tired she was ready for more. She wasn't going to show the Mr. Sliverblade that he could break her down. She had already been there and gotten back up on her feet.

"Great do we have to listen to you talk again." Alana said under her breath as she followed the crowed like a little good conformist should. Yes they did, she half listened as he talked about groups and who would led them and females and their own barracks. She did not care she wanted to train. She wished to learn something she had not known before and she wanted to be good at it. On and on he went, he just never seemed to shut-up, but he was the Senior Drill Instructor and he could do whatever he wanted. What seemed like hours finally passed and he was telling to line up to learn the basics of a dagger.

"Now this is what I'm talking about." Alana smiled as she lined up with the other 14 people. O.K. stance first. She copied what he did with his feet and sunk into a position that felt comfortalbe making sure the whole time to do what he did. This way he could not say she was wrong. All she did was modify it to fit her small frame. "Ohh a thrust" Alana could not hold back the slight evil gleam in her eye. The thought of being able to harm someone was ideal. She thrusted, then twisted, and pulled back. Each time she did it she more and more precise. She could feel the small mistakes she was making and that was not good enough. She had to be perfect and she was going to be perfect.

Soldier · August 23, 2007, 10:38 PM

“A troublemaker?” Silverblade said quietly, standing in front of the young Alana. “You have spirit. But this is NOT THE TIME OR PLACE!” He grabbed Alana by the back of the neck and swung his foot at her ankles, sweeping her to the ground to land on her hands. “YOU ARE NOT IN MOMMY’S KITCHEN ANYMORE, LITTLE GIRL! DO YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT COLOR YOU LOOK LIKE INSIDE?!? DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH? IS THAT IT?” The enraged Half-Elf then turned to the other recruits, a wide grin on his face. “One of the things that a Lion learns during training,” he bellowed, “Is that when one recruit makes a mistake, ALL RECRUITS MAKE A MISTAKE! AND THIS IS ONE BIG FETHING MISTAKE, RECRUITS!” With that, the merciless Drill Sergeant gathered all of the recruits into a group and sent them into running laps, full out around the track, speeding up slowly as they went around the long dirt path. “WE ALL HAVE RECRUIT HYBRID TO THANK FOR THIS WONDERFUL CHANCE TO SPRINT, RECRUITS! IT’LL DO YOU GOOD!” He grabbed a recruit by the neck who was just falling out of line and tossed him back in, screaming obscenities all the while. “AND WE WON’T STOP UNTIL SHE APOLOGIZES!”

Alana Hybrid · August 23, 2007, 11:09 PM

Like a sudden gust of wind Alana hit the ground. "What the hell..." Before she could finish her sentence she was being yelled at while she was in the front lean and rest position. Her neck hurt from where he had snatched it and she could feel a bruise beginning to form on her hands. How in the world was she supposed to hold a dagger with it messed up. She was so ticked. She watched as the other struggled to run laps. What did she care. She was the one in the position that would cause her massive soreness for the next three days. Minutes passed by and Alana still held her own.

"I can stay like this for hours. I need the extra strength, plus those recruits need to run they are so pathetic." Alana looked straight ahead and did not move a muscle when she said these words. She was strong on the inside and she was going to prove it.

Soldier · August 24, 2007, 12:14 AM

It was delicious. A challenge! Silverblade made his recruits run full out, delaying the needed practice to punish his soldiers for Alana’s trespass. As they ran, the Half Elf sprang lightly onto the girl’s shoulders, her arms bowing under his weight. “Don’t fall, recruit,” he said sweetly. “Your belly touches the ground and we’ll do these excersizes for the rest of the day!” The Drill Instructor was clearly enjoying himself as he used his troublemaking recruit as a stand to direct the running of the rest og his men.

Alana Hybrid · August 24, 2007, 01:21 AM

"Silverblade is crazy." Alana thought "Like she cared what happened to those poor excuses for living things. There was no one there to take pity of the girl when she was young. Only one man took her in but he never taught her a thing. He gave her a place to live and food to eat but he hardly spoke to her. She cared for him but he didn't do a thing for her and then he just put her out.

Alana watched as the recuits ran faster than they had ever ran before. They looked tired and pissed off at her. She did not care, if they wanted to fight they would be to sore to lift a finger. She on the other had locked her arms into a good position and wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Then it happened. Sliverblade stood on top of Alana's shoulders.

The weight was unbearable. She could feel her set position beginning to slip from underneath her. "NO I WILL NOT FALL!!" Alana yelled as she repositioned herself. She struggled for a few more minutes before she began to slip once again. "I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE!!!" Alana was determined not to give in. She was not some poor piece of crap. Trying her best Alana lifted her right hand to try and give the a moments rest. Then she switched out hands. She was going to outlast him. Silverblade was nothing but a crazy Drill Instructor. A few more minutes ticked by and Alana was starting to lose feeling in her arms. "NO!!" She cried and she collapsed to the ground.

Soldier · August 25, 2007, 12:04 AM

After he was satisfied that the recruits were properly tired, Silverblade got off Alana’s back and directed his soldiers into ranks in front of him. Everyone glared at the young girl as they were ushered into their lines, and finally, Silverblade turned his attention to the girl. Squatting next to her, he looked her over from top to bottom with his gray eyes, then spoke softly so only Alana could hear him. “I will not allow you to disrupt my soldiers’ training anymore. You will not contradict my authority in front of my recruits again, or you are gone! As far as I am concerned, this never happened, but this is your ONLY chance. Now… Will you behave?”

Alana Hybrid · August 25, 2007, 12:26 AM

Alana hated being defeated. She wanted nothing more than to challenge Silverblade. She looked the half-elf in the eyes for what seemed to minutes. She thought about what he had said. She will have to behave or she was out. What she wanted was to become stronger than she was. She wished to become the best but she needed the training she would be getting from the Crimson Lions. She also had to think of the the other recruits. She didn't like them but she did need them to like her enough to leave her alone.

"Sir yes Sir." She answered through gritted teeth "And Sir, I will become stronger than you one day." Alana said this with a tone of making a promise to come back and challenge Silverblade to a match. He was, after all, the person who would start her training.

Soldier · August 25, 2007, 06:39 PM

Silverblade looked the girl over from head to toe. “I will be proud when you do,” he said quietly, turning his back on the girl and taking his place at the front of the line. After he was satisfied as to everyone’s competence, he began the next drill. “Now we will learn the slash.” He took out his dagger and held it, blade up, the standard stance. “Thrust the blade forward, then down to one side. Don't go too far or you will not be able to recover in time. Turn the blade toward your opponent, and cut up as you bring the blade back to your starting position. The idea is to make two rapid cutting motions, one going down and one coming back up. Now practice.” Just as before, Silverblade walked around to each recruit as his assistant called out “SLASH! TURN! BACKSLASH! RECOVER! SLASH! TURN! BACKSLASH! RECOVER!”

Alana Hybrid · August 25, 2007, 07:04 PM

Alana took her dagger and held it in her left hand rather than her right this time. She knew she would be able to perfect the move in her right hand but she also needed to use her left arm as well. She didn't think this was going to be a problem with Silverbalde, she was after all not protesting and doing the excise without causing problems.

She took a breath and set herself in the stance she felt most comfortable in. This was her stance and no one could take it from her. She lifted the dagger and began to listen to the cadence calling of the assistant.

SLASH-she slashed he dagger down, TURN-she twisted her dagger, BACKSLASH-she pulled her dagger back up, RECOVER-she pulled her dagger back. Over and over and over again Alana did this with her left hand. Each time trying to see and feel the mistakes she would not have made with her right hand. Then so she would not be out of practice she switched to her right hand. Each hand had a count of ten before she switched them again. Again she listened the the cadence being called and again she kept focus so as to perfect her style. She wanted this to be second nature to her, she wanted to be able to pick up a dagger with either hand and fight, for she knew that Silverblade just might make them use there other hand.

Soldier · August 26, 2007, 09:02 PM

“Very good, recruits,” Silverblade barked out. “We will practice one last technique before we break for a meal, the parry.” He pulled out his dagger and assumed the standard stance. “To learn this technique,” he began, “you need to understand the concept of ‘The Box’. The Box is an imaginary square that goes from the top of your head, down to your groin, and to the sides encompassing your arms. When defending yourself from attack, you must keep your blade point in this box. Always keep your weapon between you and your enemy. Don’t try elaborate hidden dagger type techniques. If you get fancy, you get killed. Keep it simple. When an attack comes in, counter with your own blade and redirect it to one side. Do not try to stop it dead, especially if your opponent is stronger than you are. That wastes energy that you will need elsewhere. Keep light on your feet and try to move out of the way. If the attack is coming in on your right, spring to your left and parry the blow to your right. If the attack comes in on your left, go the other way. If high, duck. If low, spring backward. Always parry to make sure you do not get hit.” As he was talking, the incredibly agile Half-Elf was demonstrating exactly what he meant by ducking, weaving, and parrying in the air.

This time, as he went around to everyone, he carried his dagger unsheathed and used it to get each person to parry his slow thrust and slash. All the while the assistant called out “DODGE LEFT! DUCK! DUCK! SPRING BACK! DODGE LEFT! DODGE RIGHT!” in an unpredictable pattern, completely throwing off several people who had expected a mesmerizing pattern. They began to wonder if the instructor’s planned it that way.

Alana Hybrid · August 26, 2007, 10:01 PM

When Silverbalde started talking about the box Alana got a little lost. She just could not comprehended what he met by it. She started to feel quite inferior while he kept explaining what they were supposed to do and since Alana was not one to ask for help she stayed quite. It wasn't until Silverblade started showing what he wanted him to do did Alana start to grasp what she was supposed to be learning.

Alana took a second to decide what hand she wanted to do this practice with. She finally decided that her right hand would be for the better since she was going to have a real dagger coming at her. She knew it was going to be slow, but still it was real. When Silverblade reached her the first time she felt she did ok. Then as he moved on to the other recruits she switched hands and started to practice with her left. The next time Silverblade came around she used her left and did so poorly she wanted to try again.

"Sir!" She called, "I want to do it again. Can I do it again Sir." This time she would do it better she had to.

Soldier · August 28, 2007, 09:29 PM

“We will do it again later, recruit,” Silverblade said quietly to Alana. “Save your strength. We have five days to complete this training.” There was a break for a meal, and everyone headed for the mess hall, a low stone building with rows of benches and clusters of people scattered all over. (OOC- feel free to interact with these people by starting a “Life at the Lions Barracks” thread.) After the meal, Silverblade and his assistants herded the recruits outside. Silverblade gave a brief lecture about military protocol, a brief history of the Lions, and started looking at his pocket watch regularly. Then he said, “It has now been an hour since you ate, so we will now do a little light exercise.” Forming up into their respective squads, the recruits found out that ‘light exercise’ to Silverblade meant a 2-mile run. Many people were pulled and dragged through it. Those who ate too heavily lost their lunch.

After the run, the recruits went through dagger practice. A course had been set up where they charged forward to a set of 6 wooden dummies. The first they thrust at, the second they slashed left, third was slash right, and the other three were for practicing defense.

The rest of the afternoon was spent on the dagger drill. Silverblade pulled each person out in turn and instructed him or her personally one-on-one. After that, the training for the day was over.

Everyone had the rest of the evening to himself or herself and they are encouraged to enjoy it. The next day would be tougher. The recruits are each barracked together according to squadron. Silverblade's assistants show them how to make a bed "the Lions way" with the blanket pulled so tight one could bounce a coin off it. They stow their gear on a footlocker at the foot of each bed and now, they are free to wander, until lights out at 2200 hrs when they had better be in their bunks or they will answer to Silverblade.