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“Ten-hut, cadets! Stand at ease! Today's the best day of your life, and no, I don't mean you having sex for the first time in your life, you perverts. Today you'll have your first lesson in how to defend your country, family and possible love interest you spend your first time with that I mentioned above. It'll be a hard, long way, but no one never accomplished anything by not working hard, except lawyers and bankers. And I'll have no arceusdamn bankers and lawyers in my unit!“
A few chuckles arose from the ranks of soldier cadets lined up before the Groudon.
“But humor aside, now comes the serious part. I want you to be 100% sure about this. We're not talking about some run of the mill job you will be doing. You're gonna be a soldier, that means at some point you will probably kill someone and probably be killed. And that is not to be taken lightly. Believe me. I spent my life fighting many wars. Blitzkriege, Defensive lines, Breaches, Charges, Mop Up operations and retreats. Across Prairies, on streets, in trenches, in grasslands, on frozen tundras, through deserts, across beaches, on the sea and even in the air. I witnessed every act of war that can occur on this planet. And believe me, all this talk about war being glorious – Its nonsense. War is never glorious. But it has to be done. Talking does not always stop conflicts and war is the last resort we have to stick too when all else fails. Its not a clean or good job, but one that has to be done so that other people can live in peace and freedom. We're the men and women that have to dig through the shit so that other people can live without the horrible smell, so to speak off.”
All laughter or joking had died, many of the ROTC students displaying a grim expression at the outlook their instructor gave them.
“And while we're talking about peace and freedom, let me tell you what I think a soldier is: Someone who protects their country, their loved ones, the things they believe in. I never really liked the idea of people fighting and killing for money, of soldiers being state-owned assassins that go to war and get wasted so that the arms industry and government can make money. And while I officially will train you people to follow orders, follow your superiors and follow the rules, unofficially I speak to you as an ex-soldier and fellow mon: Don't fight for money. Don't follow an order blindly if you absolutely can't salve your conscience with it. Don't be a tool. There will be times when you will have to ask yourself what would be the best thing to do, to follow or to refuse, to trust your superiors or tell them that you won't accept their decision. And I tell you, in that moment you'll wish you chose another career.”
The atmosphere was more than uncomfortable now, many ROTC students thinking about if it really was a good idea to choose this path.
“I see I made some of you question your decision. And that's good. I want my students to be convinced and ready for the future, to be sure they want to go this way to the end. I don't want half hearted decisions and spirit, I want people that are secure and ready to put all the have into this. Being indecisive and unsure can cost you your head on the battlefield, and the last thing I want to do is attend the funeral of you because you got yourself killed out of something that could have been prevented.”
Don looked at the entirety of the cadets, some displaying a stern will to pull this through, some showing signs of a withdrawal from the sector. The Groudon motioned over to a fenceline that was standing in the middle of the training area, a brass bell tied to post in the middle of it.
“You kids know what that is? That's what we call “The Bell”. You ring it one time to signal an instructor, but when you ring it three times and lay your helmet onto that fence, you basically say that you quit or <Drop on Request>. I'm sure that by the end of month, the fence will have some helmets on it.”
The students that seemed to have pondered quitting now fixated their gazes onto the bell and fence, at least until their attention was drawn back to the Groudon when he spoke up again.
“That is all. If anyone wants to resign, I'll be waiting in my office, listening for the bell. For the rest of you, I'm glad to have you in and hope we will make the best of it. Dismissed!”
The Groudon gave one salute to his students, who saluted back, before he made his way off towards the building, leave the soon to be soldiers (or not) with their own thoughts. As he approached the side entrance, he could already see the thunder serpent “standing” near it, halfway obscured by the shadows the evening sun created through the treetops on campus.
“Impressive speech. Though I doubt that the military officials would like it that you tell their soldiers to dismiss orders if they don't agree.”
“The military officials can lick my old army boots until they taste the crusted mud mingled with blood on them.” retorted the red-skinned legendary. “They don't like a lot of things I do, including the fact that I train soldiers even though I'm officially out of the army. But they depend on me and know that my soldiers are the best at what they do, even considering they will turn heel if you give them incompetent and unmoral orders.”
“I'm just saying. You know that we both disagree a lot, but we can definitely agree that training young adults to be paid bullet-sponges, gun toting bullies and monslaughterers isn't a good thing.” said Ray before glancing at the young cadets, most of them locked in discussions among each other. “And I'm glad that I can say you don't aim to turn them into that.”
“Wow, a compliment from Raymond Quaza. I think I can die happily now.” the Groudon joked, almost procurring up a chuckle. “If you need me, I will be in my office, filling out resignation forms and follow the news. Both Johto and Kanto sent several battalions to Sinnoh and Orre this morning to help the respective governments in their fight against anti-government forces. I'm sure you know of that too.”
The serpentine dragon only gave a stern glance back, showing that he definitely knew what Don was hinting at.
“And from the military intelligence network I know that they also got some Hunters to help them out, probably because everyone suspects the Shadows to be behind this. After all, Orrean Warlords fighting against the Government is nothing new, but a major assault by them at the same time when anti-government groups and rebels stir trouble in Northern Sinnoh? And both groups having better equipment and supplies than they should have?”
The Groudon didn't ended the sentence, leaving the unspoken but known conclusion to his theory out there in the open.
“These kids will sooner or later have to fight a desperate struggle, hopefully later. And by Arceus, I will train them everything I can to make them see the end of it alive, or else...well...I better get going.”
With that, the ground type left, leaving the Rayquaza alone with his own thoughts. The green dragon sighed and took a last look at the sunlight breaching through the trees before leaving towards his own office.
*************************************************************
Another awesome artwork by
ebonypikachu . This time, we finally see that tough military Instructor from the JCU in his usual atire, as well as his usual way of dealing with things. And we also get a glimpse of the fact that he maybe isn't as totally hard and uncaring as one might suspect.
Story by me, Art by Tamar. Totally go and commission him next time he has them open.
A few chuckles arose from the ranks of soldier cadets lined up before the Groudon.
“But humor aside, now comes the serious part. I want you to be 100% sure about this. We're not talking about some run of the mill job you will be doing. You're gonna be a soldier, that means at some point you will probably kill someone and probably be killed. And that is not to be taken lightly. Believe me. I spent my life fighting many wars. Blitzkriege, Defensive lines, Breaches, Charges, Mop Up operations and retreats. Across Prairies, on streets, in trenches, in grasslands, on frozen tundras, through deserts, across beaches, on the sea and even in the air. I witnessed every act of war that can occur on this planet. And believe me, all this talk about war being glorious – Its nonsense. War is never glorious. But it has to be done. Talking does not always stop conflicts and war is the last resort we have to stick too when all else fails. Its not a clean or good job, but one that has to be done so that other people can live in peace and freedom. We're the men and women that have to dig through the shit so that other people can live without the horrible smell, so to speak off.”
All laughter or joking had died, many of the ROTC students displaying a grim expression at the outlook their instructor gave them.
“And while we're talking about peace and freedom, let me tell you what I think a soldier is: Someone who protects their country, their loved ones, the things they believe in. I never really liked the idea of people fighting and killing for money, of soldiers being state-owned assassins that go to war and get wasted so that the arms industry and government can make money. And while I officially will train you people to follow orders, follow your superiors and follow the rules, unofficially I speak to you as an ex-soldier and fellow mon: Don't fight for money. Don't follow an order blindly if you absolutely can't salve your conscience with it. Don't be a tool. There will be times when you will have to ask yourself what would be the best thing to do, to follow or to refuse, to trust your superiors or tell them that you won't accept their decision. And I tell you, in that moment you'll wish you chose another career.”
The atmosphere was more than uncomfortable now, many ROTC students thinking about if it really was a good idea to choose this path.
“I see I made some of you question your decision. And that's good. I want my students to be convinced and ready for the future, to be sure they want to go this way to the end. I don't want half hearted decisions and spirit, I want people that are secure and ready to put all the have into this. Being indecisive and unsure can cost you your head on the battlefield, and the last thing I want to do is attend the funeral of you because you got yourself killed out of something that could have been prevented.”
Don looked at the entirety of the cadets, some displaying a stern will to pull this through, some showing signs of a withdrawal from the sector. The Groudon motioned over to a fenceline that was standing in the middle of the training area, a brass bell tied to post in the middle of it.
“You kids know what that is? That's what we call “The Bell”. You ring it one time to signal an instructor, but when you ring it three times and lay your helmet onto that fence, you basically say that you quit or <Drop on Request>. I'm sure that by the end of month, the fence will have some helmets on it.”
The students that seemed to have pondered quitting now fixated their gazes onto the bell and fence, at least until their attention was drawn back to the Groudon when he spoke up again.
“That is all. If anyone wants to resign, I'll be waiting in my office, listening for the bell. For the rest of you, I'm glad to have you in and hope we will make the best of it. Dismissed!”
The Groudon gave one salute to his students, who saluted back, before he made his way off towards the building, leave the soon to be soldiers (or not) with their own thoughts. As he approached the side entrance, he could already see the thunder serpent “standing” near it, halfway obscured by the shadows the evening sun created through the treetops on campus.
“Impressive speech. Though I doubt that the military officials would like it that you tell their soldiers to dismiss orders if they don't agree.”
“The military officials can lick my old army boots until they taste the crusted mud mingled with blood on them.” retorted the red-skinned legendary. “They don't like a lot of things I do, including the fact that I train soldiers even though I'm officially out of the army. But they depend on me and know that my soldiers are the best at what they do, even considering they will turn heel if you give them incompetent and unmoral orders.”
“I'm just saying. You know that we both disagree a lot, but we can definitely agree that training young adults to be paid bullet-sponges, gun toting bullies and monslaughterers isn't a good thing.” said Ray before glancing at the young cadets, most of them locked in discussions among each other. “And I'm glad that I can say you don't aim to turn them into that.”
“Wow, a compliment from Raymond Quaza. I think I can die happily now.” the Groudon joked, almost procurring up a chuckle. “If you need me, I will be in my office, filling out resignation forms and follow the news. Both Johto and Kanto sent several battalions to Sinnoh and Orre this morning to help the respective governments in their fight against anti-government forces. I'm sure you know of that too.”
The serpentine dragon only gave a stern glance back, showing that he definitely knew what Don was hinting at.
“And from the military intelligence network I know that they also got some Hunters to help them out, probably because everyone suspects the Shadows to be behind this. After all, Orrean Warlords fighting against the Government is nothing new, but a major assault by them at the same time when anti-government groups and rebels stir trouble in Northern Sinnoh? And both groups having better equipment and supplies than they should have?”
The Groudon didn't ended the sentence, leaving the unspoken but known conclusion to his theory out there in the open.
“These kids will sooner or later have to fight a desperate struggle, hopefully later. And by Arceus, I will train them everything I can to make them see the end of it alive, or else...well...I better get going.”
With that, the ground type left, leaving the Rayquaza alone with his own thoughts. The green dragon sighed and took a last look at the sunlight breaching through the trees before leaving towards his own office.
*************************************************************
Another awesome artwork by
ebonypikachu . This time, we finally see that tough military Instructor from the JCU in his usual atire, as well as his usual way of dealing with things. And we also get a glimpse of the fact that he maybe isn't as totally hard and uncaring as one might suspect.Story by me, Art by Tamar. Totally go and commission him next time he has them open.
Category Artwork (Digital) / Pokemon
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 851 x 880px
File Size 156.6 kB
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