Dev First Scouting Squadron Training Arc

[Captain Charles]

CAPTAIN CHARLES
Mahporeem | The Eager Recruits | Private Dev Thread​

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Charles looked out at the Cadets gathered before him, 2,100 promising recruits for his squadron hand picked by his Crew. The requirements were deceptively simple. Charles didn’t really care if they were the smartest, strongest or best in their class. What mattered to him was what they were made of. Were they a team player? Adaptive? Quick to Act? Pushed themselves to the limit and beyond?

They were gathered in an auditorium Charles had rented out for the day. Charles stepped up to the podium his Crew already waiting on stage, already scanning for weaknesses, strengths, the leaders, the quiet ones. Charles knew his Crew, he already guessed he may be looking at the younger versions at some of his Crew members amongst the crowd. All the better he thought stifling a smile. He started.

“Good afternoon Cadets, I am Captain Charles, Captain of the MIN Stryker and Commander of First Scouting Squadron.”

“You are here because a member of my Crew looked at you and wanted to learn more. Nobody here is special so don’t let it go to your head.”

“Currently, there are 2,100 of you. Not all of you will make it and that’s ok. You being cut does not reflect poorly on your character it just means you weren’t the right fit.”

“If you make it, this posting will be different from what you are expecting. It won’t be comfortable, it won’t be easy, but you will be part of something unique and form life long bonds with each other along the way.”

“Right now though, all I need is four simple things from yall: Teamwork, Strategy, Adaptation and Pushing Beyond your perceived limits.”

“My requirements don’t involve performing for an audience. I can see a couple of yall doing that already.”

“So, here’s what’s about to happen. Your luggage has already been loaded up and you will report to your assigned transport. Once your transport is full it will depart to a training destination where you can set up your rooms and call your families. After that training will begin the next day at 0500 hours sharp.”

“One last thing before you go, my Crew will make your life miserable but its part of the game. Remember what you have learned, be ready to learn and don’t take it personal.”

“I wish you the best of luck.” Charles said before dismissing the crowd.

He lingered on the podium for a couple minutes. Already his Crew was off the stage and amongst the Cadets, guiding them to their various transports while silently assessing them. All according to plan. With the Cadets already split up according to the job they were trying out for all that would be left to do was settle them into their various training sites before starting.

He wondered who would be the Captains. It was far to early to tell. All he hoped for was someone like Banks.

 

[Captain Charles]

CAPTAIN CHARLES
Mahporeem | The Training​

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Charles and Crew had a total of four months to get these Cadets mission ready. Although he read the reports from his Crew on the progress so far he had mostly been away managing the delivery of his Squadron's new ships with members of the N&Z Umbrella Corporation. He had even become a member of the Corporation, firstly to bump his ships onto the priority list and second he liked the representatives after chatting with them about his ships. They seemed trustworthy and reliable which was better than 99% of Corporate folks he had encountered in his life.

It's been two months since training began Charles mused. It's about time I see the progress myself.

Camp Alpha | Naval Crew Training Facility | 0700 hours

"Concentrate all fire on that cruiser!" Yelled a Cadet.

Charles's Tactical Officer was leading this exercise a simple blue vs red battle simulation. The Cadets were separated into two different rooms and their goal was simple capture the strategic area or destroy all enemy ships. Right now it seemed red team was winning.

"No, target that frigate!" Yelled back another Cadet.

Charles could hear his Tactical Officer sighing. This was why red team was winning. When Charles poked his head into that room he saw one Cadet taking charge the others cooperating with him as he directed strategy based on their inputs.

"What do you think of Red Team's leader?" Asked Charles intrigued.

"That's Anderson." Responded his Tactical Officer. "Actually studies and has good instincts."

"Good to hear." Said Charles simply. That was an understatement though. Guys like Anderson made ideal Captains.

He would ask his Tactical Officer to keep an eye on him.

Camp Bravo | Gunnery Crew Training Facility | 0800 hours

"Too slow Cadet!" Yelled an Imperial Gunner watching as the simulated shots passed behind the enemy fighter. "You are not leading your target enough. Get into his head! If you were him what would you do? Now try again!"

"Aye sir!" Screamed the Cadet in response.

Charles watched as the Cadet readjusted his aim, tracked then scored a hit.

"Nice work Cadet! I want to see this every time do you understand!?" Exclaimed the Imperial Gunner.

"Yes sir! I understand sir!" Responded the Cadet.

"Good. NEXT!"

Camp Charlie | Engineering Crew Training Facility | 0900 hours

Alarms blared and fires raged in the damage control simulation room.

"Team 4, there is a fire in section 11 put it out."

Charles watched as the Cadets of Team 4 rushed towards the fire with their equipment. Then the lights began to flicker.

"Knowing exactly what to do is only part of the job Cadets." Said his Chief Engineer. "Now that you don't have guaranteed light what are you going to do? I hope you were studying the ship layout."

The lights flicked again before going out, leaving only the dim emergency lights and the orange glow of the fire.

Team 4 fumbled with their equipment in the dim light, but eventually were able to put out the fire.

"So you guys were studying the layout. Good. But you were way too slow getting to the fire and putting it out." Said the Chief Engineer. Team 4 now gathered around for their after action report.

"I want speed and precision, not a rush next time."

"Aye sir!" Came the unified response.

"Y'all are dismissed get cleaned up and rest a bit. Team 5 you're up!"

Charles made a note. Team 4 would be fine. The ones who fumbled in the dark but kept going usually were.

Camp Delta | Sensors and Communication Crew Training Facility | 1000 hours

Charles observed from the back as his Sensor Officer and Communications Officer were holding a joint lesson.

"Sensors and Communications are closely linked." Started his Sensor Officer. "Although you may be the one to see it. You will not be the one to report it."

"That will be the role of Comms." Continued his Communications Officer. "As a part of the communications crew your role is to succinctly and clearly communicate dispatches, information, anything a senior crew member would deem useful."

"So we are going to run a drill today called relay. Your goal is simple you will be in separate rooms and you have to correctly relay information about an object to me." Said his Sensor Officer.

Charles watched as the Cadets ran the drill. It was simple yet genius, pairs of Cadets would team up. The Sensor Cadet would have to report on an object to the Comms Cadet who would then describe it to one of the senior officers.

At first the Cadets struggled with description and getting the words down but some teams showed more promise than others learning, adapting, overcoming. Exactly what they were looking for.

Camp Echo | Medical Crew Training Facility | 1100 hours

"Congratulations Cadets on killing your buddies!" Said the Medical Officer looking disappointed.

"You guys had it right the first time. Now three of your buddies died and it's your fault they did. Remember the Triage Acronym we taught you."

"Reset, think about what went wrong. I'll give you two minutes."

"AYE SIR!" Came the unified response.

Charles watched the Cadets as the Medical Officer and his Medics reset the simulation. Their uniforms were already stained with fake blood. The lights flickered on and off simulating battle damage.

Most seemed shaken but some had a gleam of determination in their eyes.

Charles recognized that look. He had seen it from medics during those desperate scenes on the Relentless. The look of I will save you even if it kills me.

Camp Foxtrot | Marine Training Facility | 1400 hours

"Move! Move!" Yelled a Sergeant as blaster fire zipped over the crawling Cadets.

"This is one of our battle simulation drills." Voss explained to Charles.

The area was a mud pit about 100 yards long covered in barbed wire hanging just 2 feet high. Charles could see groups of Cadets low crawling through in lines. Heavy blaster fire from Marines and an E-Web Cannon blazed just over the barbed wire.

"This helps them get used to real blaster fire while simultaneously building their grit." Continued Voss. "Better to get uncomfortable now rather than later."

"Any drop outs?" Asked Charles.

"Three this morning." Responded Voss. "Dropped out because of the PT."

"That's unfortunate." Said Charles. "What's going on over there?"

"Over there is our boarding drill simulation. They have gotten better at working together but still a lot of individual players." Explained Voss. Charles could hear the disappointment in his voice.

"What about him?" Asked Charles pointing at a Cadet who was trying to organize the other cadets for a breach.

"That's Cadet Kim, one of our more promising guys. Squared away personally and a team player. Will be a great asset to any platoon provided he passes."

They watched as Kim's team blasted through the hatch and stormed in Kim leading the way.

"Keep an eye on him Voss." Said Charles quietly suddenly reminded of Banks.

"Already on it." Responded Voss.

Camp Golf | Pilot Training | 1500 hours

Slasher and Bruiser were arguing again. The poor Cadet standing at attention in between looking very uncomfortable as his two trainers argued about his performance.

"He wasn't aggressive enough!" Argued Slasher.

"Aggressive as in taking a 5 on 1!?" Shot back Bruiser.

"So? It should be easy! I've done it many times before."

"We aren't talking about you dumbass!"

Charles watched them argue for a moment taking a mental note of the Cadet's performance. For a trainee pilot he was doing pretty good, still rough around the edges but that would get sorted out with time. He stepped in.

"Good work Cadet, you are dismissed."

The Cadet instantly saluted then sped away back to the barracks. Charles watched him go. Then turned his attention back to his pilots.

"Gentlemen, I appreciate the enthusiasm but your trainee got hardly any useful feedback. Which defeats your purpose here."

"Slasher your combat instincts are great so instead of putting your trainees through impossible simulations why don't you instead spend some time actually honing their instincts."

"Bruiser since your tactical instincts are equally as good why don't you spend more time in the classroom teaching them to your pilots."

"Arguing is a waste of time. What you have to teach these trainees may be the difference between them living or dying. If one of them dies in combat you only have yourselves to blame."

The room fell silent for a long moment. The two pilots looked at each other, then back at Charles. Finally Bruiser spoke up.

"Of course sir."

"Excellent and be sure to keep up that energy." Said Charles before turning away back to his shuttle.

Charles looked out the window of the shuttle as it flew back to Corrox. It had been a productive day with much promise. He smiled. He couldn't wait for graduation.