We Want You As A New Recruit

[Connor Harrison]

Zenith Base
Dosuun, Wild Space

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZxR-J5A784

​

And so it began - a new transport arriving full of new blood at Zenith Base, the military arm of the First Order.

The newly established base had it all for those ready for training and surrounding themselves in what it meant to be a solider fighting for the Order. Stormtroopers, pilots and other units thrived here, and there was no limit to how far each man and woman would be pushed to deliver the best.

Piloting TIEs in low atmosphere in training runs, strategic war games between teams on the surface or even brushing up on information about the galaxy itself, nothing was too much for those wanting to learn and be trained.

Kyle Amedis, suited and booted in his trademark white armour of the Stormtrooper 501s Wolf legion, waited for the newcomers to arrive. Here they would make new friends, new alliances and forge new skills and show others what they could bring to the table in serving their Supreme Leader.

[member=OK-3103] | [member="Ricochet"] | [member="Aram Kalast"] | Any and all First Order Members

 

[OK-3103]

Everyone knows that Intel's about as reliable as a Weequay quay ball. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have its uses. Sometimes it's the lies and myths that tell you everything you need to know.

OK-3103 had been assigned to the 501st. It might have been a new boss with the same title, but the whole vibe felt like a different world from basic training.

He attached his armour plates to his undersuit, and clung to his rifle like a comfort blanket. The 501st had a reputation at best, but the report of his prowess and officer potential felt like a millstone right now.

So OK-3103 followed the other personnel as they disembarked from the shuttle and headed to the captain that clearly was expecting them.

“OK-3103 reporting for duty, sir.” He offered, standing to attention as he reached the officer.

[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Ricochet]

[member="Kyle Amedis"] [member="OK-3103"]

Ricochet, now Major Synthia "Ricochet", stepped out of a transport at the top landing pad mounted atop Zenith Base. Her establishment had grown to a rather awesome size. Trading her white armor for a high-collared black tunic and wedge cap the grim looking leader of the 501st White Wolves announced her entrance with an echo of marching boots against durasteel. A series of stormtroopers with helmets tucked under her arms saluted her as she came down the ramp. "Hail the First Order!" they barked in uniform terror. Ricochet raised her hand and waved their salutations away. "Hail. At ease." she growled.

Marching past the first and leader of the pack she rolled her glowing red robotic eye at him. "I trust the new recruits are lined up and assembled?" The leader not wasting anytime, and well aware of the strict temper of the Fist of the First Order, began his report. "Yes mam! Captain Amedis has prepared their entry and inspection!"

"Good" Ricochet said. "You may proceed as planned Lieutenant." Walking into a repulsorlift Ricochet descended to the grand expanse of the Imperial Courtyard. It was a large space that could hold 12 Legions and thousands of men. Balconies Lined each part of the square. But, this time Ricochet emerged ground level marching towards Captain Amedis.

 

[OK-3103]

OK-3103 stared straight ahead. Had he not been wearing a helmet, it would have been apparent that his eyes were wandering. But then, had he been without any headgear, his eyes would not have left the Captain’s face.

He was a dutiful and loyal stormtrooper. A credit to the programme. But if the 501st was intimidating by nature of its reputation, the person he believed was viewing approaching him and the Captain was legend personified. None other than a certain Major. Major Synthia "Ricochet."

But her name amongst the recruits that spoke of her prowess? The Fist. And like any Intel, there were a hundred variations of how she came by the moniker. OK-3103 figured he would find out the truth soon enough.

Meanwhile? He flicked his eyes back front and centre. There was a Captain that needed his full attention.

[member="Ricochet"] [member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Kyle stood with his helmet off. While he loved the idea of the First Order Stormtroopers being one big fist to smash the opposition, he also knew what it meant to be human with those he fought with and for. To see the eyes of the ones beside you let you understand what was happening inside, and how they perceived things. While attachment wasn’t wise in case one was cut down in battle, once the helmets were on it would be hard to identify one from another, unless they had their leader markings and shoulder braces.

He was proud to be at Zenith Base, and eager to welcome new blood to the ranks. He watched a marked transport arrive moments later, recognising it from Skye - [member=Ricochet] had arrived to affirm her position over the troops and sweep the ranks.

Kyle turned back to the group of troopers before him who had disembarked from the compact troop carrier, the landing ramp down still as the troopers stood still. He looked across the white armour, the black ghostly visors and knew all eyes would be on him, because he knew behind those helmets no-one could see where you were really looking.

”My name is Captain Kyle Amedis. I’ve seen more death, busted more skulls and bled more blood than all you numbnuts put together. You’re here in the White Wolves now and Major Ricochet will be along any moment now”

He started to prowl the front line of troops.

”I don’t’ know what unit you came from or who you served with before, but this is the First Order and you’re going to start acting like real Stormtroopers, right now. I’m not doing this because I want to get cosy over blue milk and beer with you goons – I’m doing it because I don’t want to get my head shot off on some god-forsaken moon just because you don’t know how to take the fight to the enemy, got it?”

Kyle turned, seeing Ricochet arriving at their level. A couple of TIE fighters flew overhead on a perimeter sweep of the base. He turned to the troopers.

”It’s my will against yours, and you WILL lose. I’m here to remind you that life as you know it has ended. Use this time to get a feel for the base – get a feel for your armour – get a feel for your position here and send a love letter back to your parents and sweethearts. Know your brothers and sisters here and laugh while you still have the chance, because at 0700 tomorrow, you belong to me.”

His eyes scanned each troopers, reminding them he could see right through the armour and knew just what they were thinking. He stepped back, giving Richocet a chance to speak if she wanted.

[member=OK-3103]

 

[OK-3103]

OK-3103’s focus was definitely on the Captain now. If tension was palpable, he knew the Captain would struggle to walk amongst them. The heady cocktail of fear, apprehension, testosterone and pride was positively oozing out of every trooper standing there. The addition of the Major was simply heightening the situation.

For the first time ever, he considered how they were all the same yet different. Funny how it took standing here and now to bring it home. They wore identical armour. They donned identical helmets. They all used the same weapons. Yet officers stood apart.

They had names for a start. Should he make Lieutenant, his file would be accessed and he’d be given his true name to use. At least that’s what the troopers believed. Maybe you were given a name, like the Knights of Ren? But thoughts of being an officer were premature. He had to survive this inspection first.

And officers walked around without helmets. Other than in their barracks, troopers wore the faceless black and white headwear everywhere. Unless ordered to remove it, which – in all his time in training since a young age – he had never been asked to do.

So much was going on around them, but OK-3103 knew they were all blocking it out. Focus was on the man talking – even if there was a temptation to check out how close the Major was.

His talk was in many ways standard fare – but that didn’t mean it didn’t resonate. It was less about the words for OK-3103 and more about the authenticity. You believed this man knew what he was talking about, that he would push them, take no nonsense – and would die for them…for the First Order.

There was a pride in OK-3103’s heart he’d never felt before. He served without thought – he always had. But now? Now he had a purpose to go with the endless propaganda that they’d all been programmed to commit to memory. Not that he didn’t believe it, rather that he – for the first time – felt it had real context. He was a member of the 501st. A White Wolf.

And it felt good!

[member="Kyle Amedis"] [member="Ricochet"]

 

[Iconis Black]

Out from another shuttle poured a few more Stormtroopers, arriving late. This group included FN-2318, another new recruit recently graduated from basic training on Starkiller Base. The recruit was dressed in his Incinerator Trooper armor, but no flamethrower or tank on his back. He carried the standard-issue blaster carbine that most normal infantry carried.

FN-2318 fell in line with the others, standing at attention with his legs together, arms at his sides, and chin up. He did not speak, he would only do so when spoken to. Beneath the helmet, the crimson chiss eyes scanned the two officers before them. Major [member="Kyle Amedis"] of the White Wolves and Major [member="Ricochet"] "The Fist", also of the Wolves. Part of Iconis felt a bit out of place among the basic Stormtroopers, but this is where the shuttle dropped him off, and these were the closest officers.

[member="OK-3103"]

 

[Ricochet]

[member="Iconis Black"] [member="Kyle Amedis"]

Ricochet and her group of stormtroopers emerged from behind Captain Amedis. The imposing figure of the battle-scarred major made some of the recruits unintentionally stare at the visible gash that ran up her chin over her lips and stopped just below her robotic red eye. With her arms clasped behind her back she marched towards her oldest comrade and one of her most capable commanders.

"Amedis" Ricochet barked, "So these are the new recruits? Hmm?"

Ricochet rolled her eyes, meeting each of those of the recruits. Her gaze was like a blaster bolt, cutting through the armour of personality and bravado of any man to his core. She passed Captain Amedis and began to march in slow strides across each of the recruits. Stopping by one, [member="OK-3103"], she stared at the young man and grinned.

"And who may you be recruit?" The Fist demanded.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Kyle didn’t look over to Major [member="Ricochet"], there was no real need – she knew she was there, and he knew she was there, and they were casting a unified glare over the new recruits to show a unified understanding of the First Order. No wasted time greeting, saluting, all that nonsense – just straight to it.

He nodded and handed over the metal board that had all the read-outs of the expected troopers coming to serve the unit.

As she began to walk, he followed, and when she stopped before one - [member="OK-3103"] – Kyle waved him forward with two fingers to address the Major.

[member="Iconis Black"]

 

[OK-3103]

OK-3103’s eyes remained focused and forwards. The Major was now approaching and he switched attention back and forth between the two officers – awaiting the next order or speech.

He saw that some of the rumours were true – the robotic red eye was no myth for example. And he felt the gaze of it sweep over him – there was a knack that some officers had to see through the armour they wore – and both exhibited it here.

He was aware she was approaching and kept his head still, despite the temptation to follow her as she past. Except she didn’t. She stopped in front of him. Coincidence or for a particular reason? He knew not but now was not the time for idle speculation. He needed all his faculties for the Major’s line of questioning.

And he saw the Captain’s request for him to step forward – so he took one stride towards the Major before speaking.

“OK-3103, private, 501st Company, reporting for duty, sir!” He barked out the response, despite her proximity. And having answered the question directly, he remained tight-lipped. If either of them wanted him to speak again, they would indicate.

[member="Kyle Amedis"] [member="Ricochet"] [member="Iconis Black"]