Reaching Doppler was different. While those of the outer colonies would be used to travelling for months in zero-gravity, it was the first flight for many trainees. Those of Axial were saved by the half-hour long travel, but days of sick were expected for even the most prepared prospect from Mars. To make matters worse, this was the first time anyone was travelling under such strict scrutiny. Armed soldiers verified identities and acted as guards. The soldiers aboard the transport ships were of little help for those who became ill. They could only offer an antiemetic, a bag, and a sympathetic pat on the back.
After arriving at the landing bay, trainees weren't given long to get their affairs in order. They were quickly filtered through multiple lines. Their identities were vouched once again by an armed secretary. Their histories briefly interrogated. Their personal items had been taken to be reviewed, catalogued, and returned at a later date. After all, this was still a military compound and security was a necessity. Once filtered, they were pushed towards showers to wash off what the pitiful facilities on ships couldn't clean. Thankfully, whoever had designed Dopper had given mind to privacy. The typical military locker rooms had been discarded in favour of cramped single person stations. Finally, students were to wear their newly acquired uniform to orientation. It was a formal event, after all.
Military orientation was definitely military orientation. Standing in file for an hour with the only noise being demands of silence. Finally, an older man came to stand on the stage. While he chose to wear a drab suit for the occasion, it was apparent from his badges that he was a tenured member of the military.
The old man covered most of the bases in his speech. How ranks were an incentive for performance, how each day was scheduled, what topics you would now study, and things like that. A fair bit of housekeeping. The most important thing he covered, however, was the format of lances. To mirror how pilots engaged in missions, trainees were to be placed in a small group known as a lance for the purpose of training, study, and practice. Of course, their accommodations were to be kept separate, but they would remain in these small groups for the entirety of their time at the academy. The only way to change groups was if enough members flunked out or became otherwise incapacitated.
Once his speech was over--frankly, the majority of time had been spent waiting for his speech--all trainees had been ushered into smaller rooms to introduce themselves to the group and once again wait for their instructors.
After arriving at the landing bay, trainees weren't given long to get their affairs in order. They were quickly filtered through multiple lines. Their identities were vouched once again by an armed secretary. Their histories briefly interrogated. Their personal items had been taken to be reviewed, catalogued, and returned at a later date. After all, this was still a military compound and security was a necessity. Once filtered, they were pushed towards showers to wash off what the pitiful facilities on ships couldn't clean. Thankfully, whoever had designed Dopper had given mind to privacy. The typical military locker rooms had been discarded in favour of cramped single person stations. Finally, students were to wear their newly acquired uniform to orientation. It was a formal event, after all.
Military orientation was definitely military orientation. Standing in file for an hour with the only noise being demands of silence. Finally, an older man came to stand on the stage. While he chose to wear a drab suit for the occasion, it was apparent from his badges that he was a tenured member of the military.
The old man covered most of the bases in his speech. How ranks were an incentive for performance, how each day was scheduled, what topics you would now study, and things like that. A fair bit of housekeeping. The most important thing he covered, however, was the format of lances. To mirror how pilots engaged in missions, trainees were to be placed in a small group known as a lance for the purpose of training, study, and practice. Of course, their accommodations were to be kept separate, but they would remain in these small groups for the entirety of their time at the academy. The only way to change groups was if enough members flunked out or became otherwise incapacitated.
Once his speech was over--frankly, the majority of time had been spent waiting for his speech--all trainees had been ushered into smaller rooms to introduce themselves to the group and once again wait for their instructors.
