[IC] Shattering of Tranquility

[Apollosarcher]

As the transport ships descended Hayden waited by the docks flipping a coin with right arm as he watched the ships dock. New students for the academy were arriving, the mechs would be offloaded later but right now the students themselves would be arriving, the local students had all been assigned to help them find their rooms. Of course Hayden had volunteered to help out, he could meet of the new people. In a weeks time pilots would form teams for learning group maneuvers, team combat, and space warfare. Hayden planned to find some decent pilots for a squad, he hoped these off worlders at least had some skill.

The transported docked and students began to stream out, sighing Hayden fished out his data slate and above him the names of the students he was supposed to escort to their rooms flashed. He didn't bother to read them instead he decided to speak with his AI. "Ash any news from my mom or sister." He asked the slate.

A moment later a holographic display of a young women appeared and shook her head as she spoke. "None, whats got you so worked up Hayden?" Asked the AI in slightly worried tone.

Hayden just rolled his eyes. Ash was a highly advanced AI his mom used for work, however Ash also had access to her and like to talk with her. She was better conversation than most though she did worry about him way to much for his tastes. "I'm fine, anyway can you pull up a map to the new arrivals rooms. I want to have one to send them later so they can find their way back." He yawned and looked up. The students had retrieve their bags and were now lining up by their assigned stations. His would arrive any second so he focused on the incoming students rather than his AI, with that Ash left the map up and blinked away.

[Shoe Thief]

Hunter wasn't the biggest fan of long distance space travel, though considering the events he set up for himself he would have to get over that. Hunter got off the transport with his duffel bag over his shoulder, and a look of curiosity on his face. Even with his goggles on the sunlight was a lot for him, Being above ground was not something he did a lot of, Living above ground when his family has lived in caves for 70 years is a huge step for him.

The place was big, really big. Each building looked like it was big enough to hold the population of his entire planet! Then again his planet had a population of a little less then a thousand. Most major sky scrapers were big enough to hold that many people. The lights though, They were much more colorful then the ones he grew up around. Though he kept looking back at the sun, His goggles gave everything he looked at a darker tone, but the sun was new to him. Seeing the Sun on Admiration meant you were going to burn alive, and if you were on the surface at night you would freeze harder then a rock.

Hunter looked over the edge of the landing platform. "Damn... That's some drop." The only thing he could think of that was as far a drop would be an old shaft that his parents refused to talk about, Hunter was pretty sure it was for a rocket of some kind but he never knew for sure. He never could see the bottom. Hunter kept walking, This was his home for now, and more then likely everywhere he went would be just as sunny as here. "Alright then, Lets go meet people and go to war!" Then Hunter realized something, He had no idea where he was going.

[Apothecary]

Farid felt like Alice in the world of wonders and although he tried to mask it, his eyes almost literally shone with anticipation. It was his first time on board of space ship and although it felt all weird and unnerving, he enjoyed every bit of the ship´s long journey. He was surrounded by modern technology, everything was clean and he didn´t see any sand for ages. His life was about to become way better, despite the ongoing war. From Borea, Farid knew what was it like, to fight for his life and he was sure that this experience will give him a certain edge over his new classmates.

He like this planet, arid lands looked so much nicer than seas of sand on his homeworld. The city itself was the most majestic thing Farid had ever seen. He was used to small, sheltered farms and even the biggest Borean city wasn´t anything more than a dirty scrapyard, at least compared to Tranquility. His heart beat like a hell as he watched the land from small windows of transport shuttle. „Get it together!“ he told to himself. After all, he wasn´t there to appreciate the landscapes, but to learn the art of war.

The shuttle docked in a while and Farid and other new student´s flooded the landing platform. Farid looked around, wondering if there were others people from backwater planets He doubted it. Tranquility was a top military school, the majority of students will be probably rich kids and sons and daughters of military officers. Farid wasn´t sure how is going to fit there, but he was decided to do his best. His father thought that military was a bad idea and Farid was decided to convince him otherwise. But to do so, he first had to find out, what exactly was he supposed to do now. He expected that stuff of the academy would show them things around, but so far, there wasn´t anyone apart from newcomers. „Any idea what should we do? “ he asked the small crowd of students around him, trying to look less nervous than he actually was.

[datadogie]

Cyan's heart beat rapidly in her chest as she descended to the planet. She felt like she was an angel with wings, gently floating down from the heavens above to meet those on the planet below. Only, it was a little more scarier, since she had absolutely no control over the descent. To try and distract herself, she fiddled with the straps on her backpack, tightening them a little. "It's just a descent, it's just a descent. People do this all the time, right? Like the ships I used to load, yes? It's okay." She mumbles to herself.

In her backpack, she carried an assortment of personal effects, as well as the artificial intelligence called Wizard, but known more as Wiz. Cyan had pulled a string or two in order to take Wiz with her. Wiz had been Cyan's artificial intelligence during her time operating a mech on Lemea, and because AIs were needed for the ST-A-FM03's, she had almost been forced to stay behind. Cyan had been lucky.

Cyan moved through the swaths of students, shaking a little as she tried to get used to this new place. It was definitely a lot warmer than Lemea. "Wiz, Wiz, where do I go?" Cyan asks, almost looking like she was asking herself the question. She had one headphone pressed into her ear, in case she wanted Wiz or (in the unlikely of) Wiz wanted her. The gentle reply of the word "Unknown" came through the earpiece. Someone else asked if anyone had any idea what they should do, and Cyan turned to the guy. Looking up at him, she shook her head abruptly. "No idea," She says, her voice shy.

[caliban22]

As Dominic stepped out from his shuttle he looked around him and examined the crowded landing platform Well...least assembly areas stay the same. he thought as he and the rest of his shuttle started to mingle into the large group of students. Now all I got to do is figure out where I need to go... he thought as he tapped the shoulder of the closest person. "Hey buddy can you tell me whats going on here?" he asked as the figure turned around and looked at him. after a second of thinking the person shrugged and with a frown apologized for not being able to help. Slowly Dominic walked through the mob of students. stopping once to get out a data slate. after connecting an ear bud to the slate and pressing a few buttons an image of a long blonde haired woman wearing a Camo Uniform and ballistic vest appeared on the slate.
"Lia any idea where I'm supposed to report to?" he asks slightly annoyed. He had been hustled aboard the shuttle so quick he wasn't told what he was supposed to do after the shuttle landed. With a frown the AI scratched her head "Sorry Hun, I don't have access to anything other than the info required to get you here, though from what I have gathered some one was supposed to tell prior to landing...obviously they didn't.. I suggest trying to find some one...though thats easier said than done.." she said as she placed her hands on her hips "Sorry Dom" she said again as the screen once again went dark. With a frustrated sigh he looked around, he kind of stood out considering he must have been one of the older students there. Coupled with his height he stood at least a head over most of the average heights.

[Apollosarcher]

Hayden sighed as the kids didn't seem to know where to go, so he walked over and stood a box slamming his metalic hand against the wall, denting it, the room went silent. "Since no one told you off worlders anything or you just didn't seem to understand students from Tranquility will now call out your names, remain silent and follow whoever calls your name they will lead you to your rooms and introduce you to your roommates. If don't understand this please get back on the ship we don't need you here." He grumbled and stepped down and he began to the names of those he was to escort. "Cyan McFarley, Dominic Visla, Hunter Monroe, and Farid Saraca!" He yelled out then leaned against the wall waiting for those assigned to follow him to arrive.

He then stepped out into the hall and called for the elevator. Hoping they would all assemble quickly so they could get a move on and get in the elevator before the mob of other students arrived. Hayden then smiled as it arrived, Ash stalled it so he could check out his group. "Alright were heading up to your rooms, the place is Co-Ed so you might be rooming with a chick or a dude, feel free to put in a request for a transfer if that's to weird. As for your Mechs their being delivered to the docks under the academy. You can visit them later, oh and I'm Hayden Welles welcome to Tranquility.

[datadogie]

Cyan continued to swim through the students, until she heard a noise, and the room went silent as a boy spoke. Her eyebrows raised slightly when she saw that the boy that was speaking had a metallic hand, but she shook it off. She saw some amputees around Lemea occasionally. She was suddenly lost in thought, thinking back to her old instructor when she was telling the new mech drivers how to handle the ST-A-FM03. All of Cyan's instructor's fingers were gone, though that mustn't have been as bad as a whole arm.

Cyan was broken from her thoughts as she heard her name, as well as other names, and remembered she was meant to follow the person that called them. So, she began jogging toward the source of the calling, finding that it came from the boy who had first called out what the new students had to do. She was going to say hi when the boy spoke again, telling them what was going to happen. Finally, Cyan spoke. "T-Thank you, Hayden. I'm Cyan. Cyan McFarley." She says, smiling softly.

[Shoe Thief]

Hunter heard his name called. "Awesome, lets get going then." He made sure his bag was slung and walked over to the elevator. Then the group went up to their rooms. "Alright were heading up to your rooms, the place is Co-Ed so you might be rooming with a chick or a dude, feel free to put in a request for a transfer if that's to weird. As for your Mechs their being delivered to the docks under the academy. You can visit them later, oh and I'm Hayden Welles welcome to Tranquility." Hunter nodded, he didn't mind shared rooms, he shared a room with all his siblings for years.

Hunter looked at the group of people. "Well then, isn't this a decent collection of people. We ready to take care of business?" Hunter attempted a smile, though truth be told he was still in shock from the size of the buildings, especially this one.

Hunter spoke up again. "So I have to ask, What is our plan? When do we go out and kick some ass?" Hunter felt confident, He had seen what the Mechs could do, though from the wrong side of battles. He felt ready to take them on now though.

[Apothecary]

Farid felt lost for a while, but he didn't really mind it since he wasn't the only one feeling that way. Almost every person around him had similarly clueless expression on their faces. They stood there in confusion for a decent while until one the students from Tranquility decided to take matters into his own hands. Quite literally as he slammed the wall with his metalic hand.

The guy didn't look exactly pleased about his task, he was actually pretty cocky, but Farid doubted he would be different, should he greet some off-worlders on Borea. He just hoped that not everyone on this planet shared Hayden's attitude as it would make studying there far more harder and far less pleasant. He also hoped that Hayden will eventually grow on them since it appeared that they will be in the same group.

Farid moved forward to meet with his new mates. He wasn't entirely sure about this whole "sharing the rooms" thing. Back on Borea, he was used to being alone. Farm he grew up at was prerty far from any bigger Borean city and even when he moved to the civilization, he spent most of his time patroling the desert on his own. Living with a bigger number of people for a longer period of time could be difficult.
"Hey, I am Farid. Nice to meet you, glory to the IFS and all that jazz. I have the same question like this guy" he pointed at Hunter with his thumb "When are we getting to our mechs?"

[caliban22]

Dominic listened silently, his sea bag slung over his shoulder as he followed Sharing rooms huh. he thought wouldn't be the first time,
at least this time we don't got to share with dozens of people As he walked he found himself thinking of home. Dominic had grown up in the youth army. He was used to having large amounts of people around him, though he was not really good at speaking with others casually.

Dominic smiled slightly as listened to Hayden talk seems to be annoyed he thought as Hayden finished talking. After Hunter talked Dominic couldn't help but chuckle. I like this guy he thought as he continued to listen. He was also looking forward to combat, and wanted to finish his time at this place so that he could become a pilot and serve.

[Apollosarcher]

Hayden rolled his eyes as he stepped into the elevator and let it take them up. "You can start piloting by tomorrow, real combat? Not likely but if we get attacked might have us as reserves. However we are getting broken up into squads at the end of the by the end of the week, four to a squad. Then the squad picks their leader and you go from their, oh and the top fifty students will get their choice of a full overhaul of their mech or a new custom model." He flexed his robotic arm. "If your itching for combat, don't be. I lost my arm and leg about six months ago when we got invaded, before we joined the IFS." He said stepping out the elevator he walked them down the hall.

He walked them down a couple hallways to the end of the hall then lifted his datapad and sighed. "Farid and Hunter your roommates doors on the left, got everything you need inside. Dominic you've got the end room all to yourself, lucky you it's got a view to, must have someone looking out for you. "Cyan your bunking with me, were on the right." Hayden yawned looked at them all. "Your class schedule will be on your data tablets, one for each of you in the room. Every room has it's own bathroom, hologram projectors for homework and recreation. Most importantly, they've got viewing screens. Theirs a massive arena under the whole place and we use mech battles, you can watch them here go down see them in person and if their's not a live one they show past battles so you can always learn a few moves." He told them yawning. "As for getting into your dorm their coded to your hand prints, so just put your hand on the door." He shrugged and started into his room.

[Shoe Thief]

Hunter walked into his room. He threw his bag onto his bed and sat down. "Ain't itchen' for combat, I'm itching for revenge." He was a bit mad at Hayden about his comment of not wanting combat because of his loss, loss was the reason Hunter wanted combat. He would trade losses with him any day. He tried to calm down, last thing he needed was a hot head before he did something stupid.

Hunter looked over to his roommate. "So, you liking this place? Me personally I think it's to bright." Hunter pointed to his goggles. "Though the food has to be better then the preservatives that we have stockpiled in Admiration. Have you ever tried food with a Twenty year shelf life? I hate that crap." That wasn't completely true, The canned beans and fruits he liked. "I wonder if any of the food they have here is fresh? Or fresher, I'd take either." he shrugged.

[caliban22]

Dominic smiled and with a chuckle he headed to his room Back home on Jericho, only officers got small four person rooms, and among them, the highest ranked among the Youth army got a single room. As Dominic opened and entered his room and he looked around. Dominic stood in a small hall way To the right of his door there was a a small closet, for his cloths and pilot gear he assumed as he closed the door and looked around. to his left there was a door. as he opened it he saw a shower,toilet, sink and a mirror with a shelf for personal effects like a toothbrush and toothpaste,razors,whatever he used really. After looking at the bathroom he exited the bathroom and took a left bringing him to his bedroom. The room is self was rather spacious, with his bed wedged into a corner on his right. The wall his bed was against had no windows, or anything interesting other than a small nook set just about where his head would be in his bed for him to keep some of his more personal items. Against the opposite wall there was a desk, with the hologram projector and viewing screen set into the desk and wall respectively. The wall opposite the small hallway held a large window with an amazing view.

Slowly Dominic took his bag and placed it on his bed. As he unpacked he took account of the items Photo of my Y.A squad,Data slate, small regimental banner Dominic chuckled, while he was not in the military, the Y.A did have regiments and divisions and such so as the cadets could have a sense of pride and camaraderie when the regional battles began. casual cloths,couple of books, a water bottle, and a energy bar he thought as he placed everything on his bed. After a few seconds Dominic picked up his data slate "Lia any place around here for food?" he asked as she appeared on the data slate. The blonde haired woman with Asian features stared at him wit hands on her hips obviously unpleased "wait till dinner." Dominic sighed. "Why are you Asain with blonde hair?" Dominic asked. In the past he had asked a lot and for them it's now a running joke "why are you so tall?" she asked annoyed "I don't know, Randomly I suppose?" she said as both looked at eah other quietly "It's weird." Dominic said bluntly causing Lia to laugh "yup Japanese with blonde hair I know, you have told me before" she said with a smile

[Mcmolly]

Ciell was not present for the greeting ceremony, nor was she present for the divvying of rooms and roommates until the process had been completed. This was not due in any part to laziness or forgetfulness, the simple matter was that she'd already been briefed on her schedule. Her room had been assigned, her classes planned out, her day had no tied-in obligations. That being said she spent the free time doing exactly what she did every day, she did her laps, sparred in the gym, and decided to observe a match in the arena rather than run a simulation. Mother had always said that watching other soldiers fight was always a good way to compare one's own abilities, even if not in a direct manner.

To be honest, she found the event dull. Many of the combatants were either young-bloods trying to prove themselves to their fellow students, or old soldiers with too much experience to be challenged by lesser opponents. While watching rookies fumble with controls they didn't fully understand proved humorous, roughly ten minutes into her visit she lost the will to stay. Oh well, there were slow days now and then, the arena had provided incredible opportunity before, and what with the new, incoming students, she was sure a few worthy individuals would rise to the top. Or as close as they could get to the top after she herself was there, anyway.

Upon arriving at the designated hall, Ciell spotted a boy she only vaguely recognized from the testing grounds. She knew neither his name nor his year, but the mechanical limbs were unmistakable. He looked young which made his injuries even more of a pity, but if he'd lived this long then he'd likely gotten over it. Either way, seeing as he was the only one present from Tranquility, she figured he was in charge of student check-in.

"Ciell Macci, checking in," she said to him, then proceeded dutifully to her room. Food would be in order soon, but being the hectic day that it was, it wouldn't surprise her if everyone's schedule was mixed around.

[Apothecary]

Farid didn´t really shared Hayden´s attitude to warfare, but he let it go and didn´t make any commentary. It had to be harsh to lose an arm and leg while fighting for your home, still the metallic limbs looked pretty neat and Farid was sure they were more than sufficient compensation for what he lost.
The boy was happy to hear that their mech training was supposed to start tomorrow, not a second too soon. He has been assigned to the new Murauder mech variant and couldn´t wait to get his hands on it. So far, his only piloting experience was with discarded Knights and Farid was eager to try something “fresh”. He will give UP-DC hell, he was sure of it.

He entered his new room, wondering how much living space the Academy gave them. There was a pair of beds, small table and a little storage cabinet, basically everything one, or two, would need. He threw his bag of stuff on the bed, not bothering with unpacking. He will do it, eventually.
His new roommate looked like a decent guy, although he reminded Farid of sandbugs back home. Probably because of the glasses that guy wore.
“I think it´s too early to judge this place but so far, I am amazed. Everything here is… spectacular and modern, nothing like the dustball I came from. I think the food here is going to be good. Have you seen this planet from space? It´s all lush and green, dream of every farmer.” It was true, Farid was sure his father would kill for an opportunity to start farming here. “I am personally more interested in mechs than food. There should some really high-tech stuff in here… What machine did they assign to you?”

[Shoe Thief]

Hunter agreed it would be a decent place for farming, though he didn't know much on farming other then you needed sunlight. Sunlight on his planet was a pain in the ass to deal with though. Then Hunter was asked what Mech he got. "I got a Marauder with enough fire power to lay waste to, well not sure to be honest. Though it would be nice to fight Mechs with mechs instead of forklifts and shotguns. Them things can take a hit."

Hunter noticed what Farid said about his planet being a dust ball. "You from a desert planet? That has to be a pain in the ass. I'm not even sure how well I'm going to deal with the sunlight here. I've lived underground my entire life. Only went to the surface once to help repair a solar plate. Though that was at night." It did interest Hunter how many backgrounds people came from here. "Still can't wait to use the mechs, Planning to kick some hardcore ass with them." Hunter started to unpack his bag and put some things away.

[datadogie]

Cyan felt sickened once she heard that she would be rooming it up with Hayden. She would much rather be in a room on her own, or with another girl (however, she preferred being on her own). She wondered if she was allowed to put a room transfer this early into the school, and made up her mind to see about it later. For now, she was determined to explore her room. She placed a palm on the door, and it slid open. Each room had this? Only high sec areas had this back home, she thinks to herself.

Upon entering the room, she suddenly goes child mode, and just jumps onto a bed. The first words she says after that is, "I claim this bed." It was a bit embarrassing, however she liked this bed, mostly because it was closer to the bathroom, as well as slightly closer to the air conditioning unit in the ceiling. She felt she would grow used to this faster if she was closer to the temperature of her home planet.

[Apollosarcher]

Hayden nodded to Ciell, she was one of the other students, a top contender for the top slot. Sadly she would have to go through him to get it, she wasn't the only one with a few tricks up their sleeve. Hayden had trained on the Paladin, same model she used so he knew it's weaknesses and strengths. More importantly his Knight was an easier model to maneuver and fight with. He would need to rely on range and try to find a weak point in her shielding, after all arena matches ended when the shield failed not when the mech was scrapped.

He had already taken the bed closer to the door so he didn't care when Cyan claimed the other, he checked his tablet. "Ash, can mom get me into the mech bay, I want to tune my mech some. Maybe hit the arena before they shut down for the night. He yawned and sent a message to the bunch at the end of the hall, letting them all know he was going down to the Mech bay and that dinner was in three hours. He pulled up Ash, she appeared as young women with blonde hair much like his own in dirty jumpsuit. The image was based off Hayden's older sister and the current top senior in the school. "So Ash, ranking exams are tomorrow. Written then practical, following that we have the day off right?"

"Correct." The A.I. said slowly as if distracted by something. "Hayden your sister is also down in the Mech bay, she's testing a prototype."

Hayden smiled and called the elevator. "And they didn't invite me, well I'll head down and... Help out." He grinned stepping into the elevators. Waiting for it to head down.

[Mcmolly]

Ciell sifted through her tablet as she changed into a more casual outfit, though the underlying pilot-suit remained all the same. Fashion wasn't her strongest point, practicality and comfort dominated her wardrobe and as such her small closet held few colorful pieces. Blacks, whites and grays did the job well enough, although she'd be lying if she said she didn't avoid plain white clothes when she could. Her skin was drained enough looking without the accentuation of shirts and pants that looked as though they were mere extensions of herself.

A message popped up, followed by another. The first came from someone named Hayden, announcing his departure to the mech bay and the timetable for dinner. She guess that was the bionic boy's name. The second came from one of the routine engineers on her Paladin, letting her know that the Mirror system had been tweaked and was experiencing issues. Though no explicit request for her presence was made, Ciell made it a point to be around for any and all updates to her mech that could affect its -and by extension her own- performance. So, pulling a coat over her shoulders she left her room and made for the elevator at the end of the hall.

The boy was there as well, only confirming his identity as Hayden. All the better, it would save her an awkward introduction with him later on if the need for a name arose. She struck an arm into the doorway of the lift to halt its shutting and got in, offering a wordless nod to him before turning her eyes forward once again for the descent.

[Apothecary]

Hunter was also Marauder pilot, seemed like they preferred a similar style of fighting. They had at least something in common, since they backgrounds varied so greatly. Farid could only imagine how hard it had to be to live under surface. He was used to vast plains and scorching sun and to live without those things seemed terribly weird. Farid also realized why did the guy wore his goggles, he just wasn't used to normal light.

"Yes, my planet is just a one huge desert with a few oasis. People there try to terraform it into something greener, but it will take a least few decades before it will be anywhere close to decent living." speaking about his home, Farid had felt surprisingly homesick. It might a be backwater hole, but it was still his home and he might never see it again.
"Have you ever piloted a mech? In fight, I mean." Farid asked, hoping to change the subject. "I did once. It was just a small skirmish and I was scared shitless, but the adrenalin felt amazing."