Archive of Our Own ^beta

Bullets whizzed past him as he took cover, his eyes darting all over the battlefield as he scanned for targets.

There!

His rifle blasted in its own language as streaks of hot plasma zigzagged across the ruined city, striking the enemy. He took cover as their weapons responded, their own weapons chattered, cutting small bits of drywall and bricks out of what little cover he had.

"All units, fall back! I repeat, fall back! Mission has failed! Mission has- ghak!" 

The operator's urgency was cut short as the sound of slicing steel cut him off. Static filled the silence as the bullets were getting closer and closer to him, until a different voice punctuated the silence.

"Aww, we're playing hide and seek? Ok. Ready or not, here I co-ome!" 

He immediately threw his radio away and beelined for the stairs, the metal groaning under the weight of his armour as he made to exit the building.

A white light shone through the door. Hope. A chance. But before he could reach it, the wall next to him exploded, and a small hand gripped him by the throat.

"Found you." 

* * *

He jolted upwards, coming face to face with a snarling man.

"Wakey wakey, ass-wipe! Double time, or you miss chow time!"

After a quick shower, Corporal Remington Menendez shuffled in line behind Private Siddig, who eyed him worriedly.

"Nightmare again?"

Menendez nodded, regaining his composure as the drill instructors searched the line of trainees.

"Hey Fish-face, why the fuck is your collar undone?!"

The line proceeded forward, no trainee daring to look lest they be roped in. Some apparently didn't get the memo.

"You like punishment, huh? Well guess what? You're joining him, fucker!"

Both men smirked internally, knowing full well that Big Shot was getting his dues.

Daddy can't help you here, Remington thought as he grabbed a tray and made his way to the food line, feigning a smile as the server piled bacon, sausage, and two biscuits onto his tray. The two men joined up with their Normo friends as they contemplated the future. This was it. Home stretch before the No-Bells were shipped off to the North Union.

Their thoughts were interrupted as an instructor in a black uniform stood on a table, his voice booming throughout the chow hall.

"Alright listen up, piss pots", he boomed, "Just in case some of you still can't tell your mouth from your ass, I'm gonna say this once: Normos will be directed to the exercise area at oh-nine hundred hours! You No-Bells will have until ten hundred hours to pack your gear and stow your shit before you report to the vehicle area for departure! Anyone who gets left behind is not my problem anymore, not that I actually fucking care!"

He paused as the door opened, Fish-face and Big Shot stumbling into the room with bruises on their faces.

"Sit the fuck down!", an instructor thundered, "You're not eating today!"

Fish-face shuffled quietly over to his table, while Big Shot had to be "encouraged" by two instructors, earning him more bruises.

"As I was saying!", the instructor continued, "Once we've landed at the airport, you will be remanded to the North Union Navy! Anything they say, you do. If they ask you to spit shine their boots, you do it. If they ask you to be a go-for, you do it. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Drill Instructor!", they chorused before they were allowed to resume their meal.

After the last tray was stowed, all four returned to the barracks to prepare. Photos were taken, words were exchanged, and memorabilia was swapped. But soon, the four parted ways as Siddig and Menendez made their way to the vehicle area.

"Damn. North Union, huh?"

Menendez looked at his classmate, sensing the jubilance coursing through his body.

"Take it you've always wanted to visit?"

Siddig grasped his friend by the shoulders and gestured to the poster of ship-girls.

"Broski. My brother in Christ. My friend. My homie. We're gonna be this close to seeing a ship-girl!", he exclaimed, pinching his fingers in gesticulation.

"Yeah, they're hot. And? We're not there to gawk."

Siddig scoffed, a mischievous look coming to his eye as the bus rounded the corner.

"Damn Robo, you really need to lighten up."

Remington fidgeted at his nickname as he loaded his things, seeing other trainees filing into the loading area.

"Damn Robo, helping a buddy? Awesome! Do everyone else a favor and load their stuff, would you?"

Siddig smiled sheepishly as Menendez shot him a look of pure murder, arranging his friend's bag to be the last one out when they unloaded.

* * *

The flight was uneventful, save for the part where Siddig had to wait in line to take his bag. Amidst the snores and shuffling of trainees, Menendez pondered the prospect of meeting a ship-girl, not even envying their commander's position. That many girls and only one guy? Had to be hell. He wondered which ones were even in the North Union's fleet, noting that they had to be older models. Granted, old didn't mean obsolete.

His thoughts were broken as he heard the heavy footfalls of an instructor on patrol, his eyes snapping shut to give off the illusion of sleep.

* * *

Wind on his face rustled him slightly. He was about to ask Siddig to close the window, except...

"Trust exercise!"

"Wha-?"

He was now wide awake as he scanned the place, his eyes widening as he realized that he was falling through the air towards a blood red ocean. He was gasping now, frantically trying to find a way to stabilize himself.

This was just a nightmare.

This was just a nightmare.

This was just...

"Not really."

"What the fuck do you want with me?!"

* * *

His eyes snapped open to a bright light, feeling some sort of apparatus covering his mouth and nose, a hissing sound providing ambience as he scanned his surroundings.

The door opened, and a man in a white uniform entered, a man in a familiar black uniform following. The two spoke in Russian for a while, with the man in black dismissing what Menendez assumed to be a doctor.

"You know why I'm here?"

Remington nodded. It was like fucking clockwork whenever this would happen. 

"Corporal Menendez, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned. I just need to go over the checklist."

Menendez rolled his eyes as he answered every question. Again. Described details. Again.

"Is there anything you need?"

The man in black scoffed as a middle finger was raised, complemented with a contentious look.

"Guess that answers that. Report to the barracks after you're discharged. Cuddles will pick you up."

A thumbs up for confirmation.

One hell of a welcome, was all he could think.