[10,000 Kilometers above sea level]
A behemoth of a spacecraft hovers quietly in the night sky of Qerta-8.
A browned haired boy sits alone in the mess hall eating fruitcakes. While eating, his hoodie slouches down. He stares blankly at the open ocean, curious of what's to come tomorrow. It will be his first mission as a Jaeger on the Mary Grande.
DING
An intercom comes on overhead.
"Thatcher report to the bridge please." Thatcher sighs and mumbles to himself.
"Seriously? I haven't even finished my food?!"
Thatcher gets up from the table. Scrambling to get the rest of the fruitcakes in his mouth.
He walks out of the room, turns to the right, and passes the med bay. Getting a glimpse of his Lieutenants in a debate about their ideal women.
"Hey Lin, do you prefer a woman for their chest or butt?" The red-haired woman questions.
"Well to be fair I think I prefer men, but I would say chest." Lin mumbled under her breath.
"What about you Loraine?" Lin remarks with a grin on her face.
"Hmm I'd say butt, but men are pretty good hee-hee." Loraine smirks as she looks away.
Thatcher stares at them realizing he might be dead tomorrow if these are who he is to take orders from. As he looks on in curiosity and horror, he remembers to mind his business and continues to the bridge. Thatcher stumbles onto the bridge to see a tall young man with dark brown hair sitting in his chair. He seems to be reading a hologram. His fur Jacket hangs loosely over his shoulders, and he lifts the tip of his hat to look at Thatcher. Thatcher catches a glimpse at his rank and name. Liang Han, with a tattoo that says, "Kingsmen," on his arm.
"Samuel Eriks Thatcher?" The captain turns to look at Samuel awkwardly standing at attention.
"SIR!" Samuel salutes afraid of being yelled at.
"Heh. Relax kid, I don't do that whole rank and file bull here." Captain Han sighs and stands up.
Samuel relaxes and looks up at his captain.
"What did you need me for Capt. Han?" Samuel looks up in anticipation.
"Please call me Capt. Kingsmen, my sister is Vice Captain Han. I wanted to confirm you had gotten aboard and all the others ignored me so I thought maybe the rookie would answer. But since you're here, I can take you to the recon room! I need some help with mapping out a target and maybe I can see why they called you "Javelin" back at basic. The squad leaders should also be there." Kingsmen breaks out into laughter.
"Yes, I'll help sir." Samuel anxiously sighs and stiffens his posture. Wondering if it was a mistake to board the ship.
Kingsmen walks past Samuel to the door and looks over to a man with two drones hovering over him. Samuel had not noticed someone else was on the bridge; he watches in curiosity. The strange man walks up to the two. He is a bald man with pointy ears, and a bushy beard. He is wearing a white shirt with a "I heart Mary." A picture of the Mary is shown.
"Jero, could you watch things here while I'm gone that would be a great help." Kingsmen pats Jero on the shoulder.
"Yeah, sure thing Capt., not like I yam da pilot fort noh reason..." Jero looks over to Samuel and squints his eyes.
"You must beh da rookieh? Nice to meet tya." Jero waves towards Samuel.
Samuel waves back a little confused by Jero's broken English but he doesn't mind, however after what he heard from the captain he was now convinced of his demise.
"Catch you later Jero, alright let's skedaddle Samuel." Kingsmen motions for the door.
Both men enter the second airlock.
"So, what do you think about the ship Samuel?" Kingsmen stares off attempting small talk.
"It's impressive I'd say the sweets here really hit the spot, but what exactly is this recon we are doing?" Samuel tilts his head and rubs his shoulder.
"Ah, first off, we were tasked with locating a group of scientists and collecting the research they have on wildlife. Secondly there is an invasive species of Zelbeast.." Kingsmen stops himself.
"What's a Zelbeast?" Samuel asks in confusion.
"Sorry, that's not important for you, it's just something the other squad is tasked with. I'll go over that once we get in the briefing room. You're with Zhou Han's group."
"Zhou Ha-?" Samuel turns his head.
"That would be m-." Before the woman can finish her sentence the two collide as they turn the corner.
Kingsmen looks down at Zhou Han and lets out a snicker.
"Hey sis I see you're still up." Kingsmen turns away covering his smirk.
"Gah watch where you're going moron." Zhou Han yaps in frustration.
"Ouch ouch ouch.... did I just hit some kind of wall??" Samuel whines while holding his bruised head.
Kingsmen burst into laughter after seeing the giant red mark on Samuel's forehead. He was beginning to calm down only to see Zhou Han have a similar bruise, and roars into uncontrolled laughter.
"Grrrrh Y-you should pay attention where you walk rookie, but I suppose I am a little to blame for turning the corner so fast." Zhou Han holds out a hand for Samuel trying not to blush out of embarrassment.
"This is my baby sister Zhou, Samuel." Kingsmen slaps Zhou on the back. In retaliation she pulls him by the ear.
"That hurts jackass. Ahem I am Zhou Han vice-captain of Mary. I presume you're the one my brother wanted me to see." She holds out her hand for a handshake. Samuel can see the visible aura of hatred emanating off this woman.
"Well then, we should get going now."
The three walk into the recon room. In the center is a round table with geography and undersea mapping of Qerta-8. Surrounding the table are 13 chairs with a gun lying on the table.
"You sure did take your time." A voice announces from a table in the corner watching TV.
Samuel can smell a stench of alcohol.
"Lin." Zhou Han looks at Lin in disapproval.
"Hey there~." Lin hiccups.
A very tall young woman with a tail and horns like a dragon. Her light blonde hair blows in the air duct. Samuel can see she has some form of sharp teeth instead of normal maulers.
"Now who's that cute boy behind you Capt." Lin looks at Samuel with a big smile across her face, her reptilian like tail wagging haphazardly.
"I'm Samuel the new rookie." Samuel announces himself as he goes for a seat.
"Why don't you have a drink with me Sammy?" Lin whines in anticipation. Samuel stares at her name tag.
"Sorry I don't drink Miss Yenko." Samuel pauses before going to inspect the gun on the table.
"Call me Lin dear. I heard you were the talk of basic." Lin stands up and walks over to sit next to Samuel.
"Lin, have you seen Loraine or Agwe." Kingsmen leans against the table. Lin shrugs her shoulders.
"Right here sweet cheeks." A voice comes from behind Kingsmen, and he flinches.
"Ah damn it! You startled me, Loraine!" Kingsmen looks at Loraine in horror. A red-haired woman with freckles smiles at Kingsmen. Her blouse is undone as if she wasn't expecting company.
"Well don't sound like that, I'm here now, right Capt.~?" Loraine looks at Kingsmen with fire in her eyes. Kingsmen leans away.
"Get a room you two we don't got time for that." Another voice coming from the opening door. A dark-skinned man with a visible cheek scar smile's at Kingsmen. His dreads are tied into a knot.
"Oh, hey Agwe." Zhou Han waves to the man who walked in.
"Hmm? Where is everyone else and who's the new guy." Agwe stares at Samuel with worry.
"This little cutie is Sammy" Lin wraps her arm around Samuel.
"I'm sure they are resting. Squad leaders can inform their groups tomorrow. Samuel is here because his first mission is highly important, and I need to ensure he has gear that is up to date." Kingsmen sighs and opens a map on the table.
"Let me brief you all on your squad's task. I'll be manning things here. Agwe you will be exfil commander, so your goal is to ensure the safe entry and return of each other squad, Secondly Lin your task is culling the nest of Zelbeast in the northern Jungle and mapping out any potential interest points. Thirdly L-Loraine... you're tasked with escorting Zhou and Samuel into the facility and securing the surrounding perimeter. And of course, the Sub squadron Zhou and Samuel your goal is informing us the location of those missing scientists and helping to secure their research. That is our top priority so if you are unsuccessful with culling the Zelbeast we will go after them the next day. Are we all clear of our tasks?"
"Loud and clear Capt." Agwe crosses his arms.
"You got it boss." Lin barks as she accidentally chokes Samuel.
"Please help me." Samuel says while a tear runs down his face
"This is such a pain." Zhou Han grumbles.
"Understood!" Loraine shouts.
"Right then Samuel if you'll follow me to the rear room." Lin lets go of Samuel and waves for him to come back. Samuel runs to the opposite room.
Inside is a monitor room with a large open area pass the glass.
"This is the training grounds but I'm sure you're aware because you put your stuff in the lockers. Get your gear on and let me know when you're ready for the simulation."
Samuel walks down the steps into a room filled with large sized cabinets. He walks over to number 17 and inputs a code, "1708". Inside is a bow and quiver, along with two different knives. An encryption knife used for technology and a steel cutter heated knife. He Grabs all his gear and stands Infront of the simulation door.
"All clear." Kingsmen ask from the speakers.
"Clear."
Samuel watches as the door opens and closes behind him, pulling an arrow out of his quiver and clicking it into his bow. Samuel's bow has a unique lock switch that allows him to always have one loaded like a crossbow. This gives him a small advantage on the field. Furthermore, his bow has extensions to switch between a short bow and longbow, making it highly versatile.
While sitting in the observation room Kingsmen goes to speak, but he hears Lin walking behind him.
"I wanted to see what I was missing out on." She says while having her hands behind her head.
"His uniform is very light, but his weapon looks interesting. Hey Samuel, I'm going to send in a training target stand on the red line and see if you can hit it from your position." Kingsmen flips a switch, and a bullseye pops out of the ground and begins moving side to side. Samuel stares for a moment and points out his arm to follow the movement. He aims at the target, tightens his posture, and slows his breathing. With a swift motion, he releases the arrow and quickly loads another into the target, getting two shots off before the target moves.
"Wow he isn't too bad Capt." Lin says in surprise
"Okay that was excellent Samuel. I will send in more this time. I want you to traverse this simulated forest and hit as many as you see." To Samuels amazement, a forest comes from nowhere. Off in the distance he hears the targets popping up.
"You have 2 minutes to hit three targets. I'll have a simulated Zelbeast track you down bonus points if you take it out in the time given." Kingsmen and Lin wait patiently for his move.
"Ready." Samuel takes a step forward as the time has started as he rushes around a tree and hits the first target.
TICK
"First of seven." A robot voice announces throughout the room.
Samuel hits another before the times hit a minute and forty seconds.
"Second of seven" The voice continues.
"One minute remaining" Samuel gets to the fourth target before he notices it. A drone displaying a hologram Zelbeast. Its ear-like tendrils flow with the wind as Samuel makes eye contact with its goatlike pupils. If he hits the drone, he passes without needing to hit the other targets. He aims at the drone as a light hits his face. The beast focusses all three eyes on Samuel before splitting its jaw into four. The monster has spotted him, a loud screech echos in Samuel's head, he backs away with a throbbing pain. The drone follows and he retreats. He searches for an opening and sees an open field. He trips into the tall grass and ends up getting tangled in it. Unable to move or grab his knives, he begins to whistle to draw the monster towards him. The drone hovers over him; he aims his bow with his feet and arms as the grass begins to loosen around him.
WHOOSH
A near hit! Samuel rolls over grabbing his knife and cuts the grass. He continues deeper into the bush and jumps onto a rock. Samuel sees the beast whipping its tendrils fiercely. The Zelbeast leaps at Samuel; he dodges but slips on wet moss hitting his head.
Before falling, he grabs a knife from his shoulder holster, forcing it into the rock. He grabs a second knife from his hip and uses it to climb up.
The monster goes in for the kill, but Samuel was quick to react. He steps to the right and slides off the rock.
Using his knife as a distraction, he throws it into the bush to draw the Zelbeast attention. Samuel draws his bow with a swift motion. Driving his feet into the ground. He releases the arrow piercing the drone.
Twenty seconds remaining. Samuel drops to the ground with an extreme pain in the back of his head. He stares at the sky as it disappears back into the blank white room.
"Zelbeast eliminated, Samuel Thatcher passed Simulation of Qerta-8." The robotic voice announces one last time.
Samuel stands up and walks over to the drone. A blank stare on his face.
"Samuel you with us buddy?" Kingsmen ask in worry.
"Hm? Oh sorry Capt. Must've got carried away ha-ha." Samuel walks over to the door.
"That was strange Jiang." Lin leans back in her chair.
"It's alright, I'm sure he's just tired." Kingsmen crosses his arms.
Samuel steps into the locker room to take a shower. He takes off his clothes and steps into the shower revealing a back tattoo and a scar. The tattoo is of an upside triangle with a circle split into three parts, each showing a different symbol of Gremorish culture, the land where Samuel was born. Honor, Sympathy, and courage. He rubs the scar on his stomach and whines in pain.
"Still sensitive after all this time, dammit my head hurts." He looks at his hands. They are rough from years of training. He clenches his fist and taps the shower wall, closing his eyes.
"That thing, the Zelbeast. It was tougher than I thought, there's a high chance I would've been in danger if it was a real one. If that where the case however, the best course of action would be attacking those tendrils first. Even though the drone spotted me, the tendrils were feeling around in the grass. I only beat it because it disappeared immediately after the drone died. I hope the other teams will be safe tomorrow." Samuel dries off, puts on some different clothes, and walks up the stairs.
"Not bad Samuel, great first impressions." Kingsmen grins at Samuel.
"You two should get some sleep. I'm already getting settled in." Lin walks away.
"She's right I'll see you tomorrow, Sam." Samuel and Kingsmen head to their respective rooms.
Samuel changes, sits down and looks at a letter on his desk.
"From Uncle Yukon."
"I'll read that tomorrow." Samuel climbs into bed and shuts his eyes.
He wakes up to a farmland. He looks around before standing up.
"What are you doing over there Sammy? Come inside dinners ready." A woman with blonde hair waves for Samuel.
"Coming mom!" Samuel runs after her. He loses her in the Veros crop. When he finally gets to the house, it's destroyed. A large beast covered in thorns with the head of a dragon looms over him. Samuel stares in complete shock at the site Infront of him. The beast's wings open and flies away. Samuel lets out a loud cry as he wakes up in a cold sweat. It's morning.