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Indoctrination
Posted By: Havok<snayperskaya@hotmail.com>
Date: 29 October 2002, 2:47 am
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"As per Naval Code 45812, you are hereby conscripted into the UNSC Special Project, codenamed SPARTAN III."
Vyke looked on, stunned. Doctor Hasley took a step forward and cleared her throat.
"No doubt you have heard of the legendary SPARTANS in the news. Like those before you, you are to become the protectors of Earth and all of her colonies. You are here today to devote your life, your blood, indeed your very lives to the protection of earth and the destruction of the Covenant."
She paused, gathering her words. It was obvious to Vyke that it was very hard for her to say this. "this will be tough, but you cannot return to your families. You are going to stay here, to train, to become the best that we can make of you. Tomorrow you will start your training. You are dismissed."
Vyke watched as Doctor Hasley turned and left the stage. He stood, and was guided along with the other eighty children toward the barracks.
Vyke was steered by his handler toward a bunk with the inscription: Vyke 216. he was exhausted by the long trip to this strange place. He pulled aside the wool blanket and dropped like a stone to the uncomfortable bed, asleep before his head hit the pillow.
An electric bolt jarred Vyke from a sound sleep. He slammed his head into the concrete ceiling. He rolled off the bunk and gradually got his balance on the cold floor as another bolt of electricity flew through him.
"ON YOUR FEET RECRUIT! MOVE IT TO THE SHOWERS DOUBLETIME!" A large imposing man stood inches from Vyke's face, his steel grey eyes boring through his skull and his angular chin jutting almost into Vyke's nose. He didn't have time to reply as a pronged rod came searching for his skin again. He didn't give it the chance to strike as he hightailed it for the showers.
He came back from the showers wide awake and ready for anything. He proceeded to a locker with his name and number 216 on it. He put an OD green t-shirt and a baggy pair of fatigues, a pair of green socks, and a pair of black spit-shined combat boots.
He filed out with the rest of the recruits and jogged two miles following Master Chief Petty Officer Mendez. The man looked to be around sixty, but Vyke could not tell for sure. Mendez led them to a grassy field and lined them up in ranks.
"Listen Up!" Mendez thundered in the still morning air. "Starting from this point on, the first and last words out of your mouths will be Sir!" he looked around at us." do you understand that?"
"SIR YES SIR!" We roared in unison as Mendez and the other trainers looked on.
"Very good. I will expect a lot out of you in the following years. You are to be what no one else has the chance to become. To become the best of the best, you have to be the strongest. Jumping Jacks!" he roared and started jumping. Vyke and the other eighty recruits started jumping.
Three hours later Vyke collapsed onto the grass under the sun, which had now risen to fill the sky of Reach. Three hours of calisthenics had completely worn Vyke out. Rivulets of sweat dripped off his face and shoulders.
"All right, everybody on your feet! We're going to the classroom."
Vyke and the other recruits wearily rose to their feet and slogged after Mendez. Mendez was like a machine. He was old, well, appeared to be at least. But he was inexhaustible.
They jogged for another three miles and stopped at the steps of a big white marble building. A tall, cloaked figure greeted them. An AI. It's got to be. Thought Vyke as he approached the figure. He passed his hand through the simulation. The midsection of the AI swirled and rippled.
"I would appreciate it if you would refrain from doing that." A deep voice rumbled from some unknown source. Vyke backed away, unsure of what to do next.
"I am Beowolf. I was once an ONI Artificial Intelligence, but was offered the position of teaching the next SPARTAN project." The figure's voice emanated out from the steps, capturing the recruits' attention.
"Now if we will go inside, I will show you what being a SPARTAN is all about." With that, the cloaked AI turned and floated back inside the building.
For the next four hours, the recruits sat and watched with amazement about Greek Spartan warriors, history of the SPARTAN program, and best of all, the bios of the SPARTANS who had been trained before them. The children sat, enthralled, as the legendary Master Chief fought before their eyes, in action on the training field, and through the eyes of his helmet cam on some of his most high profile missions.
From the classroom the children jogged to the Playground, where they learned about teamwork. Vyke and his team finished first, and ate a hearty meal that night. During the dinner, Vyke noticed a small, angry looking boy sitting in the corner, watching them eat.
Vyke remembered him as one of the group that finished the course last. Mendez had told them that the last group would go without diner that night. Vyke looked around for and trainers nearby. Seeing that there were none, he gathered some food on his plate and scuttled over to the boy.
"Here. I thought you would like some food." Vyke presented the boy with the plate of food.
The boy looked over the food. He turned to Vyke and stared into his eyes. "I don't want your food. This is my punishment."
"You sure" Vyke tried one last time.
"Yes." The boy looked at him, absolutely no emotion in his red eyes. The boy looked evil, crouching there in the corner with those startling red eyes.
The boy stood. "Thank you for the offer." He held out his hand. "I know this indoctrination is going to be tough. Want to stick together, kind of watch out for each other?"
Vyke took the hand without hesitation. "Sure. Friends?"
"Friends." The boy withdrew his hand and walked away, toward the barracks.
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