I meant to mention in the last point chapter but it completely slipped my mind. The point chapters concerning Kennan are not aligned with the current timeline, they are telling events of the past then slowly they will be catching up, so for the ones who like the Kennan spinoff, fret not there shalt be moar!

Chapter 25.1

*** Kennan Oswald ***

“These will be your weapons,” Company Master Ron Gosta said after we all gathered in our company mess hall. ”They will be your standard weapons, take care of them, if you do not you may end up getting buried or worse. As warriors you cannot have faulty weapons. Keep them clean and in pristine condition at all times. You will also notice that none of you have the same weapons or gear, they are fitting for your class.”

My own was a strange weapon with two parallel metal bars, was it a crossbow? There was a similar one but smaller beside it, and a sabre. Tirranae was given an intricate staff and a large satchel bag with a big red cross on it. Aroz was given something similar to my strange crossbow only longer, and with a strange scoping sight. James was given a small round shield and a similar crossbow like mine. Seth was given only a smaller, i guess, dart thrower and a solid thin square pack with an antennae stretching upwards from it.

“There is a small note in front of you with your weapons and gear,” the man announced. “Tankers step out the front right door to meet your instructors, medics head to the front left door, scouts to the back right door, and communications trooper to the back left door. All leaders remain as you are.”

“Well I guess I will be seeing you guys until we get back to the barracks,” I told my four teammates as I patted each one on the back as they passed me by.

After several minutes of moving around CM Gosta spoke again. “Follow me in an orderly fashion.”

We were lead from the mess hall to a field after nearly thirty minutes worth of walking.

“First things first,:” the man began, “you will learn how to use your weapon, then you will learn to lead.”

A small lecture followed.

The instruction were boring but quite simple. I allowed others to test the waters before me gauging their reactions, our weapon acted much like a crossbow so we were all somewhat familiar with the mechanics. This weapon, however, has several differences, for one it pushes back. Several of my peers quickly found themselves with injuries or butts to the floor.

I took careful aim and pressed the trigger, i felt the pull of mana on my hand as the weapon was fed, shortly thereafter the power went into the twin poles of the gun and launched a small dull looking metal dart leaving static energy in the air. There was a loud popping sound and the kickback almost made me lose my grip on the weapon. looking at the target, I had almost grazed the center.

I couldn’t help but smile.

--- Several Days Later ---

“Today my young toddling children,” CM Gosta smiled cruelly. “You will be learning what it is to fly!”

Several people began to puke and piss themselves, I was personally excited. About the only one who was composed in our team was me and Aroz, I could tell Tirranae wanted to cry and the other two looked like they were going to release their bowels at any second.

“There is no time to baby you,” the man continued. “The device on your chest will make you fly long enough for you to touch the ground with relative safety, deplete it you die, panic and don’t use it you die. Survival of the fittest my dearest children. Live and die by your own strength and will. Those of you that don’t jump will be thrown off, nobody has time for you to work up the nerve. I want you all to start jumping out in ten seconds or I am going to start shoving you off.”

The back of the cargo bay lowered, it was do or die.

I subconsciously grabbed Tirranae by the hand and dragged her over the edge with me, her screams were swallowed by the roaring winds outside. I could see Aroz pulling Seth along and James getting thrown out...poor poor James.

While Tirranae did scream she didn’t flail about instead opting to let me guide her, I couldn’t say the same for Seth. It was some heart racing stuff getting to the ground safely, after I leveled off Tirranae I helped Aroz with Seth. James managed to work the courage to help himself.

Like the CM had said, it was a culling class, many who panicked died that day.

Our numbers were reduced by more than half and we were barely two weeks into this new life.

--- ---

Two weeks later some more newbies showed up.