My Mecha System

[System detects interference]

[System encrypting host data…encryption complete]

[System interacting with evaluation pod]

”I wonder whats going on and if this is normal ” thought Arthur.

He continued to look at the white interior of the pod while the evaluation continued. He wasn sure if he had been in for seconds or minutes when the pleasant AI voice could be heard again.

”System rank A, congratulations cadet Arthur Wright ” said the pod AI.

The pod opened up and released the arm restraints. Arthur smiled knowing that if he continued working hard, with an A class system theres nothing he couldn do. Arthur fell back into formation with cadet Strong already waiting for him.

Strong glanced at Arthur for a couple of seconds but decided that what he had to say could wait until they got back to their shared room.

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Meanwhile, in the evaluation room, several Majors stood around a screen. When cadets were evaluated there was quite a bit of information that the pod extracted. The pod could see what the experience modifier was, how many bonus stats per level cadets got, what the level to skill ratio was and various other things that could help influence cadets into the appropriate programs.

”Where is this cadets information? Should we ask for a retest? ” Asked Major Stone

”The cadets will have to be reevaluated before they move up into the next year, I think it would be best to keep our eye on this one for now. Its very possible the pod made a mistake by ranking his system an A, but for the time being it wont hurt to watch from the sidelines ” replied Major Muln.

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The cadets stood in formation until everyone had completed their evaluations. Some of the cadets came out with visible smiles on their face, some came out with obvious grimaces.

The ones with grimaces were most likely the D rank system users. Those individuals were almost always put in the kitchen or other essential duties that had to be filled by someone. Not always the best jobs but usually the safest in times of war. These people almost always came back from any deployment unless the D system user was ”lucky ” enough to get into an infantry unit.

Arthurs platoon was marched back to the chow hall and given the usual 5 minutes from start to finish to eat their food. Everyone scarfed down the gruel that the cadets had learned was a nutrient paste that had all the essential vitamins, nutrients, and calories to sustain a body. It was terrible stuff usually reserved for emergency supplies during combat, but being new cadets, the academy wanted to make their life even more miserable than it already was.

Payne stood outside waiting on the cadets to fall into formation. ”Lets go maggots! Youve got 30 more seconds to fall in or we are going to have a LOT of fun. ”

”Cadet Phillips! ” Yelled Payne at an average looking cadet with huge glasses on his face. The glasses were commonly referred to as BCGs or (birth control glasses) as they were exceptionally large and ugly and had been given to the cadet at supply when he went to pick up his bedding earlier that morning.

”Tell me cadet Phillips, with those BCGs on your face you should be able to see the future. What do you see us doing next? ” Asked Payne

”Sir, I see us sleeping sir! ” replied Phillips. He recognized his mistake after it had came out of his mouth as all the cadets around him groaned.

”Phillips, you make me believe in reincarnation because no one could have become as stupid as you are in just one lifetime! ” said Payne as he turned around and walked back to the front middle of the formation. ”Cadets! Phillips wants to sleep because hes had a hard day. What we are going to do next is going to be nothing more than me helping you sleep the best I can through hard physical exercise! I expect a huge thank you when we are done here. Do I make myself clear cadets? ”

”Sir, yes sir! ” yelled the cadets as they could only imagine the amount of pain theyd be in by dinner time. Arthur inwardly sighed as he prepared for the worst.

”Attention! ” yelled Payne, ”Right face! Forward march! ”

The cadets quickly got into cadence and marched straight, away from the south wing barracks and chow hall.

”Double Time, march! ” Yelled Payne as he started jogging next to the formation. ”Its you
e lucky day cadets, today we are going for a nice jog up Easy Hill. 2 miles up and 2 miles back. The return trip I will even allow you to walk. Backwards! ”

Arthur groaned but continued to silently keep pace with the cadet beside him. The trip up ”Easy hill was the worst experience to date. Every time a cadet would fall out the whole platoon would turn around, run past the cadet, and turn around again placing them in the front of the formation slowing everyone down to their pace. The cadets cheered when they got to the top only to realize that walking backwards down the hill was no better.

When the cadets got to the base of the hill, Payne had them do various exercises until no one could lift their arms or legs anymore.

”Cadets, where is my thank you!? ” yelled Payne

”Sir, thank you sir! said the cadets almost unable to move anymore.

”I appreciate your thanks cadets and in return Im going to allow you some time to yourselves in your bunks. Chow is in 2 hours, if you plan on eating dinner remember to stick to the 5 minute rule. I will be told if we have anyone that stays later. You all will meet me in formation at 0530 tomorrow for some morning PT, have a great evening cadets! Dismissed! ”

Arthur and Strong slowly drug themselves to their room but quickly noticed something was amiss. At the entrance to the south wing barracks where the 1st years had their rooms, personal belongings, bedding, and bags were all thrown everywhere covering the the grounds and halls. Strong looked at Arthur and said ”I don think any of this stuff would be ours, this should be a punishment for those who didn take the time to make their beds and put their belongings away in their lockers. ”

Sure enough, as Strong and Arthur walked into their room, everything was in place. Both lockers remained closed and everything was orderly. Strong looked at Arthur and smiled and then threw himself on his bed.

”Arthur, can you keep a secret? ” asked Strong