Praecursor Magia (Forerunner Magic)

An angry Drill Sergeant stood atop a platform above twelve cadets. With hands clasped behind his back he surveyed the whole group who seemed to be overconfident in their novice flying skills.

With a loud voice he addressed the teenagers who finally stopped talking,

"It Took Y'all Twenty-Three Minutes To Finally Get Attention!! What A Disgrace!!" He scoffed and they all flinched, "I Called Y'all Here Thirty Minutes Ago! Y'all Wasted Our Time And Will Be Penalized For It!" Groans were heard before they were shushed by others, "We Have An Additional Pilot Who Has Passed General Argenstines' Flight Trial With A Ninety-Eight Score! This Pilot Will Be Our Thirteenth Squad Mate Who Made It To The Special Flight Class! Welcome First Lieutenant Shana Woods!" With a wave of a hand a female mid-teenage cadet walked on stage.

With a number One in a cross within three sets of wings on her shoulder on a pilot's uniform, a buzz cut hairstyle under a pilot's cap, crystal like hazel eyes, pale skin and maroon colored lips, and a curvy figure. Shana stood at attention a few feet away from the drill sergeant.

"She Will Be Our Medical Wing! Y'all Are Responsible For Keeping Her Bird From Getting Hit! She's The Rescue Ranger Pilot Y'all Probably Heard Rumors About! In Practices For The Next Semester Y'all Will Be Graded On How Many Times She Gets Hit!"

Murmurs and groans were heard and quickly silenced as they looked at the girl on stage with disdain.

She took a deep breath before asking loudly for all to hear, "Sir! May I Have A Word?!"

The Drill Sergeant gave her a stern look before nodding.

Stepping forward she spoke loud and proud, "As He Said! I Am Already A Pilot Ranger Rescuer!" The twelve rookie pilots became still as if a higher up was speaking to them, "Meaning! I Already Graduated! I Am Your Test! I Am The Medical Transport You Are Responsible For! Fail To Keep My Bird From Getting Hit In The Simulator Will Get You Penalized For Not Doing Your Job And Failing Your Team!"

The Flight Squad gulped knowing that their team coordination was crappy.

"I Am Not Graded! For I Already Graduated! Thus I Know How To Keep My Bird From Getting Hit WITHOUT A PROTECTION DETAIL!" She glared at everyone with bloodlust, "So For Those Who Want Me To Get Hit! I WILL Get Hit!" With that she took a step back and became passive like liquid as the weight of what she said sank in as some of their faces became conflicted that she was their objective and final test.

"If Y'all Understood Then… DISMISSED!" The Drill Sergeant hallard as he turned and briskly walked to his next objective as he was already late due to this batch's ignorance.

As soon as the door shut behind him the rookie pilots all became laxed and some went into groups to discuss the assignment and how to approach it.

Some began to check their money situation and began chatting with other rich rookies and discussed how much it would take to bribe Shana to let them pass.

With a poker face on she just stood there silently watching everything as a camera in the shape of a button recorded everything before her and everything said with uncanny clarity.

While the higher ups incharge of the entire fleet graduation watched with clipboards filled with personel, popcorn and sodas, and floating tablets with each rookie faces and stats grouped in real time.

Many dispersed to their bunks, some left to the lounge to chill, very few (4 cadets: 3 boys 1 girl) still occupied the room while discussing strategy and taking glances at the still like a statue Rescue Ranger with uncertainty.

"Maybe she doesn't bite?"

"Rock paper scissors and the loser has to talk to her?"

"Maybe she's hungry?"

The three looked at the smaller female amongst their group baffled.

"Wha-at? Everyone needs to eat!" With a lower voice she said, "It's almost dinner time and we were called here after breakfast so~ was thinking that she might be hungry as well… you know get on her good side through food?"

The others pondered while giving each other unspoken looks before coming to a decision. As one, they moved up the steps of the platform and stood before First Lieutenant Woods with scared body language and faces full of courage.

"The Drill Sergeant had dismissed everyone… so that includes you too…" The buffer, one of the group who seemed to be the leader, spoke.

The short girl piped up with a still quiet voice, "We can show you to the Mess Hall... cuz it's almost dinner time and where the Barracks are to rest for the night!"

The lean one who looked like they focused more on running than an overall bill of health spoke up, "We also volunteer to show you around after practice tomorrow and we'll show you where the practice room is as well!"

The fighter looking one chimed in with a low toned voice, "Just a warning… the others usually pay their way through their tests so I'm sure that they will pull 'accidents' and get a crappy score and blame it on you… I'm not trying to buy your favor but you should be warned in advance…"

Everyone became quiet as if waiting for the statue to come to life.

With a soft sounding voice Shana replied, "Why don't you try to buy me off like the others are planning to?"

The leader one spoke up with sadness in his voice, "Because they hacked the money distribution so it looks like everyone gets the same amount but we only get enough to pay for food and necessities while they get the majority of it."

The higher up watching through the camera quickly checked the money distribution of the sector being tested and with skillful eyes, found the oddity, and became pissed. Making a note on the director of this academy for not noticing this abuse of power, with a wave of a single hand another floating tablet appeared out of nowhere and started to back-hack the hacked info and brought up a list of the affected and those who stole from their comrades lighting their names up in blue and red.

With a flicker of Shanas' eyes saw an invisible floating tablet with the names of those she is incharge of testing and the names changed with blue names corresponding to the four infront of her plus three others as the other names besides two were red.

Blinking to dismiss the screen, Shana replied, "It will be dealt with! This Isn't a normal Test with normal methods! But now I know who I should fly like a novice with!"

Shivers went down their spine as she said that with a grin.

The girl replied with a hand in the air, "So~ the Mess Hall is this way!" And began to lead the way.

Shana followed with a brisk walk that made her seem to glide silently atop the creaky wooden floor with the others following behind her with relief on their faces.