Chapter 64: Basic Training
Coop headed across the bridge to see Ledwidge in the training facility. He still had more errands to run, but he really didn’t want to miss the first of the army’s official training sessions. He was honestly nervous, depending on how it went, he would gain or lose confidence in their chances during whatever challenges the settlement events brought.
The training yard was filled nearly to the limit with phantoms. They were buzzing with energy, mingling with each other, vaguely grouped up into larger companies. Coop found a spot on one of the sides, relatively out of the way, and joined them in waiting for the training to begin. He figured a full division of soldiers were in attendance along with their support phantoms and wraiths. He should probably know how his army was structured, but he’d leave that alone for now. If the settlement would be successful, most of the responsibilities would need to be delegated anyway, and structuring the army was just the first of many things he would let others take care of. Coop was more interested in their individual skills for the immediate future. Teamwork and tactics would come with time and experience.
Ledwidge appeared on a wooden platform that seemed to be built of living wood in front of the crowd. He was joined by several other people. Some were expected, like Gideon and Shane, as they were the leaders of his army and security. He spotted Arthur waiting in the shadows behind the platform. He was also expected, though he wasn’t really the leader of anything. Coop shrugged and thought for a second before he decided Arthur was the head of Intelligence. Coop briefly entertained the idea of spies, but that was something else he would almost certainly delegate.
Captain Kayla was a surprise addition to the stage, as she had her navy separate from the army. They were also joined by Marcus, who was helping a very old man stand on the platform. The old man was in a white cap with a black dress coat, fully buttoned, with a white dress shirt and black tie underneath, black pants, and black dress shoes. The wrists of his jacket had yellow stripes and stars and the breast was completely covered in medals, ribbons, and a prominent gold insignia. Coop didn’t know much about the military, but he could still guess that the old guy was an extremely decorated, highly ranked veteran. He looked frail, hunched over, as he relied on Marcus to remain standing, but Coop thought seeing one of the newest residents already involved was a good thing.
Once the group was situated in the center of the platform, one of Ledwidge’s arms started growing conspicuously. He gripped the thickening arm’s wrist with his other trunk sized hand, and with a crack that silenced the crowd, broke it off like dry tinder. He slammed the butt of the broken piece against the platform, revealing both of his hands fully intact, each clenching the bo staff that he had just sprouted. It was as thick as a telephone pole, but in the hands of the 7 foot treant it seemed like the right size.
“Phantoms of Ghost Reef! I welcome you! My name is Ledwidge, and I will be in charge of your basic training.” The alien’s voice was deep and clear, projected across the training yard effortlessly so that no one could ignore his words. “I have consulted with experts on human training to develop a program that will have you rise to your Champion’s expectations.” He swept his gaze across the training yard, “It will not be easy. I’ve trained with countless armies over the millenia, but I’ve never heard of such a rigorous program.” He paused and glanced at the old man before returning his attention to the crowd. “For your sakes, I hope you will surprise me.” The treant stepped back and the old man stepped forward, pulling away from Marcus and suddenly looking reinvigorated.
“You heard that overgrown houseplant! This isn’t a vacation! It’s not meant to be easy! They told me you maggots were already dead. So, let me be the first to welcome you to Hell!” Coop raised his eyebrows at the old man’s aggression. He had come to see what kind of alien training techniques the phantoms were getting, but this was a far more familiar boot camp than he had anticipated. Coop could see that human-style training had infiltrated the treant’s plans. He thought that made sense, human training for humans, but he still hoped to see something new that would provide some strong influence.
Before they started, they were to be assessed. The first evaluation was a classic. Push ups. It only took a few minutes before Coop was already thinking about sneaking out. With his current strength and stamina he could do the simple exercise indefinitely, but the soldiers around him were periodically flashing in light as they gained a level here and there from the basic test. He figured it would be best to wait until they switched exercises before he exited the training. He didn’t want to make a scene by quitting during the very first assignment, but it didn’t seem like he would see any alien training methods today. He knew better than most that persistence paid off with all his grinding. He suspected that philosophy would remain true.
As the flashing of levels slowed down and the push ups continued, Ledwidge moved to the center of the yard and raised his massive bo staff over his head before he slammed the ground like he was chopping wood. Coop felt the training yard shake and watched as a shockwave kicked up the sand and expanded from the point of impact.
When the shockwave blasted past Coop he immediately felt pressure in his triceps, shoulders, chest, and abs. It was like the gravity had been turned up to 11. Coop pushed through, feeling like he had finally been challenged. He refused to back down after he already decided to participate until a better opportunity to leave, and at least this was something new.
He kept doing push ups despite the extra weight, feeling like the big treant himself had perched on his back and was increasing the weight with each repetition. He watched as his hands sank, embedding themselves into the packed ground. Sweat dripped off his nose and his muscles burned. It reminded him of the times when he first started running in the sand during his grind sessions. He clenched his teeth, shut his eyes, and pushed on, refusing to stop. The soldiers around him slowed down and some ended up flat on their stomachs, but most kept going. He felt the additional weight constantly increasing, with every repetition, pushing him more and more. He thought with his level of stats he would be able to do a simple exercise like push ups forever, literally, but he was being pushed closer and closer to his limit as they continued.
“Stop!” Ledwidge’s deep voice shouted, announcing the end. Coop had lost track of time and struggled to catch his breath as he stood up. He rested his arms on his hips, feeling like they were jelly, and looked at his feet as his lungs heaved in their struggle for more oxygen. He wasn’t sure if they even needed oxygen, but he sucked in the air regardless. Sweat dripped from his hair in front of his face as Ledwidge congratulated the soldiers on a job well-done. Coop inched further to the side, planning to leave before the next activity. It was a fun challenge, but he didn’t have time for fun right now.