Ignition Broker: Chapter 34 Rise of the Blue Devil Platoon

Chapter 34

Rise of the Blue Devil Platoon

“Do you know about Zebras? An old animal on a planet called Earth. Back in the day the animals lived in herds and were seen as food for many fierce beasts. Their one and only defense was their most noticeable feature; they had black stripes on white bodies. Individually they stood out like a sore thumb. But as a synchronized and moving herd, they blended as one continuous blur that made it so predators could not focus on one individual.” Macron on Multiple Ways to Hide

(Lyria)

Slamming helmets.

“Sacrilege!”

That was the one word that Lyria was managed to translate from her Cerusian squad members who were all dejectedly throwing their Academy provided equipment down to the ground. This tossing of gear included everything from military caps that seemed to irritate the sensitive ears of the Cerusians, a fact that was now evident by the odd rash that seemed to be visible at the backs of the long pointy ears. This made sense as the sensor band, the one used to record most laser bursts, and other blasts was designed for the general size and shape of human ears in mind. Meaning the fact that Cerusian ears were a full inch longer, meant they would have more area of exposure.

Also, it seemed that Cerusian ears were slightly more sensitive to weight, though this might just be a misconception by Lyria and other humans based on the relatively thin frame taken up by Cerusians. Yet, the reason for the screaming of sacrilege was probably largely influenced by the fact that their team, a team mainly consisting of Lyria, two of her faux S-Ranked teammates and three A-Ranked Cerusians.

By sheer power standards alone, Lyria’s team should have been victorious. Yet, they for some inexplicable reason fell short. Even now, having just gone through the entire exercise not moments ago, Lyria found herself at a loss for words as to what happened.

Fortunately, there were others who were better adapted to understanding what happened that chose that moment to come forward and take control over what was clearly two different groups of soldiers, the Cerusians who had different shades of blue hair, but none as vibrant or frightening as the blue hair wielded by their enemies.

Sweet chirping of a songbird. That is the sound that Lyria heard next, as she heard the Cerusian Matron Dr. Sophilia Hylanthian begin talking to the Cerusian soldiers who were gathered. In what had to be magic, the Cerusian soldiers who had been slumped over in defeat and indignation, were suddenly upright and at full attention. Almost as if a switch was flipped within their minds, one second they were humanized, the next second they were relentless emotionless aliens.

“Now then form up,” Matron Dr. Sophilia Hylanthian said in galactic standard. As she spoke the Cerusians were the first to act, while the humans who had been roughly assembled just stayed still a heartbeat longer, before also moving into place.

Once formed up, the Matron gave a crisp nod of her head, before gesturing towards her human counterpart to take the lead. With that recognition Lead Drill Instructor Clavil nodded and began speaking.

“Now I am not going to say that is the absolute worst attempt of a vastly superior team on paper getting wasted by a drastically inferior team, but it is darn close. With nearly perfect precision you all failed to do even the basics correctly. No teamwork, lack of cohesion, lack of even finding a proper target to fire at, despite them all clearly glowing brightly like a beacon that all but screams, fire here first!” Lead Drill Instructor Clavil began berating the squad for their lack of unity.

The worst part of every word the lead Drill Instructor said was it was all true. They had no unity while they had been a relatively evenly mixed group.

“I’d say it was just bad fortune meeting a unified team, particularly if you went up against the same number of squad members. Yet even that is not the case as you all faced off against roughly even numbered teams.” Then pausing for a moment, the Drill Instructor focused on Lyria’s team, the team of humans.

“You, all of you were taken out by a team of C-Rankers. Yes, their rounds were enhanced to get through your defenses, but that was it. Can you all tell me what happened to help you all lose so spectacularly?”

Silence.

Hearing the question, the entire group of allegedly S-Ranked soldiers just shook their head. Never had Lyria felt like such an imposter as she did right this instant. For it was clear that she did not deserve her power status.

Worse, with each full use draining their reserves, no one wanted to go full out with their powers. The ability to get and receive a new dose of powers was almost impossible given the increased level of scrutiny the entire campus had. Also given the fact that Arla, the dealer was on the other side of the field with her team, who was also getting their own after action review, an AAR, Lryia could only find herself doubting both her status, and her ability to keep her power.

“I’m sorry Candidate Hylinch, am I not entertaining enough for you? Do you suddenly wish you were in the C-Rank platoon?” The Drill Instructor began, his words cutting into Lyria like a knife as that was where she belonged. Had she stayed the same and not reached for the stars, she would be there with Arla.

“No Drill Instructor,” Lyria managed and turned to focus on the Instructor.

“Good,” the Instructor began and then paused for a second, the Instructor looked at the team before speaking. “Other than dying in near perfect unison, the only thing you all did do as a team, can anyone tell me what you all did well?”

Silence.

Somehow Arla knew to split her team into two parts, one three-person team led by Rayalta, who was tasked with taking out the three S-Rankers. Normally that would be suicide, but the team didn’t move. Instead, it seemed that they took up a position and held long enough for Arla’s main forces to strike at and engage with the larger contingency of A-Ranked Cerusians. Seeing the sister teammates in trouble, Lyria had begun maneuvering her team to help flank the enemy forces. Of course, the squad was so focused on getting into proper flanking position, that they didn’t even realize that the enemy forces had taken up position in the most likely staging location, where they rained down armor piercing rounds easily.

Worse, only after the rounds were in the air did their glowing blue hair even seem to come into play as it was mostly hidden by the helmets and other gear provided by the team. Then turning to find the source of fire, Lyria found the squad, but felt her body freeze up at the realization of how bright their glowing blue hair was, which seemed to accentuate the fierce features of the C-Rankers. People whose faces all looked familiar, but their names eluded Lyria.

Only their leader was truly memorable to Lyria, but event that was because Lyria saw her after her automated weapons safety feature engaged after receiving no less than a dozen sharp piercing rounds to the side. Each round bit at her skin like a large stone thrown with a bee at the end, causing even more pain upon piercing through her protection. Then as her suit constricted, forcing her to lay on the ground, Lyria saw the soldier who seemed larger than life stride over top of her, like she wasn’t even there, before leading the team of three to help reinforce Arla’s team. Reinforcements that were not necessary as Arla’s group had managed to wipe out the Cerusian element in that time.

“Stand in place,” that’s when the announcement came overhead letting everyone know to stand still. Only once she stood still did Lyria get a moment to read, reread, and have the name of the second squad leader’s name burn into her retinas.

While Lyria was going through her own thoughts on what happened, she overheard the Cerusians talking amongst themselves. While most of the words were musical to her ears, there were a few that were so incongruous that they stood out. Like the word for Sacrilege, which oddly enough was close to common. Then there was the other word, that seemed more like a curse.

“Yagat…,” the Cerusian squad leader cried out.

“Care to say that so everyone can hear you?” Matron Hylanthian demanded, it might have been posed as a question, but it was clearly a commandment given.

“We underestimated the enemy, their Leader, was more capable than we ever anticipated, she charged in, fired rounds that took out two of our perimeter defenders and kept moving. As she moved, we all focused on her, while the rest of her squad moved in and struck us from our blind spots.” The Cerusian squad leader Yuyula, began.  

While Lyria was not entirely convinced that this was what the warrior had been talking about, it was clear that he apparently thought highly of Arla. Given what Lyria knew of her combat prowess was not unfounded. Had the entire team gone up against Arla, Lyria assumed that much the same would still happen.  At least, this was the conclusion that Lyria had come to after remembering her ordeal where the soldier squared off against a Behemoth and won.

“There was also the fact that they all had the same sacred hair color as our queen, one that the Yagat . . . I mean that the soldier displayed so brazenly,” the Cerusian representative stated.

“Yes, their entire team found a way to replicate the royal blue hair,” Drill Instructor Clavil stated before continuing, “so what are you going to do about it next time you see that in the field?”

The Cerusians paused, knowing what they should apparently say, but decided against such an act.

More silence.

When it was clear that there would not be an answer coming, the Instructor switched topics and began breaking down how everything went wrong. Fortunately, while it had been a complete disaster, the speed with which they lost only made the entire lecture that much easier to process and get through.

What could the team do better? Everything.

What should they change? Not do the things they did.

How to improve? Take shelter and let the enemy come to them.

At least those were the points that Lyria had managed to come to on her own. There were likely other things, like getting in better shape. Get used to their powers and using their powers in a training environment, but that last one was a near no-go, especially as each use of their powers made it so they either needed to use another dose of their power or try to do the impossible. Try to convince Arla to make their powers permanent? But why would she want to give up a golden goose like them?

That was something Lyria would try to take on as the team leader, and defacto distributor and single point of failure for all but one of the S-Rankers at the academy.

This was when Lyria realized she needed to broach the subject of having one final upgrade. One where she and her whole squad would be able to finally unlock their full S-Rank potential, without ever needing more supplements.  Her father was the one who came up with these not so subtle pushes, meaning he had likely seen a future where such a fate could occur. And if her father was pushing her towards this conclusion, then it was likely one that needed to be taken and soon.

Thinking of when such an event could occur, Lyria realized that there would be a four day weekend available after these FTXs were completed, maybe she could offer enough funds that Arla would not be able to resist? By now, it was clear that the other S-Rankers who relied on her as the gofer between the two groups were also ready for a permanent solution to this problem. That was why Lyria knew that the next time she had Arla alone, she would push for this conclusion, offering her almost any sum she could come up with, knowing that it would all be worthwhile.

***

(Rayalta)

Awe.

Everything had been timed and coordinated to the nth degree. Arla knew the way the two teams would break down and broke her own team down into equal numerical parts. Then positioned Rayalta in a completely odd corner. One that should not have even been considered for a hiding spot, other than it would provide ample cover, and allow for an easy ambush, if an opposing team’s forces were not aware of their presence.

The entire process was quick and precise. Even the instructions given were perfect.

“Your team will focus on the three S-Rankers, don’t worry, wait until they begin to walk past you, then take them all out from behind. They will be going slowly, so take a time when you can all take out one target each, and fire until their suits cause them to seize up. Once that’s done begin to come down and assist the main force if needed.”

That last part, the if needed, looking back Rayalta knew that Arla would not actually need the assistance, but still it was good to do, as they received praise even for that aspect as, “also Candidate Rayalta, good work on preparing to have the rest of your team join with the main forces. While you weren’t needed this time, that type of thinking will always serve you well.”

The instructor stated, praising her for doing nothing more than following orders. It was . . . honestly Rayalta did not know how it was, as this was her first time being praised for anything she did here.

Realizing this, Rayalta found herself actually feeling excited about being here. For the first time since she enlisted, she truly felt like she belonged, and it was all thanks to her.

Rayalta thought to herself as she stared at the broad shoulders of their team leader who was still getting praise for her actions. Praise that she most assuredly deserved.

“Now don’t get cocky, the hard part is about to begin,” the instructor began. Sadly, he would never know exactly how prophetic his words would turn out to be.