Shorter Than Me

21 Ecyn

The Commander calls me to his office in the morning right after breakfast. There are seven other people here, three of which are captains. Ackerman isn't here.

"I've decided that what we did with the last set of trainees was a good idea. I've also decided that we're doing it again."

That's why we're here. I have to train someone. How am I supposed to do that when they're all probably taller than me and they're all probably the same age as me?

He reads off a piece of paper. "Pearl, you will train George Ussan. Jaronsky, you will train Arissa Clamme. Guiin, you will train Fierra Elles." He continues with the list. Which one was Fierra Elles? I hope she's easy to train. She was one of the top ten that was chosen. I recognize her name.

We all walk outside together And to to the stables where the new recruits are waiting.

Jaronsky speaks. "Ussan?"

A boy steps forward. "That's me, ma'am."

They keep calling names. I remember who Elles is. She's taller than me.

There's the sequel ;) just kidding. Should there be a sequel....? Hmmmm...

Once everyone walks away, I meet eyes with her. I try to stay calm. I'm only sixteen. How do I do this?

"I'm Captain Ecyn," I introduce myself.

Her eyes look over me, but I manage to keep a straight face. Is this how Ackerman feels all the time?

I hate calling him Ackerman. I actually have to turn Levi into Ackerman in my head before I type this uggg.

"I'm Fierra Ellis."

"I know. And refer to me as Captain Ecyn, captain, or ma'am." I don't like giving orders. It's bad enough that people already call me that. I don't want to tell people to.

"Yes, ma'am." She looks awkward saying it. "How old are you?"

I know she doesn't have respect for me. I don't blame her. She has no reason to, not even an older appearance. "Eighteen." That just slipped out of my mouth. I just told her I'm two years older than I am. But I need her respect. If I don't, I can't train her well enough. Then she'll die because of me.

"Ah." She looks away.

"We need to get maneuver gear." We start walking to the equipment building.

I got a name for it. Yay!

We walk inside. The others are in here getting their maneuver gear. Ellis and I put ours on. I remove her blades from the scabbards. She won't need them today. We start to walk to the forest.

How do I train someone? Is there some sort of curriculum to follow? I could start by asking her how good she is. How embarrassing would it be if I found out she was better than me?

She's not, I assure myself.

"What rank were you?" Let's start there.

"Four." I give her a pointed look and she looks confused for a second before adding, "Ma'am."

"That's pretty good. Which division would you have chosen?" Conversation. Maybe we can be friends... while I'm her superior officer.

"Military Police." She has a slight bitter tone in her voice. "If it wasn't for the stupid Scout draft, I'd be perfectly safe."

"You ranked fourth in your whole trainee corps. You're pretty safe."

"With the Scouting Legion's thirty-percent death rate? Please."