Academy Days I: Recruitment

24th February 2028

14:38

BMA, Bhatiary, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Sohel along with 20-30 other trainees were training at the training grounds. At that time a man in his late 40s wearing a lieutenant's dress came to the grounds and shouted Sohel's name. Sohel was doing push-ups. Hearing his name being shouted by the TO(Training Officer), he hurriedly got up. He rushed to the officer and saluted. The officer stared at him for a few seconds as if he was judging him and ordered Sohel to come with him. Sohel followed him inside the office building, in the TO's office. Upon entering the office he saw General Ahmed sitting in a chair in front of the TO's desk. He was looking at Sohel as he was looking at someone he had known for many years. He got up from the chair and hugged Sohel. Sohel was startled as he couldn't understand why a general he had never met before would hug him. As The General let go he saw Sohel looking at him puzzled. The general then elaborated, "I think you don't remember me. Well, that's to be expected. The last time I saw you, you were just a kid."

Sohel got even more confused. He kept searching through his memories trying to remember if he had met the person standing in front of him before. The general again said, "OK. I'll properly introduce myself. I'm Major General Rahat Ahmed. Your father and I were almost like brothers. I'm here to recruit you in the Seven Nation Army." Sohel's facial expressions went from confused to happy as he finally remembered the man. He took a few steps forward and asked, "Uncle Rahat? How are you?"

"I'm fine, boy. We'll talk later. For now, go to your room and pack your bags. We need to go. " Sohel only stood there bamboozled. 

"Come on." General's urge brought him back to reality, and he left the room. He went to his quarters and packed his bag. After coming back the general took him to a helipad where a white and blue painted Bell UH-1N helicopter was waiting for them. The general took him and got on the helicopter. The general said, "It's a six-hour trip. We can talk as much as we want now."

Sohel asked, "Where are we going?"

"Kanagawa, Japan. To pick up another recruit."

"Oh. Then 1st things 1st..." They started talking about different things as the helicopter flew towards Kanagawa.

20:51

National Defence Academy, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan

The general got out of the helicopter and asked Sohel if he wanted to wait there or come with him. Sohel replied that he would come with him as he wanted to stretch a little bit after sitting for six hours. They both got out of the helicopter and entered a building. Sohel looked around the room which seemed like a reception hall. General Rahat went to the reception desk and asked for Major Watanabe. The woman picked up her landline and called someone. After talking for a few minutes she looked at them and said, "You may go, sir. Major's waiting for you." Sohel followed General Ahmed into a big office room. The room was well-lit, fully covered with red carpet. It also had many file cabinets and a big screen on one side. Just opposite the door, there was a big secretariat table. Behind the table, there was a 40-45-year-old Japanese man sitting. Just as the man saw General Ahmed enter through the door he got up from his chair and came forward. He shook the general's hand. After completing their greetings the man noticed Sohel. He looked at him and asked Gen. Ahmed, "Who is this young man?"

"He's another recruit. Same as Kobayashi."

Sohel bowed and said, "Pleased to meet you. I'm Sohel Chowdhury, a trainee under BMA"

The man bowed too and said, "Pleased to meet you too. I'm Major Hiroshi Watanabe. Chief training officer of this academy."

Gen. Ahmed hurried Watanabe, "Bring Kobayashi. We gotta leave for New Eden. If they don't get a good night's rest they can't join the entrance ceremony tomorrow."

Maj. Watanabe nodded and went to his table. Pushing a button on the intercom he ordered someone, "Call Kobayashi. The General's here to pick her up."

A few minutes later Naomi entered the room. As Sohel 1st saw her He was captivated. He froze at her beauty. Gen. Ahmed poked Sohel, "Don't freeze. She's like a Medusa. Freezing her enemies with her beauty and swiftly taking them out." As Sohel got back to reality, he saw Naomi looking at him. That's when he realized something. Her eyes were saying something. They were lonely. It felt like she was asking for help. For someone to save her. He walked to her and extended his hand for a handshake. But Naomi ignored him and went on. She stood in front of the General and saluted him. 

"Naomi Kobayashi reporting sir. It's an honor for the Overlord himself to come and recruit me."

Gen. Ahmed says, "No problem." He looks towards Sohel and says, "Let's go. It's already really late." Sohel, a little disappointed, looks back at the General and nods. The three of them get out of the building and get on the helicopter. As the helicopter started flying towards New Eden Sohel and Gen. Ahmed started gossiping again and Naomi just sat there staring outside through the window. Sohel tried to start a conversation with Naomi a few times throughout the journey but she didn't respond. Gen. Ahmed said to Sohel, "Give up. From what I heard from Watanabe, she's serious about her job type. She didn't have any friends in the academy either." Sohel sighed.

21:17

New Eden

As the New Eden started to come into view Gen. Ahmed advised Sohel and Naomi to look out the window. As both of them saw the fabulous island of New Eden they were awed. As the helicopter flew on top of the island Sohel looked at everything and his eyes kept diluting. His face looked like it was overflowing with joy. He looked at Naomi and his smile disappeared as he saw Naomi looking at the island with a poker face. Sohel felt like he was looking at a mannequin. The helicopter landed in front of the academy building. The three of them got out of the helicopter. The general told the two of them, "Go to your rooms and rest up for today. Be here tomorrow at 0800 sharp for your entrance ceremony. Sohel, your room's on the 19th floor of the male dorms, room number 1905. And Naomi, your room's on the 24th floor of the female dorms, room number 2411. Now go and get settled. You have a hard 3 years coming up." 

"Understood uncle. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

Naomi side-eyed and looked at Sohel and thought why would a random recruit talk with one of the leaders so casually?

"Come on. Shoo shoo.", the general's voice woke her up. She picked up her bag and started moving towards the female dorms.

6th March 2031

22:00

Bravo Squad House, New Eden

Mitali exclaimed, "Naomi was like that?"

Jacob replied, "Yep. Before Sohel befriended her She was like a robot."

Naomi said with a friendly irritation, "Who are you calling a robot, you meathead."

"What's wrong with calling a robot well...a robot?"

Sohel tried to calm them down, "Come on guys. Calm down. I'm continuing the story."