Union

The end of the year and exams passed quickly. With the Meyer Squad having the highest recorded stat points on record for second years. The written exam somehow felt easier. The practical was unfortunately a squad exam this time around. But it was thankfully completed quickly.

As the break started, Steel went all in on the training from the Colonel. Apparently he wasn't the only second year staying this break. There were a number of others that felt uncomfortable after their last visit home, either because of their new talents or because of differences in the children themselves. Causing them to feel uncomfortable and alienated.

So now he wasn't the only one getting specialized training. The others were diving into various training with several of the teachers that stayed over break.

Two weeks into the break is when it happened. All of the students returned within a day of the public event. Which was a broadcast that hijacked even the military communication network. Which included the television holograms that were playing in the cafeteria. One minute he was enjoying his chicken and dumpling soup the next he was watching the hologram focused on what used to be the news broadcast.

"Attention residents for the planets of the Kamot & the Fairlight Solar Systems. You are now under the dominion of the Hex Union Rebellion. We are the true people of the Grand Hexarian Empire and want our lands back. You are either with us or you die! On Kamot Prime the city of Hydra has already fallen-" The broadcast of the golden masked man suddenly ended as the news was cut back on.

"This just in, a terror group known as the Hex Union Rebellion have launched several attacks throughout the Kamot and Fairlight systems. We are to expect increased military presence and a mandatory curfew starting tonight at 8 PM. An update on Hydra City shows that there have been several bombings on public buildings with a projection that a fourth of the population of the city is dying due to a combination of chemical attacks, fires set off by the bombs, and the bombs themselves." The female newscaster announced with a horrified look on her face.

"We are also getting reports that an all-out war has broken out on Kamot-4. The government is asking all personnel associated with the Union or that have knowledge of the Union to come forward." The news went on for a few more hours talking about what had transpired when Steel was suddenly summoned to the Colonel's office.

When he arrived he was welcomed by the sight of Wintry sitting in a chair across from the Colonel who had a serious expression on his face. Standing behind him were three people. One was WO Meyer, another Inquisitor who had a higher rank, and a full black armored infantry. But this infantry had a different symbol: it was the skull of a wolf.

"Kamot Commander, please secure the room. I need the discussion with Steel and Wintry to be not eavesdropped on and to remain unobserved." A moment later the armored infantry stepped out of the door and there was a sudden thin blue layer appearing around the room. "Steel I will cut right to it, Trainee Wintry has a major problem here. Her father is a member of the Hex Union Rebellion. He planned to force his daughters into their employment and have his wife killed. He was even hoping to turn Miss Wintry into an agent for the Union." He stopped for a moment for that to sink in.

"Sir I am failing to see how I fit in." Steel pointed out.

"I was getting to that. Trainee Wintry wants to stay loyal to the empire. She also wants us to get her siblings away from her father. But we need to ensure her loyalty to the empire, so we will be faking her mother and siblings deaths and arresting her father. But we want to intricately tie her to the empire by having her marry you." That statement definitely confused him.

"Okay, now I am just confused."

Wintry was avoiding looking at him but she was clearly blushing he could tell because her ears had turned red, "basically we are going to be using an ancient ritual that ties you two together binding your souls. Researchers have found that when two partners undergo the ritual when they both have Nano systems they can hear each other's thoughts, see each other's systems, and more importantly they can't act against each other."

"Okay… why me?" Steel was struggling to come around to what was even going on.

"Oh that was my choice." Warrant Officer Meyer stated. "It was clear that of all her squadmates you are the only one she is attracted to. Not to mention you are only tethered to one thing, the military. Making you completely loyal since you have no way to establish outside connections." Steel doubted those were their only reasons but they were good enough.

Steel seemed to think for a moment before he realized what they were doing. "Basically you plan to make me her handler while you have her become a double agent working for the Union and the Inquisitors?"

"Yes, not during the initial stages when she is still working for the military and Inquisitors. But eventually we plan to have caught her and force her to escape in order to sell the story to the Union." The other inquisitor explained.

"I suppose this means the Union isn't just some group of upstarts?" Steel asked.

"No, all I can share with you is that they are deeply embedded." the colonel answered.

"So basically we are being fully enlisted for life long service without graduating?" Steel asked.

"Yes, are you in?"

"Okay," as soon as his doubts were out of the way he answered immediately. It helped that Salem Wintry was quite attractive and already knew him fairly well. So he was not opposed to the pairing.

"That's it? No arguing?" The other Inquisitor asked. Steel just shook his head.

"Then the last two things we have to discuss is that Trainee Wintry and Steel is not to speak of anything we talked about. As for the ritual marriage, we will do it between the time you spend a year at the Kitinol Offensive and when you're divided into your specialties." Colonel Dakota explained. "Now you are dismissed."

""Yes Sir."" As Steel opened the door and walked out, Wintry followed him and the blue layer disappeared.

Steel walked away from the office and was lost in thought so he made his way to the work area in the third year section. He was already being moved to the third year dorms when they started pulling all students back to the school. They were worried about the Union infiltrating their ranks through the students.

He arrived and walked into the room, which is when he realized that Wintry was following him while nervously fiddling with her fingers. He sighed as he moved to his workstation.

What's wrong? It is rare for you to be this awkward.

She jolted when he directed his thoughts directly to her, [I am fine. I just feel like I am forcing a permanent relationship with you. It isn't how I wanted any of this or my life to go.]

Steel suppressed a chuckle as he looked around at the equipment that was moved from the old workspace.

I suppose that means you still wanted a relationship with me? Either way things never go the way we expect. I learned to never expect and hope for too much but to instead compromise where you can.

[How do you suppose I should do that? I didn't want to be an Inquisitor. I wanted to be a pilot. A Fighter-Class pilot to be specific, I had a whole dream of what I wanted.] Wintry suddenly seemed flushed like she wanted to yell but knew better.

Steel moved the equipment so it was set up like the old workshop. Like how he and Hielo had it set up.

Then let's run some fighter pilot simulations. The Colonel gave me access to the virtual pods so we can run a number of flight simulations. You could also take the pilot test at the end of the year if you want to be cleared for flight duty.

[Ah…] It seems she forgot about the aptitude tests they would have to take at the end of the year.

You might be a shoe-in for Inquisitor. But it doesn't mean you can't practice and train in other avenues. For example, I am being trained for special forces but I am also training for technician, scout, engineer, pilot, mechanic, and a number of other positions.

[Yeah… you have a point. I don't suppose you know how our classes for this final year are set up?]

Steel was about to respond when he spotted a tired Hielo entering the workshop. "It is more of a free range thing. We have three semesters to take classes of our choice, but each one takes one or sometimes two semesters to get everything we need for the subject in a class."

Hielo walked up to her workspace and immediately went into autopilot. Testing various servos, before she left for break they ran into issues with overtaxing and breaking the servos in minor parts that make it more functional.

"I am sure we will start classes early. So I am sure the Colonel will make the announcement soon." Steel explained as he loaded up the simulation for the robot dog. He still had a few things to change with the onboard programmed AI.

"Oh yeah, I have to remember to sign up for engineering, artillery support, and technician specialist courses…" Hielo responded sleepily.

"You know, you sound really tired. Did you not sleep or something?" Wintry asked, surprised at one of her friends' current condition.

"Actually no, the Union broke into and destroyed several of my family's manufacturing plants as well as using our weapons in their attacks. Apparently they even stole several experimental weapons and space craft. It was a whole mess that had Inquisitors and military officials at our place from last night until I left around lunch time." Hielo explained as she stretched and started typing something on one of her info pads.

Wintry glanced over at Steel who seemed unsurprised at this revelation. Then she looked back at Hielo, "I don't think I ever asked, what is the name of your family's businesses?"

"Huh? Oh, I just assumed you knew like Steel did. It is the Hellion Weapons and Spacecraft Manufacturing Corporation. It is only expansive over the Vexical Empire, it isn't too big." Hielo's statement almost made Steel spit blood as Wintry caught a thought that made her bite her lip from laughing.

Only nationwide. There are only fourteen known nationwide businesses and only three international businesses. Of the fourteen national businesses Hellion Corporation is the third richest and the only reason they aren't the biggest is because they won't manufacture Mecha due to their national pride, if they did they would be the biggest business. Not to mention that they are the only known human group with knowledge to make warp drive based ships as opposed to FTL which is primitive by comparison. Not that big my ass. No wonder her parents didn't try to opt her out of military service, she has no head for business in the slightest.

On a more sober note, Wintry seemed to realize something, [I forgot I am not the only one who will have to suffer or be hurt because of the Union.]

The next few days went as Steel predicted they would go. The classes for the new third and second years started while first years did not come until the original time. But this time they were thoroughly searched for contraband and observed by teachers and staff.

Steel split his time between the workshop and running flight simulators with Wintry. Who was a natural in the pilot seat, Steel thought he was a good pilot but in comparison he wasn't even decent. Unfortunately Wintry and Steel could no longer play the virtual video games as the Martial Law order prevented most free broadcasting and stopped connections to the web. It was a deterrent against terrorists to cut off communication. As well as prevent revealing weakness within the nation.

Several additional things began this year as well. Such as them using real infantry armor instead of simulations. As well as more realistic warfare where they used paint guns in real life battle simulations. Then there were the various training exercises, they would go out with their squads to various parts of the planet and just survive in full armor and only living on rations. As well as the training and classes becoming more focused on specialities the students were interested in.