"Dispersed!" Arlo shouted the order out. All of the soldiers spread out with their squads discussing today's news. After they thinned out and started with their exercises and drills, Marco approached captain Arlo with two middle-aged men in tow.
And said "captain if I take the two kids in, I got to send someone out " he gave the soldiers with him a look and continued "these guys are getting on in years Captain and they don't have the energy as the rest of the team I would like for them to have a much simpler job than patrolling and monster extermination at least not with our team sir it is breaking the sink we have".
Arlo nodded at his request it sounded quite reasonable. "what about you two?, Do you accept to be transferred from the squad of Marco?". He inquired for their consent.
They agreed almost immediately "yes sir!".
"Okay then, I will change you guys into the logistics department, guard the granaries well don't you dare sleep while on duty". Even though Marco claimed them to be quite dull for the gang, they gave their reply with a lot of vigour. 'seems like my father's presence puts them on edge. Well, it is natural though' Marcus thought. But he turned his attention to Marco his new squad leader. he was brimming with energy as if he was on something like cocaine his levels were too high. He felt ambition in him an ever-existing one but not greed. He looked at Arlo as if he was some idol. It did not take Marcus to use his ability just looking at him was enough for one to estimate how much Marco respected and idolised Arlo. Seeing this an obvious thought crossed Marcus's mind seems like my father is like a hero for a few in here first Leon and next to this over-enthusiastic Marco'.
But Marco instead of looking at the captain turned his eyes towards the kids. Marcus was shocked to have sudden eye contact with him. As much as he wanted to avert his gaze he stopped himself from the reflex. He looked right into Marco's eyes. And he also knew Leon was doing the same.
Marco sized up the kids for few seconds and went back to his conversation with the captain after Arlo sent the men to the logistics.
"Captain, what do you suggest for their paths?".
Arlo stared at Marcus and Leon thoughtfully.
After few seconds he opened his mouth " train them with multiple weapons and move with what they are best at but I want you to hone their reflexes, senses and physical abilities first I heard from Derma although you like to fight battles like a soldier you are a natural at the arts of lurking in shadows so tech them how to counter those rats, I heard from my friends that assassinations are hot in many cities these days. I don't want these idiots to end up into a pile of bones this early".
Arlo turned back and took a step forward but he stopped and turned back and told in a cold tone " grind them to their bones ".
Marco's face curled up into a smile "YES SIR!". And he gave a salute.
He waited until the captain was far away from him and turned to the kids and said "thank you kids you helped me get rid of those old bones ".
Marcus and Leonardo were confused about this man's sentence. They started to have doubts about the head between the man's shoulders.
"either way our squad is given another dead weight of two kids but a kid can be a good soldier if trained but an old man can't " he looked at Marcus and asked, "aren't I right kid?".
Right at that moment, Marcus felt serious concerns about his future in this man's squad.
Marco took the boys to the squad.
And introduced them. He pointed at a muscular man that can be considered a giant and his skin was brown unlike others from Artharan who are white "that buffed up guy is Nidar he is kind of dumb but don't mind him He is the silent type. But don't you dare steal his food he gets pretty emotional when food is in question ".
the whole squad was sizing them up. Various apprehensive thoughts were going through their minds. Like their squad leader being demoted in half a decade.
Marco went on "he is the only one you must be aware of ".
then he called out the name " Peter!". A man who was in the back sorting out the equipment turned and shouted "Yes boss!"
Marco cursed him"come here you bastard I brought fresh blood into the group ".
"yes, boss I was just checking what we should give the new members".
Marco said without hesitation "give them nothing but food".
Peter was slightly shocked "but, they are the Captain's family...". as he was saying Marco cut him off "do as I say Peter no questions and these guys are not even coming to missions I will give them leave when we are in missions and it would take at least years for them to be mission ready".
He then shouted, "come on everyone we will start with our exercises".
All the soldiers stood in a spread out 5*5 form with two missing spots at the end making the formation incomplete.
Marcus cleared his mouth and said" the last spots are always reserved for the weakest in the group those guys are gone now so you will replace them from tomorrow as for today you will follow our training. I will make sure that you will pray to Urul to get out of my squad". The sentence followed with a devilish grin revealing some kind of Malicious intent to Marcus.
The whole squad was quite young when compared to the others in the Beast guard Marcus even noticed a few tease them by calling them green squad and other names. Almost everyone in the squad is less than 30.
For the rest of the morning, Marcus and Leon watched them training. They did many exercises that are not related to Major formations their Exercise was more leaned on the personal improvement of the soldiers and their chemistry between them.
Marcus and Leon have not spoken a word with each other. Leon being a silent type he did not initiate conversation being in the camp for a month more than Marcus he had an idea of the ongoing activities but during the whole month, he was just given odd jobs in the training grounds and maintenance after the exercises are completed.
As for Marcus he was observing the exercises imminently. He was searching for familiarity with those on earth quite a few were similar with different names. the exercises here were a lot out of the box methods than standard military drills. Although it was not allowed to deviate from the standards sets the kingdom has set with the permission of their commanding officer it can be allowed it seems.
Marco was doing his own set of exercises but a lot tougher than the rest of the squad and a lot more efficient than them. He was swift, strong and perceptive. Marcus noticed him training in obstacle evading. under a tree with a blindfold. And Peter was sending rocks hanging from tree branches from various directions at a controlled pace but with an erratic pattern .he pushes them in his way. Without a blindfold, a normal soldier can evade them up to some time but with a blindfold arguably no one can do that until they are at the 2nd stage in any path. In the second stage in most of the paths, senses are improved comparative to physical abilities.
After three hours all of the soldiers were exhausted. Only Marco remained as energetic as ever even after rigorous exercises that would have made a normal man stick to his. This made Marcus feel confused not every 1st stage warrior can exercise like that and still have energy reserves.
Peter came to the kids after the session got over and said "the boss wants you guys to be at the Barracks at 5 in the morning today's a holiday for you enjoy your last day of noble life". his tone sounded like one of those cold money-minded businessmen