Manipulation. Fraud. Deception. The Russian man that was once a respected and disciplined army general had resorted to petty tactics. He had cheated on multiple wives, had a drinking problem, and still didn't think anything was wrong with him. Now his goal was to create an army in order to take over the little other nations had. Using social media and false promises, he used his charismatic abilities to develop a following. This was Aleksander Antonov.
"The media is only starting to get a hint of it, but this man is planning on invading every country around him, starting a global war. He has no care for human life. On the internet, people don't take him seriously, but there is more to that. Some even consider him a meme. But what they don't know is that he's convincing Russian citizens, members of the Security Council of Russia, and even the Russian president that the only way to save themselves is to risk a bloody war. What will we do?"
"The UN and NATO cannot interfere as long as an invasion of another member country is in effect. But worst, many citizens of other countries have started sympathizing with Antonov, agreeing that his policy of "survival of the fittest", and probably forming their own support groups in dozens of countries."
Said General Yoshida.
Us War-Knight cadets were woken up early in the morning to prepare and attend a meeting with this General Yoshida, apparently one of the army higher-ups. They wanted us to know what we were going up against. The threat that required us to be here.
I looked around me. I saw many sleepy faces. They woke us up at 4 AM, after all. Haruna was dazing off. Emi was almost asleep. Even Natsumi was trying to stay awake. The other guys were too busy trying not to annoy me, as yesterday's events made me show my true colors.
"You cadets, are our chance to test our battle capabilities and stop any kind of threat. Please do your best. All of you."
General Yoshida proceeded to bow and left with another soldier to attend to other business.
"Wakey wakey! How y'all doing today?"
Shouted Reiko. Some people sighed, thinking about what she would say.
"Today, we are going to start basic training! Everybody has to go through it, no matter whatever department or unit they work at."
Reiko said.
We were all wearing the clothes provided to us. They looked like sportswear but with the Self-Defense Force's insignia.
Reiko brought us outside, where the sun still had not risen. She walked until we reached a running track. It was a long track, with many field lights illuminating it. It probably ran around the entire facility.
"Let's warm up a little! Start by jogging around the track. All of you can start whenever you want."
Reiko said.
Little by little, we slowly started getting into the track and jogging slowly. I had jogged a bit back home, but some people here clearly weren't physically capable of it. I could see Akito closing up on me.
"Yo Hiro, thanks for yesterday. Really appreciate it. Seriously."
Said Akito as we jogged.
"No problem man. I couldn't let them do that to you."
I responded. As I looked to my side, I could see Akito slowing down and breathing hard. Guess he wasn't used to jogging while talking at the same time. He wasn't very athletic. I could hear him repeat, "YOUR THE BEST, BRO!" as he gasped for air.
On my other side, I could see Emi closing in on me.
"Hey, so is that girl your girlfriend or what?"
Emi asked. I assumed she was talking about Natsumi.
"No, she's just a childhood friend. Didn't she tell you?"
I responded.
"Well, she does act like it."
Emi said. She suddenly started gasping for air.
"How long is this track?! We've been jogging for so long!"
She then started slowing down.
Everybody who was still at my pace was a couple of boys and a single girl in the front. I just jogged at a normal pace, so I wasn't tiring myself out. She seemed pretty athletic, as she passed by all of us. I wonder who she was.