Infinite: Academy Vol.1

Kaidance's hands moved instinctively over the controls. The Mecha responded, its massive legs articulating with surprising grace. She guided it through a maze of virtual debris, her focus absolute.

"Vega, excellent precision! Sythe, stop trying to do barrel rolls, this isn't a starfighter! Operah, you're too slow, pick up the pace!"

Danny’s voice, a little breathless, came over the shared comm channel. "Barrel rolls are fun! Besides, what if a rogue asteroid comes at me? I need to be prepared!"

"A rogue asteroid in a ground-based obstacle course, Sythe? Your imagination is as oversized as your ego," Zelden’s calm voice cut in.

Kaidance smirked, a rare expression. "Focus, Danny. The instructor's right. Precision first."

The training intensified. Weeks bled into months. They spent endless hours in the simulators, their bodies aching, their minds stretched to their limits. They learned to walk, then run, then fight in their Mechs. They learned weapon systems, tactical manoeuvres, and the intricate dance of squad coordination. Kaidance, with her innate spatial awareness and cool under pressure, quickly distinguished herself in targeting and strategic positioning. Zelden, with his encyclopedic knowledge of military doctrine and meticulous planning, became their tactical anchor. Danny, for all his bravado, possessed an uncanny knack for improvisation and an aggressive, fearless piloting style that often turned the tide in simulated skirmishes.

"Alright, team! Scrimmage! Alpha Squad versus Bravo Squad! Objective: Secure the data uplink in the central plaza. Remember your training! Move!" The instructor's voice boomed.

Kaidance, Zelden, and Danny found themselves assigned to Alpha Squad. Their Mechs, still the basic Grunt models, stood ready.

"Alright, Operah, what's the plan?" Danny's voice was surprisingly serious.

Zelden's voice, calm and measured, filled their comms. "Danny, you're our spearhead. Draw their fire. Kaidance, you provide overwatch and suppressive fire from the eastern flank. I'll take the western route, flanking their advance. We meet at the plaza, coordinate a pincer movement on the uplink."

"Got it," Kaidance confirmed, already visualising the terrain.

"Roger that! Time to show these Bravo bozos what real pilots look like!" Danny’s enthusiasm returned, infectious.