Alexandre jogged along, beside Samantha. He didn't have any problem with their pace, nor their situation. He could go faster, if he wanted to, but then again, why exert himself now? The ten-year-old boy held the pack's straps with his abnormally large hands, at least, abnormal for a normal ten-year old. By now, even the shortest of Squad 1 was taller than the average human adult. However, Sammy was saying something. 

Blithely jogging along and humming the tune of the cadence that Castle was shouting, Alex waited until Sam was done speaking. Though he was fond of the girl, that didn't prevent him from having some doubts. Raising his hand, and turning to look at Samantha, he said, in the voice of an eager student in a classroom, [color=OrangeRed][b]"Teacher, teacher! But what if everyone has a great idea, and they all want to share it at the same time? Wouldn't [i]too[/i] much communication be the problem, then?"[/b][/color] Grinning, he turned back to the rest of the squad, gesturing to them in a broad, exaggerated movement. [color=OrangeRed][b]"I mean look at us! We're simply [i]overflowing[/i] with good ideas and camaraderie!" [/b][/color] 

Looking forward again, he placed his hand on his chest like a singer, and then spoke in a falsetto. [color=OrangeRed][b]"Come on guys, let's all hold hands around the campfire and sing [i]Kumbaya[/i]!"[/b][/color] He then broke into a few bars of the song, and then laughed. Contemplative, he said, [b][color=OrangeRed]"I do think that we need to beat the other squads. If only to rub it in that prick Castle's face." [/color][/b]

A sudden flashback. [i]Black smoke, pouring out a sleek engine, one of four. The loss of thrust caused the vehicle to fall, crushing John beneath it. The trainees were shocked, but Alexandre broke down. That kid was his best friend, outside his squad. [/i] 

Shaking his head, he shook his fist in the air, and said, humorously, [b][color=OrangeRed]"Damn you, Castle! You can put us on KP duty, you can take away our bottle of booze, but you can't take away our freeeeedooooom..."[/color][/b] He trailed off dramatically, as if bleeding out. Bowing, he said, [color=OrangeRed][b]"I- I'd like to thank the Academy, my mother, and the Dark Lord Cthulhu for winning me this Oscar for Best Leading Actor! I couldn't have done it without you all!" [/b][/color]