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[color=B0C4DE]D U K E    K N I G H T    I V[/color]
[sub][color=BABABA]《O A K R I D G E    A C A D E M Y    G Y M》[/color][/sub]

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[color=BABABA]physical training is a ritual. For an hour and a half each morning, before sunrise, Duke can be found at the gym --or as he likes to call it [i]"The Iron Temple".[/i] It is a place where war rages between body and mind. It is home away from home. Bright industrial lights dangle from the cieling, pungent sweat invades the nostrils and echoes of agony bounce off the walls. Duke considers it to be a holy place, where one seeks improvement through torture.

Hidden beneath the depth of the gymnasium pool, Duke executes a series of combat movements. Exercising underwater requires the use of different muscles in order to push through the viscosity of the water. This provides additional power when on land. Of course, that is not enough for the young giant. Strapped to his body are ten pound wrist and ankle weights, and a weighted vest. Assisting him --so that he may remain submerged until training is complete-- is a breathing apparatus. After forty-five minutes of drills, Duke removes his breathing apparatus and weights. He then transitions to static apnea --a discipline in which a person holds their breath underwater for as long as possible, remaining stationary. This serves as a method of meditation and post-workout recovery.

After nearly thirty minutes (A new personal record), Duke swam to the top of the water; mouth wide open, inhaling as much air as possible, like a vacuum. He then made his way to the edge of the pool, climbed out, and headed for the locker room. Back at his locker, Duke kept a gym bag with a spare change of clothes and hygiene kit. Which was much more time efficient, since he didn't have to go all the way back to the dorms to shower. 
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[center][sub][color=BABABA]《O A K R I D G E    A C A D E M Y    G A R A G E》[/color][/sub]

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[color=BABABA]Fresh out of --what would be for most-- a chilling shower, Duke feels fresh; smelling like rosewood. Back at the locker room, he dressed himself in: a pair of black joggers --with a white X pattern stretching from his hips down to mid-thighs--, black and white running sneakers, and a black --deep cut-- v-neck. Sitting on the shelf of his locker was his phone. Duke notices a missed notification and quickly grabs the phone. The message was a brief mission statement regarding deployment to Ledale. Lucky enough, he is an early bird and has plenty of time to make it to the garage.

Leaving The gym, Duke's first route is back to his room; where he would drop off his soaked gym gear. The time spent in his room was rather short. Though this was nothing new, the gargantuan dreaded his tiny cubical. He prepares a black, tactical, bookbag with mission essentials (mostly power bars, water bottles, catalysts for the trample effect, and potions). Sitting alongside the wall, next to his bed, were two --rather sizable-- black suit cases. Each containing (arguably) Duke's most prized possessions; his gauntlets. Backpack strapped and suitcases in hand, he makes way to his next destination.

The next pitstop was the Atrium. Here Duke would purchase a light breakfast from the vending machines; a bowl of oatmeal and assorted fruits. Eating on the go, he practically chugs the oatmeal before reaching the hangar. Entering the garage, Duke immediately locates the nearest trash receptacle and discards of his empty oatmeal cup. 

Duke isn't a navigator --of course, it wasnt his first time seeing these vehicles either--, but he had to pause for a moment to appreciate the armored beauties sleeping within the garage. The equipment and vehicles from the U.D.F. were all so intricately designed; like a piece of art. The opportunity to be around such beauties --and sometimes operating them- brought a great deal of satisfaction. These things are a privilege to have, not a right. Aside from combat experiences, these things are part of the reason Duke loves being a soldier. Though, remembering he was there for a mission, Duke snaps out of his state of awe and moves to locate vehicle 94.

Guided by the distinct laughter of fellow giant --and long-time friend--, Ajax, Duke easily pinpointed the designated vehicle; when nearby. While not entirely surprised that another member of the W.M.D. was on the team, in truth, Duke had skipped over the list of team members (mostly because he wouldn't recognize the student numbers anyway); he was simply glad it was Ajax, for several reasons. [color=B0C4DE][i][b]"I should have known they wouldn't let me have fun without an Armstrong to compete with!...Always you damn Armstrong's!"[/b][/i][/color] he jested as he neared. Due to angling, Celise' tiny stature,and the plain fact that Ajax towers over her, Duke hadn't noticed Celise until he stood damn-near next to the two. 

[color=B0C4DE][i][b]"Ah, another familiar face! Things are off to a great start. How are ya' short stuff?"[/b][/i][/color] Duke teased, with a soft chuckle and a nod at Celise; careful not to interrupt her stretching. Duke's light-green hues scanned the nearby area, curious if other members have arrived. They would lock-on to a dark-skinned male, whom he had not met. [color=B0C4DE][i][b]"Holy eyeballs... and here I thought that I had some magnificent green eyes... Those things shoot lasers?"[/b][/i][/color] he questioned. It may have been a playful question, but Duke was genuinely curious about what was up with this man's eyes; more specifically, what they were capable of doing. 
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