Blood.

[url=https://i.imgur.com/JjSLcGw.png]Elora[/url] saw the red liquid flow across her palm as she touched the wound. Some kind of knife had struck her in the stomach, and pain shone like a great heat. Though her vision was all red, she could make out a black shape holding the hilt: a...girl? And she was...crying?

The young pilot jolted awake, a trickle of sweat running down her cheek.

"A...nightmare? But...Why did it feel so...real?" She quietly whispered to herself. After a moment of calming down, she took a look at the other passengers of the shuttle she was in, having set off some time ago from the spaceport on planet Chronos.

The shuttle contained a curious shipment of passengers. Various soldiers, engineers and other crew sat in the crammed vessel; some were sleeping, others were playing cards or quietly whispering to one another. In the corner, a gathering of short, svelte silhouettes could be seen, having taken distance from the rest: anyone could recognize them as Tevranians by their delicate, translucent wings. While largely integrated into the Galactic Federation, and now living among humans, there was still a degree of separation between the two species.

An eclectic group of pilots had also been gathered, breaking up the monotonous crowd. A grumpy young man leaned against the back wall with crossed arms. A couple of stoic women sat at the front on opposite sides of the walkway. A charming young man occasionally took glimpses at them. A Tevranian pilot conversed with fellow members of her species. A glasses-wearing young woman tinkered with a small device in the middle seats. A young-looking girl, strangely cheerful, hummto herself in the corner. One couldn't have imagined this congregation to not only be pilots, but to have a shared destiny ahead of them in the near future.

In that tight space, holding her palms against the window and peering apprehensively into the depths of space was a young girl with short brown hair and bright blue eyes wearing a fancy silver-embroidered green-and white dress jacket and skirt, complete with an insignia on the left chest: a sign of her being a graduate of the military academy Toivonhuippu, or how it's better known, Toivo. It was an establishment once known as a place where the initial research into Cruxi tactics and the ways to counter them were taught began in earnest, and where many veterans started their careers. However, nowadays the school's reputation has taken a dive, as rumors of corruption and the prevalence of upper class wealthy elites, especially those whose parents had bought their way into the place rather than through any merit of their own, had become increasingly common.

Still, even if the rumors were true, Elora didn't seem like the standard, snobbish spoiled brat that one would expect to graduate from such an academy at first glance, seeming more like a middle-class worker's daughter. In fact, she didn't seem to fit in the gaudy clothes.
She looked nervous, and flinched as a passenger walked past her to retrieve something from the luggage in the back. For the rest of the trip, she held her hands on her knees, looking down and trying to remain composed despite her anxiety.

It didn't take long before the shuttle reached it's destination. Beyond the windows, a colossal ship could be seen: Fortress Ship Solaire.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/CJ3kDGj.png[/img]

A great feat of engineering, Solaire was a reminder of the Galactic Federation's resolve in the face of the war against the Cruxi. The common colonist could only imagine the size of the shipyards and number of workers required to build such a behemoth: it is to Framewerks what battleships are to humans in terms of sheer scale. And based on the rumors, more were in production: a sign of desperation.

Soon enough, a a rectangular hatch opened, exposing the airlock that was reserved for smaller spacecraft. The shuttle landed into the hangar as the airlock shifted into place with a groan of metal. The shuttle's landing ramp descended, and the passengers walked out, the soldiers in file, and the engineers and civil workers in a chaotic formation behind. The pilots were the last to arrive: a rag-tag bunch of both younger and older individuals. While the initial grouping of pilots seemed normal enough, soon the strangeness became apparent in the arrivals, including such visible oddities as an artificial human who was wearing the symbol for the Olympus Project, and even a representative of the fey-like Tevranian species who fluttered out quickly, seemingly relieved to escape the confined space.

Elora was one of the last ones out of the shuttle, not daring to stand in anyone's way lest she incur someone's wrath for being an obstacle or moving too slowly. Thus, she peered her head out from the shuttle's entrance before sighing and stepping down the ramp. As the crowds dispersed, the pilots were met with the sight of the side hangar of the Fortress Ship: engineers and other crewmembers paced back and forth as cargo was delivered back and forth into and out of larger military ships, leaving a lasting impression on the young pilot.

"This place...is massive..." she whispered to herself.

"Attention, pilots!" The sharp gaze of a [url=https://i.imgur.com/I2myPI9.png]young woman wearing the Solaire Framewerk pilot uniform[/url] accompanied the clearing of the throat, her posture perfect and her movements practiced and controlled, with an air of authority about her. Based on the insignia she wore on the left shoulder, the pilots with a military background recognized her rank as lieutenant. Elora blinked, and a blush grew on her cheeks; not only was she taken aback by the officer's harsh tone of voice, she was also beautiful, with a stunning figure that was only emphasized by the uniform.

"On behalf of the Galactic Federation Fleet, welcome to Fortress Ship Solaire; home of the Framewerk Project XJ9." The woman spoke to the group as Elora looked down, glancing down at herself in depressed contemplation. The officer took out a personal device resembling a tablet from a pocket. "I am Lieutenant Ritsu Kaname, and as of this moment you will be taking orders directly from both myself and-" 

"Well, well, well..." The voice of an old man could be heard in the distance. Soon, a [url=https://i.imgur.com/tBYbv96.jpeg]gray-haired, frail-looking scientist with a hunched back[/url] practically shoved her aside, leaning on a shaky walking stick, startling Elora. 
The pilots saw how the old professor was accompanied by a [url=https://imgur.com/Szjiw1m.jpeg]Lilim resembling a young girl with green hair[/url], seemingly designated as a personal assistant. She stood next to Lorenzo with her hands held before her like a diligent maid, her expression uncannily emotionless.
"So this is the fresh meat? Hah! What a miserable group of misfits!" He spoke mockingly. His single eye immediately singled out Rhylaen.
"A Tevranian, huh...How curious. I never expected one to end up on the project. Haven't seen their kind outside of children's entertainment networks...or brothels."

"A-hem!" The lieutenant scoffed at the inappropriate remark with a hint of a blush on her cheeks. The Lilim, on the other hand, was seemingly unaffected by Lorenzo's crudeness. "With all due respect, Executive Officer, I am conducting the introduction to the Framewerk Project to the pilots, sir! Please leave any inappropriate remarks out of it!" She was visibly holding back the urge to ball up her hands into fists.

However, the old man didn't seem too bothered as he blinked and glanced aside at her interruption.
"Huh? Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt, Ritsu. I was so excited to see the new recruits that I couldn't help but pop in for a quick look at them, ho ho! Well, I look forward to seeing if the little woodlander proves herself capable, hah!"

The lieutenant sighed. "Anyway, Executive Officer, shouldn't you have more pressing matters than to welcome the new pilots?" The old man smiled. "I do...But I can spare a moment to see what we got to work with. Besides, I'm interested to see what they can do already." As he spoke, the professor began to walk in the direction of the main hangar. Ritsu began to follow him, and gestured with her hands for the pilots to join them.

"Very well then. Pilots, this is Professor Lorenzo, your superior in Solaire, and Executive Officer for the Framewerk Project as a whole." Lorenzo nodded. "Most of my work is classified, so don't bother asking about it. However, I'll be observing your progress periodically from time to time, and see how you're doing. I look forward to seeing how you'll fare...If you'll fare at all! Bwah-hah! Now then, let's see..." The group entered the main hangar, where an incredible sight met them: rows upon rows of Framewerks, each of them unique, stood on a lower level like statues depicting gods. Walkways on the higher level, where the group was located currently, passed by the upper chassis of these gargantuan constructs.

"Looks like all the Frames are accounted for, good," the professor mused, stroking his beard. The lieutenant turned to the pilots to continue once they were finished reacting to the sight. "You have all officially completed your pilot training in separate facilities with your Framewerks, and thus have earned the rank of Cadet." She glanced at her handheld device's screen.

"Some have a previous record of military experience, such as Pilot Lane, from the distinguished Albion Armaments Group, who has previously earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant," she noted, and gave a respectful nod to the red-haired woman. Lorenzo nodded as he reminisced, stroking his beard.
"Yes, AAG...I remember the days I worked in R&D there under your father, young lady," he spoke to Ava. "Those were the days..."

Ritsu continued reading through her notes.
"Some facilities seemed to have a comprehensive curriculum, like the one held by Project Olympus," she spoke, having let a slight approving smile towards Minerva. Lorenzo, however, sneered at Minerva. "Disgusting..." He whispered, as if he had witnessed something appalling. 
Ritsu briskly continued.
"Pilot Arrish Duval also has an excellent resume," she added.
Lorenzo then chimed in, also eager to move on. "Pilot Quinn seems promising, if a bit unfocused based on testing," he noted, glancing at the cheerful young man. "You've got your heads in the clouds already when inside a Frame, lad."

"Others had a more...hands-off approach to their education," Lorenzo then noted, his single eye having turned towards Elora, who froze with fright, and then Griffith, his gaze stern as he matched the fire in the boisterous pilot's eyes.
"And then we have the more interesting cases, such as Pilot Aurora." Ritsu spoke: 
"She has discovered a Framework that possesses a vast amount of data dating back to before the beginning of the Cruxi invasion, as well as a keen mind for mechanics like Pilot Quinn."
"And what an old model it was...I had to really work my knuckles to the bone to get that hunk of junk up to date," Lorenzo muttered...and then noticed Serah in the crowd. He stroked his beard absentmindedly as he thought back to something. "And you...You possessed the highest aptitude out of all the pilots." He slowly grinned. "Yes...I can see you have the potential for greatness, lassie. You have the [u]eyes[/u]..."

Ritsu coughed into her fist.
"Regardless of one's individual background, you have been individually chosen for the promising talent you have shown thus far, and for the potential to fully realize the goals of the Framewerk Project." She briefly looked down at her device. 
"However, from now on here at Solaire, you will focus on developing advanced skills and training required not only to operate as a single cohesive unit, but also to realize your latent potential. Therefore, your training program will encompass more than the usual pilot training."

She began listing the schedule.
"From morning till noon will be physical training. You are to report to Sergeant Ken in the gym sector after breakfast. The training will include sports, martial arts and meditation, if I remember correctly," Ritsu said as she looked over the details on her device. "He will primarily train you in the use of the Star Fist style, which he has reported to contribute to our goals of developing your spiritual side in addition to physical."

She continued.
"After lunch you are to report to me for virtual training. I will first hold a recapitulation test of the skills you've developed as part of basic training, followed by advanced simulations including leapfrogging, orbital deployment and strike maneuvers. Once a week, presumably on Wednesdays though there may be changes, you will report to Executive Officer Lorenzo in the briefing hall for lectures on more technical subjects, such as Framewerk systems and Cruxi." Lorenzo nodded silently. During this time, when he started having a coughing fit, the Lilim offered him a small flask, which he took and began to sip from: it seemed to be medicine of some sort.

"Free time will be from 6 PM to 10 PM, during which you are authorized to use the gym and recreational areas. For example, the recreational areas includes a multi-hobby table that has settings for pool, billiards, and ping pong among others, a darts board, a game console installed with various games, a library section and a silent room. Your accommodations will be in the pilot barracks, separate from the rest of the soldiers. There you can find manuals detailing the training program and the available facilities, such as gender-exclusive changing rooms, showers and saunas. There is also a simulated hot spring over at the biological sector. Note that peeping will be punished severely," she added, as if anticipating Arrish' reaction upon hearing those words.

Lorenzo, seemingly bored with the explanation, cut in. "The virtual reality pods will perfectly replicate your Framewerks and the effects of damage they can incur. A pilot's virtual link will be remotely disabled once it has taken a certain threshold of damage, to avoid causing any brain damage, haha!" The professor grinned. "That's right, boys and girls, this is not like the VR games you played back at home: it's the cutting-edge in sense-immersion technology. What you experience in there will be about as close to reality as you can find in the galaxy, hah!"

Ritsu nodded. "At the end of the week, we will hold a test to determine who will be designated the squad leader for your unit. Admiral Cain deemed a simulated combat mission against the Cruzi to be an ample enough test to determine the most suitable candidate, a suggestion I concur with. However..." Here eyes rolled toward Lorenzo, who seemed quite peppy for a crotchety old geezer.

"I think it best to hear straight from the pilots themselves. Therefore, you may hereby submit suggestions to Lieutenant Ritsu regarding your training program using your personal devices for review. Who knows, if we get enough votes, maybe we'll hold more unconventional simulated battles, or even battles between the pilots. Now that would be exciting, wouldn't it?" He slightly cackled. "After all, you know someone best after fighting them tooth and nail, haha!"

Elora seemed to be out of her element as she desperately attempted to open her mouth and say something, but was unable to. She was like a lost puppy as she looked around her with a trembling lower lip, seemingly holding back the urge to cry.
[i]I...I'm scared...I don't know if I can do this...[/i] She thought to herself...And she happened to glance in Serah's direction. There was something about her that, somehow, seemed familiar to Elora. She ended up staring at her with sorrowful eyes.
[i]Huh? That girl...Have I...Seen her before?[/i]

Ritsu finally concluded: "Now then, are there any questions?"