Chapter 42: Episode 7-Ender's Game (16)
It was a new day. My dream/nightmare had ended. Opening my eyes was a struggle because they were plastered with sleep crust.
(If I'm right, it's a mixture of mucus, skin cells, oils, and tears, which are produced while you sleep.)
Parting my eyelids felt akin to taking off a Band-Aid - it was hard to do - but it was eventually done. After stretching and yawning, more tears leaked from my eyes, which helped wash away the gunk I accumulated.
(McFarland is becoming a very big problem.)
It was becoming too frequent; he was haunting my dreams too often. I needed to get out of the simulation as fast as possible and plan his death, and acquisition of his Fragment. I went through the routine that was set by Salamander Army. I saw Petra among them, and I felt her gaze. She looked at me, and her eyes seemed to say:
(Remember the appointment, Wiggin.)
I made sure to do so.
***
Petra was waiting for me after lunch. After we met up, we headed into the battle-room and began to train. Petra and I talked about battle-room mechanics, and why there was gravity in the corridor, but none in the battle-room itself. We speculated that the I.F. knew how to control gravity, and she theorized how they could weaponize it. We also reaffirmed that the adults who controlled the Battle School were the enemy, not the other armies. In the end, we were just puppets in this war between human and Formic.
Petra was now going in depth in aim-training. Petra told me to hold my arm straight, and how to aim with it entirely.
"Something most soldiers don't realize is that the farther away your target is, the longer you have to hold the beam within about a two-centimeter circle. It's the difference between a tenth of a second and a half second, but in battle - that's a long time. A lot of soldiers think they missed when they were right on target, but they moved away too fast. So, you can't use your gun like a sword, swish swish slice-in-them-in-half. You got to aim."
To be honest, I was using my gun like a sword. Before entering the simulation, I became too use to melee weapons.
(It's why I came here. To learn.)
Petra gathered the orbs again, and I practiced shooting them. I tried, but missed every shot.
"Good," she said, "you don't have any bad habits."
(I don't have any talent either...) I thought negatively.
After that initial start, Petra and I talked about how to hold my motion and my enemy's motion in mind at the same time. She talked about aiming with your arm straight out and with your body, just in case your arm gets frozen. I've also learned to tense up less, and to relax my body so I wouldn't tremble.
That day with Petra was the only real training I had with Salamander. Whenever the rest of the Army would train, Bonzo would order me to bring my desk and study. He had to bring all of the soldiers to the Battle-room, but he didn't have to use all of them.
***
I was doing some of my schoolwork, but I also made sure to watch Salamander train. Bonzo organized his army like this: four toons of ten soldiers in each. Some commanders organized their groups by placing the best soldiers together, and the lumping the worst with each other. Bonzo mixed his toons evenly, so everyone had an equal performance.
Although, B-toon only had nine boys. I figured out who I replaced in Salamander Army; it seems it was the old leader of this toon. The toon leader I saw seemed to be new; it was a logical explanation for Bonzo's contempt. He lost a valuable leader when he received me.
As I watched, I realized how inept I was, and how Bonzo was right. The maneuvers I saw included toons moving and executing precise operations with exact timing, and soldiers using each other to make sudden changes in direction. The soldiers I saw could make soft landings, and absorb most of the shock. They had accurate flight patterns, and even used frozen soldiers to adjust their null-gravity trajectory. They also had one of the most valuable skills, which was sliding against the wall; the enemy couldn't shoot behind you. Although, I saw a weakness in Bonzo's stiff formations.
(I'm guessing the original Ender saw it as well.)
His formations were too predictable. In reality, the first battle-strategies did't survive the first encounter; that's why tacticians exist. The soldiers were able to obey shouted orders instantly thanks to their obedience, but they had no individual initiative, so they couldn't improvise just in case something went amiss.
They would follow the formation precisely, but they didn't account for the enemy's response. As I wrote this information down, I began taking notes on how to fight Bonzo's army with my toons. Perhaps going under them as they flew forward, splitting people into groups of three, and using a pincer move.
Battle-school was somewhat lifeless, and the children were quite aggressive, but it was fun when you could think creatively. When free-play came tonight, I asked Petra if we could practice again, but she refused. A lot of the soldiers speculated that the senior officers of Battle School watched us as we trained in the Battle-room, and that they would pick eligible commanders from available footage.
So, Petra would go and train by herself. I doubted the idea of training harder, and being watched and selected, but I kept my onions to myself. I was still grateful for the practice session after breakfast.
As I ate with Salamander Army, I heard a voice in my head. It was Fraggy.
[I kn ow the ne xt st ep.]
(You do?) I thought in reply.
[You nee d to tra in wi th yo ur old Lau nch.]
(Was that in the original novel?)
[It wa s...]
(Okay, I'll think about it.)
The rule that Bonzo had placed barred Salamander Army from talking to other soldiers from different armies, but he never said anything about Launchies. No one considered training with Launchies because they were held in too much contempt.
(I'm still being treated as a Launchie, though. To hell with it, let people talk.)
I made a decision. It was time to return, and go back to my origins. I smiled at the thought of it.
(Let's see how Bernard and Alai are doing.)
***
"Hey, the great soldier returns!" Bernard exclaimed.
I was a little nervous about coming back. I feared the potential jealous I would face, and the contempt I would receive from my old Launch. Although, I decided to come with style, and change the tone of this atmosphere.
"Yep, I've returned, and with a bigger dick than ever before. Hanging around with real men really activates that testosterone; I've gained a few inches in size."
[Constellation "Abyssal Black Flame Dragon" says your little black dragon is still the same length.]
(It's a joke, man...)
My remark brought hearty laughs from the boys here. I didn't have a lot of talent, but when I put my mind to it, I could make an obscene joke or two to catch people's attention. I saw Alai approaching with a genuine, joyful expression.
"Ender! You're back! How's Salamander Army?"
I decided to be honest and said, "They treat me like a little kid, and I can't really blame them. I'm about as useful as a sneeze in a spacesuit."
This elicited more laughter.
"Why did you come back?" Bernard asked.
"I wanted to make a deal. I saw a lot of techniques thanks to Salamander, but I couldn't practice with them."
I tapped on my temple and said, "All the information I have is up here, but it's worthless if I can't use it. So, I decided to get you guys to help. How about this: free play, everyday, in the Battle-room, under my direction. Now that I'm in an army, I can see how they train, and how they fight in real battles. I bring all of that info back to us, and we use it. You guys can get a head-start on the other Launch groups in Battle School. How about it?"
I saw all of the boys look at each other. It only took a short moment, but all of them were soon agreeing. They nodded their heads, and whooped with excitement. Bernard, Alai and Shen were excited as the rest of them. All of the boys wanted to come, and asked if they could.
"You can tag along, but only if you come to work. If you're just shitting around, you're out. Time is precious, and I don't have time to waste."
As I walked out of the old barracks I used to call home, I saw every single boy follow me. I knew I wasn't a real commander, but the illusion of it was empowering.
(It's time to begin another training arc.)
***
Using my tablet, I drew examples, and used my oral skills to properly direct everyone. We tried the wall slide, but ended up tumbling against the wall as if we were rolling down a hill.
(We're like a sword that still has oxidized scale on it. But once we temper ourselves, grind off our inexperience, we'll become sharper.)
We tried the formations I saw Salamander use, and we practiced our aim. I told them the tricks that Petra told me, but it was easier said than done. We had a gun fight, and practiced shooting each other. There was an exhilarating feeling that stemmed from firing at targets that could shoot back, all the while avoiding their attacks.
After a long day, I returned to my barracks... only to see Bonzo angrily waiting for me.
(Ah, shit.)
"Where were you?" he asked.
"I was practicing in the battle-room, sir," I said smoothly.
"I heard you had some of your old Launch group with you."
"I couldn't practice alone, sir."
"I won't have any soldiers in Salamander Army hanging around with Launchies. You're a soldier now."
(Yeah, right. I'm a clown fish in a sea of sharks. You treat me as such,) I thought bitterly.
"Did you hear me, Wiggin?"
"Yes, sir."
"No more practicing with those little farts," Bonzo said.
"Sir, may I speak with you in private?"
Bonzo's brow furrowed in frustration. Still, it was a request that commanders were required to allow. His face contorted in anger, and we walked out into the corridor.
"Listen, Wiggin, I don't want you. I'm trying to get rid of you, but don't give me any problems or I'll paste you to the wall."
Suddenly, Fraggy began to read something to me. Within my heart, I knew it was short passage from "Ender's Game."
[A go od comman der, thou ght End er, doe sn't have to ma ke stu pid thr eats...]
Bonzo grew annoyed of my silence and said, "Look, you asked me to come out here, now talk."
"Sir, you were correct that I shouldn't be placed into a toon. Still, I intend to become a good soldier. I won't interfere with Salamander Army, but when it comes to practice, I'm going to practice with my Launch."
"You'll do what I tell you, you little bastard," Bonzo threatened.
"That's right, sir. I'll follow all the orders you're authorized to give, but free-play belongs to every soldier. It's our basic right to exercise it."
I saw Bonzo grow angrier. I saw the way his brow scrunched, and how he clenched his fists.
(Is this how I look like when I activate Anger Lord?)
Was I more similar to Bonzo than I thought? I remembered the story; Ender said that the anger he wielded was cold, which he could use. He said Bonzo's anger was hot, and that his anger used him.
I continued to appeal to logic and said, "Sir, I've got my own career to think of. I won't interfere in your training and your battles, but I've got to learn sometime. I didn't ask to be put into your army, and you're trying to trade me off as soon as possible. Though, no one will take me if I don't know anything, right? Let me train, and then you can get rid of me and acquire a soldier you can actually use."
After that, Bonzo and I continued to discuss the matter. We came to an agreement, and how Bonzo could save face in front of his command for giving me an unfair order. As we returned to the barracks, I wore a dejected, beaten expression. The rest of the boys drew the obvious conclusion.
***
The new day came. As I was leaving, I heard Bonzo's voice echo out and say, "I changed my mind, pinprick. Maybe by practicing with your Launchies, you'll learn something, and I can trade you easily. Anything to get rid of you faster."
I nodded in gratitude and said, "Thank you, sir."
After I had breakfast, I practiced with Petra. As I studied, I made sure to watch Bonzo and his Army train. I saw the holes in their techniques, and noted them. I would figure out how to destroy his army. After that, when free play came, I trained with my old Launch, and some of the stress and tension evaporated.
As I lied in bed, I felt my sore, tired muscles unknotting. As I drifted into sleep, I thought, (I can do this. I can handle it.)
***
I was in my dream-space now. I didn't know when the transition came, but I was here.
(Hello, Ethan.)
I turned around and saw McFarland again. I was getting annoyed of seeing his ugly face.
(This is the 43rd time you came into my dreams, McFarland. You need to learn some boundaries.)
(You should start running now, Ethan.)
My rage built up. I wanted to kill him, but I couldn't do anything while trapped in this simulation. Sadly, all I could was run, and hope the blessing of Hypnos kicked in soon.
***
Four days had passed. It wasn't too substantial, but my skills were improving. The Constellations were donating more coins, and it seemed that I piqued their interest by being trapped in here. When the fourth day in Salamander Army came, we finally had a battle. This time, I would be able to participate. Well, not quite. I would be able to watch, but I didn't mind.
As I saw Salamander fight against Condor, I saw how unprepared they really were. Obstacles in the Battle-room, also known as stars, were placed randomly, but they didn't use them as proper cover. They didn't identify which stars had value, and they didn't bypass some stars by wall-sliding.
After four minutes had passed, I stepped out of the corridor. I oriented my legs in front of me to present them to the enemy, and when one came and froze my legs, it was only the lower half of my body. I began to float aimlessly. Salamander fought valiantly, but it was a bitter struggle to watch. The entire structure of the army collapsed, and individual shoot-outs were all that were left. Petra was given priority, and was one of the many that were frozen first.
As every soldier was frozen, I saw the last remaining soldiers of Condor army. Only five remained, which was the basic requirement to win the game. Four opposing soldiers needed to open Salamander's gate, and at least one soldier needed to pass through. I wanted to fire my gun and freeze them, but orders were orders. I didn't want to disobey Bonzo's precious authority.
Actually, that was a lie. I just wanted to be a spiteful bitch.
***
After the battle, everyone noticed how I was damaged, but not frozen. Some of my fellow soldiers commented on how I could still fire, and questioned why I didn't. I simply said that I followed Bonzo's orders.
(This is the first small seed in undermining his command.)
Thanks to the battle, my efficiency rank on the scoreboard was quite high. It was due to the fact that I never fired, and how I wasn't frozen. A lot of the soldiers were jealous of this fact. As time went on, I observed Salamander, practiced with Petra, and taught my Launch group. More boys our age came to join us, which allowed Alai and I to experiment with more people.
The boys were noticing how they were improving, and knew that the training sessions I held was the reason why. Still, as they improved, so did Alai and I. Out of all of them, we were the head of the pack. We experimented with techniques. Alai would always create some new maneuver I couldn't deal with, which required me to make a new tactic to deal with him.
Our sessions were enjoyable, and they became fun and exciting. Evening at Battle School soon became the best time of day. Soon, I actually found myself smiling.
(How very unlike me,) I thought.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
EnderGolem997
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