Achieve the Impossible

[Links at the top right.] Aliya Markova.

[aliyamarkova]

Fortune's Fool | Open

Aliya stumbled along the line of trees in the arena. Unfortunately, she rarely experienced smooth awakenings from cryosleep. Rubbing at a patch of dry, itchy skin on her arm, she struggled to retain her vision. "Get a grip, Aliya." She grumbled under her breath, making a mental note to report to the med bay and request an adjustment on her pharmaceutical dosage as Arden had formerly advised. Ignoring the pestering feeling of anxiety tightening her chest, she paused in her path, senses slowly coming into affect. 

Musty, earthy soil scent? Check. Brisk wind? Check. As disoriented as she was, she could vaguely make out the jungle-like terrain and white-hot sun. She continued her mental check list, regaining feeling in her arms and legs. Slight freezer burn? Check. The sound of twigs cracking caught her ears next. She fervently prayed to whatever was out there that it was a teammate who had found her, not a member of the opposing team. To her astonishment, it wasn't an anticipated ally nor a dreaded opponent; it wasn't even human. A terrifying creature with boils tarnishing its dark scaly skin snarled into her face, rows of fangs dripping with thick cloudy saliva. 

She was well versed in the use of obstacles in Corbulo events, but she did not expect to encounter one posthaste. Aliya stumbled backwards a few steps and lost her footing. The cadet cursed herself silently. There was no way she could fight it off in her current state. 

[hawkeyers]

[aliyamarkova]

Run!

[sneaky-yuri]

[He tries to hold back laughter.] I just figured my upperclassman would know a thing or two I didn’t, oooor we can do some combat practice, I suppose. I need some work on that too.

[aliyamarkova]

I could critique your running form if that's what you're asking. Otherwise, I really can't think of any tips to offer. We could always work on endurance or increasing the intensity... I don't think you want to take me in a fight. 

[theadavidson]

I think I've ran out of things to shoot at,

[theadavidson]

Like I said, I don’t do titles.  If I thought you had a chance against Ace I would say go for it but trust me, you would come out so welted the medic would think you had some sort of disease. 

[aliyamarkova]

No? Not even pet names? 

Welted? Paintballs can do that? Okay. Got it. Right. Always say no, stay away from Ace, and don't volunteer to be a live target. Taken to memory. 

… Do you really think I can't dodge a single bullet? 

[michaelmacmillan]

Too bad those kind of tricks never work twice though.

And I’m also going to be totally unbiased here, but placing my bets on Legati because they never lose. [chuckles] I’m just kidding.

[aliyamarkova]

Too bad for Legati, we've got Thea Davidson training us this year. That decreases Legati's chance of winning to a tiny, minuscule amount. Like this tiny. 

Alright Macmillan, place your bets then. If you win, I'll do your homework for a year. 

[sneaky-yuri]

Really? Then you should let me help you with that next time. It’s my specialty, obviously.

A run sounds good. Hopefully you can show me a couple things.

[aliyamarkova]

I'm as stealthy as a hungry Earth raccoon scavenging for food in a garbage bin. 

Cadet, surely you know how to properly run by now. What more can I possibly teach you?

[theadavidson]

I think I've ran out of things to shoot at,

[theadavidson]

I’m not a big fan of titles. Sir is too stiff for me anyways.  I trust Ace with my life, not yours. I doubt he would hurt you only because he knows I would hurt him but bottom line you should never let someone use you as a target. None of my cadets are going to stand around for target practice, you’re a soldier. 

[aliyamarkova]

I'm tempted to call you "sis" instead, but that crosses the line of being too informal.

Not to oppose you or anything, but one could argue that volunteering to be a target is beneficial. Say I'm able to dodge all of Ace's paintballs, would that not make me a better soldier? 

[inpraelio-deactivated20150102]

I still don’t understand why people say running yourself into the ground is a bad thing.

[aliyamarkova]

They're just jealous of our work ethic. 

[hollistempleton]

Still, small prices to pay. Considering how many others have already given blood, sweat, tears and their lives.

I’m going to serve as a Marine for the required amount of time, before entering the Spec Ops division wherever I’m stationed. If all goes according to plan, approximately two years after that, I’ll be an ODST. Probably in recon, considering that’s where my strengths lie. But it’s the path I want to follow.

Oh, well, if it’s illness, I hope you feel better. Nothing annoys me more than when feeling sick makes my scores suffer. How are trainings with Hastati going?

[aliyamarkova]

Very true. You always bring things to mind that I've never thought about before. You really have a way of broadening peoples' perspectives. 

I bid you luck with that! I wish I had the slightest idea of what I was going to do after Corbulo. Maybe an intelligence officer like my mom, but that means stealth which is something I greatly lack. Maybe I'll follow you on your journey and become an ODST like my brother. I'm really just striving for steady improvement at the moment. 

Thank you, you're so thoughtful. I will take your advice and report to med bay sooner or later. Squad training is proceeding as usual. Nothing abnormal comes to mind. How about Zuma? 

[theadavidson]

I think I've ran out of things to shoot at,

[theadavidson]

Thea, it’s Thea and no, if any of them were to take a shot at you on purpose I would personally beat the crap out of them. Nobody messes with my cadets. 

[aliyamarkova]

Of course, Thea. I just feel the need to address you more formally now that you're a squad leader. It feels right. 

Even Ace? Don't you trust his aim enough to let him use us as targets? He can try to purposefully miss by a centimeter. 

[theadavidson]

I think I've ran out of things to shoot at,

[theadavidson]

Alright well next time please say no when someone asks to shoot at you. That’s an order. Especially if it’s another squad leader, then you send them to me. 

[aliyamarkova]

Duly noted, sir. Though I honestly wouldn't mind being a live target. If Ace, Brayden, Olivia, or Alex need to improve their shot, it's my duty to help them in any way I can. 

[michaelmacmillan]

Aye, Squad Cups never seemed to cease amusing me. There’s always those new things and more dramas, hilarious things. 

Definitely can’t wait for the next one.

[aliyamarkova]

Exactly! Like last year when that one freshman hid in a tree and ate cheese and crackers the whole time, while the rest of us were pelting each other with paintballs. 

I'm being totally unbiased here, but placing my bets on Hastati to win. 

[hollistempleton]

Cadet Thompson no doubt has a bright future in the UNSC Engineering Corps, if he chooses to pursue such a path. As for the rest of us, some rashes and blisters and bad aftertaste are a small price to pay.

Oh, uh- yes, of course. You can never be too careful, considering that a bit of dizziness coming out of cryo could potentially affect your performance in combat, right?

[aliyamarkova]

Don't forget the blood, sweat, and tears we continually endure. And I agree, wherever he chooses to be, he has a promising future. Have you any idea what you'd like to do after Corbulo? 

I suppose so. It only lasts a few moments, so it could be the effect of something completely unrelated. Maybe I spring out of the chamber too quickly or I've come down with a cold. 

[theadavidson]

I think I've ran out of things to shoot at,

[theadavidson]

Oh please, nobody feels obligated to stand while somebody shoots pellets at them plus I was only joking. You cadets take things way too seriously. 

[aliyamarkova]

I guess it could help improve my agility. And it's a good thing, Thea. We're pledged to you. Whatever you say goes without question. 

[sneaky-yuri]

As much as I love stealth trainin’, I could probably do without that today. Weapons or combat works, I guess.

… [The corner of his mouth twitches like he’s obviously very tempted to just call her Tortilla instead. Maybe even Lea Tortilla.]

[aliyamarkova]

I'm alright with that. Stealth is my weakest area, cadet. I wouldn't be able to help you improve.

How about we go for a run or practice our close-range weapon control?

[theadavidson]

I think I've ran out of things to shoot at,

Who wants to be live bait? 

[aliyamarkova]

I feel obligated to volunteer, sir. 

[sneaky-yuri]

Of course you do, Lea. [A rather tame nickname compared to what he’s come up with in the past. The younger cadet grins, looking up and crossing his arms.] You can take it however you want. You up for it?

[aliyamarkova]

I'm always up for it. What type of training do you have in mind, bud?

… By the way, I like Lea a lot better than Aliya Tortilla.