Undertrained...

[hashim]

- You have much to learn... - Hashim sighed out as they went. It seemed that he'd also have to teach her not to take everything too directly - and to know to whom it is possible to lie, and to whom - not. Her childish eagerness was a bit ... awkward, as was the admiration of oneself. Hashim had to admit he enjoyed being so highly regarded in someone's eyes, it did a great job bolstering his ego, but he also knew she was overreacting. Hopefully with time he'll be able to make her ease on the hopeless fanaticism that she showed...

There were lots of goblimon everywhere on the training grounds. It was not surprising, really, because the bulk of the army was formed by those, most other digimon, which were more capable, were enlisted in special squads, while lesser ones - to be used in managing supplies and whatnot. All were doing something, like in a giant anthill, everybody had to either work, train, or sleep. No other occupations while in the boot camp - the training was very rigorous. Fortunately, most knew how to fight somewhat, so he didn't have to start from scratch.

Soon, they approached one of the square-boxed training grounds - basically, a fence in a form of a square to secure a patch of land. Inside, there were several dozen goblimon, who formed something of a line, not very straight line to be honest, but still something that looked like a rank. And there was also someone yelling at them with a high-pitched voice, though it was not possible to see who it was - too many goblimon around.

- Seven! - the stingmon called loudly, and made all of goblimon turn their heads to look who it was. The next moment they all gave a military salute and attempted to stand at attention, clubs on shoulders, now that the general was here. And there was someone struggling to get through those ranks in front, the goblimon were pushed left and right as the strange person made it's way...

It was probably very surprising that the "real officer", about whom Hashim was talking about and whom he held in such high regard, proved to be ... a pawnchessmon. Black one. A squirt half harpymon's size, with a short spear and a buckler. Really? Yes, really. Everyone knew that the chess army was one of the most disciplined armies this world had to offer, and Hashim wanted to have more of their kind among his ranks, but unfortunately, it was hard enough a task as it were.

- Commander Hashim, lieutenant E-seven reporting in. - the spunky chess piece said with a rather funny high-pitched voice, and gave a military salute as well. Then it just stared at both newcomers with its white oval-shaped eyes, who were seen from behind the helmet thingy.

- At ease. Harley, meet Seven, he's in charge of training our troops in proper ways of warfare. - Hashim made an introduction.

- Hi Harley! - the tiny pawnchessmon said sheepishly and waved his hand in a greeting...

[harley]

"Yes, I have much to learn!"

She repeated exactly what the commander said, because she was neither smart nor had good social skills, and if master Hashim said that, then she had a lot to learn.

In the training grounds there were many goblimon as usual, Harley hardly ever talked with anyone who was not her worshiped commander. She might act sometimes a bit more talkative when she was next to the stingmon, but she was a complete mute in front of other digimon because she was actually rather shy, all she did was together with her sisters and only talked with new people other than their leader when they were together. Such was the unity of those sisters, that unless they were away scouting, they were always together and did everything as a team, she left a lot safer when she was along them but now that she was alone, the only time she could work decently in society was when she was with lord Hashim.

Suddenly, the powerful and handsome stingmon stopped and called for that awesome officer he mentioned before, some pawn chessmon black. Other digimon would find strange that such a small digimon was a drill sergeant, but not this harpymon, when she started worshiping Hashim he was nothing but an insignificant shamamon, so she was sure this black pawnchessmon had awesome talents like commander's, but a bit less awesome.

"H-hi lieutenant Seven, I-its a pleasure to meet you"

She was visibly nervous both because she was naturally timid and because he was somebody Hashim respected. He looked like a rather professional soldier and it was intimidating to know she had to live up to the expectations the commander had for her, it was hard to imagine someday she would be doing like the lieutenant and would be commanding many soldiers at the same time, it felt like that was another world which she didn't belong ... but this wasn't the time to be hesitating, she had to become an excellent officer like the black pawnchessmon, or else she would disappoint the commander.

"Please lieutenant E-Seven, teach me how to become an officer useful for our commander"

She saluted him as if the black pawnchessmon were the president himself and waited for orders, it was the first step to becoming commander Hashim's right hand and she didn't want to start giving a bad impression.

[hashim]

- You wanna be an officer? - the pawnchessmon just STARED at the tall harpymon, drilling her with his eyes. The voice was rather incredulous, and he looked at the "ensign" like at a complete greenhorn. Basically, to commanding position, she was a greenhorn. The lieutenant figured that much soon enough - he knew a newbie when he saw one.

- With this kind of voice? And with this ... timidness?! Ness ness ness? - the pawnchessmon said as he poked the harpymon in the chest with the dull end of his spear. If he were a tall guy, he'd use a finger to perform the jest, but since he was short stuff ... yeah, he used that spear a lot for that. - You wouldn't manage to order yourself a drink in a pub with that kind of voice! The first thing an officer must have is a commanding voice. And he must not fear to YELL at people. Get yourself a mirror and practice on front of it why don't ya? - he snapped. Drill sergeants, they were not supposed to be nice or gentle about it. But he had a point - officers must be charismatic, and have a voice that demanded authority. Otherwise, the soldiers won't listen.

- What's the situation on training so far, Seven? - Hashim decided to redirect the attention of the fiery lieutenant before he says something harsh.

- Well, I've been training them for a couple of days now, but I can tell you several things already commander. Or better yet, show you... - the pawnchessmon replied and made his way towards the ranks. All goblimon stood at attention when he did it, her eyes showing both fear and respect for the tiny little lieutenant. He approached the troops and rose his spear.

- Ready! - he yelled out, and the goblimon immediately lend their right hands forward, while holding the clubs in the other.

- Aim! Fireball! - the pawnchessmon commanded, and the goblimon started forming up small fireballs, and throwing them forward. Each formed one with his own speed, and at a pretty small pace too, so no coordinated barrage whatsoever was created. Plus a few exploded in the hands of the wielders, and they yelled, blowing at their hands that received burns. Stingmon frowned, he clearly was not impressed. After the performance ended, Seven approached and reported:

- As you can see see sir, the results are ... not that impressive. These guys are mediocre fighters in close combat, and I managed to teach them to stand in line and respond to basic commands. But when it comes to organized linear ranged combat ... well, you saw for yourself. Not quite the wall of fire you had in mind. And I don't even wanna think about how will I have to teach them to fight on their own, detached from their unit. To do so they must have initiative and be smart. And smarts are trait not common to these species... no offense sir. - the pawnchessmon was bluntly honest that things were not going too well, just what Hashim wanted from him, and what he wanted to show Harley. The pawnchessmon had the guts to deliver any kind of truth even to black omnimon himself. And probably get away with it.

- No offense taken. We'll just have to take our time until they become good enough troops to face regular forces of our enemies, and prevail. You memorize all this Harley?

[harley]

"Y-yes s-sir .. I mean, YES SIR!"

The lieutenant yelled at her and poked her belly with that pointy spear of his, she wasn't used to be criticized and yelled at, but for the sake of becoming a great officer, she was ready to endure any kind of training. Luckily for her, the beloved commander stepped on and diverted the chat topic to how the training was going on, he surely helped the harpymon a lot, she was about to lose her coolness due how rude the drill sergeant was getting.

She looked at the demonstration of what the group could do and wow, those goblimon completely obeyed the orders of the small black digimon and understood when he said to remain in formation, all was going smoothly until they had to show their attack synchronization; it was horrible at best and some of them didn't even manage to create their projectiles and the worst of them blew them up in their faces.

When the chessmon mentioned how the goblimon species were idiots, the harpy was about to scratch that midget's face with her claws because the commander used to be a relative of the goblimon family, but he took no offense on that and acted cool, as if acknowledging that they black pawnchessmon was right. So that was what he meant with never lying, the lieutenant was brutally honest and wasn't afraid of saying what he had in mind; she made sure to remember to be like that.

"Yes commander, I memorized everything and I hope .. no, I WILL become a competent officer!"

She had to toughen her attitude and learn to be more serious and most importantly, learn to overcome her timidness if she wanted to be at least a decent officer; she was pampered her entire life for always working along her sisters and only communicating when them and it was going to be very hard to have to do things on her own. It was a huge change to go from somebody who simply received orders and cooperated with her sisters to an officer who gave the orders and generally took decision using her own judgement to order them but she would do it, she would change completely only for commander and he would appreciate all she did and would always stay at her side forever, EVER. It was only fair, after all she was giving life and limb for him and if he someday decided to abandon her, she would be driven mad and would do things ... that cannot be explained with words alone. She didn't know if that feeling she felt for him was love, admiration or loyalty, but she would never leave his side, at least not while she needed of his emotional support to cope with the death of her sisters and the trauma of having seen so many die in front of her eyes, unable to do anything at all to save them.

[hashim]

- That's a bit better, maggot. You still need to practice in front of a mirror though. So that you won't have to get it right from second try. It must be as natural as breathing. And maybe, just maybe you'll have a chance to be a real officer. - the pawnchessmon replied after poking the harpymon one more time. Maybe he just liked poking people, who knows?

- You could stop pulling her leg now... - Hashim said as the two indulged in a bit of a laughter.

- Yeah I know. Just messin' with ya kid... - the two laughed again, but suddenly stopped. Something appeared from afar, and was running towards them. Something small ... and purple. A digimon. A tsukaimon. Those served as messengers for the army, being pretty fast on their feet, and small enough not to get noticed. Plus they were able to fly should they need it.

- I wonder who's that from... - Hashim muttered as the small creature finally approached them. It was visible that there was a post bag around his neck, tis was where he kept messages to be delivered. And the poor thing looked like it was really tired, after all that running. He must have come a long way.

- Message from lord Black Omnimon to general Hashim! - the tiny creature exclaimed and lifted into the air, to be on the same height as Hashim was. Without replying, the stingmon took the envelope out of the bag and opened it, to see what was hidden inside. It was ... a written order...

- I, lord BlackOmnimon ... blah blah blah, ruler of all, blah blah, hereby order the 13th legion ... huh? TO MOVE INTO ADJOINING SECTOR TO PARTICIPATE IN A SIEGE? - he exclaimed in disbelief. His troopers were training only for a few days, he couldn't possibly be serious? And yet, here was his seal, signature, order... Hashim looked at the tsukaimon in disbelief.

- Hey, don't look at me like that. I only deliver messages, I am not supposed to explain them...

[harley]

" ..."

Great, just great. What little courage the harpymon mustered suddenly crumbled as the pawn chessmon called her a maggot and poked her again with his spear. She was timid and her self-esteem was only barely above self-loathing, so she felt miserable as he made fun of her, only the intervention of the commander restored what little confidence she had on her goal. Then, a tsukaimon appeared and interfered with the joking due, bringing news with it.

"Message from lord black omnimon? Commander, this could be your opportunity to show your talent!"

She got excited by the possibility of black omnimon giving them a mission important enough that would show everybody how great the commander was when he returned successful. However, the stingmon didn't share her optimisim: the harpymon was completely oblivious to the fact the commander's army was pitiful and could hardly pull a small attack on a little settlement, let alone siege an important location with such low firepower, only an incredible plan could bring success.

"Commander, it cannot be that bad, I'm going to do anything to bring you success"

Actually, there was little she could do for him, she was as much a backup fighter and a scout and she didn't know at all where was that new sector they had to siege, most likely it something the commander could conquer in a minute she thought

[hashim]

- Opportunity... Just like battle in the dragon valley... - he muttered to himself. Indeed, this presented both great opportunity, and great danger. His position as a general in this newborn notion of an army was still weak. Klingon promotions did not last long, so he had to prove himself in battle, to secure his post. But if he failed... The harpy maybe thought he was perfect, infallible, but Hashim was realistic about their chances. Which were ... slim at best.

- The 6th daemon army is already there... We'll be there to reinforce them... - Hashim said as he looked upon the pawnchessmon with a questioning glare. The lieutenant understood the silent question - the general needed his verdict. And he sure as hell would give one. The snall drill sergeant cared about troops under his command, even if at times he was a jerk to them.

- They're not ready yet... - the pawnchessmon shook his head, but stopped, when Hashim crushed the paper in his hands. Bad sign. The general did not fear high casualties, the only thing he feared ... was failure.

- Orders are orders. Sound the mobilization. We're leaving at dawn. In the name of the Empire, we will prevail. - Hashim said, and wrote on another sheet of paper the response for his lord. It was short as hell, only one line, two words: "Moving out." Giving the letter to the messenger, Hashim took off, leaving Harley alone with the pawnchessmon. He had much to do because of this ... unexpected order...

[harley]

" ... "

The harpymon covered her ears with her wings as soon the commander mentioned battle and dino in the same sentence. She couldn't bear to remember against that horrible battle that went wrong, it was that moment when she lost her sisters, when she lost everything except her life. She had a strong rejection against anything that reminded her of the battle and preferred to act as if she didn't hear anything.

Once the danger passed, she uncovered her ears and listened to everything else that was said. Both Hashim and E-7 were discussing about what to do and at the end the commander decided to join the attack despite the very high odds of his excuse of an army getting wiped out. In the harpymon's eyes he was extremely courages and not even once thought that the stingmon only cared about failure, not about how many soldiers could lose their lives.

"Yes, we will ... commander? W-were are you going?"

He didn't even listen to her, he was already leaving the training grounds and the harpymon wanted to go with him, but if she did he would get mad with her, she was supposed to stay there training with black pawnchessmon and leaving her duty would be the same as betraying the trust the general put on her. With no other choice, she shut up her heart's cry for attention and put all her effort into following lieutenant E-7's lessons, she was going to train hard and make commander proud of her.