[dcs_p]Then Tac’s voice floated across the room, “Isn’t it about time you two got on with
your business?” He seemed calm, but there was no mistaking the underlying
threat. Blachloke merely shrugged, grabbed Lejad by the shoulder and lead him
out.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]The Steel Vipers have an odd training regime. Well, not so much odd as
extremely grueling. At the end of the Spartan training regime, every Clan has a
Trial of Position for their warriors.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Usually these occur between differing sibkos, ensuring the next generation of
warriors is the best. It is customary for the Steel Vipers to take this one step
further, the members of each sibko must fight each other. This is the way of Clan
Steel Viper, what every Viper warrior trains for, and what Sasha was waiting for.
“This is it. You have learned everything I know, and now it is time for you to put it
to the test, and become the very warriors you were meant to be.” Tiveli’s tone
did not sound encouraging, it was not meant to be. “Now, when you succeed in
your task, and become a Mechwarrior, I will welcome you into the caste as fellow
warriors, and friends.” He sounded sad, and a little disappointed, at this point.
“Now, mount up.” [/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Sasha was nervous, extremely so. Though she shook as she climbed aboard the
Stormcrow, once she had donned her neurohelmet and coolant vest, her training
and instincts took over and her shaking stopped. All systems green, ready to
take the field. The com chattered, “Trainee Sasha, your designation is Gamma
Prime for this Trail. Your opponents are piloting similar OmniMechs to yours.”
This was custom, it was also custom that she did not know which members of
her sibko she was up against. “Report status Gamma Prime.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“Status is go. All systems green. Gamma Prime ready for op.” Sasha rattled
off into her helmet.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“Copy that Gamma Prime. Stand by.” Sasha bit her lower lip, like her weapon
systems she was ready to attack. “Gamma Prime you have permission to move
into the combat zone. From there you know what to do. Eliminate your
opponents.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“Aff.” Sasha barked the word into her neurohelmet as she charged her
OmniMech onto the field. A quick survey of her instruments told her all she
needed to know. She had two enemies on radar, and even though they all had
come out fairly equidistant from each other, she knew the other two had a visual
on each other all ready. Rolling hills prevented her from seeing her opponents,
and they could not see her. But, they could see each other. That meant that
they would most likely engage each other and leave her alone for a bit, a lucky
stroke. A Steel Viper strikes fast and hard, but not foolishly so, she would take a
slow march to the fight, and make it easier to get her first victory. Some of the
young warriors might chide her for that, but none of the veterans. They knew
even if she ran she would just have to wait for an opponent to open up at any rate.[/dcs_p]