Failures (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 5

Reuben Calloway stood stiffly at attention outside Sergent Vert's office.  His basic combat training was completed and every cadet was ordered to report in to get an individual progress report.

The door slid open and the cadet that had been ahead of Reuben marched out.

"NEXT!" Sergent Vert shouted from his office.

Reuben swallowed, schooled his expression, and marched in.  He saluted Sergent Vert.  "First Degree Cadet Calloway reporting in as ordered, sir!"

Sergent Vert returned the salute and then started to scan through a data pad.  "Cadet Calloway, your scores here have been less than exemplary.  You're not failing.  But you're not going to be impressing anyone soon."

"Yes, sir.  I am doing my best to keep up, sir.  I have found basic training to be quite challenging."

Sergent Vert looked Reuben directly in the eye.  "You're going to have to do better than your best, cadet. It's average soldiers like you that get killed first in combat.  Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

"In a few days we'll begin Corp division tests where we will be determining which branch would best suit you.  Try a little harder to impress us."

Reuben felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead but his expression remained neutral.  He understood the sergent.  Find a useful skill or get sent straight into the the front lines.