Why would I join the army if I can’t drive a Gundam!

Chapter 288 The First Lesson of the School Year!
"Lord Macarius, welcome to Torrington Base!"

When the two Pegasus-class aircraft carriers arrived at the landing pad at Torrington Air Force Base, Brigadier General Hawkins Manelli, the base commander, was already waiting with a group of his men and a group of combat technology center officers, including Nagase Hotaru, who had departed earlier.

Hawkins was very enthusiastic when he saw Makarius step off the spaceship, and even his tone of voice was a little cautious.

"Commander, isn't this a bit too humble?"

"It depends on who you're dealing with. This is Makarius Skrinni! When that guy was still a cadet, the commander was a brigadier general. Now that guy has been promoted to brigadier general, the commander is still a brigadier general. In a few years, the commander will even have to retire, while that guy can still be promoted! Not to mention that guy already has a powerful background!"

"I'm so envious! Not only does he have connections, but he's also such a good fighter!"

"You can't learn that!"

While the officers at Torrington were whispering among themselves, Makarius had already greeted Hawkins.

Please forgive my unannounced visit!

"Not at all, it's an honor for our base to have you here. We're more than happy to have you here!"

Commander Hawkins was speaking the truth. After all, Torrington Base is quite special. Although it is important, it is not lively at all. Apart from the resident troops, there are no large cities around the base, making it far inferior to other Federation bases. Now that the Combat Technology Center is conducting training here, it can add some fun to everyone's boring life.

As for why the base is desolate, it is naturally because the base also bears the important responsibility of storing federal nuclear weapons. It is worth mentioning that during the One Year War, many fragments of the fallen colony satellite landed around the base. These were skyscraper-sized pieces of debris, creating a unique and complex terrain with varying elevations.

This place is perfect for torturing mobile suit pilots!
"I hope you will continue to support my work from now on!"

"No problem, just leave the support to us. Today, we'll show you the unique features of the Torrington Base, which are no less impressive than those of your Armored Academy!"

Brigadier General Hawkins' last words, which he even spoke in hushed tones, clearly demonstrated his deep understanding of the Armored Academy's ethos.

"Then I'll be waiting!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Markarius visited the extra dormitory that the other party had specially built for the combat skills center according to his requirements.

These dormitories are prepared for the Federation pilots who are about to arrive at Torrington Base. They are completely different from those of the ace pilots, who live in warm and comfortable base barracks. The former only have camping tents on the training ground, and there are no comfortable and soft beds inside. There is only a blanket and a cot, and ten tents are crammed into one tent!

As for the restaurants and bathrooms, they were as basic as they could possibly be. Of course, not all of them were like that. The top three in the training rankings were exempt, but the others had to eat sand.

However, the trainees will arrive in a few days, as the combat skills center still has a lot of equipment that has not been fully delivered.

So, the day after arriving in Torrington, Markarius took his men back to the Armored Academy, after all, it was a triumphant return home!
When Makarius arrived at the Academy's Hall of Fame, he discovered that he had replaced the former headmaster and was now displayed at the very front. As for the old general who had been replaced, given that he had been dead for decades, he probably wouldn't have any objections.

As for the tank he drove back then, it has now become a sacred relic of the academy and has been transported to the square in front of the academy building to serve as a sculpture. Fortunately, everyone knows that Makarius is still alive, so no one has made a real-life sculpture of him and placed it aside.

As for his armored soldier jacket, helmet, and other equipment, even the automatic rifle he used in live-fire shooting, they were all stuffed into the academy's honor display case. Fortunately, most of them were his spares, the kind issued by the academy. He took all the ones he used with him back with him. He even wore the armored soldier jacket regularly. Don't ask, the quality of his high-end, custom-made items is just that good!

Of course, his return this time was not without its challenges; he almost got into serious trouble and was chased by the principal with his belt.

Because he casually mentioned welcoming his juniors to join the Federation Mobile Suit Corps during a speech, the principal and the dean of students immediately became furious.

After all, the Federation's armored forces haven't been disbanded yet!

However, the playful fighting was purely a joke, and the principal didn't really intend to teach Makarius a lesson; it was just a joke!
Of course, Makarius didn't forget the most important thing either. He also went to see his old classmates who had died in the One Year War. Nearly one-fifth of his graduating class had died on the battlefield. Now, in the small garden next to the academy dormitory building, there is a monument engraved with their names and ranks.

Do you know them all?

Amro asked this question as Markarius got up and left.

Makarius shook his head.

"I don't know the names of many of them, but I know the story of each and every one of them!"

Amuro looked at the densely packed words and the spirited smiling faces beside him, then put on his military cap and gave a solemn salute.

"You're starting to look more and more like a model soldier!"

"Really?"

"Really? Would I lie to you?"

"You've had plenty of opportunities to lie. Last time you said you'd introduce me to a female reporter!"

"You've forgotten everything else, but you remember this very clearly, right? Why don't you remember how many times I've treated you to meals!"

"But you always treated them at the officers' mess!"

"So the food in the officers' mess isn't food anymore? You didn't pay for it, did you? Spit it out, you brat!"

"Captain Cuvatoro, come help me! I'll help you beat him up again next time we fight!"

"Here he comes, Amuro! We made a deal: if you hit him, you can't hit me anymore!"

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm calling for help!"

Upon hearing Makarius's call, Matsunaga Makoto, who had an inexplicable sense of following Amuro, immediately joined the battle. Then Jung, and even Heinzper, rushed over and began to lift Makarius, spread his legs, and slam him against a tree.

However, everyone knew that Makarius would have to speak later, so they didn't put in too much effort.

After enjoying these pleasant few days, as one Midia transport plane after another landed on the runway at Torrington Air Force Base, the smiles on everyone's faces gradually faded.

After the brutal elite civil war, the pilots at the combat skills center finally had a chance to catch their breath, especially those pilots who had been repeatedly wiped out by those few top-ranked pilots. At this moment, they wished they could rush onto the runway and hug the ordinary pilots who were still sitting in the transport plane seats and cry together.

"Great, finally some new sandbags!" However, the ordinary pilots on the transport plane had no idea how much the elite pilots expected them. They thought they would become stars in the military after graduating from the California Mobile Suit School, but they never expected that they would be able to enter the school again with their luggage.

In particular, Lieutenant Hiroshi Uraki, who was directly assigned to North America after graduating from military academy, became a pilot in the Federal North American Forces due to the change in timeline. His current visit was also due to the recommendation of his superior captain.

According to his superior commander, Lieutenant Uraki Hiroshi has a good foundation in driving, but lacks experience and strong mental fortitude. If he can overcome these problems, becoming an elite driver will not be a problem!
So, with a letter of recommendation, the clueless lieutenant was sent to Torrington Base with his luggage.

"We've arrived. You bunch of pumpkins, get the hell out of here!"

Once the transport plane came to a stop, the pilots yelled at everyone and kicked them out, a stark contrast to their gentle attitude during takeoff. This difference drew boos from the ordinary pilots.

However, they soon couldn't breathe anymore because the airflow from the transport plane's engines rushed in, making it impossible for them to open their eyes.

Then, before everyone could even register the ringing in their ears, the military police from the Combat Technology Center began using loudspeakers to shoo people away.

"You bunch of good-for-nothings, have you forgotten everything you learned in military school? Don't you know how to line up? I'll go find a herd of cows in the next town; they'll stand in much neater formation than you!"

"And you, carrying so much luggage, what, do you think this is your home?"

However, the chaos quickly subsided. After all, these pilots were all graduates of military academies and would be considered talents even in regular troops. So, after being scolded by the military police, everyone consciously completed their formation.

"Captain Baninger, it's all yours!"

"Yes!"

Norris was appointed as the base's chief instructor. Although he was a former Zeon soldier, he was doing quite well among the Federation pilots. He was strict with himself, cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and had his own strict but excellent work style. Most importantly, he didn't have any Federation blood on his hands, so no one objected when Macarius appointed him as the base's chief instructor.

Norris lived up to expectations, becoming the strictest father to everyone in the entire base. After all, when he checked the dormitories, he really meant it – if he said he'd lose a blanket, he really would. And if he found a hidden bottle of liquor, he would confiscate it.

Seeing the somewhat crooked formation despite their best efforts, Captain Shosbaringer, a veteran of the One Year War who had been personally transferred by Makarius, who was in direct command of these ordinary pilots, immediately unleashed a powerful attack on them.

"Everyone, put down your luggage, the 5km cross-country run is about to begin!"

"???"

"Aren't we mobile suit pilots?"

Standing next to Lieutenant Uraki Hiroshi was Lieutenant Chakgis, Uraki Hiroshi's friend from military school, who had also been relegated to the military academy. When he heard the order to run, he also looked utterly desperate.

"But there aren't any mobile suits now!"

Seeing that the queue had already started moving, Hiroshi Uraki could only pat his friend on the shoulder and then start following the queue closely.

Everyone understands that the purpose of this five-kilometer run is not to make them run, but to train their obedience.

Moreover, they were aware that the queue was not standing neatly, and even if they didn't know, there were people in the queue who had quietly reminded them.

As a result, the running group instantly became organized and disciplined, and Baninger nodded in satisfaction.

After the five-kilometer run, he generously gave the pilots some rest time. There were also salt tablets and water dispensers prepared in advance next to the queue for the pilots to replenish their energy.

Seeing that they had rested enough, Baninger made a gesture, and an officer immediately blew the assembly whistle.

The pilots, who had already suffered a loss, immediately jumped back into line and stood ramrod straight again without needing to be told.

"Good. I'm planning to have you run another five kilometers. As long as the formation isn't neat, keep running until it is. Understand?"

"understand!"

"Hmm, that's quite imposing!"

Baninger rubbed his ears, which were still a little numb from the vibration, and then continued.

"But having a strong presence doesn't mean anything. This is the Mobile Suit Combat Skills Center, so everyone's skills will be the deciding factor. Therefore, everyone, stand at attention!"

Next, Norris, dressed in a federal army uniform but without shoulder insignia, entered the arena.

"Welcome to the Pezen Combat Technology Research Center. I am your chief instructor, Norris Baccard, a former Zeon officer!"

"You may be curious, angry, or even resentful that a Zeonian like me could be your chief instructor!"

Norris looked at the crowd and then gave a very strange smile.

"So, I'm giving you a chance, a chance for me to get out of here as soon as possible!"

"Tomorrow, the base will prepare a machine for each of you, along with corresponding supplies and ammunition, as well as a standard tactical map! The area isn't large, just over a hundred kilometers!"

"I will be waiting for you at the marked location on the map. As long as anyone arrives at the marked location in their mech and hits my mech with your special ammunition, then I will quickly roll out of the base right in front of you!"

"Of course, I'm not the only one participating in this operation. Some of my friends are also involved. Some of them have even been retired for several years. They will pilot their mechs in any area on the map to intercept you. Those who are destroyed will have to do two hundred push-ups, two hundred sit-ups, and a three-kilometer armed cross-country run when they return to base!"

"If none of you can destroy me, then I will stay in this base and torture you mercilessly. So, do you want me to leave?"

"miss you!"

Norris's response was a resounding roar.

“Very well, then I’ll be waiting for you there tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to that moment!”

(End of this chapter)