Soren-066: Difference between revisions

The second day of training began just like the first.<ref name="HTFOR4"/> The trainees spent the morning doing calisthenics and in the afternoon reported to Déjà to learn. This day, she taught them about the hunting strategies of [[Wikipedia:Wolf|wolves]] and emphasized the importance of the pack over the individual in accomplishing a challenge, such as taking down a [[Wikipedia:Moose|moose]]. When it came time for the "playground" again, Mendez declared that they were to keep the same teams they had the prior day. The teams had a brief moment to strategize, as the course had been made more complicated as compared to before.<ref name="HTFOR4"/> Three days later, on [[2517#September|September 28]], all the trainees were given haircuts.<ref name="HJ92817">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 28, 2517''</ref> On [[2518#May|May 24, 2518]], the children were forced at 0920 hours to run through a course while being shot at with [[paint pellet gun]]s.<ref name="HFORBC"/> Each trainee that was hit was made to do an exorbitant amount of push-ups.<ref name="HFORBC">''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'', ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''</ref>

{{Quote|Don't get distracted by irrelevant data. And above all don‘t let yourself get left behind.|Catherine Halsey gives Soren advice that stuck with him for years.}}<ref name="HEP2"/>

With the lived experience of surviving on his own on Dwarka, life on Reach in the Spartan camp seemed less of a challenge to Soren than it did to many of the other recruits.<ref name="HEP2"/> Camouflage became a way of life for him; he faded into the background when in groups, wanting neither to come to attention as one of the leaders nor to be seen as an outsider. He stuck to the anonymous middle. During the first year or so he spent as a trainee he found it exceptionally difficult to sleep since the sounds made by his bunkmates reminded him of his stepfather. He would sometimes wait until everyone else had fallen asleep and then slip slowly out of his bed to hide under it; sleeping in the damp, musty space near a wall where he felt safer. On one morning when he had failed to return to his bed before the others woke, the way they looked at him made him feel even less safe.<ref name="HEP2"/> As time passed Déjà taught he and the others [[Wikipedia:Algebra|algebra]], [[Wikipedia:Trigonometry|trigonometry]], and the history of numerous battles and the rulers they happened at the direction of.<ref name="HTFOR5"/> Human history classes included a module devoted to [[Earth]] in which they were shown images of [[Wikipedia:Whale|whale]]s.<ref name="HSS27">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 27''</ref> Through simulations the trainees learned to pilot various crafts, including the predecessors and variants of the [[GA-TL1 Longsword]].<ref name="HEP9">''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'', ''[[Pariah]]'', ''Chapter 9''</ref> These simulations even included what to do in the event of a crash landing.<ref name="HEP9"/> By mid-[[2519]], Soren had been taught how to string a trip line, fire a rifle, and treat a chest wound.<ref name="HTFOR5"/> Much of the Spartans' early training took place at [[Military Reservation 01478-B]], known as "Painland" to the soldiers made to endure exercises there.<ref name="HTFOR27">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 27''</ref> Training often involved obstacle courses and mock patrols, and Soren was quick to figure out the best ways through the former and could fade quickly into bushes and undergrowth while on the latter.<ref name="HEP2">''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'', ''[[Pariah]]'', ''Chapter 2''</ref> Mendez tricked, trapped, and tortured the children to the point where they hated, but then eventually, admired him.<ref name="HGOO6">''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', ''Chapter 6''</ref> Soren and the others regularly made covert treks to [[Camp Hathcock]] in the [[Highland Mountains]] to pilfer food and supplies.<ref name="HTFOR24">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 24''</ref> Training in the Highland Mountains was split between Painland, facilities within [[CASTLE Base]], and [[Highlands|another location]].<ref name="FS19">''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', ''Chapter 19''</ref><ref name="HRH">''[[Halo: Reach]]'', ''[[Highlands]]''</ref> At these locations, Soren and the others began to be tested against a company of [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|orbital drop shock trooper]]s in jungle maneuvers.<ref name="HSS7"/> Amazingly, the children, who averaged around eight years old, often won.<ref name="HSS7">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 7''</ref> By the time Soren and the rest had all reached that age they had already earned every combat rating.<ref name="HSS4">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 4''</ref> At some point during their training, Soren and the others accompanied Mendez to the colony of [[Emerald Cove]], where they were given a mission that involved spending time underwater.<ref name="HFS24"/> Mendez sabotaged half the air tanks provided to the trainees, and in response they ended up stealing his. Afterwards, they all ditched the Chief for a whole week while they camped on an island with nothing to do but light bonfires, eat [[Wikipedia:Clam|clam]]s and [[Wikipedia:Calamari|calamari]], and surf.<ref name="HFS24">''[[Halo: First Strike]], ''Chapter 24''</ref>