Chapter Text
“Well shit. Why does it have to be me?”
That was the very first thought that Commando Regiment cadet RC/C.Sgt-2335 Jaeger – real name Raleigh Morrison – had when he was told that he would be assigned to U.A High School and attend the same classes with Class 1-A. It will be known that he is a “ foreign exchange student” (a simple term for ‘unwanted deadweight') from the MacArthur-Harling Military Academy at the Sarushima Shatterdome (“‘shatterdome’ being another overrated, random term for ‘offshore large military command complex’”).
Actually, the military base isn’t even called a “shatterdome”; it’s real name is the Sarushima Joint Allied Base, but because of it’s ginormous exterior appearance and gargantuan interior complex, Raleigh just calls it a “shatterdome”. Only Raleigh calls this base a "shatterdome"; no one has ever used or heard of anyone using the term "shatterdome" before. Where or how he came up with that term was anyone's guess.
It will be known to the students there that ‘Jaeger’ intends to study and train alongside Class 1-A, considered to be the top hero class in all of Japan. This “foreign” exchange program was part of the agreement that U.A. and the military officials at the Joint Allied Base made when the military petitioned the Japanese government to allow their best cadet to train with the future heroes – and later on heroes training with the military – for the purpose of future interoperability.
In short, Raleigh’s presence as a "foreign" exchange student at U.A. High is a trial run to see if today's and future pro heroes are willing to work together with the military and vice versa.
Raleigh was sitting inside a colonel's office, listening attentively to what his new life would look like for the next one year. On the right side of the commando was an oversized schoolbag containing all the school supplies that he would need, while his left side contained two suitcases: one carrying his civilian and U.A. school uniform, and another containing his commando armor, military equipment, and (against the advice of the military) small firearms. Across from him was Colonel Jerome Apollo Walters and Colonel Tom C. Kuszarek, all donning the attire of high-ranking military officers.
Colonel Walters is an African-American well into his thirties, with black curly hair and sporting a black mustache. But even in his late thirties, Colonel Walters has a well-built body that resembles one of the most prolific boxers of the 1970s and 1980s.
Colonel Kuszarek is a Scottish-American that’s also in his thirties, but appears much younger than the senior colonel. Sporting auburn hair and a thick beard and mustache, he is well-known throughout the Pan-Pacific Republic military as the commanding officer and advisor to Fenrir Squad, the most recognized and elite commando squad in all of the Special Forces Command.
Both colonels were responsible for overseeing Raleigh’s transition from the military academy into U.A. High School, briefing him with everything that he needs to know about the “foreign” exchange program, the school, and – more importantly – the students in Class 1-A.
“Now Sergeant Morrison, I understand that all this may be overwhelming, because the students there are… more special than you are,” said Colonel Walters, “But I’m sure that you’ll get along with them just fine.”
Raleigh simply just nodded “yes”, but really; he was not enthusiastic about the whole idea of a commando training alongside with hero students.
“They got powers from their birth. All I got is… probably a gun, a taser, and five different fighting styles. Yeah, I’ll definitely get along with them just fine, if that means getting my ass handed to them and dying.”
“I agree, you should have no problems interacting with them,” Colonel Kuszarek added, “They’re all 15-years-old per the school report, and you’re what? 15-years-old as well?”
Raleigh again nodded “yes”, but only because he just wanted the meeting to end and just to get the one year of hell over with.
“Ok, so I’m the same age as these students. Big fucking deal. But how on earth does that explain why I was chosen to go to U.A. and train with those Quirk-filled brats?”
“We placed you at U.A. High School because you are the best candidate out of all the other cadets. The other cadets placed in the Gleipnir, Aigaion, Arkbird, Excalibur, Stonehenge, and Dragonet Companies just… didn’t meet both U.A. and our expectations,” Colonel Kuszarek explained, “This is a great honor indeed, and both I and Commander Leonidas Karnovosky of Fenrir Squad expected this high-level performance from you.”
Raleigh simply nodded “yes” for the third time and looked at the ground. Commander Leonidas Karnovosky, leader of Fenrir Squad, was his idol. He looked up to Leonidas as a role model of what the ideal commando and soldier of the Pan-Pacific Republic should be. Ever since Leonidas and the whole of Fenrir Squad saw the sheer resistance and hand-to-hand fighting prowess that Raleigh put forward when he fended off twenty other droids during the final test, Leonidas took him in as a part of Fenrir Squad and touted him as “his successor”. His squad mates approved of such declaration, though his automatic failure of the test could be a hinderance to his future in the military in the Commando Regiment.
It was Commander Leonidas Karnovosky that stepped in and took in Raleigh Morrison to train him as a commando as a part of Fenrir Squad, despite his failure of the final test that prevented him from advancing into the Commando Regiment. Despite the protocols stating that only those that passed the entrance test can become a part of the Commando Regiment in the military academy, the commander used various unknown loopholes in the protocol stating that the commando squad leader can choose whomever cadet in the Infantry Regiment they feel had any potential to become a commando to join their ranks and train them, automatically giving that cadet entrance into the Commando Regiment. This sponsorship was, however, extremely rare and the cadet must prove himself in many areas during his studies and training in the Infantry Regiment.
In short, the commander recognized that the final test was not a proper indicator of the true strength and willpower of any cadet wishing to serve in the Commando Regiment. Raleigh joining Fenrir Squad all happened because Commander Leonidas knew of Raleigh’s potential and realized that he would never succeed should he remain in the Infantry Regiment.
“To be named as Commander Karnovosky’s successor is quite an unexpected surprise, but a huge honor to me nonetheless. However, I gotta study and train alongside these brats, and I’m sure as hell that these ‘heroes’ will not be friendly towards me.”
All this – his failure of the final test and being taken into Fenrir Squad to commence commando training – took place ten months ago. Now Raleigh was about to embark on something that’s never been done before.
Raleigh is only 15-years-old, but his deep voice and physique can lead many people to mistake him for either a 17- or 18-year-old teenager. An American standing at surprisingly only 5’7” and weighing only 175 pounds, he was the ideal person to start training to become a commando. Appearance-wise, he has brown hair and blue eyes, and had a well-built body due to the stringent physical training he had to undertake as an infantryman. It’s no wonder that RC/C.Sgt-2335 got the nickname “Jaeger”; he had a physical physique to handle massive beatings and respond back in kind.
“Well, it’s time for you to head out to class,” says Colonel Walters, “I’m sure those in Class 1-A are dying to meet you, if their teachers have already told them that you’ll be with them for one year only. If not, then we’ll figure something out.”
“I’ll escort Sergeant Morrison to U.A. I have to meet with his homeroom teacher and Principal Nezu to formally introduce him to them. Sergeant Morrison, meet me at Hangar I.” Colonel Kuszarek adds in.
“Then it’s settled. Sergeant Morrison, good luck out there, and Godspeed.” said Colonel Walters.
“Godspeed indeed. I will not fail you.”
Raleigh, Colonel Walters and Colonel Kuszarek all rose from their seats and gave each other a salute. To Raleigh, this would be the final time on base; from this time onwards, he will officially be a member of Class 1-A as an exchange student. As Colonel Kuszarek left the office to prepare the necessary transportation from the military base to U.A., Raleigh picked up his schoolbag and his two suitcases, put on his Army officer's cap and headed out the door. Outside Colonel Walter’s office, Raleigh went down a long hallway towards a giant door. The doors slide open, revealing the base’s massive indoor military complex, akin to a giant cavern.
Soldiers went on with their daily duties, military trucks drove down the massive expanses of the complex, and squads of Pan-Pacific Army Leopard 2A7+ main battle tanks came rolling down from their garages to the training fields. A massive indoor shipyard complex was also present, housing several of the Pan-Pacific Navy’s destroyers and guided missile cruisers as they undergo repairs, weapons and oil replenishment, and upgrading. He expected to see a giant robot coming through the gates and taking its place in between the huge, open spaces, but alas, he was getting ahead of himself.
“Oi Raleigh!” a voice called out, “Hold up mate!”
Raleigh looked behind to see an older teenager come up to him. To no surprise, it was Herc Morrison, Raleigh’s older brother and a commando attached to the Special Forces Command's Aigaion Company. Herc stood at around 5’10”, also has brown hair and blue eyes, and wearing the signature bomber jacket that holds the Grim Reaper’s emblem and captain’s rank on the sleeves. He is currently the leader of the Strigon Commando Squad, one of the most effective commando teams the Pan-Pacific military has on base.
“Listen kid, I know that you don’t agree with all this, but trust me, everything is going to be alright.” said Herc.
Raleigh could only just look at his brother and nodded “yes”. He could just simply say something, say anything to show him that he is alright, but right now he’s not alright. He bore a neutral look on his face, but deep down inside him were the feelings of confusion and anger. The idea of him delaying his commando training for even one year for the sake to fostering ties with the “future pro heroes” on behalf of the military was bullshit. He couldn't forgive these “heroes” for taking away the influence of the military in national security affairs and reducing them to nothing but simple peacekeepers. Right now, he wanted to look at those Class 1-A brats and tell them to go jump off a bridge and die, while mentally preparing himself to fight them all off.
“Look, I know that deep inside you, you want to just want to prove that you’re number one, and to show your military pride against the backdrop of heroes, but now is not the time for such vengeful thoughts,” Herc continued, “We’re soldiers, not mercenaries. Only mercenaries fight for wealth and power. But we fight for country and citizen.”
Raleigh simply nodded “yes” with a small scowl.
“However, if you really want to show them who you really are, then go out there and show it,” says Herc, “Prove to them that you don’t need any Quirks to be a hero.”
Again, Raleigh could only just nod back at Herc’s advice.
“Good luck kid. If you need anything from me, Davinport, or Reznov, you know how to contact us. Besides, I don’t see what can go wrong.” says Herc.
Raleigh gave a nod and a salute, to which Herc saluted back to him. Raleigh looked at his older brother for the final time, then turned around and head towards Hangar I. This is the beginning of a new life for Raleigh Morrison, albeit a forced one.
“Everything can go wrong.”