Part Five- The Ride And Arrival

Mech pilots weren’t chosen for being the bravest, for being the smartest or for being the best fit. They were chosen because they volunteered…and no one else did.

That didn’t mean that everyone that signed up was accepted. There were still minimum standards. Such as: physical ability, intelligence, resourcefulness and, most of all, sanity.

Sanity was key. They weren’t going to let you be in charge of enough firepower to level a city/state without making sure you wouldn’t actually level a city/state. Unless ordered to, of course.

So tests were designed. The biggest test: the ride to the mech base.

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Once a pilot candidate was singled out from their city state, they boarded a train to the mech base. This train was designed to do only two things: get the pilot candidate to the base and use every tool available to break that candidate before they got there.

Once on board, the candidate was secluded in a windowless passenger car. There was one seat only, bolted to the floor in the middle of the empty car.

The candidate would be instructed to strap in and remain strapped in until told otherwise.

They would be left that way for 24 hours.

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Most pilot candidates failed the first part of the test within six hours. It’s why the train never left the station until the first 24 hours were up.

Movement and sound would be simulated, making the candidate think they were on their way, but at no point would they be communicated or interacted with for the entire 24 hours.

If they undid a strap, moved from the chair, begged to be let out or just flat broke down, then the test was ended immediately, they were thanked and sent home.

The majority failed because they refused to piss their pants.

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If the candidate made it past the first test, then the train would start its long journey to the mech base.

This time the simulation was opposite. Instead of faking movement and sound, it faked stillness and quiet. The candidate would be told there was a mechanical issue and the train would be stopped for at least 24 hours, when in actuality it was moving at a steady clip of 85 miles per hour.

The candidate would be allowed to move about, to use the small latrine bucket provided and to eat from the ration packets attached to the chair.

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For the candidate, the train ride to the mech base was a four day trip, no matter where they were coming from.

The first day they are stuck in the station, but think they are moving.

The second day, they think they are stuck in the wasteland, but are actually moving.

The third day, they think they are moving, actually are moving and are given every opportunity to relax and ask questions. The train’s pilot and co-pilot are allowed to communicate with the candidate, as long as they stay on script.

The fourth day, the candidate thinks they will die.

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The third day of testing is merely designed to lull the candidate into a false sense of security. Ease their minds and put them off guard.

Then they are hit with the fourth day, the day they die.

The train never stops moving once it leaves the station, but the candidate believes it does on day two and four.

When they are told the train has been attacked on day four, they feel the attack. Every last blast, ricochet and concussion.

They are watched. Watched for how they react, how they try to help and how they try to escape.

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Once the train is in motion, the candidate will not be returned for any reason. They are on their way to the mech base and that is where they will be assigned and where they will stay.

Whether they become a mech pilot or not is the question.

The test is simple: if the candidate can figure out how to get out of the train car, they will become a pilot. If they don’t figure it out or don’t try, then there are plenty of other jobs at the mech base.

The fourth day weeds the pilots from the cooks.

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On arriving at the mech base, the candidate is stripped of his or her name. They are known only as the Rookie.

Only one Rookie is allowed at the base at a time. This keeps the confusion down and also keeps valuable resources from being drained or wasted by Rookie mistakes.

Until they are given back their name, they are the lowest on the totem pole.

Even if they are training as a mech pilot, they are above no one. From food service to maintenance, the Rookie is the base’s bitch.

Some make it just fine, some don’t. Most don’t.