The door to Nexus’ office opened a few minutes after “welcoming” the new recruits to the academy. Nexus groaned as he entered his office. Dust Storm was there setting photos on his desk when he walked in. She looked up at him as he removed his helmet and hung it on the coat rack.

“So, it sounds like the prisoner is taking authority well.” Dust said sarcastically. “Your Canterlot voice is getting better.”

“Thanks Dusty.” Nexus said kissing her cheek. “I think it still needs some work.”

“What do you plan on doing about him?”

“I have a fair idea.”

After the long orientation, involving running, and several hour classes on combat strategy, the Sergeant was leading him down a massive hall in the center of the main building of the academy. He was sure Commander Nexus was about to chew him out again. The Sergeant told him to wait outside the office. The letters on the glass had been scratched off but he could still read what had once been there.

Capt. Shining Armor
Captain of the Guard

Ephialtes rolled his eyes and waited patiently for the door to open again. Once inside the Sergeant left and shut the door behind him. Commander Nexus only looked up at him from the paperwork he was working on for a moment before returning to it, ignoring Ephialtes. Ephialtes sighed. He stood up straight and put his right hoof up to his brow.

“Sir!” he shouted.

“At ease.” Nexus said now looking up from his papers. “I see you’re learning how things work around here.”

“Albeit unwillingly.”

“You should also know that whether I say “at ease” or not, you don’t speak unless I say so. Got it?”

“Ye-Sir yes Sir!”

“Good. Now, from what Sergeant Clover has told me, you are in great shape, have trouble with authority and enjoys smart ass comments to anyone that listens. Any sane Commander would boot you right now. You wanna know what I’m thinking?”

“Sir, no Sir.”

“As you know, there is more then one guard faction. And I’m head of one of them. Do you know where we get our soldiers Private?”

“Sir, no Sir.”

“We pull the best of the best. And guess what, none of those stuck ups you were standing with a few hours ago didn’t make my cut. Do you know why?”

“Sir, no Sir.”

“Because they aren’t asking questions. Your question is “why am I here?”. Well, you’re here to get your ass out of trouble. Like it or not being apart of the crowd isn’t going to help you. Get to the Lunar building tomorrow morning at 0300.”

“Anything else?”

Commander Nexus glared up at Ephialtes for a moment before he added a sir to the end of that .

“Yes. Return to your barracks before curfew and be ready at 0300.”

“Yes, Sir!”

“As you were.”