The Phoenix Reborn Series. Book 1. The World Burns to Ashes

Lincoln Masters looked in the mirror as he readied for his graduation from the Military Academy that his life had become 8 years ago. He had long fought to train his mind and body to thrive on conflict, and as a result he was one of the most viscous Cadets that had ever graduated. Almost every one of his class mates had made the mistake of discounting what he was capable of. He however had a very different life than the rest of the Cadets he went to school with. Each Holiday break, they would return to their family homes, leaving him to be on the enormous campus entirely alone. It gave him opportunities that the other Cadets did not receive, and over the course of years put him at a permanent advantage over his classmates. He recalled the summer he turned 15, and his body had morphed while his classmates spent close to 3 months away. He smiled as he recalled his largest tormentor learning a valuable lesson once her returned. Aiden had a growth spurt, and had grown roughly 9 inches and had put on 30 pounds of lean muscle that was easily concealed by his uniform. He was stronger than ever, and had spent a lot of time in the gym and weight room that summer. It had also been the summer he had been placed under the supervision of the new martial arts instructor. Before the two had met, Lincoln had only taken the mandatory courses in hand to hand combat. While this would make him a dangerous threat in the civilian world, in the World of the Cadets it was the bare minimum to be able to protect yourself. After nearly 3 months of 12 hour a day training sessions, Lincoln was an expert in some of the most dangerous martial arts types there were. His growth spurt had also given him the chance to reform who he was, and he had indeed. The second day back that year Timothy Black had mistaken him for the new kid, and aggressively forced him to turn around after being ignored. 'Cadet Lieutenant Black, generally it is customary to salute a superior to greet them. Not to force them to turn and face you, what do you want?' He had asked with a sneer as he now towered over his bully by 4 inches. Timothy had to pick his jaw up off the ground before his two buddies approached, and the actual new kid came walking around the corner. He was the son of the new instructor, and Timothy and Lincoln had his advanced class together after lunch. Seeing this they took the opportunity to insult him, thinking he was still the same weakling as when they had left for the summer. "Cadet Captain Masters, you may be the favorite of the teachers, but we all know where the real power lies." Cadet Corporal Kirk sneered before Timothy could recover. Lincoln chuckled as he looked at how short his bullies seemed now, and he knew he had a good 15 pounds on the best of them, and atleast 3 inches. "Cadet Kirk, if I had wanted the opinion of a turd, I would have addressed you. Cadet Black, you can either give me a satisfactory answer for your rudeness now, or we can take the matter before the provost. Which will it be?" Lincoln asked with a smile at the trap he had just laid. "Why don't we just beat you and get it over with?" Timothy Black asked him in reply. Lincoln nodded as the Provost walked up behind the three of them and crossed his arms. "So now that you know it is me, you think you can do whatever you like because you could beat me before? You are aware I outrank you, and you forced me to turn so you could insult me?" Lincoln asked him. "Just like before, I will beat the crap out of you if you think I care one bit a piece of trash like you out ranks me." Timothy said balling his fist. "That is an interesting view Cadet Lieutenant Black, I will make sure we address that problem at your review next week." Provost Marshall said from behind them. "Cadet Corporals Kirk and Matthews, if you are not involved in this matter, I suggest you make yourselves scarce." he finished as their faces went white. They had just threatened a superior in front of their CO. "No need sir, we were just discussing the punishment the 3 of them were about to face. I believe we can settle this matter ourselves, as we have Martial Combat after lunch. Since they are so sure of themselves, let them face me in the ring. 3 on 1 should be fair enough odds." Lincoln said calmly looking directly at Timothy. Provost Marshall laughed as he had himself just learned that Cadet Masters had passed all the qualifications for Major, and had earned his 3rd degree black belt over the summer. He could technically be hired to teach the course himself now, and had been selected as an assistant instructor for Colonel Travis Young. "Very well Cadet Captain, I look forward to witnessing the lesson you provide these three. Perhaps it will be a lesson that they finally learn." Marshall said as he walked off. "Gentlemen, it has been a pleasure. If you will excuse me, I am about to be late for my class, as are you. We shall settle this in the ring." Lincoln said before the 3 of them stormed off. The memory of that match made him warm inside, as the entire Academy had been summoned to witness the spectacle of the three biggest bullies unable to even touch Lincoln. The three of them had ended up doing more damage to each other than Lincoln did to them, and the laughing stock of the school for nearly the entire year. That was when Lincoln had discovered they had been bullied since than, and he put a stop to it altogether. That lesson had been 5 of them forced to defend against every person they had bullied, all at once. And those people had been strictly instructed to only touch one of the 5. Within a minute the 30 victims had left them beaten, battered and bruised to the point it had taken a week for the one to stop urinating blood. He had almost been expelled for that one, and it had taken the actions of nearly a third on the student body to save him from that. The lesson however had been learned by the entire Academy after that, and bullying had become almost non existent. Lincoln looked in the mirror, and made sure that all of his pins and accolades were in their proper place, as he had set a record he was not even aware had existed before. He had learned 2 days ago that the rank after Cadet was not honorary, and as soon as they graduated they would be those ranks. Never before had a Cadet earned the rank of Colonel, and he would be the youngest commissioned Colonel as soon as the Ceremony was concluded. He had been given his pick of duty assignments, and as he had undergone the Special Forces Command as well the last 2 years, that is what he had chosen. Despite what most of the Officers had anticipated, he chose an active combat role over one that would ensure he survived a few years in the real Military. At 1300 hours he assembled with the other graduates, and quickly assembled them into formation as he was leading the Cadets in the ceremony. It was their chance to shine in front of a lot of brass, as Lincoln's achievement had attracted a lot of attention. As soon as they received the signal, they marched in perfect sync with each other, precisely executing the maneuvers expected as they were announced by Lincoln. He stopped them in front of the podium as required, the entire audience impressed about how technical the formations were. As well as how perfectly they had executed them. Provost Marshall stood at the Podium as he looked over the Cadets. "At ease Cadets. I welcome you as well as our honored guests from the branches of service that all of you will now join. Today we have many of those Officers with us, as we come to honor those that have decided to join our Nation's Armed Forces." the Provost said before continuing on with his speech and the others that were selected to address them all. For nearly two hours he listened intently as the Ceremony stretched on. The Provost stepping back up to the podium let them know that they had reached the commencement, and each of them would be promoted to the rank they had actually earned while in the Academy. Of course it was done highest rank to lowest. "It is always an honor each year to congratulate the Cadet who has earned the achievement of highest rank. It is usually followed by the announcement of the Valedictorian of the class. This year however, both distinctions belong to the same Cadet. Not only for this year, but on both counts there has never been a more highly decorated young man graduate from this illustrious institution, or one with a greater rank. Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Masters, please approach the stage." Provost Marshall ordered as three men with atleast 2 stars each on their shoulder stood and stood next to him. "Normally at this stage of a Cadets time here, they have attained the highest rank they can achieve. However 8 weeks ago Cadet Masters passed his latest evaluation with the highest scores ever attained by anyone undergoing the examination. Only this morning Congress finally authorized this promotion, and it is our greatest honor to bestow it. Attention to Promotion!" Provost Marshall ordered. Nearly as one, all of the Officers stood at attention, and the rest of the Cadets shifted position as well as Lincoln Masters stood at attention before the 4 men. "Cadet Masters, on behalf of the President of the United States of America, as authorized by Congress, you are hereby granted the rank of Colonel in the US Armed Forces. You are hereby granted all rights, priveleges and responsibilities of your new Rank." Provost Marshall said handing him the box with his Clusters, before all of them saluted him at once. Lincoln returned the salute perfectly, before each of them shook his hand congratulating him on his record achievement. Lincoln returned to his place as he was dazed at the results, as he believed he had ranked that last assessment. Before his scores had always been given to him quickly, as he had always passed the evaluations with ease. This time he had been told his scores had to be reviewed and certified, and he believed it to because he had failed. By the time they Commencement of 1250 Cadets was completed, he had recovered from the shock, and had replaced his rank insignia while he waited. "Officers, remove your Cadet Pins." Provost Marshall ordered and they did so nearly in unison. "Congratulations to the graduating class of 2035." As soon as the words left his mouth, most of the Cadets tossed their caps in the air, Lincoln however left the hall almost immediately. He encountered the one 4 Star General of the Army who had shaken his hand earlier, and saluted the man crisply. "Not attending the celebration?" General Hayes asked him curious. "No sir, I am not. I am eager to receive my assignment and depart actually." Lincoln replied knowing that the assignment ceremony would be decided upon within the hour. "Yes, I was looking for you to discuss that very thing. Generally the most prestigious assignments are meant for the average rank of the Graduating Cadets which is Lieutenant. Your rank is considerably higher, and less attuned for what is on the standard list. What is it you would like to do?" General Hayes asked him. "Sir, I wish to serve my country however I am best abled too. If you are telling me the Commissions on that list are for Lieutenants, where is it you need a Colonel?" Lincoln asked shocking the General. He considered it for a moment when he had an idea. "How familiar with the current conflict in Ukraine are you?" Hayes asked Lincoln. "I cannot say as I have kept abreast of the current situation, however I am aware that we are on heightened alert." Lincoln answered. General Hayes nodded as he knew what he wanted this man to do. "I understand you have spent the last two years in the Special Training Program, how would you like to command a FOB that will deploy to Ukraine in two months?" General Hayes asked. Lincoln nodded, knowing that it was indeed what he wishes to do. "I would be honored sir, and would strive to serve my country however I am best able too." Lincoln replied. "Excellent, as I said you will have two months. You will have 4,000 men under your command, and a good deal of your Officer Corp will likely be your class mates. Will there be any issues?" Hayes asked. "None sir." Lincoln replied. "Excellent, your company will be forming at Fort Indianapolis. You will be able to depart in 4 hours, and you will find roughly half of your men assembled there already. Most of your officers will arrive over the course of the week. Master Sergeant Dante Murphy is the current Officer stationed there." General Hayes said as he considered everything. "I will assign an assistant for you, amd have the files you need prepared. Your mission parameters will be included inside."