The final consensus with the Instructors was that they would grade the exam as a standard class exit exam, and then all future examinations would be done on the special forces training standards. If General Tennant believed his students were up to this, they would take his word for it, and he would take the fallout if the students failed.

"Good morning Cadets. As you know, today is exam day. In honor of that, I have prepared a special surprise for you. A new course, simulating a proper battlefield with enemy Mecha and everything. You've got three hours to complete the search and destroy mission, and it's a team course, so take your time, remember what I taught you and you will be all ready for your exams.

Remember, nothing under 90 percent accuracy will satisfy me, so don't get sloppy and just start shooting everywhere. Now go, have fun and I'll order lunch when you're nearly finished."

The two Cadets share a happy glance as they get into their simulators. Getting to run a proper simulated battle before this afternoons exam is the best reward they could have hoped for.

They looked up the Third Year Advanced Class exams, and they had both been better than that the day they arrived at the academy. They're guaranteed to ace that exam.

"Don't you think it's a bit unethical to keep from the students that he's modified their exams and that they're taking them now?" One of the observers asks the assembled grading team.

"It's a psychological trick to keep their nerves from affecting the outcome, you'll see, they're going to do just fine." One of the teachers explains to him, laugh lines wrinkling around his one good eye as he smiles.

The chosen battlefield is one of the final exam standard courses, an urban landscape against rebel Mecha. The goal of the mission is for the two person team to make it to the rendezvous point alive and eliminate ten of the enemy Mecha.

The exam is graded on the time taken, damage taken and shooting efficiency. Less than an hour and a half is a perfect time score, while 50 percent Mecha durability remaining and 70 percent on target accuracy are passing scores in their category.

A bit below the grade in one category can be balanced out to an overall pass, but they all understand that the General won't see it that way, as he has informed the Academy that he wants these Cadets for the Special Forces.

Max and Nico watch as the scenario boots up, seeing on the mission map that the pickup point is on the far east side of the city, directly opposite them. They only get to look at the mission map before they start, as scrambled radar is part of all exams, but that's enough for the two. Their memories are good enough they both have the basic layout of the area memorized before the countdown starts.

"You take lead, I've got covering fire." Nico suggests as the timer starts and they can pick their weapons.

Both go for the heavy Ion Cannon, in their opinion the best of the options available, while Nico adds a second Ion Cannon for her off hand and Max picks a shield.

The shield doesn't count towards Mecha damage taken, so the point man can draw some fire and take it with the shield to pull enemies into the open. You just have to be careful not to let your Mecha itself get hit.

The timer reaches zero and Max begins to lead the way through the city. Most Cadets would go for the main roads, because it's easier to handle the Mecha and harder to get ambushed on them, but Max goes for a narrow side street.

He's identified the most likely places for enemy Mecha to be set up, and this road should lead them in behind where the defenders are watching the main roads. Line Mecha aren't particularly quiet, but the scenario is filled with the sounds of an ongoing battle, mostly covering their rubber padded footsteps as they make their way though the narrow alley to the first likely defense point.

Max's call was exactly right, there are four line Mecha there, all with their backs to the alley. On his signal, Nico puts Ion blasts into the back cooling systems of two Mecha while he gets a third. The final Mecha turns around at the incoming fire, only to take a round to the cockpit's Armored window, killing the pilot instantly.

[That's four, move back into the alley, I think I hear a patrol.]

They both move just out of sight until the footsteps get close. A two Mecha patrol has found their ruined allies. when Max hears one of them lean forward to check the damage on the fallen Mecha, he steps out into the open, blasting the power core of one Mecha from the top vents while Nico again goes for the cockpit.

[That's six. It's like fishing from a barrel.] Max jokes before leading the way down another side street to where he thinks another defense point might be.

"Incredible, six shots for six kills, every one into a critical weak point. Not only skilled, but utterly ruthless. Not many pilots think to aim for the visual targeting slot and destroy the cockpit." Colonel Black commends the performance so far.

"Aren't they a bit too aggressive though? They only need ten kills before reaching the exit, and they've gotten six in the first few blocks." the observer asks.

"Ten minimum. There's no limit on total kills, except that you need to make the exit point in time. They're still keeping a good pace towards the exit, so unless they get turned around they should be fine."

The second point isn't on the side street like Max thought it would be. They've actually set up a barricade in the middle of an intersection, with six Line Mecha and a collection of burnt out transports.

[That's a bit tougher than expected. Got any good ideas?] Max asks.

[Parking garage, over there. we'll have to crawl or climb the side wall to get up top, but it's got a good concrete barricade and the advantage of height.]

[You take the high ground, Signal me when you're ready and I'll cause a diversion.] Max agrees.