Open Imperial Army Barracks/Imperial Condos When Duty Calls Me I Must Go

[Perila Z. Mogul]

The ferret grinned at her, taking a moment in between his own physical efforts to give Rhana a wink.
"I know where I can get you one," he said, before making another jump and landing again. "If you're game."
The recruits were drilled 'til dusk.
They did stretches to keep their joints in shape, they performed a spear drill in which they moved and dealt blows in formation. They did crossbow training, including short and long range target practice and firing in formation- in which one rank would loose bolts, and then fall back to reload while the rank behind them replaced them.
By the time the sun slipped bloodied behind dark clouds and the temperature dropped, the recruits were soaked in sweat, some of them sagging in exhaustion, others shivering.
The Sergeant admonished them on the sorry state of their damp uniforms, congratulated them on their hard work, and then sent them back into the canteen for a meal of roast pigeon and whole baked potatoes before they were all sent to the barracks.
Rows of simple wooden double bunks each equipped with two simple, cheap Contemporary chests for private effects.
The room was scant of decor besides a massive banner of the Vulpine Imperium kepi, skull and crossbones draped on the farthest wall facing the doors, and the words painted above it:
"OUR LIVES AND YOURS, FOR THE IMPERIUM."
Outside was a clothesline, a scrubber and a washtub, and each recruit was expected to clean and hang their uniform before heading inside, wearing simple white tunics and breeches for underclothes.
The burly and defeated ferret Aginpole limped to his bunk whilst glaring daggers at Rhana, the rat Sulfer F. Todkin bunking above him and yawning widely.
The marteness Ames Gladdenberry leapt into a top bunk near the center, a weasel friend of hers bunking beneath her.
Skeered of Nothing Tomas and Thalia bunked together a few beds down from their marteness foe, speaking quietly before Tomas stretched, yawned with sharp fox fangs shining and said, "Sean in a ballroom gown, am I beat!" before stripping off her shirt and leaping into bed.
The Red Beret ferret shoved a rat aside and grinned again at Rhana, indicating a double bunk across the room and a couple bunks down from Aginpole and Todkin. "Real good bunks, right 'ere. Let's share 'em 'n' talk a while. Name's Fisher."
Aran, meanwhile, was running out of options quickly as bunks filled up. Only a few spots yet remained, including one in which he'd be in the top bunk directly under the banner, a lower bunk four bunks down from Tomas and Thalia, and another in which he'd be upper bunk right next to the wide-doored entryway.
"Thirty minutes before lights out!" The one-eyed stoat Corporal Colfax called, before slipping back outside to finish his cigarette.

 

[Aran Mateu Jan Vidal]

Aran Mateu had taken longer to scrub his uniform than most, treating it with care to rub with the weave and not against it, and that cost him in time to pick a bunk. His eyes scanned the options, dismayed by what he saw. If he bunked just under the banner, would it be seen as performative, given his country of origin? He could make as many enemies by being seen as a brownnoser as by being a rebel. There was also the matter of being on a top bunk versus a bottom bunk. Either one could be surrounded, but on a top bunk one could fend against any attackers from the high ground - but also have less capacity to flee and escape. There was always the position by the door, but any drafts that came through the door would be right on him, and if anyone left to use the outhouse, he'd hear the noise loud and clear.

While he was paused in contemplation, his inaction cost him the choice. The bunk nearest the door was claimed, as was the open position down from Tomas and Thalia. Reluctantly, Aran Mateu crossed the room, all the way to the bunk at the far end. The immaculate maroon uniform his father had made for him was stored in his chest, along with a small kit for maintaining his clothes. Perhaps, he reflected, he could make a few allies by repairing uniforms and darning socks.

With a short time left before lights out, Aran Mateu considered his options. Rhana, the stoat who had fought in the canteen earlier, was talking with that ferret who she'd spent the afternoon beside. If he went to Tomas and Thalia, would they try to rope him into taking revenge on that other pine marten? Maybe he should warn her about the threat against her instead, so she could prepare herself. He shook the thought free of his head. That would win him no friends and only make enemies. If he was to survive in this unit, to have a real shot at someday marching with this army into the next war against Alkamar, then he needed to prove himself a reliable ally.

He moved down the row of bunks, stopping next to Rhana - hovering, not turning fully into the conversation. "You did good today," he said softly. "Watch yourşelf tonight. That ferret, Aginpole, might come for revenge."