AQUA8 BASE
Attention, attention! You are entering Aqua8 military base. This base is strictly off limits to civilians.
GENERAL CALDER
I am General Calder, the head of Aqua8. I am in charge of the creme de la creme of Ararat. Only the finest and most capable swimmers are selected for a career in this distinguished service.
As Cape Harmony’s one and only defence force, Aqua8’s main role is to patrol the shores and the hill perimeter to defend Ararat against foreign threats, such as FRS rebels. Aqua8’s role is so important, that I often oversee the training of our fine new cadets myself.
Officially, Aqua8 are a rescue and defence force. During storms, patrols ensure that the Flood defences are working. They ensure that the population are safe. They rescue straggler that got caught in sudden storms during Blue Outs.
On an everyday basis, Aqua8 protect civilians from rebels and insurgents that threaten society from within and without. In recent years, it has also fallen to Aqua8 to defend Cape Harmony’s shores from the ‘Aquatic Other’ that lurks in the depths of the ocean.
Unofficially, Aqua8 have a dual role as the Governor’s military police and secret service. Individuals who express anti-governments views are detained by Aqua8, interrogated or sent to one of Cape Harmony’s labor camps. Unless the matter is brought before the council by one of Ararat’s esteemed council members, Aqua8 do not need the councils’ or the Governor’s approval for any of these actions.
BARRACKS
Who's Who in Aqua8
The Individual Units
The A8C
Aqua8’s recruitment unit. Eden’s top swimmers between the ages of 14-16 who show potential as military candidates are recruited into the A8C.
The first two months in the A8C are a trial period. During this time it is determined whether a candidate has potential for a career in the military. Determining factors include physical strength, willpower and discipline. Those who fail the two month initiation period, leave Aqua8 and follow civilian careers.
Those who pass the two month initiation period remain in the A8C for a maximum of two years. They participate in military drills and training exercises. Exercises take place thrice per week, after regular school hours, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In addition, must complete a navigation theory course, which is run on Thursdays.
Within those two years, members of the A8C are closely monitored to determine whether they will join the ranks of Junior Cadets or the ranks of the Sea Warriors. Once it has been determined which unit a recruit will join (Junior Cadets or Sea Warriors) they don’t need to complete the full two years in the A8C, but can progress when they are deemed ready and are at least 16 years of age. *In special cases, candidates may progress before the age of 16. Note: An A grade is needed in navigation theory in order to be considered for the Junior Cadets.
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The Sea Warriors
The Sea Warriors are Aqua8’s future Officer Combatants. Students who show potential to become Officer Combatants join the Sea Warriors at age 16. No high academic qualification is needed to become a Sea Warrior. Participants must show physical strength and discipline. Sea Warriors participate in military drills and training exercises. Training takes places twice a week, after regular school hours, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition, Sea Warriors must attend the school gym twice a week during school lunchtime.
At the end of their final school year, members of the Sea Warriors must pass a physical exam before they can progress to a lifelong career as an Officer Combatant.
Note: Students who are put forward for a leadership role in any civilian sector, following their career exams, are not eligible for a career as an Officer Combatant
The Junior Cadets
The Junior Cadets are Aqua8’s future ranking officers. They are Aqua8’s future leaders. Students join the Junior Cadets at age 16. Recruits are chosen based on their academic success as well as their physical abilities. An average grade B is needed in order to join the Junior Cadets. To remain in the Junior Cadet force, students must also achieve an A in all of the following subjects in their career exams and graduation exams: Mathematics, Hydrostatics, Physics, Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Sciences.
Junior Cadets participate in difficult drills that push them to their physical and mental limits. They also participate in advanced battle scenarios that help them develop leadership skills. Training takes place three times a week, after regular school hours, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Upon completion of their final school year, students must pass a physical exam before they can progress to a lifelong career as ranking Aqua8 officers.
Note: Students need to be put forward for a career in Aqua8 in their career exams in order to become a ranking officer. Students who are put forward for multiple career options in the civilian and military sector may indicate a personal preference. The student’s file is then reviewed by the school career panel, to determine which career path is dominant. The panel’s choice is final. Where the school panel can reach no decision, the matter is put before the council. The council’s choice is final.
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Ranking Officers
One of the most prestigious jobs on Ararat. Ranking officers are the leaders of Aqua8. All ranking officers start out as Second Lieutenants. From there they get promoted to First Lieutenant. The most skilled ranking officers become Captains, Majors, Colonels—and even have the potential to, one day, become General of Aqua8. Ranking officers fulfill important roles, such as: leading and organising rescue operations during storms, investigating anti-government activities, locating and arresting rebels and other threats, monitoring variant activities, monitoring FRS activities, leading the training of the Junior Cadets, Sea Warriors and A8C.
Note: Retired Ranking Officers often continue to do their duty as private security guards for companies such as Galileo Tecc, Goldstein Ventures, Mortlake, etc.
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Officer Combatants
Officer Combatants are essentially the enlisted ranks, the lower ranks of Aqua8. Because all citizens on Ararat have ‘Elite’ status, Officer Combatants are still referred to as ‘officers’. The jobs of Officer Combatants include: patrolling the perimeter, operating the lighthouse, security at the FRS, patrolling the Flood Barriers, suppressing civilian unrest and rebel activities, supervision at Labor Camps, the Red Earth site, Eden Academy, the Mall, etc., participation in the training of the Junior Cadets.
Note: Retired Officer Combatants often continue to do their duty as FRS guards, conducting patrols along the barbed wire fence and on the flood barrier or undertaking search and rescue missions during Blue Outs.
OFFICES
Who Does What in Aqua8
The General
The General is in charge of the entire Aqua8 base and all of its members. And in charge of the security of Cape Harmony protecting the people from any threat from within or without Ararat Heights. The General is a member of the Council and works closely with the Governor.
Captains
Each Major has about 6 Captains assigned to him/her. Captains are mostly in charge of training, operations and security
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Training is split into: physical, weapons, boat, pool arena
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Operations are split into: sport operations, communications
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Security includes: facility security, prison security, force protections security
The Colonels
Right below the General are the Colonels. One Colonel is Calder's immediate second. The others are in charge of all the below sections:
- Operations
- Training
- Security
- Vehicles
- Administration
- Facilities
- Prison
First Lieutenants
First lieutenants have a variety of jobs. They work with the Captains assisting them in the various roles. Taking charge of squads of Officer Combatants, for more important missions together with a Captain is also the job of First Lieutenants.
The Majors
Each Colonel has one or two Majors working for him/her in the same sections.
Second Lieutenants
Second Lieutenants have similar jobs to first Lieutenants. They work with Captains and First Lieutenants assisting them in the various roles. T`hey help First Lieutenants in leading squads, and they assist and join training exercises.
The Armory
Choose your Aqua8 Weapon
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Combigun - MX-6
In service: 237-Present
Manufacturer: Galileo Tecc
Barrel Length: 120 mm
Cartridge: 9mm bullet stun dart
Effective firing range: 60 m 30 m
Max firing range: 120m 50 m
Replaced: Combigun MX-5
Pistol - AquaStrike A3
In service: 230-Present
Manufacturer: Galileo Tecc
Barrel Length: 125 mm
Cartridge: 9mm
Effective firing range: 50 m
Max firing range: 100m
Replaced: Amphibian A1
Speargun - Submergo X1
In service: 239-Present
Manufacturer: Goldstein Ventures
Barrel Length: 55 cm
Cartridge: 95 cm length spear
Effective firing range: 8 m
Max firing range: 14 m
Replaced: SubAegis SF-6
Harpoon gun - DepthMaster D10
In service: 226-Present
Manufacturer: Goldstein Ventures
Barrel Length: 90 cm
Cartridge: 20 mm harpoon
Effective firing range: 100 m
Max firing range: 200 m
Replaced: --
Rifle - Mariner's Edge M-14
In service: 237-Present
Manufacturer: Goldstein Ventures
Barrel Length: 420 cm
Cartridge: 20 mm harpoon
Effective firing range: 550 m
Max firing range: 700 m
Replaced: Trident T27
Rifle - Mariner's Edge M-14
In service: 237-Present
Manufacturer: Goldstein Ventures
Barrel Length: 420 cm
Cartridge: 20 mm harpoon
Effective firing range: 550 m
Max firing range: 700 m
Replaced: Trident T27
Knife - HydroBlade HB2000
In service: 233-Present
Manufacturer: Galileo Tecc
Blade length: 18 cm
Special Feature: Full tang
Material: Alloy steel
Weight: 0.7 lb (320g)
Replaced: HB1000
The Pool
Scuba Diving
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You, too, can dive into Naya’s world! Scuba diving is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore the oceans and spend time below the surface. The reefs, the colors, the fish—even cool underwater statues are only some of the reasons why Scuba Diving is great.
Diving also trains your flexibility and strength. And at the same time as giving you that adrenaline rush of doing something cool and unusual, it can actually be very stress relieving, almost meditative. Underwater, you are weightless, floating. There’s just the sound of your breath and the rhythmic movement of the waves.
You might come across amazing things to see. Colorful fish in the tropics. Or even ancient ruins of cities and sunken wrecks.
The depth to which you can dive is usually determined by the level of your qualification. Most beginner certifications allow you to dive to a maximum of 10-18 meters depth (depending on certification program). A more advanced qualification can get you to 30 meters depth. The maximum depth for recreational scuba diving is 40 meters.
Depending on your level of qualification you can take part in all sorts of activities, including underwater clean-ups and conservation. You can volunteer in coral restoration projects and marine animal protection missions. Or you can become a citizen scientist and submit marine debris data through programs like PADI AWARE.
Jobs
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You can even turn your passion into a profession:
If you progress from beginner diver to divemaster you can become an instructor. Being a diving instructor can take you to all sort of exotic places. If you like the idea of being surrounded by the sea, sun and beaches all your life, it’s a great career option to explore.
Other jobs that can involve scuba diving include:
Conservation biologist
Marine biology
Underwater archaeology
If these job interest you, a background in science, especially biology or in archaeology, are a good starting point.
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How to get Qualified?
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Here are some of the top diving organisations and certification programs:
PADI - PADI dive centers are in more than 180 countries around the world and it is estimated that 70% of all dive certificates in the world are issued by PADI.
CMAS- founded by the well known underwater explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. CMAS have expanded in the last decades and now have a presence in more than 130 countries worldwide.
SSI - founded in Colorado, United States. It is present in more than 110 different countries
BSAC - BSAC is the organization that regulates diving within the United Kingdom
SDI - one of the newest organisations with centres in more than 100 countries
NAUI - one of the oldest organisations, with a headquarter in California
RAID - Founded in Sweden. An organization with an ecological philosophy.
Which organisation is best for me?
When choosing the organisation it is important to know your goal. If you only want to dedicate yourself to recreational diving, possibly any of the mentioned organizations will work for you. If your goal is to travel and have different diving experiences in different places, it is very positive that you have valid and internationally recognized certifications. If you want to venture into more advanced or specialised courses, you should evaluate the training structure.
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The Cost
One downside of scuba diving is the cost. In Greece, in 2023, the prices for an Open Water Certification can range between 400-500 euro. Each additional qualification costs extra.
If you’re looking for a less expensive option to explore the underwater world, snorkeling or freediving are a good alternative to dive into the oceans and their marine environment. All you need is a mask and a snorkel!
Sources:
https://blog.padi.com/how-learning-to-dive-can-help-you-save-the-ocean/
https://www.scubacaribe.com/other/benefits-of-scuba-diving/#:~:text=Scuba diving improves your concentration,as you explore the underwater.
https://www.costaricadiveandsurf.com/scuba-diving-organizations-certification-programs/
THE TRAINING GROUND
Naya's Daily Training
20 sit-ups
20 push-ups
5 pull-ups
1 Mile Run
Duke's Top 10 favorite real world Sports & Activities
1. Paintball
2. Lasertag
3. Krav Maga
4. Kickboxing
5. Boxing
6. Olympic shooting
7. Martial Arts
8. American Football
9. Ninjitsu
10. Go Karting
Do the Junior Cadets exist for real?
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Not in the way described in Blue Out. But in some countries the navy and/or army do have youth programs. In the UK, teenagers can also become cadets for the fire department or the police. Most UK programs are charities, designed for teenagers or younger kids to develop leadership skills and also have some fun. In some cases, participation can lead to extra qualifications, such as a sailing qualification with the RYA (Royal Yachting Association), the Duke of Edinburgh Award, or navigation or First Aid training. Sometimes the youth programs also organise summer camps in addition to the regular events.