More News From Exile's Song

This is Jack "Easy Rider" Smith. We're here today because an old friend of mine, Randy Taylor has allowed me to come to clan Exile's Song training grounds to show the world that they do not enslave or force young people to fight for them. They gladly join. The facility I'm appears more like a school. I thought it would be more "military'like". All of a sudden a bell sounds. Seconds later the door bursts open and young people fill the halls but as quickly as the halls had filled, they were empty again. "Hey you! Young man! Where has everyone gone in such a hurry?", Jack shouted as the boy runs by. "Lunch!" he yells out as he skitters off down the hall. "Well guys, let's go check it out." as Jack makes his way down the hall. There are about 100 young people gathered in a massive hall ranging in age from 12 to 20 years old. There are only a handful of older kids - maybe a dozen if that. As Jack moves around the hall, he notices one of the students sitting by himself at one of the tables. Jack takes a position at the front of the hall and shouts out, "Hey, who wants to do an interview for the net?" The young kids jumps at the opportunity. After hearing how much they all love it here, Jack calls it quits.

 "That's a wrap boys. Lets pack the main gear up ... Just leave the small hand held out. I'm curious about something." Jack corners one of the older boys and asks, "Who is that guy in the corner sitting all on his own?" The young man replies, "Oh, that's Woody." "What's his story? Why is nobody sitting with him?" The young man explains that he's a "richy rich". "What's that?", Jack questions. The young man takes a seat. "Well, he came from a rich family. You see, all of us come from poor families ... orphanages, and some right off the street. He's an outsider. Don't get me wrong, he's well respected as a Mech pilot. Everyone just expects him to quit and return home when it gets tough. Personally, I think he's one of us at heart. I tell ya, he's not the smartest or strongest, but when he's in a Mech, WATCH OUT ... he has no fear. He may not come in first but he's always pushing his way up. He never gives in. He's all heart. I'd go into battle with him any day." Jack nods," Sounds like you admire him." "Yeah, I guess I do ... but don't tell the guys I said that. I'd never hear the end of it. Well, gotta go .. bye."

As the young man gets up the bell sounds again. All the kids scamper off to their classes. Jack turns to the camera and says, "Well, it seems being privileged doesn't pay off all the time. This is Jack "Easy Rider" Smith with more insight on the Mech pilot to be." As Jack is just about to leave, Randy stops him to say goodbye. "Hey Jack... Did you get what you were looking for?" he asks. "Yeah, I guess I did. Can I ask you something?" Sure, what is it Jack?" "That young fellow, Woody ... he's having a rough go of it isn't he?" "Did he tell you that?", Randy asks. "No ... one of the older students did." "Woody is a solid Mech pilot..." Randy explains. "Just recently he and his clan mates in Song ... they won Gold in the Clan Wars XV111 event. We're proud of all our young men. The clan is family when it gets tough. In Exile, we all stick together and you can take THAT to the bank." "Thanks Randy. Hey, could I come back some time to follow up on the story?" Jack inquires. "Sure thing bud - You're always welcome here. Take care."

Submitted by Woody Walter Tooley#766360