Xandrian Stone 4: The Academy Part 3

by Christian Alex Breitenstein

  "What you said before makes a lot of sense. I decided to man up and get through this on the same level as you guys are forced to." He clapped my on the shoulder, smiling and evidently approving. Then we marched in silence. Yes, marched as opposed to shuffled like before. The speech of the navigator had obviously inspired us all. I filed that away as a very valuable lesson for the future.

  Half a long hour later we arrived at the Brick. Fortunately the airlock was open, so we all filed in, happy to escape the mercilessly burning star. Where Eden's light was nice and cozy on Eden 3-1, weak and cool on Eden 6-1 it was merciless and blinding on Eden 2. That was a valuable lesson in and on itself.

  The Commander welcomed us at the door and directed us to the game room. There, the Captain spoke to us: "Cadets, this concludes your round trip. You have learned many things, I am confident that you all will become valuable officers of the Swiss Federated Space Navy. Now we will bring you back to Eden 6-1 to enter into your advanced training. You will please stay here, refresh yourselves and communicate with each other. Any lesson learned is that much more valuable if you share it. Prime Cadet Stone, with me."

  I followed her, but we did not go to the bridge. "Commander, take us to Eden 6-1 if you please." The Commander nodded and went to the bridge while we were headed to the mess hall. The Captain ordered 2 glasses of water and we seated at one of the long tables, me feeling very small and kind of insignificant in the large room, all alone with the Captain. "What's the problem, Stone? You don't fear a dressing down, do you?" She looked at me, and before I could answer she continued. "You do! Because you were home last week or because of the mass shield?"

  "Well, both. Although the first part was practically ordered by the Commander."

  "It was. The Supreme Admiral asked us to do this to you, to as he said 'test the young man in a dangerous, surprising problem-solving situation'. Our healers were all geared up and ready, should you need assistance. When you fell, it was all I could do to convince them to not run out to you on foot." She chuckled. "I'll have to make amends later on. By the way, you got a souvenir on your forehead." I looked up automatically and swished my hand across my forehead, removing a couple of small stones that had not penetrated my skin on my fall but just stuck to my sweaty self.

  "Thanks. So I am not in trouble?"

  "Divine, no. You are here because of what you did with your shield. Tinting a shield is the final lesson in the academy. Most Shield Wizards can tint their shields just far enough for it to be visible, but not more. Matte black is something unheard of, I checked back with the Supreme Admiral." She took a small sip of her water. "Then I challenged him, I must admit. I wanted to know why you are still a cadet in the first place and why your ability with shield magic - and, for that matter, all the other colors - has not earned you an instant promotion to Lieutenant at least." She pointed at my shield ribbon. "You are the strongest shield in the fleet, probably with a comfortable margin. What you did to save us on Eden 3-1 should not have been possible for a single wizard."

  She sighed. "He gave me the weirdest answer: 'Tell the Prime Cadet that you are cleared for full disclosure, all officers ranked Captain and above are being informed. Have him scan you for this moment in our conversation so that he'll know it's real.' So, scan." I nodded and scanned gently.

  As she was a communicator we could solve the problem of secrecy easily enough. I used communications magic, just strong enough that she could hear it, and directed a thin stream of it at her. 'I see. Please nod if you can hear me.' She got big eyes and nodded. 'Sorry for this unconventional delivery, but this must remain secret for now. Encapsulate the memory of this with the utmost feeling of secrecy to ward against involuntary scans by sensors.' She nodded.

  'You may have heard of The Prophecy?' She nodded again, and her face suddenly got very serious. 'The Supreme Admiral and I both think that it might be about to come true. In fact, the Supreme Admiral seems to expect it now. It seems probable that The Prophecy is speaking about me. I sure hope that this is a false alarm, but I have the weirdest, strongest feeling that it is not and we are about to get trouble. That is why I did not receive a special promotion to Lieutenant right off Classification Day or a special promotion now. The Supreme Admiral and I both agree that is is better for me to go through the academy as cadet and learn as much as I can.'

  She mouthed "When?".

  'It might be today, it might be in ten years. Yes, it is frustrating, but we simply do not know.'

  She stuck her hand out. "Understood. Go back to the other cadets, tell them I congratulated you for your use of shield magic and thanked you again for saving our lives. Both of which I hereby do." She managed a small smile. "I believe some drills to increase this Brick's efficiency are in order." We shook, she took a big gulp from her water and headed out. I sipped and went back to my fellow cadets, with that light-headed feeling that always comes after a shock. All the captains and above were being informed? This had just turned very, very serious.

  I could only hope that I had time to finish the academy first.

  Chapter 3: ADVANCED TRAINING

  Advanced training saw us being split into 2 groups: The best 60 trained on the parade ground, while the others basically repeated basic training, but a bit fiercer. For us 60, every day was different to keep us thinking on our feet, apparently.

  Shields and weapons trained together, for example. Along the middle of the parade ground was a double row of little brick walls now, one meter high and long, made of sturdy bricks. Sometimes the weapons trained to focus their destructive energy on a thin beam to punch small holes through the walls, sometimes they made large energy balls that had bits of brick go all over the place. Sometimes the shields protected those walls and it became a contest between weapon and shield, to destroy respectively protect the wall.

  When it was my turn to attack, well... um, the wall survived. I did make a small black scorch mark though. On the other hand, no matter how hard they tried, no weapon could penetrate my shields. Even after they started grouping, it took three of them to break my shield. We did that only once, because the weapons were focusing all they had on beams of destruction and after my shield faltered they drilled a very shallow tunnel of 31.49 meters length into the ground. Parts of it collapsed almost immediately, leaving a large scar in the parade ground.

  The Admiral was not pleased and we (the 3 weapons and myself) shoveled a full 2 days to first dig out the rest of the tunnel and then fill the trench and repair the parade ground.

  Sensors, navigation, communication and engines were all trained on board of Training Bricks on small trips around the planet and its moons. I ended up with detailed maps of Eden 6-1 through 6-4. 6-2 was a rocky moon with no atmosphere worth mentioning and no life at all. 6-3 was a snowball with a thin atmosphere and scarce, microscopic life and 6-4 a dead snowball with no atmosphere at all.

  Eden 6, the planet, was a gas giant with no life in the upper few kilometers of its atmosphere, but further down I detected some life. Mostly microscopic to very small, the biggest things that I could make out were about half-meter long, glibbery worm-things that lived in the region where the gas turned from gaseous to liquid.

  Engines training was interesting. I did my first rail-drive flight, which turned out to be a simple procedure: Point the Brick into the right direction and punch it. With a properly laid course the Brick would stop automatically at its destination, which made proper navigation essential.

  My first jump was something. A Master Adept Engines Wizard was flown in extra for me, and we took a Training Brick together, just the 2 of us. He showed me first how it was done by jumping from one edge of the Eden system to the other and back, with me observing with all my magic. When we were sure that I could do it, he stepped back: "Jump us to the other side of the system."

  I focused on the jump drive rune, which was the biggest in the engine room. It glowed gently, so I did that part right. Good start. Then I focused on the spot on the other side of the system and that
I wanted to jump there. I had to visualize it clearly, to avoid a mis-jump. When I was sure that I had our destination clearly in my mind I activated the rune.

  The jump itself was a bit underwhelming, honestly. The folding and unfolding of space happened so quickly that when I became barely aware of it we were at our destination already. "Well done. It is not so difficult, eh?" I grinned and nodded.

  Something occurred to me: "We are well away from any moons or planets. Is there a reason behind this beyond simple caution, or can we theoretically jump directly to a colony?"

  "Good question. The arrival after a jump will always send a shock-wave through the surrounding space, which would be bad for planets, moons or especially colonies. We do not know exactly how far those shock-waves reach or what they would do, but we take no chances."

  I nodded. "Understood." Then I had a thought. "Was the rail-drive invented because of that?"

  He smiled. "We do not know exactly. Some claim that it is so, others disagree. If you are ever among engines and don't know how to start a conversation, bring this topic up. I have been in some very interesting discussion rounds, but, if there was alcohol involved also some epic brawls."

  "The higher ups must not have been happy about the brawls, I imagine?"

  "Hah, I was demoted twice and promoted back a year later." He grinned. "Being a Master Adept gives you a lot of leeway. Even more so that way in your case, I imagine. Being inconclusive must make you practically impervious to demotion. But before I keep planting bad ideas into your young mind, it might be best to go back or I'll be demoted again just as a preemptive measure." Now he was laughing.

  I grinned and jumped us back to where we started, then I set a course for Eden 6-1 and activated the rail-drive.

  Chapter 4: THE ORDER OF RECOGNITION

  Advanced training was over way too quickly. That half a year had been a lot of fun, and it ended in another ceremony.

  This time we all were gathered on the parade ground in our dress uniforms. I must admit, I was a bit self-conscious with all those pips on top of the Order of the Bandaged Leg and the 2 Orders of the Broken Leg that I was wearing just over my left breast. Some of the weapons also had a Broken Leg, but not many - and, as I saw with great surprise, Hector Johnson was missing. Thinking back, I had no memory of meeting him during advanced training. What had happened? I did not know but decided to ask an instructor next chance I got.

  But for now, there was the Ceremony of Completion. Completion of the Navy academy. After today we would be officers of the Swiss Federated Space Navy. I smiled at the thought.

  When the Admiral appeared, the Drill-Lieutenant let his voice float around the place: "OFFICER ON THE DECK!" We snapped to attention.

  "Cadets of the 498 Academy 4 on Eden 6-1. ALL of you meet the minimum criteria to pass!" The entire mass of cadets erupted in cheering, myself included. The Admiral made placating moves with his hands, and after we were was silent again he continued. "There are a couple of administrative acts to perform now. First, let's honor the best cadet of this year. Prime Cadet Xandrian Stone, step forward." I moved to the Admiral and stood at attention in front of him. "You are the strongest Wizard in this academy." That did cause quite some chuckling, both from the cadets and the instructors. "Literally. You are hereby awarded the Order of Recognition, which the strongest cadet in any academy will get after their training." He pinned the beautiful gold-rimmed silver order to my chest, next to the other orders.

  "Furthermore, I am hereby promoting you to Prime Lieutenant and assigning you temporary command of the Training Brick Number 2. You will take your Brick to Eden 2, take a surface sample at a specific spot and bring it back here. That will be your proving mission and if you pass you will be noted as 'able to command' and promoted to command a Brick when one gets free and you are at the top spot of the waiting list. In the meantime you will rejoin your crew aboard the Brick commanded by Captain Jack Miller." We shook hands and I walked back to my spot.

  Most cool. I was being given the chance to enter the waiting list right off the academy. That meant that I'd be in command as soon as in10 to 20 years! If the Prophecy did not interfere that was. The vibrating of my rank insignia almost scared me out of my skin, deeply in thought as I had been. Glancing down, I saw that it still had its nice golden rim, but instead of the seven small dots in the middle now had an elegant, slim but solid, horizontal white line almost from rim to rim. I really was a Prime Lieutenant now!

  The Admiral continued. "First Cadets Linuson, Henderson, Oel and Dyson. Step forward." The four went and stood before the Admiral. "You are hereby promoted to Second Lieutenant. Lieutenants Linuson and Henderson, you will join the crew of Prime Lieutenant Stone and gather experience as second-in-command. Lieutenant Linuson, you will be Prime Lieutenant Stone's second on the flight to Eden 2, Lieutenant Henderson will take over for the flight back." He shook all their hands and they walked back, all grinning, all jumping when their rank insignia vibrated and changed to the same white line as I had, but with white rims.

  "All Second Cadets are hereby promoted to Second Ensigns." I first wondered why the Admiral was pausing when the squealing and yelping began. Ah, I had forgotten: Most of the other cadets had not yet had much experience with the rank insignia vibration. I grinned a bit, and glancing to the Admiral I saw that the corners of his mouth twitched a bit as well.

  Discipline held, though, and soon the cadets - I mean ensigns and, including me, five lieutenants - were standing at attention again. I noticed that a large number of Bricks was closing to the academy, much like when we were ferried here to start our training. "Go back to your rooms, pack and clean them. You will receive your assignments there. Dismissed."

  Chapter 5: PROVING MISSION

  My assignment was no surprise:

  Prime Lieutenant Xandrian Stone,

  You will report this afternoon at 15:00 to Training Brick 2 and assume command.

  Your mission is to go to Eden 2 and gather a stone that has been marked blue on its underside. The location of the stone is on the map below.

  You are not to use your own magic, but that of your crew. Captains do not actively use magic unless in emergencies or other special situations.

  Your second-in-command will be Second Lieutenant Lindan Linuson on the trip there until the stone is found. Second Lieutenant Annina Henderson will take over as your second-in-command while the stone is being retrieved and on the trip back.

  Once your mission is accomplished the new command team will relieve you and your second-in-commands and bring you to Eden 4, where parts of your crew will be discharged and brought to their assignments by Bricks that will be waiting there. Captain Miller will be there as well, you will report to him and rejoin your crew.

  At your own convenience, give your seconds opportunities to gather leadership experience. They are both capable.

  Good luck.

  Signed, Admiral Peter Sand

  I grinned broadly. My very own command! Granted, it would only last about an hour if we dawdled, because I knew exactly where that stone that we were to retrieve was, but still - my own command!

  I still had a couple of hours until 15:00, so I first took a picture of myself in my dress uniform for my folks back home, then I cleaned myself, changed into the more practical all-day uniform and got myself some lunch.

  At 14:55, fresh and nervous, I was approaching my new command, head held high. I did not exactly strut, but I have to confess that I got pretty close that day. At the front airlock, I was greeted by the weapon on airlock-duty. "Dude! I mean captain, welcome on board." We grinned at each other. The whole crew was made up of former cadets, so we knew each other quite well. "Thank you, Ensign. I will report to the bridge now."

  With my pack still slung around my shoulder I walked into the bridge. "Captain on the deck!" yelled Lindan.

  "At ease. Report?"

  "Sir, we are ready and eager." Lindan kept a straight face, though I could see the grin behind his mask of duty. Typical Li
ndan, all business, reliable but with a wicked humor behind the facade. I had grown to really like him in the past year.

  "Good. Get us into an orbit of 150 kilometers while I settle in."

  "Aye, sir." While I turned and walked to the captain's quarters, I listened to his orders. "Communication, inform the Admiral that we are on our way. Sensors, navigation, keep your eyes open with all that traffic. Engines, get us into orbit, 150 kilometers."

  Good. Lindan knew what he was doing. I could enjoy settling in, which honestly just consisted of me entering the captain's quarters, taking a deep breath of the air in there (that was no different than anywhere else in the Brick but still tasted sweeter) and throwing my bag onto the cot. In about an hour I'd be getting my bag out of the quarters again, after all. And yes, I intended to dawdle.

  Walking out again I claimed the captain's chair and watched us settling into a nice, circular orbit. "Well done everyone. Navigation, do you have Eden 2 on your map?"