Lucky I got out of there in time, Alyssa smiled and left.
Later, everyone was ready and eating breakfast in the Great Hall. Their meal was the same as the one they had yesterday, as per protocol. Meals prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner, were to be same for two consecutive days, followed by a different set of meals prepared on the third day.
‘Hey guys,’ Eikichi said. ‘any of you know what we have on for our first subject? I forgot my phone in the room.’
‘Health Studies,’ Janice answered.
‘Health Studies?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Okay... and what’s after that?’
‘Engineering.’
‘I’m not looking forward to that.’
‘Why not?’ Ali asked.
‘Because it’s engineering.’
‘He’s a jock, Ali,’ Janice told him. ‘That’s the one thing you need to understand about Eikichi. You need to give him things that simple to do. The simpler, the easier it will be to communicate with him.’
Ali nodded. ‘Ah, I see.’
Eikichi looked at Janice. ‘Bite me.’
‘Is that an invitation?’ Janice asked.
He scoffed and resumed with his checking. ‘Engineering. I’m more looking forward to doing Arms and Military.’
‘Well, we have a class for it in the afternoon. I’m sure you can make it through,’ Clara said.
‘We’ll see.’
Once breakfast was over, everyone left the Great Hall and went to their first lesson.
Alyssa and the group strode through underground passages to get to their classroom. Before they arrived, they encountered young adults causing trouble for someone. One of the troublemakers was recognisable from the first entrance exam.
‘Go home you little shit,’ the blonde teenager said, while grabbing the guy by the collar. ‘and tell that friend of yours to stop with their stupid suicidal attacks, or I’m going to make one of mine and it won’t be me who’ll get the privilege of being blown up.’
‘I’m not that kind of person. Just leave me alone, will you?’ the guy said.
The guy was lightly tanned with short fluffy hair.
‘What you say?’
‘Hey! Leave the guy alone,’ Janice said firmly.
The blonde teenager faced Janice. ‘Well hello, beautiful.’ He looked at her flirtatiously. ‘You should walk away, lovely. Best you don’t get involved in something that doesn’t concern you.’
‘The hell it doesn’t.’
‘Mind your business. You don’t want any of this, trust me,’ one of the friend’s demanded.
‘I think you’re confusing me with someone else,’ Janice said, as she stepped forward with Eikichi and Yannick. ‘Cause I ain’t leaving.’
Alyssa and others observed from a distance as they were expecting a fight to ensue.
The blonde teenager smiled, then pushed the guy against the wall. He walked closer while another person had an eye on the guy. He glanced at the others before his gaze landed on Ali. His face changed from the smug to repulsed.
‘Okay, I know you. Can’t believe they allowed you into the academy. How pathetic.’
‘The same could be said about you,’ Eikichi said.
The blonde teenager smirked. ‘Of course, they would let me. I don’t associate myself with phillicks.’
‘What?’ Janice admonished.
‘You heard me? Mixing with phillicks. You’re traitors. That’s what you are.’
Alyssa had never heard that word before. She glanced at Ali, who appeared upset by the remark.
Janice pushed forward to attack. Eikichi and Yannick held her back.
‘Let’s go,’ the blonde teenager said, and walked away.
‘Consider yourself lucky. There won’t be a next time,’ the same friend said.
‘Haymer!’ the blonde teenager shouted.
The friend left, disappearing with group in the crowd.
Janice took deep breathes to calm herself, then approached the guy. ‘Hey, you alright?’
‘Yeah, I am. Thank you,’ the guy said.
‘What’s your name?’
‘Cadel.’
‘Did you travel here alone?’
‘No, I came with a friend.’ He looked up, spotting someone walking towards him. ‘They’re coming.’
The group toward and saw a cute Thai girl, who was about the same age and height as Alyssa and Janice. ‘Cadel, there you are. I’ve been looking for you.’ Her native accent was barely noticeable through her English.
‘You’re the friend?’ Janice asked, appearing interested in her
‘Who are you?’
‘We’re the guys who just saved your friend from getting a beating.’
The girl’s expression became stern. ‘From who? Doyle.’
‘That’s his name?’
‘Yeah, it was him,’ Cadel said.
The friend glanced at the group. ‘Thank you for helping Cadel. I hope I can repay you someday.’
‘No problem,’ Janice said.
She looked at Cadel. ‘Come on.’
Cadel faced the group and bowed his head. ‘Thank you.’
The pair disappeared amongst the sea of students.
‘Looks like you’ve become fond of someone,’ Eikichi said.
‘What? Who? Oh, her… Not really,’ Janice said.
‘Come on, we’re going to be late for class,’ Ali told them.
They resumed walking.
Alyssa wanted to ask what ‘phillick’ meant, and why was he so affected by it. However, Ali appeared troubled.
Another time, perhaps.
When the group arrived at the class, they proceeded inside and sat around one of the square tables, which fitted all of them.
More students began arriving, with the teacher and an assistant popping in among them. The assistant was carrying a trolley full of white boards, dusters, markers, and tablets, with many glancing at them, intrigued. The focus was on a young woman, who appeared to be in her late twenties, with brown eyes and ginger wavy hair.
Many of the guys who were sitting themselves comfortably, couldn’t help but be attracted by her cute, plump face.
‘You know I like how things…’ Ali’s voice trailed away as his eyes locked in on the teacher. ‘Whoa.’
‘Oi! Romeo, eyes away. She’s mine,’ Eikichi said.
‘Never knew you were possessive.’
‘I’m not, but I saw her first.’
‘Hardly makes her yours.’
‘Guys, please. Not now,’ Clara said, amused and annoyed.
‘Clara, you’re not my mother,’ Eikichi said.
‘She may not be, but she isn’t only person who would have said something, if she hadn’t,’ Janice added.
Eikichi exchanged looks with Janice.
‘You’re not bothered by this?’ Clara asked Alyssa.
‘What do you mean?’ Alyssa asked.
Clara pointed at Eikichi and her. ‘Aren’t you two, you know?’
Alyssa eyebrows rose, surprised. ‘No. He’s my brother.’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’ Clara was taken aback.
‘It’s alright.’
Doyle walked with his group into class.
‘Oh, look. It’s Doyle and his cronies,’ Janice said.
The two group exchanged glances. There was no liking between them. Doyle and his friends sat elsewhere.
‘Alright, class,’ the teacher said. ‘I’m your teacher, Kaysil Olivera. You’re going to be seeing a lot of me during your time here, and not just in this class.’
‘I hope it’s Arms and Military,’ Eikichi whispered to the group.
‘I would like to start by saying, ‘don’t get too settled in with your friends.’ She smiled. ‘I know you guys would want to be cosy with your mates, and you lovely ladies would want to be around your girlfriends, but there’s going to be groups formed, as instructed by the academy. Also, there are these foldable whiteboards and hologram tablets you’ll be
given for your studies after you get your group number. So just give me a moment to setup and then we can get things going.’
‘Why don’t they just give us books?’ Eikichi asked, sounding curious.
Ali answered. ‘I think because the academy believes that the use of whiteboards can lead to increased retention of information and enhance engagement of the content learnt.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘I know from experience. Plus, there was a quite an extensive study conducted a while back to demonstrate the effect of using whiteboards, alongside the use of a tablet. The research went even further and observed people studying alone and studying together, simultaneously.’
‘What did they find out?’ Janice asked.
‘Varied results. Researchers believe the use of a whiteboard enhances cognitive efficiency since it requires a student to visualise in problems in their mind when studying alone. But working with the people you’re familiar with, it encourages individuals to ask each other questions on topics they don’t understand to enhance their learning experience, which boosts learning, as well.’
‘I see.’
‘Also, it’s the only means of learning since we can’t make books anymore.’
‘That’s a bummer,’ Eikichi said. ‘I was kinda of looking forward to group work with you guys. I don’t want to be in the same group as him.’ Nodding toward Doyle.
‘I think I would rather be in another group, thanks,’ Janice said sarcastically. ‘I think with the blood flow not travelling to your head, while this teacher is here, it might hamper the group’s results.’
‘What?
‘I thought it was permanent,’ Clara said.
The group laughed except for Eikichi, who still appeared confused.
‘What are you guys talking about?’
‘They’re saying the head that’s making the decisions right now, is not the one resting on your shoulders.’ Ali told Eikichi.
‘Alright, class,’ the teacher said. ‘Take a look at the list and find your group members.’
Miss Olivera displayed the names with assigned seats, on the projection screen for everyone to see.
Alyssa noticed she was in the same group as Janice and Ali. However, she wasn’t impressed to see that Doyle was in her group. She didn’t have the slightest interest in working with him after their meetings.
‘Shit, I’m in the same group as Doyle,’ Janice said.
‘Have fun,’ Eikichi said, giggling.
‘Shut up,’ She looked at Alyssa. ‘At least I’m in the same group with you and Ali.’
A minute later, the students were up and about, searching for their new seat and collected their mini whiteboard, duster, and markers.
The teacher spoke, ‘From here on out you’ll be in these groups for the rest of term. The purpose of this is to get you used to working with other people. You’ll be doing that when you go on your trips to other planets. You might as well get used to it with the people you’ll most likely work with in the future.’
Alyssa sat beside Janice and Ali. She could see Janice’s contempt for Doyle. Though, Doyle, who was sitting on the opposite side, didn’t appear bothered by it. He smiled at her.
‘I believe you and I started out on the wrong foot,’ Doyle said.
‘I think the foot you’re talking about is your own,’ Janice said sternly.
He chuckled. ‘Maybe, but I would like to start over. So, I’ll go first. I’m Doyle Ostrom. And who might you be?’
Janice didn’t respond.
‘You don’t have a name? That’s interesting. I can give you one if you like.’
Janice’s jaw tightened. ‘Janice.’
‘No last name?’
‘It’s just Janice for you.’
‘Oh, special treatment, lucky me.’
Janice kept quiet again.
‘Am I that good looking that you can’t talk now?’
Janice’s eyebrows furrowed.
‘So, I am. That’s nice to know. I’ll let you know why I’m here and it’s a simple reason. I want to be the guy who gets everyone out of the hellhole we’re in. After all, only a few of us are going to be strong enough to stick around when we’re out in space.’
‘And you think you’re going to be one of them?’ Janice asked.
He gestured to his face. ‘Just look at me and ask yourself, how can I not be? But anyway, I hope you and your friend are still around.’ He looked at Alyssa. ‘I believe there’s going to be some good times spent while we’re here.’ He noticed Ali was next to her. ‘Ugh, you’re here.’
‘You’re so––’Janice said.
Doyle sneered while raising a finger, pointing it to the teacher. ‘Ah, da da da, class is about to begin.’
The class commenced with the first of topic on the different systems in the body and the role each played, being taught.
Alyssa’s neck and head were becoming hot from the frustration she was holding inside because of Doyle. She glanced at Janice, noticing she was in a similar state. Her face wasn’t red, but she appeared ready to lash out at him.
She understood her feelings. She found Doyle’s behaviour appalling and knowing that he was going to be in their group, bothered her. It was the first time she’d encountered someone whose behaviour was so intolerable that she wanted to leave.
She caught Eikichi’s attention, who was on the next table. He smiled at her, amused.
The day went by quickly from there, as the group ventured onto their next classes. The others laughed as Janice expressed her complete frustration and utter dislike for having Doyle in her group. However, they had to bear the same frustration as her since he was in every class they had after.
Many of the subjects incorporated in the curriculum integrated elements from a vast range of advance subjects, such as Anatomy, Vehicle Engineering, Biological Science, Physical Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and the like.
The only subjects that were less strenuous on the mind were Arms and Military, and Survival Skills, which immediately became the most popular amongst the students, after their first class.
Alyssa was looking forward to continuing Arms and Military, as were the students who would eventually undergo training with the flight suits that would be used for the space missions. Many of the others in the group were excited to continue the class.
However, it was Janice who appeared the most determined and eager of them all as she wanted to face Alyssa in whatever task they would be given so she could beat her.
‘I’m expecting you to give me your best, Alyssa,’ Janice said. ‘I don’t expect anything less than that, alright?’
Alyssa smiled lightly. ‘You’ll have my utmost effort.’
She anticipated a great rivalry with her friend, but an even greater one with Yannick. The moment the instructor delivered a comprehensive outline of the assessments the students had to complete, particularly where students would have to face each in combat, Yannick smiled at Alyssa.
‘I see that interests you.’
Yannick nodded once.
She smiled.
CHAPTER 15
AS TIME PASSED, everyone gradually acclimatised themselves to their new life on Mars. Many enjoyed the notion that they were ‘Martians’, and no longer ‘Earthlings’. Students would address each other by saying, ‘Hello, fellow Martian’, or ‘Martian Donald’ or ‘Martian Kim’.
Life was surprisingly similar to old Earth. Temperatures were similar, though varied every day at Acidalia Planitia since the planet had a thinner atmosphere. It didn’t have a strong thermal blanket to retain heat that was much needed through the night since the temperatures would drop significantly.
However, the cold nights weren’t the main topic of discussion amongst the students.
Much of the chatter amongst the students circulated around glimpses of an apparition wandering about the academy. At first, many thought it was a student sleepwalking, but when students recorded their sighting of the apparition, it was
clear that it was something other than a student. No one ever dared to go near it for the fear of being attack. Anyone who saw it, observed from afar.
Alyssa had yet to have an encounter with the apparition, though she had little interest in having one.
Yannick, Janice and Eikichi had seen it, and showed their recordings to the group with great excitement.
‘Look at this thing. Looks like a woman,’ Eikichi said.
‘Yes, it does,’ Ali said.
Many described the body as having the resemblance of a woman with white wavy hair, while its partially, naked body was covered in a dark shade of black. Its body was pellucid, though visible to the naked eye. Some said it stood around 175 cm, others said it was taller than that. The only part of the apparition no one ever had a chance to see was the face. Its hair flowed everywhere, hiding its face.
More than once the academy sent security officers to seek out this apparition, but whenever they were close to it, the apparition would vanish.
Though many were doubtful of its ability to communicate with them, the academy instructed students to refrain from speaking with it until they figured out a way to get rid of it.
‘I wonder what it is,’ Eikichi said.
‘Whatever it is, I ain’t going near it,’ Janice said.
‘So much for being brave. Imagine what Cadel’s friend would think if she heard that.’
‘I am brave. I just don’t want to go near this thing.’
Alyssa left the group as there were already many tasks that required her immediate attention. The rest of her day was spent inside a cubicle at the Study Complex where she knew peace and quiet could be found.
It had been over four weeks since her arrival at the academy, but she, along with many other students saw assessments pile up with due dates set for the following weeks, which included reports, quizzes, and a practical exam. On top of this, they had to train for their physical assessment set by Arms and Military.
Alyssa had no idea what the instructors were expecting as there was little information provided aside from the date, which was set to occur a little over a month’s time. This was the case with every subject.
The academy believed it was best to give little support to the students’ preparation, as they intended to capture the feeling of uncertainty and trepidation that comes with real-life situations, which no can prepare for.
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