“I don't understand. How did a jerk like you get into the training?”
“Jerk? I am unfamiliar with this expression. Does it mean incredibly handsome, smart, and wealthy?”
Terra clenched her jaw and glared at Roland.
Roland chuckled. “Well you don't need a translator for that look. As your insults have so thoroughly amused me, I will grace you with the true story of how I made it into the training. I cheated. Again. You see, I witnessed an instructor telling a legionnaire to add a recruit to the accepted list. This was after the legionnaire had seen me chatting with that instructor earlier. I approached the same legionnaire a short time later. I explained that the instructor had sent me on his behalf as he had forgotten to tell him that my name should be scribed on the list. After some persuasion, they accepted me.”
“You smooth talked your way in! I should turn you in to the instructors.”
Roland's smile faded. “You remind me of someone I don't like. He had a bad habit of tempting me into honesty as well. Regardless, I doubt they would take your word over mine if your shock at me being a dishonest knight is genuine.”
Terra ground her teeth. How had Roland gotten her so angry?
Roland's smile returned. “Besides, I refuse to spend the next few weeks bowing before the instructors' whim to gain a slim chance acceptance. After getting thrown into a fountain the first time, I went down the easier path. As you have no doubt seen, I don't rely on luck,” he said before collecting his things and turning to go.
Terra's hateful gaze followed him until he disappeared into the Academy. She let out a long sigh. It all seemed so unfair.
∞
“I can't help you. They don't let us decide who gets into the program. Try talking to one of the centurions,” the silver haired man said, his tone cold as he walked past Terra. He was one of the staff members of the program, most of whom held the rank of optio. She had almost begged him to be let in, but he turned her away like all the rest.
Terra bowed her head low and sighed. This was the last of the optios she hadn't talked to. Others had given the same response. Centurions now recognized her on sight and refused to even speak with her. This was after she had spent the last couple of weeks pestering them. She had tried everyone now. Everyone, but one. The one she wanted to avoid. The one who had thrown her out first. Praetor Lycus Cerberus, head of the training program.
Lycus terrified her. That wolfish grin seemed so unnatural. Even the optios shied away from him and she found it difficult enough to face the centurions. However, her options grew thin.
It had been three weeks since her first day at the Academy and training started tomorrow. She stopped exercise early today so she could have more time to find someone who would let her into the training program. The past weeks she had split between trying to gain admittance and exercising with Delphia who had enthusiastically agreed to help her.
Terra found exercising much less stressful than trying to get into the training. At least in the acceleration gyms she made progress. Delphia had shown her that the gyms on Saturn City used time to accelerate regrowth of muscle and to alleviate fatigue. A week in an Acceleration Gym was equal to almost two months of normal exercise. She could exercise all day if she wished, stopping only to sleep and eat. Even the food at the gym accelerated the body's absorption of nutrients, though it tasted foul and made her sick for a few moments.
Terra did feel frustrated that her appearance remained mostly the same. She did lose some weight as she found her old clothes fit a bit too loose for her now. Now Terra wore Saturnian clothes. It took a while for her to find something that was modest enough to suit her tastes. Terra never felt comfortable showing much of her skin.
Despite her progress in exercise, her time at the Academy proved wasted. She wandered the halls of the Academy thinking. Should she confront Lycus? He had already rejected her the first day. Perhaps she should wait like Nikias had suggested? Maybe if she could find Alya? No. She hadn't even seen Alya since the timeport and couldn't depend on her. Why had she come here at all? Maybe she should just go home back to her nice quarry. What did this place offer her anyway?
She stopped as she spotted a familiar sight. In a large open room to her side was several bookshelves. A holoface hanging over the entryway changed to English as she drew near. It read Aevum Academy Library. Terra stepped inside.
The library was the size of a large stadium. It was circular in design with book shelves arranged in semi circles around several large open areas in the center. To the sides were smaller circular plates that projected holographic images above them. When the library patrons stepped on these plates, the holographic images appeared and Minerva’s voice could be heard when one drew close to them.
Terra walked amongst the bookshelves. She found most books were written in various foreign languages, all originals. Soon she came to a pair of large metal fadedoors decorated with golden text she couldn't read, but two guards in Legion armor stopped her.
“Sorry dhimmi,” he said, holding up a hand. “This area is forbidden without special permission from the Aeon Legion.”
Terra looked at the fadedoors. “What's behind these doors?”
“The Saturn City Historical Archives,” the other guard said.
Terra glanced back to the guards. “If it's just history, why is it forbidden?”
“Time travelers have a bad habit of trying to change history after they learn about it,” the first guard said. “So now we only let those in who can be trusted. Those who are accepted into the Aeon Legion training are given limited access.”
The second guard pointed to a disc shaped platform nearby. “The holo readers give you limited access through Minerva though.”
Leaving the fadedoors, she made her way over to a disc shaped plate. She stepped onto it and it lifted, hovering off the ground a few paces as a holographic image appeared. It read Saturn City Archive Holo Reader.
“Welcome, Terra Mason, to the Archives holo reader,” came Minerva's voice from the platform. “What do you wish to know?”
Terra thought for a moment. What didn't she want to know? After a moment she thought of something she wanted to see. “FDR's first inaugural address?”
The graphic changed. A map appeared, showing the Edge and its many branching continua. A dot raced along, moving to Continuum Lambda and stopped at 1933 AD. The graphic changed again. This time, the area on the plate transformed into a full color scene with Franklin D. Roosevelt standing on his podium.
The graphic projection seemed to extend far beyond the bounds of the plate, though the graphic became translucent beyond the edges, revealing the library. Franklin D. Roosevelt, however, was in its center in perfect focus. Although Terra had already heard the speech in person, the quality still impressed her.
“Gettysburg Address?” Terra asked.
The graphic changed again. While the quality was impressive, Terra couldn't help but wish she was there in person especially since she knew this was possible.
“Can you show me the future of the United States?” Terra asked after a moment.
The holographic image disappeared before the plate lowered to the floor going dark. “I am sorry, Terra Mason. I am not authorized to show you that information.”
Terra sighed. “The one time I want spoilers,” she said as she thought. This was all interesting enough, but it didn't help her current predicament. “Minerva, I don't suppose you could show me something that could help me get into the training?”
“That is a broad context. If you could narrow your inquiry, I may be able to help you.”
Terra thought for a moment. “What about something relevant to recruit quality?”
The graphic changed again, revealing an Academy classroom filled with military officers, though they wore different uniforms than the Legion. A commanding woman stood in the center of the class. She wore a silver crown that complemented her beautifully designed and ornate dress appearing as a cross between royal attire and a sharp
military uniform. She stood tall with a regal bearing.
“That is a good question,” she said to one officer. “If I had to choose a single most important quality in a soldier, it would be courage. Superior training and equipment are certainly not disadvantages, but a well trained, equipped, and experienced soldier is still worthless when fleeing battle. Every force takes the most casualties when retreating. This is as true of the battlefields of Time as it is in the battles of history.”
“Who is this?” Terra asked.
“This was Time Queen Ananke,” Minerva said. “During the reign of the Kings and Queens of Time, she administered this Academy and used it for her officer training program. She is considered the foremost expert on post time warfare.”
“How do you identify courage then?” asked an officer.
The holo projection of Ananke paced the room. “I would accept a recruit who hesitated in front of the wolf's den, knowing the danger over the recruit who charges without hesitation. One denotes acknowledgment of their fear and the other overconfidence in their talent. Only those who acknowledge fear have any chance of overcoming it. Cultivating budding courage is far easier than overcoming narcissism and hubris.”
Terra's eyes went wide when she realized. Courage. It was so simple. She had no other qualities. One girl had got in by fighting with a Spartan. Roland had got in with his silver tongue which, while unfair, was still a skill. Both were talents Terra did not have. All she had to show for was her one brave act in the library. She had to showcase that quality and there was only one way she could think of to do that. To move forward, she had to face Praetor Lycus Cerberus.
Chapter IX
Guardian of the Gates
The second are the vultures. These are brutes who take from those weaker than themselves. Vultures never make it through the training. They are only useful as examples of what not to do.
-Excerpt from Chapter Three of the Aeon Legion's Squire Recruitment Manual by Praetor Lycus Cerberus
Terra gathered her courage as she stared ahead at the office of Praetor Lycus Cerberus. Before she could knock, the door faded and a tall dark haired man walked out with a self satisfied smirk on his face. The man didn't so much walk as saunter out of Lycus's office. She wondered if his dark blue futuristic armor gave him his confidence.
“Yes. Vand, you will be an excellent example to the other recruits,” came Lycus's voice from the office.
Terra peeked in to see Lycus half obscured in shadows. A wolfish grin drew across his face as though he was about to jump the man walking out of his office and tear his throat out. That grin made Terra shiver while the man named Vand seemed oblivious.
Terra struggled to rebuild the courage that Lycus had undone with one terrible grin. After a moment to gather her nerves, she entered.
It was dark with seamed black and gray metal walls, more like a den or dungeon than an office. There was no exterior window and a blue glow from a nearby holoface cast an eerie, otherworldly light in the office. It was as though Terra stood before the gates of the underworld.
To her right was a shelf with a collection of odd objects, memorabilia, and what she guessed were war trophies. A black smooth oval mask lay on the top shelf with a red wing emblem painted on it. It lay next to an old stained photo of a man in a strange uniform with his family. Nearby, a stationary holoface displayed a full color group picture of twelve individuals. They stood in two rows, each dressed in full legion armor and holding aeon edges. Terra recognized Alya, Orion, and Lycus in the holoface display though none had silver hair.
Lycus sat at his desk, the blue light illuminating his sharp featured face. Terra was thankful he no longer grinned, but now he instead stared intently as though seeing right through her. It was as if he had a different face now. Not the predatory, grinning monster, but a cold emotionless face.
Terra stood straighter as she approached. She planned for this encounter the best she could. He likely wouldn't recognize her. “Sir. I am Terr–”
“I know who you are, Terra Mason,” he said, his cold gaze unwavering. “Some of the instructors complained of your persistence.”
Terra hesitated. “Well then I–”
“I know who made you a squire so don't bother with that tactic. Silverwind may have chosen you, but that means little to me. If anything, it puts you at a disadvantage. You certainly don't measure up to Kairos who got in on her own merit.”
Terra glared at Lycus.
“I am not letting you in,” he said plainly.
Terra clinched her fists. “Let me guess. It's because I'm not a soldier, or maybe I just have no talent. More than one said it was because I hadn't killed in combat yet. The rest just said I wouldn't make it. So what's your excuse?”
Lycus expression remained cold. “You talk a lot about wanting to join, but you ignore the warnings others are giving you. We are doing you a favor. You will not endure this training even after your little bit of exercise at the acceleration gyms.”
“Alya believes in me.”
Lycus sneered. “What do you think this training is? Do you think you are some kind of superhero who gains and masters her powers in an instant?”
Terra raised an eyebrow.
Lycus grinned, a hint of the snarl he showed Vand flashed in that grin. “I am familiar with American culture from your time.” His tone turned cold. “It is a culture steeped in entertainment and luxury. You see yourself as the protagonist of a story who follows a mythic arc. You are not. You are a spoiled child from a middle class home. Now you come here to my Academy without knowing what truly awaits you here. This training isn't a montage. Mastering a shieldwatch takes months in addition to all of the other skills you must learn. Nothing will be given. Everything must be earned. Now you dare to come into this office and ask to be admitted to the training. What ignorance. What audacity. No wonder you hesitate at the door after seeing your first real obstacle. Such a fearful heart has no place here.”
Terra paused. She had heard of Lycus's brutality, but she hadn't expected him to be so knowledgeable. Terra studied Lycus. His hostile tone did not match his cold expression. He searched for something, testing her. She wondered what he was looking for. Then she answered. “Only those who acknowledge fear have any chance of overcoming it.”
Lycus paused. “Time Queen Ananke. Lectures on Post Time Warfare.” He looked to the shelf full of memorabilia, his expression became distant.
Terra observed Lycus's demeanor again. He had changed. She watched as his gaze locked on one of the objects on the shelf, his face betraying a hint of remorse.
“Still, more is needed than a sharp mind,” he said before looking back to Terra. “Why are you so unyielding in your pursuit of this?”
Terra thought for a moment. “I became a squire when I st–”
“Yes. I read the report. Impressive,” Lycus said, his tone mocking. “You stopped a time traveler from stealing a library book. Dumb luck does not make you a soldier.”
“I don't want to be a soldier! I want to be a heroine! Although I'm no soldier, I still faced one head-on without any crazy time powers.” Terra looked away while speaking in a low tone. “My whole life I've done nothing but hide.” She then looked straight into Lycus's eyes. “Then someone told me I was a heroine and I could be a better one. If someone told you that, then wouldn't you make the most of that opportunity? I don't want to hide anymore.”
Lycus's wolfish grin returned. The grin became more terrible as the shadows crept over him when he leaned back. “Oh that was almost good.”
A cold chill shot through Terra's spine as her instincts told her to run. Lycus looked like a different person. His face, his terrible snarl, looked so different from the remorseful man she had just spoken to or the cold one before that. She held firm, refusing to move even after seeing this third face of his.
Lycus snarled as his hand went to the hilt of his aeon edge. “Those are bold words, Terra Mason. Will you stand by them?”
Terra stared at the
terrifying man, his teeth bared in a horrible smile. Jaw clenched, she stood straight and met his predatory glare. “I won't hide or run. Once I decide to do something, I don't back down!”
It happened in a flash.
Lycus drew his aeon edge and slashed downward. The blade descended towards her with incredible force, the edge aimed right between her eyes. Panic shot through her, but there was a part of her that told herself to hold. Her panic fought with her wisdom that knew this was a test of resolve. She wouldn't back down even if Lycus smashed her head in with his blade. She wouldn't let him win. Terra didn't flinch.
The aeon edge stopped inches above her head as the wind from the swing flowed over her. Terra's breath and heart beat caught up with her seconds later.
Lycus's grin faded and after a moment he withdrew the blade before sheathing it. His expression became blank before he sat and touched a nearby holoface.
Terra blinked. The panic bled away as the color returned to her face. She scowled, clenching her fists. “Hey! That was rea–”
“You're in,” Lycus interrupted without even glancing at Terra as he finished typing on a holoface.
“What?”
“I have registered you in the program. Training starts tomorrow at 0:600 hours. Be sure to pick up your uniform at the armory then find your assigned dormitory room,” Lycus said as he turned to Terra. His expression and voice remained cold. “Tiro Terra Mason, you have proven you have more than words. Now I want to see the steel in you.”
∞
Terra arrived for the first day of training wearing her Academy uniform. Form fitting, but comfortable, the design was similar to a wetsuit. Like everything else in the city it was a matte white with blue edges. Blue hex patterned patches on the sides of the torso extended all the way down to the legs. A thin blue strip outlined the slightly thicker shoulders. The upper arms displayed an embossed golden infinity symbol above the words Novus. While the uniform lacked pockets, it came with a belt that had several pouches. Thick white combat boots didn't match the sleek suit, but fit well.
Aeon Legion: Labyrinth Page 11