by Zac Harrison
John stared at the huge robot, but Kaal was already dragging him away.
“Come on, loads to see. Where was I... ? Oh yeah, so all the students at Hyperspace High are chosen for a reason, though most of the time no one’s quite sure what that reason is. The scholars of Kerallin are a secretive bunch. But it’s a big honour to be chosen. Oh, this is the virtual-reality lecture hall.”
For the next hour, Kaal led John around the ship until his head spun and his legs ached from the effort of keeping up with the tall Derrilian. He saw classrooms with holographic teachers, laboratories that couldn’t be entered without protective clothing, and sports halls where students were practising games he couldn’t begin to understand. “OK, last stop is the Centre,” Kaal said finally. “You’re going to love it. And we can pick up some new stuff for you there.”
“Centre,” said the voice of the elevator as the door slid open.
John followed Kaal out and found himself gasping for what felt like the thousandth time that day. Will I ever get used to this? he thought, trying to take in the sight before him.
They were standing on a balcony in a space like a football stadium. Above was a vast, clear dome through which John could see stars. Below, where the pitch should have been, was a small forest. Tall trees, of types and colours John had never seen before, stretched up towards the dome above. In the middle was a small, sparkling lake, in which students were splashing around. Among the trees were tables where brightly coloured beings sat eating and drinking. Around the edges rose rings of balconies. More aliens – students, John corrected himself – were walking around, going in and out of what looked like shops and cafés.
“Awesome, huh?” said Kaal. “This is the Centre. It’s where everyone meets up. Let’s get something to drink, then we’ll grab what you need. Ska’s Café is the cool place to hang out at the moment. It’s this way.”
Staring ahead, John followed him. Beings of every shape passed him, some on two legs, some on four or six, some floating in mid-air. They were every colour of the rainbow, and no two were alike. Smooth faces and faces that looked as though tree roots were spread across them turned curiously towards him. Other students were covered in technological devices that looked like parts of their bodies. Every shop they passed was different, too. There was nothing John recognized in any of the window displays. He tried to stop and take a closer look, but Kaal’s hand on his shoulder steered him firmly through the crowd.
Inside Ska’s Café groups of students were laughing over tall glasses of bright liquids. The black walls were covered with designs in glowing colours, and the café was filled with a high-pitched wailing sound.
Kaal led him to what looked like a row of microwave ovens along one wall. “Hi,” Kaal said. “I’ll have a starberry smoothie, and my friend will have a... John, what do you want?”
“Orange juice, please,” replied John, wondering who Kaal was talking to.
“Or-an-jooz?” said a dry voice. “What planet is that from?”
“Earth,” said John, looking around in confusion.
“Earth. Interesting planet, noted for its music.” Immediately, the high-pitched wailing sound stopped. John couldn’t believe his ears, as the sound was replaced with a popular song he’d downloaded the day before. He stared around wildly.
“Drinks are ready,” the voice said.
“Thank you... And thanks for the music,” John said, still looking around.
There was a slight pause. “You’re welcome,” said the voice quietly. “No one’s ever thanked me before.”
Before John could reply, Kaal nudged him and handed him a tall glass of orange juice he’d taken from one of the microwave-type machines.
“Ship’s computer,” Kaal said, seeing John’s questioning face. “Spare table over at the back,” he continued, peering over the crowd. “Quick, before someone else takes it.”
Sipping his juice, which tasted as if it had been freshly squeezed, John stayed close to the Derrilian as he pushed towards the back of the café.
“Hey, Lishtig,” Kaal said, stopping. “Good to see you. This is John Riley. New student.”
“We met on the shuttle,” said the purple-haired boy. “You’re the Martian prince, right?”
“Umm, no. Bit of a mix-up. I’m from Earth.”
“I wondered why you hadn’t taken off your disguise.”
“And this is Gobi-san-Art,” Kaal cut in, indicating a creature that looked as if it had been carved from rock. “Gobi, meet John Riley.”
“A pleasure to meet you, John Riley,” said the being, in a voice that crunched like gravel.
“And this,” the Derrilian said, ”is Emmie Tarz. Emmie, John Riley. New student.”
John’s heart leaped as he looked down. Sitting at a table was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Her face was almost human – with navy-blue eyes, an upturned nose, and a wide mouth – and her faintly golden skin looked as soft as peaches.
“Welcome aboard,” said Emmie, her voice light and musical. John’s knees almost gave way as she swept back a mass of shining silvery hair and tucked it behind one of her slightly pointed ears. “Are you OK? Your skin’s changed colour.”
Realizing that he was blushing just made John feel even more awkward. “Umm, yeah, fine. Ahh... good... good to – yeah, you know.”
“And hello to you, too,” Emmie replied with a wide smile.
“Come on, John, we’re going to lose that table,” said Kaal, pulling him away.
Turning away from Emmie, John muttered to himself, “Nice work, Riley. Very cool.” He stepped forward and felt something squelch beneath his foot.
“Ow! Watch where you put your feet, you clumsy primitive.”
John whirled round to see a figure rising from a nearby seat. Yellow eyes glared at him poisonously. The boy glaring at him was about the same size and shape as John, with two arms and two legs, but he had a great mane of black hair and two black, octopus-like tentacles growing from his ribcage. A small metallic ball was hovering behind him, a gleaming arm extended to brush microscopic specks of dust from his shoulder. With a sinking feeling, John looked down. He’d trodden on one of the boy’s sucker-covered tentacles.
“Are people on your world blind?” the boy spat.
“Perhaps it should be treated with kindness, young Master Talliver,” the metallic ball chipped in, its voice snooty. “One must make allowances for these barely evolved species.”
“Shut up, G-Vez. I was talking to the primitive,” the boy snapped.
John stepped back in surprise. “I’m really sorry,” he said. “Totally my fault, I should have been looking—”
“Don’t apologize. Mordant was trying to trip you. I saw him.”
Emmie Tarz was standing behind him, looking furiously at the black-haired boy. “Nice way to welcome a new student, Mordant,” she finished.
“A student?” said the hovering ball in a sniffy tone. “It seems standards are falling at Hyperspace High.”
“I said shut up, G-Vez,” Mordant hissed.
“Just as you say, Master Talliver.”
The metallic ball retracted its arm and hovered in silence. Mordant turned back to glare at Emmie. “So, it’s Tarz to the rescue,” he sneered. “The school’s most stupid student: Emmie Tarz from planet Thicko.”
Emmie’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“Surprised the Examiners let you back in this term, Tarz,” Mordant continued. “If I were them, I’d dump you in space. Hyperspace High’s supposed to have high standards.”
“I’d apologize to her right now if I were you, Mordant,” growled Kaal. The Derrilian stepped forward, towering over Mordant. Strong muscles shifted beneath his green skin.
“Apologize for what?” Mordant snapped back. “Telling the truth? She’s as thick as a Gullian Plankfish. Everyone knows it.”
Ka
al’s fist lashed out, catching Mordant on the chin. The black-haired boy stumbled backward, knocking over a table and sending drinks flying. Brightly coloured liquid splattered onto the floor.
With a sudden shock, John remembered the headmaster’s warning about fighting with Mordant Talliver. “Don’t do it, Kaal!” he shouted. “Lorem said it wasn’t a good idea.”
Too late. There was no stopping the fight now.
Mordant’s tentacles snaked out and wrapped themselves around Kaal’s arms, holding him still. He stepped forward and landed a punch in Kaal’s stomach.
Roaring, the Derrilian tore the tentacles away and threw himself forward, his wings unfurling and beating in fury.
“Stop it! Stop it!” yelled Emmie Tarz, as Kaal began pummelling Mordant.
“Rule one eight four five A: Physical combat is not permitted on Hyperspace High.”
John looked up to see one of the egg-shaped Examiners glide through the doorway. In a flicker of green light, Kaal and Mordant were thrown apart and held still by the Examiner’s force fields. “Lorem was right,” Kaal groaned. “We’re in trouble now.”
“Report,” said the Examiner in its emotionless electronic voice.
Before Kaal could open his mouth, Mordant quickly said, “It was him. He attacked me for no reason.”
“Indeed, the Derrilian began the duel. Master Talliver was simply defending himself,” said the hovering G-Vez, sounding bored.
“That’s not true,” gasped Emmie Tarz. “Mordant tried to trip up the new student and insulted me. Kaal lost his temper, but he was provoked.”
“That’s right,” said John. “We didn’t start any trouble.”
“They’re lying!” yelled Mordant. “Don’t believe a word—”
In another flicker of green light, he was silenced.
“A most unfortunate misunderstanding, but young Master Talliver is quite innocent—”
The metal ball was silenced, too.
“Verifying,” droned the Examiner. It was silent for a second, then continued, “The reports of Emmie Tarz and John Riley are accurate. Discipline as follows: Kaal report to detention room three when classes terminate. Mordant Talliver report to the headmaster’s office immediately.” The Examiner’s green lights snapped off.
Kaal stood up, crossing his arms over his chest. “You should know by now that you can’t lie to an Examiner, Mordant,” he said quietly.
“Silence,” said the Examiner. “Mordant Talliver, report to the headmaster’s office immediately.”
Saying nothing, but shooting a look of pure hatred at Kaal, Emmie, and John, Mordant turned and walked quickly out of the café, followed by the metal ball. The Examiner floated after them.
The room fell silent. John pushed his blond hair out of his eyes and looked at Kaal.
“The Examiners are in charge of discipline,” his roommate explained. “They take it really seriously. You do not want to mess with them.”
“Who was the idiot with the tentacles and the freaky ball thing?” John growled.
“Just because his father’s got loads of money, Mordant Talliver thinks he’s the greatest thing since hyperspace technology. And the ball is G-Vez – a Serve-U-Droid. They’re sort of a cross between a pet and a servant; massively expensive and completely loyal to their owners. Most people think they’re a bit weird.”
“No kidding—” John was interrupted by a loud chime.
“Oh no, it’s later than I thought,” Kaal hissed. “Classes start in five minutes and we’ve got to get to the hangar deck. We’ll never make it.” He clutched his head. “First day of term and I’m gonna get two detentions. Plus, extra work. Sergeant Jegger hates lateness.”
“Who is Sergeant Jegg—”
“No time for questions. Just run!”
Chapter 6
John and Kaal were already sprinting, when a voice behind them shouted, “Hey, wait for me!” Glancing over his shoulder, John saw Emmie Tarz pushing her way through the crowd. “I’ve got the same class,” she panted as she ran up beside him. “Come on.”
The three sprinted into a lift and hit the far wall in a jumble. “Hangar deck C!” yelled Kaal. “As fast as possible.”
The lift plunged downward at heart-stopping speed. After a few seconds it lurched sideways, flinging them in a different direction. “Whoa, not quite so fast,” said Kaal, catching Emmie’s slim figure just before her head slammed against the wall. The lift slowed obediently and a few moments later the door slid open.
“Just in time,” grinned Kaal. “Quick, before Jegger gets here.”
“What class is this?” John whispered to Emmie, as the three students joined a neat line on the deck. He looked around at the empty space. Perhaps it’s PE, he thought to himself. Running circuits of the vast space would be perfect for long-distance training.
“Shhh,” Kaal replied on the other side of him. John looked round to see the massive Derrilian stiffen and stand straighter. “Jegger,” Kaal hissed from the corner of his mouth.
A figure was approaching from the far side of the deck, marching briskly, but with a strange, rolling gait. As it came closer, John realized why it looked so odd: Sergeant Jegger had three legs. Two hours earlier he would have gasped in shock, but he had already seen much stranger sights. Apart from the extra limb – plus three eyes, one of which was hidden under a patch – the teacher looked almost human, with a bristling moustache and a ring of iron-grey hair around an otherwise bald head.
“Attention!” Sergeant Jegger barked, coming to a halt in front of the line of students. As the students tried to stand even more stiffly, he continued, “Welcome to Intermediate Space Flight, cadets. As you all mastered the basics last term, this term you will be going solo in a class two training-dart.”
As Jegger spoke, the floor behind him began to revolve and move away. Before John’s eyes, a row of spacecraft rose from a holding bay below. Each was made from gleaming metal, shining under the bright lights of the hangar deck. Each ship had a long, sharp nose with a cockpit behind. At the rear were short, sleek, swept-back wings. Through clear glass, John could see what looked like control panels and a large joystick. With a quiet clonk, the floor locked into place.
“Let’s not waste any time,” barked the sergeant. “Board your t-dart. You will find a helmet on each seat. Put it on and fasten your safety harness securely.”
“Brilliant!” John heard Emmie Tarz breathe. “Solo flying!” She was already moving towards the nearest craft. Kaal, too, was making for a ship.
“Wait,” said John. “Umm... excuse me, Sergeant Jegger, sir.” His hand shot up. “I’ve never—”
“Get in your t-dart, cadet,” barked the teacher, turning away. “I want everyone in the air in thirty seconds.”
“But—”
“Now!”
With a gulp, John walked across the deck towards one of the last two ships. Around him, students were scrambling aboard with whoops of glee. “How hard can it be?” he muttered to himself. “Joystick, control pad. Just like playing a video game.” He gulped again as he approached the small craft. “Except video games don’t actually fly.”
Watching what the other students were doing, John pulled a handle on the side of the ship. The roof of the cockpit slid back. With a hiss, a panel opened in the machine’s side, dropping steps. On trembling legs, John climbed in and put on what looked like a metal motorcycle helmet. At once, foam-like material inside it swelled to cushion his head.
As he sat, the flight seat moved forward automatically and the controls dropped until they were within reach. Across the screens in front of him, strange symbols appeared and quickly vanished and were replaced with English. Even so, the electronic panels still looked incredibly complicated. Among the few that John could understand were panels marked “Fuel”, “Power”, and “Velocity”; other screens showed complicated graphs and w
hat looked like 3-D star maps.
“Preflight checks,” said Jegger’s voice through his helmet. “Close and lock.” John turned his head to see Emmie in the t-dart next to him lean over and pull something near her feet. Looking down, he saw a small lever. He gave it a tug. At once the steps folded back into their panel and the cockpit door closed overhead.
“Power up your engines!” barked Jegger’s voice. “That’s to the right of your panel, for anyone who’s forgotten over the holidays.”
John stretched out his hand to the touchscreen panel.
“Wait!” snapped Jegger. “Do NOT start engines.” Slightly muffled, as if the sergeant were speaking away from the microphone, he continued. “Mordant. Why are you late?”
Through the speakers in his own helmet, John heard Mordant reply from a distance, “I was attending a meeting in Lorem’s office.” The tone of his voice made it sound as though he and the headmaster had been locked away discussing important business.
Sergeant Jegger wasn’t fooled. “In trouble again, cadet?” he snapped.
John couldn’t help breaking into a grin inside his helmet, as he heard Mordant splutter.
“Save it for someone who cares,” Jegger said over Mordant’s protests. “Just get in a dart. On the double, you’re holding up my class.”
A few moments later, Jegger’s voice came through clearly again, sounding annoyed. “Right, if everyone is quite ready, power up.”
John pressed a red glowing panel on the touchscreen and felt his seat begin to vibrate gently. In his helmet, Jegger’s voice barked again. “Orders, cadets. Listen up and listen good. As this is your first solo flight, we won’t be going any further than the hangar deck. You’ll be flying very slowly.”
John felt his shouders sag with relief. He might just be able to handle the t-dart after all.
“Now, let’s get moving. Punch the power up to three.”
John found the “Power” screen and touched it experimentally. In the top corner the number one flashed and the ship vibrated a little more urgently. John touched the panel twice more until the number changed to three.