“Relatively alone, if you get my drift,” Ellie clarified, nodding in the direction of the two ‘cats.
A Return to Space School
The five members of the team returned to New Sanctuary at the appointed time, ten days after they had been turned loose. They all had stories of their escapades, but the least vocal were Cain and Ellie, as they’d enjoyed each other’s company like newlyweds do, which doesn’t make for great stories to share. They were happy and the others accepted that.
Briz never left New Sanctuary. He spent every minute of all ten days belly deep in everything he could find on the ISE, and when he wasn’t studying the technical materials, he was talking with the engineers. He was probably the most energized out of all the new ensigns. Tandry was exhausted from her ten days of nonstop partying at her home in Westerly.
Ellie wanted to take a shuttle to Jefferson City, but Cain wasn’t in a good mood and that probably wouldn’t have been the best way to meet his new in-laws. She invited them to New Sanctuary for a short visit during the training. They said that they’d see, still not happy with the whole situation.
Master Daksha stayed close with Briz during their time off and once the ensigns returned, he remained with the team for the first week before he needed to return to his ship. After two more weeks, they’d join him on the Cygnus-12. They had a great deal to learn before they could start learning how the ship really worked. There was theory, then there was the mundane, day-to-day tasks, critical for operations.
And checklists, endless checklists.
The team returned to Space School, happy for the diversion after the first week. DI Katlind was waiting for them, having already deposited her new crop of recruits at the classroom for the day. Black Leaper was first to greet her, but his joy was short-lived. The rest of the team stopped in their tracks upon seeing her dark scowl.
In a voice barely audible, she said the dreaded words, “Obstacle course.” Cain had the audacity to laugh, pointing to their new uniforms. The short Discipline Instruction strode to him and jabbed a finger in his chest. “No discipline in your nasty bodies already? Take my eyes off you for five minutes and you revert to wild beasts. OBSTACLE COURSE!” The spittle flying from her face convinced them that this was no joke. They raced from the indoor platform, up the stairs, and turned toward the obstacle course. As they ran at breakneck speed, they started to laugh. The more things changed, the more they remained the same.
“What are you miscreants looking at?” the DI snarled at the three Hillcats looking at her, curious expressions on their ‘cat faces.
‘I think I like this one,’ Lutheann said over the mindlink, eliciting a snort of derision from Katlind.
‘Hurry along, human, your charges are waiting for your gentle hand to guide them through the obstacles of life,’ Carnesto offered.
“And you mangy beasts could use some discipline. You better be out there by the time I get there!” she threatened, then turned and ran from the station. The ‘cats looked at each other.
‘She can’t be serious?’ Carnesto asked the others.
‘You saw her mind. Of course she’s serious. She burned down the observation tower to make a point. I don’t think throwing us in the mud pond would be beyond her,’ Mixial told them.
‘I’d like to see her try,’ Carnesto said in his most macho thought voice.
‘So would I,’ Lutheann added. ‘I would like to see her throw you in the pit. So, she burned it down on purpose? The rest of the story is always more interesting.’ The white ‘cat bolted away, followed closely by the smaller Mixial.
Hillcats were far faster than any human. It didn’t take them long to overtake the DI. They passed her quickly, then continued until they caught up with Stinky and his team. When they passed, the Wolfoid dropped to all fours and bolted ahead. The ‘cats had been running for a while so they weren’t ready to race. Only Carnesto felt it necessary to win the race and he surged forward, taking the lead and reaching the obstacle courses a few bounds in front of Leaper. The other two ‘cats arrived and then the ensigns. When DI Katlind arrived, the rest had caught their breath and were standing comfortably.
“Go!” the DI shouted without preamble. The team ran toward the first obstacle where Cain gave Ellie a hand up to reach the top of the wall. She scrambled up, then held a hand out for Tandry. Cain squatted two paces out from the wall. First Briz, then Stinky used him as a springboard, vaulting easily to the top of the wall. Before he could stand up, the three ‘cats, in rapid succession, did the same thing, leaping high and catching the wall with their sharp claws, pulling themselves onto the platform before running down the ramp on the other side.
Cain used the wall to kick high enough to catch the hands of his teammates, who pulled him up and they were off. They figured the ‘cats would run around the mud pit. No.
As Tandry jumped to catch the rope, Mixial, timed perfectly, landed high on her human’s back, figuring that she’d catch a ride across. Tandry grunted with the impact and flew forward, the rope hitting her in the face. She flailed for it, missing and falling into the muddy water. Mixial splashed down, then struggled mightily to climb atop her human as the only dry refuge. Tandry was angry and dove under the water, swimming toward the edge. Lutheann and Carnesto looked at each other, then casually started walking around the mud pit.
DI Katlind had to look away so the ensigns wouldn’t see her laughing. The others ran and hit the rope like professionals, swinging across to safely land on the other side. Cain and Briz hurried down the slope to help pull Tandry from the mud, leaving the swimming ‘cat behind as they ran for the balance beam.
Tandry smiled as she dripped. Sometimes the best revenge was unplanned.
Space School Graduates
The team returned to their old rooms after the obstacle course. Mixial couldn’t get the mud from her fur, so she showered with Tandry, scratching her frequently to let her know the full extent of her discomfort. After a toweling and a hot air blow dry, Mixial felt better, declared them even, and returned to the company of her fellow ‘cats, who looked at her in mild amusement. A ‘cat found the best humor in others’ misfortune.
DI Katlind was waiting for the team as they casually strolled back to the common area, immediately uncomfortable with their approach to the day.
“No discipline. This team has no discipline. I’m a complete failure. Am I going to have to go on board that metal monster in order to keep you snot-nosed kids in line?” she asked rhetorically. The ensigns shook their heads as the ‘cats watched. The DI avoided looking at the Hillcats, knowing that they were in her head and aware of how she really felt.
“Space stars for all of you? I have to say that I’ve been on board the Traveler a couple times, and those vines gave me the willies.” She dropped the tough-guy act. “I’m proud of you, Briz, all of you.” She sat down and motioned the others to drag chairs into a semicircle around her.
Briz recounted the tale for her and she nodded as he went. She clapped when he finished.
“I’ve petitioned to join the crew of Cygnus-12, but I probably won’t be accepted,” she told them. Despite their protests, she shook her head. “No. Spaceships are highly technical. You have to understand things, be skilled in ways that a knuckle-dragger like me could never. Sure, I’ve listened to all the lectures, but only to the twelfth week, before it gets to the important stuff. No, I’m afraid I don’t have enough to offer.”
“I’ll tutor you. You’ll be fine. And Pickles, the Lizard Man from Patesh’s team, he can fill in what I don’t cover. Do you need me to put in a good word for you?” Briz offered sincerely.
“When I need a recruit to vouch for me, then maybe they shouldn’t pick me!” She watched as the ensigns were taken aback, disappointed. “I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant,” she quickly corrected herself.
“Spaceships are unique places where everyone does three or four jobs, every one task as important as the next. I don’t know, we’ll see. And yes, Ensign Brisbois, if yo
u would be so kind as to put in a good word for me, I would appreciate it. Because I can’t imagine what a sorry state that ship will be in if you don’t have some adult supervision! And would you look at this?” She pointed to Cain and Ellie. “A married couple. In my barracks! Well, it wouldn’t be the first time fun’s been had in here,” she said with her eyebrows raised and an odd smile.
DI Katlind reviewed their schedule and most importantly, what they were supposed to learn in their last few days at Space School. The team was graduating a full six weeks early and some of that knowledge was deemed critical. They’d accelerate through those classes and then graduate, formally, in a small ceremony in the Dean’s office. Then they’d be whisked away to New Sanctuary, where they’d spend another week training with the ground support people, before transferring to the Traveler and catching a shuttle to their ship.
That was the plan, and the DI made sure they met each of their goals while she also managed the new recruits in class Gamma 37, the third class of the year. She ran them to the dining hall early, before the other class, and turned them loose to get to their classroom. Once in class, they were embroiled in a crash course on ship dynamics, construction theory, and the basics of living in space, enough information that they wouldn’t blow anything up in the first few weeks before they were settled in and properly afraid of everything that could kill them in the depths of space.
No one would get there in time.
Save the ship, then save the people. The ship was life. The teammates thought they had the proper respect for the ship.
The ‘cats had the proper disdain for a life aboard ship where there would be no grass under their paws, no wildlife to hunt, and no fresh meat. They shared their angst with their humans in odd ways, subliminally, openly, and constantly.
Cain and Ellie started to fight. Tandry stepped in and helped them understand what they were feeling. The emotions of their ‘cats had seeped into their consciousness and their individuality had started to blur. The acerbic nature of their bonded ‘cats did not blend well with the partnering of Cain and Ellie.
Tandry punched them both in their arms, explained what it was, and told them to figure it out. Leaper and Briz nodded vigorously, only partially understanding the human psyche. The entire team knew they were better together than apart. Mixial had sharp words for Lutheann and Carnesto, too.
When Cain and Ellie retired for the evening, they stayed together, although the bunks gave little privacy. Their ‘cats slept nearby and gave them peace of mind that no one would sneak up on them, a trait passed down over the generations. Humans who bonded with ‘cats were safer, because the ‘cats watched over them and warned them if danger approached. Cain and Ellie slept soundly, and that was what they embraced from each of the ‘cats, their willingness to stand between their humans and harm. The ‘cats’ words were cynical, but their actions were never in doubt.
After seven mind-bending days, the instructors declared Black Leaper’s team to be minimally capable, the only rating that mattered as that meant they were cleared to go to space. The graduation was held in the Dean’s office, with the menagerie that made up the team, including three Hillcats.
A surprise came when Ellie’s parents walked in. She reluctantly hugged them and introduced Cain. Her dad got into a power handshake contest, finally declaring a draw after an uncomfortable amount of time and an angry look from his wife. The conversation was stilted, since there was no time to talk. The ceremony was quick, formally pinning on a single gold bar rank marker that rested above their Space Stars, platinum for first class, gold for second class, and a striped silver for third class. Leaper’s team was the most highly decorated team ever to graduate.
Cain’s in-laws remained unimpressed and scowled the entire time. He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself. Then he got desperate. ‘Is there anything I can do?’ Cain asked over his mindlink with the ‘cat.
She answered with some choice words vividly describing how she could kill the offending member of the family. Cain smirked until Ellie gave him the same look her mother had given her father. ‘Anything else?’
‘Humans…’ she said impatiently. ‘He has no choice but to like you, and he will. Stop trying so hard. Be yourself, the one who will protect his daughter, and you’ll be fine. Now leave me alone, I think I hear a squirrel.’ Lutheann walked to the door and waited. Cain was positive she could open the door herself, but he caved and opened it for her. As soon as he closed it behind her, Carnesto appeared. Cain opened it once more, then quietly closed it behind the large black ‘cat. When he turned, Mixial was standing there. He took a deep breath and opened the door a third time. After closing it one final time, he returned to his seat, finding that everyone was watching him. Ellie’s mother seemed quite pleased.
Ellie gave him a look that suggested she’d tell him later. He couldn’t wait.
The ceremony continued for three more minutes before finishing.
“The ‘cats couldn’t wait for three minutes?” he asked Ellie, even though she wouldn’t know what motivated a ‘cat, as he or any other human didn’t know. She shrugged and worked her way between her parents, hanging off an arm of each to guide them outside. The ensigns had thirty minutes before they had to report to the subway for their short trip to New Sanctuary. Cain followed his new family out.
The other ensigns joined them in an area between the Space School buildings that was reminiscent of the ancients with paved walks, roads, gleaming white buildings, and windows sparkling under the sun’s magnificence.
“So, you two are married,” Ellie’s father, Paxton, began. Once again, Ellie’s mother Mikaila intervened, stopping the middle-aged man in his tracks.
“We are so happy to finally meet you,” she said with a big smile, pulling Cain in for a matronly hug. Mikaila was short and round with red cheeks that suggested she was more ready with a smile than her partner. Paxton watched from outside the tight circle formed by Cain, Ellie, and Mikaila. Cain’s eyes met those of his father-in-law. Despite their wives’ joy, Paxton was not happy about the situation at all. It must have taken a monumental effort for Mikaila to get him to come to the graduation, all that way for less than an hour.
‘Make an effort, please,’ Ellie encouraged Cain in her thought voice. He gave a curt nod, then disengaged himself from the women.
“So, what do you do, Paxton?” Cain asked, trying to sound sincere.
“What, Ellie doesn’t talk about us?” her father snipped back.
“Fine,” Cain answered, stepping aside and kissing Ellie gently on the cheek. “I’ll meet you at the subway.” Cain walked off, refusing to listen as Ellie begged him to come back. He wasn’t trying to manipulate her or drive a wedge between her and her parents. He saw himself as the wedge and decided, all by himself, that the best way to deal with the friction was by avoiding it. He knew that he would never have any kind of relationship with Paxton and that hurt. He heard Mikaila berating the older man as Cain continued to walk away, trying to look like a proud ensign while feeling like a failure.
He’d always felt that Aletha’s father treated him like his own son, with the nurturing support and wisdom that came from such a relationship. Cain found shade beneath a large tree. Leaning against it, his thoughts drifted back to Aletha, her beauty and love for him, the joy of hugging her, looking into her eyes.
“What have I done?” he lamented, cursing himself, punching the tree and shredding the skin on his hand. He gasped with the pain, then watched the blood well from the open wounds. He let it run down his fingers and drip onto the ground. Cain fell to his knees and stayed that way until his legs started to ache. The blood dried and caked over his hand.
When he stood, Ellie was behind him. She looked at his red eyes through puffy eyes of her own. With a force of will, Cain pushed Aletha into a corner of his mind and closed the door. Some of his warmth was trapped back there, too. There was only one person he knew he could be himself with, and she wasn’t there. He had to try to be that person
all the time. He took a deep breath.
“Aren’t we a pair?” Ellie asked, sensing something was off but unable to see past the barrier that Cain had uncharacteristically erected in his mind. “They didn’t tell me they were coming.” She tried to apologize, taking his hand and finally noticing his injured knuckles. “What did you do?” she asked, alarmed.
“Isn’t that the right question,” he replied flatly. “It’ll be fine. Let’s get to the subway. I can wash it off there.”
They walked in silence. Their big day, graduation from Space School, and they felt horrible.
‘The squirrels were quite tasty,’ Lutheann offered to lighten the mood. Carnesto agreed.
“Our life now,” Cain and Ellie said together, both laughing, strained but laughing.
Last Preps to Join the Crew
After a week of follow-on instruction in the bowels of the New Command Center, only Briz was able to see straight. The others felt like their brains had melted, but there would be no more time off to recover. It was a race to get to the ship and be familiarized before it departed. When they finished the last conversations with the engineers, the team packed its meager belongings and reported to the matter transfer chamber.
Cygnus Rising: Humanity Returns to Space (Cygnus Space Opera Book 1) Page 10