Human Starpilots

by F Stephan

  The first week, on Fiveday, they met in Emily’s room.

  “So, what is your situation?” She asked taking control of the situation. Her hair was tied back and this gave her a stern appearance.

  Tasha smiled and winking at Li Bao, bowed to Emily. “We are faring badly little mother. I am good in Logistics and Trade but I was lost on Physics the first day. And for the rest, there is simply too much work. ”

  Li Bao nodded with her. “The Biology is not that bad. But the rest is difficult.” The admission was not easy for her. Soon, Willfried, Brian and Leopold completed the picture with fairly similar situations.

  “So, this is confirmed. All together we can face the different courses.” They looked at each other and nodded in acceptance. “If we work together, we have a chance, even if small.”

  “You could maybe do it alone? You have already distinguished yourself. Won’t we hold you down?” Brian had found it hard to ask the question, because without her he would fail. But he had to ask it. “We have to get one of us through the academy.”

  This time, Emily took a deep breath, letting the tension drag for a minute before answering. Then, she laughed, a clear and mirthful sound.

  “Thank you Brian. But, you are wrong. I cannot succeed on my own. I can maybe manage this test, maybe the next few ones. But if I am alone, I will miss on those areas where you are stronger than me. No even for me, this is all or nothing.” She seemed relieved as she said it.

  So as they had agreed before, every night until late, Brian and the others worked under Emily’s supervision to meet their deadlines. In these first blurry weeks, she became the center of their life. Li Bao shared daily messages with Mathias, requesting specific searches, and the techno geek carried out deep data dives into the Sphere.

  All worked to help, each on his or her own way. Progressively, they improved and, step after step, found their own strengths. Brian discovered a knack for finding his way in star navigation—an abstract course during which they built paths in a multidimensional environment—as well as an intense aversion for flights mechanics.

  They soon discovered that second and third years were either off-planet completing apprenticeships or locked in the simulators located in the tower. They had formed small groups and kept mostly to themselves. Likewise, teachers lived their lives outside the academy. Little by little, they created new habits, took a corner of the large common rooms for themselves, and began to mix different types of music. They also tried out various games from different planets. During that time, this place became their own private blend of the universe.

  At the end of the second month, Master Reinkel called them all in the main classroom. The other permanent teachers from the academy all joined him on a small dais, alongside a woman they didn’t know, wearing a blue uniform with the federation logo over her heart. In the logo, two humans, one male and one female, were holding hands in a circle of stars. Brian had liked the logo from the start.

  “Dear students, you have been with us for two months now. Some are finding their place here. Some are not and are wasting time.”

  They all held their breath.

  “Not all are fit to become pilots. But all can find a place in the Federation or on their planet. Some of you will be reoriented toward other courses, notably engineering and environmental management. So, you still have many chances of going into space.”

  Angry mutters erupted here and there. The option didn’t seem to please the audience. Brian would have to investigate what those careers meant. He was a qualified engineer on Earth, after all. Would it be a good idea for him to change?

  “I will announce now the departures that have already been decided. For all who leave us, Mistress Zaranha, from the planet Ullem, will escort you to Federation headquarters, where you will spend the next days on the orientation program. Nerm and the staff will arrange for the transfer of your belongings.”

  The Federation delegate had stepped forward to take the lead. “I know that this is not what any of you expected. But the Federation needs you in the best of your capacities. And if one path is not correct, another will be found. You may be surprised by where it leads you.” Her melodious voice bewitched them. “For all concerned, your bracelet will turn yellow now. Please follow me.”

  She turned and walked toward the exit. One student walked, and then another, and in a few minutes, ten students had left the room.

  “For the next few weeks, we will inform you one at a time if you move on to the next stage or if you have to go to the Federation Orientation Program. I wish you all the best of luck in finding your own way,” Master Reinkel concluded. “Tonight and tomorrow, you’re off. You should celebrate both those who remain and those who leave. Your bracelets have now been activated for payments and your accounts credited with a small stipend.”

  They went out, all thirty together led by the Adheekens. “Come, I know the right place for this occasion.” Dendrom Touril came from the city and they all knew it. They walked for fifteen minutes in silence and reached a large dome covering a small warren of streets. “This dome was built at the beginning of the warm age before we were contacted by the Federation. Not very successful during the day but very nice by night.” She led them to a bar located in a basement. There was some music, strangely dissonant to their ears. Adheekens were dancing in the back to the rhythm. Holograms were used everywhere, and at first, Brian could not separate the real dancers from the fake.

  “Hello, cousin.” She hailed the barman when she entered.

  “Oh, what brings you in this shady part of town?” He smiled at her.

  “This is a night for it. Zalam for everyone. Paid by the Federation.”

  “Milady, my humble bar will be happy to serve you the Zalam on this planet.” He quickly filled small porcelain cups with a thick brown liquid.

  Dendrom turned to them and toasted “To all who try. «They took their cups and toasted together. Then they drained the cup in one gulp. Brian coughed several times. The liquid was very strong mixing fire and spice. Tasha smiled at him. “You cannot drink any mild alcohol? We are going to have to try you in this as well?” She was one of the few not coughing. With this, the dark spell from the evening was broken and they started to talk all together between planets. Brian found himself talking to the tall guy who sat next to him in the amphitheater. He was a very tall Illiken, the oldest of all students, close to thirty with dark copper skin and deep unforgiving eyes.

  “I am Brian Evans from Earth.”

  The other laughed. “We have all heard of the last planet which joined the Federation. I am Shanak ken Illmar from Illik.”

  “Where is it? How is your planet? Why are you here?”

  “You have always so many questions? In my culture, it is not proper to ask before a bond of obligation is created between people.” His voice was a deep baritone and Brian had to concentrate to distinguish the words in the low rumble.

  “And if I bought you the next drink? Would that be acceptable in your culture?”

  “It might be a start.”

  Brian turned toward the bar, pointing his bracelet but nothing happened. Dendrom called to him. “Your account cannot bear this cost yet. But master Reinkel cleared an amount for us tonight.” She smiled with that.

  Shanak saw it and again laughed with his deep resonant laugh. “You will have a debt toward me, Earthman. Illik is more than fifty light years away on the side of the spiral arm. My planet has a larger and denser core than Adheek and our gravity is a bit heavier than here. We had radiation leaks one hundred years ago and we desperately need Federation support to keep the mutations from crashing our ecosystem. Last, but not least, I am here to honor my father and my clan, the Illmar. I will not be a great warrior but Star Pilot is an honored title among the clans. And you? I know where your planet is.”

  “Our climate is degrading due to global warming. The degradation is now accelerating and we are in deep trouble. We also need Federation support to contain it. I was to be an e
ngineer but now I will be a star pilot to help our planet.”

  “An engineer. You should get along with the Nelomans. You see Troum over there? Pale girl with blue hairs? They brought with them a high level of technological skills and an intuition in that field none could equal. I heard it said that they matched the Federation in some areas.”

  “Isn’t Master Reinkel also from Nelom?”

  “Yes, he is. They sometimes take themselves too seriously. And he is probably the worst of them. But Troum seems nice enough.”

  Tasha joined them and toasted with both. She pointed to Emily who was talking with a very good looking Adheeken boy. “And what about our hosts? Do you know them? By the way, I am Natalya Podorovski but you can call me Tasha. And I want also to become a pilot to honor my family and my clan, the Podorovski.” Brian was surprised. She had very really spoken of her family, a strong power in her country. Shanak bowed deeply. “Your surname on our first encounter? You are brash people but I like your smile. I am honored to meet you. It is nice that some of you understand the clans. Your friend doesn’t seem to.”

  “Don’t tease my big stupid brother, Shanak ken Illmar. I am the only one allowed. This is very serious offense if you trespass.” The little blond girl was joking, or so thought Brian, but Shanak took the threat very seriously.

  “I will not tease him again, Tasha. About your question, they are weird here. They work by guilds but their definition of what their guild covers shifts quickly depending on trade.”

  “And what about the Pilot Corporation?”

  “This is one of the most powerful ones. Quite small in numbers but they are in the only one who can trade among star. It drives a terrible competition to belong to it. Like all of our planets, Adheek need Federation technology to cope with their warm age and their global warming, both combined at the same time. But they have a notion of honor”.

  “This is strange. Are there planet not in ecological collapse in the Federation?” Brian had known that many planets shared the same fate but in the quadrant it seemed that all did. Many were something he could understand. Technological development could quickly lead to issues. But all? Why would all planets fail?

  “You ask a true question. Not many think about it because they are stuck in their world and don’t see that much of other planet. Among pilots, it is seldom discussed but before I left, I had a talk with my father about this. But I fear we will have to go to Core Federation World for an answer”.

  “This won’t happen for a couple of years”.

  “If we go this far”, completed Tasha. “You have very serious conversations tonight”. They smiled at her. “Any other advice?”

  “I will only caution you toward one planet.” His tone grew quiet, like a murmur.

  “Which one?” Brian’s curiosity could not be stopped and the words were out of his mouth before he could react.

  “Another debt, my friend. Another debt.” Shanak pondered for a while. “The Pelorans. They are mostly skilled in psychological sciences and you cannot read their mind. They will honor their word or not for reasons you cannot understand. They can be of great help or drop you in an instant. They are strange.”

  Tasha looked at them. “But they were the first to talk to everyone. They seemed so nice. What are they here for?”

  “Yes, duplicity on their side. Befriend everyone to gain future goodwill. They can be very nice at time. But be wary of them. They change quicker than light.” Shanak let the silence linger after his sentence. “But as for why they are here, they need Federation help like all of us. Same type of environmental issues although I haven’t dug into any details.” They continued to talk after, drinking and comparing their planet and it ended when the sun rose again over the city. All were happily drunk when they came back to the academy. Yet, Brian’s sleep was perturbed that night. Why were all planets so dependent from the Federation? Why no planet was free of its support? This was something he would need to investigate.

  After that first night, they went out every Fourday and sometimes on Nineday evening for short excursions, a meal outside and a bit of fresh air. Every few days, a student would leave, sometimes alerting his friend, sometimes disappearing. The tension increased for the remaining students who had not been promoted to the next phase. Among them, Brian lost sleep and fought to keep his concentration as his other friends were confirmed.

  7 Brian

  The class on quantum mechanics had been a disaster. Brian was sure this would get him expelled. He hated the discipline, as it made no sense to him, no matter how much effort he put into it. He was close to tears as he hurried along the narrow corridor to his weekly tutoring. Master Heikert, his tutor, disliked students who arrived late. Brian reached the entrance of the section and crossed in a single step the round double door leading to it. Some lights were broken and in need of repair. In the old building, there was always something to fix wherever they went, and Nerm couldn’t keep up with all the maintenance work. A glance at his bracelet showed he still was on time. Yet he finished the last fifty meters in the creepy corridor at a run.

  He seated himself on the leather bench outside the door and prepared for his interview. He slowed his breath and forced a smile. It felt so strange to start his studies again and to face all that uncertainty after receiving his engineering diploma. But what other choices had he had? He would have to ask Master Heikert about his other options to prepare for the orientation he would soon face. All his friends from Earth had been promoted, and he was among the last remaining.

  “Well, you may not understand the finesse of quantum theory, but you can walk. I guess this is already something!” Brian shuddered and did not answer. Master Heikert had opened the door silently, and now he appeared, solemn, in the doorway. He looked fifty, a squat man in neat black silk trousers and shirt, and his yellow eyes always found something wrong no matter what. “Come in and let’s check how you are faring this week on everything else.”

  He felt the sweat building on the palm of his hand as he followed the renowned expert into his study. The room was quite spacious, with a large window overlooking the city. In the early sunset, when the dischargers gave back the energy accumulated during the day, the city was ablaze with lights, and the 3-D projectors created fantasy landscapes on the austere walls; people in multicolored raiment walked everywhere on the streets, and the vision was stupendous. The large desk filled the center of the room with an elaborate 3-D navigation chair on one side and a large bookshelf on the other. The old books felt obsolete and at odds with the standard usage of dimensional projections. The teacher worked both with tools unused for a century and with the most complex 3-D tool Brian had ever seen. Printed pictures decorated all walls, each of different planets, with local inhabitants or other pilots. It was rumored he had visited the whole Federation before settling on Adheek. There were also several medals and trophies distributed in different shelves and countless rumors on the multiple lives Master Heikert he had supposedly lived, but even Mathias hadn’t been able to find any hard fact in the DataDump.

  Brian hurried to a seat since his teacher had swiftly regained his own and activated the 3-D projector between them. He now detailed aloud each result of the week.

  “Not so bad as I feared,” he commented slowly after a while. “Apart from a few courses, you have mastered what is required, and your progress in the written Old Standard and on the reader is beyond our expectations at this stage.” He paused for a second. “Well, the council has decided to move you to the next phase of your training. Congratulations, boy. You have now finished your induction period.” Heikert let the news sink in before continuing.

  Brian could not keep the surprise from showing and whispered, “Thank you, sir.”

  “Don’t thank me, boy. Not until you know more. You will start two weeks from now. You have a good knack for finding your way in astrogation charts. Actually, this is the main reason the teachers confirmed you. But you are still weak on the fundamentals and especially on applied ma
thematics and quantum physics, so you will have to finish those courses and a few others in this list.” The bracelet blinked with the list Brian had received. “You should focus on this in the coming days. We will review your progress on those as well every week, and I expect them to be completed a month from now. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir.” Brian now shivered under the precise dictation.

  “In two weeks, after lunch, you will join all other first years in the third tower for simulation. This is a very important step for you, and with all the difficulties you already face, I want you to concentrate on the command interface with the simulator for the next few weeks. Until you control it, you are not worth a penny to anyone. During that period, you will report any blocks you face immediately. Your bracelet is unlocked for collaborative work with both your fellow students and us.”

  Until now, they had been isolated in their studies and only able to communicate face to face which had been a shock for Brian. He had been directly connected with his friends since his childhood.