Kiakit turned and looked at Fermit. “That’s all well and dandy, but we still need a backup plan for when the people get here. Some of them on the Joy are really injured. How are we going to help them with the ship dead?”
This time Kiakit didn’t have an attitude. She was really concerned, and all of her points were valid. They couldn’t risk their ship. Many would die, but they couldn’t leave the Keesians on the Joy to die either. They were in a real dilemma.
Fermit paced the deck again. “Do we have any ships that can make it to Nork Station?”
Ester pulled up the ship information. “Looks like we have five.”
“How many can they seat?” Fermit walked over to Ester’s screen.
Ester looked at the size recommendation. “Fifteen each.”
“That’s seventy-five max. How many people are aboard this ship?” Fermit looked over Ester’s shoulders.
“Looks like twenty-five.” Ester looked up at him. “I mean, ten of us plus the fake simulation people.”
Bue got up. “What? That’s not fair!”
Samay turned around. “We have to count them, too.”
Fermit nodded. “How about we get the people off the Joy on our ship and load them on the smaller ships. They could go for help, while we float through space.” Everyone was starting to like the idea and nodded. Murk rolled his eyes, but he was outnumbered here. “Okay, Samay, jump them. Kiakit, message the Joy we would like to commence an energy transfer.”
“I can try.” Kiakit sent the message, and within seconds they got the okay. “Got it.”
“Great. Samay begin the transfer.” Fermit pointed to her.
“Yes Captain.” Samay slid the power button up and focused an energy beam to be absorbed by the Joy. The space station responded immediately, and the station came back to life. The repair ship was just about finished and close to opening the bay door.
Then on their deck an alert flashed on the screen and the panels went haywire.
“What’s wrong?” Fermit turned to Samay.
“Our ship! Turns out we had circuit damage, too. I must have missed that.” Samay fretted. “We can’t maintain the transfer for much longer.”
“Idiot!” Murk yelled. “Now, we’re all dead.”
“I’m-I’m sorry.” Samay was near tears.
“It’s okay. There’s nothing we can do about it now. How much time do we have until the ship shuts down?”
Samay tapped some buttons on the screen. “I think like fifteen minutes or so.” Samay looked at the controls.
Fermit walked to the screen. “Get everyone non-essential to the escape pods. When the Keesians from the Joy get here, we’ll load them up and leave. Samay, can you buy us anymore time?”
Samay clicked around. “I think so.” She looked around. “I think if we re-direct the power from the mainframe to the beam I can buy us thirty more minutes, but it would put us in grave danger. The ship might not make it.”
Fermit nodded. “Do it.”
Bue looked at Fermit. “Fermit, the repair pod has opened the door. The Keesians are boarding their ships, but there are too many of them. All of us won’t fit in our pods.”
There was silence building on the deck. With their own ship damaged beyond repair, the captain would have to make the tough call of who to let on the escape pods and who would stay behind. Fermit turned and looked at all the faces on the deck, their faces were riddled with panic and fear. Fermit swallowed hard and tightened up his posture. “Bue and Ester, head to the escape pods.”
Fermit pointed to a few other cadets before Murk shot out of his chair.
“Are you serious? You can’t be?” Fermit ignored his complaints. “You’re going to kill us all. What about sticking together? I’m sure the mission wasn’t about sacrificing our team.”
“Could you be any denser!” Ester shouted as she got up from her seat. “He’s making the best call to save the injured Keesians. It’s the only option.”
“So? What gives? Some of them won’t make it anyways. Why not just take the ones we know we can save instead of sacrificing all the perfectly healthy lives of the rangers on board?” Murk was now in Ester’s face.
“I don’t want to hear it!” Fermit shouted. “Bue, Ester, head to the escape pods, now!”
“Please let me stay with you,” Ester pleaded, “I don’t care about my life. Let me help you.”
Fermit was getting frustrated.
“I’ll go,” Kiakit stood and nodded to Ester. “I’ll make sure everyone gets on board the escape pods.”
Ester looked at Kiakit. “Kiakit…”
She turned to Ester. “Better you than me,” she half-heartedly joked.
Ester stood and took a deep breath and extended her hand. “Wish I could say it was a pleasure.”
Kiakit shook her hand. “Same.” The two exchanged one final look. “Bue, you ready?” Bue nodded, and like magic, a door opened for Bue and Kiakit along with four others to exit.
“Okay, it’s just us.” Fermit walked over to Samay. “Are the Keesians on board?”
“Yes, sir.” Samay checked the dock. “Wait! I’m getting some better readings. If we withdraw power from the beam and reroute it to the cooling systems, we may be able to save the ship.”
“Really?” Fermit walked over to her screen.
“Yeah, I think so.” Samay looked at the ship map.
Murk walked up behind her. “You think or you know?”
“I-I think.” Samay scratched her head.
Murk rolled his eyes. “Move. We don’t need a scatter brain like you at the controls.”
“Murk get back to your station!” Fermit demanded.
“It’s-it’s okay, I give up. He can have it.” Samay backed away.
“Samay,” Ester turned to her friend.
“It’s okay.” She stepped away and walked off to the side.
Fermit walked over to her. “Are you sure?” Samay nodded as she tried to fight back the tears.
“Red alert!” Murk shouted. “The engines are overheating! Samay, you idiot! You were looking at the wrong screen. Those weren’t the engine panels! That was the life support system! The engines are going nuclear in five minutes!” Murk turned to the captain.
“Ester! Are the people boarding the ships?” Fermit ran to her as the alarms on the ship went haywire.
“Yes, some of them, but everyone hasn’t gotten on yet.”
“Tell them to hurry!” Fermit pulled at his hair.
“Yes, sir!” Ester sent down a message, but it was too late. The engines over-heated and exploded from stress and the simulator ended.
Everyone looked at each other as the lights turned back on and the simulator shut down. Samay watched in horror as she looked at her classmates faces.
“I’m-I’m…” Samay broke down.
Murk got up, electricity pulsed through his veins. “You bumbling idiot!” Murk crossed the room and slammed Samay into the wall. “You ruined us all.”
Fermit tried to step in, but Murk wouldn’t let Samay go. Tears streamed down her face. “Murk, back off!” Fermit yelled
“No!” He pushed Fermit to the ground. “We failed because of her.” He turned to her, sparks of electricity coming from his fist.
“Murk, back off.” Ester walked towards Murk. Fire burned in her eyes.
Murk turned to her, his mouth snarled open. “You, this is your fault too, for believing in this twill.”
“She did her best!” Ester closed the gap between them.
Murk laughed as he stood his ground. “Are you sure about that? It’s weaklings like you that cause all the problems for real cadets like me.”
“Cadets like you shouldn’t even be in this academy,” Ester hollered.
She raised her fist and punched him dead in the face.
A fight erupted on the deck with Murk and Ester throwing spark filled punches. This was a long time coming as Ester let her rage pour out of her. She would take care of Murk once and for all. Murk dod
ged and landed a few hints in himself; he wasn’t going to be shown up by a poor girl from Adum-la. The two locked hands and struggled to get one another to ground. Murk tripped Ester with his foot, but she brought him down with her. On the floor, they exchanged punches and kicked each other like a bunch of animals.
“Enough!”
A voice on the intercom blasted through the speakers breaking up Ester and Murk. Fermit rushed to pull Ester away. He helped her up, all while glaring at Murk.
“This portion of your exam is over. Please exit and go to the waiting area.”
Chapter Thirteen
Ester and Murk stormed out of the testing area and into the waiting area with the rest of their teammates. Everyone had seen what happened. Samay and Fermit ran after Ester to try and cool her down, but Murk stormed up to her first.
“This is all your fault!” Murk shouted.
“My fault?” Ester yelled.
Fermit stepped in between them as sparks crackled around Ester and Murk. Fermit pushed his friend aside with the help of Samay. Their group had been through enough. There was no telling how many points they lost from that little hiccup, but Fermit was going to see to it that they didn’t lose anymore.
“Come on, let’s go.” Fermit dragged Ester away by the arm.
“That’s right, run! Run away, you brainless twills.” Murk turned to Kiakit and Bue. “Can you believe them?” Murk said, but Kiakit stepped back. “What?” Murk glared.
Kiakit balled her fists up. “You went too far this time, Murk.”
“Bullshit, you saw what they did?”
“It doesn’t matter!” she snapped. “Your little fight could have cost us the test.”
“Whatever,” Murk said as he folded his arms.
Kiakit scoffed and stormed off.
“What a bitch.” Murk turned to Bue.
“No, Murk,” Bue shook his head. “You really overdid it this time.” Bue turned and walked off too, leaving Murk alone.
Ester exited the testing area into the hallway. She was seething mad and wanted nothing more than to pound Murk into the ground. Fermit and Samay caught up with her and tried to calm her down, but she pushed them away. She needed sometime to calm herself. Fermit and Samay watched her leave, both with frowns on their faces. Ester walked through the side doors out into the courtyard where the testing center was. She didn’t want to see anyone right now. She walked down the path ignoring the glances she was getting. Everything about the test could have gone a lot smoother if it hadn’t been for Murk. He messed everything up with his bad attitude and arrogance. Why was he even allowed in? Ester wanted to pull her hair out. Sparks flew when Ester punched a tree and hissed when she felt a sting go up her arm. Sounds of crunching grass distracted her. She looked behind her and saw Angel.
“Damnit, Ester.” Angel’s face was red, his hair frizzy.
“What?”
“What do you mean ‘what’?” Angel’s face twisted in disgust. “I saw what happened.”
“Then you know it’s not my fault.”
“No, Ester.” Angel balled his fists. “You could have walked away.”
“Walked away? You saw what he was going to do to Samay. I couldn’t stand by and let him hurt her.”
Angel lowered his head, but she could tell he was still mad. “No, you could have walked away. Stood between him, something. You should have taken the high road.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing and from you of all people,” Ester said in anger.
“It’s not just about you, Ester. Everyone’s dream rides on the cooperation of everyone. When you act you have to think about the consequences.”
Ester’s heart raced as the sparks started to flare up her arms. Angel was mad at her for something Murk did.
“Whatever Angel, just leave me alone.” Ester turned her back to him.
Angel stood and stared at her for a while, then she heard the sounds of footsteps walking away. Ester cursed under her breath. Everything was falling apart, and now she wasn’t even sure she would make it into the academy.
***
The day after the test Ester woke up to find that Angel had already gone to breakfast without her. She got up and walked to the locker room and no one spoke to her, she only received side glances. The whispers were getting under her skin, but she ignored them. Samay found her and tried to cheer her up, but all Ester wanted to do was be alone. She sat alone in the garden outside of the crossroads leading to her dorm. The clouds rolled in and threatened rain, but Ester didn’t care. She was still in shock about what happened at the test. She couldn’t believe how awful Murk acted. It was embarrassing, but now things were all wrong. Her class only had sixty-four points going into the exam and who knew how many points they lost yesterday. Ester shoved her head in her palms. She wanted to scream.
She looked up. From where she was sitting, she could see the fountain with all the leaders of old. She was sure there was a lot of in fighting in their group too, but somehow, they’d seemed to put their differences aside for the greater good. Why couldn’t he have done that? This was all his fault. Ester heard footsteps approach her, but she didn’t look up.
“I don’t want any company, guys,” Ester said. When she didn’t hear anyone, she looked up and saw Kiakit standing before her. “What do you want?”
Kiakit glared at her, but averted her eyes and folded and unfolded her arms. “I just wanted to say… I just wanted to come and apologize.”
Ester rolled her eyes.
“I don’t care if you don’t like me, but how Murk acted…it was just unacceptable.”
“Pshh, like you care. Ya’ll have been acting this way all semester. Why should I accept your apology?”
“I’ve known Murk for a long time. He’s a strong and worthy fighter, and I believed, no I still believe, that he is the only one who can lead this class to greatness,” Kiakit said as she loosened her fist. “But as the weeks went by, somehow he became consumed with being better and for that weakness I am sorry. Take my apology or not. I just thought you’d like to know that not everyone follows someone blindly around.”
Ester watched Kiakit leave. To Ester, there was nothing good about Murk. He was hot headed and a bully, and that was not the kind of person anyone should follow. With the weekend coming up, she wasn’t sure how she was going to survive having to wait and hear her test results. She just hoped that the fight hadn’t hurt them too much.
***
It was the start of the week and the class sat in silence. By now, everyone had heard about what happened during the last exam. They were right to be mad at Ester and Murk, but it was judgement day now and most spent their time praying for good news. Some days after the fight, Murk mumbled an apology to Samay, but that only made Ester angrier. Samay was still shaken up about the test. She felt that their failure was her fault, even though her friends tried to reassure her. Ester looked over at Angel. He was still mad at her, but at least he walked in a group with her to class. Ester lowered her eyes. The door opened, and their captain walked in. He wasn’t late today.
“Good morning, cadets.” He quickly crossed the room and placed his mug on his desk.
He looked different today a little rattled. He took a sip from his mug, then patted his mouth dry with a handkerchief.
“I’m sure you’re all anxious about your test scores,” he said as he scanned the room, his eyes lingered over Murk and Ester. “I have some good news but also a bit of bad news.”
The class looked around at each other. Ester’s heart was starting to race as she reached up and touched her necklace on her chest.
“The good news,” he paused, briefly and inhaled slowly, “is that you passed. Believe it or not, there were classes that did surprisingly worse than you.”
Cheers erupted from the class once they realized he was serious. Cadets jumped up and hugged each other and gave high fives. Ester exhaled. She couldn’t believe it. They passed. Ester looked over at Angel, and his face melted with joy. Fermit
reached out to Ester and rubbed her shoulder. Ester was so relieved.
“But,” Captain Pole raised his hand to silence the class, “there is a bit of bad news.”
The class grew silent again. What could the news be? Was their class being penalized? Did they have to retake the exam again? The cadets sat on the edge of their seats.
“Here at Ranger Academy, we pride ourselves on our ability to work together. It is the primary reason for the second portion of the entrance exam. With that being said, the academy has no room for hot-headed individuals who cannot work together, even if their class proves victorious. Ester DuTain and Murk Neben, your behavior at the end of the exam was so deplorable the committee and admission staff has decided to decline your acceptance, permanently.”
Ester gaped at the captain in pure shock. She started shaking as all the noise faded around her. This couldn’t be happening, not to her, after all the work she had done.
Chapter Fourteen
It rained all over Ans-on as Ester stared out the window of the train. The ocean rocked with rage, agitated by thousands of tiny raindrops. The train was quiet, filled with sleeping passengers. She was dead inside, like an old mechanical clock that stopped ticking. Her life as she knew it ended on the day she was kicked out of the academy.
This would be her last train ride from Juw-ja, the island where ranger academy called home. She wanted to believe that this was all just a horrible nightmare and that any moment she would wake-up, but the reality sunk in when she packed up her bags and boarded the train for the last time. Angel was kind enough to let her stay with him at his parent’s place, but she declined. She didn’t want to be a burden on Angel or his parents. With nowhere to go, it didn’t feel right to go back to Adum-la. After all, she had no family to return to. So Angel worked his magic and found her a small place on the outskirts of the main city. She remembered him cringing at the location, but she didn’t care. He told her it was in a poorer area, if that were even possible in such a rich metropolis, but it didn’t matter to her where she slept. Not anymore.
An old busted hover cab drove her down the narrow streets of the place that she would call home. Shadows walked under streetlights in a hurry to get out of the rain. While others huddled under overhangs, their faces shrouded by breaths of puffy air floating from their mouths. The cab driver turned to Ester and looked at her. She could tell that he wanted to say something, but one look into her eyes revealed more than she could ever say. He had already been paid but insisted on helping her move her bags to her new apartment. With nothing but two bags of clothes, Ester followed the cab driver to her room. He left her stuff at her door. She muffled a thank you, and he nodded and disappeared down the hall. The place smelt like damp carpet and cigarettes. It was run down with sloppy patchwork done on the hole ridden walls. Graffiti marked her door.
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