Location: Terra Colony Andromeda
North Sector - Draco Outpost - Living Quarters
Date: February 1, 2050
The sun hung in the sky on a clear morning’s day, not a cloud in sight could obscure its shine. Crisp air circled and passed between the buildings, blowing leaves and what other loose foliage was on the premises of the outpost. A flock of leaves spun away, twirling in random spiraling patterns, taken by the undefined currents of the wind to join the vast azure expanse overhead. Adding to scenery, in an abrupt interruption, large shapes rose into the sky on rumbling engines and whirling propellers.
Dropships. And there were many. A flight of steel carriers ascended and sped onto the horizon with iron bellies crammed to capacity. They became increasingly smaller, unimpressive outlines as they drew further away. In minutes they were little more than pinpricks to the human eye.
There they go. Amanda thought, inclining her head to the once peaceful sky. She sat on the edge of a stone railing that bordered a balcony, unnerved by how high up she was. The building was several stories high, made to accommodate the hundreds of soldiers who would man this outpost. About twenty stories were between her and the ground, a frightening number but at least the sight from up here made it worth the danger.
Amanda pulled one side of her hair back to keep it from covering her ear. She wistfully followed the path the dropships had taken, finding herself now taking in the bustle happening at the nearby airfield. By the handful, her fellow students crowded in lines to wait for departure. Rows of dropships sat on the tarmac, ready to be boarded and take flight. CSU soldiers worked frantically to stem the ongoing influx of people.
Another flight of seven dropships flew off, and Amanda watched them go as her mind tried to be elsewhere. She thumbed her personal datapad on her lap, not letting her eyes stray towards it. She studied the students at the airfield and made out what kind of faces they had.
Sorrow, distress, fear, relief. She shared their sentiments and gave a tired sigh. They probably thought that, after everything that had happened today, was enough, or well, that yesterday’s war game had been enough.
The briefing they’d received from Colonel Standforth was a long hour of non-stop lecturing. Boring as it was, Amanda was grateful for the monotony. Hours of combat wore on them already, and the recent violence caused by instigator, Shidou Koichi, left the already exhausted students disturbed. Colonel Standforth seemed like a man of self control and of a calm nature.
Yeah right. Amanda leaned back, relaxing her shoulders. The guy would’ve probably ripped that Koichi guy to shreds if that maid hadn’t gotten to him first.
She shuddered, a wave of disgust coming back to her at the memory of what Izuna had done and the ferocity that laid beneath the colonel’s many quiet layers. The scream of pain Shidou made as his tongue was ripped out would stick with her forever, and that was probably the same for everyone else. Again, she watched as another batch of dropships lifted off the tarmac.
Hundreds of students were leaving to go back to the other cities in the terracolony. They no doubt needed to rest or were reconsidering their decisions in life, pondering if becoming an explorer was really the right call. Amanda wanted to go with them, but she willed herself to not make that decision just yet. There were things she wanted to do, things she had to find out.
Rubbing her eyes with a palm, she came to grips at how fatigued she’d become. She yawned. I haven’t slept in 24 hours, and the naps aren’t helping anymore. She felt an uncomfortable tension in her lower back that wouldn’t go away. I guess I’ll need to get used to this. Being an explorer meant many things, and being tough was one of them. And they want us to be tougher.
Letting her eyes fall down to her lap, she slid her finger across the screen of her datapad, making sure to not touch one of the indicators. There were two. A yes icon and a No icon.
Amanda, again, let out an uncontrollable sigh. What to do.
“As I said before, you’ve done well.” The Colonel had said. “As of this briefing, the mandatory phase of the practical training class is concluded. I now offer you another choice. You have two, either you can leave and rest up, or you can participate in the next training exercise. Your upperclassmen already know this, and they’ve likely already made their choice. Now it’s your turn. Will you choose to continue and improve yourself, or will you slunk away to rest while your peers improve. After all that you’ve gone through, you have an understanding of what you’ll encounter going forward. The training here is hard, hard beyond anything you can imagine. But if you get through it, you will become the best, the strongest, and, possibly become, true heroes in your own right. The choice is yours, think hard and choose well.”
An optional class. He had explained. A chance to take they’re training even further. Amanda didn’t like the sound of that, she expected to be subjected to something akin to torture at this point.
She had barely gotten through the war games exercise, watching and resisting against violence waged on a grand scale in proportions she had never once believed to be possible. And that was considered basic training. She rolled her eyes in disbelief. If that was the norm, what else are they going to throw at us? She set the datapad down next to her, it was like a weight off her shoulder. I could leave, the colonel did say we could go, and it would be so easy. It’s not like they’ll expel me for choosing not to participate, and I just need to get on one of those ships and then..
The idea of giving up didn’t sit well in her.
Beside her, Richard stood with his elbows resting on the railing. He studied his datapad, flipping through page after page as his eyes ran across rows of words and technical jargon that went over Amanda’s head. He was silent and seemed to have no issue with what had happened these past few hours.
That wasn’t true, she knew that. Richard was distracting himself. Deep down, he was contemplating the same questions as her. They were worried about what was next to come, what other trials they’d have to test themselves against. Would it be another fight, another test, another war game? The academy was proving to be more than just a school. It was hell.
Hopping down from the railing, Amanda went inside to see what the others were doing. She slid the glass door to the side as she set her shoes away before going over to the mini fridge in the corner of the room. Grabbing a drink, she sat herself down at a table.
The accommodations they’d been given were large enough for everyone in her group to get comfortable. There were enough bunk beds for ten people and the quarters were fully stocked with amenities. They had a TV, a fully stocked kitchen, and even a large changing room and bathroom.
Across the table, Stella was getting through a number of snacks from whatever was stocked in the cabinets. It was surprising at how much she could pack away in that small body of her’s, though that was understandable. Constant use of their abilities put a drain on their bodies which increased their metabolisms.
In simpler terms, they needed to eat a lot. Stella’s case though was much more complicated. She burns through an enormous number of calories since her abilities have such incredible destructive force behind them. In effect, having a high core affinity had its drawbacks.
Off on the other side of the room, Ikki and Shisuki sat silently on the carpeted floor. They seemed to be meditating, centering themselves and reining in their senses. It was easy to forget that these two were from a family of warriors, specifically swordsmen, whose tradition was centered on chivalry, strength, and self-improvement. That meant they had their own tradition and personal habits.
Amanda didn’t really get it and reached for the pile of snacks on the table. She popped open a bag of chips and munched away, both on the chips and her thoughts. They were all distraught in their own way.
Especially after what happened at the arena.
Again, the memory of what Shidou Koichi had done was stuck in their minds. His outrage was like their own. They all agreed at how extreme the academy was in its curriculum. They had been dropped into danger without warning and were subjected to several high stress situations. Anyone would be mad about that, and they had their critique, but they’d been shown the hypocrisy of their point of view.
What were we expecting? A thin smile came to Amanda’s lips. This wasn’t going to be easy, we can’t become explorers with just a snap of a finger. No. We have 5 years ahead of us, more if we get held back. This is going to be a long road ahead. She compared herself to the soldiers that had subdued Shidou and his mob. It was done so easily, and not even a shot was fired. If they could do that against people with powers, I sure as hell wouldn’t stand a chance. I may have powers, but that doesn’t make me special. It doesn’t make any of us special. And it doesn’t make me an explorer, not yet.
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“Alright, I think I’ve come to a decision.” Said Richard, he closed the balcony door behind him and poured himself a cup of tea. “Has anyone else decided?”
Stella gulped down a mouthful of whatever she was eating, and then shrugged. “Tired as I am, I think I can go on. After all, I came here to test myself.”
“Aren’t you worried.” Asked Amanda. “We have no idea what they’ll put us through next. It might even be life threatening, we could get seriously hurt, or worse.”
Stella raised a brow at her. “I already know that, that's why I’m going. And I told you, Amanda, I came here to improve myself by changing up my environment. I can’t grow if I stay in the same place forever, especially if it’s my home country. I’d just stagnate if I had stayed there.” She turned in her seat toward Ikki and Shisuki. “How about you two? Are you ready for whatever they’ll throw at us next?”
Shisuki opened one eye to glare at her, not breaking her concentration. “Do you even need to ask? I will go where my brother goes, and I know what path his heart is set on. Isn’t that right, Brother?”
Ikki gave a curt nod as he continued to meditate, eyes closed in deep contemplation. “I plan to become an explorer no matter what. And if this training can make me stronger, then I’m willing to push myself. Also, we’ll probably be evaluated during these exercises. The more I participate, the more chances I get at proving myself.”
“It’s a big risk.” Richard warned. “Just because the academy has medical technology that can treat serious injuries, it doesn’t mean you’ll be safe. Accidents can happen.”
“I know.” Ikki put his hands on his lap, clenching them hard. He held back the frustration in his tone. “But I can’t pass up on this chance. Itsuki told me they scout the team members for the starfall festival depending on who performs the best during these practical training classes. If I can get a spot, I can prove myself at the Star Royale.”
The way Ikki met Richard’s eyes, his gaze full of unwavering determination, made Richard winced. Ikki truly was a swordsman at heart. In Amanda’s opinion though, he was a battle nut, and so was Stella.
“How about you, Amanda?” Richard asked.
Amanda crumpled her now empty bag of chips, tossing it into a nearby trash can. She was stalling. She had no clear answer. She was afraid, she was tired, but she was stubborn, and part of her wanted to keep going. Yet the danger of what was to come made her cautious, while the unknown intrigued her. Still, she was undecided, in conflict if this was the life she wanted to pursue.
A knock at the door roused everyone’s attention. “Excuse me.” Said a woman’s voice on the other side. “May I come in?”
“Just a minute.” Stella went to open the door to let in whoever it was. She guessed it was another student who’d be sharing the room with them. “How can I.. huh?” Her greeting trailed off, and shock overtook her tone. “You.. You’re..”
Amanda got up to see who it was. She froze when she recognized the face, and the antlers. “Aithnea?” The sudden urge to bow almost overwhelmed her.
The others were about to follow suit but a chuckle from Aithnea stopped them. “There’s no need for that.” She said, coming over to pat Amanda’s shoulder. “Your respect is commendable, thank you. But let’s not stand on ceremony. I’ve mainly come as.. Well, on behalf of an acquaintance.”
They raised their heads in hesitant elation. Of all people, Aithnea was the one person they had least expected to meet in person. She was sharing the same space as them, breathing the same air, and talking with them like equals. This was unreal, but it was so normal too.
Her very being gave off a humble air, yet Amanda still had to be urged to fall to her knees as if she were a loyal subject. There was just something so regal about her, something different from the kind of attitude Shisuki or Stella gave off.
Aithnea wasn’t a proud flame like Stella, nor was she a cunning speaker like Shisuki. She was human, contrary to the inhuman additions of her antlers and sharp shaped ears.
“If I had more time I would’ve loved to stay and chat.” Said Aithnea. She reached for the air and her hand parted what seemed like reality itself. She rifled through the tear in spacetime and pulled out a couple items. “For now, I’ve come more as a messenger of my old friends.”
Aithnea held out a small package the size of a textbook to Stella, who gently accepted it. It was an ordinary package, and the stamps were of the European kind. Stella examined the label on the side of the box, her brow knitting at what she read.
Aithnea gave an amused chuckle. “Your father, Sirius, is worried about you, Stella. You left home without saying goodbye to your father. He was devastated when he realized you had made your decision.”
Stella sat down with the package in her lap, pouting. “Hmph, I did leave a letter. He didn’t need to be so dramatic.”
Aithnea left it at that. It was plain to see that Stella, despite her issues with her father’s doting, still very much loved his caring nature, she just wouldn’t admit that aloud.
“Moving on.” Said Aithnea. “I have a letter for you, Miss Shisuki.” She set the folded envelope on the table in front of Shisuki, who dismissively scoffed at it as if it were a piece of trash. “By your reaction, I can assume you already know who it’s from?”
Shisuki said nothing, crossing her arms defiantly. It was enough of an answer.
Ikki flipped the letter over, reading the name aloud. “Itsuki Kurogen.. Our father.”
A heavy mood fell between him and his sister. Stella noticeably tensed, her eyes flashing over in concern to Ikki. The complicated relationship Ikki and Shisuki shared with their father was a nest of bees no one wanted to shake, not even Aithnea.
Aithnea coughed to break the mood. “Ahem, in any case, my work is done here. Open these at your leisure, for now, I wish you all luck in your endeavors, and I hope to one day work with all of you.” She smiled and her tone surprisingly turned challenging. “That is if you can graduate.”
Before she could leave, Richard called out to her, asking, “Do you think we can? Do you have any advice you could give us?” He knew this was rude of him, and his voice faltered. But, here was an explorer, a true explorer, and one that had lived and fought through the Starfall war.
Who better to ask for advice?
Aithnea regarded each of them. There was judgement, there was interest, there was care, and there was distress in the way she looked at them. “I don’t believe advice will do you any good. The academy’s curriculum is based on a complex system of evaluation. Skills and ability have some part in that, but, in my opinion, what matters is your character.”
Richard weighed her words. “Character.” He mumbled. “I asked Itsuki about that.”
“And what did he say?”
“That there are many kinds. That they have.. A purpose, or desire they usually stick to.”
“Then I think you have your answer.” Said Aithnea. “The choice is yours, make it, and stick to it. Just..” Her voice fell soft. “Just be sure to keep an eye out. Things aren’t as simple as they seem to be.”
Richard cradled the datapad in his hands, scrutinizing the choice in front of him. “I see, thank you.”
Aithnea departed, wishing them well one last time. Amanda wondered what to take from her advice. Perhaps this indecision that plagued her had a simple fix, and all she needed to do was decide and roll with the consequences. It sounded dangerous, and also daring.
Sighing for what felt like the hundredth time by now, she pulled out her datapad. Richard noticed and he raised his own for her to see. Without any indecision he pressed the yes icon.
“What was that about being careful?” Amanda teased. “If you get hurt, they might not be able to put you back together in the hospital.”
“Guess I’ll have to be even more careful.” Richard countered. “So? Are you chickening out?”
Amanda scowled at him, of course done in all good fun. “As if.” She tapped yes and threw the datapad onto the table. “If everyone else is going, then so will I. We’ve become a team haven’t we? I’d worry about everyone if I was the one left behind, plus, someone has to keep an eye on Stella and Shisuki.”
Richard wryly laughed. “Good luck with that.”
Stella and Shisuki, somewhat abashed, stood up in unison and shouted. “What does that mean! You make it sound like we have a problem with each other.” Annoyed at how in sync they were, the two of them began to glare across the room, ready to butt heads once again. They pointed accusingly at each other. “This is your fault!”
Ikki helplessly sighed, his meditation would do him little good now, and trying to get back into that calm state of mind was going to be impossible with the two of them fighting now.
***
Message from Itsuki Homura To Cyno Yuno Basa
-Report - Operation Hidden Assassin - Progress - Incomplete
-Objective 1 - Neutralize Foreign Threats - Incomplete
-Objective 2 - Data Collection of All Students - Complete - Observations Attached
-Objective 3 - Reduce Number of Potential Threats - Incomplete
Note Address to The Professor: The situation has changed. The wheat has been separated from the chaff, but the rot remains. It must be burned, it must be purged, it must be eliminated. Weakness will not be tolerated. Consider all previous agreements and contracts to be void. The matter will now be dealt with personally. Do not attempt to stop me.
“Damnit!” Cyno couldn’t stop himself from slamming his fist into the console. The outer panels deformed, cratering as wiring short circuited and sparked. He rushed to the backup console set to his right, typing in a response. “Come on! Come on! Come on!”
He hoped he wouldn’t be too late, if he was.. Then.. This is going to be a disaster.
Itsuki was on the loose, something had snapped, and now he was taking things into his own hands. Perhaps this should’ve been expected. Itsuki was prone to having a short temper when it came to matters like this. When it came to the students, when it came to oddballs, or new variables that pop out of nowhere, he had a narrowed approach to his line of thinking.
The uproar Shidou Koichi had made was likely the last straw for Itsuki. Things were simple in his eyes. If you were a threat, you got dealt with.
And that’s what I fear.
Cyno tapped in the last of his messages, sending them off before grabbing his coat. “B, call me a transport. I need to get to the core facility as fast as possible.”
“Understood.” Said his digital assistant. “The current ETA is 5 minutes. Should I cancel your other activities today?”
“Yes!” Cyno chugged his last cup of coffee and rushed out of the room. He hurriedly pressed the elevator controls. “I have more pressing matters to deal with, and more annoying ones too! Let’s just hope things don’t get any worse before I get there.”
Innocent lives were at stake. If Itsuki was going to have it his way, it was going to be bloody. A nightmare from the past would be let loose, and new scars would be made. All Cyno could do was stem what felt like an oncoming disaster.