The escape pod launched into the air sending Kiera high into the air, at least that’s what it felt like. At most she was five hundred feet off of the ground, lower than she would be in a mecha, but she hated how small the escape pod was, she never thought she had claustrophobia but each time she was in the capsule she questioned it. Marley mentioned that everyone feels that way in a pod and not to worry about it; it was easy not to worry when you weren’t in a flying casket with the aerodynamics of a drunk lame pigeon.

She fired the maneuvering thrusters, which were only good for a thirty second burst to gain more altitude and change her trajectory and braced for the impact. Instead of crashing her pod opened up and she was ejected out of it as soon as the thrusters were off. Kiera let out a scream of surprise. She took it back, the escape pod was fine, it was cozy and comfortable and definitely not a self burying coffin. It took a moment for her to remember the AFU she wore would help arrest her fall. Kiera opened her arms and legs in a star pattern, and pulled the tab that released the extra fabric along her torso and arms that provided parachute wings. A similar parachute opened between her legs slowing her down and letting her choose the place where she landed.

The flight suit would have to be abandoned after landing, but that’s why they wore their battle uniforms under them. Jericho warned them that if a pilot was falling too quickly to orient yourself with your head down before pulling the tags or you could rip your parachutes and try to pull your arms and legs slowly apart. They were also taught how to land, by rotating yourself parallel with the ground and rolling with the impact.

Kiera hit the ground and rolled several times before finally stopping. She removed her belt, stepped out of the flight suit, and activated the rescue beacon on her Personal Utility Computer, or PUC. The beacon pinged, indicating that someone had found her signal and was on the way for a rescue, all she was required to do was stay still. Kiera stretched and waited, keeping an eye on her PUC in case the situation changed. Captain Marley always kept them on their toes, ensuring they could adapt to any scenario. Their survival trip was taking place during midterms and they were leaving a few days before to reach the planet. After the trip they had a week off between quarters.

For the last month they had been having daily survival exercises and three camp outs where they had to reunite with their squads, find food, water, shelter and either wait for rescue or make it to a rendezvous point. Soren Holland had replaced Dandelion in Purple Squad. He got along well with the other members of the squad and joined their study group. Jin and Koda had been tutoring the squad on flora and fauna, respectively. Hailey continued to show her aptitude for mathematics and physics and they had a study group with another squad that either met in the library or in their study lounge.

Dandelion had been expelled much to the delight of most of the people at the academy. The five students who had been expelled at the end of the last semester had been part of his fanclub. The only two who remained just ignored the other cadets when they could, none of them were in Kiera’s classes which made it easy. All that Tamerial told her about Admiral Snowden was “Ad Lev”; it didn't take a genius to determine what she meant. Kiera had been able to visit Gargax and Liandra. Liandra was thriving in the Starfighter track to Tamieral’s annoyance; she wanted her niece to be a bridge officer so she could steal her once she graduated. Kiera had suggested that Liandra jump branches and join her in the Mecha squad. Liandra replied that she might swap to ASF because there was a cute ork there which resulted in both girls laughing. Kida was Liandra’s roommate; Kiera liked Kida when they met at Girls’ Night. She was trying to get a pass for another one and enlist Kiera’s help to convince Liandra to come back to the bridge officer track. She and Robyn had been trying to get her back ever since last semester.

Kiera saw Koda walking towards her, his flight suit dragging behind him, “Oh no! A bear!” Kiera called out with a grin, “Why are you still wearing your flight suit?”

“That joke never gets old,” Koda said rolling his eyes, “My belt got stuck, I can’t get the damn thing off.”

“Would you like some help?” Kiera asked. She saw the problem immediately; when Koda had put it on he got some fabric caught in the clasp. She had him take off his pistol and after a minute of work had the problem fixed and his belt off. His flight suit fell to the ground.

“Corbin’s going to be so jealous when he hears you took off my clothes before he got to take off yours,” Koda said, causing Kiera to shake her head and throw the belt at him.

“Strongman’s monogamous, so that was always bound to happen,” Kiera said with a wink causing Koda to shake his head.

“Flirt.”

“You love it. Two more dates.” Kiera winked.

“You do not know how much I am looking forward to another date with you,” Koda said. He paused, “Hey, on Sixth Day Night do you want to go to the pool in the Rex center with me? We could get dinner after.”

Kiera grinned, “Clever Bear. It’s a date.”

Hailey picked them up in an IM-294 Tempest. The Tempest was a ninety foot tall mecha with heavy armor and usually equipped with shields and light impact weapons. It was capable of both atmosphere and space flight and equipped with sensor scramblers making it hard to target. It was designed for rescue operations making it much bulkier than any of the standard combat mechs with built in stacked environmentally sealed passenger seating that could seat one hundred people, and a fifteen foot wide room for triage. Its arms and legs had built in rockets allowing it to leave the atmosphere of a world. The leg rockets were the boosters giving the Tempest the thrust needed to achieve escape velocity aided by the arm rockets which became maneuvering thrusters in space. They weren’t launching into space this semester, that didn’t happen until the second year.

“Good work today, cadets,” Captain Marley said when they all assembled back at the mecha depot, “In two weeks we will be starting our joint survival training with the Navy and Armored Special Forces. There is some talk about adding in Medical Corps and Intelligence rookies, and I heard a rumor that there is a surprise for everyone who passes the training,” she grinned and refused to elaborate, “Dismissed.”

“I am dying to know what world we are going to,” Jin said, “Sathas IV, Matatasia, Tavan Nine, oh! Maybe we’ll get to train on Jianxia! It’s in the same system as Jinxing and is home to the Gold Leaf Seppa Bush, the tea from that bush is like heaven, especially if it is sweetened by Appes Sugar Cane which is found in the same region! No cream required!”

Kiera laughed, “I’m pretty sure the Jianx system doesn’t have a training world, no matter how unsettled Jianxia is. Aren’t Seppa bushes always found near those giant carnivorous plants?”

“Let a man dream, Kara,” Jin said, “I’m glad you’re paying attention. Yes, Giant Snapper Dragons are always found near them and guard Seppa bushes like their namesake guarded treasure hoards in lore. Seppa bushes are treasures, I still cannot believe that you just gave me those Black Seppa tea leaves, Hailey.”

Hailey grinned, “Kara was the one who found them in Southby palace. They weren’t in the inventory so…”

“Just like that Parsian raspberry jam, those gravmag weights, and that color changing miniskirt dress weren’t in the inventory,” Corban said cheekily, “I think your auditor isn’t very good at his job.”

Koda smacked the back of his head, “Don’t you know that she’s the Crown Princess of Dalimar! It’s only the wealthiest and most prestigious planet in the Peerage. Hailey has endless wealth at her fingertips, such things are nothing for her, she didn’t even notice the prices!” He grinned at Kiera.

“She can rock a tracksuit, too,” Kiera grinned back. The warehouse wasn’t that traumatic for her, being in the ship was far worse. The jokes about Hailey’s new position and the contents of Tracksuit's illegitimate gains were fair game. Hailey said as much the first time she cracked a joke about it. Most of the items in the warehouse had been sold to pay the workers, a good portion of them bought by the King.

Two weeks. She’d get to see Robyn, Liandra, Isaac, Kida, and Gargax again. The training wouldn’t be a vacation, Marley had said as much and everything that Peregrine had his cadets do had to be taken seriously. The saturnarian captain did say that didn’t mean they couldn’t find ways to enjoy themselves and network with the other cadets; part of survival was keeping your spirits up and not succumbing to despair. Kiera couldn’t wait.

=+=

“Good Morning, cadets,” Major Peregrine addressed, “We are leaving the academy today to begin our survival training. Over the last three months you have learned how to survive in a variety of environments, the dangers each one presents, and how to find survivors. Your squads have been chosen and you will find out who from the other academies that you will be working with then we arrive. This year we have the cadets from Tallakessia Medical Academy and Sleipnir Intelligence Training Academy. You already know my expectations for you and how you represent us . Make your way to the academy landing pad where the Everlight is waiting.”

The cadets marched together to the landing pad, some of them were excited, others were feeling nervous. It was one thing to learn about survival or experience it through the simulator, but it was an entirely different experience to be out in the wilderness. Some of the cadets didn’t think their camp outs and training on Danelar counted as true survival training because of the Academy’s proximity. The Everlight was a destroyer class starship that had the capability of holding up to eight squads of mecha and twenty squadrons of starfighters. While on board the cadets had different jobs to complete and would work alongside the astronauts until they reached their destination.

Plans changed when they arrived at the landing pad. Along with the Everlight was a light cruiser, the Calm before the Storm. Captain Quentin Roderick, the newly assigned captain of the Everlight stopped the cadets before they boarded.

“I’ve received orders from Admiral Blake. He would like all the cadets to board the Calm Before The Storm. His reasoning was it would be a better experience for everyone involved,” Quentin said.

“I wasn’t informed of this,” Holt said with a frown.

Captain Roderick tapped on his PUC. “That’s the order, signed by Admiral Snowden as well.”

“I thought Snowden was on administrative leave,” Peregrine replied, pulling up the orders.

“What’s the hold up, bird!?” Lieutenant Colonel Mack Laney, one of the heads of the Armored Special Forces unit shouted, his cadets arriving behind him, “Get your flock on that ship already!”

“You know about the change in orders?” Peregrine asked, his expression turning dark, “Why was I the only one left out of this decision?”

“Don’t know, don’t care. Bring it up with Lazlo; isn’t he the head of your department? Get your asses moving! Mickleson, take your boys around these wimps!”

“I’ll take my teams around the MCC cadets, Sir.” Kiera looked over, the voice was familiar. She saw a sandy-haired boy with a scar just under, and the length of, his hazel eyes. It was Locke! His response was skirting the line of respect. “Units one and two move forward and load up. Once unit one is on board, unit two boards and so on.” Kiera had to keep her face neutral when she saw Gargax, half a head taller than the rest of the cadets.

“Squad Leaders, take your squads in after the ASF,” Peregrine said, “Captain Feren, accompany them.”

“Read the orders again, bird,” Laney chortled, “No chaperones on this ride. We’ll escort them to Matatasia, but they have to get there on their own. It’s part of their training.”

Kiera could feel the anger that was brewing inside of Major Peregrine. She didn’t like Colonel Laney, he was everything that she hated in a person: arrogant, condescending, and disrespectful to everyone around him. Feren and Peregrine didn’t like him either, she felt both of them reign in their emotions when he appeared. Even his cadets didn’t seem to like him much, at least some of them didn’t.

“Squad leaders, take your squads into the Calm Before the Storm once the Special Forces are loaded.” Major Peregrine ordered, his eyes locked onto Laney.

“Sir! Yes, Sir!” Kiera and the other squad leaders replied. No one glanced at Peregrine or Laney as they boarded, maintaining even more discipline than usual. Holt Peregrine was a strict stern man with high expectations, but he was fair and never went out of his way to belittle his cadets. Kiera didn’t know of any request for additional time in the simulator or the range that were denied and every Seventh day had times for the cadets to get in more practice, just like the day before the semester officially started. He had an open door policy and was available to help with academics in addition to everything else he did. During midterms and finals last semester he and the other teachers frequented the library, and he’d helped organize study groups.

For him to be caught blindsided by the change of events was a green flag in Kiera’s mind. He was too organized, too professional for something like this to happen. There was also another name that caught her attention. Admiral Snowden. Both Peregrine and Tamariel said that he was on administrative leave.

Like most military deployments, the cadets were assigned bunks. There was a built-in trunk in the bottom of the bed to stow their gear, a communal shower and bathroom for each section. For take off and landing the cadets were told to wait in the bunk houses until they heard the announcement to go to their stations. None of them were separated by gender. Her squad stowed their gear. At Feren’s suggestion all of them wore their plug suits under their combat uniforms and AFUs. She said it was standard practice in case they came under attack.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“This is exciting,” Koda said sitting on his bunk, “Getting to fly through space with four other cadet academies. No officers in sight, I am so pumped!”

“Did you review who the senior bridge officers are?” Jin asked with a wry grin.

“No, why? I’m not navy, what do I care?” Koda replied, “I’m not a squad captain.”

“Your sister is the acting Captain.”

Koda grinned, “That doesn’t surprise me at all, Teddy’s always been—” he stopped mid sentence, “Emperor’s beard. We take orders from her don’t we?”

Hailey and Kiera laughed at Koda's grumbling. It was mostly an act, the Oso siblings were close and Koda checked in on his sister every other week either visiting or calling her. She saw them together at the winter formal and he was a little protective of her, but they were thick as thieves.. Out of curiosity, Kiera pulled up the ship roster. Chief Helmsman was Sage Whistler, Communications Calvin Hobson, Operations was Edgar Poe, Tactical was Robyn Lindquist. Benjamin Gaiden was the First Officer, Kida Oso was Captain, Chief Engineer was Brian O’Malley, and Chief Medical Officer was Tamalyn Larenthal. Kiera grinned when she saw her friends' names. Her friends had secured a Senior Bridge Officer’s position in the role that they wanted, and Tamalyn made Chief Medical Officers. Kiera made a mental note to find and congratulate them.

She did a double take when she saw Tamalyn’s name. She hardly had any time to write as her academy was also medical school. Their days were split between the two types of training and lasted twelve hours each. Kiera had to visit med bay as soon as she could. It has been too long since she last saw Tamalyn. She hoped Kinsley was somewhere on the ship as well.

Kiera didn’t even notice the take off until the announcement came that the cadets could report to their stations. Kiera waved goodbye to her friends and headed to the deployment bay. Her assignment for the flight was to ensure that the mecha were combat ready, assist with any repairs on the mecha, starfighters, or ASF Powered Armor that were needed. This exercise involved the entire academy but the naval cadets were flying on their own ship. Kiera was hoping she would be able to see Gargax, Alyxia, and Locke.

The mecha in the bay that they would pilot for survival training were all Jaegers. While they had been piloting other models on the campus grounds, Jaegers were the standard mecha that all freshly graduated pilots used until they reached the rank of Captain. Then their options expanded depending on the squad they were assigned. The Danelar Naval Officers Academy - Mechanized Combat Department could grant ranks higher than Lieutenant to graduates that excelled. Even those that weren’t made Captain would often be recruited to specialty squads and be allowed the pilot any of the mecha that the squad did. Kiera gave a small sigh of disappointment when she saw the mecha and started her diagnostics.

“I see that you didn’t get anything special for being in the top squad,” Corbin said approaching Kiera, “No special privileges.”

“Not a single one,” Kiera said with a grin, “Just our trusty jags, I was hoping the squad leads would get a Myrmidon or at least an Orion. Oh, that’s not good.”

“What’s not good?” Corbin asked logging into the console next to hers.

“There’s some kind of anomaly on your mecha,” Kiera said, frowning, “This might be a problem.”

“Just Marley’s way of throwing us curveballs,” Corbin grumped, “Probably something minor and of course it’s mine. She joined that gravball game knowing full well we weren’t going to go easy just because she’s an officer. If she didn’t want to get tackled, then she shouldn’t have been playing.” He tapped a few buttons and frowned, “What kind of anomaly are you talking about? Everything looks fine. Do you want to run a calibration test?”

“Left shin, twenty-four inches above the ankle,” Kiera said, “Looks like you missed a spot. Maybe she’s mad where your hand ended up.”

“That was not on—Emperor’s Ba…eard, Kirbeam!” Corbin swore, shaking his head. There was a grass stain on the mecha from one of the many times Corbin had fallen.

Kiera laughed, “It is really weird to hear people use my father’s body parts to swear. I do appreciate you switching to his beard..”

“Sure,” Corbin said, “Just be happy I didn’t swear on yours.”

“Please tell me you’re joking and that no one actually does that,” Kiera cringed, “Oh, never mind I don’t want confirmation.”

“Princess’s Ti—”

“CORBIN!”

“--is one of the more popular ways to say something is absolutely beautiful,” Corbin said, sticking his tongue out at Kiera, “Your birthday party was broadcast. How many guys do you think—

“My boyfriend is a six foot four ork who once laid down an jotun with a single blow and brought down half a platoon of Imperial soldiers. Finish that sentence and I will sic him on you,” Kiera threatened, giving Corbin her full attention.

He laughed, “Sure, and Captain Marley and I are sending each other love notes during classes. Even if that was true, Kara, good luck finding him. I saw him board but haven’t seen him since.. So, just how many—”

Kiera smirked, “I’ll introduce you to him at dinner.”

The hours passed as they worked taking the time to do an in depth diagnostic of each one and comparing their scans to ensure they both achieved the same results, and ran the calibration testing. Once they were finished they joined Jin, Koda, and Hailey and completed an inventory of all the parts and tools. It was tedious, boring work but essential to the survival of the squads and the success of the missions. Each squad was doing their analysis and calibrations on their mechas, the next shift would have different squads verifying all the results, calibrations, and inventory. As hard as he had been working, Corbin made Red Squad, the second ranked squad in their unit.

All four academies were rotating their people through different shifts. Kiera didn’t see anyone she had gone through the Officer’s Exam with the first night, but she did find Liandra and Alyxia. A couple of cadets around them stopped what they were doing when Kiera and Liandra saw each other and tightly embraced each other. Liandra had told Kiera that guys were always hounding after her no matter how many times she told them to leave her alone. While she denied it, Kiera always thought that Liandra was stunning and given her popularity Kiera was proven right. Liandra couldn’t even say it was just because she was a Princess because she kept that to herself using the surname “Nova.”

Kiera was able to find Kinsley and Tamalyn at breakfast the following morning, both of whom Corbin tried to charm. Kinsley just laughed and said that he wasn’t her type before kissing Kiera’s cheek and leaving for her station. Tamalyn just politely turned him down.

The third night at dinner a pair of muscular green arms wrapped around Kiera, lifted her from her seat and pressed her against their owner’s chest. Corbin stood up, his face twisting in outrage, his body tensing for a fight.

“Whoa, whoa, calm down!” Kiera laughed, “This is my boyfriend, the one I told you about!”

“You were serious? I thought you were joking!” Corbin exclaimed.

“Gargax,” the ork greeted, still holding onto Kiera, “Miss long hair.”

“So do I, but you can’t have long hair and pilot a mecha. It has to fit under your helmet, not like the racing mecha.” Kiera said. Her golden blonde hair with its platinum and copper highlights only reached the base of her neck, a far cry from the small of her back when took the officer’s exam. Gargax put her down and then turned his head to Locke crossing the room.

“Hey, Boss! Come here!” The ork shouted, “Found mate!” One of the mecha cadets choked on his drink.

Locke turned and walked over to them, “Hey Kiera, it’s great to see you again, ” he grinned.

Gargax grinned, “Hug Boss, Sunbeam!”

Kiera laughed, “Sure, c’mere!” She hugged him like he was an old friend, pressing her body against him and putting her head on his shoulder. He smelled nice; she didn’t know what the scent was, but she liked it. He wasn’t shy about returning the hug squeezing her tightly. The hug lasted a bit longer than two people meeting usually did. “It’s great seeing you, too. The way you took command of your entire platoon was sexy.” She said, not taking her hands off of his shoulders.

“I heard rumors that there might be another formal after our survival training,” he said with a goofy grin, his hands on her waist.

“Asking me already? I will definitely consider it,” she grinned.

Locke looked at Gargax and spoke in ork, “Lucky have such nice mate,” Kiera only got the jist of it, but something told her that he didn’t just mean her beauty.

“Can mate if she agrees. Like many mates,” Gargax replied. Locke’s eyebrows shot up into his hairline then his PUC beeped.

<<“Lukka, need some help with Brisbane and Oliver,”>> a woman’s voice said, <<“Brisbane’s too heavy for me and Oliver somehow got his head stuck in a maintenance hatch.”>>

Locke shook his head, “On my way, Rye. If you would excuse me, Cadet Sol, I have a pair of knuckleheads to discipline. It is my absolute pleasure to see you again.”

“Need help, Boss?” Gargax asked.

“Nah, spend some time with your girl,” Locke started walking away.

Kiera stood on her tiptoes and put her hands on Gargax’s shoulders, “Talking about me?” She teased. Alyxia had already told her that he was always bringing her up when they ran into each other the previous day. The kylaxian also admitted that she was jealous of Kiera because she thought Gargax was super cute and an incredible guy.

Gargax lifted Kiera up and hugged her properly, then gave her a long kiss which she happily reciprocated, “I’ve missed you,” Kiera said when their lips parted.

“Boss battle-brother, share room. Help lots, ork speak. Classes. Zac help shoot. Spots and Lix help homework, Boss help everything. Always talk about you. I miss you,” Gargax said, “Hear taken, very mad. Spots and Lix help calm. Hurt Boss but Boss say it okay. Good man. Had punish, but not hard. Not kicked out. Boss talk to Sunbeam brother with I.”

“I am really glad that you have made some friends!” Kiera beamed, when she visited they mostly just hung out and kissed or walked around the campus. Gargax didn’t talk much about his training, preferring to let Kiera talk.

Gargax had somehow both slimed down and bulked up. His core was stronger and there was much more definition in his arms, pecs and abs. She could feel them when he crushed her into his body. He remained the same, his speech had gotten better, it still didn’t match his intelligence and cunning, but being underestimated was a fantastic ace. She sat back down and he sat next to her, the cadet that was occupying the chair had moved away quickly when Gargax asked if he could have the seat.

“Do you remember my friends from the dance? Koda, Corbin, Jin, and Hailey?” Kiera said,

“Emperor’s beard,” Corbin said, “I thought you were joshing me and picked him because we saw him boarding, and you danced with him a couple times!

“I think what he means is, it’s nice to see you again,” Hailey said “Can I have a hug?”

“Kiss if you want,” Kiera said, “You know how I am.” The cadet who had choked once, spit out his drink. Hailey and Kiera had long talks about guys, relationships, and everything else a pair of teenage girls who were fast friends talked about. Kiera had told Hailey that she was a nymph but asked her not to spread it around. She didn’t bother to hide the fact that she was polyamorous or enjoyed both men and women.

Gargax lifted Hailey into a tight hug and planted a kiss on her cheek before putting her down and sitting down with a grin on his face. Corbin just shook his head. Jin was fascinated by the ork and swapped seats with Corbin so they could talk, never onc speaking down to him and waiting patiently when he had trouble finding a word or looking at Kiera for help. Jin spoke to Gargax in a different dialect of orkish, which Gargax mostly understood. Jin wasn’t a master of the language, having about the same proficiency that Gargax did Astrian. It made Kiera happy that her friends were so welcoming to Gargax. They hadn’t had a chance to talk at the dance. Koda reassured him that they were keeping both Kiera and Hailey safe and asked to spar with him when they got back to the academy.

After they had eaten, Gargax took her to his bunkhouse to show her off. Isaac was there and still couldn’t talk to her while looking directly at her until she soothed him; his face turned bright red when she hugged him. Alyxia,the kylaxian she had met on the first shuttle to the academy, and Robyn’s cousin, heard her voice and came over to say hi giving Kiera a tight hug. Few of the ASF cadets didn’t believe either her or Gargax when he proclaimed her his mate. Not even a long kiss was enough to convince one particularly stubborn cadet that they were even dating. He proceeded to hit on her telling her that she didn’t need to pretend when there was a real man right in front of her. Kiera just ignored him.

Corbin practically knocked Kiera into her bunk when she returned humming happily, “Tell me you didn’t,” he said, concern on his face.

Kiera laughed, “Not here, but yes we’ve had sex, and I absolutely loved it. He’s a lot different than my girlfriend and my other boyfriend.”

“So, now I have a question but I want to paraphrase it with the following. I am not labeling you in any way, I am not asking this just to be a jerk or try to sleep with you at some point in the future, but is it true that nymphs are horny all the time and aren’t picky about who they sleep with? I didn’t even you were a nymph until Spittake made a comment that nymphs would sleep with anything that moved after you left.” Corbin said, “If it’s way too personal just smack me or something.”

She laughed again and booped his nose, “I didn’t want it to get out because that would have meant more guys would be hitting on me, mostly because of those rumors. I can’t speak for all nymphs, but I am pretty particular with who I want to sleep with. I also don’t believe in monogamy and any lover I do take has to be okay with that. As for horny all the time? Maybe a little more than your average young adult, you know how much I like physical affection. You can ask anything you want, Corbin, if it's too personal then I’ll let you know, but I know enough about you to know that you’re not a pervert.”

“Heh, I guess you did strip in front of all of us.”

Kiera rolled her eyes, “Yeah, down to my underwear. Seriously, I show more skin off in a bikini, and with how tight the plug suits are you’ve basically seen me naked. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

“Being embarrassed around your comrades could be detrimental. If you were stung in your upper thigh would you be comfortable stripping down to remove the stinger?” Jin asked, “Or let one of us remove the stinger? Or perform CPR?”

“Point,” Corbin said, “Although I might hesitate if I have to perform CPR on Kiera…”

“None of you should, and you already have. That was kind of the point when Major Solanthas had us practice on each other in addition to the dummies, and why Captain Feren had us sit around in our plug suits for an hour. Honestly, Corbin, if you need a refresher then I’ll lie down and you can cop a feel while putting your mouth on mine.” Kiera’s speech had caught the attention of the other cadets around her. There were a couple of murmured comments agreeing with her, but one voice stood out from them.

“If we're in the same group then someone else better be prepared to give you the kiss of life, Sol. I’m not putting my mouth anywhere near someone that’s screwed an ork.” It was Javier Ramirez who spoke, one of Dandelion’s two remaining buddies.

“We live in an empire with billions of other people of all kinds of species. Being racist against any of them is just immature,” Kiera replied.

“I know you’re just jealous that your boyfriend isn’t here anymore Ramirez,” Koda said. “Don’t take it out on Kiera.”

“What, are you her boyfriend now, too, Oso? I didn’t realize Sol was such a slut.”

“Yes, he is,” Kiera said. “That’s an ugly word. You wouldn’t say that about Dandelion if he could get anyone other than his left hand to date him. Jealousy is an ugly thing as well.”

Before Ramierez said anything the lights in the bunk blinked once, signaling that lights out was in five minutes. Kiera gave Koda a kiss goodnight before getting one from Hailey. They climbed into their bunks, jealousy raging in Ramierez.

The lights in the bunk went out one by one leaving them in the dark.