The docks were full of transports bringing new and returning students to the Academy. Aruko Blackfern took a breath of the air of the Canadian wilderness that made up most of the Academy grounds. He had been waiting a year and now he was finally here on his way to becoming a FedCON officer.

Looking around, Aruko saw different aliens who chose to live on Earth and people of all different skin tones trying to make their way through. Being new, he wasn't sure where to go or what he was to do next. After being jostled a bit by some upperclassmen, he decided to take a more active route.

He looked and spotted the cadet he sat next to on the transport. He made his way over as carefully as possible, trying not to jostle too many people. Experience told him that people who were bumped by him got pissed at him. He brushed against one cadet, muttered his apologies and was gone before he ever saw the face of the cadet.

When he finally made it to the cadet, he said, "Crazy isn't Salazaar?"

“Hurm. I suppose it's time of year again.” Sitting alone on a bench in front of the academy was Adrian. He had already planned out everything he was going to teach, and just watched all the different instructors and leaders and FedCON officers. The FedCON were annoying him. At first they were okay, but now... all their rule's and relegations were annoying him. Nothing got done this way.

He tipped his fedora down over his face and closed his eyes. He could get a nap in before student's showed up. Then have a class or two, then start some type of fighting sport. He was getting bored of Canada. Maybe he transfer to France, Scotland, maybe back to Germany. He thought about his home, and started to fall asleep.

--Samuel Williams--
Sam had no home, not officially. Ever since his father died, his only real place of rest was the academy. That was why he was allowed to stay during summer. On his crisp black uniform were two bars, signifying his two years of studying at the academy. Last year had been tough, he'd made it through in the moderate range, not excelling, but not failing either. He hoped to change that this year. He already had everything set up, his room was clean and orderly, and the spare room of his eventual room mate was sterile so as they could choose their own idea.
Knock-Knock
"That's probably him now." Sam said.
--Rani Provenza--
Rani was practically shaking with excitement. She could feel the vibes of the crowd giving her emotions of fear, anxiety, giddyness, and any emotion in-between. Rani still had trouble believing she was accepted. She knew she was smart, and had the skill to get in, but it's still a big shock when the school of her choice accepted her. She went over her plan for the umpteenth time in her head. Grab her bag, get to her room, make nice-nice with her roomie, if she had one, grab a bite of chow, then make it to the auditorium in time to listen to the 'Head Master' give his welcoming speech. She knew teh speech was mostly to get her ready, and most multi-year students skipped it all together. They had the idea of school by now. But, Rani wouldn't miss it for the world.

"It seems crammed now, but everyone's just arriving. Give it a few days, and it won't be as bad." Ray Salazaar suggested. "I hope."

"I think we're going the right way." Damien Holtz said to Irene Morales as they made their way off the transport. They had come to the Academy together, and had been friends since childhood, and at times Damien suspected that Irene wanted to be more than that before she found out he was gay, but afterwards they still remained friends. However, they each enlisted for different reasons, his was to fulfill his dream of piloting a starship, while hers seemed to be to make her own way in the universe, or at least that was all she told him.

"Yeah but I know that this is just the beginning," Aruko replied. "We still have to take the entrance examinations in order to actually be considered worth keeping."

When Ray gave him a blank look, Aruko explained, "It's like the old school in the States called West Point. Cadets were not plebes until they took their entrance exams. Besides I read the recruitment folder thoroughly and I noted the exam part." He hoisted the shoulder bag that housed his only computer and a few other interesting gadgets higher onto his shoulder before slinging his clothing bag up. He looked around and spotted more cadet first years judging from the fact that they were still in civilian dress like he was. He nudged Ray and said, "Best to go over there. Perhaps one of the instructors will tell us what to do next."

"Yeah, they seem to know where they're going." Ray commented. "Hey, do you know where we're supposed to go?" He then asked the other two cadets. "From what I can tell, the first building on the right. Assuming you're new here, like us, and not just doing laundry. I'm Damien, by the way, Damien Holtz, and this is Irene Morales." The other cadet replied, introducing himself and his friend. "Ray Salazaar." Ray said, shaking Damien's hand.

Stepping out through the doors of the shuttle, Thorn took in the first breathe of air of another country. Earth was the same place everywhere, he figured, but things definitely smelled different in Canada. The pine trees, the cold air, and then the smells of all of the different officers making there way to wherever they were supposed to go.

Speaking of which, Thorn had not been given any such instructions on this matter, and a bit of anxiety began to eat away at him. And so, looking around, he spotted a nearby female cadet, a somewhat short but definitely not ugly human, and, intercepting the spot right next to her, he commented, "Well, I suppose we just guess where to go until we get it right, eh?"

The academy was enormous.

"Nice vibe with the laundry joke," Aruko replied holding out his hand. For a brief moment, his locks fell aside to reveal the tattoo on his forehead. A shake though put them back into place. "Aruko Blackfern, First Year too. We were just looking where to go since we have to take the entrance exams."

All First Years report to the main green. All First Years report to the main green.

Aruko shrugged his shoulder, "I guess that's us. Wanna hang with us?"

"Yea, that sounds good." Damien replied. As the group made its way to the main green, Damien decided ask Aruko something, "Interesting tattoo you've got there. What does it mean?"

"Alright, Akira," said the FedCON representative. "This is the Academy. We'll leave you here. You are certain your English is good enough to pass the entrance exam?"

Akeirra grimaced slightly at the man's mispronunciation of her name, but said nothing of it. Instead, she nodded. "Yes, yes. English, I..." She pursed her lips in thoughtful consideration before saying, "Read good. Speak bad."

"Well, good luck," the rep said as the shuttle door slid open. Akeirra flashed him a brief smile before stepping out, a small bag slung over one shoulder. The flood of students was overwhelming, but Akeirra pressed on, determined. She would fly again, even if it took three years to prove to these people that she could do so more effortlessly than their most skilled pilots.

All First Years report to the main green. All First Years report to the main green.

A wave of anxiety washed over Akeirra. She could read English very well. Hearing it spoken or having to speak it herself were very different matters. She recognized the term "First Year" as something that related to her position in the Academy. Then, "report" meant a couple of different things. That bit about the "main green" made no sense. Even if there was a main shade of the color green, what was she to do with it?

"Excuse, excuse," she said, tapping a fellow student on the arm. "I am... Firrst Yearr. What is main... what that was?"

But the student was a third year and he thought far too much of himself, especially when compared to a first year who couldn't understand English. He scowled down at her and hurried off. She scowled at his back for a moment and then determination set in and she tried again. Her second attempt found a kinder audience in a fellow first year.

"Main green," he said. "I don't really know where. Just follow the crowd." Then, he extended his hand to her. "First year? Me too. I'm Jason Dane. What's your name?"

She took his hand in her gloved right hand and smiled, pleased to have found someone friendly enough to help her, even if he didn't know much himself. "Akeirra."

He blinked. "Akira?"

Her smile faded. "Akeirra."

"Akira."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "Ah."

He echoed, "Ah."

"Kei."

Kay."

She sniffed a little. "Close. Rra."

"Ra."

"Rroll it! Rra."

In his defense, Jason Dane genuinely tried to roll his 'r', but his tongue couldn't quite make it happen. After several attempts, she finally stopped him.

"Is close. Human accent, no..." She searched for the word. "Surprrise."

"Ahkayra," he said, trying to put the sounds together. She smiled faintly.

"Is close," she repeated, shrugging a little. "Now. Main grreen?"

"So where are you from?" Jason asked curiously.

Akeirra laughed. "With my accent, my language. You want to trry?" Shaking her head and giggling, she said, "No. Farr away."

Feeling just a little insulted, Jason Dane sighed. "Your accent sounds like French... except you roll your 'r's'. That's like Spanish. Hmm..."

Akeirra giggled. "No, no. Some sharred worrds with Frrench. But bad. Frrench worrd 'yes' is terrible offense."

Jason almost said it. Thankfully, his better judgment won over. "Well, it was good to meet you, Akira."

"Jason, yes?" Akeirra said. "Good to meet you."

They had reached the main green, or so it seemed, for all first years seemed to be coming to this wide open space. Why they called it the main green was something Akeirra would still have to learn, but at least she was here. At that point, Jason ran off to find one of his friends and Akeirra began speaking to herself in her native tongue under her breath. Most of it was grumbling yet again about how Humans couldn't seem to get her name right.

((For the record, Rokusians are known for their inbreeding. They pride themselves on their mental talents and to even have a hint of other species was disgraceful. There are some exceptions to the rule but you rarely meet a half Rokusian. All Rokusians are pureblooded))

Aruko brushed at his locks trying to hide his markings. He wasn't too overly proud of it since he had hell as a child and even though the Academy had cadets from everywhere in the Federation, he could be more liberal but still be cautious. Still the question needed to be answered and said, "It's not a tattoo. It's my markings. I'm part Rokusian."

**********

There were a million reasons why he was there but the number one reason was that he was his father's legacy. It didn't matter to Devon Carson though. He would enjoy himself at the Academy and even make pilot like his father. From there it was officer's training all the way. This Academy though was different than the others he had seen but this was the closest to the planet within the Consortium. He sighed as he picked up his bag and headed towards the main green at the announcement. He ran into a boy and a strange girl. She was alien no doubt and she had a peculiar accent. Still he didn't take kindly to having toadstools get in his way. He said, "Hey watch where you're going jailbait. The purpose of legs is to walk."

Startled, Akeirra stepped aside and stared at Devon, her mind frantically trying to work out what he'd said. She could tell by his tone that he was unhappy about something, but whatever it was, it eluded her. She blinked for a moment, reviewing the words he'd used, or at least the ones she had understood.

He'd told her to watch where she was going, which seemed pointless since she had evidently arrived already. The word "jailbait" was so utterly foreign that she opted to dismiss it and hope for the best. Then he'd mentioned the purpose of legs. The phrase struck her as highly amusing and she giggled.

"I am herre," she said. "Wherre I was told to be. The... purrpose forr legs at this place is..." she frowned thoughtfully, searching for the word. "Stay? No... Stand. Ing. Standing."

Then, she realized he was upset with her for stopping where she was and she scowled. "Main grreen. Firrst yearr. Told to come here. I do." She thought for a moment, and added, "As... orrdered."

"I'm sorry I asked." Damien replied, figuring out that it seemed to be a sensitive subject. He then noticed an alien girl being bothered by a rather snobbish looking boy. Having dealt with plenty of similar jerks back in school, he decided to intervene. Approaching the two, he said to the boy, "Leave her alone. She doesn't deserve that."

But for all Damien's good intentions, Akeirra misunderstood and took a step back from both boys. She rattled of a string of curses in her native language and glared suspiciously at both Devon and Damien. Her mind raced through Damien's words and only registered "deserve".

"Waat!" she barked sharply, her accent thickened by a combination of anger and fear. "It dou not... sense! Waat. No." Tears stung her eyes as she realized she was not making sense either. Crying, but determined not to screw up, she furiously wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, ready to try again.

"Desserrve..." she said slowly. She knew what it meant, but she'd been so terrified of failing before she even had a chance at this Academy that she hadn't heard the rest of Damien's words. She looked up into his face and saw compassion more than anything else. Then, her eyes flicked to Devon and saw nothing but contempt. She managed a weak smile to Damien and edged closer to him. She understood now that he was trying to defend her and that certainly helped her mood.

"Desserrve," she repeated, looking up curiously at Damien, her accent still thick, but at least understandable. "Tank you."

Feeling somewhat more comfortable now that she appeared to have an ally, she managed another dark scowl at Devon and then tried to forget him.

Devon replied, "What are you stupid or something?"

He was prevented from doing anything else when a human boy told him to leave her alone. He looked at him with a sneer, his ridges looked menacing, "You gonna make me?"

"Possibly. Or I might just handle you myself," Aruko said. He had noticed the girl too and he knew what it was like to be picked on because he was different. He stared at the Anatolian boy with a glare.

Devon noticed the markings on the second boy's forehead. So one of them is here. Out loud he said, "You my friend would do better to keep to company with the right kind of people. After all aren't your people proud of their race?"

Aruko was seething with anger but he managed to smile and replied, "I can pick my own friends. Maybe you could use a lesson in that department."

"You should reconsider. Make an enemy of me and you'll live to regret it," Devon threatened.

"Then we'll have to be enemys. I'd rather eat dirt than be friends with the likes of you." Aruko had said it with a firm edge to indicate that he meant what he said.

Devon had no choice but to walk away. "Fine but you best be watching your back."

After Devon left, Aruko relaxed and gave a slight smile and said to Damien, "One reason why I don't tell anyone but friends what I am is because of ignorant bastards like that. You're a friend therefore you can know me." He grinned to show that he hadn't truly minded the question since he had made up his mind to like the boy and his friend Irene.

He walked to the alien girl and held his hand out, "I'm sorry about that guy. Aruko Blackfern."

"I've had to deal with plenty of people like him over the years. I'm gay, and there are still idiots out there who have a problem with that. Honestly, I really don't see how the fact that I'd much rather be with another man than with a woman affects them in any way." Damien explained. "I've found that the people claiming to be better than everyone else are often worse."

Akeirra had been around FedCON for a year, but there were still a number of things she didn't understand. One example of this had just happened right in front of her; one person had apologized for the actions of another. It didn't make sense to her, a woman from a culture in which no one dared to claim responsibility for someone else, especially not if that someone was acting badly. But this new stranger seemed much kinder, and he had introduced himself. Smiling faintly, she bobbed her head.

"Arrukoblachfehrrn," she said slowly. Then she frowned. There had been the slightest of hesitations in his pronunciation of his name. She tried again, also trying to mimic the strange non-rolled 'r' she'd been hearing for a year. "Aruko Blackfern." Pleased with herself, she nodded again and tapped her chest. "I am Akeirra."

Turning to the boy who'd first come to her rescue, she added, "And you arre?"

"Damien Holtz. Sorry if I get this a bit wrong, but Akera, like I said, I know what that's like. You can't change who you are, no more than I can, or Aruko can. And why should we? Why would we want to, especially for people like that Anatolian? The universe would be so boring if we were all the same." Damien said to her, extending his hand, but a bit unsure if Akeirra was familiar with what a handshake was.

"Pleased to meet you Akeirra," Aruko tried to say her name. Her accent was peculiar and he was curious about where she came from.

He grinned as Damien launched into his spiel. He liked the guy for his outspokeness and his courage in standing up to what he was. "Damien is right. We can't help who we are. Took me awhile to come to terms with the fact that my mother is Native American and my father is Rokusian."

He was stopped from saying more when an instructor, a Zabran came up and said, "Alright you slackers get a move on or we'll ship you out on the next boat down washout lane."

Aruko replied, "Yes sir. We're heading there now."

When teh Zabran was out of sight he said, "Whew. Would suck if we had a black mark and we didn't even make it in."

While on their way to the main green, Ray said to Damien, "I know we've just met, but if we both make it, what do you say you and I go somewhere to 'celebrate'?"

Damien was a bit surprised, but liked the idea anyway. "What do you mean? Are you asking me out on a date?" He asked.

"Um, yeah. I suppose I am." Ray explained. "I'd love to." Damien replied. "Then, good luck." Ray added. "You too." Damien responded as the group arrived at the main green.

(You didn't say Ray was straight, so this was bound to happen.)

((I didn't. I'd figure you would do what you like. All Ray is is Aruko's best friend throughout the Academy.))

Aruko grinned and said, "Yeah but it might be a good idea to make plans until after we make it in. Come on."

Leading the way, Aruko managed to find the main green. Standing at the head of the group of first years was the Zabran that chewed them out early. He was saying, "All right you things. Welcome to the FedCON Academy. If you survive the entrance examinations you will become greenies. You'll receive your rooming assignments at that table by Instructor Sisko over there. Lights out at ten. Exams at eight tomorrow. Late to exams and you washout. Do you get me?"

Akeirra was confused. Not that this was anything new in the past couple of years. It had taken her at least two months to learn enough English to explain that she wanted to repair her ship. Another month had been required before she understood that her ship was beyond repair. One month after that, she could carry on a very rough conversation and FedCON had stopped trying to educate her. And so, with her limited understanding of English, she made her intentions clear that she wanted to fly again and was willing to do anything to make it happen.

And so, here she was. The FedCON representatives she'd dealt with promised a very intensive English course, but even Akeirra understood what a difficult thing that would be to accomplish. No one here came even close to understanding her native language, which meant even abstract concepts such as love or trust had to be described in concrete ways. Extremely difficult, but Akeirra was hoping for the best.

As the Zabran spoke, Akeirra clicked on a small digital recorder. Her head was hurting and she wanted to be absolutely certain she understood what was going on. As the man spoke, she listened intently, but she didn't manage to understand more than a few words. When he paused after his question, Akeirra quickly replayed his words. Twice.

Then, she tapped Aruko on the shoulder and whispered, "What is 'washout'?"

Making sure that the Zabran was occuppied, Aruko tried to explain, "It means...well it's another way of saying a quitter or the flunked out. You follow?" He was trying to explain it in the best way possible without confusing her.

Meanwhile the Zabran stopped in front of a girl who looked very pretty to Aruko. He could tell that she was smart by the way she carried herself and he suspected that she was another candidate for the pilot's seat. The Zabran was saying, "And you little missy. You think you got what it takes to complete the exams?" ((He's taking to Rani))

(I don't think Jedi_Man is coming back, he's been gone for quite a while. To be honest, if not for Writer, I can see this going the way of Alliances Divided, except we managed to see that one to the end.)

Damien rolled his eyes. Typical military motivation tactics. He thought. Disinterested in the in-your-face methods of that Zabran, he approached Instructor Sisko's table. "You're Instructor Sisko, right? My name's Damien Holtz, I'm here about room assignment." He inquired.

(Instructor Sisko's first name isn't Ben, is it?)

((I'm not planning to go anywhere. If need be, I can even take on additional characters. I'm determined to make this RP work. JM12, let me know if you want me to take an additional character. Wouldn't mind having Rani if Jedi_Man is out. She and Akeirra could be roommates :p))

Akeirra frowned thoughtfully. "I see." And she truly did. But failure was not an option. Her own ship had long since been disassembled by intrigued engineers of FedCON. If she ever wanted to fly again, this was her only shot. There was no way she would be late. She turned and followed after Damien, who was headed to the table with room assignments.

(What about Irene? Would you be willing to take over her as well?)

((Certainly. It's actually a little rare for me to have just a single character. I've done up to six at a time before, though the most I currently have in a single RP is four.))

Ray then joined the line for room assignments, right behind Damien and Akeirra. "Let's hope the other instructors aren't anything like that Zabran." He said quietly to the two of them, trying to be heard by Sisko.

((Writer go ahead and take the girls if you like. If you want I can play one of them as well. I've been in the same boat with up to six characters. Alkonium can tell you that. LOL. Just let me know your preference.))

Aruko gave his name and as expected he was asked, "You wouldn't happen to be related to Commander Lauren Blackfern would you?"

Aruko had always considered lying about it but in the end someone always found out. So grabbing the proverbial bull by the horns, he replied, "Yes sir. My mother."

"That so? Well we expect a lot of you son," and the officer processed his paperwork. "Cmdr Blackfern is a good officer."

"Yes sir," Aruko replied as he took the pad with his rooming assignment and moved onward. He hoped that none of the other cadets overheard his conversation. He looked down and read the name of his roommate. He wore a perplexed frown as he joined Ray, Damien and the others accidentally bumping the girl the Zabran chewed out earlier. He looked up and immediately apologized, "Sorry about that."

"You didn't get that Anatolian jerk as a roommate, did you? That'd have been a nightmare." Damien joking asked, though still wondering if that was what had suddenly soured his mood. All he knew was that he was glad to have avoided being stuck in a room with Devon.

((JM12, how about we split the difference? I'll take Rani, you take Irene?))

Getting her room assignment was much easier than trying to understand the excessive use of idioms in the Zabran's brief speech. Sisko told her that her roommate would be a young Human woman named Rani Provenza, who was also seeking to become a pilot.

Not far from there, Rani stumbled back, surprised after another would-be student bumped into her. When he apologized, she smiled. "Hey, no problem," she said. "You new here too?" She stuck out her hand. "Rani. Rani Provenza."

(I'm back ya'll. Sorry for the long wait, but here goes part two of my character.)
Sam invited his roomie in, a large man, probably descended from the cossacks. Despite his looks, however, he spoke like a man from the former state of Texas.
He remembered him from last year, Jakkov Mari. Born in the southern regions of the former united states, he liked to make fun of his size.
"Why, hello there, partner. How ya'll doing on this fine evenin'?" Jakkov asked in his drawl.
"Jackie, it's morning. But, to answer your question, it's quite alright. Thank you." Sam responded. " I imagine the first years are probably having a heart attack though."
Both Sam and Jakkov laugh at that, for it was all too true, last year, and the year before that for Jakkov, both of them nearly died of joy when they got the letter of approval and where bouncing off the walls when they arrived at the academy.
"Ahh...Freshman..." Sam finished.

((Alrighty Writer. You forgot to talk to Aruko but then she might not have heard him when he apologized lol))

Aruko replied, "Aruko Blackfern." He was aware that he must have had a stupid grin on his face and tried to not be so obvious but he thought her to be the prettiest girl he had seen. "So you here to be a pilot?"

He then heard Irene's comment, "I think somebody's got stars in his eyes."

Aruko turned red at the comment but tried to play it of. He did find the girl pretty. "Just apologizing." He then turned back to Rani and said, "Sorry about that."

Devon walked haughtily to his rooming assignment. He was one of the few who got a room of his own mainly because of his father's connections. He walked right by the arrogant snot he ran into earlier and lifted his chin. He gave a mean glance towards the stupid alien girl that he ran into and walked away. They were small fry compared to him.

Rani smiled and nodded. "Yeah, pilot. What about you? What's your aim?"


Akeirra returned to little group of people she now felt safe with just in time to hear Rani introduce herself. To Akeirra's mind, the name was a bit slurred, but she looked down at the note she'd written on her hand and it matched. She grinned and approached, just as Rani asked Aruko why he was at the Academy. She stood there in respectful silence, waiting for a break in the conversation.

"Uh," Aruko was suddenly shy about saying what he was doing at the Academy.

Irene snickered, "Cat got your tongue Ruko?"

"Shut up y'all," Aruko replied trying to hide the annoyance and the grin on his face at his embarrassment. He managed to get out, "Not really sure. Been told by lots of folks I'm good enough to get into Intelligence. I just want to do my part."

Rani laughed. "Sure you do." Then, she shook her head. "Everyone's got something that interests them."

Turning, she acknowledged the rest of the little group gathered around her and Aruko and grinning in her confidence, she said rapidly, "I'm right. Am I right? Tell me you know it." Looking back at Aruko, she said, "Mira, 'Ruko'. Maybe you don't know it yet, but somethin's gonna catch your heartstrings, pull you along." She tapped his chest lightly. "Be listening."

"Oh get a room." Damien muttered under his breath. "I'm also studying to be a pilot, if anyone wants to know." He then said aloud. "Communications for me." Ray added. "Interesting combination." Damien commented. "Didn't you just say for Aruko and Rani to get a room?" Ray asked. "Do you want to?" Damien replied. "Might be a good idea." Ray told him.

Aruko was aware that he must be looking like a complete idiot staring at Rani and also aware that he liked her alot. He grinned and said the only thing he could think of, "Something grabs my heartstrings, you'll be the first to know." He smiled.

Irene was snickering and loudly said, "Well now that we've played the how are you game, let's find our rooms. And Damien business before pleasure." She then noticed Akierra standing quietly and said, "Come on Akierra," her Texan drawl becoming more apparent, "Let's find our bunks and then maybe we can see about getting some chow. I don't know about the rest of these guys but I'm starving."

Aruko stood there facing Rani and said, "Well seems like we might have a good first year."

Flashing Aruko a playful wink, Rani said, "I'm sure we will."

Then, she turned to face Irene and Akeirra and noticed that the small alien woman was watching her intently. Not one to be bothered, she joined them.

"Food does sound good," she said in response to Irene's suggestion that they find their rooms and then some food. "I didn't catch your names?"

Akeirra smiled faintly. At last, she could speak. "Akeirra. You arre Rrrani? We arre rroommates."

Rani grinned. "Well that's one less thing I have to worry about finding out." She turned to Irene. "And you are?"

"Irene Morales," Irene took Rani's hand in an enveloping shake and nearly shook her hand off. "Well I didn't think anyone could get the Rokusian brother to smile."

"Quit acting like I'm not around," Aruko countered. "Besides I just need to drop off my things and get settled. They put me with a second year."

"Whoa there. A second year? Isn't that a little odd?" Irene gave a nudge with her hand at Akierra to indicate that she was talking to her.

Akeirra smiled faintly. "I do not know. Many things about the Human rrace seem verry odd to me."

Rani laughed. "Where are you from, then?"

Akeirra considered for a moment. She didn't expect any of them to get the name quite right. Nor could she expect them to know where it was, especially since it wasn't in their own native galaxy. But they were being extremely kind to her, and they weren't calling her "Akira". That boy Damien had even come very close to getting it right.

"Farr away," she said finally. "Anotherr galaxy. The homeworrld was Meinar. It is gone now. I was borrn on Meinari fleet... how you say... flagship?"

"The lead ship of the fleet," Rani said helpfully. "Yeah, that's flagship."

"Flagship," Akeirra repeated. "Sceptre, I think is the closest trr... trranslation."

Irene, interested in space travel herself and any stories about fleets was all agog. She replied, "So you're an Army brat. That is what we call people who were born while their parents served in the military."

"It's what I am," Aruko added, trying to be helpful, "My mother serves. She's a science officer specializing in terra forming or something. So I'm an Army brat." He tucked his datapad in his pocket and slung his bag upon his shoulder. "So how about we all split to our rooms and then meet here and get some chow. You in?" He directed his question at everyone.

"Better make it your last meal probies," Devon interrupted. "If anything you look like you wouldn't make it past the entrance examinations."

Aruko was seized with an idea, a rather rash one even by his own standards. He said, "Bet you five hundred credits we all do and we score near the top."

Devon was up for a challenge and relished in the fact that there was always someone willing to do the dirty work for him. "I'll take that bet. Loser."

"We'll see who the loser is at the end of the day tomorrow," Aruko replied.

"Yeah. I wouldn't mind putting a boot up your snooty..." Irene was getting too much into it. Yet she knew Devon's type very well. She had to actually talk to them when she was at home. She was rather put out that it seemed the life her mother wanted for her followed her here. "We'll show you."

"Look forward to it. Easiest five hundred I ever made," and Devon walked away.

Irene growled, "I totally despise his kind. Oh it's just as bad as if I were at home." She then walked off without saying another word.

Akeirra's mind was stuck. She wasn't sure she understood her new friends until Irene explained what she meant by Army brat and Aruko confirmed that he was one as well. She missed the meal planning, missed the bet with Devon and almost missed that Irene had stormed off.

"No," she said, turning to Rani. "Not Army brat. Meinar is..." She paused, sorrow glinting in her eyes. "Meinar is gone. Meinari are born, live, and die in the fleet."

Rani wrapped her arm around the diminutive alien woman and guided her away, smiling encouragingly. "We'll be certain to set the record straight. Come on, let's find our room."

Aruko wasn't sure if Akierra understood what Irene meant by Army brat but he let it pass as Rani led the girl away to their room. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Well, catch you in mess. Later Ray."

he then took off to look for the room that he would be sharing with the second year. He was still puzzled by that effect since the Academy tended to group first years together. The thought that they were giving him special treatment because he was his mother's son stole into his thoughts and it lingered. It was a possibility.

Akeirra and Rani found their room with little difficulty. After storing what few belongings they had brought there, they headed down to rejoin the others. They ate together and talked, and Rani easily slipped into the role of translating words her roommate didn't know into smaller, more manageable pieces. Again, Akeirra tried to point out that the Meinari fleet she had mentioned before was not a military body, but contained the whole of Meinari civilization, as they had lost their planet. And this time, she was slightly more successful in getting her point across.

The next morning, Rani awoke to find Akeirra already up, sitting on the edge of her bed and staring out the window. Entrance exams weren't for another two hours, but Rani wanted to be sure they got there in plenty of time. Evidently, Akeirra had the same thing in mind.

Even after having a bit of breakfast, the two women were ready for the exam almost half an hour before it was scheduled to start. They went together to the room it was said to be in and found the door still locked. Settling in to wait, Rani tried to get Akeirra to talk, but the alien woman seemed more preoccupied with hearing the words of English spoken around them than in replying. With the faintest of sighs, Rani gave up and looked around, hoping to spot some of the other students she and Akeirra had met the day before.

Aruko found his room and met his roommate. He was expecting someone who would use their status to give him a hard time. He was completely surprised to find that Cadet Second Year Jason Soreson was rather polite and glad to see his new roommate. "So you're the new plebe? Jason Soreson," and he held out his hand.

Not wanting to get chewed out for an infraction, Aruko replied with a handshake, "Aruko Blackfern."

"Nice." He then went back to work unpacking his stuff to be ready for the term that would start next week.

Aruko looked at the empty bed with the piled sheets and took that to mean that was his bed. He dumped his stuff on it and started unpacking what he would need for the next day. No need to unpack everything until after the exams, if he passed.

"You'll pass."

"Excuse me?" Aruko asked.

"You'll pass," Jason repeated. "Just like them to place one of the more brillant ones with me."

"How come they placed me with you? Isn't that sacriligeous or something?"

"No idea. When I asked, the Commandant gave me the look that said I should shut it," Jason replied with a shrug. "Personally I thought it was because I had some trouble in slipstream theory but I passed that class with an exceeds expectation type grade. Must be because they know you are intelligent enough to pass with highest marks."

"Maybe," Aruko replied. His personal thought was that the Rokusian government was keeping tabs on him. He had to answer his application form truthfully so he put that he was half Rokusian with a human mother. The Academy knew what he was and there were some Rokusians who served in FedCON rather than their own forces.

"Well you better get some shut eye. Exams at 0900 for you." Jason gave a pat on Aruko's shoulder. "Don't worry about it."

The night passed without incident with supper with his new friends and an early turn in. Aruko was up early. His roommate was asleep when he stole down the hall to shower but was awake getting back. Jason just smiled and wished him luck before disappearing towards the showers.

Aruko walked towards the mess hoping that there was something that would stick to his ribs. He caught up with Ray and Damien who were debating, from the looks of it, on the merits of a particular fruit. He said his hellos and grabbed a dish of cantalope. Oatmeal was present and he grabbed a bowl before trying to get a cup of tea. Instead he was handed sludge that was identified as coffee and that was told that was it.

Aruko said nothing but gave a slight eyeroll as he looked for a table. Spotting Rani and the other girl Akierra, he made his way to the table. He said good morning and sat prepared to eat but not looking forward to the coffee. He held up his cup and looked at it and asked, "Rani, is coffee supposed to be like engine sludge?"

Rani laughed. "Depends on who you ask. My dad would say with absolute certainty that the answer is yes. My mother would tell you just as vehemently that the answer is no. I myself don't tend to drink it and therefore my best answer is, I haven't a clue."

She glanced at Akeirra for a moment and saw that the woman's gaze was still unfocused. Rani looked back to Aruko. "She's been like that ever since we left our room," she said. "Hardly spoken two words together."

COMBAT VETERAN TALLY VOLTAIC was exhausted. She'd felt that way ever since the very start of this semester here at the Academy, despite the fresh Canadian air and gorgeous scenery. The truth was, Tally had been exhausted for a long time, as she watched the halls of learning that she loved turn into more of a prison day by day. Rules. Regulations. Protocol, always protocol. Tally was sick of it. She could no longer be herself, it seemed, without earning glares from the older and more-experienced faculty members:

"She's a gladiator. An arena diversion. Not a serious instructor of combat."

"Voltaic? She's a phenomenal warrior, no doubt, but a bad soldier. Terrible."

"Won't obey orders. What does she think this place is, a civilian university?"

"Hot temper. Too hot. She won't last long. You have to play the game."

Tally, for one, was sick of playing games. The only one she was ever in the mood for nowadays was one she'd just invented, lying on her military-issue cot in her stark faculty quarters. Smiling to herself, she went over it:

"Good morning, plebes. Welcome to hell. Today I'll be instructing you, and if any one of you manages to win against me in hand-to-hand combat, with the weapons of your choice, I will personally do your laundry and polish your boots to a high mirror shine for the rest of the year. Good luck. You'll need it!" A smile and a pause. "Oh, and if you lose? You'll get another instructor."

She knew who that "other instructor" was--the Devil himself, Sergeant Cul.

Those plebes don't know what they're in for, Tally thought morosely.

((lol, They haven't even passed the entrance exams))

"I don't blame her for not saying anything. Learning a new language is tough. I had to learn the language of my father's people. Not easy." Aruko smiled and tried a sip of the sluge. He made a face. "Ugh and they expect us to drink that every morning?"

He quickly set the cup down and took a spoonful of oatmeal to try and knockout the taste of coffee. It did the trick and he downed the oatmeal. "At least this isn't sludge."

"Don't credit that stuff as sludge," Irene said as she joined her new friends at the table. She waved for Damien and Ray to join them. She then leaned forward in a whisper, "Besides I heard that they do this to all first years before the exams. Sort of liek trying to see who has what it takes." Then she said a little louder, "Then again if this is normal, I'd just as soon as drink some real engine sludge and not this crap."

She noticed Akierra sitting there and gave a gentle tap, "Akierra? You alright?"

"She's just listening to us talk," Aruko explained as he munched on a piece of cantaloupe. "Best way to learn a new language. So anyone feel liek they are ready for these exams?"