“The Alliance cruiser serves every major purpose within the Fleet. Transport between galaxies, berth for squadrons, or devastating weapon system, the cruiser offers endless possibilities. Regardless of the ship you’re assigned, every one of you who graduates from this program will be assigned to a cruiser, either as a crewmember or part of the onboard squadron.
“However, for those of you with the ambition to advance far within the Fleet, you’ll want assignment as part of a cruiser’s crew. The openings onboard a cruiser are nearly limitless for young pilots. In most instances, you’ll begin service as one of the navigation officers, piloting the unwieldy vessels. Eventual promotions include communications officer, tactical officer, and, eventually, captain of your own ship.”
Victoria fell silent, as the class examined the cruiser, magnifying different aspects of the ship. Keryn spun it once absently, as she sought the hangar bay doors on the cruiser’s belly. Though she heard Victoria’s advice about the best advancement being through assignment on an Alliance cruiser, Keryn found the magnitude a bit daunting. Since she was from the small communities spread throughout the Wyndgaart home world, it was hard to imagine being responsible for so many lives.
No, she thought. My comfort lies more within the confines of a team.
If she had her way, she’d be a member of the squadron, her ship docked among the dozens of others within the hangar on the belly of the ship. Flipping back through the images, she once again let a Cair transport drift before her eyes.
“All right.” Victoria’s voice broke the silence. “I want everyone to take a ten-minute break. Take this time to clear your mind of all the nonsense about specific ship assignments. When you return to this room, I’ll teach you the basics of three-dimensional combat. If your class is smart enough to pick up the basics, I’ll run you through a practical exercise before we end for the day. Be back here in ten minutes.”
The students filed out the back, many excited conversations erupting long before they left the room. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Keryn found Iana behind her, her pale face flushed with barely concealed enthusiasm.
“I’m going to be a Duun pilot,” she said bluntly. “To have that much power in my hands….” She gave an exhilarated sigh. “What about you? I have you pegged for cruiser all the way.”
“I’m actually thinking of requesting a Cair assignment.”
Iana was surprised. “Cair? Are you serious? Why not just ask for the weapons platform and be completely boring?”
Keryn laughed. “There’s something indescribable about the thought of flying a Cair, to be part of a team, something that important.”
“I’d start thinking a little smaller,” a familiar, annoying Avalon voice said.
Both turned to find Sasha and her entourage eavesdropping. On Sasha’s arm, a muscular Uligart snickered.
“Then again, I don’t really know if it’s possible to request to be a washout. Oh, well. The result will be the same.”
Keryn scowled.
Just one good punch, the Voice begged.
“Get lost, Sasha.” Keryn’s enthusiasm quickly drained in the face of the arrogant Avalon.
“Or what? You’ll prove that you really are a savage?”
Iana tugged on Keryn’s sleeve. “She isn’t worth it, Keryn. Come on. Our ten minutes are almost up, anyway.”
Frowning, her previous excitement replaced by irritation, Keryn entered the room and took her seat. Biting back tears of frustration, she blindly turned off the image of the Cair ship.
“All right, Class,” Victoria said, as the others took their seats. “Now let’s talk tactics.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
The team sat in the front row of the horseshoe-shaped set of chairs, searching for answers Vance didn’t have.
“Sir, what the hell’s going on?” Yen asked. “You pulled us off leave right when we were getting settled on the beach.”
“Four platoons?” Eza asked. “When have we ever had a mission that required so many supporting infantry?”
“I’d love to give you the answers, Guys,” Vance replied, pacing before the seated team, “but I don’t know.”
“Can’t you ask someone?” Nova asked, jerking her head toward the door behind her.
“I know what you’re eluding to, Queen of Stealth, but Halo doesn’t know anymore than I do. She’s hearing a lot of chatter and a mobilizations of different units right now, but she can’t pinpoint a mission or destination.”
“It’s something big,” Ainj said. “They wouldn’t have the whole warship up in arms otherwise.”
“Just as long as we aren’t second fiddle to another unit.” Yen slouched farther into his padded chair. “I won’t serve as lackey to any door-kicking grunt.”
Eza leaned over and said quietly, “We’re door-kicking grunts, Yen.”
“You know what I mean!” Yen sat upright.
“Settle down, all of you!” Vance yelled over the burgeoning argument between the two friends. “We’ll get answers soon enough once the infantry leadership and the captain arrive. Until then, keep yourselves occupied.”
Eza leaned forward to see around Ainj, Nova, and the furry Tusque. Ixibas sat quietly near the end of the row. Without eyes, Eza couldn’t tell where he was looking.
“Ixibas,” he hissed, trying to get the Lithid’s attention.
When the featureless oval face turned toward him, he tried again.
“Ixibas.”
“What?”
“Do you want to…?”
“No.” His gravelly voice echoed in the small room.
“You didn’t let me finish. All I wanted to know was….”
“No. I won’t give you the chance to finish whatever asinine idea you had, since it would only end up with all of us in trouble, standing before the captain, so, no.”
“You really are a bore.” Eza sat back in a huff. “All I wanted to know is….”
The back door opened, and nine infantry soldiers entered the room, deep in their own conversation. They wore pressed uniforms and highly shined boots that sparkled under the weak ceiling lights. Their appearance was immaculate compared to the more-slovenly covert operations team, many of whom wore personal modifications to their uniforms.
The massive Oterian had long ago removed his sleeves, complaining that his muscular arms were too restricted by the fabric. Ixibas wore no uniform at all, settling for a single slash over his black exoskeleton.
“Infantry,” Yen muttered. “Are they absolutely necessary for this mission? Word in the halls is that this is just a search, not even a smash-and-grab.”
“Such animosity,” Eza whispered beside Yen.
“I just don’t see why we need them working with us.” He continued to glower at the soldiers, as they walked down the aisle.
“Need I remind you,” the Oterian’s voice rumbled behind Yen, “that every one of us was infantry before switching over to join the team?”
“And every one of us got better,” Yen said coldly.
Seeing the already-seated team, the infantry soldiers quieted and took their seats across the aisle. A couple of them remained standing and went to shake hands with Vance.
“Magistrate Vance, it’s a pleasure to be working with you again,” said the only officer, a Uligart, extending his hand.
Vance shook it firmly. “Magistrate Dallis. Are you in charge of the whole company now?”
He looked over his shoulder at the four platoon leaders behind him. “Yes. The 2nd Infantry, 5th Fleet is my command. The Black Talons are the best, and I’m proud to be leading them.”
“Second best.” Eza pointed at himself.
“Sit down, Eza!” Vance snapped.
Eza reluctantly took his seat, glowering at Dallis.
“Who are your platoon leaders?” Vance asked.
The four warrants surged forward, eager to meet the Pilgrim team leader. Though infantry and covert operations openly disliked each other, Vance’s team earned a reputation for being the best.