Chapter 16. Human federation. Part 2. Arc 1 Space exploration.

Act 1 (Star of the Abyss) Origin galaxy.

(Professora) Do you know why you're here Cadet Abyss?

I was looking around the small yet well decorated office. Unlike most professors she wasn't stationed at the communal office hall, professora Nightingale had the privilege of a personal office. 

(Abyss) Did I get a cadet pregnant?. . . Wait a Staff!

I played my role, I was acting as a gentleman playboy from a wealthy family, even though it was only the two of us here, it was best to keep the charade ongoing to prevent another accident.

I don't know if it was my face or my words but I heard a small chuckle coming from Professora Nightingale. But really I've been busy with my act, going around with girls on my side, seen in public always asking and going out with both girls and women.

But not actually doing anything with them, just giving them very good dreams, and after the night not many stayed and those that did eventually leave after understanding how much of a playboy I was acting. Fortunately I kept a few as friends.

(Prof-Nightingale) No, no it's not about your act, it's about me hearing what you and Seafarer had found a couple of months ago, in that training outpost. . . I know you don't trust me cadet, but it is important that you tell me things like these.

She found out? Well that impressive I looked into my professora's light purple eyes, seeing no anger but disappointment.

(Abyss) It's not a matter of trust professora, it's that I didn't want my friend getting into trouble, she has a record as is, and I don't want it to become any bigger, she doesn't have the privilege that I enjoy.

The reminder made my professora to twitch, unbalancing her presence of authority, yet she did center herself quickly.

(Prof-Nightingale) I understand, now for the reason I called you here. . . I'm giving you an assignment.

This made me thoughtful as I gave her a questioning look, Assignments are only given to 4th year cadets and above, specially assignments that would make a unit travel away from the academy fleet.

(Abyss) Is that wise professora? I'm only a 2nd year cadet.

She gave me a smile and answered.

(Prof-Nightingale) It's a simple assignment, gather a five person unit and then collect the outpost data on the next system we are visiting. Here's the assignment details.

She flicked her finger on her data pad as mine vibrated after getting an important alert, I opened my C-tablet and saw the detail. The fleet would station themselves in the system while training units of cadets and professional observers would go into the planetary bodies to collect scan data.

A simple collection mission, but from here the professora assigned me to a relic world, and it has a high amount of warnings on hazards and threats. . . a fun assignment then.

I nodded satisfied after reading the info.

(Abyss) I accept, but I would like to ask if I really need to be the one to choose my team? I only know a handful of cadets and most of them are either from the 1st to 3rd year cadet classes.

She nodded at my question, I believe she already expected this.

(Prof-Nightingale) Take who you think is ready for missions like these and will fill in the rest, based on your preferences.

(Abyss) Preferences?

My C-tablet vibrated again. I see I was given a form in which I can fill in details on the cadet I would need. . . didn't know they did it like this, wait is this how professors get their students?

I gave her a questioning look after reading through the form, but she only gave me an innocent smile.

I gave bow, I wasn't really that curious about it so I said goodbyes and left her office.

Act 2 (Star of the Abyss) Origin galaxy.

It's been a few hours since I left professora Nightingale's office. I was now heading to my main body, I needed to talk to the head engineer and artisan that have been working on making my body, trying to turn it into a frigate class ship, or atleast be able to accommodate a few hundred personnel.

It was an idea I thought about eversince the long trip I did returning to my egg. My master had shown me a way to move my physical body through the immaterial sea to reach a place in real space.

It wasn't a well developed projection like those ones taught by master, but memories of his ancestors attempting it and experimenting with the Nascent projection, and observations of a race of natural psionic mantis analog's using the trick in quick bursts in its hunting.

From the memories, I learned that the main problem the ancestors had with the development of this projection is accuracy. They've mastered the creation of an entrance into the immaterial sea and the navigation through it, the only problem was the exit even with a psionic beacon, the exits would still be random.

From the worst of the memories was an ancestor trying to reach a neolithic natural psionic race, trying to prevent them from developing wrongly but he over shot and ended up a few star clusters away. . . the good news about this accident was, this was the reason they met the Vibranty.

(woman) Hey! Cadet, are you lost?

I was taken from my thoughts as a woman blocked my way, I must have seemed lost in thought. . . which I was.

(Abyss) thank you for asking but I'm not, I'm on my way towards workshop bay 5. 

I said to her as I opened my C-tablet and showed my ID. she looked at it and my face and then nodded to herself.

(Woman) Good, atleast your not lost, follow me boy, I'll get you there.

And then the woman turned and I followed her, I observed her as we walked. She was plump and pretty short for a human only in the 5s but her face was attractive. She was wearing the standard uniform for academy staff with a mechanic vest, and utility belt.

(Mechanic-Delilah Terra) You can call me Deli kid, I work maintenance for bay 1 to 5 but mostly I hangout at 5 cause most of the action is going on there. How about you? Why go to 5?

Is she still suspicious of me? Well, I'm no spy but I could play along and see how she acts.

(Abyss) Oh, nothing important, just wanted to say hello to the head engineer and artisan.

This immediately made her go on edge even though she wasn't showing it, I can feel her essence turned sharp, and her hand started inching closer to her utility belt.

I was about to say something more suspicious and see what she would do but We've already reached the bay and as I got closer the bay doors opened showing my aunt Niyal.

(Head Artisan-Elder Niyal) Abyss? Did you want to check on the progress?

She Ignored my guide as she led me in. I feel a little sorry for the woman, but my Aunt only has eyes for those she deems talented.

(Abyss) Is everything going fine aunty? Do I need to move or. . .

She started to make a hissing laugh at my question.

(Head Artisan-Elder Niyal) No, everythings coming along fine, Seedling Maplewood has been helping with the residential areas, Warsong and other acolytes has been helping with the psionic aspect so that the human machines wouldn't break, and I and engineer Michel have been making sure everything wouldn't just fall off.

I listened to aunt Niyal as my body came to view suspended in a zero gravity chamber inside the bay. I looked like I was carrying a bag, as a large rectangular cube was on my back, firmly secured by metal ropes and plates. And it was surrounded by a forest.

I looked up to my aunt looking at her two main eyes.

(Abyss) Aunty. . . why does it look so. . .

(Aunty-Elder Niyal) Ugly?

I nodded, and that made her sighed and then she went on a rant about time, and how backwards human tech was and how hard conversions were and I stopped her by asking a different question.

(Abyss) Did sister Maplewood succeed with the atmosphere?

(Aunty-Elder Niyal) Atmosphere? Oh yes, she did, but she had yet to create a proper minor magnetic field to protect it, which means if you even move faster than a quarter of light speed then you'll lose your gas. . . but she did tell me she was working on using your metallic shell as a magnetic anchor.

I listened as she filled me in on the progress of the projects and from I hear it would be another galactic year before everything is done and we could run tests and then another year for recalibrations and further modding.

(Abyss) Aunty, please finish the capsule ship first and make sure the modifications aren't attached. I have a feeling I might need to summon my main body.

I felt curiosity and concern from Aunty Niyal.

(Aunty-Elder Niyal) Is it about your assignment? You should be fine. I was even one of the ones that sign off that it would be good for you.

Huh, I didn't know Aunty Niyal had enough influence within the fleet to be part of the decision making for the cadet training.

(Abyss) Yes, I'm worried about it. . . I'm even considering changing my avatar. . . right now this puppet's psionic potential is limited.

I said as I brought up my hands, clenching both of them, igniting them in blue psionic fire. . . it glowed dimly for a few minutes and then sputtered out.

I felt a cold pressure on my head, I looked up to see it was aunty patting my head. It was reassuring.

(Aunty-Elder Niyal) Everything will be fine little one, your friends will be fine.

I smiled and accepted the gesture. By holding her cold, soft, pointed snake tail like hand.

Act 3 (Professora-Nightingale) Origin galaxy.

As I listened for his steps to finally be out of ear shot I relaxed. Letting out a breath I was holding. . . that's one intense cadet, they weren't kidding when they said he'll be a handful, but at least he's manageable, especially now that I prepared a new playmate.

I sent a message to a cadet, and as I waited I thought about how I can use this new card on my deck. He isn't too useful for now but that could change in a few years. Well, let's just hope this assignment succeeds. 

Those were my thoughts as a cadet entered, she was one of the ones I'm grooming to help me in my political climb. She was a young yukianna with pale green skin, she's been training as a field medic, unlike abyss who took the general course. . . Even though I hear his complaints about the difficulties of the classes I still can't believe he mixed up the general and regular course. . .

Still, I could see such a young man as a fleet battle commander. I gaze at her eyes, she has yet to take her maturing season, she was short not just in height but even limbs she has yet to develop enough to be considered an adult Yukianna, but still she's 65 in human years, almost as old as I am, yet she hasn't had gone through the long list of medical therapy I do once a year to remain in my 30s.

(Prof-Nightingale) Cadet, do you know why I called you?

She probably didn't, this was very much a sudden chance that I was taking. She was a 3rd year cadet. Ineligible for assignments but I had the pull to make her part of that boy's unit.

She shook her head.

(Cadet) No ma'am!

(Prof-Nightingale) I would be brief, you would be joining a unit that has a data collection assignment. Here's the details, you are there primalary as a field medic but your secondary mission would be to befriend and collect information from your teammates, am I clear?

She took a moment to process my words but after it she bowed as she said.

(Cadet) Thank you for the opportunity ma'am! I will do my best!

I smiled at the girl's enthusiasm, still she isn't my only card in this new game, but still it's a good test for her.

(Prof-Nightingale) Good, now dismiss.

She left immediately as I relaxed on my chair again, little whale what would be your role. . . should I eliminate him as a variable or should I give him a spot on the table. decisions, decisions.

Act 4 (Cadet-Beckett Seafarer) Origin galaxy.

(Cadet-Beckett Seafarer) Are sure you want me?

I asked Abyss again, we just met up for lunch when suddenly he asked me if I could come with him on an assignment. I was. . . hesitant, this was a big chance for Abyss to skip a year if he succeeds. . . I don't want to mess it up, but before I could decline.

(Abyss) You always take me as a plus one in your adventures Bexie, why don't you come with me for this one? Plus you're one of the best cadet's I know.

(Cadet-Beckett Seafarer) Fine you flattering fuck-boy I'll go with you but don't blame me when things go bust.

He smiled at me, and nodded. . .I really hope things go well, I never tell him this but his one of the few friends I have here.

(Abyss) So, about my other offer. . . I talked about it again with my master. 

This again, I keep telling him no, even if I do have space magic, I don't want to spend years in those turtles organic space habitats. . .besides what would ma and pa say. So I gave him a scowl and he relented with his hands.

(Abyss) I know, I know how you feel about the sanctuaries. But If you really don't want to train in one of the sanctuaries I can be the one to train you.

(Cadet-Beckett Seafarer) Are you sure? Isn't this enough so it doesn't happen again?

I showed a mark near my collarbone, Abyss placed it a few days after the incident and ever since then I stopped seeing random visions. It was a simple black circle filled with small white starry dots.

(Abyss) Yes. . . but that thing has a battery, haven't you noticed it fading?

Yes I did, it was pure black when Abyss magiced it on, but now it's a dark gray, and it has fewer stars. . . I always thought it was just like a regular tattoo. . . fades but permanent. I nodded.

(Abyss) Like my tablet, it needs to be recharged. . . or it'll stop storing your psionic essence.

(Cadet-Beckett Seafarer) and would make me have visions again. . . alright I understand atleast teach me enough so I can charge this thing. . . You know how my family is when it comes to space magic.

(Abyss) I know, they don't trust it.

(Cadet-Beckett Seafarer) That's. . . a kind way of putting it.

He nodded.

(Abyss) Well if you want to learn to just charge it, I can't do that, the seal I placed on you is pretty advanced even charging it would need years of study. 

(Cadet-Beckett Seafarer) Ahh!

I groaned and placed my head on the table, I feel like I know where this is going, I already hate academics now I need to do this! I have clubs! Historical martial arts and Lazerwars!

I felt Abyss patting my shoulder.

(Abyss) Luckily I'll just teach you how to store your essence yourself, you're pretty smart so it might only take you a few days.

He was giving me his gentle smile, the same smile I see the girls in class swoon for and how he got so many of them laid. . . but to me that was his evil smile, the one he uses when dragging me to study. . .

(Cadet-Beckett Seafarer) Fuck you Abi.

(Abyss) Love you to Bex.

Act 5 (Star of the Abyss)

(Voice) Touching down in 5 4 3 2 1. . . "Thud!"

I looked around and saw the nervousness on most of my unit's faces, I have 2nd class cadets me and Beckett a 3rd class cadet that professora Nightingale had recommended I looked at her details and yeah I would recommend her too she's a talented field medic. 

And the last two were 4th class cadets, they were recommended by the academy council. Both were from the engineering course one was specialized in hardware and the other at software. They looked calm on the surface but I can feel they where a little nervous too.

(Abyss) Alright, gather at 5, last checks and we move out.

I told them as I unclasped my safety belt and stood up from my chair. I started using the monitors to check the scans of our surroundings, we were in one of the well used drop sites. But because of the limited personnel on virgin planet policies the drop site is very much undeveloped. 

The scans don't read anything dangerous in the vicinity and the regional season is in the rebirth stage so things should be fine. I spent the rest of the 5 minutes on checking my gear, especially the war spear, I sent it to the research department and they only ended up reinforcing it with some organic steel and plastics.

Because of the minor upgrades it doesn't look like a tribal warrior spear anymore but something a space age pirate would use. Atleast the upgrades made it more durable, I don't need to flake-sharpen it after every use.

As I started unpacking my gear and only taking what I needed and packing the rest to be placed in the AT-carrier but then a presence interrupted me.

(Abyss) Do you need something Cadet Reyes?

I looked up while my hands kept packing what I didn't need, mostly extra sets of clothes, rations, backups of energy cells. And spare parts of the gear set I'm using.

I was looking at a lady in her mid 20s. Her dark earthen hair was tied and her reconsuit was firmly placed on, but I could see she was missing a few platings. Is it a weight issue?

She doesn't look that fit, but from what I know reconsuits where the lightest gear set a cadet could wear during missions. It's only 10 kilos and most of our other gear can be placed on the AT-carrier. At max load she'll only be carrying around 15 to 20 kilos, spread throughout her body. . . she's an odd girl, but she is from the engineering course they're not forced to train for away missions.

(Cadet-Reyes) Sir, permission to be the AT-carrier driver. . . 

I stopped my packing and raised an eyebrow at her request, she's the hardware specialist, shouldn't she be manning the communications station? Or the scanners? The driver station is pretty much reserved for the most unessential personnel in the unit, during transport. Like the commander, battle specialist and medic.

(Abyss) Is there a reason cadet?

She looks fine but a little hesitant on the outside showing the presence of a SCF-cadet yet I can feel her essence and. . . she's pretty much a young girl wanting to ride a pony.

(Abyss) I'm psion and yes it should be fine, but please be more open you are senior after all.

I left her as I finished my packing. And then stood Infront of the carrier as my watch started to vibrate.

(Abyss) Alright, form up! We ride to the first station and rest and go to the other one's tomorrow. 

As I finished my orders I jumped up to the roof of the carrier, as I work as recon, as Reyes wasn't the only one indulging in her fantasies.