You'll need to have your fleet move faster if they are supposed to make it to their position in time!"
She knew that. She was commanding holograms of ships, weaving in and out of comets, turning to reach the finish line. Sounded simple, right? Not with each ship having their own different abilities and weaknesses. Heck with the latest AI program each pilot was a person to her. Plus, enemy fire, plus a time limit. Sure, she could sacrifice one to save the mission, they are only holograms… No. She couldn't, wouldn't. By the time she concluded this, time ran out, and her fleet was destroyed.
"Urgh!" she said pushing the hologram projection away. 6 times, 7 now, 7 times she tried to past the stupid test, each time getting closer to the goal, but each time, something goes wrong; engine failure, pilot meltdown, etc. , but this time… comets.
"This test is impossible." she said in a huff pushing her hair away from her face.
"No Dan, you just simply aren't making the right calls."
"I know everything about each pilot- their past, what motives them, heck, their favorite food. Which I don't even know why was included for the test." Dan said quickly raising her voice. Shaking her head to get focused again. "I honestly know everything about this test inside and out. I'm telling my men everything they need to survive, HOW-" her commander raised an eyebrow at her cutting her off.
"That's why every tactician must complete this course before going off to space…" she stated, words filled with a mixture of malice and frustration.
"It is imperative that each tactic knows their pilots and should value each deeply." stated her commander. Dan opened her mouth to respond but was cut off with him continuing to talk. "But it is the mission that should be the true focus of any tactic."
"So I'm supposed to know everything about these these- holograms. So much that I care about them, only for me to kill them?!" She stared at him, waiting to respond.
"My dear, if being a tactician for the space Garrison were easy, everyone would be doing it, which is why only a small handful are chosen for these tests. We acquire only the few students who show enough empathy towards their peers but also enough diligence to complete their missions. Do you have what it takes Miss McClain?"
Did she have it in her to sacrifice one of her men for the sake of the mission? One pilot for others? Why do they even need tactician?! Her face was crossed as she stared at the different colored ships on the hologram. She couldn't answer.
She felt a pat on her back, one with enough force that nearly knocked her over.
"Alright that's enough doom and gloom for today." her teacher said flashing a smile and pushing the button to open the blinds. To the windows that opened up to the dessert.
"Ahurgh" Dan gasped and quickly covered her eyes, "damn how long have we been in here, uh my eyes." She blinked a few times for her eyes to readjust to the light.
"Far too long, come on, should relax the rest of the day, no more classes for you."
'What?' she mouthed with a confused face blinking at the man in front of her.
"Come on, don't think I'm going soft on you," he said scratching his chin," it's a requirement, too much stress to the students, ya know, with the tactician's test and all."
Dan wasn't going to complain about the free day off. She was about to leave, hoping she could soak in as much "fun" as she possibly could for the remainder of the day.
A loud grunt stopped her in her tracks. "Ah, my apologies," she said swiftly, returning to her commander and saluting him, waiting for his response.
"At ease, Cadet."
With that, she was homeward bound.
"Just don't do anything I wouldn't do." he said after her.
"I thought you said you read my record, I've already done everything you wouldn't do." She smirked.
Dan and her commander were closer compared to her peers and teachers. But that's understandable, only a few students, not including herself, were chosen to receive training to be a tactician for the space fleet. She herself was surprised when she first found out. Being part of the ground control and maintenance was what she expected of her space career would eventually turn out to be. But being a Tactician was something she never thought of. Looking back, she probably would have dropped out if she was ground control.
"Oh what to do, what, to, do-" she smiled trying to get her mind away from that stupid test. She could always go into town, but by the time she got there her favorite shops would be close. Also, she already spent her monthly allowance for personal supplies, the rest was for food and other needs. She weaved back and forth through the hallways trying to make up her mind. She stopped in front of the news board.
"Mmm, what are other people doing right know?" she wondered reading the list to find which class is doing what. Her finger stopped on class C4- flight sim... a devilish smirk spread across her face.
"Psssh" she snickered, trying to contain her glee as a group of people walked by, staring at her. "Ah, I just remembered a funny meme I saw the other day." she blurted to the group.
"Real smooth Dani girl. Real smooth. And now talking to… nothing," She stopped with a sigh. I have got to get a social life, she thought.
