A/N: The first two chapters were beta read by hybryd0. Thanks for the time and effort you put into my story!

True North

Chapter 1

Lieutenant Ziira had a reputation as one of the strictest instructors at the Academy. Even the usual trouble-makers behaved in her class. Bridge swore that she had eyes on the back of her head and that was really saying something, because several of his teachers actually did have eyes on the backs of their heads, and they weren't half as observant.

"Let's talk about your final project," the Lieutenant said. She dropped a large box full of books on top of her desk. "The final for this class will be a practical demonstration of your wilderness survival skills. For five days, you and two of your classmates will travel through the wilderness using only standard-issue S.P.D. survival gear. Each of you will keep a detailed journal of your trip. Your final grade will be based on your journals, your group evaluations, and whether or not you successfully reach the rendezvous point in time. Any questions?"

Sky raised his hand immediately.

"Cadet Tate?"

"Sir," Sky asked, "will we be graded individually, or as a group?"

"Both. This assignment is about teamwork as much as it is about wilderness survival. Your group grade will be worth seventy percent of your final score."

The entire class groaned and a few cadets whispered to each other. One sharp look from their instructor silenced them instantly. "Anything else?"

Bridge raised his hand, a little hesitantly.

"Cadet Carson."

"Sir, who will be in each group? Do we get to choose, or is it random?"

Bridge glanced at Sky and immediately regretted it. If any of his classmates learned about his crush, they would tease him even more than they already did. Sky had never shown an interest in dating anyone, regardless of gender or species. And even if Sky was interested in someone, Bridge was pretty sure it wouldn't be him, a clumsy, awkward fourteen-year-old with freakish powers.

"I have already assigned each of you to a group." Lieutenant Ziira glanced at her datapad. "Group B-1 will be Cadet Gulh, Rocha and Dalton..."

Bridge stopped paying attention until his name came up. "... finally, group B-6 will be Tate, Drew and Carson." Bridge couldn't believe his luck, but his soon-to-be teammates looked less than thrilled.

"That's it! Class dismissed." Their instructor had to shout over the rustle of books being packed. "Remember to pick up the assignment packet on the way out."

Syd stuffed her notebook in her bag and tried to slip out of the room without being noticed. She was almost to the door when the dreaded question came.

"Cadet Drew, may I speak with you?"

"Sir?"

Lieutenant Ziira waited until all the other students had left to room. "Let me be completely honest with you, Cadet Drew. As you know, this class is a prerequisite for you to even be considered for a squad. I understand that overall, you have an excellent academic record, excluding your minimal passes in the last two wilderness survival courses."

Syd nodded. It was true. She had earned top grades in everything else.

"However," Lieutenant Ziira continued, fixing her with a stern glare, "you are in serious danger of failing my course. You received a a minimal pass on the last two exams, and failed the practical portion of the midterm. If you don't get an "A" on this project, I'm afraid I'll have to fail you. Do you understand?"

Syd stared at the floor. "Yes, sir."

"Dismissed."

Syd saluted and hurried from the classroom. She took a deep, unsteady breath and forced back heavy tears that rose to her eyes. No one, not even an instructor, was going to see Sydney Drew cry.

"Isn't it exciting?" Bridge said, nearly bouncing with enthusiasm as they walked back to the dorms. "Once this year is over, we'll be promoted from the training division to real posts in the Academy. And then maybe we'll get assigned to an actual squad and one day become rangers..."

Sky's presence made Bridge nervous, which made him talk even more than usual. He had strange, warm feelings whenever Sky was around. When Sky was happy, Bridge was ecstatic. And when Sky was upset, Bridge couldn't help being sad. Most people would call that love, but Bridge called it his powers.

"Maybe," Sky replied. "I've heard the squads are really selective."

"Yeah, I guess," Bridge said and shrugged. "Well, if I don't get in, I'll do something else, you know? Or maybe I'll get another post in S.P.D., like in science or something. What'll you do?"

"If I don't get in?" Sky had never really thought about it. "I... I don't know."

Bridge smiled. "I'm sure you'll get in. You're the best in the class." And it was true.

"Yeah, he is."

Bridge nearly jumped out of his skin as Dru appeared beside them. Dru was handsome and popular, but Bridge's skin crawled every time he was near the other cadet and he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

Dru put a hand on Bridge's shoulder. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" Dru whispered in his ear.

"Uh... hi, Dru," Bridge stammered. He shivered and pulled away. "Um, no. I mean, yes. I'll just leave."

"I don't know why you bother with him," Dru said. "Just because he has powers, doesn't mean you have anything in common."

Sky shrugged. "He's not so bad. And besides, he's in my group for wilderness survival, just like that girl, Syd."

"Isn't she terrible at wilderness survival?" Dru gave a low whistle. "That's bad luck."

"It doesn't matter," Sky said. He put the assignment packet on his desk, next to the stack of homework for his other classes. "For a final, it doesn't seem that hard."

"Yeah," Dru agreed. "I'm sure you'll get an "A" and make it onto D-squad no problem."

A/N: I haven't seen an S.P.D. wilderness survival fic posted yet, so this is my humble attempt to remedy that. I hope you enjoy it. Please review!