Pursuing Dreams

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Author: Phantom Shyraz

02: Arrival

"Ryoma!" Ryusaki Sumire called out from the metal walkway leading up to the docking area of Ryoma's fighter craft. Dressed smartly in her suited uniform of navy blue with matching dark boots that clinked as she walked on the metal plank. She was exuded the air of authority with a tinge of mischief. Ryoma made a mental note never to anger her. "It's good that you made it here in one piece. With the amount of confrontations near the colonies, travelling had been difficult."

"Not really." Ryoma replied without thinking. His eyes widen slightly, fearing he may have been too impolite. But Ryusaki Sumire just smiled as she had accepted it as Ryoma's character.

"How's your father now?" She asked as she escorted him to his temporary dormitory. "Still lazing around like usual?"

"That baka oyaji never does anything but site around and read those magazines of his. Leaving his son to do all the work." Ryoma answered, not minding the small talk one bit. It was a nice change from conversing with the AI.

"Should have guessed." She laughed, able to visualize the scene. "Well, you won't be able to meet the Seigaku team yet, they're due back in three days. In the mean time, feel free to familiarize yourself with Seishun Academy. I've arranged your temporary dorm to be close to where you've docked."

The pair took the metallic elevator up one floor to the room. One the way, Ryoma noticed there were very few people walking about the Academy. Given that it was a place of education, he figured they must be in class. When he voiced his question, he was told that the program had yet to begin and students are on holiday. There were very few left within the Academy, only those who worked full time and those who are scheduled to go on the Seigaku .

"Here's your room. You can change the pass-code if you want. There's an adjoining bathroom and the cafeteria is down the hall. There are also training quarters, which is on the floor above us." She gestured Ryoma to enter the room. Its decoration suggests that this room was intended to house travelling guests. "You're probably tired by now. I'll debrief you tomorrow, drop by my office at around noon. You should find there's a map on the terminals." She waved goodbye and left Ryoma to settle in.

Once the doors closed, Ryoma took the time to survey the room. There was a well-made bed to one side and on the other, a desk with a monitor set up, which he supposed to be the computer terminal. Another door led towards a plain tiled, fully equipped bathroom. Ignoring his hunger, for he was still tired from his trip, he took hi jacket off and flopped onto the bed and drifted off to a deep slumber. Under other circumstances, he would have settled for a light sleep. But with his oyaji repeatedly stating Seishun Academy is safe, Ryoma decided to trust him this once and let his guard down. As such, he did not hear the ruckus caused by the freshmen rushing to the cafeteria.

He woke up to a grumbling stomach a few hours after. The lights have all been automatically turned off by the main system to conserve energy, and the air conditioning was just a bit too cold. Yawning and stretching, Ryoma reached for his dark jacket he left in a lump, hanging off the monitor. He was a bit more refreshed after washing his face in the bathroom, wiping away all traces of sleep. He ventured out of the rooms, heading in the direction of the cafeteria and hoped that there was some food left in the kitchens.

There was near to no concept of time in space, when the view outside the window is eternally dark and the interiors are always lit with artificial lights. The only indication that it was nighttime was from the intensity of the lights. Ryoma made very little sound as he walked through the clean hallways. It seems that those left within the confines have returned to their rooms, which did not bother Ryoma one bit as he preferred to still out of sight for a little while longer.

The cafeteria was lined with rows of tables and benches, to cater for the large number of students. Near the doorway were a few drinks machine, which Ryoma instantly gravitated to. He noted there was a place for coins and another for cards. Inserting a few coins, he picked his drink and waited for the distinctive clink. He needed sugar in his system before searching around for food. The lights were very dim inside the interior, but it did not deter him one bit for his eyes were adjusted to little lighting. Farthest from the hallway was the opening to the window, where he supposed people place and receive their orders. As it was late at night, the kitchen was not staffed. Trying his luck, Ryoma went to the doorway, which he assumed to lead to the kitchens. Finding it open at the touch, he walked into the normally forbidden area and searched for food.

There were very little that the kitchen could offer. Much of the food required some sort of cooking. But Ryoma did manage to scavenge some biscuit and bread, not his favourite but it will have to do for now. Maybe, if he was less hungry, he could have gone for the ready-made meals stored in the freezer and reheated it in the microwave.

Finishing his unsatisfying meal, he brushed the crumbs off his hands and left with the grape Ponta. He had left his rug sack in the cockpit of his fighter craft, along with all his necessities. Seeing as how he would be staying here for the next few days, the rug sack would be useful.

He carefully retraced the steps to the metallic elevator and waited patiently. Years of living with his oyaji had honed his skills in tolerance and patience, seeing as how his idiot of a father could make long-winded speeches about nothing in particular but still has a point. Ryoma made a mental note to check whether his oyaji had send any more word through and to update his report. After all, he was supposed to become part of the Earth's protective force, part of Seishun Academy. With it, he supposed, would include his report on the trip. Ryuusaki-sensei acted as though Ryoma had been in the Academy since the start and treated him no different, which Ryoma had not been expecting.

'Great.' Ryoma swore inwardly as he realized the docks were locked and without the pass-code or access card, it would be difficult. He sighed, realizing that his luck could only hold on for so long. Reaching the inner pockets of his jacket, he took out a small PDA and connected it to the access panel. A few well placed key clicks, he was inside the system and unlocked the sliding doors. He made another mental note to ask Ryuusaki-sensei for access.