Chapter 4: First schoolday

"Good, you're both here." Kyle Katarn was waiting in the big hall. "Now I will explain both you're timetables. You both will attend different lessons and will go on missions. Do you both have you're data pads with you?" Rosh and I both showed our data pads. "Good, now let's upload you're schedules. First off, you both know that on this academy, we believe in learning by doing…" "Yeah… we've heard that." Rosh replied. "Well, It's the way things go round this school. You get some lessons, but most you will learn in the real world. You both will get missions, some you can do alone, with the more difficult missions I'll accompany you. The first few missions will be under my supervision. Then I can see what skills you have and I can judge what kind of missions you can handle alone." "That won't be necessary, just give me a mission, and I can handle it myself." Rosh said in a proud voice.

I gave Rosh a glare. The last time I really needed him, he was cowardly hiding between the bushes.

Kyle chuckled. "That's not the way things go at the academy. If you can show me in the first five missions you can handle certain situations, then I let you handle it." After Kyle said this, Rosh looked very hopeful.

"If you'll follow me. First I let you see the mission room. In this room the most important and difficult missions for Jedi knights and masters will be briefed." We both looked into the room. It was very impressive. Rosh whistled.

"What a big space, haha. Look Jaden, it won't be long before we get our missions here." I sighed. "We first have to learn and become true Jedi's Rosh."

Kyle shook his head. "Come, we're not done yet with our tour."

After visiting the control room, security, training rooms and classrooms we went to a small meeting room. "Well, that was the tour. Feel free to ask questions…. If you got any…. No? Well okay." Rosh and I both looked very excited. "When we'll we get our missions?" I asked. "That's what we'll be determine now. There are different missions for today, but… Only one of you can go." Rosh and I gave each other a glare.

"Now… Now.. If you let me finish. One of you will have to go on a mission and the other will have to follow lessons. Most things you have to learn in your own free time because there aren't many teachers around. So he or she will have to study while the other is away." "So how do we determine who will go first on a mission?" Rosh asked.

"Well after much thinking I've decided to…." "Yes…" Rosh and I both asked curiously.

"Well, I've decided that you'll have to fight out in a match of rock-paper-scissors."

Rosh and I both stared at Kyle. "What?… Don't you think it's a good idea. I already get a headache if I need to choose. And if I my image of you is good, then one of you will be very disappointed … and I'll never hear the end of it." Rosh and I looked at each other. "Well… It's a way to choose. And the other can't be complaining." I said. "What are we waiting for? Let's do this." Rosh smiled.

We both stood opposite of each other. "Rock….. paper….." I sensed that Rosh was nervous, he started sweating. I smiled, this was something I could easily win. Then we both yelled "SCISORS!" Rosh began to laugh. He had Rock… And I had scissors.

I felt disappointed but tried to hide it. Rosh won it fair and square. Next time, I'll be going on a mission. "Good, now Rosh you will go with me. Jaden. You go to classroom 4. There will master Dioddai having a lesson about the history of the first empire. Then follow your schedule." "Yes, ma- Kyle. Good luck Rosh."

I walked towards the classroom Kyle pointed. I looked at my timetable. The lesson will start in five minutes. I saw a few familiar faces. Most were disappointed. It was to be expected. There were more students than masters.

I looked at the row and then I saw Nileeta. "Hey Nileeta, so you also have to wait your turn." I walked towards her.

Nileeta looked up and smiled. "Yes, Allada got lucky, we had to draw straws. She won. Me and the others will have to wait to next time." I smiled. "Yes, I know. Rosh won with rock-paper-scissors. Can you believe it! I never would have guessed our masters would use these methods." "Yeah, I can't believe it either. But it was fair."

"But now we have history…" I looked at my data pad. "Yes, and after history we have diplomacy and… ah yuck…" "What?" I looked at Nileeta's data pad. "Oh… Math…." I said sourly.

After six hours of lessons we retired at the library. Even if it was the first day, we got loads of homework. Nileeta and I decided to study together. We had a lot of fun, even if the subjects were boring. After another three hours we decided that it was enough for today, we both finished our homework. We went to the inner garden to chill a bit.

"I wonder on what kind of mission Allada is." Nileeta said, while looking at the ceiling. I was reading a book. "Yeah, but I doubt it is a difficult one. Kyle said that he chose missions of initiate level. He wanted to see our skills in normal situations." "Well, it beats just sitting here." I smiled and started thinking.

It was another three hours before diner. So… What could we do…

I looked at Nileeta. "Let's go to the training room. We could hone our skills, it could be handy to prepare." "Yeah, let's do that."

We went to the training room and started sparing. We did this with wooden swords. Nileeta proved to be a very strong opponent. I had it difficult to defeat her. But after two hours, when we both got tired, I won the duel. "Impressive, you're very strong in a duel." Nileeta admired. "Thank you, your also not one to underestimate. Oh boy, you really gave me a hard time." Nileeta smiled at my compliment. "But oh… we really smell, let's hit the showers."

After the showers it was time to go to the cantina. It was dinnertime. I looked at our table. Only fourteen of our group was present. The others still were on their mission.

We all talked about our lessons today and daydreamed about our own missions. After supper we all went to our own rooms. I lay down on my bed and I read my notes from the lessons. It's better to try and remember these notes because there will be a test after the first semester. Maybe I should upload these notes to Rosh his data pad, when he gets back. The lessons won't be giving twice, the others will have to study the subjects themselves. And if I know Rosh….

Then I heard someone entering the room. It was Rosh. I sat up. "Hey Rosh, how went your first mission?" I asked.

He looked at me and smiled. "It was awesome. Kyle and I went after a missing droid. The droid fell from a platform in a ravine. The droid had some sensitive data, the owner wanted it back. After three hours we finally found the stupid thing. It was badly damaged. It was driving around a cliff and saw us as the enemies. It started shooting at us. Kyle let me take the lead, I took it down clean. Then after we brought back the damaged droid, Kyle let me fly back to the academy." Rosh smiled, it was as if he was still flying the shuttle. I chuckled.

"So now it's my turn tomorrow." I asked. Rosh looked at me. "Yeah, Kyle asked if you could meet him round 7.30 hours at shuttle 4. He wanted to depart early." I nodded. "Then I will have to stand up pretty early. Oh.. by the way, give me your data pad." I held my hand up. "huh.. Why?" Rosh asked, not quite understanding what I want. "Give me your data pad, so I can give you my notes. The lessons we'll have on the academy will only be giving once so… If we both make notes and share them, we'll have no trouble with the exams." "What? We have exams!? Oh… I never gonna make it!" Rosh looked very upset while giving his data pad. "Don't worry, if we both make notes, and share these, it will be alright. We could both be study buddies." I smiled.

Rosh looked up and sighed relieved. "Would you do that." "Yes, I already done that. Tada" I showed Rosh his data pad with my notes. "You're the best!" Rosh took his data pad and started reading the notes. I took my timetable and looked at it. Tomorrow Rosh will have some different languages, sociology and… martial arts. I sighed. I really wanted to have martial arts… Oh well, at least Rosh doesn't have to go to math. I don't think Rosh has a knack for math. Yesterday he tried to count his change after buying a sandwich. Maybe I could ask the girls if they would also take notes from the different school subjects. Than I would be alright.

After reading a few more notes I decided that it was time to go to bed. "What… you're already going?" Rosh asked. "Yes, I need to be rested if I go on a mission tomorrow." I gave Rosh a very significant glance. Rosh looked at me and after a five seconds he understood it. "Yeah… I'll be quiet. Good night." I smiled, set the alarm at 6.30 and turned off my light. I fell asleep right after I lay my head on the pillow.