Okay for this chapter I used some ideas from Treasure planet: Battle at Procyon.

Disclaimer: as far as I know, I don't own anything...


During the few months that Amelia had stayed at the Interstellar Academy, she was able to learn quite a lot. Piloting a long boat didn't pose as an obstacle any more and she was able to maneuver one with ease. She was also exceedingly proficient at using a laser pistol as well as manning laser canons. She realized that many of these skills were harder to learn then just simply reading them in books, but now that she was seventeen, she was much more mature. Staying out of trouble was her biggest priority. As of late, Amelia was serving as a cabin girl on one of the larger ships. It was a petty job, but it had to be done; after all she had to start somewhere. Today; however, were final exams, so she was able to take a break from slaving away on a light ship. The written portune was rather easy and most students, as far as Amelia could tell, manage to finish it in a respectable time. But aside from the written test, there was still the main portion of the test yet to come.

Amelia had gotten to the main auditorium early; she had nothing better to do after all. She found a seat close to the middle of the room and sat down staring at the clock on the far left side of the room. 'Only 15 more minutes'.

"So how was it?" Jonathan asked, plopping himself down in a seat next to Amelia. "The test, I mean."

"I have no complaints." she said simply. "But I just got word that they'll be splitting us into groups for the next half."

"Well that's interesting. Hopefully I'll be placed in your group." Jonathan said.

"It would be wonderful if we were in the same group, but it's not going to be very likely." Amelia explained. "You see, from what I hear, they're going to split us into three teams with 8 ships each."

"Oh I see." Jonathan said. "Well it's always good to be optimistic!"

A few minutes passed and soon hordes of cadets filled the room. It was going to be interesting to see who was going to be paired with whom. At the front of the room stood many veteran spacers, all dressed sharply in their navy blue uniforms with gold trim. However, one of them stood out the most; not in a good way, mind you. His raccoon-like features instantly made students stop in their track and whispers could be heard throughout the auditorium. The man was dressed in a completely different uniform and wore a hat with a strange but familiar symbol.

"What in bloody hell is a Procyon doing here?" Amelia whispered over to Jonathan, who wasn't really paying attention. He looked in the direction Amelia was looking and noticed the gentleman.

"Well, during the first Procyon conflict, a peace treaty was signed by Queen Illysa II of the Terran Empire and the Procyon Ambassador of the Procyon Expanse." He explained. "Most likely he's just here to observe, but I reckon he's under high security."

"That's odd, though." Amelia thought out loud. "I'm pretty sure that it was declared that they weren't allowed to cross the border from their territory."

"I guess they have some exceptions." said Jonathan, leaning back into his chair."And besides, if he did try something, I'm sure they'll shoot him on the spot."

After the chattering and whispers calmed down, a canid officer stood forward to speak.

"The second half of the final exam will commence momentarily. However, before we start with the preparations, I would like to introduce Captain Eugene Frome form the Procyon Empire." he announced. "He will be here examining you today with special permission from the Royal Majesty herself."

Everyone clapped with respect out of common courtesy but it was apparent that there was uncertainty lingering in the room. The Procyon general stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back and head held high. Surprisingly he was much shorter then he looked, in fact, he was a great deal shorter than Amelia. But despite that, he was extremely well built and could put up a good fight if things came down to it.

"Now, without further adieu, I will be announcing your fleet and position for the exam." The canid continued. "For fleet one-" he began calling out names and the role that they would carry out. "And now for fleet two ship A-1: RLS Solar Flare we will have Ms. Amelia Smollett, Jonathan Genova, Andrew Kayoni, Cameron Starkfield, and Ethan Corbury."

Amelia sighed with relief knowing that she was going to be part of a somewhat formidable crew. Cameron was a Felinid with black hair and had a very kind personality. He was very good at maneuvering ships as well as manning lazar cannons. Andrew was a human boy with blond hair and his specialty was also manning cannons. Ethan was good in almost every category. All five of them walked to the front of the room and received a small piece of paper with their job written on it. They made their way towards the hanger where the ships were held. On the way they managed to look at their stations.

"Yes! I got spotter!" Jonathan exclaimed looking down at the piece of paper he was given.

"And I've got helmsman." Cameron added.

"Ethan and I got are gunners!" Andrew called out.

"Looks like I'll be your captain for this exercise." Amelia said.

"Okay so let's find our ship and get goin'!" Jonathan said happily strolling over to the hanger and looking around for the RLS Solar Flare.

"Jonathan, I do believe this is the ship well be piloting." Amelia corrected pointing to a small boat docked on the left side of the hanger.

"Wait what! You can't be serious! This is a freakin' Stinger Class Torpedo Boat. What do they expect us to do with a Long Boat with torpedo tubes!

Cameron rolled his eyes. "Well you don't expect them to let us run a 'Man-o-War' or a 'Frigate' do you?"

"Uh...well..."

"Let's just get this over with so we can get out of here." Amelia snapped hopping into the small vessel and starting up the engine.

Cameron took the helm and patiently waited for the rest of the crew to get on. Jonathan sat at the front of the Ship and pulled out a spyglass.

"This would have been better if we had a crow's nest or something." Jonathan complained.

"Quit whining and do your job!" Amelia ordered. "Everything ready Ethan!"

"Aye Captain!" He shouted. "Any time you're ready!"

"Very good! Cameron if you please!" Amelia said.

"Aye-Aye Captain. Full speed heading south 4870."

The ship rose and blasted off to join the rest of fleet two. The task was simple: navigate there way around the floating land masses and meet up with Ships of the Queens Archipelago who had agreed to help with the first portune of the combat training. Then after that was over, they would meet up with fleets 1 and 2 to engage in an all out skirmish.

As their fleet made their way around the land mass the ships were told to spread out in order to keep from being an easy target.

"Captain! Enemy ships dead ahead!" Jonathan shouted out as he spotted the Ships from the Archipelago. They began getting closer to the vessels but remained a safe distance for the time being.

"Cameron, switch to cruse speed." Amelia ordered. Cameron pulled a switch and the ship immediately slowed down. He then steered the ship toward one on the enemy ship which appeared to be an Assault Cutter. It would be a challenge to bring down but that was the point of the whole exam.

"Request permission to fire Captain!" Andrew shouted. Amelia shook her head and waited a bit longer.

"Fire on my mark..." She said calmly. When the ship was finally parallel to the other one Amelia finally gave the order to attack.

Instantly Ethan fired a plasma canon and hit the other ships mast, destroying some of its solar sails. Andrew followed with a laser ball that collided with the side of the ship. Suddenly the other ship began to return fire but luckily another ship from fleet two budded in. It wasn't much larger than their ship (probably a Warsloop from the look of it) but it did pack quite a punch. They hit the ship with another laser ball and damaged the main thrusters. This caused the naval ship to put up the white flag of surrender and backed off.

"See I told you we needed a bigger ship!" Jonathan exclaimed and received glares from the rest of the crew.

To be continued...


The exams don't stop there; Part 2 will be coming up! Please review and let me know what you think!