To the new reviewers who've arrived at my humble tale: guest, MeallaAoi, polarbear20000, Old Emerald eye, and Steve!
To Steve: Regarding Beowulf, 43 million dead is pretty severe to me.
To the veterans of my humble tale: I hope you're still enjoying it!
Book One of this humble tale will conclude with Rachel and friends graduation. Book Two will start with their middy cruises. Already working on the book two outline.
Thanks for reading!
August 25, 1924 P.D.
After a hearty breakfast, Beverly Truman gave both "her girls" a good-bye hug.
"Both of your 'cat modules will be delivered by this evening," she assured them. "Drop me a line and let me know how your day went, all right?"
"I will mom," Angela said.
"Your chauffer awaits!" Anthony Truman announced.
"Brat. If we were permitted to keep a car at the academy, I would be doing the driving," Angela stated.
"Really though, Tony, thank you," Rachel added.
"Don't encourage him!" Angela protested.
Anthony gestured toward Rachel. "You know, you could learn a lot from her," Anthony quipped to his sister.
"Why do you have to be such an annoying stinker?" Angela asked.
"Hey, I do not stink," Anthony stated, acting affronted, but winked at Rachel.
"Whatever, let's go," Angela sighed.
#
Knowing that Rachel enjoyed the ferry ride, Tony opted to join the other cars ferrying across the bay to Saganami Island. The twins and Rachel leaned across the railings and watched the bubbling water against the hull.
"She really doesn't mind the water?" Robert asked from a safe distance away where the car was parked. Athena and Hipper agreed with Robert and stayed at the car as well.
"Nope. I'll show you the Javelin accident her second year, you'll see why she's unafraid," Nate said. "It was frightening and dangerous, but it did wonders for her self-confidence. You're going to see where she does risky things, but she's going into a risky profession. All you can do is watch."
They looked at where Rachel smiled and pointed at a Manticoran Black Dolphin that had leaped the surface of the water and kept pace with the ferry.
After Tony dropped the four off, Rachel waited in line with Angela outside of the administration building to check in. She watched Hipper and Athena scamper about the grass and bushes with two other treecats. Angela sat on a bench with Nate and Robert, while Rachel sat on the grass, lounging against her gear.
"This is always the longest part," Angela complained.
"There's what… over three hundred of us to in-process today," Rachel pointed out, wondering how the yeomen inside felt about in-processing what was going to be thousands of cadets come the next week.
"At least it's a nice day," Angela admitted.
A yeoman poked his head out of the door. "Seventy-four!"
When her number was finally announced, Rachel reported to the long-suffering Lt J.G. in charge of in-processing. She pressed her thumb against a scanner and waited for it to confirm that she was indeed Midshipman Fourth Form Mayhew, Rachel Diane, serial number 45581623211-G.
A yeoman slid the familiar bundle consisting of a memo board, data chips, name plates, folio with dorm information, and gear list across the counter.
"You'll be with the 1400 group on Thursday for your skinsuit fitting. Please stand behind the line for your official photo."
She did so and waited for it to transfer to her records and identicard. The yeoman asked for her thumbprint again, finished what he was doing on the computer, and gave her the identicard. He indicated for Nate and Robert to do the same and handed them their identicards.
"Be at McCluskey Auditorium at 1300 today for your briefing. Please send in the next cadet."
#
As Rachel was arranging her footlocker to inspection-ready precision at the foot of her bed, Athena came into the room and joined Hipper on the windowsill. Angela followed with her gear and looked around the room.
"Hey, it's a bigger room!" she exclaimed.
Theresa chuckled from the doorway. "And we're closer to the gym and dining hall."
"Hey you," Rachel said and the two moved to hug their friend. "How was your summer?"
Theresa shrugged. "Boring compared to yours, apparently. Let's see the rings, if you would."
Both displayed their rings for Theresa to see and she gave them a wistful smile. "I don't know how you've done it. We've been at the same academy, been around the same men, but I can't make a relationship work."
"There's no rush, you know. We're only 21," Rachel suggested.
"Easy for you to say," Theresa teased.
"My sister is 49 and according to her, she's now in her first long-term relationship," Angela said.
"Yeah, but she focused on her career," Theresa returned. "And-"
The three were startled out of their socks by loud, pulsing sirens sounding throughout the dorm. Hipper and Athena jumped into their person's arms, their tails fluffed and ruff standing on end. The cadets in the dorm all went for the doors to escape the racket.
"That was general quarters, wasn't it?" Angela asked when they were outside.
"Correct, Miss Truman."
They saw Commander Wofford leaning against the building and came to attention. He waved them to stand easy.
"Get used to it, because it's what you'll hear aboard a ship. You'll also be hearing it next week for the edification of your first forms, as you yourselves experienced," he explained and stepped forward. "For those whose last names start with the letters j through r, come with me. We'll be having lunch before the briefing."
So the three hundred fourth forms sat with their advisors, chatting over soup and sandwiches. They talked about their summers, their families, and what they thought of the year's space training. Most were admittedly unsure about EVA training, but Commander Wofford reiterated that each cadet, regardless of career track would have to attempt one walk to be eligible for graduation.
"You have little to worry about… unless you have motion sickness, but the doc can give you something for that. Anyway, it's been over forty years since a cadet has died during EVA, and everyone that will be out there with you has over a dozen EVA walks to their credit."
"How many do you have, sir?" Theresa asked.
"Nine."
Traditionally, EVA training was the main area of concern for cadets. Not crashing a Javelin, drowning, range accident, or plasma burns- but floating around in space, albeit safely. He remembered his cadet days; he was no different. He glanced at his chrono and placed his napkin on the table.
"Alright, time to go. Grab some cookies if you want and let's head to the briefing."
Many did and some celery stalks were taken as well. Hipper hopped on Rachel's shoulder, munching on a stalk as they left the dining hall.
#
The cadets settled in their seats in the auditorium and waited. A commodore with a bottle of water entered the auditorium, prompting the cadets to jump to attention.
"At ease," he intoned and made his way up the stage and stood behind a lectern. He pushed some buttons on his notepad and began.
"I'm Commodore Hoffman, the deputy commandant for the next two years. I'm here to present your fourth form mentorship briefing."
He cleared his throat and took a sip of water. "Bear with me, I only just returned from Gryphon."
Several cadets from Gryphon nodded in acknowledgement. He continued.
"I want each of you to recall your first couple of weeks here. Better yet, I'll recall mine. That first week, I wasn't sure if I knew my right foot from my left foot. I wasn't sure if I was dressing myself correctly. I felt lost all the time, and I never felt as if I was getting anywhere on time. Sound familiar?"
Boy, did it ever, Rachel thought.
"What got me through those first couple of weeks were those fourth forms in our dorm every morning, with their how shall I say… directed encouragement?"
The audience chuckled.
"Getting the new cadets accustomed to the regimented routine will be the biggest challenge. As an example, getting them out of the dorms and to physical training on time is paramount. They don't realize it yet, but they will, especially when they learn how short mealtimes are."
He pressed a button and the display screen behind him illuminated. "This information will be transmitted to you, so it would be a good idea for you to look it over. Your assigned dorm, the physical training instructors for each group, and the first form faculty advisors. I would also advise you to refresh your knowledge of uniform regulations, drill and ceremony, how physical training is conducted… things of that nature."
"At no time will any fourth form be involved with any discipline or punishment. That's not your job, it's ours. If something like that occurs, merely notify the nearest faculty member and it will be addressed."
"Now, we've done our best to group Graysons with Graysons, Gryphons with Gryphons, and so forth. It helps when they see someone from their own world that went through the same thing they're going through. I see that most of you here are outfitted in your service uniforms. That's fine for now, but when your first forms see you, I want you to impress them a bit. Medical cadets, I know many of you are paramedics, so wear your certification badges! Pilots, wear your flight caps and wings! All of you, wear whatever decorations you rate. Let them see the results of hard work and dedication."
He closed his notepad and clasped his hands on the lectern. "Any questions? If not, I give Commander Wofford the stage. Good afternoon."
The cadets stood to attention and the commodore gave a jaunty salute as he left the auditorium. Commander Wofford took his place behind the lectern. "Your advisors will be conducting a walk-through of your dorms sometime this afternoon, just to make sure everything is ship-shape. All of you have your times for your skin suit fitting this week, don't be late. Lastly, Lieutenants Lee and Weston are available as second pilots if any of you are interested in some flight time. I'll reiterate what the commodore said. Your time is pretty much yours this week, but it would be to your advantage to prepare for the first forms. Enjoy the rest of your week."
That evening found many cadets on the running tracks and gym. Some were in formation, going over the details of drill and ceremony. At the running track, Rachel jogged in pace while she waited for Angela to catch up.
"Sorry," Angela gasped, and they stopped to stretch.
"No worries, and you're not the only one," Rachel said.
"There's no excuse for this, we have to run with those firsties," Angela stated, annoyed with herself.
"More?" Rachel asked.
Angela nodded. "Another mile should do it."
August 31, 1924 P.D.
That morning, Rachel waited in the lot for arrivals, where the airbuses from the spaceport were to arrive with cadets from Grayson. Hipper, Nate, and Robert stood beside her, observing the scene. Fourth form mentors, some petty officers, and a few faculty members were at the lot to help herd the arriving first years to the administrative buildings. She couldn't help but bounce on her toes thinking of Matt's arrival. She saw a flutter of sea birds in the distance and knew that the buses had made their journey across the bay. A minute later, twelve buses made their descent and settled into parking spaces, prompting some nearby petty officers to go to the first five of them. Cargo hatches and doors opened, and Grayson first forms left the bus. It was obvious that they were first forms by the tentative way they left the buses and marveled at the open fresh air, sunlight, and hectares of green grass. Hipper chirped and patted her thigh.
"Rachel!" she heard and turned around.
There stood Matt, and she hurried toward his open arms. She gladly accepted his enthusiastic embrace and kiss. Around her, other couples were engaging in their own happy reunions, but little mattered to her at that moment except for him. She stepped back to get a good look at him, then the two amused men behind him. In turn, she took both their hands and gave them a kiss on the cheek. Hipper shook their hands and gave them a hello bleek. A year ago, they would have worried about how Matt would feel about Rachel doing that. Now, after getting to know Rachel and spending the summer on Grayson, they knew cheek kisses were a sign that the giver truly held the recipient in high esteem.
"Welcome back, it's so good to see you! How was the trip?" she asked and Hipper hopped on Matt's shoulder.
"Pleasant enough," Diego replied. "Won a fair amount of money in some card games too."
"I feel underdressed," Matt said when he took a good look at Rachel.
They noted Rachel dressed out with her flight cap and all her decorations. "Don't get excited, it's for the first forms."
Lew stepped forward and laid his hand on Rachel's shoulder. "Hey, later tonight after everyone's settled in, can we talk?"
She patted his hand. "Of course."
She saw the newly-arrived first years being led away. "I have to help get this lot sorted out. See you tonight!"
As she approached one of the administrative buildings, she heard Lt. Lee admonishing a group of first forms to "get in a line, you know, one person in front of the other?"
She arrived and gave a sharp salute. "Good morning, sir."
He returned the salute. "Miss Mayhew, Hipper, good to see you." He gave her armsmen a polite nod. "Gentlemen."
When the cadets quieted and bowed, Lt. Lee's lips twitched. Rachel caught the amused gleam in his eyes and suppressed a long-suffering sigh.
"Let's just get something out of the way, alright? No bowing. Not here. When we talk, M'lady, Miss Mayhew, Cadet Mayhew, Midshipwoman Mayhew - all are acceptable. Bowing, no. Understood?"
They nodded.
"Now, as the lieutenant suggested, things will go easier if you all would get in line. Do so now."
Lt. Lee nodded in approval when they did so.
"Now, we can chat while we wait."
She extended her hand to the nearest cadet. "Name? Where are you from?"
"Um… Philip Campbell, Redmon, m'lady."
"Really? My fiancée is from Redmon."
He nodded. "I saw that on the news."
"What track?" she asked.
"Communications, m'lady."
"Welcome to the academy," she replied and moved to the next cadet.
#