Melanie had a new found appreciation for her lessons when she left her house the next morning. Now that she knew that she was to be the next commander she wanted to be the best she could. Part of being commander was helping her people so she decided that since she knew about what they were learning instead of daydreaming she would help her friends learn. She arrived early for the lessons and took out her notebook.
She had also decided to keep a journal like the first commander had and she wanted to start writing it now to share the journey of becoming a commander. She began writing in English talking about the conversations she had shared with her mother and Ethan. They were the beginning of her story.
As she was writing Niylah walked into the room. She looked surprised to find Melanie sitting there already. "Melanie, you're early." she said.
"Hei Seda, I know I am never early" Melanie replied with a smile. Then she bit her lip. "Seda" she said in a more quiet voice. "I'm sorry for how I have been acting in your lessons. You are my teacher and I should have shown you more respect."
Niylah was very confused but decided to accept this apology, "Thank you for your honesty Melanie. How would you like to help me with the lesson today? I take it you know about the sickness that swept over the Skaikru camp before our first attack?" Melanie nodded, "Good, then I will call on you to help me explain."
"Sha, Seda." (Yes, teacher) Melanie said as Niylah went back to setting up the room for the day.
Candle's were placed around the room making it bright and inviting. Being underground the room had very little natural light. Melanie went back to writing and had just finished her first entry when everyone else showed up for the lesson. Like Niylah they were surprised to see Melanie was already present and alert.
Daria sat down with a smirk. "Chon yu bilaik?" (Who are you?) she joked to Melanie.
Melanie stuck out her tongue. "Shof op." (Be quiet) Melanie said smiling too. "I know I'm never early for class."
"Early?" Daria said raising her eyebrows in surprise before continuing, "You're never on time. And you never look like you want to be here. What changed?"
Melanie noticed Seda trying to get their attention "I'll tell you later." she whispered and turned her attention to Niylah.
"Today we are going to begin talking about the first attack on Skaikru. Now when battles on the ground occured what did Trigedakru sometimes do to soften the battle field?" Niylah asked.
Melanie raised her hand and was called on. "Trigedakru would send a sickness to their enemies. They would infect someone and send them to the village. Anyone who came in contact would get sick. Some people could die from exposure, however, most would be sick for about two days then get better. Trigedakru would attack once they believed that the majority of the people would be sick and unable to fight. That is how they would win."
"Mochof Melanie, so does anyone know how Trigedakru used this with Skaikru?" (thank you) Niylah asked.
Again Melanie raised her hand but so did Jake and Niylah called on him, "My mom said that they sent it with a prisoner into the camp and infected most of Skaikru."
Niylah nodded and called on Melanie who had raised her hand again. "The prisoner was John Murphy. He had been banished from the camp but had been caught by Trikru. They tortured him for information then infected him with the sickness and sent him back to the camp. Octavia found him outside the camp wall and with the help of a few others they brought him inside. The boys who helped her were the first to fall ill. Octavia was immune to the sickness so she helped treat those who got sick." Melanie said remembering what her mother had told her.
"Yes, did infecting Skaikru with the sickness help Trikru fight against them?" Niylah asked.
Daria's hand went up and Niylah called on her. "No, Skaikru built a bomb from hydrazine my mom collected from a drop ship that crashed a few days earlier. Even though she was sick my mom went to a bridge and planted the bomb. Jasper shot at the bomb and blew up the bridge stopping Trikru from crossing. Skaikru was able to get over the sickness before the actual attack happened at their camp." Daria said with pride for her mom.
Niylah nodded, satisfied with the answer.
"Yes, Trikru lost good warriors that day because they were unaware of the technology, as in the bombs, that Skaikru possessed." She looked around at her students before continuing, "So what have you learned from this lesson?"
Everyone was silent for a moment before Melanie raised her hand. "Don't underestimate the knowledge and technology of your enemies. Just because you have fought before or think you know their strategies, you will never be fully prepared. People learn and grow so does their knowledge and understanding. Every time you fight a war both sides will have learned new lessons and skills to help them. Be careful yet unyielding in your plans." Melanie said.
Niylah regarded her for a moment, she would never have expected such an insightful response from this twelve year old girl. She looked around at the others. "Would anyone like to add to Melanie's response?" Niylah asked. Everyone shook their head, she had done well summarizing the lesson. "No, very well then you are dismissed. I will see you this afternoon." Everyone stood and thanked Niylah for the lesson as they headed outside to go train in the practice courts until it was time for lunch.
As Melanie walked past Niylah reached out to stop her for a moment. "Melanie will meet you outside Daria." she said as the girl stopped as well. Once they were alone she asked, " So that was a much different class, I was surprised at how much you seemed to understand considering you are normally daydreaming."
"I'm sorry again Seda. I often daydream in class because I have learned a lot about the history from my family. I get extra lessons in the afternoon from my mom and dad so I have not been as excited to learn about it again here. That's no excuse for being disrespectful of your time and teachings though." she said. She was truly was sorry for the way she had been acting in class.
Niylah was surprised she didn't know that Melanie was not listening because she had already learned the history. "So why change your behavior now?" She asked curious to know.
Melanie thought for a moment, she did not want to tell her about being Heda. "I decided it was unfair to you and that if I was here then I should use my time more wisely." she said, hoping the woman would accept the answer.
Niylah supressed a smile it was clear that Melanie had not thought about her actions before now. "Well I look forward to our lesson later." She nodded toward the door. Melanie nodded and with a quiet thank you, she left the room.