Darkness, Jim stood on the edge of a deep ravine. Every step he took was a inche closer to death. Cold winds began to flutter all around him. He was going to fall. Large tremors began to shake the stony ground. Large boulders began to drop from the ceiling. Jim was now at the very edge, he looked down into the dark abyss. A rush of energy began to gather behind him pushing him forward by some invisible force. Jim fell into the abyss, it was his death.
Jim awoke from his nightmare. He opened his eyes seeing a floating pink blob have big eyes and a mouth grinning at him. It was morph the changeling. Morph was sent to Jim by Jim's most beloved friend Silver. He missed silver. He was the only person that boosted Jim's self confidence. Their relationship was like father and son, master and apprentice. Morph transformed into an alarm clock which began to ring loudly pulling Jim from his sleep.
"Ugh!" Jim said throwing away his blanket to the floor and sitting on the edge of his bed as Morph transformed backed into his original state. His room was litter with gizmos and gadgets. It was a square room with only one window. There were two doors, one served as the entrance to the bathroom. His unfinished solar surfer stood undisturbed in the dark corner beside his bed. Jim rubbed his eyes taking away the last sands of sleep. Abruptly the door slammed open and pooping right in was B.E.N a Bio Electronic Navigator he had a grin on his face. He brought along a tray of mashed potatoes and a glass of Milk. He shouted in his usual cheerful tone, "good morning Jimmy. How did you sleep," Jim began to roll his eyes and blurted out a sigh of discontent. "Him again," Jim said under his breath. B.E.N. walked up to Jim the sounds of metal and gears grinding into each other as B.E.N. walked.
"I took the liberty to prepare breakfast for you. Like I always say, breakfast is the best meal of the day. A young talented spacer like you should get some nourishment. You can't go around in training with an empty belly." he said this with a laugh. He took the tray with one hand and looked at his timepiece on his wrist his expression change from happiness to worry.
"Oh my gosh! Two minutes till the Academy Assemble!"
"What!" shouted Jim, he jumped out of the bed and ran towards the closet to get his uniform. He headed for the bathroom to change. Seconds later he got out wearing his white cadet uniform, he had both hands on is left foot trying to put on his boot. He hopped around the room with his right leg that already wore a boot and headed to the door. When he reaches the doorway he ran down the hallway with his left boot on.
B.E.N. looked towards the door still holding the tray and said to Morph, "Morph you're looking at the next famous spacer in the Galaxy!"
He ran towards the hallway that was already packed with student and trainer. They all waited in front of the huge oak doors with a huge bronze plank that hung above the door. Engraved on the metal were the words AUDITORIUM. Jim found Jack in the crowd of people, His eyes were gray which represented fear, He faces reflected the mood of his eyes, "Jim I've go some bad news,"
Jim stare at Jack attentively, Jack continued, "that Captain Athinel escaped from prison yesterday," The words hung in the air as Jim fixed his gazed upon Jack. He face shown the signs of anxiety, "the authorities never knew where he went to," said jack after a long pause.
Jim remembered Captain Athinel who was once Jim's favorite Captain. He clearly remembered his last conflict with him when Jim found out that Captain Athinel was the one who started to war between Montressor and Mondernor that resulted from the assassination of the heir to the Mondernor throne Charles Erminor by one of Captain Athinel's officers. His plan was to conquer the galaxy. With one of the two most powerful planets fighting each other he would be able to conquer the Etherium easily. Jim then captured Athinel after a fight on the battleship Sovereign. Jim brought him to Mondernor where he was tried for the assassination of Prince Charles Erminor. Until now he seeks revenge from James and Mondernor still wages war against Montressor.
"Jim!" shouted Jack pulling him back to reality,
"The doors are opening," Jim looked toward the oak doors that opened slowly allowing a stream of students to enter. Jim and Jack sat in their usual seats at the back. The auditorium was a huge rotunda room with a large dome stretched high above them. It was like a stadium with the seats inclining upward and the stage at the middle. The room was decorated with portraits of famous battles. The dome was lined with banners from each planet-except Mondernor- of the Etherium. The room was filled with whispers and chatter.
Moments later the voices began to falter as one of the cadets that stood on the side of the stage shouted, "The Admiral has arrived!" Everyone stood upright staring towards the entrance. The oak doors where they had entered busted open as a tall brawny human man began to stroll in. He wore a Black tri-corner hat and a blue admiral uniform that was decorated with dozens of medals. He face was scared with battle wounds which the admiral dealt with stoically. His hands were held behind his back with his head held up high showing his huge chin. His steps were steady and strong. Each step thundered across the room. His unyielding gaze lay upon the hall and the silent crowd.
This was Admiral Parker the one who defeated the Mon Dernor armada of three hundred battle ships with only twenty frigates, the one who led Montressor to victory by annexing the Orodon Nebula from Mondernor to Montressor, the one who founded the interstellar academy and the one who everyone looks up to. This was who Jim wanted to be. He was one of Mon Tresor's greatest admirals. He walked up to the stage toward the podium. When he stood behind the podium he gestured everyone to sit. All obeyed with no hesitation. He spoke into the mike with word that spoke with a authority and conviction. He gazed at the crowd without blinking,
"Pupils it has come to my attention that Athinel the betrayer stood against the very might of the law. He has escaped and disappeared without any of knowledge where he went. We suspected to be residing in Aprixae IV where the lost ship of the Odyssey is alleged to have disappeared." Whispers began to mount through the crowed. The Admiral silenced them.
"The Odyssey was an old battle ship that was struck down in the Orodon Nebula by a an unknown ship. The Odyssey contains a precious that may bring peace between our sister planet Mondernor. Athinel plans to use this Item to continue the war that has rage between our civilizations. I have requested any one to nominate his or herself to go on this quest." More whispers from the students. The Admiral silenced them again.
"I have requested any one to nominate his or herself to go one this quest in search for the Odyssey and Captain Athinel. The person willing to go must enter his or her name in the Roster in my office. Only ten names shall be picked to go on this search. It would be a hard search filled with many risks. I suggest you to train hard within the next three weeks to any one interested on going on this great adventure. Dismissed." He walked down the stage leaving everyone in the room to talk over about what was said. Jack turned to Jim, "Why don't you join, they'll pick you for." Jim thought over this idea. Athinel wants revenge Jim, don't go. Jim heard the echoes of the past coming to his mind. Jim looked at Jack, "I can't go. He is hunting for me." Jim stood up and headed for his morning classes. Jack stood up and followed looking puzzled. Only in these walls he would be safe.
