Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I'm simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD's get released.

Tomorrow's Yet to Come

Chapter Forty-Eight Congratulations are in Order

The student body of the Training Academy assembled in the only room large enough to hold them all comfortably, the dining hall. A low buzz filled the air as the students tried to figure out why they were all there. Liz sat next to Maria. She looked around surreptitiously and found Varonia and her friend and pointed them out to Maria.

"They look like they ate a couple of lemons for dinner," Maria whispered to her. "But hell, if we could handle 12 years of Pam Troy, we can deal with anything those two can dish out."

Liz shook with laughter. "Maria, poor Pam is like 9 million light years away or something, and she still pissed you off."

"She was born to piss me off," Maria said, darkly. "She is an evil blight on the face of the Earth."

"Tell you what, lets focus on the enemies we have on this planet, then we'll deal with Pam Troy.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better, chica. I don't believe it. You're too nice to do anything totally evil to Pam Troy."

"Maria, come back to Antar, will you," said Liz. "The Director is here, and I want to hear what he has to say."

The Director walked into the room, followed by the faculty of the Training Academy. The climbed the stairs to the stage, and the faculty took their seats behind the Director who stood at a podium. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a communicator and pressed a button on it, and returned it to his pocket.

"May I have your attention please," he said, and his voice boomed throughout the vast dining hall. "We are here for a very joyous reason. As many of you may know, we recently began a joint project between the natural healing division of the Training Academy, and the science division. The goal of this project was to find substances that will aid in the healing of some illnesses and injuries, leaving the few healers who remain to focus on the more serious health problems. I am pleased to announce that a team of three students here at the Training Academy has created a medicine that will fight infection in our citizens. Would Elandria Predia of the science division and Atara Greja and Mira Drenia of the natural healing division please stand."

Applause filled the room as Liz and Maria stood up, side by side, and looked across the room where Ava rose from her seat in between Kyle and Zan. Maria nudged Liz and pointed at Jara Kobodi who sat on the stage, her lips pressed together in anger. Sitting next to her was Plash Nevenia who applauded with all her might. Liz half turned and looked at Varonia and her friend who both sat with their mouths hanging open in shock.

"I am also pleased to announce that Elandria Predia has been chosen to work with our technology division in the development of special items for the Aberjani!"

Again the room echoed with applause, and Liz smiled slightly and again looked back at Varonia. She was pleased to see that the girl looked shocked beyond all reason. Liz smiled in the direction of the Director and the rest of the faculty and quickly took her seat next to Maria.

"Now we have a more serious matter to discuss," said the Director. "As you may be aware, somebody, or several some bodies has chosen to deface the Training Academy with insurrectionist material on several occasions. Please do not pay attention to any such materials you my find, and if you do find any, remove them, and report them to my office. However, I must caution you not to look at each and every one of your classmates as a potential traitor. I have had several different students in my office today, reporting what they thought was suspicious behavior. Ladies and gentlemen, doodling is not suspicious behavior, nor is humming. Please, we are here to learn, this is not a witch hunt. We are not political here at the Training Academy, our mission is to provide you with the training you will need to succeed and help Antar grow for many years to come."

Again the sound of applause filled the room, and Liz resisted the urge to turn around and stare at Varonia. She didn't need to, she could feel the girl's eyes burning holes into her back.

"Before I dismiss you," said the Director, would Elandra, Mira and Atara please report to my office. Thank you, you are dismissed."

The student body rose, and began milling around. Liz and Maria made their way over to where Ava stood, and together the three girls walked down the hall to the Director's office.

"Why do you think he wants to see us?" Ava asked nervously.

"Ava, relax," said Maria. "Here, try some lavender oil. It's very soothing."

"I'm sure it's nothing Ava. It probably has to do with the announcement he made tonight," said Liz. She stopped before the Director's door, and knocked boldly on the door.

"Come in," a voice called, and Liz reached out and opened the door and went inside.

"You wanted to see us, sir?" Liz said.

"Yes, come in girls, come in," said the Director, his voice genial. "I just wanted to congratulate you again, and apologize for not giving you advance notice regarding the assembly. One of my faculty members," he glared at Jara Kobodi who sat in a chair, her face mutinous, " was supposed to tell you this morning, but it apparently slipped her mind."

"That's perfectly all right, sir," said Maria, stepping forward. "Jara Kobodi was so very busy today, she had so much information to share with us during class, it's perfectly understandable that it slipped her mind." Maria smiled brightly, first at the Director, then at Jara Kobodi. "In fact, Atara was saying that it was one of the best lectures we've ever had since we came to the Training Academy." She nudged Ava with her arm.

"Oh yes," said Ava. "I especially loved the information Jara Kobodi shared about the Chapara plant. I didn't realize that it could be used to sooth tooth aches."

"Well ladies," said the Director. "It's very obvious to me that you are working very hard, and learning a lot."

"Oh, it's all thanks to Jara Kobodi," gushed Maria, moving over to the angry woman. "She's the one who has just brought the subject alive for us." She reached out and grabbed Jara Kobodi's hand and began to shake it profusely.

"Jara Kobodi," said the Director. "Your student is trying to thank you. At least you could stand up, and allow her to do it properly."

Jara Kobodi grudgingly stood up, and Maria and Ava both began to practically fawn over her. Liz was getting nauseous watching, until she saw Ava's hand reach into Jara Kobodi's pouch and remove something and slip it into her own pocket.

"Thank you again, Jara Kobodi," Maria said. "For all you have done for us. I know we wouldn't have been half as successful without your support." She released Jara Kobodi's hand and she and Ava stepped back to stand with Liz.

"Did you want anything else, Sir?" Liz asked the Director.

"Yes, actually, I did. Jara Kobodi, if you would excuse us please." He waited until the instructor left the room, and then turned to Liz. "I want you to know that what I said in the assembly is true, humming is not a treasonous offense, but if I were you, I would be cautious. The student who reported you has a father who works closely with Lord Kivar."

"Sir, I really wasn't doing anything," said Liz. "I was just humming. I couldn't even tell you WHAT I was humming. Why should I be held responsible just because some one's overworked imagination decided some words on a paper fit the tune I was humming!" Liz's voice grew louder and louder and she got angrier that Maria could ever remember seeing her.

"Lan, Lan, you need to relax," said Maria, stepping forward and grabbing Liz's arm. "The Director isn't your enemy here. He is simply pointing out that you need to be more cautious."

"Exactly," said the Director, looking relieved at Maria's intervention. "Now, why don't the three of you go take some well deserved time off from your studies. If I remember correctly, I believe I've seen you in the company of some very handsome young men recently. Ah to be young again. You know, I met my own wife in my first year as a student at the Training Academy. She was a lovely girl. She was in the diplomatic program."

"That's just so romantic," said Ava, smiling. "But if we don't want to lose our boys, we really ought to get going. Thank you for everything, Sir. You'll never know just how much we appreciate it."

"Good night, ladies," said the Director. "Enjoy your evening. Keep up the good work, we here at the Training Academy expect great things from you!"

Once out in the hall, Liz turned to Maria, laughing. "Were you a bit much, or what?" she asked. "And you were just as bad, Ava. The Chapara plant, come on? I'm telling you both, right here, right now, that your future does NOT lie on the stage!"

"Maybe not, but it got me this," said Maria, pulling the communicator out of Ava's pocket."

"What are you going to do with that?" asked Liz. "Or don't I want to know?"

"You'll see," said Maria. "You'll see."