The camera approached into the academy over the sounds of cadets and whirring that belonged to machinery.
"Peepo," Loki said. "Where did everyone go?"
"They went to class," Peepo replied.
"Is it always this empty?" Loki asked.
"Between classes, it is not," Peepo said.
"Where are you usually at?" Loki asked.
"By Gampu's side," Peepo said.
Loki looked toward Peepo.
"Why?" Loki asked.
"Because he is my friend," Peepo said. "And we enjoy each others company."
"Just one?" Loki asked.
"For life," Peepo said "People may come and ago, but this one. . . stays."
"So he is by your side for life?" Loki asked.
"It is the other way around for him," Peepo said. "But when he is gone, I won't be alone. By then, there will be others like him."
"Speaking of . . . " Loki jumped then turned around to face the source of the voice. "I trust that Peepo has given you a adequate tour of the academy."
"Very," Loki said. "How did you find us?"
"A child and a manu-droid wandering about together throughout campus is very predictable," Gampu said.
"Similar to a pair of lab mice released in a maze," Peepo said.
"That, indeed," Gampu said. "Young man, there is some paperwork that you must fill out."
"Paperwork?" Loki asked.
"It is a ancient Earthling phrase," Gampu said, patting on Loki's shoulder. "We don't use pen and paper but we do use technology to do the actual writing for us. Do you believe you can read?"
"I will be sure when I see the paperwork," Loki said.
"That is a good answer, Loki," Gampu said. "Now to your temporary lodgings. Follow me."
"What's a lodging?" Loki asked, following by Gampu's side.
"Another ancient Earthling," Gampu said.
"You don't look that old,"
"Ah, so you know what ancient means,"
"Something that happened a long time ago from a evolutionary stand point,"
"That is correct,"
"It must be surreal for people not to get your phrases like I did,"
"For a time, it becomes the new normal," Gampu said. "Normally, I can help myself referring to them correctly but living for so long. . . . I do have my slip ups," he looked down toward Loki. "It wasn't that long ago. Ancient means something a different point in time for me."
"You are really old," Loki said.
"Some people can be old as I am and still not understand space," Gampu said. "Nor the mysteries in how children can be ripped away from their family and not have the faintest of anything that happened before. Or the years before it. Your amnesia is quite unique as is your powers."
"Do the cadets here have powers?"
"In their own ways, they do but they only use it for academy purposes,"
"So it is practical,"
"Practical it is,"
"Are all of those cadets older than me?"
"Anyone at any age can join,"
"Any age?"
"Doesn't matter if you are elderly, old, young, or a child. Long as you have the tolerance, intelligence, and willingness to work as a team to help other people then it is a guarantee to be the best decision that was ever made. It is where families are made. Diplomats, leaders, and scientists are formed." Gampu looked down toward Loki. "Any age."
"Any age," It was repeated with wonder. "So we are doing the paperwork at my. . ."
"Quarters," Gampu nodded. "That we are."
"Did you clear your schedule, Commander?"
Gampu looked down toward the manu-droid.
"I am free as a bird, Peepo,"
"What is a bird?"
Peepo's head and Gampu's head turned toward the boy.
"We will see if you can read from there," Gampu said, then added promisingly. "if not, I will teach you. I promise."