The civilian uniform fit Loki's figure quite nicely.
It was unfamiliar to find that he had a large neck collar that had pointed tips.
The rest of the uniform was smoothed out. The fabric was warm and soft to his finger tips. A flash of a memory crossed his mind. Dusting off dirt from his clothes until everything was back into its proper form. It was a vague memory that felt foreign. Clothes that felt fine and warm just as the clothes that he had discarded. He kept the medallion around his neck and the lyrotron tucked into his pocket then clicked the pocket close.
"Do you feel better, Loki?"
Loki patted on the pant pocket.
"A lot," Loki said, turning toward the small machine. "You must feel otherwise."
"It is all in a days work," Peepo said.
Peepo began to leave.
"Leaving so soon?"
"The commander normally cleans me every morning and charges me,"
"You helped me," Loki picked up the sash from the small clump of dirty clothes. "I should return the favor."
Loki put it under the sonic sink hen lowered down to Peepo's level.
"Affirmative," Peepo said.
Loki placed the wet sash on the light gray film then yanked it back revealing the bright white armor.
"Come on, Tee Gar," Adrian said, one arm hooked along Tee Gar's arm as she clasped her hands together looking toward him with a smirk. The duo strolled down the hall passing by clusters of cadets standing around talking over coffee. "When you go into your lab, you don't come back out of it for hours. Sometimes, you miss some of your medical classes."
"I have cleared many of the tests," Tee Gar said. "and passed them."
"The academy isn't a place of tests," Adrian said, looking toward Tee Gar with a smile.
"How did you ever pass high school?" Tee Gar asked.
"I juggled my classes and social life," Adrian said. "Including sleeping very well."
"Slept really well," Tee Gar had a short laugh. "As if."
"I can do with sleepy eyes," Adrian said.
"You are not the kind of person who studies all night," Tee Gar said.
"I am," Adrian said. "At least, was. It was the only way I could get accepted here."
"You don't look like the person who does that," Tee Gar said.
"The luxury of having a good schedule that fits my needs," Adrian said, winking back.
"Alright, alright," Tee Gar said. "I am going."
Adrian grinned back at Tee Gar as they continued their way down the hall.
Laura and Chris were the first members of the team to enter the mess hall. It was routine as brushing their teeth, getting dressed, then zipping up their boots after getting everything sorted the way it belonged. They had their plates coated in breakfast then retrieved several of the napkins and moved to one of the many empty tables where they sat from across each other. Out of the doorway came Tee Gar and Adrian with their breakfast plates walking in the direction of the table then sat down by each side of the twins respectively.
"Good morning, Tee Gar, Adrian," Laura and Chris said in unison.
"Morning, Chris, Laura," Tee Gar and Adrian went in unison.
"So," Chris started, cutting away at the egg. "How is Gampu's ward?"
"He is in good shape," Tee Gar said. "But I was surprised to find Peepo was there with him."
"Peepo stayed all night with Loki?" Adrian asked.
"All night long," Tee Gar said. "He hadn't been cleaned yet when I came in."
"That is surprising," Adrian said. "Gampu never leaves Peepo overnight with any of us."
"That is not surprising," Laura said, Adrian turned her head toward Laura. "Children being introduced to a new environment overnight with a familiar face or object have been shown to have a more positive experience becoming familiar to the new place they have been relocated."
"That is really interesting," Adrian said.
"I didn't think I would get to see that happen so soon into our education here," Laura said.
"The academy is a funny place," Chris said. "This is our first semester," he leaned back placing his hands behind his neck with a grin. "It may turn out that things don't work out the way we believe for the academy after all."
Loki came through the doorway with a smile as he held on to his plate.
"Good morning!" Loki said.
"Good morning!" the group replied.
"Come over here and eat," Tee Gar said. "We got a seat for you."
"Actually," Adrian said. "These tables can take four."
"Let's make up for that," Chris got up to his feet then brought over a chair set in between him and Laura. "Now we got a seat."
"Thank you, Chris," Loki said, walking around the table.
"So you got cadet clearance?" Laura asked.
"No," Loki shook his head. "Peepo turned on the door for me then went to get a recharge."
"He went uncharged all night," Chris raised his brows in surprise.
"Uh huh," Loki said. "Is this finger food or cut up food?"
"Eggs are cutting up food," Adrian said. "So is the sausages."
"But not the toast," Chris said. "That is finger food."
"Ahhhh," Loki nodded. "I see."
"So what are you going to do next?" Tee Gar asked.
"I was thinking of staying here," Loki said. "I mean, not staying here forever, but joining this space force."
"Space corps," Chris faked a cough.
"What is the difference?" Loki asked.
"Corps are notably people who volunteer to help others," Laura said. "Space force is . . ."
"It's a lot like having a military branch that focuses on defense from around the planet, solar system, and the galaxy," Adrian said. "We don't need a branch for that."
"Long as we help each other," Tee Gar said. "It will always be unnecessary."
"Forever more," Chris said. "Space force," he shook his head. "Isn't what we joined for."
"I like to join it," Loki said. The cadets looked at him. "And I need help writing that essay." he looked toward each of them. "How do I write a essay?"
"Loki," Laura said. "Aren't you a little young for that?"
"No," Loki said. "I am old enough for it. Gampu said so."
"You don't look eighteen," Tee Gar said, amused. "I am pretty sure he didn't mean it that way."
"He did," Loki said. Tee Gar's face fell as did Chris's and Laura's. "He told me after Peepo gave me the tour."
"You will be a first," Adrian grinned with a nod.
"But, that is not likely-" Tee Gar stopped by way of Adrian's icy, silent glare.
Adrian's eyes turned sweet and kind when changing attention toward the boy.
"If you really want to be out in space. Not always planet-side. Space is extremely dangerous for a child, Loki," Loki nodded in understanding. Adrian's hands were clasped under her chin as she had her elbows on the edge of the table and intent eyes on him. "Have you considered that?"
"No," Loki tilted his head. "How dangerous can it be?"
The cadets exchanged knowing looks then their unanimous attention returned to Loki.
"Zalon is a good example," Chris said. "We made it out." he lowered his head toward Loki, sincerely. "But you almost didn't make it out."
"But the Zalons were there," Loki said.
"Sometimes, the threat isn't just a planet or entities," Laura said. "It's people."
"It's human error," Chris said.
"And ships," Tee Gar added.
"People and ships who need help," Loki said. "The danger is worth it."
The cadets exchanged a glance with each other as their sincerely cautious demeanor were replaced by smiles.
"Loki," Chris said. "You are going to have to be emancipated if you want to join the academy."
"I don't have parents," Loki said. "I have no one to be set from. If I had anyone to be set free from then they would be be walking through those doors to claim me." Loki motioned toward the door making their eyes draw toward it. They waited for someone to come in. No one came in to the mess hall. "Camelopardalis! I know what big words mean!"
All at once, the thought struck their minds then their smiles were replaced by grins as a idea had hit them. It was the most fool proof and brilliant ones by far. Chris and Laura can feel that Tee Gar and Adrian had the same idea that hit them. It was a verdict that was preferable. Done without a mind link and very effective with the bright idea hitting them at the same time. Chris and Laura could tell just by the look in their friend's eyes. Their attention returned toward Loki from the center of the table.
"I will teach you how to write essays," Adrian said. "But you're going to need a lot of practice and plenty of patience."
"I can do that," Loki said. "We haven't been introduced. What are your names?"
"I am Laura and this is my twin, Chris," Laura gestured toward Chris. "I am training to be a psychologist."
"I am aiming for best pilot in the galaxy," Chris said. "And best brother at the same time."
"I am Tee Gar," Tee Gar said. "The doctor of the academy."
"Adrian," Adrian said. "A brilliant-to-be xenogeologist."
"Happy to meet you, everyone," Loki grew a smile. "I am Loki and I want to help people like you helped me."