A/N: Sorry for the long delay between updates. I found this chapter difficult to write due to the fact that I know little about the navy. I did my research and tried my best. I hope it's a good and enjoyable read.

Celestial Navigation

I wait by the foyer with my bags packed. The butler will drive me to the train station and one of the servants, Roland, will accompany me on the train to Fiume. It is at mother insistence that an adult stay with me on the train. I find it rather ironic that I am old enough to leave home and be schooled halfway across the empire, but I cannot travel there on my own.

Mother and Father walk with me to the car. Mother hugs me tightly and cries. She does not try to hold back her tears.

"Good bye darling, I'll write to you every day," she says as she kisses my cheek.

"Good bye Mother" I say as she frets with the collar of my jacket. Father shakes my hand and awkwardly pats me on the back.

"Good luck Georg."

"Thank you sir" I reply. It is funny how I address him as sir and not Father. I cannot remember the last time I called him Father. I wonder if he notices it too.

I enter the car and watch the familiar sights of Vienna pass and I wonder how long it will be till I will see them again. The ride to the station is a short one; the butler and Roland carry my bags as I board the train. I am riding in a first class compartment. The compartment is comfortable and big enough for Roland and I. We talk little during the ride, except when Roland inquires if I need anything, but I am content to watch the scenery pass by window. We switch trains a few times along the way to travel southwest towards the Adriatic Sea. The landscape dramatically changes along the way and I am entranced by the sights that pass my window.

The train ride takes a full day and by the morning we arrive at the last stop, the station in Rijeka. As I step off the train I am immediately engulfed by smell of the ocean. I have never been to the sea. The sky is blue and there is not a cloud to be seen, although it is hot, the breeze from the ocean keeps the temperature pleasant. This is quite different than the humid air of Vienna.

Roland travels with me by car to the naval base. I am so anxious at this point, that I feel sick to my stomach. At the security booth I show my papers. As a bored officer looks them over I take deep breaths and swallow the bile that threatens to leave my mouth.

The officer hand them back to me and says "I'm afraid I don't see you name on the roster."

"What?" I sputter.

"Yep" he says indifferently, "your name's not here."

Immediately panicking I ramble "But how can that be, I was told to be here?"

"Dunno"

"But, what should I do? There has to be a mistake, could you look again?" I desperately ask.

The officer at the admission gates begins to become annoyed with me "look your names not here, see!" as he shoves the roster at me. I quickly scan it. He is right there is no "Georg von Trapp" on the list, but there is an "Alexander von Trapp" listed- Alex my brother. I feel a deep blush fill my cheeks as I explain to the admission officer my situation and the mix up between my brother and I.

I try to shake off the awful feeling that my offer to come to Fiume was not meant for me at all but rather for my dead brother. My feeling are mixed between utter disappointed and anger at my Father for making such a colossal mistake. However a tiny part of me feels even bit guilty for my bitter thoughts that perhaps Father knew all along that the position was meant for Alex, but he just wanted out of his house and out of his life so he sent me instead.

After the paperwork is sorted out, I am finally shown to small room where other new recruits are waiting. The room is part of processing center meant to hold new recruits as they arrive throughout the day. I am first screened medically and dentally. All new recruits are checked medically in an effort to keep disease of the base. I am then fitted for my uniform and receive my first military haircut. Throughout the rest of the day I am taught basic grooming standards, standards of conduct, and I am introduced to my Recruit Division Commander, Officer Eckel.

Fiume not only serves as the empire's naval school, but it is also one of the most active naval bases in the empire. The grounds are large and extensive and the walk from the gates to the barrack is a far one. Night has fallen by the time the initial Processing is complete. The recruits follow officer Eckel as he leads us to our quarters. We walk up a gravel road till we reach a row of identical two story brick buildings. The second to last one will be where I will presumably spend the next four years of my life. The first year recruits reside on the first floor to the right, the second year recruits are on the left and third and fourth year recruits are situated on the second floor. There are two rows of beds neatly lined along the walls. Next to each bed is small closet and cubby . The washrooms and showers are situated at the far end of the room. I claim the fourth bed on the left as my own. Wake- up time will be a 6 am, and then basic training will begin.

"Wow, calm down there von Trapp." Stephan says as I shovel food into my mouth.

"Leave him alone, he's a growing boy" Peter grins as he sits down next to me. Peter Füster and Stephan Bohm are the first two friends I made here at the academy.

K.u.K. Naval Academy is the most prestigious naval academy in the empire. Unlike the K.u.k. Schiffsjungenschule and the K.u.k. Maschinenschule which are naval schools, students who graduate the Naval Academy can be promoted to the rank of Sea Cadet immediately upon completion. Most students join the academy at the age of 15 or 16, Stephan and Peter are both fifteen, although some recruits are fourteen years-old, I am the only thirteen year-old at the naval academy.

I try to reply but my mouth is to full of food to politely do so. When I first came here, I could not help but turn my nose up at the quality of food given to me. It was nothing like what I had at home, but after two weeks here I learned to adapt very quick. That, and the training I went through made me want to eat everything in sight-no matter how unappetizing.

Basic training has been exhausting. From my first day here I have been instructed in how to conduct myself: how to stand, how to sit, how to walk-no, not walk- march. But that was not as bad as the physical training: running laps at dawn, climbing, lifting, and swimming. Basic training has been vigorous and I find myself expending so much energy trying to keep up with the rest of the recruits. Although I consider myself fit, much to my dismay I find my short legs unable to keep up with the other while running laps.

"There working us like mad men," Stephan complains as he stretches his long limbs. We are eating in the mess hall. The mess hall is a large room where all the recruits eat. But since Fiume is not only a naval academy but a port too, for practical reasons officers also eat in the hall, but not at the same time. However the officers who train recruits do eat with the students, although they make sure to sit far from us. Nevertheless although many of our instructors are now sitting in the far end of the room, there are few who have meal duty. They are there to make sure that their pupils are behaving well and eating with proper etiquette. There is no break form being proper. Peter and Stephan complain of this constantly "we get no rest," but I am used to conducting myself in a certain manner, as I was raised from the cradle to behave a certain way during mealtime, playtime, and night time.

All part of gentleman's education.

Fiume is famous for producing gentleman in addition to officers. The stereotype of a seaman does not apply to the officers educated in Fiume, we after all not sailors but gentleman. By the end of my education I will be able to play an instrument, dance, and sing. I will learn sports and be ready to conduct myself with utmost decorum. And as some joke, become fresh meat to be picked apart by hordes of eligible women.

"Resident dragon, at two o'clock" Peter mutters under his breath. Our drill officer, officer Eckel is dubbed "resident dragon" by Peter who feels that all the man does is breathe fire. In truth, Eckel does resemble a dragon with his fiery red hair, harsh features, and biting tongue. Eckel explosive personality is in stark contrast to his superior August Dorner. Dorner is a middle aged man, of medium height and weight. There is nothing remarkable about his appearance save for his piercing gray eyes. But he is often present during our lessons and training while surveying us carefully, often making me feel naked in front of him as if has the ability to see right through me, read my mind and heart and judge all my imperfections. And he is silent, always silent, making me find a reason to fear him more.

"Nautical training tonight" Stephan mentions once Eckel passes.

"Yes, it's about time they took us out" Peter replies.

Nautical training includes seamanship or as some calls boatman-ship. Included in Nautical training is lessons on mathematics and astronomically. We learn how to use navigation tools but we also learn about navigation by observing the sun and stars. As Eckel says "you can memorize those bloody books but it will not help you out in middle in the ocean" another one of his pearls of wisdom is that "Seamanship is art that can only be mastered by practicing out in the sea." Over the last few days he spewed those words at us so much that I hear it in my sleep.

Sleep, the thought is very tempting-especially after a full day of training. But today Eckel is taking the new recruits to sea to looks at the stars and learn his art. Although I do respect Eckel's knowledge and skill but I do wish he was not such a prick.

Peter, Stephan, and I rise from out table with our trays. At sunset we are to meet Eckel at the pier. That leaves us about three hours of free time to relax and review our studies.

I do not pay attention as I walk and miss a foot that is deliberately placed in front of me. I lose my balance and fall to the ground with a large crash. The sound of my metal tray hitting the ground echoes through the room as it become completely silent as everyone tries to get a look at the source of commotion. I look up at the culprit behind my fall; he is an older student with blond hair, sitting with his friends who are not even trying to hide their laughter. I hastily gather the remains of my dinner with a humiliated flush, dump it in the trash, and stalk out of the mess hall.

I am still upset when I head down to the pier to meet Eckel, but as the ship I am on sails from the port, I find myself calming down.

I am immediately engulfed by the cool air caressing my short hair, my face, and eyes.

The night sky is completely clear and away from the cliff and tress of land the whole celestial sky is open for our viewing.

We go out on deck and Eckels instructs us on the ins and outs of astronomy and nighttime navigation. I find it quite fascinating. Of all of new things I have been exposed to since I arrived here, the ocean is the most pleasurable. Out in the dark waters, with nothing but the stars and moon as my companions I feel so secure. For the first time since I arrived at Fiume I feel like I fit in someplace. Perhaps it is here, in nature that I truly belong.

The next morning all the recruits gather on the outdoor court for our first fencing lesson. We stand in a line all along the four sides of the court as the master instructs us on the basics of fencing, for many of the new recruits this fencing lesson is their first experience with a saber. Attendance is mandatory for all students, even the older ones. Even the most experienced are taught the basics with the notion that frequent repetition, no matter how cumbersome is beneficial. The second half of the lesson the recruits are divided up into groups depending on their skills, and occasionally two students will be chosen to spare in front of the class. I have been schooled extensively at the sport and I find my mind drifting to the stars of last night and my attention wanes, much to the annoyance of the fencing master. But my mind just cannot seem to focus on the basic and boring drills the master demonstrates before the class. Unluckily my daydreaming grabs the attention of the fencing master as he stops to stands before me- his annoyance is clearly demonstrated on his face.

"Young man, you obviously think yourself to be an excellent fencer as you display no interest in learning the sport."

"No sir" I earnestly reply.

"Well! show the crowd your talents," he says as he takes my arm and leads me to the center of the court. "Werner, be this young boy's partner," he says as he throws down protective gear at my feet. The gear is nothing to smile at, unlike, the uniform I have at home, this gear is pitiful. It consists of only heard gear, a protective vest for the chest and lower body, and gloves for the arms.

My face flushes as I struggle to put on gear in front of the whole academy, but I feel anger rise to my face, as Werner, the blond haired boy how tripped me in the mess hall the evening before steps forward and begins to put on his gear. I see Werner, smug face as he dresses and I hear snickers around me, and one boy whisper loudly "he's minced meat".

Werner and I stand opposite each other and salute. I put on my on my head gear. It is not only smelly, but also heavy and hot, but I try to ignore it as I take up the saber in my right hand.

We bow and the duel begins.

I move aggressively forward-step-step-back-step-forward-thrust-step-step-jump-step-thrust- . I can tell that by the way he begins the duel that Werner, assumes that I will be an easy match. But as I go on the offensive, I see his body tense as he begins to launch his own offensive and match my intensity. He begins to overpower me and I am now placed on the defensive, but I mange to keep up with him and match every one of his movements.

We spar all along the court, I retreat backwards till the edge of the court, the crowd of observers scurry to the side and before I know it we have left the cement court and continue our duel on a grassy patch of land. I retreat downhill and feel fatigue become a factor. My muscles burn and my chest explodes in fire, and I desperately wonder why the fencing master has yet to stop the match. But as I back peddle towards the piers it becomes clear, that I am on my own here and the match will only end one way, by either a win or a loss.

There was no way I will lose. The thought energizes me - I find the advantage and I take the offensive as both Werner and I headed towards the pier. We continue to spar on the pier as all the other recruits strain over each other to see the action. I feel completely exhausted as Werner leads me toward the end of the pier. Before long my back is towards the edge as he presses his saber against mine. Although my feet are planted firmly to the ground, there is no way I can hold him off any longer in any moment I will fall in the waters below.

"You have a lot of grace"

James words back home come to mind. It is obvious that I will have to depend on it over brute force. I use my height and grace to my advantage as I sidestep to the left, I almost lose my balance, but I catch it just in time, as I fall hard on my backside.

But Werner is not so lucky, will all his weight pressed on my saber, my sidestep proves to be his downfall, as he loses his balance and falls into the water below with a splash

Although exhausted I manage to get back on my feet. Doubled over with my hands on my knees I strip off my mask and take deep breaths to cool my burning chest. I hear murmuring and even some chuckles as Werner struggles out of water. I do not stay by the pier -it is not gentleman like to rub an opponent loss in his face. Instead I turn and walk up the hill and try my best to keep my face straight. The crowd parts as I walk and some even mutter some compliments.

I am hot and drenched in sweat and I desperately want to soak myself in a bath. As I walk I feel my muscles cramp I will no doubt be sore tonight, but it is worth it. A feeling I am unfamiliar with bubbles in my chest and in my heart. I feel good, I feel happy, I feel proud, I feel big.