We fell back into a routine as classes resumed the next day. Things were largely the same except for one change—PTT. We finally started to move on to the “tactics” portion of the name. Instead of target shooting, twice a week, we began learning basic small-group tactics and practicing them in drills. There was an area of campus set up with a starship-like interior, and we would move through it, shooting targets.

  Since we were no longer in the fixed confines of the shooting range, instead of real weapons, we used these bright pink practice weapons. They simulated the recoil, though it wasn’t exactly the same, but instead of firing force bolts, they shot a spell that would cause whatever it hit to softly glow a certain color for around a half hour. The color could be changed fairly easily, so each gun would be set to a different color so we could tell who made which shots.

  After two weeks of this, we moved on to competitive exercises. Two groups of varying sizes would be selected. One would be assigned as defenders, while the other would be the infiltrators. The goal was for the defenders to protect the bridge, while the attackers had to either take out all the defenders or capture the bridge.

  I ended up being fairly good at these scenarios as well. We all rotated through leadership roles during this events, and my team won almost every match that I led. There was one match in particular that stood out.

  We were the defending force, and our group was much smaller than the attacking force. I decided to try something different than just holing up near the bridge and hoping to hold out. I sent four of the seven other people in my squad out into the mock ship to hide and wait for others to pass. We had secure communicators, so they could keep us apprised of the enemy.

  Our opponents walked straight past my teammates, not even thinking to check for people hiding in the rooms, too determined to make it to our bridge to think of other possible dangers. This allowed my squad to appear from behind and take out large swaths of them before they realized what had happened, then duck back into a room and barricade themselves. This happened with three of my “scouts,” while the fourth was left alone.

  We ended up taking the fight to the enemy when they were distracted trying to break into the locked rooms, and when all was said and done, we won without taking any casualties. Our instructor seemed to treat my tactics as normal, but berated the other team for not watching their backs.

  After that, everyone was careful to clear every room they passed, ensuring that the tactic wouldn’t work again, but it was an effective strategy once.

  Before I knew it, finals neared. We had no classes the two days before finals, giving us ample time to review. The five of us set aside some time to work together in a study group for our shared classes, which seemed to help.

  And then it was time. In our first day of PTT, we actually had a written test on tactics, in addition to sprinting and endurance tests. On the second day, we were again tested on our shooting, though this time, we were running a course at the same time. I ended up getting second place, which I was proud of.

  My other classes were much the same as before. The history and law exams were long and tedious, but I got through them. Principles of Starships was more interesting, though very challenging. The only major difference was in my conflict resolution test. Instead of a normal exam, we were each given a time to report. When I entered, there was a panel of three asking questions about the material and giving scenarios, and I had to respond. It was exhausting.

  My practicum test was very similar to the midterm, just more complex because we had learned about more stations. I thought I did well.

  Once we were done with finals, we enjoyed our last dinner with each other before playing card games until it was time for bed. Most of the others were heading back home, so they left early that Polday morning.

  Like me, Kolo was staying on campus. She had let on that she didn’t get along with her family, so that made sense. As an explanation, I had hinted that I had family troubles too, but strongly implied I didn’t like to talk about it. Everyone except Delroy easily picked up on my implication, but the others shut him down before he could try to dig too deeply into my past.

  After we saw the others off, Kolo turned to me. “Well, now what do we do?”

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  I sighed. “We should probably get some exercise—I don’t want to deal with the sergeant or whoever if we’ve lost progress.”

  She groaned. “It’s Polday, though. Why do we need to work out? It’s not like we normally do.”

  I gave here a confused look. “At least half of our Poldays we spent in the gym playing some athletic game or another.”

  “Oh. Right. Well, I guess we could do something like that.”

  I chuckled and suggested we change into our workout clothes and meet at the gym. We ended up playing a few different games, intermixed with plenty of breaks just chatting. It was nice to have some time, just the two of us. I got plenty of one-on-one time with Valissa, seeing as she was my roommate, but much less with Kolo. I figured that would change with the two of us being the only ones in our group here for the next couple weeks.

  The next day was the summer solstice, and even on campus, that was a big deal. There was an overall celebratory atmosphere, and they had a special dinner for everyone staying there. I greatly enjoyed the wide variety of meat available, and it was clear that Kolo did as well—both of our species tended towards meat-heavy diets, after all.

  Kolo and I met up with the others on campus for the traditional bonfire and watching the sun set on the longest day of the year. It was fun.

  The next day was interesting as well, cosmologically-speaking. That night would be a double full moon—both Lyra, the blue-white moon, and Anlyra, the smaller yellowish moon, would be full and visible at the same time, a relatively rare occurrence.

  Again, there was a bit of a celebration as everyone stayed out late to see the moons rise. Really, it was an excuse for a second party, even among the staff.

  Over the next couple weeks, I spent a lot of time studying things I found interesting. I focused a lot on starships and the related technologies, things I likely wouldn’t learn in detail in my program. I also made sure to take plenty of time to keep in shape and practice my shooting, since I had the time and didn’t want to lose my skills. I even found time to spend some more time in the flight simulator, practicing with both voidfighters and shuttles.

  All in all, it was a fairly relaxing, yet productive, break. When people started returning a few days before the summer term would start, I was torn between being ready for things to get going again and disappointment that the relative peace was ending.

  Nothing embodied the end of peace like Delroy’s return. He returned after Valissa but before Gathrok, and, like the other two, messaged ahead of time to let us know when he was returning.

  The three of us were there to meet him when he arrived, and immediately, his exuberant nature showed.

  “Fellow cadets! I have returned, and I am ready to kick this term’s ass!”

  This got a few head shakes and light chuckles from our group and a few others who were nearby and overheard.

  “Your excitement is noted. Welcome back.” As usual, Valissa made a clear counterpart to Delroy’s enthusiastic presence.

  Once Gathrok arrived a few hours later, we made plans to play some wallball the next day. Since I had been practicing off and on over the break with Kolo, I had actually gotten pretty good, and even managed to squeak out a single victory against Delroy, fifteen to fourteen. That was a true highlight.

  The day before classes resumed, we had a mandatory assembly for the entire student body. We all met in an even bigger auditorium than used for our oath ceremony, and the headmaster gave a speech.

  “As we return for our summer term, I always make sure to remind our cadets why we do this. We are the bastion against forces that would challenge our great empire, both foreign and domestic. We guard the civilians against everything from aether storms to piracy, even to war. It is our solemn duty to put our lives on the line so that our empire can prosper.”

  He continued on, discussing more history and reciting typical military rhetoric before reaching his conclusion.

  “We are a united force. Look to the people next to you. These are your comrades, your fellow sailors. Together, we are strong. Together, we can achieve greatness. Remember that as you go forth into this next term. You are not alone. Do not try to make it through these years solo. Learn to trust and rely on each other, and the friends and allies you make here and now will last you for decades to come.”

  With that, he dismissed us, and we all filed out.

  “What did you think of his speech?” Gathrok asked as we left.

  “I kind of zoned out for most of it,” admitted Delroy.

  “We noticed,” teased Kolo.

  “I, for one, thought that while he may have elaborated more thoroughly than I would hope to be necessary, he had some salient points, especially at the end when he encouraged us to cooperation.”

  “I agree, Valissa. I definitely started to get bored partway through, but overall, it was a good speech,” I said.

  “Anyway,” Kolo said, changing the subject. “What do your class schedules look like?”

  Again, Valissa and I shared the same schedule, but we actually had two classes shared with Kolo. The three of us shared Introduction to Security Principles and Introduction to Astronavigation on Candays and Hirndays, while the boys had those classes on Loredays and Sandays. Valissa and I had Ethics and Morality and Intermediate Conflict Resolution on those days, and while Kolo also had Ethics and Morality that day, it was in the other time block.

  Both Kolo and Delroy had Basic Piloting, albeit at different times, and Gathrok had Intermediate Starship Maintenance. All in, it sounded like it would be a challenging term, and I was looking forward to it.