8

"Hi," Tox said when he reached the counter. "I was told to come here. I've filled out the form." He handed the data pad over and the man looked it over.

"Right. I'll just go over the basics, though hopefully you know them already. This is a three year course. The first year is standard for all students and in the second year you start narrowing down the field you would like to specialise in. This can be anything from port based engineering right up to pilot. The third year involves more specialisation with approximately 50% of the time spent in the working environment."

"Do you understand all that?"

"Yes."

"Excellent. You should also know that if, for any reason, you do not complete the course, you must pay back any study grant paid to you with interest. At the completion of the course you are required to stay in the employ of the Mahute Trading Company for at least 5 years. If you do not, you must pay back your any grants or wages you have been paid up to that point, with interest."

"Do you understand all that?"

"Yes."

"If you fail and section of the course, you can resit that section at a later date. Each retaken section will add a year to your obligations. You can drop out of the course at any time and take up an unskilled position offered by the Mahute Trading Company. If you take up this option you will owe the Mahute Trading company the time you have spent in the Academy plus the 8 years of your original commitment."

"Do you understand that?"

"Yes."

"Good. And finally, you will not talk with anyone about any matters pertaining to the Mahute Trading Company, of the Flight Academy with anyone outside said institutions. Do you--"

"Yes, I understand."

The man looked up from, a cold look in his eyes.

"Sorry," Tox said, "but do you really think you're going to talk me out of signing that contract?"

The man turned around his data pad and pointed to the spot where Tox had to sign. He obliged then took a copy when it was printed out.

"Where's everyone else? Did they decide that with me here they didn't need anyone else?" Tox smiled but the man had as lively a sense of humour as the receptionist.

"The Flight Academy is not a place for levity, Mr Intya. You have just signed away a large proportion of your life to an organization that takes it duties very seriously and expects its employees to do the same. You now represent the Mahute Trading Company in everything you do. You represent the interests of 1069 shareholders and 10897 employees. You represent the human race to a total of 1534 sentient alien races. What you have just committed yourself to is no laughing matter."

When he put it like that... Tox tried to stop smiling, but he had just signed on to the flight Academy. He didn't think he'd stop smiling for the next 8 years.

"You are alone here because the main intake of students was last week. They were people who have know their position in the academy was safe for several years. You are the first person in more than a decade to gain entry via the general application procedure."

"Really?"

"Yes. These are not normal circumstances. Perhaps you are also representing everyone who attempts general entry-- if you fail it is not likely anyone else will be given the opportunity for a long time. If you succeed..."

Tox stopped smiling and the man nodded in satisfaction.

"Do you have a data pad?"

Tox held it up and the man shook his head. He pulled another pad from a case near his feet. It was a brand new model. "Captain Dramil has supplied this for you you. He has as much riding on your success as you do."

Tox found that hard to believe.

"The Captain fought hard for your inclusion. He believes that general entry could be the thing that saves..." The man cleared his throat. He pressed some buttons on the pad and transferred information from his own. "This pad contains all the information you will need. This pack contains three uniforms-- you are responsible for keeping them clean. You are required to wear them at all times as of tomorrow, which is when your courses start."

"Ahh... thank you."

"Good day, Mr Intya." The man rose to his feet, collected his case, and strode out through the door.

Tox was left sitting on his own with the contract in one hand and the new data pad in the other. "Shit. Way to put the pressure on me, bastard." But what, exactly, did the Mahute Trading Company need saving from?

#

Tox checked the map again. He turned left and made his way down the hall. The library was on the left. Inside, five people were sitting at tables. Two had books plugged into their data pad and were reading quietly. The other three were involved in a heated discussion about the choice between carger drives or ketivo engines.

Tox shook his head as he went to sit at another table. One of the debaters saw him.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Sorry? What is what supposed to mean?"

"You shook your head."

Tox sighed. "It's just... Well... Why would you even try to compare a carger and a ketivo? They're designed for totally different purposes."

"They have the same particle capacity, the same power output, and they--"

"They may well do, but one has power down low to be used for shifting weight and the other high end power for speed. If you've got a load to carry you use a carger, if you want to get a ship and a pilot somewhere fast, you use a ketivo."

"But the book says that the power output for a carger is better high up."

"The book may say that, but it will also say, somewhere, that a lot of the power is taken up in the in the dispension shield because without it, the whole thing won't last five minutes."

"I've read the whole book, it doesn't say that at all."

"Well, it should."

"Just who are you anyway? What are you doing here?"

"I'm Tox Intya. I'm starting the course tomorrow."

"You're kidding?"

Tox could see the two readers listening to the discussion as well. One was a plump you man with his hair slicked back and a stain down the front of his uniform. The other was a woman, tall and slim, with piercing blue eyes and full lips. Tox thought she looked familiar but...

"They're letting anyone in her now. But if you're only first year, if you haven't even started yet-- then maybe you should keep you opinions to yourself until you get some instruction from your betters."

"He's right, actually."

Tox and the three debaters turned to look at the woman all at once.

"Maybe you should mind your own business too."

"Maybe you should pack your bags."

Tox gave that comment some thought but obviously the others didn't.

"I've read the book."

"And I've been instructed by my betters."

"I'm your better, you stupid bitch. And I say--"

The door opened and Captain Dramil strode into the room and looked around at the occupants. "Greetings, Tox. I hope you're settling in well."

"Yes, thank you, Sir."

"Doing a bit of studying already?"

"Something like that, Sir."

"Good. And Val? How are you?"

"Good, thank you, father."

The debaters all suddenly went pale. They almost feinted when Captain Dramil turned to face them. "Mr Fewer?"

"Sir?"

"I believe you were just going to pack."

"Sir?"

"Your family will be sent a bill for the time you've spent at the Academy. You can tell them the reason yourself."

"But, Sir--"

"You can go now." Captain Dramil watched him leave then turned to look at the other two. "You gentlemen can consider this an official warning. You've already had a previous warning, correct?"

They both nodded.

"Well, keep in mind that you are only allowed on more."

They nodded again.

"Good, and keep in mind that there are no such things as space privateers. This is not some romantic story where the hero makes a quip and swashes and buckles his way to the woman's side."

"Yes, Sir."

"Yes, Sir."

"Good."

They left as well, slinking along behind their friend.

The Captain turned back to his daughter. "Will we see you for dinner?"

"I don't think so. Some of us are going to The Crows Nest."

"Very well then." The Captain kissed her on the cheek then wandered out.

"I'm Val Dramil," the young woman said when he'd gone.

"So I gathered. Tox Intya."

"Pleased to meet you, Tox. I'm actually due at the Nest pretty soon. Would you like to come?"

"Ahhh... No. Thanks. Well, yes, I would, but no."

"You aren't going to be one of those serious students are you-- study all day and sleep all night?"

"If I mess up here I go back to selling spare parts, Val."

"From what I've heard you should do pretty well here."

"Well, I'd like to settle in and find my feet a bit first."

"Fair enough. But don't work too hard."

Tox watched her leave. That was more distracting then he would have thought as well.