Xandrian Stone 4: The Academy Part 3 Read Online Free PDF

would do, but we take no chances."
     
    I nodded. "Understood." Then I had a thought. "Was the rail-drive invented because of that?"
     
    He smiled. "We do not know exactly. Some claim that it is so, others disagree. If you are ever among engines and don't know how to start a conversation, bring this topic up. I have been in some very interesting discussion rounds, but, if there was alcohol involved also some epic brawls."
     
    "The higher ups must not have been happy about the brawls, I imagine?"
     
    "Hah, I was demoted twice and promoted back a year later." He grinned. "Being a Master Adept gives you a lot of leeway. Even more so that way in your case, I imagine. Being inconclusive must make you practically impervious to demotion. But before I keep planting bad ideas into your young mind, it might be best to go back or I'll be demoted again just as a preemptive measure." Now he was laughing.
     
    I grinned and jumped us back to where we started, then I set a course for Eden 6-1 and activated the rail-drive.

Chapter 4: THE ORDER OF RECOGNITION
     
    Advanced training was over way too quickly. That half a year had been a lot of fun, and it ended in another ceremony.
     
    This time we all were gathered on the parade ground in our dress uniforms. I must admit, I was a bit self-conscious with all those pips on top of the Order of the Bandaged Leg and the 2 Orders of the Broken Leg that I was wearing just over my left breast. Some of the weapons also had a Broken Leg, but not many - and, as I saw with great surprise, Hector Johnson was missing. Thinking back, I had no memory of meeting him during advanced training. What had happened? I did not know but decided to ask an instructor next chance I got.
     
    But for now, there was the Ceremony of Completion. Completion of the Navy academy. After today we would be officers of the Swiss Federated Space Navy. I smiled at the thought.
     
    When the Admiral appeared, the Drill-Lieutenant let his voice float around the place: "OFFICER ON THE DECK!" We snapped to attention.
     
    "Cadets of the 498 Academy 4 on Eden 6-1. ALL of you meet the minimum criteria to pass!" The entire mass of cadets erupted in cheering, myself included. The Admiral made placating moves with his hands, and after we were was silent again he continued. "There are a couple of administrative acts to perform now. First, let's honor the best cadet of this year. Prime Cadet Xandrian Stone, step forward." I moved to the Admiral and stood at attention in front of him. "You are the strongest Wizard in this academy." That did cause quite some chuckling, both from the cadets and the instructors. "Literally. You are hereby awarded the Order of Recognition, which the strongest cadet in any academy will get after their training." He pinned the beautiful gold-rimmed silver order to my chest, next to the other orders.
     
    "Furthermore, I am hereby promoting you to Prime Lieutenant and assigning you temporary command of the Training Brick Number 2. You will take your Brick to Eden 2, take a surface sample at a specific spot and bring it back here. That will be your proving mission and if you pass you will be noted as 'able to command' and promoted to command a Brick when one gets free and you are at the top spot of the waiting list. In the meantime you will rejoin your crew aboard the Brick commanded by Captain Jack Miller." We shook hands and I walked back to my spot.
     
    Most cool. I was being given the chance to enter the waiting list right off the academy. That meant that I'd be in command as soon as in10 to 20 years! If the Prophecy did not interfere that was. The vibrating of my rank insignia almost scared me out of my skin, deeply in thought as I had been. Glancing down, I saw that it still had its nice golden rim, but instead of the seven small dots in the middle now had an elegant, slim but solid, horizontal white line almost from rim to rim. I really was a Prime Lieutenant now!
     
    The Admiral continued. "First Cadets