Xandrian Stone 4: The Academy Part 3 Read Online Free PDF Page B
Author: Christian Alex Breitenstein
Tags: Science-Fiction
Linuson, Henderson, Oel and Dyson. Step forward." The four went and stood before the Admiral. "You are hereby promoted to Second Lieutenant. Lieutenants Linuson and Henderson, you will join the crew of Prime Lieutenant Stone and gather experience as second-in-command. Lieutenant Linuson, you will be Prime Lieutenant Stone's second on the flight to Eden 2, Lieutenant Henderson will take over for the flight back." He shook all their hands and they walked back, all grinning, all jumping when their rank insignia vibrated and changed to the same white line as I had, but with white rims.
"All Second Cadets are hereby promoted to Second Ensigns." I first wondered why the Admiral was pausing when the squealing and yelping began. Ah, I had forgotten: Most of the other cadets had not yet had much experience with the rank insignia vibration. I grinned a bit, and glancing to the Admiral I saw that the corners of his mouth twitched a bit as well.
Discipline held, though, and soon the cadets - I mean ensigns and, including me, five lieutenants - were standing at attention again. I noticed that a large number of Bricks was closing to the academy, much like when we were ferried here to start our training. "Go back to your rooms, pack and clean them. You will receive your assignments there. Dismissed."
Chapter 5: PROVING MISSION
My assignment was no surprise:
Prime Lieutenant Xandrian Stone,
You will report this afternoon at 15:00 to Training Brick 2 and assume command.
Your mission is to go to Eden 2 and gather a stone that has been marked blue on its underside. The location of the stone is on the map below.
You are not to use your own magic, but that of your crew. Captains do not actively use magic unless in emergencies or other special situations.
Your second-in-command will be Second Lieutenant Lindan Linuson on the trip there until the stone is found. Second Lieutenant Annina Henderson will take over as your second-in-command while the stone is being retrieved and on the trip back.
Once your mission is accomplished the new command team will relieve you and your second-in-commands and bring you to Eden 4, where parts of your crew will be discharged and brought to their assignments by Bricks that will be waiting there. Captain Miller will be there as well, you will report to him and rejoin your crew.
At your own convenience, give your seconds opportunities to gather leadership experience. They are both capable.
Good luck.
Signed, Admiral Peter Sand
I grinned broadly. My very own command! Granted, it would only last about an hour if we dawdled, because I knew exactly where that stone that we were to retrieve was, but still - my own command!
I still had a couple of hours until 15:00, so I first took a picture of myself in my dress uniform for my folks back home, then I cleaned myself, changed into the more practical all-day uniform and got myself some lunch.
At 14:55, fresh and nervous, I was approaching my new command, head held high. I did not exactly strut, but I have to confess that I got pretty close that day. At the front airlock, I was greeted by the weapon on airlock-duty. "Dude! I mean captain, welcome on board." We grinned at each other. The whole crew was made up of former cadets, so we knew each other quite well. "Thank you, Ensign. I will report to the bridge now."
With my pack still slung around my shoulder I walked into the bridge. "Captain on the deck!" yelled Lindan.
"At ease. Report?"
"Sir, we are ready and eager." Lindan kept a straight face, though I could see the grin behind his mask of duty. Typical Lindan, all business, reliable but with a wicked humor behind the facade. I had grown to really like him in the past year.
"Good. Get us into an orbit of 150 kilometers while I settle in."
"Aye, sir." While I turned and walked to the captain's quarters, I listened to his orders. "Communication, inform the Admiral that we are
"All Second Cadets are hereby promoted to Second Ensigns." I first wondered why the Admiral was pausing when the squealing and yelping began. Ah, I had forgotten: Most of the other cadets had not yet had much experience with the rank insignia vibration. I grinned a bit, and glancing to the Admiral I saw that the corners of his mouth twitched a bit as well.
Discipline held, though, and soon the cadets - I mean ensigns and, including me, five lieutenants - were standing at attention again. I noticed that a large number of Bricks was closing to the academy, much like when we were ferried here to start our training. "Go back to your rooms, pack and clean them. You will receive your assignments there. Dismissed."
Chapter 5: PROVING MISSION
My assignment was no surprise:
Prime Lieutenant Xandrian Stone,
You will report this afternoon at 15:00 to Training Brick 2 and assume command.
Your mission is to go to Eden 2 and gather a stone that has been marked blue on its underside. The location of the stone is on the map below.
You are not to use your own magic, but that of your crew. Captains do not actively use magic unless in emergencies or other special situations.
Your second-in-command will be Second Lieutenant Lindan Linuson on the trip there until the stone is found. Second Lieutenant Annina Henderson will take over as your second-in-command while the stone is being retrieved and on the trip back.
Once your mission is accomplished the new command team will relieve you and your second-in-commands and bring you to Eden 4, where parts of your crew will be discharged and brought to their assignments by Bricks that will be waiting there. Captain Miller will be there as well, you will report to him and rejoin your crew.
At your own convenience, give your seconds opportunities to gather leadership experience. They are both capable.
Good luck.
Signed, Admiral Peter Sand
I grinned broadly. My very own command! Granted, it would only last about an hour if we dawdled, because I knew exactly where that stone that we were to retrieve was, but still - my own command!
I still had a couple of hours until 15:00, so I first took a picture of myself in my dress uniform for my folks back home, then I cleaned myself, changed into the more practical all-day uniform and got myself some lunch.
At 14:55, fresh and nervous, I was approaching my new command, head held high. I did not exactly strut, but I have to confess that I got pretty close that day. At the front airlock, I was greeted by the weapon on airlock-duty. "Dude! I mean captain, welcome on board." We grinned at each other. The whole crew was made up of former cadets, so we knew each other quite well. "Thank you, Ensign. I will report to the bridge now."
With my pack still slung around my shoulder I walked into the bridge. "Captain on the deck!" yelled Lindan.
"At ease. Report?"
"Sir, we are ready and eager." Lindan kept a straight face, though I could see the grin behind his mask of duty. Typical Lindan, all business, reliable but with a wicked humor behind the facade. I had grown to really like him in the past year.
"Good. Get us into an orbit of 150 kilometers while I settle in."
"Aye, sir." While I turned and walked to the captain's quarters, I listened to his orders. "Communication, inform the Admiral that we are