"I sure don't want that!" I said and signed it.
After this we got a blank flex screen attached to our uniform. The man putting it there said." This is your ribbon display. It will show all your military specializations and qualifications and of course any citations you earn. Yours will most likely remain pretty empty until you graduate, but it is required to be worn on all uniforms. It is linked to you and cannot be given to another person or altered in any way or form. That is a serious offense."
He tapped the display with his finger and the thing made a chirping sound. He looked at it and grinned." Wow you actually got a few citations as it looks like: Honor Citizen of Twilight, Civil Duty service ribbon and Executioners Axe." He grinned." Nice to see the ribbon display actually works." He waved me on and said." Next!"
Code Key surgery was a big auto dresser type device that used micro-Nanite surgery to make a little skin pocket somewhere on the body. Its location so I was told was chosen randomly so it would not be always at the same place. During the procedure a voice explained." All officers of all branches of the United Stars services receive a code key pocket. It is a small 2 centimeter by 1 centimeter cavity and a few millimeters deep. A bio plastic key made of the same cell material as the body will be placed in it. No normal scan will reveal it. It is used as an extra security measure to access restricted areas or information. You and all Cadets accepted have the security clearance Blue. That is the lowest security clearance and sufficient for all Academy tasks and procedures. How, when and why you need that key will be explained to you in the appropriate training class."
The procedure itself was painless and my code key pocket was at my left underarm.
***
Along with others I entered an immense mess hall. I guessed at least 500 beings were sitting or in the process of sitting at long rows of tables.
I didn't see Derek or Max, but I saw the methane breather and it waved at me with one of its tentacles." Over here, Eric human."
I took the free seat next to him and the Garbini said." I never thought we finally end up here. I felt like a product in a factory."
"I know I felt the same way. Seeing the scope of things I start to realize just how big an organization Space Fleet actually is."
"Now that you say it. I heard there are fifty mess halls like this one right here and this isn't the only Academy branch in the Galaxy. There are many more!"
The tables where set with fine china and glasses.
After about an hour every seat so it looked like was filled. An officer in black uniform, somewhat humanoid but with horns and a face that made him look like a ram addressed us all while standing on a floating metal disc so everyone could see him. I was sure his voice was transmitted to field speakers nearby as he did not talk very loud but I could clearly hear him." This will be your first real meal as Cadets. It will also be your first lesson.
"An Officer of the United Stars Fleet will always display the finest table manners. We will use napkins and eating utensils whenever possible. We will learn to use the Eating utensils of other cultures but the Fleet recognizes sticks, fork, knife and spoon as basic and useable by almost all member species.
"Enlisted men can eat a sandwich while walking through a corridor, an officer may not. An enlisted man may yawn, scratch himself or do those many little things beings do without really thinking, often perhaps insulting or revolting to others. Officers will not do that. It takes great and seemingly impossible self-awareness and control to suppress these often almost instinctive things, but those of you who complete this training will and it becomes second nature."
His platform slowly rotated and now I was facing his back. The officer was still speaking." However as officers you also have certain privileges, you do not stand in line for food at the chow line, like enlisted personnel does. You will be served whenever possible and unless it is a buffet. The food will be served now, but don't eat until I say so. Until the most senior officer is served and has given the toast, you will not touch the food."
He clapped his gloved hands together and an army of white dressed beings started to serve plates with food.
The Officer raised a glass." Welcome Citizens of the Union and Welcome new Cadets, may this be the first meal you are partaking in the company of fellow officers and I sincerely hope it will not be the last. May the day come in many years from now that you remember this first meal as a very special occasion and important marker in your lives? I wish all of you success and hope to see each of you one day in Fleet black!"
He raised the glass he was holding." On the behalf of the United Stars of the Galaxy and in the name of the Admiral of the Fleet I welcome you all. Now enjoy your meal."
During the meal instructors walked down the table isles and gave pointers as how to eat correctly. To my Methane breathing friend one of them said:" A Garbini Officer folds his unused tentacles on his back in the Naglag position. Fulran morsels are to be dipped only once and with the right eating tentacle only. Don't let me see you using your left and dipping twice again!"
"Yes Sir." The Garbini uttered even though he was quite alien I could sense its surprise that a small furry being in black Uniform knew so much about Garbini proper eating etiquette." He just sounds like my father!"
I was not spared either. The same being barked at me:" Dap your lips with the napkin before you reach for the glass. Cut only what you intended to eat right away, don't cut everything, drop the knife and shovel it like a barbarian."
I wanted to argue and tell him Neo Vikings are the very definition of what barbarians are and they didn't use forks at all, but I thought better and said: "Yes Sir."
After the meal we went to a big dorm, with Vari-Form beds that adjusted to the body needs and sizes of any known being.
The instructors where everywhere and the same ram horned Officer that addressed us at the meal spoke again: "Being an officer is not a job it is a profession. Being an officer is a status, a mind-set that does not end with you taking off your uniform or go sleep. You are an Officer even when you are naked, hung by your toes or equivalent body part over a boiling pot of oil. You are an officer and expected to act with certain restrains in any possible situation. You will maintain a perfect state of dignity and unquestionable conduct at all times. Almost all sentient life forms we encountered have some form of body hygiene procedures. The Fleet has standardized these procedures to accommodate all beings and none of you will die or get harmed when touched by soap and water or a sonic shower. I want you to be on top of your species hygiene procedures at all times. No one will order you to be clean and well groomed but it is expected. Tomorrow morning will be the only time in your entire Academy career where you get a dedicated time period to do so. After that you must use your free time and schedule it correctly to be groomed well. This includes your uniforms and personal equipment. It has to be clean, spot less, in good repair and put on correctly according to Fleet regulations. "
He took a breather." Well that is all for now, sleep well!"
The lights dimmed and someone in a bed nearby talked to someone else in a low tone." He is a Nogoll; I wonder how he ended up telling us what to do!"
How the words were overheard I could not say, but perhaps they did monitor conversations! The Ram faced Officer approached the neighbour bed and the lights came back on." The question was raised why I, a Nogoll can tell you what to do." He paused a moment." I have the right because you give it to me. No one here was drafted or forced to join. Any of you might at any time quit. You can get up right now, walk to the Dorm Supervisor and say so. You receive the pay you earned and a ticket to wherever Space Buses go.
"Look around you, you will find members of almost every civilization within this very dorm. You will eat, sleep, fight and if necessary die together. You are not human, not Klack or Shiss or Garbini or Nogoll you are now Union Fleet. We will fight if necessary to the last breath, but we are not the Marines. We will give quarter if quarter is asked. We will honor the flag of truce and we will treat our enemies
with respect. Prejudgement and racism will not be tolerated. An enlisted man may hate an enemy; you will not base your judgement on anyone enemy or friend based on emotions or assumptions but on facts. This is our creed and our oath: A Cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor discriminate against another sentient on the basis of origin, sex, creed, religion or racial differences."
Again the lights dimmed and he spoke to the cadet who had asked the question." I am aware that my species was and is an enemy of the Union and it is quite likely that Union ships fight with Nogoll ships right now. While it causes great sorrow to me I will follow any order given. If you have charges or accusations against my character or conduct you are welcome to bring them forward."
"No Sir."
"Very well then, sleep well!"
Interlude: Nogoll
Ealy Sluper, commandant of the 28th superb battle group was certain he witnessed the end of his species and he wondered what he could possibly do to prevent that. He once commanded over 200 of the finest Nogoll Battle ships. Shiny eight hundred meter giants, the very pinnacle of Nogoll technology with the finest equipment of other Galactic Council civilizations, now he retreated with eighty units form the Arlicherb system, barely escaping the terrible onslaught of Union power. Arlicherb Colony had been the pride of the Nogoll kingdom. It was once a beautiful world, the natives were willingly and gladly serving the Nogoll, like the Nogoll used to serve the Kermac. The Nogoll did not need to be controlled by Kermac Psionics, they were glad they had a powerful master with a plan for galactic domination. It was a shock to the Nogoll to be suddenly expelled from the Galactic Council, just because of a small mistake the Commandant of the 56th made. Not that he even could be punished for it, as he did not return fighting with the Dai Than against the Union.
The Kermac had abandoned the Nogoll and unlike the Union the Nogoll did not have instantaneous communication, it took weeks for the news to reach every Nogoll world and ship. It was not Captain Erberbs fault as he questioned and then attacked a convoy of Union Freighter Ships approaching theInos System and an Elly World
Elly world he thought were Galactic Council he did not know that things had changed. The Elly always had an eye on the entire Inos System a source of dispute between the Nogoll and Elly for many centuries. The System almost equidistant to both the Elly and Nogoll home worlds sported not one but four rich garden worlds in addition to three rock worlds especially rich in boron and rare earths.
While both the Elly and the Nogoll were Galactic Council it was no problem, the Kermac decided rightly in favor of the Nogoll and gave the Nogoll 4 planets and the Elly got three. The Elly were under Psionic control anyway and were allowed to mine the rich earths for the Nogoll.
The Union however took this as welcomed excuse to retaliate with such excessive harshness by attacking all Nogoll forces in the system and orbital bombing two of the colony worlds that the Nogoll First Billie had no choice but to declare war against the Union.
It would be a short war, Ealy was sure of that. Even with the combined might of all GC allies it would have been difficult, but standing alone against the Union was nothing short of self inflicted genocide. One of his aides had handed him the latest intelligence report. While the Nogoll were fighting for survival, this conflict barely made the Union News!
Of course they could do the same as the White fur Nogoll did many years ago and join the Union, but that was not his decision to make and as long as the First Billie and his government told him to fight he would do so to the very end. He was certain that Sreal of the Itsna Dynasty, the current first Billie would never consider Union Membership; he was an Itsna through and through, proud, stubborn and narrow sighted.
He wondered how his four Nannies on Arlicherb fared. Would they try to fight, commit suicide or be slaughtered by Orbital Assault Marines?
His heart cramped and he wished he could stay and fight to the last ship, but he had to be a commander and warrior first. Regroup in the Ontbe-System where the rally point of the Nogoll fleets was. Ontbe was the last of two systems before The Nog, their home system and place of the holy mountain.
Sluper had no delusions, he knew The Nog could already be attacked by Union forces, but he knew the enemy. They were methodical they would attack Ontbe and Erba before taking The Nog last. The Nogoll would try to make the assault on Ontbe so costly that the Union would retreat or ask for a cease fire.
Once more he glanced at the Intelligence report. It was actually simply a Union Fleet News report, printed out over Trans Light Fax intercepted from the Elly, who still used the same communication technology as the Nogoll.
Sluper always thought the TLFAX was an enormous technological achievement, able to send reports and messages over 20 light year distance in only eight hours, until he heard that every Union citizen could talk to anyone else in the Union, send pictures and data over any distance instantaneous.
He found the first mention of the Nogoll war on page eight of the report. It read: After the Nogoll attack on Union assets, ships and civilians in the Inos System and the Nogoll declaring war against the Elly and the Union it was decided to let new newly appointed Rear Admiral deal with the Nogoll. Even though there are voices in Union Fleet command criticizing the decision to commit almost two percent of Union Fleet assets to the fray. From his vacation on Para-Para, the Immortal Admiral Stahl however expressed full and complete confidence in Admiral Flegel's abilities to deal with the Nogoll and use the opportunity to test new equipment in battle conditions. Fleet Command agrees this to be a perfect opportunity to test the new Gazelle Long range fighters and the new Cerberus XI robots. First reports on the new Orbit to Surface cluster bombs are very satisfactory.
Commandant Sluper crushed the pages between his didn't even take this war serious! The Nogoll would disappear forever, wiped of the galactic stage by a giant and sold out by another.
Sluper turned to his Helm Officer, "Set course to Kermac Prime! Signal the course change to all remaining ships and go to full speed."
Then he said to his tactical officer."Prepare the planetary bombers for launch as soon as we reach Kermac Prime. The Nogoll will die and vanish, but not without making those pay who sold us out!"
Chapter 17: Auditorium
I felt I just went to bed as they woke us and gave us what I felt way too little time to get bathed and groomed.
But Neo Vikings were early risers and having warmed almost hot water for shower and hygiene was actually a new experience for me. Even though the shower stalls had privacy screens, seeing human girls with nothing more than a towel entering the hygiene cells was quite something.
"Cadet Olafson don't just stand there and stare, there are others that need to use that cell!" One of the even here present Instructors barked. I nodded and was glad he wasn't a telepath.
He added."I am Olafson, almost all Instructors are. "
I cursed and felt the blood rush to my head. He no longer paid attention to me and reprimanded a gorgeous girl with copper colored skin and dark green hair." The timer said eight minutes shower time, not eleven, get moving!"
After a breakfast conducted with the same formality as the dinner the day before we were assembled in a large room to receive our first instructions.
It was almost like being back in Basic School, only on a much bigger scale. The class room had room for at least 200 beings and it filled up to the last seat. The students tables were arranged in a half circle fashion on rows of tiers, much like in a theatre. My table neighbor was the Non Corp. He now wore like everyone else, a dark green uniform; his was completely sealed and before the tight fitting hood, he still wore that gold plated mirrored face plate.
Down below in the center of the room was a lectern and behind it a large field screen. It showed an animated image of the flag of the United Stars of the Galaxy: the stylized white spiral arm galaxy on a dark blue oval field and four red and three white vertical stripes. I knew the three white stripes symbolized the three founding species Terrans, Saran and Pan Saran. Th
e four red stripes represented the four civilizations that have joined in the first decade of its existence namely the Ult, the Saresii, the Vantax and the Garbini. The color scheme was taken from the original United Terra Flag and the white Spiral arm galaxy used to represent the M-0 Galaxy, but with the expansion into the Andromeda Galaxy and other extra galactic areas it meant to represent all Galaxies with Union Members.
A repeating text message ordered us to find a seat and remain quiet until the instructor would come at 0700 hours. There were still eight minutes to go.
I was amazed by the diversity of beings in green uniforms around me. Even though humanoids were in the majority, there were no blocks. Humanoids and non humanoids shared tables.
The female computronic voice of the Non Corp said." You are the human asking me about my name in the line before the Auto Dressers are you not?"
I nodded."Yes that was me!"
"I am still learning to differentiate human shapes and facial features. You are human and you are a male, right?"
"Yes I am human and I am male. You are female I gather?"
"No I am not. My species has no gender. I wonder why everyone thinks I am female."
"It is your voice, it sounds female."
"Oh that would explain it. These containment suits come with the voice modulators built in. Since I am non corporal I don't have ears and the concept of acoustics and sounds are very new to us as well.
"So you really live on the surface of a star?"
"My family used to, but we Non Corps occupy not just the surface of a star, besides it is very hard to define the word surface on a sun in the first place. It's more like layers of many surfaces; we define regions in magnetic bubbles.
"While I came into existence on our star, my family moved to Bright Shine Station to be more integrated Union citizens as it is very important to us to do our share. I have not really lived on our Star for very long."
"I wonder how it would be to live on a star."
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 238
