by West, Edward
“No way...this sucks.” Zach said, wiping his face.
He stared blankly at his schedule and sure enough there were no afternoon classes. Zach was sure that if he were a cadet, he would much rather prefer Combat Theory in the afternoon, during mandatory meetings, than in the morning. Either way using a class as an excuse was out of the picture. He went through a stack of memos and his heart jumped.
“That's it! How could I have forgotten?” he asked.
Student Crew Try-outs were starting right after lunch, and he was the chairman of the Student Crew program here at the academy.
“Swag.” he said with a grin.
-24-
Every hero needs a sidekick. Whoever thinks that this might be true probably did not have Corrigin O'Hare in mind. Far from perfect, Corrigin is just trying not to be worthless. He always has good enough grades to be average, and in Physical Education he's moderate at best. He never gets picked first for dodge ball, but somehow doesn't get picked last. It's not that he lacks the potential for greatness or that he doesn't care enough to apply himself, he just excels at being ordinary. Which is actually quite normal, and that was the problem.
Desiring a bright and successful future for their son, Corrigin's parents enrolled him in Arbalest Military Academy, a learning institute with a major emphasis on ship to ship combat and technology. Corrigin felt his parents never gave him enough attention. He is the middle child between his little sister, who is a musical prodigy, and his big brother Alan. Alan, the genius inventor. So Corrigin guessed that his parents shipped him off here to keep him out of sight, not like that was entirely hard to do anyway.
Like any other kid going to a new school, Corrigin was curious and did a search on Arbalest Solar Academy. The posts on the cadet forums were startling to say the least. Rampant bullying, snobby cliques, impossibly hard classes, and mean teachers awaited him. He thought to himself “I'm screwed.”
When he went to plead his case to his parents they simply stated this was normal for a school like Arbalest Solar Academy. When he insisted that this school was a particularly bad case, his parents told him that he was being irrational, which was perfectly normal behavior for a boy his age. Corrigin came to the conclusion that normality sucks.
-25-
On his first day of school at Arbalest Solar Academy Corrigin walked in ready to be chewed up and spit back out. Here comes the new guy, Mr. Fresh Meat. He had been standing at a water fountain, waiting for his next class to start, when it happened.
An upperclassman approached him with a sneer on his face and asked “Sup dork?”
Corrigin got the impression that this guy really didn't want to know what was up, but still replied “Oh, you know man. Just waiting for my next class to start.”
The upperclassman cracked his knuckles and asked “What's the matter loser? Cat got your tongue?”
“I er wait... What?” Corrigin asked confoundedly.
The upperclassman moved passed him and grabbed a student that had been standing behind him.
“This'll be a slaughter!” said the upperclassman as he began to wail on the unfortunate student.
“Holy cow dude!” shouted Corrigin, and he ran off to find an instructor. The one he did find appeared mildly interested to the news of a cadet being pummeled, and indolently said he would write a report.
Class wasn't any better. When he had the answer to a question Gin would raise his hand, and each time the instructor would call on another cadet. He tried standing up and raising his hand, only to have the cadet behind him called upon. Finally he tried walking to the front of the class and putting both hands up, and yet again he was not called on to answer the question. He wasn't even told to go back to his seat. Such is the fate of the hopelessly plain and normal.
After a week of many similar situations Corrigin felt as if he were a ghost. He came and went as he pleased, often taking unannounced bathroom breaks during class. He had to bring his finished assignments to the teacher's desk, and since his papers were not returned with the others he had to collect them himself. Oddly enough his papers were graded despite his overwhelming obscurity, and for his efforts he received B’s as usual. During lunch he would fix his own tray, taking whatever he whatever he wanted to eat. Extra fries? Word. Endless salad bowls? Just like it says on tv. Seating was never a problem, as he would sit wherever he pleased without so much as a passing glance. Today with the cool kids, tomorrow with the outcasts. Hold on, he's got lunch with the jocks on Wednesday. Ghosts were like the depressing VIPs of the lunchroom.
One day Corrigin found himself in the library when he should have been in algebra. In his defense, he had already taken all of the notes and turned in the assignment of the day before wandering aimlessly into the hallway. The selection of books in the library impressed him. Wall to wall bookshelves, with material ranging from classic literature to present date technical publications on all sorts of military equipment, surrounded rows of many more packed shelves. He walked the aisles, browsing the shelves, until he came to the study area and stopped. On a table in the middle he found a series of complex hand written notes.
“Whoa...” he murmured.
A lot of the concepts and theories presented in these notes were over his head, but from what he could understand it seemed unreal. Could these have actually have been written by a fellow cadet? Corrigin began to get an unsettling feeling all of a sudden, like someone was watching him. He turned slowly and looked down to see a pair of alert vibrant green eyes peering out at him from behind red bangs. The owner of these eyes was a short and slim girl that appeared to be his age. Her dress made her look like a life sized Victorian doll, the ones which some people like to collect.
“Hello there.” she said in a soft tone.
Corrigin jumped back, and his hand almost slipped as it landed on some papers scattered across the table top. He did not expect her to acknowledge him at all.
“I was- I- I mean I was...” he stammered.
She looked past him at the table and said “By the looks of it, you seem to be interested in phase-shifting laser modules.”
Corrigin leaned back, squinted his eyes and asked “You can...see me?”
She giggled and said “Yes. Yes I can... and you're being just a tad creepy.”
Corrigin looked down and blushed furiously “I'm sorry!”
She moved past him and set some more books on the table “It's okay, you're forgiven.” she said “My name is Reveille James. I'm a researcher and member of LaCroix.”
“LaCroix?” Corrigin asked.
“An Elite Student Crew.” she explained and asked “What made you ask if I could see you?”
Corrigin took a chair from the table and sat down “Since my first day here no one has spoken to me, or much less interacted with me in any way.” he replied and added “It's been like I don't even exist.”
Reveille sat down as well, laced her fingers and stretched her arms out in front of her “It's been said that perception is reality...what was your name?” she asked.
“Oh! I'm sorry! My name is Corrigin O'Hare.”
She smiled and said “It's nice to meet you Corrigin. It's been said that perception is reality, so you need to make an impact. That way others will be able to perceive you- thus establishing your existence. Break into this world.”
Corrigin clasped his hands and looked to the side “That's good advice,” he said “but how can I make an impact? I'm just too... normal.”
She shrugged and said “Your curiosity in my notes has left an impact on me.”
Corrigin looked up with a smile and said “They're really cool!”
Reveille smiled back “Thank you! You should talk to my Captain.” she said “He has a... knack for leaving an impact on people. Plus he is very talented when it comes to technology as well. I think you'd have fun talking to him.”
Corrigin was starting to feel better about school since having met Reveille, and the idea of more people like her filled him with excitement. H
e didn't want to jinx it, but he had the suspicion that he'd make some awesome friends with cadets like these.
“Where can I find him?” Corrigin asked.
Reveille took out her smartphone and looked at the time and an irritated smirk spread across her lips. Despite not yet knowing why, Corrigin found himself afraid.
“Well. Seeing as he has calculus right now, he is probably in the arcade. Playing Time Crisis Thirteen.” she said as a vein bulged on her forehead.
Corrigin thought that this girl he had met in the library was the cutest girl he'd ever seen. Yet, he found himself very afraid for her Captain. Apparently he was slacking off, and will face a grim fate for doing so, Corrigin thought. Perhaps then it'd be best if he excused himself and reported back to algebra.
“It's been nice meeting you Reveille.” he said, standing up.
“My friends call me Revy.” she said, and stood as well.
Corrigin smiled “Alright Revy! I have to go now, I hope we meet again!”
“Likewise!” she said and returned the smile as she waved goodbye.
-26-
A few days later during science class, Corrigin wandered off to the bathroom. He had been staring out of the window while pondering whether his own obscurity, coupled with the completion of his classwork, justified cutting class. Just as he came to the conclusion that it was a moot point; the bathroom door burst open. Corrigin looked away from the window and saw several upperclassmen dragging a boy in. He recognized the kid from his Political Philosophy class. That's lame, he thought, they're probably bullying him because of his weight. Recalling the conversation that he had with Revy, he decided that he needed to say something. It was time to leave an impact.
Corrigin called out in a loud voice “Hey! Get off him!”
The lead bully looked around for just a second before resuming the business of pummeling this innocent cadet. It was happening again like it always did; Corrigin was a ghost who couldn't do anything. The stocky cadet let out a cry that brought Corrigin back to his senses however. It was like Revy said; he had to break into this world.
“I said leave him alone!” Corrigin shouted and strode forward to tap the lead bully on the shoulder.
That did it, because the lead bully dropped his prey and turned to face Corrigin. Likewise the other bullies were all staring at him as well now, sizing him up. He was finally being perceived, but not entirely sure that it was a good thing after all. Corrigin didn't have enough time to say 'oh crap' before rough hands seized him and slammed him against the bathroom wall. He saw the lead bully cock back his fist, and shut his eyes tight. This'll be a slaughter, he thought, and nearly laughed.
“I have to pee.” said a voice from behind the bullies.
“Shut up and go in the stall loser!” the lead bully yelled.
“I have to pee, and you're blocking the urinal I want to use. Do you understand?” the voice repeated in a patient tone.
The lead bully let go of Corrigin, who slumped to the floor with a thud. There was a look of rage on the bully's face as he spun around. Yet the rage quickly diminished and turned into a look of surprise mingled with fear. Corrigin opened his eyes to see who the voice belonged to, and saw that standing there, in front of the bullies, was an upperclassman just like him. His tousled blackish-brown hair touched his brow, which framed a pair of fierce dark brown eyes. A grin was on his face as if he had just heard a funny joke, and his hands were in his pockets, like he was simply hanging out.
The lead bully couldn't afford to back down. His reputation was at stake after all. He pointed a finger at the intruding upperclassman and yelled “It's Swift! TEAR HIM APART!”
The other two bullies sprang forward and the first caught an elbow to the gut, followed by a backhand as Swift took his hands from his pockets, and then a left jab to the face. He fell backwards, holding his stomach and mouth. Swift gave the other a punch in the shoulder area of his chest, sending him reeling. Swift took this opportunity to grab the back of his uniform and thrash him against a sink before heaving him into a stall, where he fell rear first into a toilet bowl. All that remained now was him and the lead bully.
“I won't forget this!” he threatened.
Swift gestured as if conjuring a spell and said “Your rage gives me magical powers.”
“Outta my way!” the lead bully shouted at Swift, who wasn't really in the way. However as he passed by, Swift jumped at him which caused the lead bully to slip and go scrambling out of the bathroom door. Swift turned his attention back to the two remaining bullies.
“You probably shouldn't run with guys like that. I mean, what did you think would happen?” he asked.
They grumbled and swore while getting up, but both apologized before leaving.
Swift then went to Corrigin and asked “You okay man?”
“Yeah dude, thanks to you!” Corrigin said with much gratitude.
Swift smiled and scratched the back of his head “Don't even worry about it.” he said.
“Hey, wait a minute. Didn't you have to... ya know? Use the bathroom?”
Swift cocked his head “Eh?” he asked.
“That's why you fought those bullies. Like twenty seconds ago.” said Corrigin.
“Oh! Nah. I just said that messin' around.”
Corrigin gave him a sideways look “So you just hang out in bathrooms?”
Swift hands made a slight gesture “No no! I was walking by the hallway when this kid came running up to me. He told me that someone was getting beaten up by bullies in the bathroom, and I said I'd check it out.”
“Oh...I'm sorry that you had to fight because of me.”
Swift shook his head “Nope. Those guys are troublemakers. If it wasn't you, it'd had been someone else getting whupped. It's actually a good thing I was able to put them in their place.”
Corrigin took a closer look at Swift's uniform, which actually wasn't a uniform at all. This guy wore a white t-shirt with a black leather jacket and some blue jean shorts. On the flap of his breast pocket were three pins. One, a pair of gold wings, Corrigin immediately recognized as being those of an Elite
Student Captain. The next pin was a number one, and the pin following that was a stylized cross with the letters L and C on either side of it. Corrigin had a hunch who this guy might be due to his conversation with Revy, the girl he'd met in the library the other day.
“Do you know Reveille James?” he asked.
Swift raised his eyebrows “Do I? Revy is a member of my crew.” he said.
Corrigin pointed a finger at him “You're the Captain of LaCroix, Leoric Swift!” Gin said with excitement.
Swift hunched and said “Ehh...Swift will do just fine. What's your name?”
Corrigin was a bit embarrassed that an Elite Student Captain saved him, being so plain and practically invisible “Corrigin O'Hare.” he said “Jack of no trades, master of none.”
“Ahhh I see what you did there.” Swift said and put his hands into his pockets as he walked to the door “Just find something that you'd like to do and give it your all. Can't really fault ya for that; as long as you try.”
Swift nudged the door open with his foot and walked out of the bathroom, leaving Corrigin to collect his thoughts on what to do next.
-27-
That night Corrigin thought about the past week. He didn't want to just drift through life as a ghost anymore. To be honest, he wanted to be more like Swift and Revy, and so he made up his mind. He was going to join a Student Crew.
The application process for the Student Crew program consists of a written test followed by a field exam. For the field exam, cadets are placed on a crew with other applicants that have similar scores on their written exams. The applicant crew then faces off against an existing student crew in simulated ship to ship combat, commonly referred to as an exhibition match. Since it is the same type of match as the kind held between Standard and Elite Student Crews, the same rules and scoring system apply.
With determination to p
ass the test, Corrigin hit the books like a steel hurricane, and for his efforts he scored above average on his written exam. However when it came time for his field exam; disappointment set in. As a requirement for the field exam, the applicant Student Crew must face a D-Rank Student Crew. Due to a database error, an incorrect number of D-Rank Student Crews was entered into the matchmaking pool. Corrigin's applicant Student Crew was the last one formed for the year, and and as a result there were no D-Rank Student Crews left for them to take their field exam against. However, if another applicant Student Crew dropped out or somehow became disqualified, then his crew would be able to take the exam. Given the odds, he would have to wait until next year and apply again. Corrigin's applicant Student Crew sat in the lobby and watched as their spirits sunk lower and lower; the matches going by with no drop outs or disqualifications. To make matters worse, an upperclassman, hell bent on acting the part of a troll, walked into the lobby.
“What's wrong kids?” he asked “Why so sad?”
Corrigin noticed a silver pair of wings on his uniform collar, and noted that silver wings meant Student Captain. The Silver Fifty Three next them indicated that this guy was a member of Student Crew number Fifty Three.
“We might not get to take our field exam this year.” A dark haired girl, another member of the applicant Student Crew, answered.
Captain Fifty Three smirked and said “That's okay. A bunch of baddies like you all never would of passed anyway.”
“What the hell?” asked an applicant Student Crew member with thick glasses “You don't even know us!”
“Uhh, shut up Goggles. Your collar is a bit too light weight to be yappin at me like that.” Captain Fifty Three said and popped his collar for emphasis.
Someone spoke up from behind Captain Fifty Three and said “Those don't mean a thing.”
Corrigin looked around the lobby. He thought he recognized that voice from somewhere.
