The next morning it was bright and early. The new flyboys and flygirls stood in the docking bay of the Speciour Knights. It was much like the docking bay much like the one when they landed on Elegan Ventura with its length and seemed to go on for miles. The launch runways were on the opposite sides of most of the sector knight jets. This docking bay looked cleaner no mechanics were working this morning.

  Lathan looked at admiration of the design of a sector knight, it was the wings were not as long as Hawken described, but had were thick and looked strong, Lathan looked at the weapons with four pulsar cannons two on opposing sides of the wings and two missile launchers on the sides of the cockpit. The nose was straight, the boosters at the back which had three nozzles and Lathan looked at the Galactic Fleet symbol on the sides of the cockpit. He looked at the name of the side of the sector knight.

  Captain Thernright came out from an elevator door and walks to the front of the flyboys and girls. Everyone stood firm and saluted Captain Thernright who saluted back. “At ease everyone. This isn’t infantry.” Everyone laughed. “My name is Captain Nathan Thernright,”

  Nathan I never knew that Lathan thought.

  “And I am one of the captains of the Speciour Knights. You all are here because you are the future. That you are all the best of the best. That you want to do something about the world and affect it in a positive way.” He looked at Lathan especially after that sentence. “I know you’ve been looking at the ships and yes you will fly them.” many gleam with smiles when Captain Thernright said that. “I have to warn you that flying being part of many squadrons and being part of the Galactic Fleet will become an arduous task. There will be many long journeys to other solar systems, to other galaxies, but if your will is strong and you remember all you have learnt in training then I promise you, that you will make a difference. That you will be the best. Let’s get started.”

  Captain Thernright started with the general knowledge of flying sector knights, showing the basic controls, using the steering, the lightbreaking button, firing multiple weapons. This was all on the first week. He gave each student a manual where they had to study each night for testing on every moment. the manual with it’s cover of the symbol of the galactic fleet and title The Guide To Your Sector Knight Fighter was everyone’s best friend for the coming weeks, every morning Captain Thernright tested the students and every time it was Hawken was the first to raise his hand or to volunteer to be an assistant for any task that Captain Thernright put to the class.

  Other days they had to study about battles from the past, classes were alternated by Kayla and Elena. The classrooms was nice and clean and more modern there were no wooden chairs like Bridgeport clear plastic chairs and tables were the norm.

  “The war of the Falconen was the war which changed the fate of all.” Elena said. She had a real presence in class and everyone could not take her eyes off her. Her character traits came through more and she was far more accessible then Lathan thought she was. Elena spoke to the students with respect; she had confidence, but also warmth. “I only graduated her two years ago. I’ve flown on many missions and now I’m teaching you guys. I’m only nineteen.”

  “Why aren’t there any older teachers?” a call comes from one of the students sitting near the back.

  “Most of the older pilots are now part of the government or part of the Galactic union with General Blake. They make newer students take part in teaching so and this is me being honest,” and she looks around and everyone including Jaden laughs. Jaden who didn’t like her was starting to warm up to her, “they want to make sure that we don’t forget about our training. What’s a better way to do that then to teach people yourself?” everyone in class laughed. Lathan looked at Jaden who looked at Elena who gave him a glance and then looked at a book. Well that could be something Lathan thinks and he’s sure that Jaden might be thinking the same thing.

  Kayla was an altogether different character in front of the class, she was more awkward and much more nervous in front of the class, at some points babbling her words, giving longer pauses after sentences and she would sweat far more then she normally would. Lathan would bail her out by making sure he asked the right questions and that any of her silences did not last longer by giving her nods or by saying something that he naturally assumed would be the next thing she would talk about. It was bad on the first week, and by the fifth week she was still as uncomfortable. On the times they had met after class Kayla sitting down at the wreck room looking at the valley and the sun passing down the mountainous distance she complained about quitting and each time Lathan had to talk her out of it.

  “I know you can do this Kayla. You just have to work on it more.” Lathan said reassuringly.

  “You think so? You honestly think so?”

  “I do.” He said playfully nudging her.

  “I just hate that uniform. It’s really constricting.” Kayla said talking about the shirt, blazer, skirt and shoes combination that was the Galactic Fleet official uniform all of which apart from the shoes black and shirt white was navy blue. “I don’t feel comfortable in it.”

  “So you feel more comfortable in a combat wear or Knight Uniform?”

  “Yes,” she screws her face and looks quite embarrassed, “does that make me weird? I mean girls my age; most girls don’t dress like me. Oh my god it does make me weird.”

  “Hey it doesn’t. I like your dress sense.” Lathan said and Kayla looks at Lathan and goes a bit red. “I think you look good in your uniform though.” He nudges her, “you do Kayla.”

  “Thank you Lathan.” She said and moved closer to Lathan. “You know whenever I get nervous in class I look out for you.”

  “Really?” Lathan asked seriously in shock.

  “Yeah I do. I mean I guess you have that calming affect on me. I guess.” Kayla said somewhat sheepishly and looked to her boots once again. Both stay silent. Another awkward silence between the pair.

  “I remember something that you told me and I wanted to refute it.” Lathan said.

  “What was that?”

  “You said to me that I didn’t see you fly. I did remember when you flew us to Speciour. I saw you fly. I thought you were a natural. I really did. I just hope I could fly the way you fly.”

  Kayla takes a deep breath and holds his hand. She looks at his hand admires it like it was a beautiful painting or any evening sky. “Captain was right about you. You are special Lathan Thorne and I know that you will be a great Speciour Knight.”

  Lathan felt a great guilt. Something in his heart wanted to tell Kayla about his dream about her, but her beauty penetrated his rational thoughts and every time he saw her his heart skipped a beat. For solace Lathan remembered what Zenden said about how this could all be in his mind. That there was no truth to it. Lathan looked upon the light reflecting on her face and kept his thoughts to himself.

  Many more weeks past and the prospective knights went on simulators, boxes with cockpits fitted in with working equipment and large screens. The simulator did large flips and span around in angles going one-eighty and three-sixty degrees. Most of these simulator runs made some flyboys and girls sick and threw up as soon as the simulations were finished.

  It was the main timetable, studying about past wars and tests about ships docking rules on land, water and in space on space stations. It was class then simulation, class then simulation.

  Lathan also noticed that over students ones who were hear maybe a year or two older then him kept on looking at him. Anywhere he was at they would stop, stare and mutter to themselves. For the first couple of weeks that really annoyed him walking past some of the whispers of other pilots or members of tactical intelligence who also reside at Knight Central. Lathan was going to confront some of them when Kayla told Lathan that everyone knew his last name. Lathan at first was confused when she said that then he remembered my father.

  “He was such a legend Lathan. People up here they know what he did, how much of an important part he played in the last great war.” Kayla said talking to Lathan in the canteen with Elena and Zenden.

  “Yeah your father Lathan, everyone round here knows about him. His record for the first flight speed record which was only beaten by Starzancer two years ago. That was held for like fifteen years and many great pilots have tried to break it. He’s a legend here and most people are overawed by the fact his son is here.” Elena said.

  Lathan looks at her and smiles. Zenden also looks at Lathan and then Zenden for a moment and then carries on eating.

  “Don’t take it personally. I mean do, because it’s your dad, but you know? You’re carving your own name into the stone.” Kayla said touching his arm ever so gently.

  “That was very apt.” Zenden said looking at his food.

  “Agreed.” Lathan said and whispered to her ear, “thanks.”

  “Your welcome.” She whispers back. Both exchange smiles and Elena taps Zenden shoulder. Zenden nonchalantly shrugs his shoulders.

  Lathan and Zenden are both studying their books. Both were sitting on the long settee straining their eyes at the words on the page. Both were there alone as Hawken was at the library and Jaden said he was going to the library. So in reality he was near the girls’ locker rooms they both figured. Zenden then out down his book and yawned. He looked at Lathan staring hard at a page on lightbreaking and on the dangers of it.

  “You nearly done?” Zenden asked.

  “Just trying to cram everything in my head that’s all.”

  “Jeez who knew learning how to fly was going to be such an arduous task. Turbo boosters, twin pulsar fire, missile locking, lightbreaking, it’s too much. I’m actually eager to just fly.” Zenden said rubbing his forehead. “Have you thought about it?”

  “Thought about what?”

  “You know flying?”

  Lathan takes a second to think about this. He gets to the opinion that he hasn’t really thought about flying as much as he should. His main thoughts lay upon his uncle and their past and future, his thoughts on Kayla and the emergence of feelings for her and his utter contempt and burgeoning hatred of the Lord Knight. Someone who Lathan was has been thinking of quite a lot lately. “I have...I’ve just had other things on my mind that’s all.”

  “Like a certain Miss Starbright I presume?”

  “Yes your presumption is correct.”

  “Why don’t you just ask her out Lathan? I can see she clearly likes you. I even think you know she likes you. Why don’t you do it?”

  “You know why Ze. You know.”

  Zenden sighs and places a hand on Lathan’s shoulder. “We’ve spoken about this. You don’t know if it’s going to happen or not. It could all be in your dreams.”

  “The dreams feel real Ze! They feel like some sort of premonition!”

  “It could be that, but how can you be sure?”

  Lathan stands up in frustration not of his friend’s questions, but of the situation. He puts his hand at his sides. “I just know,” his voice quietens, “that every time I’m with her. I feel this guilt. That I’m keeping this secret. I want to tell her everything, like when those assassins attacked and she was falling that I saved her with magic. About these dreams and that I think about her nearly every minute.”

  “Then my friend. Why don’t you tell her? And let her decide her feelings.” Zenden paused. “I know the feelings my friend. I kept things inside me with Marcella,”

  Suddenly Lathan felt that feeling of guilt inside him again.

  “And how I kept those truthful feelings in my heart, but I took a shot and dived into the deep end Lathan and now look at me. I’m with the girl of my dreams and I’m happy. Happier then I’ve ever been and you can be too.”

  Not fair Lathan thought damn her for doing what she did. I almost forget about her. I will get in contact with her soon.

  Lathan sat on his bed and was reading the book of magic again. He became fascinated with the history of the mystical arts and how something so good could also be something bad. That created divide between normal humans and the ones who practise and harness the mystical arts. It was then he thought of the Lord Knight. It was at night he thought of what he would do faced with being who showed such contempt and hatred to his natural parents slaughtering them. Lathan thought of the images that Captain Thernright described, tall, powerful, protected by a shield that contained him. That magic could be flowing through his veins too. That Lathan wanted to see him and wonder if he would be filled with fear or filled with fury. Lathan barely practised any commands that he knew, but looked upon commands that could bring upon a devastating death like the one that called the Encross on Mr Casey’s video. Instead he looked at passages detailing history and fate of such command including one which caught his roving eye.

  Such is the power of the arts that some can separated by regeneration. Some beings of true power can come back from the brink of life’s end and renew said life or the life of a loved one. Only a person who carries an important place in being who practises the art’s heart can be saved by a command set across the touching of life-forces, by the touching of skin passing along the renewal of life. By only those who have true power.

  Lathan looks around and Zenden sleeps near. Lathan clears his mind and wills on that command. Do I know this? Do I…suddenly two words appear in Lathan’s mind like a distant memory emerging from cloudy recesses in his mind. Alreaon Elifelong… Lathan switched off the night light and lay on his bed somewhat excited by that command.

  By the time morning came Lathan awoke with a sense of renewed vigour and decided upon some things, that he was going to speak to Marcella and get an actual date when she was going to tell Zenden of her betrayal which was long overdue mind, he was going to speak to his ‘father’ and talk to him finally about issues regarding his past and he was going to tell Kayla about his dream and about his feelings for her. All before for the first flight tomorrow morning. Busy day ahead.

  Lathan was dressed in galactic fleet wear with black boots, dark green trousers and thin white jumper, then wearing a thin dark green jacket and was about to have breakfast when Hawken came through the door looking very excited. Everyone else just looked confused. “He’s here!” Hawken shouted.

  “Who’s here?” asked Lathan.

  “Your hero Lathan, Starzancer! He’s back!”

  Lathan did not need to think twice. “Where?”

  “Should be on the ground floor. Come on! A crowd has already started to form!”

  They all ran out went to the elevator which doors opened fast. It took only a couple of seconds to get to the bottom. Lathan actually never noticed that was another level on the lift under basement there KE…wonder where that goes? The doors open and people can be heard cheering. “Come this way!” Hawken said barrelling past other pilots and spectators all clambering around the entrance. The four go up to the stairs on the eastern side of the ground floor and get to the middle of the steps high enough to actually see anything. They did not have to wait long.

  A tall, dark haired man walked in with both arms aloft and everyone started cheering. Siran Starzancer was epitome of the modern man, good looking with striking looks, built like an new Olympian with a jaw chiselled to perfection, his deep blue eyes reminiscent of the formal wear of the Galactic Fleet and tall around Zenden’s height and a build to make any male fleet member jealous including Jaden Sparrious who looked at him with an envious gaze.

  Female stood aghast at his excellence and Starzancer knew it. He played up to the crowd especially the females, his pearly white and immaculate teeth gleaming, winking at the baying crowd. His entrance was like heavyweight boxer popular feeding the power of his supportive crowd. They love me. I’m the man…I really am… this is how it should be…. All clapping for me... Starzancer thinks to himself as calls of “SPEECH!! SPEECH!!” ring around the main hall. They want…and I shall give it to them. Starzancer takes one graceful leap up to the top of a ledge and stood in front of the crowd. Lathan looked at him with admiration. He just couldn’t believe he was in the same floor-space as his hero.

  Starzancer raised his arms like an emperor of the old world checked in history books as one so powerful that slightest movement of his hand was of instant reply and command. This was Siran Starzancer and this was his empire. Everyone quietened down and murmurs were heard. Starzancer looked at his fans and nodded. “Everyone. I thank you for all your support. This is indeed a great honour.” He said with his New Connecticut accent spilling through. “I know that many of you were worried, but those Encronians wont take me without a fight!”

  The crowd cheers.

  “I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW KNIGHTS!! IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU AND THE ADMIRATION YOU GIVE ME THAT KEEPS ME GOING!!” Starzancer screamed with rousing approval from the crowd. “I thank you all. I thank you for everything!”

  The crowd go into raptures including Lathan while Zenden doesn’t seem all that impressed. Starzancer leaps down the ledge shaking hands. Lathan runs down the steps and through the crowd and reaches his hero. He reaches for a pad in his pocket. Starzancer looks at him and Lathan notices how tall he actually is. Taller then I thought. Wow. Lathan looks wide-eyed at Starzancer who takes his pen and smiles at Lathan. “And your name is?” Starzancer asked.

  “Lathan, Lathan Thorne.”

  Starzancer looked at him and almost double checked. “Sorry? Can you repeat?”

  “Lathan Thorne.”

  “Thorne eh?” Starzancer said taking a thoughtful look for a couple of seconds and then flashes those pearly whites and signs to my greatest fan you can be like me. Just work hard. Siran Starzancer.

  Lathan took the pad and pen back and looked upon it like a gold medal. Starzancer places a hand on Lathan’s shoulder and patted it. “Thank you!” Lathan said with childish excitement.

  “You’re welcome Thorne!” Starzancer smiled and then moved along.

  Lathan himself couldn’t move embarrassingly rubbing his shoulder like he was touched by a higher power. Hawken ran down. “Oh my god! He swapped dialogue with you!! Actual words!”

  “Yeah and he touched my shoulder too! Look closer you could still see his hand print!” Lathan said and Hawken looked down at his shoulder almost searching relentlessly for any print.

  Zenden and Jaden walked down the steps as everyone else followed Starzancer to the right. Both don’t look too impressed. “Ze,” Jaden asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “You think Starzancer’s better looking then me?”

  Zenden stops in his tracks. He is shocked that Jaden would even ask him that type question. “Don’t ever ask me that type of question again.”

  “Why not?”

  “BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT A GIRL!!!”

  “Okay.”

  They walk on.

  Lathan was still enthused internally walking into the videophone room on his floor. Unlike the videophone room on the barracks which was far larger, this room was smaller, but each booth was more spread out. There was more space and looked like anyone on the phone could have far more privacy. Lathan went in and sat down. He wasn’t looking forward to speaking to Marcella, but knew that his keeping of her betrayal was weighing heavily on his mind amongst other things. He dials her number and Marcella’s beautiful face comes on screen. Beautiful, but false Lathan thought. “Marcella.”

  “Hi Lathan.” She said with some tiredness, not actual tiredness, but the fact that she did not want to speak to him either. It was that clear to see.

  “Look, I’m going to cut to the chase. When are you going to tell Zenden about the kiss? It’s been two months now!”

  “There hasn’t been a right time Lathan!” she said raising her voice. She stops and calms herself down. “There hasn’t been a right time. He’s so excited about flight training and he’s happy….I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to break his heart.”

  “You should’ve thought about before you kissed that guy.” Lathan said with piercing coldness. “I told you if you don’t tell him. Then I will.”

  “Look, please you have to give it time. Give me time. He’s so close to graduating. Don’t make me break his sprit now.”

  Lathan takes a couple of seconds to think about this. “Okay.” He pauses, “What about this guy? He’s still in the picture?”

  “No, no I promise you Lathan. He is not in the picture. I told him that my heart was with Zenden.”

  “I don’t know how I could believe you Marcella.” He said again with cold undertones. He then checks himself I’m not that type of guy. I’m not that cold. “I don’t mean to be harsh Marcella,” he said looking at her sullen face, “I’m not that guy, but I just need him to know soon okay?”

  “Okay.” She said close to tears.

  I’ve got to end this quick. Cant be guilt tripped anymore. “See you soon.”

  “Bye.” She said and her image comes off the screen almost immediately. He sighs and rubs his head. He then takes dials another number. His uncle’s unshaven face comes up on screen. He looks tired, but not as weak on the previous calls. “Hi…Julius.”

  “I am….I am still family you know?” Julius said with craggy voice.

  “I know.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “How are you Lathan? How is training?”

  “I’m…I’m okay. Training is okay, I mean it’s great and all. We fly out properly with sector knight fighters tomorrow.”

  “You must be excited.”

  “Yes I am. Can’t wait.” Lathan said and there is silence between the two. Come on you have to talk to him about this.

  “I am tired Lathan. I need some sleep, but I will speak to you soon okay?” Julius said stroking his chest.

  “Okay… I’ll ring you in the week. Please rest okay.”

  “I will. Goodbye.” Julius said and came off the screen.

  Lathan slams down the phone and rests his head on the screen. Damn him.

  Lathan went to the gym; he knew this was where Kayla would be. The gym was large floor space with the usual exercise equipment. Many pilots were working on the muscles abs, legs biceps and triceps. There was also a large TV screen at the far side of the room showing the news about raids near the western belt of the galaxy.

  Lathan walked though and saw Kayla on the punching bag. She was slamming effective hooks to what seemed was the mid section of the bag with power grunting every time she threw and connected. Lathan stood and looked at her, it was another different side of Kayla Starbright, she could not see him, but he could see her. The intense look in her eyes, sweat pouring down every frame of her upper body, her muscles for someone so young defined. She clearly enjoyed her rounds at the gym as she switches styles and starts ramming knees to the same section of the bag taking a kickboxer’s stance. She stopped when male fleet members went past and she spoke just like them adopting a more masculine pose, hugging and shaking hands with them.

  Lathan had seen this side of her before on most time they hung out here she would act more masculine them him with her speech towards men which in turn at times gave Lathan an inferiority complex about himself. Though Lathan guessed that Kayla Starbright felt more comfortable in the presence of men and not easily lead like the way of some girls. Kayla Starbright was a fighter comfortable in the role of tomboy in acceptance amongst the male populated world of the Galactic Fleet Speciour Knights. Then why does she act so differently when she is around me? Lathan thought as he walked up to her. “Hey Kayla.”

  Kayla stops her punching and looks at Lathan smiling. She wipes the sweat off her brow and picks up a towel. She then looks embarrassed and almost covers her face. “Hi…hi! Lathan I didn’t expect to see you. Are you okay?”

  Lathan notices that her voice raised an octave or two. “I just need someone to talk to. I thought of you.” No stuttering. I’m impressed with myself. Nice Jaden like line too by the way.

  She smiles and does her usual things looking down at her feet. “Thanks. I’m free to talk. Meet me by the deck outside the canteen in around ten minutes I just you know have to,”

  “Oh yeah, sure okay. I’ll see you then.” Lathan said as she waved at him and run off into the direction of the gyms locker-rooms. Lathan again noticed that she acted much more like a girl when she was around him. He also remembered why he wanted to speak to her. The good and the bad of it. Don’t know how I’m going to do this.

  Jaden was sitting down at the library in around the third floor. The library at Knight Central was large, five floors in height and several feet in with in each floor. With screens in front of each floor indicating each sections of the library for fleet history, aeronautics, grand legislations and much more the sheer wealth of information was legendary apart from the grand library at Elegan Ventura that is. Jaden was sitting down on a table; he had his books and was in front of a computer of course this was his hunting ground for girls with more substance. He looked at a couple of girls some bookish and quiet indeed not his usual type, others who looked they come from rich stock and carried themselves around with class too much class actually like they knew they where they came from and how much they were worth. Jaden kept a look out until he saw someone who made him duck from his seat. Elena walked in with her bag going into the section for war histories of the fleet and she then stopped. She looked back and turned to Jaden’s direction. She can see him ducking on his chair walks to him. Jaden sits there sitting up suddenly knowing he cannot avoid her, but he’s still frustrated great now she’s coming. She’s going to ruin my flow. Girls won’t look at me now because now she’s here. Umm, she does look good.

  She sits down confidently, brushes her back and places her bag on the table. Her bag was clearly New Peninsulan made with leather straps with the emblem of the cross on the strap New Peninsulans are very religious.

  “You didn’t ask if anyone was sitting there.” Jaden said.

  “I didn’t need to.” Elena said confidently. “I can see quite clearly that you are sitting alone.”

  “Since you’ve followed that one through, May I ask what is the pleasure of your company?”

  “Yes. Here I am doing an intervention. I have been noticing you have carried some sort of resentment to me and I believe I have played a part in doing so. So here I am intervening and trying to find a resolution between the two of us.”

  “So no third party?”

  “Don’t need one. We’re both mature to bang it out ourselves….and no rude comments.”

  “Great.” Jaden said slamming onto the table.

  “Did that hurt?”

  “I did actually. Ow.” Jaden said rubbing his hand. They both laugh.

  “I’m sorry for my part Master Sparrious. I did not mean to hurt you in anyway, but…that line was,” she pauses, “searching for a word here; atrocious. There you go.”

  “Great apology.” Jaden said sarcastically.

  “Of course.”

  “Then I apologise then. For such an atrocious line. If was to come at you with something better.” Jaden said moving forward flashing his gums like Starzancer.

  “Then you master Sparrious would be going through a delightful bout of wishful thinking. I’d ask you stop before you get lost in your wishes and crash back into reality without a clue.” Elena moved him back. “You think you’ve got it all don’t you?”

  “No, but I’d like to think so.”

  “Well at least you are honest Sparrious. That is a good trait.” Elena said and she stood up once again.

  “Wait you’re going?” Jaden now said surprised.

  “Yes alas I have important information to gather. I have to go down to Elegan Ventura with Captain Roselyn. Fleet busiss.” She leans in closer. “If you are looking more vacant girls then I would advise you go to the second floor. Those girls down there are easily lead. If those are the girls you are looking for master Sparrious.” She said before flashing an impressive set of teeth and leaving Jaden speechless which is something that does not happen often.

  “Something with hidden meaning methinks. Oh Miss Santana, you really want to play with me?” he said looking at her form as she goes into fleet history section. “This is duly noted.” And he gets up and goes to the second floor.

  Lathan was at the deck in front of the canteen. The deck overlooked the lake south of Knight Central. The reflection of the fading spring spanned for miles. There were some people sitting on tables outside feeling the fresh air. Lathan felt since day one the difference between the barracks and Knight Central. At the barracks he could not admire the hills as he could at Knight Central that everything was far more relaxed here. People here were far more gracious even though they still had their little cliques around Lathan felt far more at home here. Still his own thoughts would drift into different channels splitting in his mind. Julius, his birth parents, Zenden and Marcella, the Lord Knight, his abundance with the mystical arts and his feelings and fears for Kayla. All too much for seventeen year old.

  Lathan looked at the evening sky once again feeling drift of air passing through faint wind. Faint, but he could feel it stroking his face just the same. Lathan hadn’t thought about a plan to tell Kayla this double header, but he just figured that he would just roll with it and let fate take on the situation. Kayla came walking through wearing her usual easy clothes comfortable grey top with hood, brown combat trousers and trainers. “Hi Lathan.”

  “Kayla.” He said and he realised that his palms were starting to sweat. He put his hands in his pockets and asked “You want to sit down?” his eyes went past her and went to a table nearby.

  “Sure.” She said and they both sat down on the table on opposite sides. “What do you need to talk to me about?”

  Wow. Just like that. Was that fate or just her? “I…I haven’t spoken to you in a while.”

  “We spoke like yesterday.”

  “Yes, but in space time that feels longer.” WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!! Are my hands in my pocket? Lathan looks down and sees that they are good cause I’m sweating a little fricking pond in my hands right now.

  What is he getting at? Kayla herself thinks why is his face so funny? She looks at Lathan was clearly agitated. “Are you okay Lathan?” she asks with some trepidation.

  “Yes! Yes I’m fine I’m okay. I’m just nervous that’s all.” Wait.

  “Nervous? Nervous about what?”

  Wait I just didn’t say…

  “Oh I get it. I know why you’re nervous Lathan.”

  She does? “You do?”

  “I was nervous too, when I had my first flight, but once you get into a sector knight fighter. You’ll feel the pressure come straight off.”

  Oh “Oh. That’s what you think I’m nervous about.” Lathan said relieved.

  “Isn’t it?”

  What? Oh why do you keep putting yourself in it? Putting your foot in your mouth! Good response! Good response! “Sorry?” oh that was slick.

  “What are you nervous about?” Kayla asked what are you nervous about Lathan?

  “I’m nervous about tomorrow. My mind has been playing weird tricks on me. I just hope that I can you know do really well. This is what I’ve been waiting for.”

  She sits back nodding. Bad liar Thorne. “I know you’ll do fine from what your test scores on your simulation results show is that you will be a success in actual flight plus from what I heard you didn’t throw up once.”

  “Well you know my skills on a rydercycle.” Great I covered that one up nice and smooth. Nice and smooth.

  “I do. You know I’m going to be there tomorrow so just in case you get nervous again.” She said and both smiles and look down at their feet as usual.

  “Thanks.” He said smiling at her before looking down at his feet before he could meet her eyes.

  I’m going to find out what’s going in that brain of yours Lathan Thorne. He does look cute when he’s agitated… “It’s getting late and you’ve got your flight in the morning. I’ll take you back to your room.”

  “Isn’t that my job?”

  “Nope.” She said getting up laughing while Lathan still with his pockets in his hand gets up and goes in front to go and open the door to the canteen being a gentleman for Kayla. Instead his hand still greasy from sweat slips off the surface of the handle and slams his forehead into the door. “Oh my god,” Kayla said as Lathan looked dazed as other from the inside looked at him. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah I’ll live.” He grimaces more of embarrassment then of actual pain.

  Captain Roselyn sat in her desk looking at Star maps. She looked at them seriously thumbing her chin and concern in her eyes. A knock on her door. “Come in.”

  Elena enters. She smiles nervously. “I’ve got those maps you asked for from a week ago.” She passes the maps in capsules and the Captain looks at them.

  Captain Roselyn looks at the green dots around the map that she was looking at before and the map which Elena just gave to her and was clear of any dots. “Nathan was right.” She said to herself.

  “Anything wrong Captain?” Elena said with concern.

  “Sit down Corporal.”

  Elena sits down.

  “The Enemy is moving to the west. A large fleet. Superiors are keeping this quiet. I guess because of Thorne. You know him?”

  “I know him Captain.”

  “How is he? As a person?”

  “He’s great. Just a great guy. Well liked here Captain.”

  “He hasn’t flown yet from my estimation of how the training is up at Central, but if he flies anything like his father,” she pauses and laughs, “then the enemy won’t know what hit them.”

  Elena laughs nervously. She was in total awe of this woman. Captain Roselyn one of only a few women who flew in the great war of the Falconen.

  “How are you doing Elena?”

  “I’m okay. Wondering if any battle may come or not. I’m enjoying teaching the new flyboys and girls, but I’m….I’m…”

  “Wondering if you can measure up in battle?”

  Elena nods.

  “Trust me Miss Santana. I’ve seen your stats. You will measure. I can see that you will play a great part in the future of this world.” Captain Roselyn pauses and looks at Elena with serious gaze. “I was young once. There were only three of us fighting with the men. We had to work hard, work hard for us to gain their respect. Most of my friends were and still are married and having children.” She paused once again and looks off into her own personal space. “I gave up a lot Miss Santana, but I knew what I was meant to do. It is important for us as women to not sit in the sidelines and not play a part.” She smiles. “I think what Diana, Annalyn and I did all those years ago was something truly good. There are twenty or so female pilots and the number is growing.”

  “Diana?”

  “Diana Richter, but you will know her as Diana Thorne mother to Lathan and Annalyn Striker. Two of my best friends. Both….both are gone now….I’m what’s left of the famous three….” She looks at Elena and smiles. “You and Starbright are the new breed of female pilots. You’ve got a great tradition to keep.”

  Elena smiles nervously fumbling in her seat. She is so great. I’m not even half the woman she is she thought watching Captain Roselyn staring at the star maps and scratching her head in frustration. That’s my hero.

  Captain Thernright stood in front of the Sector Knight Fighters at the docking bay. He looked at everyone and looked proud. Everyone looked like they buzzed and primed, ready to go. “This is it.” he said. “Once you complete your first run without I hope any incident. You will become Speciour Knights with the official acceptance ceremony being tomorrow afternoon. Now today is for you to get grips with your fighters. Feel its movements, learn the grooves and moves. Feel the power of your weapons. As you know there are two runs one of course just to fly with manoeuvres testing and then to shoot targets. These of course will be at the same time. Your shooting test will be in space. Now remember there are also the records to break. Both owned by Siran Starzancer. One for fastest first flight in which you test your manoeuvres of course which you have to fly through rings through and across caverns and fly back to docking in record time and your shooting task in which is the amount of target beakers you can shoot in the time allowed, both are owned by one of the great and he is great, but both can be broken.”

  Lathan’s heart was beating with excitement. He could wait to be in the fighter as it reminded him of his beloved rydercycle at home only that it was five times bigger, a hundred times faster and had eight weapons on it. Yep I’m going to love this.

  Lathan watched his friends fly up in the air and waited in anticipation. Hawken did very well on his posting 5min 15sec on his manoeuvres test. The fastest so far. Second was Zenden joint with Jaden on 5mins 22secs on their times, but was still way off on Starzancer’s record of 4mins 17secs. The closest since then was Kayla’s at 4mins 23secs. Lathan had plans to blow those records away.

  Lathan climbed onto his Sector Knight fighter. The leg room was just right, the straps came on his chest and locked him in automatically. Lathan typed in his registration code and placed his right hand on sensor on the right hand side and the computer said Thorne, Lathan. Lights flickered on and Lathan put on his helmet strapping in it in under his chin. He looked at compoboard in front of him and his heart skipped more beats. The speedometer was on zero, lightbreaking range was effectively on, a map of the docking bay appeared on screen and his weapon count was on full. He also looked at the ships energy capacity. Full.

  The top came over and locked in. Lathan looked in front and flicked a switch. This released the holds of the sector knight and started to float up. I’m moving. The sector knight made a whirring noise as it floated and rose to be inline with the exit tunnel. Lathan looked to his right and saw his friends giving him thumbs up, he saw Captain Thernright nodding and smiling and Lathan knew he was willing him on. Lathan looked at Elena and Kayla both smiling; Elena gives him thumbs up. Kayla just looks on and smiles. She closes her eyes for a second and nods. Come on Lathan you can do this.

  Lathan nods at the both of them and then looked up grasping the steering controls and stroking them. He feels them and closes his eyes as he can hear Captain Thernright barking out “ON YOUR MARKS GET SET,”

  “Time go down the path.” Lathan said as kissed the chain that Kayla got him for his birthday and he gripped the controls.

  “GO!” Captain Thernright screamed and Lathan pushed forward on the steering controls and blasted upwards going through the exit tunnel in a matter of seconds.

  The blue sky was ahead of him and Lathan was flying at speed he could barely take and yet almost instantly loved. He swooped across the clouds speeding forward then diving down and then going up again. He screamed with joy as he went left then right before seeing the first of the yellow rings he had to pass through. It was several feet down in the clouds and Lathan dived down and went through the ring with ease then another ring was ahead now several feet up from the last one and Lathan lifted the controls and went through the ring without touching any of the sides which was an automatic disqualification. The next ring was right down below of the second ring at an awkward angle.

  Alright you can do this Lathan swooped down and had to veer to his right at the last minute. Come on!! Come on!!! He flies in taking the fighter in a forty five degree angle and flying through the third ring. Lathan then sees the forth ring in front of a cave. Here we go! Lathan lies into the cave through the forth ring and speeds through tight spaces through cracks and jagged rocks sticking out of the cave left then right left then right keep it up steady Lathan told himself as sweat pours down from his brow as he was travelling at speed going through the cave.

  Then a wall of rock is in front Lathan heads towards it in great speed I’ve got to time this right!! Lathan gets right close and then pulls up on the steerer and flies up the wall and through a waterfall on the other side. He flies out of the waterfall and past the fifth ring upside down and he sees another line of rings which were heading back to Knight Central. The rings were at the near mountain tops so Lathan had to avoid hitting those as well. Lathan guided the fighter through rings each them he went through passing the mountain tops with his wings untouched and unblemished. Confidence grows in Lathan and he does an one-eighty spins as he travels forward flying side to side spinning in the air passing around the mountain tops and going through the rings which was six in a line and he feels comfortable doing such a dangerous things, but he has never felt happier. Lathan heads towards the final ring which was in front of the entrance tunnel for his fighter he had to time this right as he had to fly past the ring at speed, but also slow down to enter the tunnel safely. Lathan pushes the steerer and the speed goes faster diving down 240, 250, 260... Lathan flies past the ring cutting the air slicing it with efficiency; he then pulls the steerer back slowing down as he enters into the tunnel. Lathan could hear the cheers as he pulled in and the automatic docking controls take over. The fighter turns and slowly starts to land. Everyone is clapping and cheering. I didn’t, did I? The fighter docks and Lathan flips the hold switch back up. The straps unlock and the top of the fighter slides open. The clapping and cheering become louder now. Lathan takes off his helmet. He looks Kayla who cannot hide her excitement. He then looks at Captain Thernright who smiles. “Congratulations master Thorne. Four minutes exactly. A new record.”

  Lathan cannot help but punch his fist in the air and screamed with the top of his lungs. He looks at his friend who all whoop and clap. He looks at Zenden and mouths thank you. Zenden just nods and smiles. He then looks at Kayla and mouths to her thank you. She mouths back to him “you’re welcome. I knew you could do it”. His smiles fade a little as she acts so very sweet to him once again with that underlying thing to tell her hanging around in his head. No don’t let that get you down now. Not now.

  Lathan was again sitting down on the sector knight fighter. He kissed the chain again. This time a communicator comes through his helmet and microphone comes near his mouth and a one wraps around his ear. “Lathan. Now this one is also about time, but mainly it is about your accuracy with your weapons. The amount of shooter beacons you can take out and also in the quickest time as well. Pressure’s on you now you broke one record now you can break two more. You should enjoy this pressure. Remember to unlock the weapons you just flips the caps on the tops of your steering controls for the missile which you will not use and you can feel the buttons on the other side of the steerer as you finger shoulder be able to squeeze the buttons. Can you?”

  “Yes,” Lathan feels the buttons and presses them. The fighter was not on yet thankfully, “Captain. Buttons are operational.”

  “Okay Thorne. Fly up to space. Remember it get rocky from atmosphere transference for your first time so don’t worry it’s just your first time. You’ll get used to it. Over and out.”

  Lathan typed in his registration code and placed his right hand on sensor on the right hand side and the computer said Thorne, Lathan. Lights flickered on and Lathan put on his helmet strapping in it in under his chin. The seatbelt straps came on and the top was already on. Lathan flicked the hold switch down and the ship rose. Lathan pushed forward as the shutter doors opens and he flew out of the tunnel faster then before. Lathan was both nervous and excited. He had indeed put pressure on himself beating the first flight manoeuvre record and now how to show his worth on targeting and accuracy. He was also excited to be flying in space for the first time all at the age of seventeen.

  Lathan flew higher and higher and up into the clouds. Lathan took some time to appreciate the thickness of the clouds. The swirling of the mist across the skies and he thought of heaven for some reason and his parents how they must have travelled up through the clouds and he felt good. Soon enough the ship started to shake a bit, but Captain Thernright’s words repeated in his head and kept him calm.

  The clouds became thinner and dispersed as Lathan entered out of the atmosphere of Speciour. Stars were ahead and the sound of air now disappeared. Now the faint dim of space could be heard. Lathan had seen space before of course he had never driven before. He was never in control. Lathan flew above the planet. Lathan had taken all its majesty and looked at how large the lands were. He flew around the planet went to a large space station around between the light side and the dark side of Speciour. The space station called Speciour One was large and looked more like a one of the large cruiser ships. The stations had several tiers for large ships the highest tier for smaller royal or federal ships, the middle for Speciour knight fighter ships and the bottom tier for the large cruiser or cargo ships to dock and refuel. Lathan saw other fighters docking in from other tests. It was where the rest of the students were and Captain Thernright, Kayla, Elena and it was rumoured Starzancer was there as well as his friends.

  Lathan flew past the station and the Captain’s voice could be heard once again. “Okay Lathan are you ready?”

  Lathan kisses the chain once again better to have a good luck charm then not he thought and replied “Yes Captain.” He then flexed his fingers and caressed the shooter buttons.

  “Then it starts now.”

  Lathan moved forward with the steerer and switched on the turbo boosters and also flipping the switch for the weapons turbo boosters activated. Weapons activated the computer spoke and Lathan launched forward going away from the planet and out into the space. There was a ring in front of him, it wasn’t yellow, but flashing red and Lathan flew through the ring and was immediately met with pulsar fire coming ahead from the right hand side. The shooter beacons looked like small satellites, but were armed with two pulsar cannons instead of solar panels and communication devices. Lathan swerved to his right avoiding the fire.

  You got this. Take it out. Lathan swerved to his left and tapped the shooter buttons like a prospective girlfriend on a first date, touching not too hard, but just enough to know that you were there. Two shots fired and hit the beacon destroying it. Lathan then flew over the through the fire went upwards and through the second ring. Shots come from the left and Lathan has to swerve out of the way and he can see third red ring coming close. Lathan turn to his left and faces the beacon head blasting it into space. He then does a sharp turn to the right and goes through the third ring. Shots now come from both side and Lathan spins away from both. Lathan sees both beacons coming towards him on either side. He’s got to think fast. Lathan then pulls up on his steerer and flies upwards as the beacons blast into each other’s path thus destroying each other. Lathan does a three-sixty spin and dives down towards the fourth ring and sees the shooter beacons coming from below. He blasts it as he passes through the fourth ring. Lathan then see another line of shooter beacons coming along the line of red rings and all are pretty much level apart from some being either slightly lower or higher then the other. Lathan takes a deep breath. You can do this. This… This is nothing.

  Lathan flips and spins through the rings and fires at the same time hitting the first beacon and going through the first ring then the second killing the second beacon right down to the tenth ring and the tenth beacon. Lathan then flies through the ring destroying the last beacon on that line and immediately is thankfully that he didn’t eat before flying today. Then he faced what looked like ten, twenty maybe even thirty shooter beacons heading towards him covering all space what was in front of him. He looked at his targeting screen which then went in his front window and every beacon was targeted. Targeting screen initiated. Engaging targets.

  Lathan fired at will avoiding fire as much as he possibly could causing as much destruction and as little destruction as he possibly could. Lathan barely paid any attention to the time as there was no timer on his ship, so all he cared about was destroying every single beacon across space. Lathan then flew high up and took out ten with two shots and then blasted the last five out of space. Lathan turned and flipped pushed the two pedals on his feet turbo boosters and pressed on them hard. Lathan flew through space heading to the last ring with great speed passing it then pulling up to slow down before flying past Speciour One.

  “Well,” Captain Thernright said through the communicator and Lathan could hear clapping again, “You can hear me? You did it Lathan! You did it! You hit and destroyed all shooter beacons in five minutes and thirty eight seconds! Well done Thorne another two records to your name!!!! Come to Speciour One! Well done son! Well done!”

  “Yes sir!” Lathan said almost wanting to scream again. “I DID IT! WHOO! I DID…” Then it dawns on him. “I beat Starzancer’s records. I beat them. Frick.” Lathan said to himself as he guides himself into the docking stations of Speciour One and flies through the tunnel. As he lands and he can see other students running out. Lathan docks and he jumps out of the ship and his friends are first in line.

  “That was amazing!!! I can’t believe you did that!!! It was incredible!!” Hawken said and gave him a hug.

  “I know! I don’t know how I did that! I was lucky!” Lathan said.

  “No way,” Jaden said hugging his friend after Hawken, “that wasn’t luck that was skill! Like me in the girls locker rooms. Aint that right ladies!” booing comes from the many girls around. “Hey you know it’s true!”

  Zenden then comes to him. “That’s the Lathan Thorne I know. Always a success and you knew it too.”

  “Thank you Ze.” Lathan said and they hugged as Lathan was getting pats on his back and hugs from other students.

  Above in the command centre Captain Thernright sat down and looked at the video footage of Lathan’s run. Elena was running out of the room to congratulate Lathan while Starzancer looked for a second with his arms crossed and nodded to himself. He looked at Lathan and nodded. He then walked out. Kayla smiling looking at Starzancer’s depressive face and said “It was nice while it lasted.”

  “Shut up Starbright.” Starzancer said with sneer walking past Kayla and she giggled. She then looked at the captain staring at the screen eyes not blinking. She walks up to him and looks at screen.

  “Who would have thought it huh?” She said looking at the great moves Lathan did with his fighter. “I knew he would do well Captain, but to break all records? Unforeseen.”

  “I knew it.” Thernright said eyes firmly locked on the screen. “I knew or I should have known it. That he would be the best. I mean he is the son of the best who ever flew….I mean look at him Corporal. Look at how he flies.”

  “I know. He can do amazing things with a sector knight. He’s a natural sir.” Kayla smiled.

  “It’s more then that Kayla. He flies like him.” Captain Thernright said finally looking at Kayla. “He flies just like him. Just like his father.”

  Kayla looks at the video footage again and watches the moves that Lathan does. It is truly amazing the captain was right again she thought as she looked down at the docking bay and Lathan being congratulated by Elena.