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“When will the next presidential ball be?” Jackie asked Samantha as dessert was served.
“I think it’ll be the bon voyage party for the Artemis mission,” Samantha replied, looking at Marc for confirmation.
“That’s right, we’re targeting first of October to head out, so the ball will probably be in late September.”
“I think you’re crazy to go to Artemis; it’s going to be like roughing it,” Jackie said.
“And we all know how much Sam likes to rough it,” Blake said.
“Oh, it won’t be that bad,” Samantha said. “We’ll be able to stay on the Sakira until we have adequate accommodations on the planet. But just think, every day we’ll be doing something that really makes a difference to the colony.”
“Is everything going to be ready?” Jackie asked.
“The Sakira just got back from testing its jumpdrives,” Blake said. “The Paraxeans are already loading her up for their trip to Mangkatar.”
“So, they’re going to go first?” Jackie asked.
“Only seems fair. They’ve been waiting a long time,” Marc said. “And they’re a bit more prepared than we are.”
“Really?” Blake asked.
“They don’t need to recruit,” Marc said.
“Oh, yeah. They just need to wake them up.”
Chapter 13First Week of Classes
“Hi, I’m Yvette LeClair,” the tall brunette introduced herself to Catie. She had a French accent to go along with the French-sounding name. “I believe I am your roommate.”
“I’m Alex MacGregor,” Catie introduced herself. “And welcome.” The Academy required roommates to be in the same class. Since Catie was a second-class cadet and Joanie was a third-class cadet, they had had to change roommates after Basic.
“Thank you.”
“I don’t think we’ve met before.”
“No, I was in Alfa Squadron,” Yvette said. “I’ve seen you around, but we’ve never been in the same class or training exercise.”
“Oh, so you have previous academy experience,” Catie said.
“Yes, I was at the French Naval Academy,” Yvette said. “I got sick my junior year and had to withdraw. I came to Delphi City to get treated, and when they opened the Academy, I applied.”
“Did you take time off after Guatemala?”
“No, I just got here; we were the last squadron to go through that final exam. I can still smell that mud. I wanted to burn my uniforms and everything else from Guatemala.”
“I know how you feel. Well, you’ve got the right side of the room. Do you need any help getting settled in?”
“No, though I appreciate the offer. What’s your major?”
“Aerospace engineering,” Catie said.
“Nice, I’m doing computer science. Math is not my best subject, but I do great with set theory and pattern recognition.”
“You must have had to take a few core classes that required math at the French Academy.”
“Sure, but I really had to work at them. I have a more artistic bent, so those classes weren’t as fun,” Yvette said.
“How long have you been in Delphi City?” Catie asked.
“Eight months,” Yvette said. “I was diagnosed in December and came out here in February, then stuck around after I was cured.”
“What did you do?”
“I worked for Vancouver Integrated while I was waiting for the University to open. The Academy was a nice surprise.”
“Vancouver Integrated, they’re the ones that make our Comms,” Catie said.
“Not anymore, they spun that division off.”
“Oh,” Catie said, although, of course, she knew all that.
“Are you new to Delphi City?”
“I spent a summer here with my parents. My father was working in one of the construction crews. But I’m from San Diego, California.”
“I see. I’m from Nice, PACA,” Yvette said.
“PACA?”
“Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, what you would think of as the French Riviera.”
“Sounds nice.”
“You’ve never been?”
“No, but it’s on my list.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“I have to go see the commandant,” Catie said. Yvette was still arranging her things in the various drawers and the closet.
“I hope you’re not in trouble.”
“So do I. I’ll see you when I get back, maybe we can go have dinner together.”
“Bien sûr, au revoir.”
Catie made her way to the commandant’s office, wondering why she was being summoned again. Hopefully, the commandant was just checking in, but Catie was afraid it would be about Hoffman.
“I’m here to see the commandant,” Catie said to the aide who was seated behind the reception desk in the outer office.
“One moment, please,” the petty officer said as she signaled the commandant.
“Have a seat, the commandant will be ready for you shortly.”
“Oh, great, she’s going to make me sweat,” Catie thought as she sat down to wait.
Five minutes later, the aide announced that the commandant was ready for her, and Catie went in.
“Cadet MacGregor, reporting as ordered.” Catie snapped to attention in front of the commandant’s desk and saluted.
“At ease, Cadet. Please have a seat.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Catie said as she sat down.
“I just have a few questions following up on our earlier meeting,” Commandant Lewis said. “How are you and Cadet Major Baker getting along?”
“Just fine, Ma’am.”
“He gave you a glowing report on your training in Guatemala.”
“He did?” Catie said. She wasn’t surprised since their squadron had been one of the few that had made a successful attack against a defending force during the exercise.
“Yes, he did, and several of the squadron’s Flight leaders submitted separate reports, several recommending you for commendations.”
“I think everyone in the squadron performed exemplary during the final exam,” Catie said.
“What about Cadet Lieutenant Hoffman and Cadet Lieutenant Boutros?”
“They didn’t participate in the exercise.”
“No, they didn’t. I see they were dismissed by Cadet Major Baker for holding an unauthorized martial arts exhibition where a Cadet Sanchez was injured.”
Catie stared ahead, “Here it comes,” she thought.
“Cadet Hoffman has been asked to leave the Academy, Cadet Boutros was demoted and allowed to stay. What do you think of that?”
“I think that’s probably the right call,” Catie said.
“Why?”
“Cadet Lieutenant Hoffman was the instigator. I doubt that Cadet Lieutenant Boutros knew what he was planning.”
“And what of Sanchez?”
“He didn’t do anything but follow orders,” Catie said.
“Even the order to break your arm?”
“He said that he knew he wouldn’t be able to do it,” Catie said. “I give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“You do? Do you think we should
