“Alright, listen up because I won't repeat myself!” The same organizer from yesterday called out, stepping up onto a raised stone platform at the back edge of the area, next to a wooden facsimile of a helm. “My name is Instructor Garcien, I will be in charge of your daily lessons. This is Instructor Penbrook, who is in charge of Medic services.” A feeble man with a well-trimmed beard stepped up beside her. “Instructor Weavir, who will be conducting regular Religious services each week after lunch on Holy Day.” A robust man with warm eyes stepped forward. “And Instructor Tyrell, who will be in charge of your daily Fitness services training.”
My breath got stuck in my throat as the cliff-side creep joined the lineup. So he had been lurking somewhere nearby. At least now I knew his name.
“If you hear the horn again,” Instructor Garcien held up a massive Starshell to her lips, blowing into the apex. Another low piercing blare echoed through the outpost. “It means immediate emergency assembly for everyone, in this courtyard.”
The 'horn' had a whorled conical shape, and it tapered from a wide base to a narrow curved end. It was the most giant Starshell I'd ever seen, and the first I’d seen up close. And it wasn’t just me.
Henrik’s eyes fixed on the horn.
“Barracks are that way,” she pointed to the right, “And vacancies for you guppies are marked with yellow dye on the doors. Do not try to enter any door without that dye on it, it’s occupied by us, your instructors.” Her gaze skimmed over all of us. “You're getting a rare opportunity today, the chance to make a significant choice, your new roommate.”
Surprise smacked me. Choices were largely discouraged by the Ascendancy. Why would they allow trainees this privilege?
“There are exactly one hundred of you, so everyone gets one roommate. Yes, everyone, and yes, one roommate each.” Her voice hardened. “No, we don't care who you bunk with. We don't even care if you switch roommates midway through training, so long as everyone involved agrees to it. But fighting won’t be tolerated. With anyone, including them. Start a fight, and you're out of the Voyager training.”
“Woo, the old Kraken's got teeth,” Henrik murmured. An involuntary shudder went through me.
“Don't have your roommate figured out by eleven today, you're also out. We don't waste time here, so don't waste ours. You want to become the future crew of Arcs? Then prove it.There will be a midterm on the first day of the new month, in two month’s time. We will be testing your physical limits, your ability to work as a team, your intelligence. You will be judged on your performance during these tests. Anyone found lacking will be assigned to a new service.” I swallowed the growing lump in my throat. For Apostates like Henrik, Yeshar, and I, reassignment was unlikely, if not impossible. We'd be more likely to be sent back to the Reformatory, or worse, the Devourer.
A light drizzle of rain began to fall. I held my hands out, embracing the weather I hadn’t felt on my skin in years.
Instructor Garcien wasn’t phased in the least, and Instructor Tyrell didn't appear bothered either. Instructor Weavir tried to shelter himself with his hands, while Instructor Penbrook crossed his arms in annoyance.
“Privy is that way,” Garcien pointed to the right, “Along with the Library, where the galley would be on an Arc. There is a natural spring pool behind this door.” She gestured behind herself to where a captain’s cabin would be on an Arc. “With limited access once a week per trainee, for hygiene with a sign in log. Fitness facilities that way,” she pointed to the left. “Including our Brig and Medical center,” a shift in her hand indicated two other doorways.
“Voyager training will prepare you for unforgiving environments filled with hostile forces. It will be intense, and so will the injuries from it. Meals are served out here, with a side serving of whatever weather the Devourer sees fit to share with us. Meals are served at nine, noon, and five. If you miss a meal, it will be up to you to find your own food. This is a service training facility only. That means no guests in the form of friends or family, no conjugal visits, and absolutely no parties. We run a tight ship here,” the corners of her lips quirked upward at her own joke.
“So no sweetstalk nectar, gambling, or other chicanery. Your lessons will start here, every day at sunrise. Training will begin each day at one. Failing to show up will be penalized. You each have two sick days, use them sparingly. Being a Voyager is an honor, but it’s an honor you'll have to earn. Not everyone here will become one, so don't get attached until you've graduated. See you all today at eleven.” She stepped down from the podium, and I did another sweep of everyone in the courtyard.
Yeshar gave me an unnerving flat stare, hands clasped behind him. My gaze skedaddled.
There were plenty of potential female roommates, and I knew what Henrik was going to suggest before he opened his mouth.
“Well, should we go find a new dorm room together, roomie?”
“Not happening, ever.” Scooping up my bags, I stepped away from the wall and blew him a mocking farewell kiss as I pulled one over my shoulder. “But I'll see you at noon for lunch.”
“Wait,” he called, reaching down to rummage through his bag. He pulled out a narrow wooden box, sealed with thick rope. “Do me a favor and hang onto this for me until after the final exam?”
“What’s in it?”
He grinned, “It’s a graduation surprise.”
“For little old me?” I sketched a swoon, taking the box from him. It was heavy. Giving it a little shake, whatever was inside didn’t make any noise. He must have padded it.
“Just keep it safe, alright?”
I swiped droplets off the top, shoving it into my already overflowing bag. “Sure.”
I headed toward the rest of the trainees, ignoring the steady spray of rain pelting my head.
Several of the women were already pairing off and chatting with one another.
“Hey you, blondie.” I paused, turning to see the same wolfish dark-haired woman who had dropped a man off the wall yesterday walking toward me. “Want to bunk together?”
So you can knife me in my sleep?
“No thanks,” I shot back, turning away from her mocking smile.
