The Second Cycle of Time-Chapter Four

From: Cheryl Baumgartner(C Baumgartner, Posted Date: Jan 17th, 2011

“Lowen, Thank you for coming so soon.” Tortha greeted his friend. 

“It sounded as if you had something of great importance to discuss with me.” Lowen said as he eased into the chair across the table from his former commander.

“Yes of extreme importance.  I want you to come back to the school as an instructor.  You have been working with the researchers on the Dragon Fighter Program.  I want you to take over as instructor of the returning Junior Pilot cadet class.”

“I get the feeling that there is more to this than just wanting me to teach.”

“I’m afraid so.  You remember my sister Nira?” The headmaster asked.

“Of course, a very sweet woman.” Lowen answered.

“The problem is her son, he’s in that class.”

“Is he a problem child?” Lowen questioned.

“Not in the way you mean.  Kai is smart.  Too smart for his own good at times but it’s not Kai that is causing the disturbance, It’s Dumi.  He’s had it in for Kai since Kai’s first day.  Kai doesn’t suffer fools well and Dumi is determined to make a fool of himself where Kai is concerned.  If you act like a fool Kai will take the opportunity to make you look like a fool.

I of course cannot allow the authority of an instructor to be undermined by a student, so if I don’t come down on Kai it will be seen as favoritism.”

“Let me guess, Dumi is taking every opportunity to act like a fool.  He’s holding a grudge against the mother and taking it out on the son.  She should have had him fired from the school instead of having him reduced to instructor status.” Lowen remarked.

“Yes Kai behaved himself admirably last year, but Dumi takes every opportunity to display his resentment.   Kai has not invited Dumi’s rancor and has put up with it over the course of this past year. Then he once again made Dumi look a fool on the last day.  Dumi berated the class instead of praising them for their performance in the exercise.  And I was dragged into the middle of things again.”

“Well is the boy worth the trouble?” Lowen asked.

“Kai qualified for solo flight status with the ministry at the age of 11.  He’s got more solo flight hours under his belt than half the pilot instructors.  Kai was the one who came up with the battle plan the class used in the final exercise. 

More importantly the boy can fly anything you put in front of him within an hour or so.  He can look at a transport and give you an accurate report on structural stress limits, and the maximum and effective tolerances of the craft.  He can tell you how far it can travel laden and unburdened.  He’s worth the trouble.”

 

The class was lined up outside of the dormitory awaiting Dumi’s arrival.  They were surprised to see the Headmaster heading their way accompanied by another man.  “I’ll leave them in your capable hands.” The Headmaster said turning to leave.

The man looked at all of them closely before he spoke.

 “My name is Lowen.  I am taking over as your instructor.  As you know, all of your names have been submitted as candidates for the Dragon Fighter program.  I worked very closely with the developers in the early stages so I know what it takes to be a part of the program.  I intend to pass that knowledge on to you.

For that reason things are going to be much different than they were under Dumi.  For one thing I believe in giving credit where credit is due.  You were among 1000 young men from all over Brunnis that applied to the school.  Out of that 1000, only 300 made the cut to get accepted.  Out of that 300 the 30 of you had the highest scores on your entrance exams.  That is quite an accomplishment.  You are all intelligent young men and I don’t intent to insult your intelligence.

I intend to treat you like men and not children.  That means that I expect you to act like men and like the warriors that you will become.   I’m dividing you into squadrons.   The Squadron leaders will be Kai, Jute and Denon.  The three of them are already certified for solo flight status through the Ministry of Flight.  Kai has First Squadron, Jute has Second Squadron and Denon has Third squadron.

As Squadron leaders you are responsible for your men.   I think that the three of you can handle the responsibility.  Men understand that as Squadron leaders these men are in charge of their squadron, they have the authority to make decisions and give orders.  Don’t give them any grief.

Today we are going to get to know each other.  I’ll be meeting with each of you individually. For now get your gear stowed.  Squadron leaders in my office.”

 

 

“Grab a seat gentlemen.  I want to clearly explain to you my reasons for what I am doing and what I expect of you.” Lowen said as the three teens settled themselves.

“You are all experienced pilots in spite of your youth.  The Dragon Fighter program needs pilots not just warriors, just as the naval forces need sailors.   The environment a pilot is expected to fight in is different from the environment that a warrior or sailor must be prepared to fight in.  The Dragon Fighter program is going to put warriors into a completely different environment.

With the strides being made in interplanetary trade we now realize that there is a weakness in Brunnis’ defenses.   We patrol our oceans, our land and our airspace; our galactic frontier however is unguarded.  The Dragon Fighter program is being developed to address that weakness.  The best men for the job will be pilots.  Being a pilot means that you must understand the concept of spatial thinking.  All of you have your solo flight certification.  I expect you to work with the men under your command to help them get their certifications.  I want everyone certified before the end of the year. 

The researchers will be here this afternoon to take DNA samples from the class.  They want to get started growing the first fighters. You will make sure that all of the men give samples.

I’m counting on the three of you.  We have much to do and there will be times when I cannot be standing over the men, the three of you will be in charge.  I also understand that the three of you have become friends. 

I’m going to encourage you to strengthen that friendship, I’m changing room assignments.   The three of you will be roommates.  I want the three of you to become one unit.  Get to know each other to the point that you can finish each other’s sentences. 

I’m going to talk to each of you individually now and give you the list of men in your squadron.  I’ll start with you Kai.”

 

“This will be a big change from Dumi.  Thank the Prophet.” Denon said.  “Dumi had it in for you and anyone who even spoke to you Kai.”

“Let’s not speak of Dumi.  The incoming cadets have to deal with him now.”  Jute said.  “So we are going to be trained as the first generation of Space warriors.”

“You’re already a couple of space cadets.” Kai retorted.

“That makes you the Chief Space cadet , my friend.” Jute said as Denon snickered.

“I would have to be to be friends with the two of you.” Kai agreed, and then grew serious.  “How are we supposed to be Squadron leaders we when haven’t got a clue of what we are doing ourselves.?”

“Yeah, we are the ones blazing the path.  Meaning we are the ones that will screw up and get blamed when things don’t go right.’ Denon said.

“There’s an old proverb among the nomadic tribes. ‘The tallest man is not the one who knows that he is right.  There is no courage when the rightness is established before you.  The tallest man is the one who does the best that he can and has the courage to make his way to what is right.’” Jute said.

“Jute why can’t your nomadic tribes for once have a proverb that is simple and clear instead of giving me a headache trying to figure it out?” Denon groaned.

“So we just do the best we can?  Is that it?” Kai asked.

“It is all we can do.  We have each other to confer with.  We discuss what we are going to do before we do it.  We agree on everything together.  That way we all take the blame together.” Jute said.

“Then we all share the credit too.” Kai said.  “No one person takes credit for anything, it’s a team effort.”

Lowen cut the monitor feed from the Squadron leader’s room.  He had made the right decision.  They were already working together.