//------------------------------// // CH 15: A Brief Introduction // Story: Border Chronicles: Book 1 Friendship in Chaos // by Sirion123 //------------------------------// Chapter 15 Location: R-13 Farway Caelum, Cygnus, Belfiore Academy, BMUCS 2039 P.C.E. (Post Creator Era) Basic mechanics and understanding of construct systems, or B-MUCS as it was informally referred to was a bland box of a building. Muddy brown bricks, sprinkled scarcely with small windows that, at a glance, students could tell that what lit the interior wasn't sunlight. The purpose of this particular “A” school was to impart on incoming officers the basics on how the passive construct systems the powered the engines, propulsion, and combat capabilities of all modern Caelish ships. It was a fact, that the building was attended by primarily by the top houses and their respective subsidiaries. And in following Discord’s model, the hardest class on Construct formula and builds, held the top tier of Oaklandus and Volcain. Though for most of the class it was a boring, terrible experience, taught by LT Zook. Lt Zook taught the class on the Creatia Drive System (CDS), an extremely powerful construct engine that was often used to power the submarine forces and class two battle ships. The system was a brilliant blend of active/passive constructs that powered the ship by the imagination of the Creatia Drive Operator. The more creative the operator the more power could be drawn and used. It truly was an ode to the creators of Farway using the inherent magic of creation to be used in some fashion. That said, not every creative person could power the CDS. The marvel of science required some high level of intelligence to maintain the delicate construct. The CDS was broken down to two sub categories, large and small reactor types. The small type CDS’ were used to power the main batteries of the naval force, the means of power behind the five inch rail drivers on the destroyer class ships. Large CDS powered the propulsion systems for the submarine forces and the massive battle ship forces that compiled the Caelish navy. While the subject matter was of the class was, one of the most, compelling at belfiore, did not escape Twilight’s notice that it was taught by the most unimaginative instructor of the entire campus. Fillius Zook was by all appearances utterly average, standing at a height of 5 foot 8, medium build, and chestnut colored hair. In fact the only feature that belated his average appearance was his sharp hawk like eyes that missed nothing of what occurred in his class room. The only thing that belayed his average look we're his unique eyes. Gold irises with a green starburst pattern scanned the classroom determining who, if anyone, would be a problem in the class, marking them for more intense scrutiny. Like the previous instructors, Lt Zook had taken the time to introduce himself. As he did so, the girls could help but note his high and mighty tone. His military record wasn't as spectacular as the LT would have the class believe, but it was impressive never the less. Joined as enlisted, he quickly made his way up the pay grades, submitted his officers package and it was well received, thus became a rarity known as a “Hawkeye" a formerly enlisted officer. His extremely high opinion about himself wasn't helped by his pedigree either. A long distant relative of one of the champions of the tournament era, Amos Zook, LT Zook made mention of the fact no less then ten times in his introduction speech, Twilight counted. After a quick muster LT Zook called the class to attention and had the cadets introduce themselves. "Starting from my left, you will introduce yourselves, what House you belong to, and a brief bio on why you entered Belfiore." The LT stated, his voice deep, slightly nasally, and dull. "Hello everyone, I'm Angela Masters, Assistant house head of Oaklandus. I joined the navy because I like to study constructs, and their historical impacts." Masters said, her violet eyes looking forward through her amber crystal glasses. Focused thought Zook before calling on the next student, and after noticing drew an irritated brow. "Miss Meadows, I believe you are in the wrong class. To my knowledge you are missing the requisite classes to attend the B-MUCS CDS course.” The LT cringed at the abreviation for the class, "Mostly by the fact you are a year junior to your brother Mr. Fields. So I can not help but wonder as to why you are here..." he finished with an accusing tone. Daisy first response was a smirk. A smirk of knowing something someone else did not. A smirk that would put this boring uppity ponce in his place. "I tested out of the pre-reqs, sir. I have paperwork if you need it." Daisy replied, a note of condescension in her voice. "Tested out?" Breathed Zook, bewilderment coloring his features, "Preposterous! There isn't such a thing as testing out of "Basic Passive/Active Magic Theory," or "Construct Formula Theory." So Ms Meadows why are you lying to me?" "I'm not lying sir. Let me get the paperwork excusing me from the pre-reqs.” Daisy quickly turned around and pilfered through her belongings, the soft sounds of papers ruffling filling the classroom. After a brief "ah ha" moment of triumph, in locating her paperwork, she turned to face the LT and, with a bounce in her step, handed him four sheets of paper, slightly creased, with the same smirk she had begun with. Four sheets of paper now in hand. Four sheets of paper to back up ensign Meadows' statement. Four sheets of paper to spit on LT Zook's expectations of military decor. This document is to verify that Ensign Meadows (or the name I prefer miss Daisy) is authorized to attend B-MUCS (Such a horrid boring name for a school) By skipping classes so below her intelligence she would take more brain damage than repeatedly hitting her head against a soft pillowy mattress whilst upside down for days at a time. So, seeming as I, the good samaritan that I am, could not let such a mind go to waste, I got with o'l Skelly and conned, er convinced him of the same. And before you ask, that is his signature, call him if you doubt it. Toodles Mr Snores Fest. Give my best regards to your more interesting ancestor What ever goes here... Discord J.D.L. That was what LT Zook read as the cover letter. The pages that followed only proved that, it was true, Daisy Meadows had indeed tested out of the required classes. The crumpling of papers the only sounds that broke the quiet that had held the room hostage. The result of LT Zook's hands shaking in rage. The doodles over the official documents didn't help either. "Ms. Meadows, " Zook's voice, tight, clipped, and with barely disguised rage, "Do return to your seat. It does seem that...for now...you are authorized to attend class. I will confirm the authenticity of these papers, and then we will proceed accordingly." With a smartly executed about face, Daisy smiled at the instructors's frustration, happily retaking her seat. After a few moments pause LT Zook signaled for the next student to introduce himself. The next student to introduce himself was a little…pudgy, to be kind. Brilliant golden blond, a nice peach toned skin free of any marks or scars, soft glowing blue eyes, and despite being dressed in the same uniform as the rest of the class, his seemed to be more not including his bigger body. Not that he would admit he was barely within standards as his aura of smugness kept his self image beyond reality. “My name is Brent Silcox the Third. I belong to the illustrious House Oaklandus. I’m here to keep with my own noble lineage as my family has had just as much influence in the last three centuries as your sir.” Silcox gave a small nod of the head to Zook. “I hope to continue my family’s great legacy and expand our influence to future high class citizens.” he finished with his nose slightly upturned. The other members of Oaklandus gave a quiet applause, whilst Volcain’s members scowled and muttered under their breath about the intolerable snob. Equus, with most of its members not being natives to Cealum, or for that matter Farway, held little opinion, save Rarity. Silcox’s nasally voice, haughty attitude, and the way his eyes held everyone in the room in disgust, with the exception of his house members. Rarity’s angered gaze, the one she saved for a certain prince back home, burned into the back of Brent Silcox, the oblivious’, skull. Proud, but too much so. “Thank you Mr. Silcox. Next.” “Hello, I’m Travis Maxwell, House Volcain. I joined in order to follow in my father’s foot steps into government. Though I differ in that I’m not quite so content to be a part of the High Court, as I think being a Representative can bring greater lasting changes. So it is my hope after my service to eventually make it to the High Council.” Like Silcox, Maxwell gave a small head nod and took his seat. He will go far, too bad Landcaster is a horrible influence on him. “Next.” A brilliant colored pink/purple bun stood up from the students at attention. Upon further inspect the massive brightly bundle of hair belonged to an olive skinned girl with soul piercing sapphire eyes. Her features cheerful and loving, her smile beyond friendly, and her demeanor bubbly. Something the girls of Equus thought was a shared trait with a similarly pink haired girl they called their friend. “Hello everyone!” she greeted with an abundance of cheer, “I’m Velina English and I’m here at Belfiore Academy by mistake. I sub—“ “What?” Interrupted Masters, bemused, and flabbergasted by the fact someone had “accidentally” made it into Belfiore. “H-How…? How does someone accidentally get into Belfiore. It’s only the biggest naval academy in all of Caelum!” “It’s a funny story actually.” Velina gave a tiny giggle, “I went to the recruiter’s office and sat down for a chat. After deciding to join I was given some paperwork to fill out. I took it home to finish up because the recruitment office was closing. I misread the address to mail the application, so instead of going to Litore Naval station it was sent to an Officer acceptance program. So I took the NATPO versus the NATPE and after being processed I scored high enough to get a free ride here. OH! I’m the Master of Arms for Volcain as well.” English finished with a smile. “Quite…” the Lieutenant deadpanned She is going to be trouble, “Thank you for your exuberant introduction Miss English. However, please retain a professional manner when speaking to the class. This will be your only warning.” “Of Course sir,” She replied, her sunny smile fading a bit, and under her breath she finished with, “Oh, Lord of Snores.” and just as quickly as she stood up, she fell back to her chair then she noticed who was to introduce himself after her, “Speaking about putting people to bed, up next is the waking coma.” “Next.” No one moved. “Next!” Again nothing “NEXT!” Zook shouted angerly. Only now did the next student move. Said student moved painfully slow, his gaze half lidded, looking as if he had not slept in days, or rather as if he was amongst the walking dead. Dark earth toned blue hair, unkempt as possible but still passed as in regs, framed his yellowed face. Dark circles under his dull green eyes made his facial feature look more akin to a poorly made mannequin, than anything that could be passed as human. This wasn't to say he was an unattractive person, but rather seemed to serve the fact that the student would rather be anywhere but Belfiore. “David Grimmer, Oaklandus, Forced to be here.” A bored voice spoke, just loud enough to be heard, just before Grimmer took his seat again. “Thank you Mr. Grimmer for your barest effort,” the LT snarked, “I want you to stay behind so we can talk about proper behavior I expect from my students. Next.” The next student to speak was so short Twilight had thought her a child prodigy like she had been in some of her classes. Bright ruby red eyes looked around the room quickly, looking to be a nervous tic. Two small buns of pine green done up on the sides of her head. While such a hair style wasn’t with in the regulations, Twilight had guessed based on Zook’s lack of comment the hair some special set of circumstances allowed for it. Her youthful appearance of a girl just on the cusp of a teenage growth spurt only reinforced Twilight’s opinion. The girl’s soft ruby colored eyes scanned the room before she spoke. “I’m Galen Light.” her childlike voice spoke, “I’m Eighteen years young, am a part of House Volcain…” she paused for a moment and sighed, “And I am legally required to say I have ATD, and I have been receiving my treatments.” This will be a difficult student to control…spectacular… In the back of the class, Twilight perked up at the statement, curious as to this "ATD" and why the girl had to announce such a thing. Quietly nudging Trevor she leaned over, and with a whisper, asked her question. "Acute Temperance Disorder." Came his reply whispering just a hair quieter then Twilight, knowing full well what would happen if he was caught not showing disinterest, or even worse disrespect to Galen's introduction, "It's rare but not unheard of. The active magic Light has plays havoc with her emotions, over reacting to outside stimuli, causing massive and quick mood swings. Most often anger..." "If that's true..." Twilight pondered for a moment, "Why would they be allowed to be a part of the military then?" "Strangely, those afflicted with ATD have a bizarre increase in tactile planning. She'll never have a command or actually give any orders to attack. But behind the scenes, planning strategies, determining enemy moves, and being unpredictable, she'll be a huge boon." Now with her questions answered to a sufficient matter, for now, she let the matter drop and brought her attention back to the class. Unknown to her, she was much more disruptive then she had intended. Galen Light had noticed the violet tinted girl move and whisper to Trevor. She didn't hear what was said, but her perception of what was happening, another student to make fun of her, was enough to trigger her. Bright ruby red eyes smoldered to a maroon as Galen gave a glare that could kill. "Am I interrupting something?" Asked Galen, her tone angered and annoyed. "N-no..." Stammered Twilight, not enjoying the scrutiny that the girl was giving her. An all to real reminder to the burning fury of a certain CO. "I'm sorry I interrupted your introduction. I didn't know what ATD stood for. So I thought if I had discretely asked I would have a better understanding of your condition." "AND WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN? MY CONDITION...? ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME?" "WHAT!? NO! I would never make fun of any pony's medical condition. Especially after having to deal with random magical surges growing up." "ARE YOU CALLING ME A CRIPP—" "GALEN LIGHT CALM DOWN!" Bellowed out English. "Your having an episode. Ms...Ms..." “T-Twilight" "Ms Twilight was just curious, I can tell she meant no harm. She was trying to be polite, and not calling out or bringing too much attention to your condition. Which this episode just threw such concerns three sheets to the wind. So please, Gale, calm down for me, please?" Light's eyes began to lighten till they were once again at their normal bright ruby hue. Then realising what just happened her cheeks flushed, and turn her head away and cast her eyes downward. "Sorry...I'm better now...but I still struggle with it." She apologized. "And with that, Ms. Light please take your seat." Ordered Zook, "I will forgive your outburst on account of ATD, but you Ms. Twilight, and everyone else for that matter, I think it would be best to avoid being distracted when Ms Light is speaking. Next student." The hour and a half B-MUCS class lasted far too long for so little teaching, standard fair for the first day of any class. The rest of the introductions had passed with little to no drama, save gasps from a few students when Trevor introduced himself. A few questions popped up when the girls rom Equestria had done their introductions, however, luckily for the girls the students seemed to take their cover story at face value. The Same couldn't be said for LT Zook, though he didn't vocalize his questions. There is something strange about these girls. First the results of their passive/active magic test aren't given to us, a massive breach of instruction. The idioms these girls use I've never heard of. What in creation is a pony? And that Twilight girl, how powerful of an active magic user is she if she's had multiple active magic surges? Something big is happening here...If only I can determine what...Perhaps the CO is hiding something from us, from all of Caelum as a whole...