Chapter 4: Registration Isle

During the flight, Takata had gotten quite relaxed and fallen asleep. The jet was starting the final approach to the Academy's tropical island lagoon and the overhead warning alarms started chiming.

Miriam walked through the curtains and looked at Takata asleep in the plush seat. Smiling to herself, she bent down and tightened the straps because he'd never taken them off during the flight. She finished and then took the remote from his hand, clicking on the button that made the entertainment system return to the hidden configuration.

The inflight intercom turned on, and Captain Horacio's voice was heard mumbling the landing checklist as the copilot started talking.

"All passengers, please make sure that all seats are in the upright position and that all tray tables are fixed into position. We're approaching the runway at a speed of 90 knots, with a breeze from the northwest at 12 knots. Once we land, it'll be a ten minute taxi to the main terminal and then you'll be allowed to disembark. Thank you for flying with us, have a great day."

The Captain's comments suddenly turned from the flight checklist to the copilot.

"Why are you wasting breath on the commentary? We're not flying a plane full of people. It's just a kid back there. Mr. Niea's grandson. He's been transferred to the Academy."

"What? You could've said something earlier- jeez. For the love of--"

The intercom clicked off, and the mechanical whine of the landing gear being deployed was heard very softly. The jet was shaking very slightly- as their descent towards the runway took them through very light crosswinds.

Through the front visor of the jet, all that could be seen was the small paved runway that disappeared into the thick foliage of the jungle below.

Captain Horacio started flipping the appropriate switches, then she pulled back on the throttle and reduced the power to the jet's turbines. With full flaps down, she slowly pushed the steering yoke forward and took the jet down.

In the back cabin, Miriam woke Takata up and gave him a warm smile as he yawned. He looked at her and Miriam gave a nod at the window. He looked out and then shrugged.

"I don't see anything out there. What are you smiling about?" He asked.

Miriam held a finger to her lips. Then she nodded at the window again.

At the same time she did that, the jet touched down on the runway and the turbines flared loudly. Through the noise, Takata pressed his face to the window and realized that the plane was approaching a carefully concealed tunnel that ran into the jungle. He sat there and just stared out the window until the jet's turbines started reducing power again. Miriam was still at Takata's side and she was smiling the whole time.

The jet passed through the section of the first tunnel and it became very dark. Only the lights from the jet reflected on the smooth walls of the tunnel. Takata couldn't see anything beyond the darkness, and then as suddenly as it had appeared- the tunnel was gone.

Bright sunlight suddenly appeared in the canopy of the aircraft and Takata shielded his eyes. The jet was still taxiing from the runway and Takata couldn't believe his eyes at what he was now seeing. All around the runway areas, the entire place looked like a vacation getaway.

Trees and tropical plants, animals, and a perfect beach. The place was beautiful beyond a doubt. It was the perfect place for a getaway. Takata looked at everything and started rubbing his eyes. It was all just too incredible to believe. This was the school? Damn!

Miriam seemed to be hearing his thoughts, because she suddenly laughed and looked at him.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? And that's just the airport. You haven't even saw the Academy yet."

Takata laughed loudly. This was the airport? The place looked like a hotel! He looked at Miriam and unbuckled the seatbelt. This was just seriously outrageous! He jumped up from the seat and ran to a window on the other side of the canopy.

Miriam was delighted to see Takata so happy. She stood up and watched him as he ran from window to window, looking at everything outside of the jet. He was excited about this place. As the jet finally rolled into its arrival hangar, teams of ground support personnel came from all over, and began the process of parking the luxury jet and unloading the baggage.

As the jet's turbines died down, it left the quiet hum of the onboard machinery before that too shut down and the entire inside of the aircraft's canopy became silently still. Takata turned and faced Miriam, who stood there with her hands behind her back.

"When can I get off?" He asked her.

She started to speak, but a loud clanking noise stopped her. She looked at Takata and smiled again.

"You can disembark the aircraft now. The GS crew had to disengage the outer locking mechanisms. When the door opens, you can go!"

No sooner had she said that, when the aircraft door opened and a member of the ground support crew came onboard the aircraft. He looked at Takata and nodded, then he looked at Miriam and gave her a smile.

"Ms. Caples, the aircraft has been secured and all equipment is in place. You and the, uh- passenger are free to leave the aircraft now. Watch your step ma'am."

With that, he went up front to the cockpit to give the post flight checklist to Captain Horacio.

Miriam looked at Takata and extended her hand towards the door. She smiled at him again.

"Well, you're cleared to exit the aircraft now."

Without a word, Takata rushed down the aisle and out the aircraft door. Miriam shook her head and just followed him out the door.

Takata stood outside on the pavement and looked around at everything. It was all too much. He was excited, nervous, frightened- all at the same time. Miriam walked up behind him and pointed to the first set of buildings.

"That's the living area for the support crews. They're here year round keeping this place in shape. Grounds keepers, limo drivers, servants, even the aircraft ground crews! They all live there. Families included. It's not an entire waste of time either- they get paid excellent salaries and live in a tropical getaway spot year round." She explained.

They watched as the people went about their daily tasks, laughing and jabbing away in different languages. The entire place was like some weird utopia. Everyone was friendly and nice.

Miriam pointed out a group of young children playing in a field nearby, their caretaker not far from them.

Takata was taking all of this in. He was so excited to be here, and it showed. Miriam couldn't keep from smiling at him everytime she pointed out the different places from where they stood. Takata took her by the hand and pointed at a building he hadn't saw before. Miriam laughed and nodded at him, but she kept naming the buildings that he pointed out.

A white and very luxurious Rolls-Royce drove up beside them, gliding to a soft halt. The driver's door opened and the driver got out and tipped his cap at Miriam. Then he collected Takata's bags and placed them in the trunk. He never even said a word. Not even when he opened the door ro the car did he mutter a thing. He stood there, hand on the door, waiting patiently. Takata looked at Miriam and then back at the driver.

Miriam said, "Don't mind him. That's Jan. He's the chief limo driver for the new arrivals until one is assigned for them. He's also German. Doesn't speak a word of English- though he understands it very well. He'll be taking you to the Office of Student Affairs now."

Takata looked at the beautiful white car. The Office of Student Affairs. It was time to complete the transfer documents. He wasn't sure that he would like the Academy- but what he'd saw so far wasn't so bad. In fact, it wasn't bad at all.

Miriam walked Takata to the car and gave a him a light push. Takata got in the limo, and Jan nodded at Miriam. Then he went back to the front of the limo and got in. He didn't start the car however, he waited for Miriam to finish.

"If you don't hurry, they will send someone out to look for you. Believe me, the whole island knows about your arrival. And don't worry, everything is ok. Jan won't let anything happen to you. Now get going."

She closed the door and Takata sat back onto the seat and Jan started the ignition. Before he started to guide the car towards the street section, Captain Horacio came out of the jet. She looked around for a moment, spotted Takata- and gave him a short military salute.

Takata waved at the Captain and Miriam, not sure if he would see them again. He was now officially alone in a world of prestige and priviledge that he knew very little about. Jan put the limo in gear, and started off towards the Centre Complex.