1.

Star Base Sigma 5

1100 hours galactic standard time.

Captain Krance the commanding officer of the Sigma 5 base stood on the forward command watching the large transport ship approaching the entrance to the number 7 Star-dock.

"Why me?" he grumbled

"Sir?" said Commander Lydia Farnum his second in command as she looked at her salt and pepper haired C.O.

That transport ship is full of Star Corps junior cadets coming to the Star Corps junior academy. Which this base has the misfortune of having."

"Now, now, Sir you know as well as I do that because of that if it weren't for that academy, we wouldn't have half the operating budget that we do." Replied Lydia

Yeah, well," said Krance nodding, "Maybe you should remind me of that every so often-like whenever I start to regret putting up with them."

"Aye, Aye, Sir." Said Lydia, "Now it's time for you to go and give your usual welcome speech to the cadets, and try not to do it through clenched teeth this time."

"Yes mother." Said Krance sarcastically as he turned to go

Lydia Farnum rolled her eyes.

"I mean it, be nice!" she called after him as he went down the stairs to the lift.

Commander Lydia Farnum had actually known Captain William Krance since she was a kid and she was one of the few people who wasn't afraid to boss him around whenever he needed it.

The Cadets were all assembled in the main concourse that led from the docking bays into the main part of the station. They were all standing at parade rest with their duffle bags at their feet as they waiting for the station commander to give his welcome speech.

Among the Cadets was a young man of about 14 years old with unruly dark brown hair and brown eyes. His name was Jace Callan. After the instructor passed by on a cursory inspection as they waiting for the base commander to arrive. Jace glanced over his shoulder at the other members of his unit. Standing next to him was Tia Merin she was a slender athletic blue-eyed girl with long blonde hair that she usually wore in a French braid down her back. Then there was Jaina Karr she had grey eyes and long straight raven black hair that was pulled back in a pony tail. Finally, there was Kyra Scollani a cocoa skinned girl with sparkling eyes and a ready smile.

Just then the base commander arrived and the cadets all snapped to attention, as he stepped in front of their ranks.

"Star Corps junior Cadets," he began, "Welcome to a grand opportunity. The opportunity to expand your knowledge and horizons I welcome you all and wish you well."

"That was a short speech." Jace whispered quietly to the others as Captain Krance disappeared into the nearest lift.

The girls nodded.

"I get the feeling he doesn't like us." replied Tia out of the corner of her mouth, "That was the most canned speech I ever heard."

Before Jace could reply the cadets were called to attention and marched down to the lifts that led to the academy levels. As they marched the cadets subtly glanced around.

They were amazed by the size of the place. Sigma V was a gigantic miles long star base. It was a combination military base, academy, and place of trade, negotiation and commerce-a crossroads for the entire galaxy.

When the Cadets reached the academy levels, they were assigned to their quarters. Each set of Quarters was a four-room suite with a common room that the bedrooms all connected to.

After Jace finished stowing his gear, he paused in front of the mirror and removed his silver gray uniform jacket revealing two things. One was the deep red uniform shirt underneath it; the second thing was the visible part of a semi-exoskeleton that was interconnected with the natural construction of his arm.

He flexed his arm a couple times to make sure everything worked.

"Still in working order?" asked a voice from the doorway

Jace turned to see Tia standing there.

"Yep," said Jace

Years earlier Jace had been in a terrible accident when the transport ship that he was on had crashed during a docking procedure back on earth. This thanks to a distracted pilot. Jace had been severely injured. He was paralyzed and barely alive Tia's dad Dr. Peter Merin had cybernetically augmented Jace's nervous system and rebuilt his musculoskeletal system restoring his ability to walk and then some. Jace now had enhanced vision, hearing, and scent. As well as what Dr. Merin termed mega-strength.

Tia was a bit of kindred spirit to Jace for she had been in the same accident. Though her injuries were far less serious. Her father only had to rebuild her right arm, right eye and her right ear.

Tia of course had to check his cybernetics herself. She had already shown herself to be almost a prodigy in medicine and cybernetics. Jace was sure that she would make the corps a great medical officer one day.

"Okay, Okay," said Jace shooing her away with a chuckle as he grabbed his jacket off the bed and tried to walk past her into the common room, "I'm alright!"

"Oh, stop mother Henning him, Tia." Said Kyra chuckling

"Yeah," smiled Jaina, "You're smothering the poor guy!"

Jace rolled his eyes.

"Come on," He said putting on his jacket, "lets head to the food court it's time for chow."

The door to their quarters slid open with a gentle hiss and they walked out into the hall turned and head down the hall following the smell of food.

They reached the food court paused to decide what they wanted. A few minutes later they sat down at an empty table. Tia had ravioli and marinara, Kyra had steak and potatoes, Jaina had lasagna and Jace had tacos.

Just as they were enjoying their first bite of food, Jaina let out a groan. They all turned and looked at her.

"What is it?" asked Tia

"It's the Betas at three o'clock." She said flicking her head toward her right shoulder.

Her squad mates looked. It was the Betas alright.

Beta squad or the Betas as they were called, was a squad made up of some of the most arrogant boys in the whole corps.

Well, there was one of them they tolerated, and that was Hans Scollani, Kyra's cousin on her father's side. The other three were Conan Davis, David Philips and Craig McGuire. three guys who considered themselves the heartthrobs of the Star Corps and were completely annoyed by the fact that the Delta Squad girls, three of the prettiest girls in the academy, were totally unimpressed by them.

Tia groaned

"Oh great, they saw us."

The Betas had indeed spotted them. Craig McGuire, the ringleader of the group pointed them out to his buddies and came strutting toward their table combing his hair.

He leaned on the table in front of Kyra while her cousin looked apologetic.

"Hey babe." He said in an arrogant oily manner, "How about you and me…,"

"How about no." snapped Kyra knocking the arm he was leaning on out from under him and sending him tumbling unceremoniously to the floor.

"Why you little_,"

"Mr. McGuire!" snapped an authoritative voice, "Is there a problem here?"

It was the Academy headmaster, Commander Mark Reynolds.

Both Squads snapped to attention.

"No sir, no problem." Replied McGuire

"Good, keep it that way." Snapped Commander Reynolds.

The Three trouble making Betas, though cocky, knew better than to push their luck and went back their table.

"I've got a feeling we haven't heard the last of them." muttered Jaina

"Yeah," said Tia, "After Kyra made a fool out of Craig like that, he'll definitely be out for revenge!"

To Be Continued…Please Leave a Review. I like to hear from my readers.