The Ninth (32 page)

“You know, you talk too much, too.”

“Fair enough.  Now are you going to take me to the observation deck?”

“Wait, you still want to go with me?”

“
You
are the one who thinks I need to stay away from mortal threats.  I happen to be neutral on the subject.  They seem to seek me out anyways, and if someone is going to kill me, I might as well enjoy their company while I can.”

“There is something
seriously
wrong with you.”  Cassandra laughed heartily.

The observation room was immense, even bigger than the mess hall.  Massive screens lined every wall.  Brent could make out an instructor shouting at some recruits as they performed grueling feats.

“Does it really need to be so big?” he asked in wonder.

“Of course.”  It was obvious Cassandra didn’t share his wonder.  “Any smaller and you wouldn’t be able to cram every trooper on the station in here.”

“Does it get that crowded?”

“Of course.  Yesterday at this time this place was filled to capacity.”

“So, why is it so empty?”

“You are the perceptive one.  Why ask me?  My guess is people got what they wanted yesterday and aren’t really interested in watching a second round of exams.”

Cassandra took a seat in one of the thousands of chairs.  Surveying the various monitors, he realized he didn’t recognize a single person.  As they watched the exams, Brent noticed they seemed much more simplistic than the ones he had gone through.  It dawned on him that each recruit was alone when they took the exams.

“So recruits are tested individually?”  Brent asked.

“Normally.  Yesterday was unique.”  Cassandra was obviously bored.  “There are some exams that use groups for certain parts, but most of them are done one at a time.”

“Wonder why they didn’t want to retest me.”

“I’d think that would be obvious.  You passed every single exam.  On top of that you led everyone in your group to pass, too.  Making you do it all again would be a waste of time.”

“I suppose.”  He glanced at her and studied the outline for a moment before clearing this throat.  “Listen.  I have a proposal for you.”

“Oh?”

“Back in the mess hall I couldn’t stop them from altering your emotions.  I don’t like being helpless . . .”

“Stop right there.  I’m not about to be your test subject.  It was freaky.  One minute I was just fine, the next I was trembling – eyes were everywhere, each one of them staring at me.  I’m not going to experience that again.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.  I was going to ask if you wouldn’t mind spending some time with me.”

Cassandra was silent for a moment.

“What for?”  Her voice was nervous.

“Well, of all the people on this station, you are the only one I can sense.”  Brent watched as her outline flashed a reddish orange.  “Despite that, I still can’t understand half of what I see.  I was thinking that if I could spend time with you I might get a better understanding of my abilities.”

“So you plan to do
what
exactly?  Follow me around and watch me like a hawk?  Think I’d prefer the imaginary stares.”

“I have something a little more productive than that in mind.  Do we get any free time?  When we don’t have the day off, I mean.”

“Well, we have general training in the mornings.  After that, we have a couple of hours for lunch.  Then we have specialized training until evening.  After that, we are free to do what we want.  The more prestigious divisions have their own training sessions, but the FF is pretty laid back until our trials come up.  So I guess from about six on we don’t have anything we
have
to do.”

“All right.  Would you mind watching 3Ps with me?”  He paused and thought for a moment.  “Is ‘watching’ the right term?  Should I say experience or view or something?”

Cassandra flared a bright orange.

“
Watching
is fine.  I wouldn’t mind that,” Cassandra said sheepishly.  “But
I
get to decide which 3Ps.  If I’m going to be your lab rat, I might as well get some enjoyment out of it.”

“Can I make suggestions?”  Brent suddenly wondered what a super strong female would pick for entertainment.

“We’ll see.”

“Brent!  Cassandra!  Didn’t expect to find you two here,” a familiar voice shouted down the observation room.

“Of course,” Cassandra grumbled.  “I’m having a good day for the first time in a long while, and Cain has to come along and ruin it.”

“Taking more bets, Cain?”  Brent shouted back.

“Who told you about that?”  Cain stared at Cassandra as he took a seat nearby.

“Don’t look at me.  He figured it out all by himself.  He’s a big boy,” Cassandra said mockingly.

“So, your brilliance isn’t limited to exams.”  Cain grinned widely, ignoring Cassandra.  “To answer your question, I’ve got the day off, too.  It’s the next grade’s turn to handle betting, poor things.”

“The next grade?” Cassandra asked, half interested.  “Shouldn’t you still be taking bets?”

“Nope,” he said, sounding downright gleeful.  “Apparently there hasn’t been a case of retesting in the last few hundred years, so as far as procedure is concerned, this is a new run of exams.  We won’t manage an exam for a while now.  Good thing, too.  Our young friend really caused us some pain yesterday.”

“What did I do?”  Brent asked defensively.

“Not much, besides almost bankrupting us.  For the first time in a
very
long while, a recruit passed all exams.  Not just that, a recruit with
no
formal training and without a military heritage.  When all was said and done, the odds against you were forty-one point two to one.”  Cain chuckled.

“Sorry to be such a burden to you.”  Brent wasn’t sure how to respond.

“No worries.  You put on
such
a good show, people were tripping over themselves to place more wagers.  Even with the chunk Administer Bloom took out of the profits, we actually managed to make some spare credits for ourselves.”  Cain winked at Cassandra.

“So, if you aren’t taking bets, what are you doing here?”  Cassandra sneered

“Just trying to keep boredom at bay.  The other troopers are lazing around; nothing interesting there.  The leaders are locked up in Leonard’s quarters, no doubt strategizing on how they’ll use Brent in the next trial.”  Cain idly watched the monitors for a moment before growing bored with them.  “Speaking of which, how did Weaver training go?”

“How did you know about that?”  Cassandra probed.

“Give me
some
credit.  Even a second rate bookie keeps a hand on the pulse of the academy.  You’d be surprised what I know,” Cain gloated.

“If that’s the case, then why don’t
you
tell us how I did?” Brent asked.

“Touché.”  Cain chuckled.  “Any plans for the rest of the night?  Despite my best efforts, I’ve run out of things to do to amuse myself.”

Brent noticed Cassandra’s suit stiffened.

“Not really.  Have something in mind?”

“It’s funny you should ask . . .”  Cain grinned.

“I’m not going to like this, am I?” Cassandra moaned.

Cain jumped up and headed toward the exit.  As Brent got up, Cassandra grabbed his arm.

“Thanks for not telling Cain about the 3Ps.”  Cassandra was earnestly thanking him.

“It’s none of his business.  If you want it a secret, I won’t tell a single person,” he reassured her.

Hesitantly, Cassandra followed after Cain.  After a long stroll down the corridors, Cain stood beside a doorway, gesturing them inside like a waiter.  The door slid open to the sounds of cheering and other sounds of an excited crowd.  Cain easily guided the two through the large group of troopers to the center of the room.  A thick blue haze filled the room.  In the center of the room was a large glowing table.  Miniature troopers were firing at one another.  An actual trooper sat on each of the four corners of the large table.  Brent noticed the replica troopers on the table were divided into four different colors.  When one of the miniatures was hit by an energy burst from an enemy rifle, it burst into a small explosion of light.

“What is this, Cain?” Cassandra asked uncomfortably.

“Technically?  This is the ‘historical reenactment center.’  Unofficially, it’s called the war room.”  Cain grinned as he eyed the crowd.  “That grid can mimic any landscape from any battle in the mainframe.  Troopers then guide the forces present in the actual battle – see if they could have done better than the generals of the past.  I’m no good at it, but then I can’t bet on myself, so I don’t have any reason to be.”  He winked at Cassandra before laughing.

“Betting?”  Cassandra was obviously annoyed.  “Is that
all
you ever think about?”

“A man’s got to eat.  Plus, I didn’t bring you here for that.  I thought Brent might like to give it a try.”  Cain patted his shoulder.

“Me?” Brent asked in surprise, his focus mostly on the illuminated battle rather than the bickering.

“After yesterday I thought you might like something with a little more challenge.”  Cain was waving at someone in the distance.

“What’s up, Cain?”  A short trooper with a lisp seemed to come out of nowhere.

“Got you a new commander.”  Cain turned Brent toward the short trooper.

“Now wait a minute . . .”  Brent protested.

“Doesn’t look all that tough,” the trooper said with his lisp as he looked Brent over  in a manner that vaguely reminded him of show animal inspections.  “You sure he’s commander material?

“I
personally
guarantee he will give you a decent show.”  Cain smiled like a blissful idiot.

“Good enough for me.”  The trooper grabbed Brent and drug him into the crowd.

“Where are they taking him?” Cassandra asked when she lost track of the two.

“Getting him suited up.”  Cain patted her shoulder.  “Can’t have him in a Weaver’s uniform; put off too many troopers.  Don’t worry.  He’ll do fine.  Enjoy the show.”

A disappointed groan filled the crowd as the table dimmed and the battle ended.  The victorious trooper stood up and waved his hands in triumph while the others slammed the dim table with fists of anger and disappointment.  The short trooper with a lisp whispered to one of the losers.  Angrily the loser got up and left the table, instantly blending into the crowd.  To Cassandra’s surprise, Brent took his place, dressed in an overly dramatic black and red cape with a collar that reached above his ears.

“What exactly is he
wearing
?” she asked.

“No idea.”  Cain shrugged.  “Looks like some kind of vampire doesn’t he?  Rick used to be a tailor before he took over this place.  Likes to use his leftover costumes.  He says it spices up the action.”

Despite the ridiculous outfit, Brent seemed calm.  The table illuminated again.

“Well, no surprises there!” a loud voice shouted over the PA.  “Terrance wiped out the enemy just as it happened in the history books.  Now we have a treat for you, an untested commander!  Fresh meat.  Being put to the ultimate test for the first time.  Place your bets and select the battlefield.  I have it on good account this new commander isn’t to be taken lightly.  It’s up to you to prove me wrong.  Don’t you dare go easy on him!”

“Rick always had a flare for the dramatic.”  Cain laughed.

“We pick the battle?”  Cassandra was skeptical.

“Of course.”  Cain was already tapping on his pad.  “When we entered the room your pad was synced up with the grid.  It’s all hush hush, but the boys down in maintenance get a discount when they attend, so no one makes a fuss.”

A long list of planets waited Cassandra’s selection.  When she tapped on one at random, a list of battles popped up.  Selecting again at random, a map of the battlefield showed the main forces and prompted her to select which commander would control what forces.  Not remembering the particular battle Cassandra randomly selected.  When she finished, a new screen displayed, prompting her how much she wanted to wager on which commander.”

“Cain!”  Cassandra was furious.

“Don’t blame me.  How else do you think Rick pays for all this?  Just put some paltry sum on Brent and
try
to enjoy yourself.”  Cain had already finished and was awaiting the start.

Angrily, Cassandra moved to tap the cancel prompt.  Hesitating, she changed her mind and reluctantly wagered twenty credits on Brent.  She then folded her arms and honestly tried to relax.

“That’s it!  All wagers are in.  Let’s see where the new commander is fighting today . . . that’s just
mean
!”  The crowd was eating up Rick’s overly dramatic announcing.  “You all must be the most detestable gang of scum the academy has ever seen –
I love it
.  Our newcomer will be fighting on none other than . . . Listrad!”

The crowd roared with approval, although the world didn’t mean anything to Cassandra.

“One of the most
gruesome
,
bloodiest
, contested worlds of the Great Divide!” the announcer shouted.  “Let’s see if you are all as depraved as I hope you are . . . you don’t disappoint!  I’m
so
proud.  The battle of three claws!  Of all the history of Listrad, you picked the most
grisly
battle of them all.  It brings me to tears.”

“Laying it on a bit thick, isn’t he?” Cassandra asked Cain.