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“Sir? Why are they locked like this?”

  The teacher smiled. “This feels weird for all of you who live in connected world. But at the beginning of the Federation, some planets that joined had no such facilities and the students were at a great disadvantage toward their comrade.”

  “So, the first three months let them get used to working with connection?”

  “Yes, last thing, you will earn a weekly stipend from now on. An apprentice like you receives one hundred Federation credits, and you now have the first transfer on your account. It should fill the holes you dug going out on the first months.” Brian hadn’t known the teacher was aware of their outing. “Off with you! And if your colleague Li Bao is outside, please send her in.”

  Brian fled the room before the master could change his mind and send him into orientation. With no one waiting on the bench outside, he fled also the teachers’ wing. He pinged Li Bao with his bracelet and told her to hurry. The meeting had been quick—but much better than he had feared. He left the university and walked slowly among the night strollers. He still could join the others at the cafeteria.

  In the last weeks, Emily had decided to discover more of the city and they had begun to enjoy night strolls in the cool evening life, absorbing the joy everyone seemed to share under the yellow lights. Brian had been reluctant at first to leave his studies but had quickly felt how the fresh air and the walk helped him, On Adheek, you traveled mostly on foot and with other means only if you really had to. All did their maximum to help control the planet warm age and global warming. Brian walked to think on the day and on his strange fortune. He had, against his own expectations, succeeded.

  He turned toward the rivers and took his time to reach the cafeteria, on a large amber plaza above the river. The water had been diverted into a thousand transparent channels both below and above the ground, and intertwined with multiple small wooden shops selling trinkets, food, and drinks. Dendrom had explained how it had been created by the Federation as a way to prove their technical superiority. Brian found it astounding.

  The restaurant Detram and Myirt was large and cheap and decorated in an industrial style. The food was a bit bland, but at least they liked it, and it felt like home in a big franchise. Emily and Willfried had taken a lomal, a type of noodles with some meat. Leopold had opted for the suirez, a smelly fish in a dark brown sauce, and Tasha had taken a simple detrom, a low-fat high-protein mix.

  “So, what did he say?” Emily had seen him first, the evening light gleaming red in her eyes. The worry in her voice hit Brian like a slap.

  “Me too,” was his short answer. With that, the others turned, and their smiles exploded.

  “That’s all of us now!” Leopold had risen at the same time to crush him with a bear hug. All followed, and soon Brian was in the middle of a group hug. After a few seconds, they released him and sat back again. The restaurant had reacted to the commotion; every face had turned toward them but settled again quickly when they seated themselves.

  “Let me grab you a bite; detrom will do you good,” said Tasha, smiling. She was the logistician in the group, in all courses but also in daily life. If Emily had led them through this quarter, Tasha had been the cement of their life.

  “How did it go?” asked Emily.

  “Well,” sighed Brian, “He explained again how defective I was and gave me extra work to do in the coming months, and after all those niceties, he told me to concentrate on the command interface.”

  Willfried snorted. “I had the same with Mistress Lyupert. You are no special case, Mister Engineer.” But then he smiled thinly. “You know the last three were rejected today. We were a bit scared for you. This is welcome news.”

  “She told us also to concentrate on the command interface, maybe with nicer words. But the core problem remains the same for all of us. This is going to be tough,” added Leopold.

  “Anyway, from what I heard from Sonter, we won’t really be able to control anything until they give us the first nanite injection,” said Emily while Tasha brought the meal back. Sonter Namek was another student from their group, one of the few who were ahead with Emily.

  Silence fell over them: nanites were taboo in Adheek and had been unknown on Earth only a few years ago. They were specialized nano robots injected in the bloodstream and integrated into the body at the cellular level, and they allowed the pilot to control his or her ship. It was a central piece of Federation technology which increased the physical and intellectual capacities from the people using them.

  Half an hour later, Don Mariano and Mathias appeared in the restaurant.

  “What a coincidence!” exclaimed the ambassador. “We had just decided to come and watch the water cascade at sundown.”

  “Please, sir,” said Brian, “have a seat. By coincidence, Tasha has brought two extra chairs.” His tone was serious even if his eyes were not.

  “Thank you, my dear.” The ambassador turned toward her and bowed his head while Mathias winked at them. He wasn’t that much older than they were, only withdrawn and grave. “And allow me to congratulate you on behalf of all our governments.”

  They cheered for a while and told in turns how hard it had been for each of them. Even Emily had faced moments of doubt. Then, they shared all they had learned.

  “A lot of details in the Federation are not consistent,” summarized Emily after a while. “The Federation shows advanced technology coupled with basic know-how. Adheek is quite similar to our Earth in its fight to keep the climate under control even if their situation is worse, with the end of their ice age at the same time.”

  “And what of the difficulties in reaching orbit or managing advanced technologies?” added Willfried, always skeptical. “Or the fact that they use the same type of 3-D representations we use? Do you really feel out of place here?”

  “You mean in a red planet where you can get an egg cooked just by setting outside on a rock at midday?” asked Emily.

  “You know what I mean. They have the same level of technology we have. They have trouble reaching Adheek’s own orbit. At the same time, they man at least three or four space transports that trade among the nearby stars and with the Core Federation Worlds. The two levels of technologies live side by side, without interaction”.

  “They explain this by the myth of the old civilization, which left advanced tidbits here and there,” Mathias interjected. “We know that they didn’t build the spaceships and that they don’t know how to create new ones.”

  “That or the Federation wants to keep a tight control on all of us. They ensure a minimum sharing of information and goods but nothing more than that.” Leopold might be cheerful in the daily life, but his adolescence in a gang had left him very paranoid about power structures. And we are all deeply in debt to them. We all have reasons to cooperate.”

  “Why would they do it? Why not accept that the Federation does its best with limited means?” Emily was a fervent knight of the Federation.

  “What I don’t like is that they always find planets at their worst. In our sector, of the five planets represented in the academy, three face climate warming, one radiation poisoning and one a sudden ice age. Does it strike you as really bad luck?” continued Willfried.

  From there, it went downhill, Brian flying to the rescue of Emily, Willfried and Leopold building on their argument, and the others trying to keep a middle ground between the two groups. . Suddenly, two guards in gray uniforms of the Adheek’s security forces with protective headsets, exoskeletons and full battle gear entered in the restaurant.

  “We advise all to return home. Please close the restaurant fast now. A food riot is moving in our direction”. Everyone stood up immediately and rushed out, fighting through the door. In the confusion, the second one spotted the students and moved to them. “You are from the Pilot Academy?”

  “Yes, with our ambassador”. Emily was the first to answer.

  “Please follow us.” He motioned to the other guard and they escorted the group out of the now emp
ty restaurant to a small chopper waiting outside. This was the first time Brian had seen an aircraft vehicle on the planet. It had four circular blades around a central compartment where a dozen could fit. The slow motion made him very silent and it was an eerie sight in the empty plaza.

  “Quick, now. Get in and strap yourself”.

  “And you?” There wasn’t enough room for all.

  “We ride on the side. It is a short distance. This is standard procedure.” She, Brian now knew it was a woman behind the mask, was very calm, following her protocol. He thought this type of events is not unusual in the planet; they are used to deal it. He got in and fumbled with the unfamiliar belt until the woman strapped him in. He was the last and they were airborne a minute after.

  “What is happening?” He shouted over the noise of the wind.

  “Food riot. The harvest has not been good and it is hard on the poor quarter of the city. They went in a peaceful march earlier today but some violent ones infiltrated the march. It went quite bad. Now, please. I have to organize our next mission”. While she talked in her mike, Brian watched in fascination fires in the distance, clearly visible in a town where all holograms had been shut down.

  Ten minutes later, they were back in the academy. Brian walked back to his rooms in silence like all other. They didn’t know enough. There had so much information when the Federation had arrived, they hadn’t been able to read more than tidbits and they had had to rely on the presentation by the Federation Envoy.

  “Adheek is a model planet.” He had said. “You will see when you get there.” Model planet, thought Brian, with food riots and some type of curfew. They had to send back enough details to Earth to balance the vision they had. And for that, they had to move on in their training.

  8 The aliens blog – 2135 AD

  From your favorite alien hunter Mat, hidden, always at your side.

  Dear readers! You want the latest news on our visitors; I have it all. You will not find anywhere else in the world more information than your Mat. And I am happy to tell you that you are all flocking to the right blog!

  As you have seen in the news, the Federation is very concerned by the erosion of the tundra and the Permafrost Melt, so concerned they organized a congress on it. We used it to infiltrate the headquarters of the Contact Organization. He has sent me more details on the forthcoming exam required by the aliens. You know the pitch: all adults aged between twenty and thirty will also be submitted to an exam, which will determine the future candidates to be pilots among the stars. But, so far, no one knows what was inside and only that they have required a year of buildup, nearly all the time since first contact.

  Here it is.

  - The candidates will go through four steps.

  - The first is an aptitude test published in all languages and filled out on paper. It should select 10 percent of the total population.

  - The second will be a sort of 3-D video game. Another 9 percent will leave at this stage.

  - The third will be a genetic checkup by accredited labs. Less than a thousand people are expected to succeed.

  - The last will be a psychological assessment, which will select one hundred students.

  - The screening process will continue in their academy among the stars.

  Why conduct such a screening and not request current pilots from space forces or at least air forces? We currently have no information on this, but we cannot understand what requires such a terrible screening. They will be chosen under criteria undisclosed to the public, one hundred sheep to be sent to whatever doom they have prepared for them.

  To what ordeal are we sending those kids? Why are we doing it? In many countries, this process and this lack of information is against our most fundamental values. Why are all our governments, without a single exception, accepting such a procedure without a word? To know more, sign the petition on www.alienstruthout.com!

  If you have information, please comment! The truth cannot be stopped.

  Your servant, Mat

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  9 Brian

  One week later, on Nineday evening, they were all invited to the Pilot Corporation yearly gathering. Sonter, as the son of the master of the Pilot Corporation of Adheek, led them to the party. Golden boy, blond hair, golden smile with perfect white teeth, athletic and intelligent, he was usually the first in every topic, competing mainly with Emily. Below the golden surface, Brian felt something dark was lurking. Emily thought this was pure male jealousy, and maybe it was. Naturally, Sonter had arrived with her to stand in front of the crowd, waiting to enter.

  Every pilot, confirmed or student, on the planet had come and stood before the reception hall. All master pilots wore dark-green official trousers and vest. All students had the same clothes but in a lighter shade of green. They chatted awhile in the evening warmth. Above the illuminated porch, multicolored 3-D creatures walked on the tall building above in fantastic parade, and the invitees looked like grass moving in the wind.

  Althal was back in orbit, ready for a new shuttle drop, but Nellym, the pilot who had flown them from the intersystem transport to the space station Zopol above Adheek, had come to see them and had spent time asking how they were adapting. He had also introduced them to a few other pilots. In the meantime, Kilet, Sonter’s father, was on the front porch, and welcomed everyone personally.

  “He is the first man I have met on Adheek with an obvious cybernetic eye,” whispered Brian to Emily. Earth had tried the technology, but the eye nervous system could not be interfaced with the electronics they could build. The fact that it could work was news to him.

  “He had an encounter with pirates a long time ago. He came out without this eye,” answered Emily. “But the pirates lost.” The statement was matter of fact. Kilet was smaller than his son, but something in his manners, his bearing, and his strong jawline alerted Brian. You did not become the master of this guild, the most exclusive on this planet, by being simply nice. This was a strong ally and potentially dangerous opponent.

  “Pirates?”

  “Very rare. More like freebooters. Very few planets try it. And the Federation doesn’t like it at all…”

  Suddenly, his turn came as he stepped in front of the line.

  “Welcome, Brian. I am happy to invite all students from the academy to our party and to welcome you and your comrades from Earth here. We are glad to have newcomers with us tonight. Pilots are traveling all the time, and we have few chances to meet and share good moments together. This is why these parties are so important for us. I hope you will enjoy it.” With that, Brian moved in, and Kilet welcomed the next person in line.

  On both side of the entry, two Federation Marines eyed party members. The marines were in charge of security of the Federation installation, both on board of spaceships and on the ground. They had their own facilities one block away, midway between the academy, the Federation headquarters and the Pilot Corporation. They were impressive men and women in dark ceremony uniform, and they had small sidearms with them. They did not move except for their eyes, which constantly scanned the street.

  “Well, crappie boy, try not to embarrass the guild and all of us tonight. Be nice and quiet, will you?” Sonter had found the nickname three weeks ago, and it had stuck. The crowd had brought them side by side, and he had paused just a quick second to whisper his compliment to Brian before moving away with Emily. She obviously hadn’t heard and smiled at him while she was swept away by her guide into the party.

  The party room was located in the basement of the Pilot Corporation, a building mixing old and new craftsmanship from Adheek. The large conference center could hold five hundred people easily for conventions and meetings. A band on the north side played Adheeken music, and two buffets had been set up on the other side. Two drink outlets completed the facilities for the party. Waiters moved around with various drinks. They had drinks from every planet represented in the academy and with which Adheek traded, a very rare luxury, the only true s
ymbol of the power of the guild. Brian noted there was even some wine from Earth, an old Australian vintage dating back from the time grapes could grow in that country. In the middle of the floor, two circles had been isolated with ropes.

  The teachers from the academy had joined the party, all grouped in a corner close to the band. Master Reinkel was accompanied by his wife, a small brunette with a slightly red skin, from Madoul. Master Heikert had come with two young children who bore a strong resemblance to him. They seemed so shy and impressed by the place that Brian felt compassion for them. Brian recognized also Mistress Polantor and Liupert. They had been joined by other green-uniformed members of the Federation, but Brian didn’t know them.

  Brian met in the opposite corner Shanak. He had become a friend of Brian in the last few weeks, facing similar difficulties with some of the courses. Brian nodded in passing at Don Mariano, talking around the buffet to other ambassadors.

  Kilet’s voice resonated loudly. “Three, two, one, and connection.” In the circles, two groups of people appeared in 3-D representation. “Zopol, Nillimer, you are all welcome with us. We are happy that Happynews is with you at station side for this gathering. Heavyweight, you will have a good five minutes lag. But, I am happy to gather you all here tonight.” Kilet was now in the middle of the room, and he was soon joined by Master Reinkel. Another man from the Federation—the envoy, from his tunic—came onto the small dais. This was Master Taz’al’Naram, the most powerful Federation man in the system. He was of medium build, dark eyed, and wearing a haughty expression. Sonter stood two meters behind his father and the envoy.

  Kilet whispered a few words to the envoy before continuing. “Dear all, a few quick words before the fun begin. I am happy to welcome all of you to our yearly reunion. I am proud to announce that this year was again very positive for the guild. First, we have new students joining from Earth for the first time. Many of us do remember how hard our induction time was.” Chuckles could be heard here and there in the big room. “They have all succeeded this period. I want a big round of applause for them. Welcome Earth into our guild!” The chuckles immediately transformed themselves into a tumultuous explosion of cheers. Brian was stirred by the immediate reaction the announcement had had. The envoy took over at this point. “Second, the guild has had a very profitable year, with one percent of cargo transported among stars. We are not asking you to push for volume—we don’t have the means for mass transport—but you have increased your efficiency, and this is your success. And yours alone! The Federation thanks you! Again, you can applaud your success.” The cheers came again, but Brian found them colder. What had been the price for that increase in efficiency?