Volume One | Chapter Three - Part Three

As they the duo proceeded to tour the campus of the military academy there was an aching feeling in the back of Hazer's mind when he looked at Akari before he didn't notice her cute yet beautiful features. To be honest he found it quite hard to keep his eyes off the girl as they walked.

Hazer's escort, Gudjonsson stayed behind to await his return. At least I don't need to hear his annoying comments, for the time being, Hazer thought to himself. He had no qualms with the guy it just sometimes Hazer needed time alone to get his thoughts adjusted.

"And here is the boys' dorms where you'll be staying if you haven't figured that out yet" Akari spoke up jolting Hazer out of his deep thinking.

Hazer looked at Akari for a moment catching glimpse of her somewhat offish remark. As well he noticed her blushed cheeks as she looked on towards the side off into the distance trying to avoid eye contact with him.

Hazer rubbed the back of his head nervously, "Well...um...thank you I guess" he tried to put on his best smile. He may be handsome, but he was a sucker for trying to be a ladies man.

Akari scoffed as she walked by him refusing to look at him.

A thought came to Hazer's mind, "When do classes start?" once again he smiled nervously.

Akari sighed, "seven in the morning, and don't be late" she rushed off leaving Hazer all by his lonesome in the small courtyard situated outside the boys' dorm.

Looking up Hazer could see the old intricate designs of the stone on the outside of the building along with what he could only assume as much needed renovation to keep it standing. Just by looking at the dorm block itself Hazer could clearly tell that the building had at least a few hundred years of history to it.

Well here we go thankfully I won't be here for too long, he thought to himself as he proceeded towards the double-doored entrance of the boys' dorms.

Xala was aboard the Space Alliance Systems carrier, the Harkin. He was still his crimson red and black military uniform as protocol demanded from all military personnel of the Space Alliance Systems. The ships had the typical dark grey material that was fitted on all space-faring ship, however, this ship belonging to that of the Space Alliance Systems had some notable changes especially in the decor. Which used a very similar colour to that of Xala's uniform except for the mode trinkets and ornaments that were used for each room.

The Harkin was on route to the Xeres Cluster his orders were to investigate an invisible space station located there, and if need be terminate the target if it was a threat to the security of the Space Alliance Systems.

Standing alone in one of the many rooms that allowed you to look out into the continuous nothingness he couldn't help but have some doubts about this operation.

What could possibly be of such concern to the top brass to send a few ships out to the Xeres Cluster to 'investigate' this matter? Xala asked himself mentally.

However, he couldn't come up with a plausible answer ever since the end of the Valkyrie War there's been no need for unnecessary hostility between the Federation and the Space Alliance Systems. It wouldn't benefit either side because the two factions wouldn't gain anything at this point.

Xala rubbed his head, "No point thinking on such things it's just better to get the job done at this point"

He looks down at the necklace hanging around his neck, he gingerly clasps his fingers around the necklace. On closer inspection, it closely resembled that of military dog tags, however, these were unique and albeit more fashionable than the former.

Looking more closely at the dog tags there were two individual metal pieces one of them read Xala Memphis, and the second tag read Hazer Yamagi.

Xala takes a moment looking at the dog tags before returning his gaze back out upon the blackness of empty space on the other side of the window before him.

"I wonder what you're up to Hazer" Xala mutters to himself quietly.

Suddenly he was interrupted by the sliding double doors behind him a Space Alliance Systems Sergeant stood at the entryway. Upon seeing Xala, the Sergeant instantly saluted him the former returning the gesture back to his comrade.

"Sorry to bother you Special Officer Memphis but you're needed at the bridge right away" the Sergeant relaid his orders to Xala.

"Understood Sergeant I'll be there right away" Xala responded.

On that note, the Sergeant snapped his feet together followed swiftly by a salute. Xala returned the same gesture just as swiftly as he watched the Sergeant exiting the room, he turned around taking another look out at space his eyes scrunched up ever so slightly before he too left the room heading towards the bridge.