Volume One | Chapter Three - Part Two

It didn't take long for Hazer and Gudjonsson to eventually arrive at the superior officers' office within the academy. What did surprise Hazer though was the laid-back nature of the cadets that were attending this prestigious academy. Even though he himself wasn't in one of the Federations academies during the Valkyrie War he was expecting to act like a soldier at all times.

However, the students here were acting like there was no care in the world many of them were lounging around just chatting and laughing.

Figures, the Federation would get relaxed after the war that's how democracy works, Hazer thought to himself somewhat zealous of the carefree lifestyle these students were leading.

Then again could Hazer really blame them, as far as, they were concerned the peace was going to be an everlasting effect between the Federation and the Space Alliance Systems but all it took was one thing or person to reignite the flames of war between the two factions.

Could these students really handle such a thing? Hazer wondered to himself.

After arriving at the door to the superior officers' office Gudjonsson took a seat across the hall facing the office. As for Hazer, he racked the door with such precision it seemed he had practised such a thing for hours upon hours.

"Come in!" Hazer could hear the voice of an older man on the other side of the door.

Hazer swiftly entered the office standing to attention in his casual attire unprepared for the sudden call-up and transfer to this academy. He stood there for a few seconds waiting as the officer finished off typing something on his holopad.

Once finished the old man looked up with his buzzcut hair a mixture of black and grey as too was his moustache. His eyes had that sense of no life in them.

"You must be the new transfer" he bluntly stated.

Hazer took a few steps towards the officers' desk seeing the Brigadier General insignia embroidered on the chest of his clothing. Hazer made a curt salute.

"Yes sir, reporting for duty" he replied.

The Brigadier General nodded still looking at Hazer leaning back in his chair he placed the holopad down upon his desk. Sighing with a hint of agitation he signalled with his hand for Hazer to take the seat opposite him. As for Hazer, he did just that not wanting to get on this man's bad side on the first day.

"I'm Brigadier General Murphy" he stated, Hazer was about to respond before Brigadier General Murphy stopped him by putting his hand up.

"I know who you are Second Lieutenant Hazer Yamagi, I've had the pleasure of witnessing your exploits first hand..." he paused for a moment pulling out a pack of cigarettes he offered some to Hazer who politely refused the kind gesture. As for Brigadier General Murphy, he didn't waste any time lighting his cigarette and puffing on it.

"...Xeres Cluster, Operation Phoenix Rising and undoubtedly your greatest achievement the Battle on the Moon which ended the Valkyrie War"

Normally any soldier who had their track record relayed to them whilst being praised for such achievements would most certainly be chuffed, Hazer, on the other hand, wasn't one of those.

"You flatter me, sir" he replied.

Brigadier General Murphy looks at Hazer for a moment, "Did the Supreme Council tell you, why you were really transferred here?"

Hazer shook his head, "No sir"

"They were able to pull a few strings at the Intergalactic Committee we're staging a training exercise near the Xeres Cluster..."

The mention of the Intergalactic Committee caught Hazer's attention they very much operated like the United Nations from hundreds of years ago, however, this organization worked on a galactic level. If the Federation were able to do this something must be at work within the Intergalactic Committee, Hazer thought.

"...whilst we're staging that exercise we're going to take the chance to investigate the area and if so neutralize any and all hostile threats, well to put it bluntly you will while the rest of the students partake in their training exercise"

Hazer was surprised that Brigadier General Murphy had such a stern look on his he expected his superior officer to have some semblance of a grin upon his face.

"I understand sir" Hazer answered.

"Obviously due to certain policies we've only been able to organize the exercise as early two weeks from now. So until then blend in, stay incognito to the rest of the students remember to them you're just a myth, a legend" The Brigadier General inhaled a big load of smoke from his cigarette before puffing it out watching Hazer's expressions and body language very closely.

"I understand sir, is there anything else?" Hazer asked trying to keep a straight face.

"That'll be all Second Lieutenant you're free to leave"

Hazer immediately jumped out of his chair giving the Brigadier General a curt salute before turning away heading towards the door that leads to the latter's' office.

As for Brigadier General Murphy, he continued to watch Hazer right until the door to his office was completely shut before turning in his office chair looking out onto the white clouds that dotted the clear blue sky.

Akari was heading to the superior officers' office within the academy after being summoned over the campus speaker system. Coming to do the door she noticed a Federation NCO seating on a seat across from the office moving her hand to grab the door handle see was surprised when it suddenly opened.

The next thing she witnessed was a large figure walking into her making stumble back a few steps closing her eyes as instinct. To her surprise a hand latched onto hers almost immediately afterwards she hovered in this position for a few seconds.

"Hey, you alright?"

Akari heard a gentle boys voice opening her eyes she was greeted by the intense shine of dark blonde hair and his radiant blue eyes. She noticed that the hand she was holding didn't feel quite human more rigged and slimline smooth compared to human skin.

He pulls her almost startling Akari who bumps into the boy's chest her cheeks were a hue of light red. When she looked at the boys face something about him felt familiar.

"Hello? Anyone there?" the boy was waving his hand in front of Akari's face.

Coming back to reality Akari shook her head, "U-Uh y-yeah, thank you for that" she stammered slightly her cheeks still red.

"Well that's good" the boy replied.

"Hazer Yamagi!" the Brigadier General barked out as he opened the door.

The mention of Hazer Yamagi jogged Akari's memory of the Nebula attack in the city just a dozen or so days ago. She remembered Takashi speaking to this boy as if they were really good friends from childhood, and she remembers Takashi mentioning Hazer Yamagi when addressing that mysterious boy.

She looks at Hazer for a moment, there's no mistaking it that's him, she thought to herself. She quickly turned away feeling embarrassed about this whole dilemma.

"I forgot to remind you..." the Brigadier General paused for a moment upon seeing Akari "...ah, Cadet Akari what perfect timing"

The Brigadier General turns to Hazer, "Hazer Yamagi, this is Cadet Akari she'll be your guide around the academy showing you everything we have to offer"

Akari's eyes widened upon hearing the Brigadier General's suggestion she looks to her superior officer for a moment as if wanting help from him. She then looks to Hazer who is casually looked at her as if waiting for a response. This made Akari even more nervous and embarrassed and in turn, her cheeks started to become more blushed.