Chapter 4

Today is the day. Tara irons her white jumpsuit, and polishes her boots. Today she was graduating top of her class with honors.

Out of the 150 cadets who started out in her class of pilots. Only eleven passed. The ones who failed would be on clerical or janitorial duties until the next class was offered. She didn't even feel bad for those cadets. Many were only there for the glory, and other selfish reasons. They didn't care to actually put in the work and it showed. Yes they deserved the jobs they had coming.

Not her. She deserved her wings. It was her first step to freedom and a way off this God forsaken planet. She dreamed of going back to planet Earth where her ancestors many generations before had come from before the war that devastated the whole planet.

With or without Kolten by her side she was going to Earth when her time in the service was over.

Kolten frantically started getting dressed in his officers blue suited uniform. His black dress shoes were so shiney you could see your reflection in them.

Looking in the mirror he combs his red hair back and jokes.

"If only Elvis Presley could see this hair. He'd be jealous."

Kolten didn't really understand fully the importance of Elvis. However his grandmother got him listening to Elvis music when he was a child and he liked it.

"All cadets to the graduation ceremony!" a voice Shouted through the intercom system.

Well this is it, Kolten thought to himself.

The graduation ceremony was held in the Academies banquet hall. it was about the size of four basketball courts.

The families of the cadets graduating were already seated, and General Thompson was already on the stage in front of the microphone.

General Thompson taps on the microphone then clears his throat.

" Ladies and gentlemen! I'd like to introduce you to Elonis Military Academies graduating class of 2341."

The families all clap and cheer.

General Thompson gets back on the microphone.

"I'd like to start with our star student. Top of the class, and the first ever female cadet. Cadet 1104 come forward. Here is your diploma, wings, and first assignment."

Tara stands up and walks down the isle to the front of the stage.

The crowd cheers for the young lady.

Kolten in his thoughts. Damn she looks beautiful. Her mid length blonde hair, and the pressed white pilot suit is a good look for her.

Tara turns to face the crowd and gives off a salute. Trying hard to be serious and Military like. Makes it hard for her to hide her smile and emotions.

General Thompson goes through and awards the other ten pilot cadets their diplomas, wings, and assignments too.

Next he does the reserves, and the ground troops. One by one hands out their diplomas and assignments.

Finally it's Kolten's turn. Him and the 7 other officers.

"Cadet 0606." General Thompson just called his Cadet I.D.

Kolten walked forward to the stage.

"Cadet 0606 will be the new commander in training aboard "The Space Hammer"! the general announced.

"The Space Hammer " that was his father's ship! It was the largest battleship in the fleet. Recently just upgraded with the most modern technology and weapons whenthey pulled it from retirement.

One by one General Thompson called the other seven cadets in Kolten's class.

"The seven of you will accompany CIT Kolten on the flight deck " the General cheerfully announced.

The crowd cheers and claps.

Then General Thompson urges the crowd to quiet down.

"One more thing. I am pleased to announce that I will be stepping down from the academy. We're pulling Admiral David out of retirement to move the academy forward. I will be joining the crew on the Space Hammer as the Admiral."

The crowd gasps in excitement and shock. Then goes back to cheering.

After the ceremony was over. Kolten's family were searching for their son to personally congratulate him.

Kolten only had one thing on his mind. He had to find Tara.