Chapter 3

In the mess hall. Tara sits alone like usual. You'd think with her being the only girl in the academy she'd get all the attention from all the boys. No. most everyone feared her. She was already years above the rest of the pilots, and she had been arranged at birth to someday marry Admiral David of "The Space Hammer's" son Kolten.

Everyone loved and revered the Admiral. He was a true hero of Elonis.

Kolten on the other hand. Had all the potential in the world. He was given the opportunity to train and command his own ship directly out of academy if he graduates. She chuckled to herself. "I'm sure he had daddy pull some strings."

"Hey Kolten! Why don't you go sit by your woman! Or would you rather a real man entertain her?" a tall, rather built Cadet teased.

Kolten kept to his thoughts for a moment. He had known Tara was to be his wife since he was a young boy. That blonde headed girl with the playful smile had grown into a beautiful woman. Maybe he would get up and go sit by her. Then he decided against it. they were at the academy. Romantic relationships were against the rules.

"You got nothing to say, Space brat?" the Cadet laughingly belted out.

Tara looked up at the Cadet named Roger as he was speaking. Other than a few play dates as a child. She didn't know him all that well. Especially now that he's grown. They were 12 at the time she last saw him.

Kolten stands up in a burst of anger. "Roger you know romantic relationships is against academy rules."

Kolten moves in and rears back to punch the Cadet Roger to teach him a lesson. Roger dodges the would be painful punch, and counters. Throwing Kolten down on the ground. Embarrassed Kolten on his hands and knees prepares to get up and ram Roger. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Tara get up and walk towards them.

Kolten closes his eyes in frustration.

"THUMP" Roger falls flat on his back.

Tara hit him so hard it knocked him unconscious.

Then she walks over to Kolten.

"Get up! You look ugly at that angle." she demands with a slight smile on her face.

"Tara! Kolten! In my office now! And someone get Cadet 0928 to medical!" Demanded General Thompson, the man incharge of the Academy.

"The rest of you lights out in one hour. 0500 comes around earlier than you think."

"Yes sir, General Thompson sir!"

All the cadets shout in unison.

In General Thompson's office.

"Cadet 0606, Cadet 1104. I am very disappointed in what happened today at the mess hall. Cadet 1104. You are the best and most promising student we've ever had. Cadet 0606. The only thing I can say to you is your father is going to be displeased with you. What do you have to say for yourselves? A Cadet is in medical unconscious and with missing teeth."

"Serves him right." Tara whispers under her breath.

"What was that Cadet 1104?" Asked the now furious general.

"Nothing sir!" responded Kolten and Tara in unison.

"I know you two are arranged to be married. After academy you have your whole lives to fight with and for each other. This is not the place." the general says before ushering them out of the door to his office."