Prologue:
In the year 4053, the Galactic Republic of the Milky Way had seen unprecedented prosperity. The planetary trade routes were secure, space piracy had all but been destroyed, and there was a stability in the political theater that had never been seen in the Republic's history. Many thought that this golden age would last forever, but unknowingly to them, in that same year, that golden age was brought down to its knees. They came suddenly, unknown by any civilization. Their advanced weapons and shield systems on their ships decimated the Republic fleets, their soldiers' weapons destroying any resistance in ground combat. In the blink of the eye, the Republic, and humanity in general, was on the brink.
However, during this time, two recruits, who were desperately sent to the front lines along with their class, started to turn the tide. In just a couple months, they set themselves apart as the most elite unit, with the invaders not having any answer for their tactics and skills. Leading the last of the Republic's fleet, they led an assault on the enemy flagship where their leader ruled from. After a bloody battle, the leader was killed by the two, the enemy fleet destroyed, and were considered heroes throughout the entire Republic.
In the few years that followed, these two heroes and their allies were sent throughout the Republic to quell unrest, assist the civilians, and help rebuild the Republic and the military. However, some government officials in high places became jealous of the popularity of the two heroes, and so began to harass them every step of the way. Growing tired of dealing with the government, the two heroes pulled away from public life, got married, and disappeared, along with all of their allies.
It's been 25 years since the crisis has passed, and the Republic is still in the process of rebuilding. As the population gets used to this new perpetual peace yet again, a new class in a military academy is formed.
Chapter 1:
"Now arriving on Xitis. Now arriving on Xitis."
The overhead speaker of the public spaceship rang overhead, awakening a young man who was dozing against the window. After stretching his arms, he instinctively reached for his bags. Relieved that they were still there and not stolen while he was asleep, the young man slung the bags over his shoulders. Looking out the window, the man took in the views as the ship began to descend through the atmosphere. A few minutes later, the ship had landed on a docking port, with a walkway extending out to the ship's exit. Staying put for a couple minutes, he allowed the wave of people exiting to dwindle before calmly stepping off.
He was met with a plethora of new sights, with virtual slot machines, restaurants, and tourist traps spread throughout the port. "Guess they weren't exaggerating about trying to suck the money from your pockets right as you step out." He muttered to himself as he walked to a grav-tram. "Stop 15...right where I need to go." He stepped on the tram and took one of the few open seats left. Turning on a holowatch on his left wrist, he sent out a quick message to a group chat, letting everyone know that he had arrived safely. Within seconds, the chat exploded with a bunch of good luck's and other supportive messages. Taking a deep breath, the man looked out the window as the grav-tram began to move.
This is the first time I'm going to be by myself...things should be...interesting to say the least.
After a several minute ride on the tram, he stepped off and looked at a holo-map on his watch. The academy should be...to the right. Looking to the right, the young man cautiously walked along the path, keeping an eye out for any sign of another student wearing the academy uniform. Much to his relief, he didn't have to walk long before he spotted two students wearing the same uniform as him walking in the same direction. "At least I didn't get lost on my first day here." He said to himself as he quickened his pace. Ten minutes later, the academy's buildings came into view. "So...this is where they came from."
In the front of an unimpressive gate, was a large photo encased in a clear plastic-like substance. In the photo was the class picture of the two heroes and the rest of their class. Underneath the photo was the phrase "Galactic Heroes: Now and Forever."
"This really makes it clear what they expect from us, doesn't it?" Another voice said directly behind the man. Turning around, he saw another, well-built man wearing the same uniform. "The academy in which the heroes came from, Xitis Military Academy, now only accepts the best of the best. We should be honored that we've been accepted."
"And you are?"
"Oh pardon my manners. I'm Aidan. Aidan Watson. What's yours?"
"Maxim. Maxim Harris."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Maxim. Judging by your uniform, it looks like we'll be in the same class."
Maxim took another look at Aidan's uniform and noticed the color was slightly different from everyone else's, the same color he himself was wearing.
"Ah...you must have been accepted into Class One."
"Sure have. It's an honor to be considered among the best of the best of recruits."
This guy sure seems to have a...high opinion of himself.
"I assume you've already been trained then?" Maxim asked Aidan as he began to walk through the gate.
"I sure have. My parents themselves trained me since I was a kid. They were in the military during the crisis and met during the final battle to drive the invaders away."
"Oh? How long were they in the military?"
"They're still in the military. I had to move with them from planet to planet to help with the rebuilding. During this time, they taught me how to fight, and I've practiced every day."
"Seems like you'll be a good guy to stay close to when things turn south."
Aidan laughed. "I don't know about that. If you've been accepted into a class I'm in, that must mean you've been well trained yourself."
Maxim chuckled. "Considering your background, I doubt I'm anywhere near your level. However, I can definitely hold my own during a fight."
Aidan nodded. "I see. What do you specialize in?"
"I'm decent at hand to hand and using a rifle, but I'm best at using a saber."
As he said this, he grabbed his saber hilt and showed it to Aidan. "I'm most comfortable using this." Aidan grabbed the hilt and gave it a quick glance over. "This seems like a well-made saber. Did you make it yourself?"
"I did."
"You're really good at it then."
"Thanks." Aidan handed Maxim his saber. "Have you built your own saber yet?"
Aidan nodded. "I have, but my parents helped me a lot to make it."
Maxim nodded his head as he looked at a holomap on his watch of the campus, which also showed an announcement for a first-year assembly in the main auditorium. "So...it looks like we'll need to just get to the auditorium for an assembly. Have you heard about where our classroom is?"
"I have not. I assume we'll be told where the classroom is at the assembly."
As they continued to walk, Maxim couldn't help but notice that many of the other recruits had their parents with them, telling them goodbye. "I assume your parents must be deployed? From what I'm seeing, most students have their parents here."
"Yeah they are. Don't know the exact planet they've been sent to but it's towards the outer edge of the Republic. What about your parents?"
"They couldn't make it. A bunch of various things came up and destroyed any chance of them being able to make it. They did message me after I arrived though."
"What do your parents do?"
"They...do whatever jobs they can get. Kind of hard to explain."
"Ahh gotcha. Freelancers?"
"Something like that. Mixture of freelancing and mercenaries I guess."
"Sounds like you have some interesting parents."
Maxim chuckled. "That they are. They've always been busy, but they always made time for me and my sisters."
"You have sisters?"
"Yep. Three of them. One of them is four years younger than me, and the twins are only five years old. It was hard coming here and leaving them behind."
"I can only imagine how difficult that was." Aidan chuckled. "I'm an only child, and even then I was an accident. My parents made sure they didn't have any more than me because of how busy they were with their work. Definitely workaholics."
"They must have had enough time to train you though."
"Oh they definitely did. Despite how busy they were, they made sure to spend as much time with me as possible. They did their best despite their responsibilities to the military."
"Did they know the two heroes?"
"Unfortunately no. They were on another ship during the battle but did help provide some cover fire for them to enter the command ship. From what I've been told, it's definitely a battle that deserves its historical significance."
The two of them had arrived at the biggest building on the campus. The large, square building housed the main auditorium on the main floor, with the second floor containing around five classrooms. In front of the main auditorium was a lobby with a reception desk in the left corner. In the center was a large wall separating the lobby from the auditorium with four large doors allowing access to the auditorium. The lobby was already full of recruits, some saying their last goodbyes to their families while many of them were either standing around on their holowatches or making their way towards the auditorium.
Maxim looked around. "Is it just me, or are they a lot more recruits than expected?"
Aidan nodded. "You noticed it too huh? My guess is most recruits want to come here and follow the same path of the heroes."
"That makes sense I guess. Despite it being over twenty years ago, they're still extremely popular."
Aidan chuckled. "I'm not surprised. They essentially saved the entire Republic after all. Humanity may very well owe their existence to them. However, ever since they left the military, nobody knows what they or the rest of their allies have been up to."
"That's probably the mystery of the century." Maxim laughed. "But considering what would have happened if they weren't there...I doubt we'd be here having a leisurely chat that's for sure."
Aidan and Maxim walked into the auditorium, with dozens of rows of chairs neatly lined up throughout. Aidan and Maxim walked over to a row in the very back in the left side and sat down. "Wonder what this place was like during the crisis." Aidan said as he looked around.
"They probably weren't calmly hosting a first year assembly that's for sure. Most likely all they did was train."
"Excuse me, may I sit here?"
The two of them turned and saw a younger looking boy with short brown hair, brown eyes, and a few freckles dotting his face. Maxim immediately noticed that he was wearing the same colored uniform as them. "Sure thing."
The boy nodded and sat down next to Maxim, looking around nervously before turning to Maxim. "So what's your name?"
"I'm Maxim."
"Aidan. I see we're all sporting the same colored uniform."
The boy nodded. "Indeed we do. Are we perhaps put into the same class?"
Maxim nodded. "I assume so. And you are..."
"Oh forgive me! I'm Brandon!"
Aidan and Maxim both nodded before Aidan began to speak. "So, Brandon, what do you use to fight?"
"Umm...well I'm actually in process of getting permission to train in the next-gen energy weapons. Can be used as a saber and blaster, among other uses."
Aidan looked a bit shocked. "Energy weapons huh? I had heard they were in development but haven't met anyone that's trying to use them as their primary weapon."
Brandon nervously rubbed his neck. "Well...I am a bit of a techie. I try to keep up on the latest and greatest in tech, and weapons are no exception."
Maxim nodded. "So I assume you're able to repair and build your own computers and holo tech?"
Brandon nodded. "I am! I personally built my own custom holo-watch, and I'm in process of trying to build my own supercomputer."
"Aren't those...only supposed to be owned by the Republic government and authorized researchers?"
"Technically, only those who manufacture them can sell to the government, but there's no law against building your own."
Before the conversation could continue, a loud voice boomed through the speaker. "If I may have your attention please." A few students that hadn't found a seat began to quickly find an open spot. Soon, most of the chairs were occupied, and the elderly man who was standing on the stage, microphone in hand, continued. "Welcome everyone to the seventy-ninth annual first-year opening assembly. Every single one of you have been recruited for your abnormally high potential or exemplary skills. You should all feel honored to have been assigned to this academy."
A few murmurs spread amongst the students as the man continued. "As you all know, this academy was the academy our two heroes, Eric Sharp and Bridget Hayes, graduated from. It was from here that they found their allies, trained, and came up with strategies to defeat the invaders. Despite their disappearance, we are all still grateful for what they did."
The students began to clap as the man temporarily stopped speaking. As the clapping died down, the man continued. "During your four years here, you'll be taught everything from mathematics, tactics, combat training, and everything in between. Many graduates don't acquire jobs in the military and instead find jobs as a civilian, and we'll be sure to have you prepared for whatever career you may choose. You'll be split into classes based on what you've originally put on your career plans, with civilian jobs separated from those planning on joining the military."
Maxim glanced over among the students he could see and noticed a few that had similarly hued uniforms, but that most had two distinct colors, which he assumed separated the civilian and military students. So...they chose these to be a part of this class. So far there's a proud and skilled fighter and a person who specializes in tech. This should be interesting to see who else specializes in what. I'm going to have to see who else is a part of this before I can...
Several minutes later, the man looked over the students. "This is the conclusion of the first year assembly. Please look in your guidebooks that were sent to you over the net last week for your homeroom. I wish you all a most successful school year, and I'm looking forward to watching your development."
Most of the students stood up and began to walk out of the auditorium. Aidan turned to Maxim and Brandon. "Did you two receive this guidebook he spoke of?"
Brandon and Maxim shook their heads. "Maybe they forgot to send it to everyone?"
A woman loudly cleared her throat at the front of the auditorium. "Aaalright everyone! Those of you who are wondering why you haven't gotten your guidebook, may I have your attention please?"
The three of them, plus everyone who was still in the auditorium, all those wearing the same uniform, looked at the woman. The women looked at the ten students. "Good, looks like everyone is here."
A woman with long, brown hair, blue eyes, and a fit physique raised her hand. "Um...why are we all singled out?"
"Great question!" The woman said as she stood on the stage, the elderly man having moved to the side and watching the scene unfolding in front of him. "I'm sure you've all noticed, but your uniforms are a bit different from everyone else's. Congratulations for that! You've all been selected for a special class the academy decided to form this year! You're all in the Special Forces curriculum, a new curriculum developed just for you."
The woman pointed to herself. "I'm sure you're all wondering who I am. I'm your instructor, Sydney Clarke."
Aidan's head tilted. "Wait...are you perhaps THE Sydney Clarke? The leader to the Squad of Four?"
Sydney nodded. "You are correct! I've been transferred away from my squad and have instead been assigned to be your instructor during your time at this academy."
Brandon looked at Aidan. "What's the Squad of Four?"
"It's a small squad of four soldiers. They're considered to be the most elite group in the military and are sent on the most dangerous missions. They've stopped revolutions before they could gain power, destroyed criminal syndicates, and are known to be nearly impossible to beat in a fight if they're all together. They're essentially the unofficial successors of the two heroes."
Sydney looked at Aidan. "It looks like you're well informed. Is your family perhaps in the military?"
Aidan nodded. "They are. They're currently stationed in the outer territories."
Sydney nodded. "I see. Well as he was saying, I was a part of the Squad of Four. I've seen my fair share of fights and had many times where my life was on the line."
Another woman with shorter, black hair spoke up. "So why are you here and not with your squad? I'm sure you would have been more useful to the military if you were completing missions for the government."
Sydney chuckled. "To be honest, I agree with you. I was suddenly given these orders just two weeks ago, and if I had a say I'd still be with my group." She stared at the black haired woman. "However, I've been taught to give my all in whatever I do. I promise I'll be the best instructor I can be."
The elderly man stepped up next to Sydney. "I'm sure you all have questions as to why this class was formed, and to be honest even I don't have all the answers despite being in charge of this academy. However, you've all been chosen from this pool of candidates to join this special class." The man looked at Sydney. "Because of Ms. Clarke's background as being the leader of the Squad of Four, a squad that focuses exclusively on special operations, it was decided, admittedly late, that she would be the best candidate for your instructor."
There was a silence that pervaded the auditorium for a couple seconds before Sydney spoke up. "Now, I know this is the first time you've all met each other, but since this is Special Operations, instead of a day to get acquainted with each other, you'll be given a different task."
Sydney walked down from the stage and to an exit. "Now if you'll all follow me, I'll be taking you to a place you're going to get VERY familiar with over your time here."
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