Alpha One - Chris Burton [13]
Jake considered standing in the early stages of last year but was persuaded not to by Steve and Carla. Standing against Simon Ward Anderson would have been futile; he was a natural public speaker and a born politician, and while he didn’t excel in any other area he was ‘popular’ and was always going to win the vote.
His compatriot on the Panel was Maria Shavenosky, a veritable wunderkind who charmed the votes out of the majority of her male voters. Ward Anderson and Maria sat in front of Jake and Steve while they awaited the return of the Chair. Jake didn’t care much for Ward Anderson. He was a little smarmy, as far as Jake was concerned, and clearly considered himself to be a cut above the average student. A man destined for an Earth-based staff post and presumably a march up through the ranks, without anyone really noticing whether he achieved anything, thought Jake.
Maria Shavenosky was different, a petite and attractive Polish girl who was also one of the brightest students on the campus. She would graduate in the top ten and become a damn good pilot. She had also had a brief encounter for Jake in year one of the academy, a fact that hadn’t gone down well with Joanna, his girlfriend at the time. Jake got himself into trouble on several occasions in that first year when he was ‘caught with his trousers down’, but somehow Joanna always managed to forgive him. Jake told himself he’d grown out of this immature behavior and his relationship with Joanna ended not because of his infidelity, but because Joanna graduated. They parted as friends as she headed for her first jump pilot posting.
Maria looks good today, thought Jake. He really must catch up with her soon.
Just then one of the faculty administrators entered and whispered in the ear of one of the permanent members of the Panel.
“The Chair has been briefly detained elsewhere but will return shortly. The meeting will remain in session, pending his return.”
Jake and Steve sat in silence and Steve shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Jake did feel for Steve. His actions merited this response, but it was clear he regretted them and was willing to do anything to get back onto the course. Whether that would be enough remained to be seen.
Steve sweated, feeling hot and uneasy. His future was being held in the balance and the bastards were making him wait for his punishment deliberately.
Why can’t Carla be here? He thought. Her wanderlust was just bad timing. He needed her here by his side. Jake was a help, and if he was honest, he could have been in even more trouble, if Jake hadn’t supported him both today and following the ‘incident’ itself. He forgot about how only days before he accused Jake of sleeping with Carla. He didn’t care anymore. He wanted Carla back and just wanted to get on with his training. Steve feared the worst. He knew they didn’t have the direct power to have him thrown off the course but they could influence his senior tutor and his flight trainer. He could be looking at graduating as a shuttle pilot.
The Chair finally arrived and took his seat. He shuffled some papers and spoke a few brief words to the other panel members and then he stood and addressed the meeting.
“Enson Costella, please stand. You have admitted to the charges brought