Alpha One - Chris Burton [23]
Jake and Carla both had a free period after Stellar Navigation and they headed for the central campus for a coffee. The sun was again extremely hot and they opted for the climate-controlled environment of the Refectory rather than outside. It was quiet, and Jake and Carla took the opportunity to grab a snack and catch up.
Carla apologized for not being entirely clear about happened on Titan, and she took the opportunity to explain what really happened during her trip. When she finished, Jake urged her to be careful. Carla took his advice in good grace, but made it clear she found her sister and had no intention of letting her go again. Her parents agreed to fund a further trip to Titan at the end of the autumn term. Christmas on Titan was not a tantalizing prospect, thought Jake, but he offered himself as a travelling companion. Carla accepted readily. Great, Jake thought. Steve will be delighted and my parents will be decidedly unhappy when I announce that I am going to miss yet another family Christmas.
The free period ended and they headed off for the next lesson. In Carla’s case, Colonial Political and Environment, and for Jake, it was jump ship time.
Jake met Steve at the campus subrail station and they took the next train to the space port. The brief journey was uneventful, but Jake noted Steve was unusually quiet.
When they reached the surface, having climbed the stairs from the subrail station. Jake asked Steve whether everything was okay.
Steve’s response was considered, if not a little blunt. “Yes fine. It’s Monday.” He then clammed up again and they continued their silence until they reached the Academy tutorial block. They were five minutes early and they headed for a shaded spot and both took the opportunity to take refreshment from their liquid tubes.
Steve then opened up.
“I just had my pilot’s license revoked,” he said.
“What, why?” asked Jake.
“I had my monthly medical this morning. My physicals were ninety-eight percent but the head scan picked up a possible psychological issue. I am on a temporary license revoke, pending a twenty-four hours psych evaluation. The fuckers are trying to find a way to get me out of the Academy.”
“No way Steve. The scanners are thorough and it is possible they picked up on something small. The evaluation will clear you. I am sure your suspension will last a day or two only. Anyway, you’ve been though a pretty traumatic ten days or so. You are bound to still be a little stressed and the scanners have probably picked up on that. You are still here today though?”
“Its theory today and tomorrow. I am not worried about that,” replied Steve. “It’s the Top Gun tournament I am worried about.”
“When does the evaluation commence?”
“The monitor is being fitted at 5.30 p.m. in the occupational screening facility.”
“Okay, do you want me to come with you?”
“No, my friend, thanks for offering, but I need to clear my head. I am going straight back to my apartment and have a quiet and uneventful evening. Can you tell Carla for me?”
“Sure, but she will wonder why you are not telling her yourself.”
“Yes she will, but she is going to be disappointed with me once again. I need to stay clear of the stress for the next twenty-four hours.”
“I am sure it will all be a lot clearer tomorrow.”
With that the doors to the Academy tutorial block opened and the jump pilots entered and headed for a small lecture theatre to the rear of the building.
Commander Teddy Taylor waited as the students entered. He shifted his papers patiently as he waited for all the students to take a seat and then stood up.
“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Today we are going to talk about Sabre 3’s.
Chapter Eleven
Returning to Alpha One