Alpha One - Chris Burton [42]
“You can’t take me off Top Gun. With or without the sponsorship, this was still my application.”
His tutor interrupted. “It is. However I can ask you for your DOR.”
It suddenly dawned on Steve how serious this was. DOR (dropped on request) was a voluntary resignation from the Academy, usually reserved for students. allowing them to resign rather than be pushed. It was rare, and you had to be in serious trouble for DOR to even be mentioned.
“What’s the point of the psych evaluation? It will be the same as last time, and I will get behind on my jump pilot course. That is my chief specialty. You can’t ask for my DOR.”
“I am sorry, Steve. Top Gun is not an option. It is too significant a distraction for you right now. Please accept my judgment, for which I have sought the opinions of your flight instructors and your other tutors. I don’t like doing this, but we need to graduate our best pilots. That is your and our priority.”
Steve reflected for a few moments. “I understand your position and you are just doing your job, but I am going to challenge this. “
“That is your prerogative. You won’t take any further part in the academy’s Top Gun competition.
Steve left the tutors office in a bad mood. He felt angry and let down by his tutor and the academy. He would fight this.
* * * *
Jake Carter sat at a terminal in the resources block. He was researching Quadroponics as part of his Stellar Cartography class and his mornings work was successful. Quadroponics was the study of plant life in biospheres, or, more specifically, in a vacuum or on a Beta Forming Planet.
Jake glanced up and saw Steve marching towards him with a scowl on his face. Clearly he was not happy. Steve threw his utility bag on the table, grunted and slouched down on a chair beside Jake, continuing his sulky impression.
“I didn’t know you had a free period.” Jake tried it on to see if he could get Steve to bite. Steve sighed; Jake’s attempt to wind him up passed him by. He explained the reason for his melancholy expression.
“Oh my God,” said Jake. “You are in shit. Why didn’t you tell me your grades were so low? I could have helped, so could Carla.”
* * * *
Maria refrained from getting directly involved because she wanted to avoid what she termed a ‘conflict of interest.’ She referred them to the Academy’s Legal Consulate, a student resource where grievances against the Academy could be addressed.
* * * *
The Consul beckoned both students into her office. Over coffee, Steve detailed the events leading to his imposition. She reflected for a moment.
“I think there is a case for saying you were placed under undue pressure by enforcing a one point reduction in your final graduation score, and we should pursue this with the Chancellor’s office. However, your tutor acted properly and is really looking after your best interests. I don’t see any precedence for him to stop you from continuing as a Top Gun candidate, but I can’t do a thing about the scheduled psych test. If you fail this, you will have to sit out the next month grounded, as every other person would.”
“I will be out of Top Gun whatever happens, so I am wasting my time. “ Steve started to stand up, but Jake pushed him down.
“Is there a precedent for grounded pilots to re-enter the Top Gun competition if they are already candidates?” Jake asked.
“Possibly,” said the Consul, “Although this is not really my jurisdiction. We need to ensure we don’t get away from the big issue here. This is not Top Gun. It’s about your graduation. You need to speak to the Top Gun administrators if you are grounded, and they can advise further on this. If you in agreement, I will discuss the relevant issues with the Chancellors office and get back to you. I suggest you don’t do anything until you have heard back from me, other than take the psych test as planned this afternoon. Assuming I can get back to you by tomorrow evening, and your tests are negative, it is possible you may be able to participate in the Top Gun tournament.”
Steve and Jake left the Consul’s office and headed straight