The Methuselan Circuit Read Online Free Page B
Author: Christopher L. Anderson
Admiral Sten Augesburcke IV, the Commandant of the US Space Academy. Congratulations Alexander, you’ve completed the first phase of testing for a probationary year at the Space Academy. Now I don’t want to get your hopes up too high, because there are other steps that need to be taken before you are accepted as a Brevet Cadet, many of these steps depend on you and some depend on your parents.
“As you know, the Academy is located in Earth Orbit, 100 miles above the planet” The screen shifted to show the silver-white complex of the Academy built around the mottled metal monstrosity that was a mile long captured Methuselan ship. “Part of the reason the Academy is there is so that the students can gain an appreciation for just how fragile our existence is, and how important it is for the military, that might mean you, to uphold our traditions of honor and service to country. Less than a hundred years ago we almost lost all of that, but we persevered, we kept our faith in our nation, ourselves and in our God and we persevered.”
The image returned to Admiral Augesburcke. “Our world and our people have been through a great deal in the last two centuries, from the rise of Alexander and the Ascension Wars, the Methuselan invasion and finally the painful Caliphate Wars of seventy-five years ago. Through that turmoil and through the challenge of expanding into space, dealing with extraterrestrial cultures and the like one thing has kept us steady—the resolve and honor of the military. It is at the Academy where you will train and learn to be a soldier, a centurion and perhaps even an officer, if you have the merit. The Service is the greatest force for peace in the galaxy! We think you have this inside you Alexander. You are now set to begin your six week break. We need a decision in two weeks so that we can begin to prepare you for your Probationary Year at the Academy. Congratulations and good luck!”
CHAPTER 3: Attitude
Alexander could barely contain himself. He was so excited he never felt the shuttle land. It was only when the opaque screen around his seat disappeared that he realized the flight was over. He unbuckled and stood up, seeing two other boys and two girls. To his surprise Lisa was one of the girls and James was one of the boys.
Lisa came up to him, an excited smile on her face. “How did it go, are they going to send you to the Academy too?”
“I’ve got two weeks to make up my mind,” he nodded carefully. “I want to go, and I’m pretty sure my folks will let me; though they won’t be happy about me being gone so long.”
“My Dad will never let me go,” James said. His long face told them everything they needed to know. “I’m the one who does the cooking and the cleaning; I’m a virtual slave there. He’ll never let me go. I’ll have to wait until I’m eighteen and apply for a Settler’s slot.”
“That’s terrible, how can your Dad say no; it’s a chance for you to become a Citizen,” Alexander asked, amazed that anyone could be so selfish.
“That’s my Dad,” James shrugged. “He’s so lazy all he could get was a Government job. He had the chance to move up and maybe even become a Citizen, but he thinks that’s for fools. As long as he has a roof over his head, money for beer and his motorcycle he’s fine with it.”
“That’s too bad,” Lisa said firmly. “If that’s all he wants Ok, but he shouldn’t ruin your life.”
“What are you guys waiting for; can we get off this thing yet?” It was the other boy. Alexander couldn’t remember his name, but they seemed to be in the way.
“Sorry, I didn’t want to leave. It was so great to actually fly into space! I can’t wait to tell my folks,” Alexander was still hopped up on the adrenaline of the experience. The other boy felt exactly the opposite.
“I don’t ever want to get near one of these things again,” he exclaimed.
“As you know, the Academy is located in Earth Orbit, 100 miles above the planet” The screen shifted to show the silver-white complex of the Academy built around the mottled metal monstrosity that was a mile long captured Methuselan ship. “Part of the reason the Academy is there is so that the students can gain an appreciation for just how fragile our existence is, and how important it is for the military, that might mean you, to uphold our traditions of honor and service to country. Less than a hundred years ago we almost lost all of that, but we persevered, we kept our faith in our nation, ourselves and in our God and we persevered.”
The image returned to Admiral Augesburcke. “Our world and our people have been through a great deal in the last two centuries, from the rise of Alexander and the Ascension Wars, the Methuselan invasion and finally the painful Caliphate Wars of seventy-five years ago. Through that turmoil and through the challenge of expanding into space, dealing with extraterrestrial cultures and the like one thing has kept us steady—the resolve and honor of the military. It is at the Academy where you will train and learn to be a soldier, a centurion and perhaps even an officer, if you have the merit. The Service is the greatest force for peace in the galaxy! We think you have this inside you Alexander. You are now set to begin your six week break. We need a decision in two weeks so that we can begin to prepare you for your Probationary Year at the Academy. Congratulations and good luck!”
CHAPTER 3: Attitude
Alexander could barely contain himself. He was so excited he never felt the shuttle land. It was only when the opaque screen around his seat disappeared that he realized the flight was over. He unbuckled and stood up, seeing two other boys and two girls. To his surprise Lisa was one of the girls and James was one of the boys.
Lisa came up to him, an excited smile on her face. “How did it go, are they going to send you to the Academy too?”
“I’ve got two weeks to make up my mind,” he nodded carefully. “I want to go, and I’m pretty sure my folks will let me; though they won’t be happy about me being gone so long.”
“My Dad will never let me go,” James said. His long face told them everything they needed to know. “I’m the one who does the cooking and the cleaning; I’m a virtual slave there. He’ll never let me go. I’ll have to wait until I’m eighteen and apply for a Settler’s slot.”
“That’s terrible, how can your Dad say no; it’s a chance for you to become a Citizen,” Alexander asked, amazed that anyone could be so selfish.
“That’s my Dad,” James shrugged. “He’s so lazy all he could get was a Government job. He had the chance to move up and maybe even become a Citizen, but he thinks that’s for fools. As long as he has a roof over his head, money for beer and his motorcycle he’s fine with it.”
“That’s too bad,” Lisa said firmly. “If that’s all he wants Ok, but he shouldn’t ruin your life.”
“What are you guys waiting for; can we get off this thing yet?” It was the other boy. Alexander couldn’t remember his name, but they seemed to be in the way.
“Sorry, I didn’t want to leave. It was so great to actually fly into space! I can’t wait to tell my folks,” Alexander was still hopped up on the adrenaline of the experience. The other boy felt exactly the opposite.
“I don’t ever want to get near one of these things again,” he exclaimed.
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