The military officers made their way to the crowd gathered at Academy grounds in an orderly fashion.
"Captain, didn't we see an airplane crash-landing somewhere here? How come we don't see it?" Lieutenant Sid asked as he and the rest of the squad looked at the marvelous white castle that was the Academy grounds.
Captain West was silent for a moment as they continued to make their way over the large crowd of people.
"It's certainly odd...We'll just have to look for it later"
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Upon seeing the new arrivals, most of those in the combat class sensed it; the rigour of highly trained individuals making itself known.
Klein glanced briefly at the arriving soldiers and then back to his new foreign friend.
"So... tea? Also, I wanted to ask about that huge metal bird..."
Dave, amidst his growing concerns that the arriving soldiers would do something stupid, barely registered what Klein said, and responded absentmindedly.
"Metal bird? Oh that's a plane. People are inside it."
Klein's pupils constricted.
'That was a transportation device?' He quickly adjusted his expression and chuckled awkwardly before turning to Mr. Weathers and Mr. Reid.
"Well, I invited them for tea, but it seems we have more guests now... what should we do?"
"Hm. Reid and I will go meet with them. They seem to be skilled warriors. Klein, come along and translate; and by the circles, don't play your games"
"Of course, this is a serious matter after all..." Klein said, but thought differently. With every passing moment that he learned more about these new people, the happier he became.
He once thought that one of his goals would have to be postponed for decades, but now, things seemed to align pretty well with his desires.
Principal Weathers, instructor Reid, and student Klein thus emerged out of the influence of the shield, causing it to ripple slightly as they passed through it.
The combat instructor was a tall muscular man with short amber hair and a long scar trailing from his left temple, across his nose, and to the right side of his lips. He was a stern and strict teacher, which was why Klein had all the more fun making him flustered during his classes.
"Old man, what should we do if they start attacking?" Klein asked the two mentors as he hopped over a piece of twisted wire.
Weathers looked at Klein, and then at Reid.
"You know what to do..." Reid responded.
Klein's smile paused for a brief moment before returning.
"Take prisoners?" Klein asked, confirming with his elders.
"According to the situation" Mr. Weathers said again.
They stopped just outside the shield, still in view of the many earth-people and students that were present.
And just as they did, the approaching squad stopped just a few meters away from them, raising their firearms swiftly, and pointing it towards the three.
Before they could say a word, Klein took the initiative.
"Greetings warriors, nice day we're having today, yes?"
Captain West squinted at the three robed figures in front of him, and turned to his lieutenant.
"Sid, they're not Americans, right?" Captain West asked as he looked behind the three wizards and at the obviously split crowd.
"Maybe from Florida, Sir" Lt Sid looked up at the robed people and responded.
"Ah, I forgot to mention, our worlds crashed and we don't speak the same language, so these fine folk" Klein continued, gesturing around him "don't understand a word you're saying"
"How about you then?"
"Ah. I'm a fast learner" Klein responded with a shrug.
"So, what happened exactly?"
"Well as far as I understand it, after talking to another of you foreigners, we're both in the same situation - that is to say, we have no idea. So let's get along, shall we?" Klein asked with a bright smile.
'Who smiles like that in this kind of situation?' West thought, hesitating on whether to attack and take control of this area, or to accept the invitation to get along.
Lt Sid caught the indecisiveness in the captain's eyes and whispered something in his ear.
"Don't forget, the other squads will also be here soon." The lieutenant said, as if to hint at something.
West gravely nodded and maintained a firm grip on his assault rifle.
"You. Come with us for communication purposes. The rest, as you were" Captain West gestured towards Klein with the rifle, and Klein began to hesitate slightly.
"Ah, may I speak to my friends first. I may not see them again after I come with you after all" Klein spoke with an unfaltering smile, as if what he had just said did not concern him at all.
"Mr Weathers, here is the situation..." Klein briefly explained the general flow of the conversation.
"Hmm... I suppose that means that they are that confident. It seems their friends are also making their way" Reid offered his opinion. He had been casting a large-scale 'scan' this whole time to remain cautious, and he found many small groups efficiently making their over.
Mr. Weathers nodded and looked at Klein.
"What do you think?" He asked.
"Well, honestly, I don't like their attitude, and would want nothing more than to provoke them so we have an excuse to get rid of them, but..." Klein let out an exaggerated sigh and put his hands up in mock surrender.
"What should we do? They look strong and Mr. Reid said there are many more coming. I think, to resolve this peacefully -"
"Nonsense" Mr. Weathers cut Klein off from his poor acting and excuses.
"I know you well Klein. And you know I do. You want to go with them, don't you?"
Klein's smile slowly straightened out. He almost bit his lip, and spoke again, this time with less levity.
"Yes. I do." Klein looked away, kicking a pebble by his foot away.
Mr. Weathers was silent for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh.
"Fine. I'll let you pass the first semester. Go, and come back to us whenever you're ready. Brat, I'm warning you - you better come back" As Mr. Weathers turned back to the Academy, he could have sworn he heard the tiniest voice behind him say "Thank you".
Weathers paused and then continued.
'Nah, couldn't be. Must be the wind'.
Klein glanced at his friends and classmates, and waved at them. Victor and Jane were a bit confused, but most of his classmates reciprocated with a wave of their own, thinking it was just Klein being silly again.
Klein also looked back at the alien man he had talked to briefly, and considered.
"Hey, Captain Sir? Can I bring one of you foreigners with me?"
Captain West was confused, but didn't have time to ponder it before Klein had already made his way into the crowd.
Dave was bewildered again by the blue robed youth who had grabbed him out of nowhere.
"Do you have anywhere you need to be? Maybe you have a date appointment? If not, wanna come with me?" Klein asked and his eyes twinkled like an innocent child.