The academy grounds were full off activity, 200 Supers and their families had gathered gathered, the air filled with excitement and heartfelt farewells. Belongings were neatly arranged beside them, ready for the transport's arrival.
Last night, an announcement had informed them that their pick-up location had changed. Instead of being picked up individually, they were now required to meet here.
"It better be something good," Jason muttered, adjusting his duffle bag on his shoulder. "I was kinda looking forward to just chilling at home until the transport came."
Talon smirked, standing beside him with his arms crossed. "Relax. It's probably just some ceremonial nonsense to make us feel important."
A few feet away, Kieran stood awkwardly, fidgeting as his mother fussed over him. "You've got everything, right? Snacks, your holopad, extra socks?" she asked, her voice full of worry. "Oh, I'm going to miss you so much! You'd better be safe, okay?"
"Mom, please," Kieran mumbled, his face reddening. "You're embarrassing me."
Jason and Talon exchanged a look, stifling snickers as they watched the scene unfold. Kieran shot them a glare, but it only made them laugh harder.
"Don't mind us," Jason said, grinning. "We're just appreciating the rare spectacle of Kieran being doted on."
"Yeah, it's... touching," Talon added, feigning a sniffle. "I might cry."
Kieran rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile as his mom pulled him into a tight hug. "Be careful out there," she whispered, her tone softening. "We're so proud of you."
"I will, Mom. I promise," Kieran said, patting her back before stepping away. His father gave him a firm handshake, followed by a nod of approval, while his younger siblings waved enthusiastically from a few steps back.
Nearby, other cadets were having similar moments, saying emotional goodbyes to their families. Some parents were teary-eyed, offering last-minute advice, while others clung tightly to their children, reluctant to let go.
But not everyone had someone to see them off. Talon's gaze lingered on a few cadets standing alone, their expressions a mix of envy and indifference as they watched others surrounded by loved ones.
For Talon, the only person he'd had to say goodbye to was Alice, and that had been the day before.
Today, he only had his goodbyes with Cain.
Earlier that morning, the android butler had seen him off at the manor in his usual dry, formal manner.
"Goodbye, Master Talon," Cain had said, his tone as even as ever. "I do hope your time in the military will be fruitful. Though, I should inform you that approximately 76% of Supers deployed to the frontlines do not survive their first five years."
Talon had blinked, caught off guard. "Uh... thanks?"
Cain had tilted his head slightly. "You're welcome. Good luck."
Talon had left the manor with a mix of confusion and amusement, shaking his head. "Must be trying to scare me or something," he muttered to himself as he walked toward the academy. Out of curiosity, he'd checked the statistic on the holonet, but no credible source confirmed it.
"Probably just a glitch in his wired brains," he'd decided with a shrug, though he found himself strangely missing the android's dry humor.
Now, standing on the academy grounds, Talon glanced around at the gathering of cadets. A faint hum grew louder in the distance, drawing everyone's attention skyward. The transport ship was approaching, its long thin frame glinting in the morning sun.
"Well, here we go," Jason said, shielding his eyes as he looked up.
Talon nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah."
As the ship descended, the excitement among the cadets became palpable. Some whispered eagerly, speculating about what awaited them, while others stood silently, their emotions kept close to the chest.
The transport landed with a soft hiss, its massive ramp extending to the ground.
Talon took in the sight of the transport as it landed with a small hiss, its massive ramp extending to the ground.
it was a relatively small spaceship, roughly 100 meters in length, with an outdated and narrow design. It had enough passenger space for well over 1,000 people, leaving plenty of room for their group.
His gaze swept over the transport's hull, noting its minimal weaponry. Only a few twin energy cells lined its surface, a clear indicator that this ship had likely been repurposed for the war effort. It wasn't designed for combat, but rather for practicality.
As the ramp extended fully, Leon stepped out, his authoritative presence immediately drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, cadets! Everyone aboard!" he instructed, his voice cutting through the hum of anticipation.
The cadets filed in quickly as families wished them goodbyes, taking their seats as Leon stood at the front. Once they were settled, he gave them a quick rundown. "This will be a short flight into orbit. Our real transport is waiting there, as it cannot enter the planet's airspace."
Talon raised an eyebrow at that, exchanging a glance with Jason and Kieran. "Can't enter airspace?" he muttered under his breath.
Only ships larger than carriers were restricted from entering Acadamus airspace without special clearance, and that could only mean one thing.
"Something big," Jason whispered, his grin wide.
The flight itself was calm and uneventful, the transport spacious enough that everyone could spread out comfortably. Talon spotted Leon walking down the aisle, giving a curt nod in his direction as he passed.
Talon nodded back, a small but mutual acknowledgment.
The hum of the transport's engines filled the cabin as Jason, Talon, and Kieran leaned toward the viewport, their faces alight with excitement. The planet of Acadamus shrank below them, its cities and shimmering energy shields fading into the distance as the darkness of space overtook them.
"Man, I can't believe it's happening," Jason said, practically bouncing in his seat.
"Yeah," Kieran added, his voice tinged with awe. "But did you hear Leon earlier? What kind of ship do you think it'll be? Must be something huge if it can't enter airspace."
Jason grinned, turning to Kieran. "It's gotta be a dreadnought. Those things are massive. Just think, rows of cannons, fighter bays, energy shields so strong they could take out an entire fleet."
Kieran tilted his head thoughtfully. "Or maybe a cruiser. Smaller than a dreadnought but way faster. You think they'll let us see the weapon systems?"
Jason snorted. "If they don't, I'm climbing out the airlock to take a look myself."
Talon chuckled, wanting to add to the joke but stopped when he saw something had caught Kieran's attention.
"Wow..." Kieran whispered. "Would you look at that?"
Jason leaned closer, his eyes widening. "No. fucking. way."
Gasps of awe and sounds of amazement spread like wildfire among the students around them.
"Whoa! Look at the size of that thing!" someone exclaimed from the back.
"No way we're actually boarding that," another voice chimed in, tinged with disbelief.
Talon followed their gaze, and his heart stopped.
He went pale, his breath catching in his throat.
He knew that ship.
The Solaris Vengeance.
It loomed ahead, its sheer size dwarfing everything around it. The dreadnought was a masterpiece of engineering, bristling with weaponry and exuding an aura of invincibility.
For most, it was a symbol of dominance and security in the sector, a beacon of the empires strength.
But for Talon, it was something else entirely.
He remembered it being destroyed. Blown to pieces, scattered to dust with a mere gesture of power so overwhelming it defied comprehension.
He couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever reach that kind of power one day.
Talon's stomach churned as the memory flashed before his eyes. He clenched his fists, willing his breathing to steady.
'It's fine,' he told himself. 'It didn't happen. Not here. Not this time.'
"Talon?" Jason's voice broke through the haze. "You good, man?."
Talon forced a nod, swallowing hard. "Yeah. Just... didn't expect to see something like that up close, it's crazy."
Jason grinned, oblivious to Talon's inner turmoil. "It's insane, right? We're actually boarding 'that'. The flagship of the fleet."
Kieran nodded, awe written all over his face. "I can't believe we're going to be on The Solaris Vengeance."
Talon turned his gaze back to the ship, its silhouette etched against the stars, and fought to keep his composure.
The Solaris Vengeance was so colossal that its bulk eclipsed the twin suns, shrouding the transport in a deep, humbling shadow as they got closer to board.