The transport ship shuddered slightly as it aligned itself with the assigned docking bay.
Talon, Jason, Kieran, and the other cadets leaned forward, their eyes glued to the viewport. The scale of the ship dwarfed everything they'd seen before.
When the docking sequence completed with a resonating clang, the ramp extended, revealing the massive hangar.
The cadets filed out in stunned silence, the sheer magnitude of the docking bay leaving them speechless.
The bay stretched endlessly, a cavernous space bustling with activity. Rows of fighters and smaller crafts lined one side, while towering cranes hoisted cargo and supplies into place.
Uniformed crew members moved with precision, each task seemingly part of a well-oiled machine.
Jason let out a low whistle. "This is even bigger than the acadamy."
"No kidding," Kieran murmured, craning his neck to take it all in. "I've never seen anything like this."
Talon stayed quiet, his eyes scanning the bay. The sight stirred a strange mix of awe and unease within him, memories of his past life creeping at the edges of his mind.
A holographic display flickered to life above them, silencing the whispers of the group. The image of a man in a captain's uniform appeared, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd.
"Welcome aboard the Solaris Vengeance," the man began, his voice commanding but not unkind. "I am Captain Sylas Theris. Consider yourselves fortunate. This ship is not only a symbol of our strength but also a vessel of opportunity. You will be traveling aboard for the next month as we make our way to the core worlds. During this time, you will begin your initial training under the guidance of Instructor Leon Holt."
The captain paused, his gaze settling as if he were addressing each cadet personally. "Make no mistake. The path you have chosen is not an easy one. But it is one worth walking. Prove yourselves, and maybe one day you will be working on this very ship. Dismissed."
The hologram faded, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.
"Prove ourselves?" Jason muttered, nudging Talon. "Guess that means no slacking off, huh?"
"Wouldn't dream of it," Talon replied with a faint smirk.
---
Instructor Leon Holt stepped forward shortly after, his authoritative presence cutting through the awe-struck cadets. "Alright, listen up!" he barked. "Follow me. We'll be taking the internal transit system to your assigned quarters. Keep up and don't wander off. This ship is big enough to get lost in, and I'm not sending a search party."
The group followed him through a series of corridors until they reached a train station embedded within the ship.
The train itself gleamed, its carriages spacious enough to hold dozens of passengers.
As the train began its journey, the cadets pressed against the windows, marveling at the sights. They passed through areas teeming with personnel and machinery, massive storage bays filled with supplies, and even a sprawling park complete with artificial sunlight.
"Is that… a forest?" someone asked, their voice filled with disbelief.
"It's called the Park," Leon explained, his tone flat. "A place for the crew to relax during long voyages. You'll be allowed access during your downtime, assuming you earn it."
Jason leaned closer to the window. "I'm calling it now: we're spending every break there."
Talon couldn't help but agree. The Park alone was enough to make the ship feel less like a military vessel and more like a floating metropolis. He glanced around, the scale of it all finally sinking in.
The train eventually slowed, and Leon motioned for them to disembark. They arrived at their assigned living quarters after 10 minutes of walking, a long corridor lined with identical doors. Each room had been designed to house three cadets, a fact that quickly led to bickering.
"I'm calling the top bunk!" Jason declared, tossing his bag onto the nearest bed.
"Oh no, you don't!" Talon shot back, trying to stake his claim.
Kieran watched the chaos with amusement before calmly choosing a corner bed, setting his belongings down with a satisfied smirk. "You two keep fighting. I'll just take the best spot."
Once they'd finally settled on who slept where, with Jason winning out, Leon returned, his expression impatient. "You've got thirty minutes to organize your things. Then meet back in the common area for an overview of your training schedule. Don't be late."
--
Thirty minutes later, the cadets gathered in the expansive common area, a multi-level space designed to accommodate the ship's trainees. The room was filled with minimalistic furniture, holographic displays showcasing the ship's operations, and a sense of anticipation through the air.
"Yo... is that what I think it is?" Jason muttered, leaning forward in his seat, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Talon followed his gaze, his own eyebrows lifting as he took in the gleaming rows of full-dive simulation cabins lining the far wall. The massive pods pulsed faintly with energy, their surfaces polished to a mirror-like shine.
"Those cost... I can't believe what I'm seeing," Kieran whispered, his voice tinged with awe. "I thought these were reserved for high-ranking officers or specialized training centers."
Talon chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, this is a specialized training center after all."
Jason grinned, nudging Talon with his elbow. "You think they'll actually let us use them? Or are we just supposed to stare and dream?"
Before Talon could fire back with a sarcastic quip, Leon's commanding voice cut through the hum of chatter.
"Cadets, settle down."