Having been given a free pass for the pilot examination means that I'm guaranteed to become a student whether I pass the Mechanics exam or not. Euri thought as she found a topless automated Maglev shuttle. As she sat down, the shuttle joined a convoy of other similar shuttles. The vehicle is a hovering train like vehicle that
"Welcome to the Central Military Academy. As your guide, feel free to ask my any questions regarding the academy or tell me your desired destination." Said a deep soothing voice from the hidden directed speakers.
Maybe this AI will know. Euri thought before posing her question. "Why was I placed into the Mechanics exam?"
"As one of the responsibility of the Solar System United Mechanics, the Mars Lagrange Point Solar Magnetic Shield requires regular maintenance. However due to the lack of qualified mechanics being recruited this year, there has been a push to look for candidates within higher learning institutions." The onboard AI replied. Upon hearing the organization behind the recruitment, Euri's eyes widened followed by her chin dropping.
The SSUM?! She thought, completely shocked. The SSUM was a prestigious organization of the best of the best mechanics within the first quadrant. Due to their fame, they are often commissioned to take on work throughout the quadrant and in some cases, in neighboring quadrants as well. Realizing the opportunity given to her on a silver platter, Euri quickly resolved to ace the exam Monday morning. "What destinations do I have access to?" She asked, hoping for a place to review her basics.
"You have access to: The library, The AR Workshop, the-" The AI started to list.
"To the workshop." Euri interjected impatiently while pulling up her contacts to send Lin a message.
"As you wish." The voice replied before her shuttle broke from the train and hovered away.
---
Unlike the lush verdant backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, the CMA is almost entirely artificial. Even the ancient volcano of the sunken Hawaiian island chain had been entirely converted into a geothermal generator to power a nucleosynthesis factory.
The functional architecture of the academy was optimized through AI and myriad simulations to achieve what could be called a modern work of art. With the modular design of the facilities, if any particular part of the academy suffers irreparable damage, a backup "module" could be deployed within hours or a few days if it required special assembly. The avenues and streets double as arteries and veins of the academy as thousands of robots of various functions and sizes harmoniously traverse the premises to maintain everything in optimal condition.
As Lin got off her shuttle within the large entrance hall of the AR workshops building, she couldn't help but gawp in awe seeing the dozens of visitors trying out trial workbenches. The extremely precise holograms are able to simulate materials and parts in any design the user can imagine. As Lin wanted to enter the Fine Arts department of the CMA, she needed to get her toes wet at using the AR workshop to better study current VR technology and find ways to improve it in order to create more compelling VR Experiences.
Seeing a little girl play with with the holograms, Lin could remember when Mr. Humphrey first demonstrated it to her years ago. After being hired as a temporary assistant, the old man noticed her fascination with holo-flicks. As such, he asked her if she wanted to help him edit custom holo-flicks. With a flick of his fingers and a wave of his hands he could manipulate anything and everything within the scene as he wanted within minutes. Although he had taught her many of the fundamentals of editing, she wanted her name to be recognized across the galaxy. Just like the Baudelaire family!
A quick message notice dropped her back to earth. Looks like Euri's coming here too. Lin thought as a smile widened on her face, followed by her folding her arms below her chest now porting a quizzical look. Shouldn't she be at the flight simulators?
Deciding to ask her friend in person, Lin turned around and headed back to the shuttle stop. Soon, a familiar silhouette approached from the distance.
"Did you figure out why they moved you to the mechanics examination?" Lin asked as soon as Euri alighted from the shuttle. "Would you be able to switch back to the pilot examination?"
Hearing her friend's concern, Euri returned her worried look with a smirk. "Guess who got selected by the SSUM?" She gloated.
"No way! You're joining the SSUM?!" Lin exclaimed with a hand covering her jaws which nearly hit the floor.
"Well... not yet. I still have to past their test tomorrow." Euri corrected before grabbing Lin's hand and pulling her towards a conveyor belt. "Which is why I'm also here. I looked up some past SSUM questions and it looks like I have to do a few standard maintenance check for common facilities and vehicles along with one or two harder challenges. Although I'm not sure about the format exactly so I'm thinking to just go through all of them." She explained as she looked at the various holographic navigation and heading towards the nearest small empty workshop.
"Hmm, looks like there's only one open right now. I think many potential students are also here to study." Lin remarked.
As Euri's eyes darted around taking in all the details, she noticed a tall, fair skinned young man with a hairstyle like a perfectly round garden bush; with half closed eyes and lifted chin, he looked like he owned the CMA. Next to him were another young man with a simple crew cut and a shorter, red haired young woman with an impressive bosom between which she held the leading man's arm as they made their way to the same workshop as Euri and Lin. Realizing she had competition, Euri pulled on Lin's hand and rushed forward and passing through the entrance of the room a few steps ahead of the trio causing a small chime and the entry to slide closed in the Trio's face. Euri turned around and saw the clearly irritated face of the man with the afro and childishly extended her tongue in mockery.
"Don't antagonize him, I'd feel bad for his girlfriend if you made him more of an idiot." Lin warned, half jokingly.
"I couldn't stand that arrogant face of his." Euri responded with another smirk. "Alright let's get to studying."
The two made their way to their respective seats next to a larger AR workbench, clearly of a newer make and model than the publicly displayed ones, and began getting used to the it in preparation for their studies.
Outside the workshop, the incensed young man turned to his left. "Samuel. Find out who those two are. I want to know who dares to take what I have my eyes set on, a chosen of the SSUM."
"Babe," The girl added with an interested spark in her eyes. "why don't you challenge her to a bet? You can bet the use of the room and some credits."