The morning sun, filtered through the shimmering holographic canopy that enclosed the CMA campus, cast long, ethereal shadows across the manicured lawns. The air, crisp and cool, carried the faint scent of saltwater and exotic blossoms, a delicate blend of artificial and natural aromas. Euri took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in her stomach. Today was the day. The day she'd been working towards for years. The CMA entrance examination.
She smoothed down the wrinkles on her uniform, a crisp, dark blue jumpsuit that felt both comfortable and strangely formal. A nervous energy thrummed through the crowd of examinees gathered outside the examination hall, a sea of faces reflecting a mixture of anticipation, anxiety, and steely determination. Euri spotted Lin near the entrance, her bright yellow jumpsuit a splash of color in the otherwise uniform sea of blue. Lin, ever the optimist, grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. Euri returned the gesture, her own smile a little more strained.
"Ready to ace this thing?" Lin asked, her voice brimming with confidence.
"As I'll ever be," Euri replied, trying to match Lin's enthusiasm. But beneath the surface, a knot of apprehension tightened in her stomach. The events of the previous day – the crash, the mysterious relic, the chilling voice on the recovered data chip – weighed heavily on her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was at play, something more sinister than a simple pirate attack. And now, with the added pressure of the SSUM observation, the stakes felt higher than ever.
"Don't worry, you've got this," Lin said, sensing Euri's unease. "You're the best mechanic I know, aside from your dad of course, but no offence, you're still pretty good. Besides," she added with a wink, "you've already beat Kael once. What's one more challenge?"
Euri managed a weak smile. The memory of Kael's arrogant smirk and Alani's predatory gaze flashed before her eyes. She recalled the data chip she had retrieved from their ship. She had been in the lab for nearly half an hour after the SSUM members had left after reviewing her work and comparing her techniques with that of the recording of the other contestants including Kael. The repair she did was close to perfect without having access to the schematics and diagrams, where Kael had everything he needed displayed and performed a standard repair. Had she had another few minutes, she would have scored a perfect score as well. Not to mention she also saved a captain from being crushed by a ship by stabilizing the ship for extraction as well. And yet, somehow, despite all that, the SSUM committee decided to give Kael the same admission's into the accelerated learning program of Model L1.
"Hey, earth to Euri," Lin said, waving a hand in front of Euri's face. "You okay? You seem a bit… distracted."
Euri shook her head, pushing the dark thoughts aside. "Just… thinking about the exam," she replied, forcing a smile. "Let's go get this over with."
They joined the flow of examinees heading towards the examination hall, the low murmur of nervous chatter growing louder as they approached. The hall itself was a vast, cavernous space, its minimalist design both impressive and slightly intimidating. Rows of identical VR pods lined the floor, their sleek, metallic surfaces gleaming under the soft, diffused light of the holographic ceiling panels. A low hum permeated the air, the combined energy of hundreds of processors whirring in unison. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, a palpable tension that seemed to crackle in the air.
As they reached their assigned pods, Euri noticed Kael and Alani a few rows away, their expressions smug and confident. Kael caught Euri's eye and smirked, a silent taunt that sent a shiver of annoyance down her spine. She turned away, ignoring him, her jaw tightening. Just focus on the exam, she told herself. Don't let him get to you.
Euri settled into her pod, the cool, smooth material molding itself to her form like a second skin. The closing of the pod created a sense of isolation, a hushed silence that amplified the thump of her own heart. She took a deep breath, the familiar scent of antiseptic cleaner and ozone filling the enclosed space, a strangely comforting smell in this sterile, high-pressure environment. Standard procedure for all CMA VR pods was a deep cleanse after each use, ensuring a hygienic and distraction-free environment for each examinee.
A holographic interface shimmered into existence above the control panel, its translucent surface glowing with a soft, blue light. Exam instructions scrolled across the screen, outlining the two-part test: a comprehensive theory exam followed by a practical AR simulation. Euri scanned the instructions, her mind racing, already formulating strategies for each section. The theory exam would test her knowledge of advanced mechanics, engineering principles, and the intricacies of starship systems. The practical simulation would assess her ability to apply that knowledge in a real-world scenario, requiring her to diagnose and repair a complex piece of machinery using the AR workbench's virtual tools. Standard procedure, she thought, her fingers hovering over the start button. Nothing I can't handle.
—
"Places everyone!" a voice boomed through the hall, its amplified tones echoing off the metallic walls. "The examination will begin in five minutes. Please ensure your VR interfaces are properly calibrated and your HUDs are clear of any unauthorized programs. Any attempts at cheating will result in immediate disqualification. Good luck."
Euri took one last deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest, and pressed the start button. The world around her dissolved, replaced by the familiar loading screen of the CMA's virtual testing environment. Here we go.
The virtual testing environment materialized around Euri, a stark white space that stretched endlessly in all directions. A single, sleek console stood before her, its surface displaying the first question of the theory exam. The disembodied voice of the exam proctor echoed in her ears, reciting the standard instructions: "You have two hours to complete the theory portion of the examination. All answers must be submitted through the console interface. You may access approved reference materials through your HUD. Begin."
Euri took a deep breath, calming her nerves, and focused on the question at hand. A complex schematic of the L1 station's EMF shield generator filled her HUD, its intricate network of energy conduits, cooling systems, and magnetic field emitters a daunting puzzle. Beneath the schematic, the question itself, a multi-layered problem that would test even the most seasoned engineer: "A critical failure in the primary coolant system has caused a cascading effect, leading to overheating in the secondary magnetic field emitters. Diagnose the most likely point of failure in the coolant system, and propose a solution to restore functionality without compromising the integrity of the shield. Justify your diagnosis and explain the underlying principles governing your proposed solution."
Euri studied the schematic intently, her mind racing, the motes of light swirling around the virtual components, highlighting key pressure points and potential weaknesses. She visualized the flow of coolant through the complex network of pipes and valves, tracing its path from the primary reservoir to the secondary emitters, her enhanced senses detecting subtle fluctuations in pressure and temperature. The motes pulsed and flickered, drawing her attention to a specific area of the diagram – the tertiary bypass valve. There, she thought, a spark of insight igniting in her mind. It must be stuck closed, preventing the coolant from reaching the secondary emitters.
She began to formulate her solution, her fingers flying across the console's virtual keyboard. She outlined a step-by-step procedure to override the faulty valve and reroute the coolant flow, her words precise and concise, her logic flawless. She drew upon her years of experience working with her father, her innate understanding of mechanics blossoming under pressure. She cited relevant engineering principles, explaining the thermodynamic properties of the coolant, the electromagnetic forces at play within the shield generator, and the potential risks of improper calibration. She carefully considered alternative solutions, weighing their pros and cons, before settling on the most efficient and effective approach.
—
In his own virtual testing environment, Kael stared at the same schematic, his eyes glazed over with boredom. He tapped his fingers impatiently on the console, his mind a million miles away. Coolant systems… who cares about coolant systems? He just wanted to get this over with. He glanced at the almost invisible carbon chip embedded in his wrist, a subtle glint of metal beneath his skin. Just a little help, he thought, activating the chip's discreet neural interface. Instantly, the answer to the question, along with detailed explanations and supporting diagrams, flashed onto his HUD. He copied the information onto his console, barely glancing at the complex equations and technical jargon. Done.
—
Back in the observation gallery, the SSUM representatives watched the leaderboard with growing interest. The scores were starting to stabilize, most examinees clustering around the 60-70% mark. A few names stood out, hovering in the low eighties. Then, two names shot to the top, their scores a perfect 100%.
"D'Cia and Kael," the pink-haired woman announced, her voice tinged with excitement. "Looks like we have our frontrunners."
The veteran mechanic, his arms crossed, his eyes narrowed, grunted. "A little too perfect, if you ask me," he muttered, his suspicion growing. He had seen his share of cheaters over the years, and something about Kael's rapid ascent to the top of the leaderboard didn't sit right with him. He made a mental note to review the recordings of their exams later.
—
Euri finished the last question of the theory exam, a complex calculation involving hyperspace jump trajectories and fuel efficiency, just as the timer reached zero. She leaned back in her pod, a wave of exhaustion washing over her. The mental exertion had taken its toll, even with her enhanced mental fortitude. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, the cool, sterile air of the VR pod filling her lungs. She had given it her all. Now, all she could do was wait.
The virtual environment dissolved, and Euri found herself back in the examination hall, the soft hum of the VR pods a gentle reminder of the virtual world she had just left. She stretched her arms and legs, feeling the stiffness in her muscles, the lingering effects of the extended period of intense concentration. She glanced at Lin, who emerged from her own pod a few moments later, her face pale but a determined glint in her eyes.
"How did it go?" Euri asked.
Lin shrugged, her expression unreadable. "I think I did okay," she replied, her voice hesitant. "The theory section was tough, but the practical simulation was more my style. How about you?"
"The theory was challenging," Euri admitted, "but I managed to finish everything. Not sure about the practical, though. That engine cooling system was a beast."
"You'll be fine," Lin said, offering a reassuring smile. "You've always been good under pressure."
"Famous last words." Euri returned a nervous laugh, but deep down, despite what she had just said to Lin, she felt a quiet confidence, a sense of accomplishment. She may not have gotten every answer correct, but she had approached every question with focus and determination. She had pushed herself to her limits, and that, she realized, was all that mattered. As they headed towards the cafeteria for a much-needed break before the practical exam, Euri couldn't shake the feeling that something big was about to happen, something that would change her life forever.
-
The CMA cafeteria buzzed with the lunchtime rush. The air, thick with the aroma of synthetic protein dishes and recycled nutrient paste, hummed with the low drone of conversation and the clatter of utensils. Euri and Lin found a relatively quiet corner near a holographic waterfall, its cascading water shimmering with an array of ever-changing colors, a small oasis of calm amidst the bustling crowd.
Lin picked at her nutrient paste, her brow furrowed in thought. "I'm still not sure about that last question," she muttered, poking at the gelatinous substance with her fork. "The one about simulating realistic tactile sensations in VR. I just couldn't figure out how to bypass the limitations of the current neural interfaces."
Euri, halfway through a surprisingly tasty synthetic chicken wrap, looked up. "That's the problem everyone's trying to solve," she said, swallowing her bite. "The human-machine interface is the bottleneck. We're still relying on simulating nerve signals, which is slow and imprecise. It's like trying to play a symphony with a broken keyboard."
"Exactly!" Lin exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "But what if… what if we could bypass the nerves altogether? What if we could interface directly with the brain's sensory cortex?"
Euri paused, considering the idea. "That's what my dad was working on," she said slowly, a flicker of memory surfacing in her mind. "He kept talking about a 'mindspace,' a virtual environment within the brain itself. He thought it was the key to unlocking true VR immersion."
"A mindspace?" Lin echoed, her brow furrowing. "That sounds… esoteric. Almost mystical."
Euri shrugged. "My dad was always a bit out there," she admitted, taking another bite of her wrap. "But he was brilliant. He might have been onto something."
"Did he leave any notes? Schematics? Anything we could look at?" Lin asked, her voice eager.
"I don't know," Euri replied. "He left that metal box, but I haven't opened it yet. I guess I thought I had already gotten all of his stuff. I was going to wait until after the exam, but maybe…" she trailed off, a sudden thought striking her. "Maybe there's something in there about the mindspace."
"We should check it out," Lin said, her eyes shining with excitement. "As soon as the exam is over."
"Deal," Euri agreed, finishing her wrap. She glanced at the time display on her HUD. "We should probably head back to the exam hall. The practical simulation starts in fifteen minutes."
As they made their way through the crowded cafeteria, Euri spotted Kael and Alani at a nearby table, surrounded by a group of admiring students. Kael was holding court, bragging about his perfect score on the theory exam, his voice loud and boisterous. Alani, ever the supportive girlfriend, hung on his every word, her gaze sweeping across the room, a subtle challenge in her eyes. Euri rolled her eyes and nudged Lin forward. "Let's just ignore them," she muttered.
"Easy for you to say, Miss Perfect Score," Lin quipped, elbowing Euri playfully. "Looks like you have a fan club already," she added, with a mischievous grin and a slight wiggle of her eyebrows.
Euri groaned. "Don't remind me," she muttered, quickening her pace. She didn't need the added pressure of Kael's arrogance right now. She just wanted to focus on the exam, prove herself to the SSUM representatives, and hopefully, earn a place in the L1 Mechanic's Training Program. But as she glanced back at Kael, a flicker of unease ran through her. There was something about his smug confidence that unnerved her, something that felt… unnatural.
They reached the entrance to the examination hall, the nervous energy of the pre-exam jitters replaced by a quiet determination. Euri took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenge ahead. She glanced at Lin, offering a reassuring smile. "Ready for round two?"
Lin nodded, her expression a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Let's do this," she said, her voice firm.
As they entered the hall and made their way towards their assigned VR pods, Kael called out, his voice laced with sarcasm, "Good luck, ladies. You'll need it."
Euri paused, turning to face him, her eyes narrowed. "Save your breath," she retorted, her voice cool and steady. "You might need it for the practical exam."
Alani laughed, a sharp, mocking sound that grated on Euri's nerves. "Don't worry about him," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "He's a chosen one. He has this in the bag."
Euri's enhanced senses picked up a subtle flicker of something metallic near Kael's wrist, a glint of light beneath his sleeve. She frowned, her suspicion growing. What was that? She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. She had an exam to ace, and she wasn't going to let Kael's arrogance or Alani's taunts distract her. She entered her VR pod, the door closing with a soft hiss, sealing her off from the outside world, the upcoming challenge awaiting her in the virtual realm.
The familiar sterile white space of the virtual testing environment materialized around Euri. This time, instead of the sleek console from the theory exam, a complex holographic projection of a damaged spaceship engine cooling system dominated the space. A network of pipes, valves, and coolant reservoirs, twisted and mangled, shimmered before her, a chaotic tangle of metal and wires. The exam proctor's voice, devoid of emotion, echoed in her ears: "You have one hour to diagnose and repair the cooling system using the provided virtual tools. Efficiency, speed, and accuracy will be assessed. Begin."
Euri took a deep breath, activating her HUD's diagnostic scanner. The motes of light, now a familiar presence, swirled around the damaged components, highlighting stress fractures, leaky seals, and corroded connections. Her enhanced senses, sharpened by her recent breakthrough as a Journeyman, allowed her to perceive the subtle vibrations and temperature variations within the virtual system, giving her an almost intuitive understanding of the damage.
She set to work, her virtual hands moving with practiced grace and precision. She replaced corroded pipes with swift, fluid motions, the holographic system responding in real-time, simulating the flow of coolant through the repaired sections. She recalibrated faulty sensors, their readings stabilizing as she adjusted the virtual dials and gauges. She rerouted coolant flow, bypassing damaged sections and optimizing the system's efficiency. She was in her element, lost in the intricate dance of diagnosis and repair, her movements a symphony of skill and expertise.
A small group of her self-proclaimed "fan club" – a mix of engineering students and aspiring pilots who had witnessed her quick thinking at the crash site – had gathered in the observation gallery, their eyes glued to the monitors displaying her progress.
"Look at her go!" one of them exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration. "She's like a machine!"
"And a hot one at that," another added, a wolfish grin spreading across his face.
"Focus, guys," a third chided, though a smile played on her lips. "This is serious business. She's going up against Kael, remember?"
Back in the simulation, Euri continued her work, oblivious to the attention she was receiving. She had replaced most of the major components, the holographic cooling system now pulsing with a steady, healthy flow of coolant. But as the timer ticked down, a flicker of doubt crept into her mind. She had one final component to replace, a crucial valve located deep within the engine core, a notoriously difficult part to access and calibrate.
She glanced at the remaining time display: 0:05:00. Five minutes. A wave of panic washed over her. She had to work faster. She accessed the valve assembly, her virtual hands moving with increasing speed, the motes of light swirling around her, urging her on. She replaced the valve, but in her haste, she skipped a crucial calibration step. The system diagnostics flashed a warning: Incomplete Repair: 95% Efficiency. No! she thought, her stomach clenching. So close, yet so far.
—
Kael, meanwhile, finished his repair with seconds to spare, the system diagnostics confirming a perfect 100% efficiency. He smirked, glancing at the observation gallery, where he knew Alani and the other Crimson Coil members would be watching. Showoff, Euri thought, as she saw his score update on the leaderboard in her peripheral vision, momentarily distracted by his arrogance. He had followed the instructions provided by the AI chip in his wrist to the letter, executing each step with robotic precision, but without any real understanding of the underlying principles. He had achieved a perfect score, but it was a hollow victory, a triumph of technology over true skill. The seasoned mechanics in the observation gallery, however, noticed the subtle discrepancies between Kael's performance and his perfect score. His movements were too precise, too mechanical, lacking the fluidity and intuition of a true expert. He hadn't hesitated, hadn't double-checked his work, hadn't shown any of the subtle signs of problem-solving that marked a skilled mechanic. Their suspicions deepened.
"Something's not right about that kid," the veteran mechanic muttered, his eyes narrowed. "He's too… perfect."
The pink-haired woman nodded in agreement. "I'm going to review his recordings," she said, her voice grim. "There's something off about his technique."
As the virtual environment dissolved and Euri returned to the examination hall, she saw Kael emerge from his pod, a smug grin plastered across his face. He caught her eye and winked. Euri scowled, turning away, her frustration simmering beneath the surface. She had almost beaten him, almost proven herself. But almost wasn't enough. Not when the stakes were this high. The SSUM representatives would see her near-perfect score, but they would also see Kael's flawless performance. And in a competition where every point mattered, that 5% difference could make all the difference.
The examination hall buzzed with nervous energy as the examinees emerged from their VR pods, their faces a mixture of relief, exhaustion, and anxious anticipation. The results of the practical exam, combined with the theory scores, would determine their placement within the CMA programs, their futures hanging in the balance.
Euri and Lin found each other near the exit, their expressions mirroring the uncertainty of the moment.
"How do you feel?" Lin asked, her voice laced with concern.
Euri shrugged, forcing a smile. "I could have done better," she admitted, the sting of her near-miss on the practical exam still fresh in her mind. "That last valve… I rushed it."
"You still did amazing," Lin reassured her, squeezing her hand. "I saw your score on the leaderboard. 95%! That's better than almost everyone else."
"Almost isn't enough," Euri muttered, her gaze drifting towards Kael, who was holding court with Alani and a group of admirers, his laughter echoing through the hall. He looked like he had already won, his confidence bordering on arrogance. Euri's enhanced senses picked up the faint metallic tang emanating from his wrist, a subtle but persistent reminder of the Crimson Coil's presence, the nagging suspicion that his perfect score wasn't entirely his own doing.
A hush fell over the hall as the chief examiner, a stern-looking woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, approached the podium. "Examinees," she announced, her voice amplified by the hall's sound system, "the results have been tabulated. We'll begin with the placements for the L1 Mechanic's Training Program." A collective intake of breath echoed through the hall, the tension palpable.
The holographic leaderboard shimmered, rearranging itself to display the top scores for the mechanics program. Kael's name, unsurprisingly, occupied the top spot, his perfect score gleaming like a beacon of unearned achievement. Euri's name followed close behind, a respectable second place, but a second place that felt like a defeat. Two other names rounded out the top four, both scoring in the low nineties.
"Kael," the examiner continued, "your performance on both the theory and practical exams was… exemplary. The SSUM representatives have waived your basic training requirements and offered you an immediate apprenticeship position working on the L1 shield maintenance program."
Kael grinned, puffing out his chest, his gaze sweeping across the hall, a smug look of triumph on his face.
"D'Cia," the examiner continued, her voice softening slightly, "your skills are equally impressive, particularly your practical problem-solving abilities demonstrated at yesterday's… incident. The SSUM has also waived your basic training requirements and offered you an apprenticeship position alongside Kael."
Euri blinked, surprised. Despite her near-miss on the practical, they had still recognized her potential. A wave of relief washed over her, quickly followed by a surge of determination. She would prove herself worthy of this opportunity. She would show them that she was more than just a second-place finisher.
As the examiner continued announcing placements for the other programs, Euri felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Lin, her face beaming.
"Congratulations!" Lin exclaimed, throwing her arms around Euri. "We both made it! Starywood, here I come!"
Euri hugged her back, a genuine smile finally breaking through her earlier apprehension. "We did it," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "Together." She glanced back at Kael, who was now surrounded by a throng of admirers, his laughter echoing through the hall. A flicker of unease still lingered in her mind, but for now, she pushed it aside, letting the joy of the moment wash over her. She had earned her place at the CMA. A new chapter was beginning, a chapter written in starlight and shadowed by the mysteries yet to unfold. And as she looked out at the vast expanse of the holographic sky above the academy grounds, a single thought echoed in her mind: This is just the beginning.