When Chris comes back into the room that is now his dorm room shared with Tim, he finds that there are new belongings. He has new clothes in the drawers and closet, new gadgets on the nightstand. The room is bigger than the apartment back in Genecis and much more luxurious. The bathroom is at least five times bigger than their old one and their beds are soft and warm with two layers. They even had a heater and air conditioner.
“Tim would be overjoyed by all this,” Chris grins, just imagining the wide-eyed look on Tim and his mouth quirking up with every new discovery of their room.
Chris takes his gadget, a watch with a small screen about 1 inch big and wide with flexible rubber straps, and taps on it. The screen turns on and Chris begins to explore the watch’s feature sitting down at the edge of his bed. Their old watches had been upgraded to a cleaner and newer version than their old one and Chris’s information and data were all transferred without any lost pieces. And it was smaller, easier to work with than their old clunky one.
Just then, Chris receives a notification and he taps on the pop-up. It's his schedule along with his digital badge of his rank as a Cadet. He was a class A and Chris makes a mental note to ask Ignyter about it later. The Elite Fighter promised Chris that he’d drop by with his physical badge.
Receiving an email, getting rooms, uniforms, badges all seemed like some big joke to Chris. It makes him feel childish. He shakes that feeling away, thinking of Tim and his excitement and enthusiasm.
The door slides open after the sound of the dial being pressed, revealing Tim who looks brighter. “Hi, Chris,” Tim says, striding in before he stops and takes a good look. Chris puts away his screens and grins, waiting for the excited smile to split Tim’s face. It comes within seconds. Tim eagerly bounds to his nightstand, gingerly picking up the watch and just like Chris did moments ago, Tim was exploring the watch’s functions.
“We have new clothes too,” Chris says, walking over to the other side of his bed so he sat across from Tim. “Hey, check your badge?” Chris asks, curious what Tim’s rank was. Did Tim also have a class like Chris does?
“Sure,” Unlike Chris who struggled to find where his digital badge was, Tim is already making shortcuts to access his badge and within just a few precise taps, Tim’s badge was on the screen.
“Oh, I’m class B Cadet,” Tim says thoughtfully.
“You know what that means?” Chris asks, inching forward.
Tim nods. “I was going through Thieves’s database and there are class levels within your rank. Class A, B, and C. They’re pointers to let the Trainers know how good you are and group other Cadets in similar groups. I have to check if Advanced rank has classes like Cadet.”
“Thieves let you explore his workshop?” Chris asks and Tim nods, his entire face lighting up with excitement. “Alright, Timmy, you can tell me about it later, let’s exchange schedules.”
Using a sharing link, they both were able to see each other’s schedules and badge and Tim had on a very contemplative face as he went through it. They were both taking very basic classes and Tim didn’t even seem cocky about taking basic coding classes.
“I was never really taught the basics,” He says shrugging. “Maybe I might learn something new.”
Chris stares at Tim, wondering since when Tim got so smart with his coding and hacking skills. Chris suddenly realizes how little Tim talked about his job in Genecis, eagerly listening to Chris’s mining job instead of talking about his. “Hey, Timbo,” Chris starts slowly, wondering if it was an appropriate time to ask. “How did you learn coding? And hacking?”
Tim clicks off his watch and shrugs again. “It came with the job. Before I could do anything, let alone touch a ship, the Nova taught me how to run diagnosis tests and full body scans. Then they barely taught me coding or even hacking. I had to figure out all by himself with Aly’s help. Then eventually, I just connected the dots.”
“I never really knew,” Chris says, wringing his hands together. “I never asked about your job.”
Tim shakes his head. “Chris, it’s a really boring job to hear about. You never understood most of what I was saying so there wasn’t really any point in explaining anything to you,” Tim smiles. “Plus, its all in past.”
It’s all in past. Chris also didn’t realize that it’d only been five days since they’ve arrived at R30. Tim is right, everything that had happened to them in Genecis was all in the past.
“And since you’re taking the same classes, maybe you finally will understand what I’ve been ranting on about,” Tim says with a grin.
Chris grins back and for a moment, watches Tim proudly. Tim never acted like a normal 13-year-old, always serious and mature for his age. Maybe it’s Tim trying to be strong but nevertheless, Chris suddenly feels Tim might be more grown up than even himself.
“And maybe you finally act your age,” Chris jokes and Tim just grins wider. “More boyish and childish, you know? You never had a chance to have fun.”
Tim hums. “I have to admit,” He says sheepishly. “I’m really nervous about tomorrow. I’ve never really met anyone my age and I don’t know how to act.”
Chris knows that feeling. He feels it too and Chris just sighs contently. “Me too,” Chris admits.
Tim laughs. “I’ve never gone to school,” Tim says. “But I was just imagining it’d be like this.”
Chris nods slowly. “Yeah, you’re right,” Chris says, grinning. “All nervous, tingly, and anxious.”
There is a knock and the door slides open to reveal Thieves carrying two boxes cradled to his chest. “Hello, Cadets,” Thieves comes inside and within a few strides he’s standing in front of the Tim and Chris. “Now, doesn’t that title sound nice,” Thieves says and Tim just grins at him. “Oh, Christian, right,” Thieves holds out his hand out to Chris. “I’m Thieves, Elite Corps, technician, engineer, the tech junkie of the squad. Pleasure to see you.”
“Chris is fine,” Chris shakes it and is surprised to find how firm Thieves’s grip is.
Thieves cocks his head to the side. “Why not your full name?” He asks curiously and the question makes Chris look away, drop his hand away from Thieves’s grip. Chris doesn’t answer, just stares intently at the nightstand and there’s a moment of silence before Tim chirps,”It’s a long name,” Tim says. “And he’s always been called ‘Chris’.”
Thieves hums in deep thought. “Is that so? Well, I won’t pry,” He says. He’s talking again but Chris doesn’t hear him. He’s too busy thinking how undeserving his name is for someone like himself.
“Ignyter and Stryker won’t be in charge of you from now on,” Thieves says, one hand on his hip. “They’re busy from now on, being scouts and all. I’m here to give you your badges,” Thieves holds up the two boxes, small enough for him to stack on top of each other and hold up. “You don’t have to wear them during your physical training but you should wear them at all times otherwise.
“And as Cadets, you’ll be starting your training tomorrow. And,” Thieves hands out the boxes which Tim takes. “I’m just here to give you two some important advice.”
Tim reads the labels on the black boxes made of sturdy black cardboard before handing Chris his badge. He puts his box on his nightstand, next to his new watch before setting his full attention on Thieves.
“Cadet training is intensely competitive,” Thieves says and he grins almost sadistically, his jagged teeth showing. “The reasons are because everyone is trying hard to impress the Trainers for rank promotion as well as superiority. Stay on your toes, don’t let yourself get carried away, and lift your chin high. Focus on your own training,” Thieves looks more grave now. His mouth line gives it away even if his eyes are covered with his goggles. “Don’t ever let yourself get intimidated; you’ll be digging your own grave if you do.”
Tim feels his anxiety grow darker and bigger in his chest, his stomach doing somersaults. Already, Tim feels intimidated. For someone scrawny and small, how was Tim going to survive? Thieves making it sound like some kind of battle royale isn’t making it any better.
Chris will do well, for sure. Tim thinks, glancing at Chris who has a neutral look on his face. There were lines of contemplation on his face. Working in the mines in Genecis has to be nothing compared to this Cadet training.
“If I have anything else, I’ll send you two a message,” Thieves grins, friendly this time. “And, please, if anything else, sleep. You’re both in for a hell of a day.” With that Thieves leaves, the door sliding closed behind him.
“Thieves looks like a guy who doesn’t sleep,” Chris finally comments, relaxing back onto his bed, arms folded behind his head into a pillow. He stares up at the ceiling, flashes of neon blue, green, and magenta traveling. “They’re making this sound like some kind of arena battle.”
Tim just sighs, slumps his shoulders and curls sideways on the bed. “You sure sound ready,” Tim says, giving Chris a stare.
Chris barks a laugh. “I’m actually nervous. I wonder how competitive these guys are.”
Tim privately wonders too. And Tim can’t shake off the feeling that he wouldn’t be able to follow along with others.
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