Axira Episode One by Odette C. Bell

but I’m not
a quick study – at least not when it comes to this kind of
stuff.”
    I looked at Elle, controlling my expression – which wasn’t
hard, considering I had worn nothing but a blank expression for 450
years.
    If an accomplished admiral and her equally accomplished son
weren’t capable of training Cadet Elle Singh, perhaps she should
take that as an indication she wasn’t suited for this
program.
    Again, I held my tongue.
    We walked with the rest of our class towards the combat
hall.
    “ Do you reckon they will be teaching us how to use TI
objects?” One of our classmates asked their friend.
    “ Nah, that comes later. Plus, ever since some incident five
years ago or so they really restricted their use in the cadet
program. I heard from a mate who is in third year that the
Barbarians and Kore have found ways to circumvent TI implants, they
can even gain control of them. I doubt we'll ever be taught at this
rate,” his friend answered.
    From what I understood, TI objects and TI implants were
indeed being restricted. There were races and technologies out
there that could now take advantage of them. I was one such
example. If I wanted to – which would only happen under my master’s
murderous influence – I could clamp a hand over some poor soul's TI
implant, send a subspace burst into it, corrupt it, and watch as
every TI object in range crushed them.
    It was a changing galaxy. Indeed, over the past four years
ever since my escape from my master, it had been changing faster
and faster, quickening towards a strange new future.
    I began to draw in, concentrating on my thoughts. This was a
habit of mine – of course it was – my thoughts, for 450 years, had
been all I had control over.
    It was still completely natural for me to turn off, stare at
a wall, and draw inwards. I could not, however, do that whilst
there was an excitable, chatting cadet by my side.
    “ You look tired? Are you tired?” Elle asked
quickly.
    “ I am not tired,” I assured her.
    “ I suppose it wouldn’t matter with you, ha? I bet you’re
really good at combat. You will be able to pass this class easily.
You’ll probably get top marks. Me,” she patted a hand on her chest,
and I noted it left a slightly sweaty imprint over the tight weave
of her uniform, “I just want to pass.” She gesticulated wide.
“Pass,” she emphasized.
    “ You will have to do more than that,” somebody growled from
behind us. I recognized the voice and pitch as belonging to
Lieutenant Ma’tovan. He stalked past us, his towering form casting
a shadow over Elle and making her shrink towards me.
    I held my ground, but did not make eye contact.
    “ I’m so sorry, sir, of course I will try my hardest,” Elle
said effusively.
    I latched a hand on her arm and pulled her forward. Ravangs
never liked platitudes. They didn’t want to hear that you would try
your hardest.
    “ We will sacrifice,” I said simply.
    That’s what a Ravang wanted to hear – that you would give up
everything, from your mental well-being to your physical strength
to your very life. Everything to them, from battle to simple
training, was a test of determination.
    The lieutenant looked placated, at least mildly, and marched
off to harass some other new cadets.
    “ You seem to know how to deal with him, how do you do that?”
Elle turned to me, an excited expression reddening her
cheeks.
    “ You need to study the Ravang,” I suggested.
    “ I have. I read everything about his race that I can. And I
thought I was doing a good job.”
    “ Books will teach you nothing. You must meet them and learn
from your mistakes.”
    “ Wow,” Elle shot me another impressed look, “How much have you
travelled? It sounds like you’ve been all over the galaxy. The
Ravang home world is close to the Borderlands, isn’t it? Have you
ever been there?”
    Yes. I’d been there. I’d plundered it several times. I’d also
met countless Ravang in battle. I wasn’t about to share that