Xandrian Stone Book 1: Beginning of a Legend by Christian Alex Breitenstein Page B

bit dizzy. "Stone, what are you doing?" "Um sir, nothing I think. I just felt very dizzy suddenly and supported myself at the wall to not fall and tried to control myself to get over the dizziness." The captain smiled. "Some times, I forget that you have been in this crew for less than half a day. You just experienced what engine wizards call motion sickness, your senses were confronted with a new form of motion and have to learn to cope with it first. Engines, what can he do?" The engines wizard, an elderly woman with one pip, was entering the core bridge, so no yelling was needed.
    "Son, stand at attention. That helps best." I had no idea how to help myself, so I followed her advice and stiffened myself. She went back to the engine, and after the captain's command started moving us again. The dizziness hit with full force, and for a moment it was all I could do to not barf all over the captain. Trying and failing to solve the whole problem at once, I started chipping off little parts of it. First, I fought to control my stomach, which after a little while got better. Then I could start tackling the dizziness and had an idea. We were moving at speed through space, in low orbit, by now, but relative to the Brick I was not moving at all. So I focused myself on the Brick, and the feeling of heavenly stillness when I reduced my senses to just me and the Brick.
    It worked, actually. I felt my breathing becoming more natural again, and could try and uncramp my arms and legs. No, only the arms at first - just to be on the safe side. Then I loosened the muscles in my face and blinked, seeing a couple of very amused faces. "Yeah. Laugh at the new guy." I added a lopsided smile to clarify that I was not mad. It was the captain that snorted a laugh first, then the others joined in - eventually even I could bark out a laugh or three. My legs were still in cramp mode, so I started to work on them next. "Is it always this much fun for the new guy?" The Commander answered. "No, usually it is comparatively boring. Motion sickness is something only the engines wizards have. Normally, when we ferry one we bind him to his cot, with a healer at his side, for the journey to the academy." The captain continued. "Yes, but with white wizards we cannot be so gentle. At the academy you are going to be flooded with magical inputs, and need to be quick on your magical feet to keep up. You'll thank me later." I produced a weak smile. "Aye, sir." The laughter was more hearty this time and I sounded less like a dog.
    "Walk a couple of steps, cadet." Without thinking, I did just that and to my great surprise, the new feeling of dizziness was small and easily manageable. The captain nodded to himself. "Navigation, set a course for the Eden 3 station. Engines, get us there if you please." The moon below us dove away and the planet took center stage on the screen. "Cadet, this concludes your space initiation." I saluted the captain. "Thank you, sir. Sir." Nodding at the Commander I left the bridge and went on a round, to see if all was well on board.
    When I reached the infirmary, the ensign proffered his hand. "I am David Boore, kinda forgot the formal introduction earlier." We shook. "Xandrian Stone." "I'll take the evening rounds. Why don't you report to your quarters and watch space through your monitor until you fall asleep?" Now THAT was a good idea. "With pleasure, sir." He swatted the "sir" away. "David. You are an initiated spacer now." He grinned and I nodded. "Xandrian, then." "Have a good night, Xandrian. Report here at 06:00 in the morning." "Will do. Good night, David." He left on his rounds, and I headed to my quarters.
    Inside, I got out of my uniform, used the facilities (the cleaning spells here were a bit basic, missing the massage part of those at home) and, refreshed and clean, hopped on my cot. Snuggling myself in, I did not even get to ask the monitor to show space. I fell asleep almost instantly.
    I slept, no pun intended, like a Stone.