Chapter 313: Welcome to space!

Words : 2294 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

The Vanguard shuttle broke through Earth's atmosphere with barely a tremor—a testament to technology far more advanced than the commercial transports Noah had experienced before. Through the viewing portal, the curvature of Earth gradually gave way to the star-speckled blackness of space. In the distance, Vanguard Station grew from a pinprick of light to a massive structure, its three interconnected rings rotating slowly around a central hub. "Look at the size of that thing," Kelvin whispered, his nose practically pressed against the viewport. "The engineering alone must have taken years." Sophie leaned in beside Noah. "It's beautiful, in a way." Lucas merely nodded, his expression thoughtful as he studied the approaching station. Their shuttle wasn't alone; a dozen similar craft approached the station in formation, each carrying selected operatives from Earth's academies. As they neared, enormous hangar doors slid open to welcome them, revealing a bustling docking bay where personnel in EDF uniforms moved with practiced efficiency. The shuttle touched down with perfect precision, the soft hiss of equalizing pressure signaling their arrival. When the doors slid open, Noah and his friends joined the stream of new recruits filing into the cavernous hangar bay. "All Vanguard recruits, assemble in orientation hall Delta!" announced a calm voice over the station's communications system. Following illuminated path markers on the floor, they made their way through gleaming corridors that curved gently with the station's rotation. The artificial gravity was slightly lighter than Earth's—not enough to be disorienting, but noticeable in the way their steps felt just a bit too easy. Orientation hall Delta was a spacious amphitheater with tiered seating facing a central platform. As Noah's group found seats near the middle, he couldn't help but notice the diversity of the assembled recruits—students from all twelve academies, representing every cardinal direction on Earth. Many wore expressions of awe or apprehension; others projected confident facades that didn't quite hide their uncertainty. Three figures stood on the platform, waiting for the hall to fill. As the last recruits settled into their seats, a hush fell over the assembly. The first to step forward was a tall, broad-shouldered man with silver-flecked black hair and a precisely trimmed goatee. He wore the midnight blue uniform of an EDF Commander, adorned with numerous commendation pins. "Welcome to Vanguard Station," he announced, his voice deep and resonant. "I am Commander Alexei Volkov, Chief Training Officer. You are now part of the inaugural Vanguard Initiative—Earth's specialized response to the escalating Harbinger threat." Commander Volkov's steely gray eyes scanned the assembly. "Forget everything you learned about academy hierarchy. Here, there are no years, no class rankings. Only operational effectiveness matters." He gestured to the woman standing to his right. "This is Lieutenant Commander Mei Lin, your Tactical Adaptation Specialist." Lieutenant Commander Lin was petite with delicate features that belied the intensity in her almond-shaped eyes. Her dark hair was pulled back in a practical bun, and she wore her uniform with precision. When she stepped forward, however, her posture seemed to collapse slightly, as if the attention made her physically uncomfortable. "H-hello everyone," she began, her voice surprisingly soft. "I'm... I'm very pleased to meet you all. I'll be overseeing your environmental training and adaptation protocols. Space is... well, it's very different from Earth operations. We'll work together to ensure you can deploy your abilities effectively in various conditions." She offered a small, genuine smile before quickly stepping back, visibly relieved to be out of the spotlight. The third figure stepped forward with a languid confidence that immediately set Noah on edge. He was tall and lean, with wavy blond hair styled in a fashionable undercut and a smile that seemed permanently fixed on his handsome face. His uniform, while regulation, had been tailored to accentuate his physique. "Lieutenant Damien Pierce," he introduced himself with a theatrical bow. "Combat Specialist and your guide to the more... physical aspects of space operations." His gaze swept over the audience, lingering noticeably on the female recruits. When his eyes landed on Sophie, his smile widened appreciatively. "Ladies, I'm particularly looking forward to working closely with you on combat techniques. Some of you may require... additional hands-on instruction." Sophie stiffened beside Noah, who felt a flicker of annoyance. Kelvin made a gagging sound under his breath. Commander Volkov cleared his throat sharply. "Lieutenant Pierce will be one of several combat instructors," he clarified, with a warning glance at the younger officer. "Now, let me explain how the Vanguard Initiative operates." A holographic display materialized above the platform, showing the organizational structure of the station. "We operate on a clearance and team classification system," Volkov explained, guiding them through the Clearance Levels from White to Black and the Team Classifications of Sentinel, Pathfinder, Striker, and Specter. "You will begin at Tier 4 of our Vanguard Protocol, with a few exceptions based on prior experience or demonstrated ability," he continued. "Advancement is merit-based and can happen rapidly for those who excel." Noah felt Kelvin nudge him. "Bet you'll be Tier 1 before the month is out," his friend whispered with a grin. "Initial assignments will be distributed to your personal devices," Lieutenant Commander Lin added, her voice steadying as she focused on the technical aspects. "You'll find your team designation, quarters assignment, and training schedule." A soft chime sounded from the communication devices they'd been issued upon arrival. Noah glanced at his screen to see: **ECLIPSE, NOAH - PATHFINDER TEAM SEVEN CLEARANCE: GREEN RESONANCE TIER: 4 QUARTERS: RESIDENTIAL RING B, SECTION 12, UNIT 42 REPORTING OFFICER: COMMANDER Barbara CHEN** He glanced at Kelvin's screen and saw they'd been assigned to the same team and quarters. A quick check confirmed Sophie and Lucas were also on Pathfinder Team Seven, though Lucas was starting at Tier 2. "This station was completed just three months ago," Commander Volkov was saying. "You are the first full cohort of Vanguard operatives. The facilities, the protocols, the very mission of this station—all of it is as new as your presence here. We will adapt together." Lieutenant Pierce stepped forward again. "Your living quarters are designed for function, not comfort," he said, his tone suggesting he found this personally offensive. "But don't worry, especially you ladies—there are recreational areas to release... tension." "The station operates on a 24-hour cycle synchronized with Earth Standard Time," Lieutenant Commander Lin interjected quickly. "Artificial day and night cycles help maintain circadian rhythms, which is essential for peak performance." As the orientation continued, Noah became aware of curious glances directed his way from throughout the amphitheater. Whispers followed these looks—his name repeated with a mix of awe and speculation. When the formal briefing concluded, they were instructed to find their assigned quarters and prepare for initial assessments the following morning. As Noah stood to leave with his friends, a group of five female recruits approached him directly. "You're Noah Eclipse, right?" asked the tallest of the group, a striking girl with copper-colored hair. "I'm Lyra Davids, Academy 1, Eastern Cardinal. We all heard about what you did at the Nexus Arena." Another girl pushed forward slightly. "Mira Okoye, Academy 8, Southern Cardinal. Is it true you contained a thermobaric explosion with your abilities?" Before Noah could respond, a third recruit joined in. "Zara Ito, Western Cardinal, Academy 5. I saw footage of your tournament fights. Very impressive." Sophie moved closer to Noah's side, her arm brushing against his in a subtle but clear gesture. Noah felt a mixture of embarrassment and amusement at the situation. "Um, thanks," he managed. "But it was a team effort. I couldn't have done it without my friends." Kelvin snorted quietly beside him. "So humble, our Noah," he muttered under his breath. More introductions followed as they made their way out of the orientation hall. Noah tried to be polite while keeping pace with his friends, increasingly aware of Sophie's growing irritation beside him. "You've got quite the fan club already," Lucas observed dryly once they'd finally extracted themselves from the eager crowd. "Not my fault," Noah protested as they located the transport tube that would take them to their assigned residential section. Sophie's expression softened slightly. "No, it's not," she admitted. "Just didn't expect to be fighting off admirers in space." Kelvin laughed. "The price of saving half a million people, I guess." The transport tube whisked them through the station's inner workings, offering brief glimpses of enormous machinery and bustling activity. When they reached Residential Ring B, they found their quarters—a utilitarian but comfortable four-person unit with a common area and two double bedrooms. "Home sweet home," Kelvin declared, immediately claiming the bunk nearest the data port. He pulled a small device from his pocket, no larger than his thumb. "Now to make it civilized." With a single motion, he activated the device, which projected a holographic interface. His fingers danced through virtual controls, and suddenly various pieces of tech equipment began materializing on his side of the room—monitors, processors, tool kits, and several devices Noah couldn't even identify. "Compact interdimensional storage," Kelvin explained with pride, seeing Noah's expression. "Dad's design. Can hold about two hundred cubic feet of equipment in a subspace pocket." "Is that even allowed?" Sophie asked, glancing at the growing pile of technology. Kelvin shrugged. "Regulations say personal effects are permitted. These are definitely personal." Lucas, who had already neatly arranged his minimal belongings in precise order, raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure that's exactly what they had in mind." Within thirty minutes, Kelvin had established what could only be described as a control center on his side of the room—multiple screens displaying various data feeds, a partially disassembled tech gauntlet, and what appeared to be a small drone in mid-construction. "There," he said with satisfaction. "Just like home." Noah settled on his bunk, watching his friend work with familiar enthusiasm. Despite the extraordinary change in circumstances—being in space, inducted into an elite program, assigned to counter an alien threat—there was comfort in Kelvin's unchanging techno-obsession. "You think we made the right choice?" Noah asked quietly when Sophie and Lucas had left to explore the common areas. Kelvin paused, screwdriver in hand. "Choice? Pretty sure we didn't get one." "We could have refused." "And missed this?" Kelvin gestured around them, his eyes bright with excitement. "Space station, alien threats, cutting-edge tech? This is everything I've dreamed of, minus the mortal peril part." Noah smiled. "You're easy to please." "Besides," Kelvin added more seriously, "we're closer to answers now. The Ark is right there, practically neighbors. Your parents, the truth about what happened to you—it's all within reach." Noah nodded, his hand instinctively mimicking the round shape of the coin in his void storage. "Yeah. Closer than ever." --- The next morning came sooner than any of them wanted, announced by a gentle but insistent chime from the room's communication system. "All Tier 4 operatives report to Training Deck C for initial assessment at 0700 hours," announced a neutral voice. Kelvin groaned dramatically from his bunk. "What kind of monster schedules training at 7 AM in space? Time is an illusion up here anyway." Nevertheless, they dressed in the fitted training uniforms that had been provided—dark gray with accent colors denoting their team classification. Pathfinder teams wore forest green accents, which Noah noted matched well with some terrains. Training Deck C turned out to be a cavernous space with various simulation areas, some enclosed behind transparent barriers, others open and marked only by different flooring materials. About thirty recruits had gathered, all wearing the same gray uniforms with various team color accents. Noah spotted faces from yesterday's introductions, including the persistent Lyra Davids, who waved enthusiastically when she caught his eye. Sophie noticed too, moving slightly closer to Noah with a look that could wither plants. "Is it weird that I'm actually nervous?" Kelvin murmured, eyeing the advanced equipment around them. "Like, what if I'm amazing at Earth academy stuff but terrible at space operations?" "Then they'll send you home in disgrace," Noah replied solemnly before cracking a smile. "Relax. You're literally a genius with technology. If anyone belongs in space, it's you." "Fair point," Kelvin conceded. "Though I maintain being a genius doesn't make physical training any less painful." "Maybe they'll just have us program robots to do the physical stuff for us," Noah suggested. "From your lips to the universe's ears, my friend." Their banter was interrupted as the entrance doors slid open. The recruits fell silent as a woman strode confidently into the training area. She was tall and athletic, with short, platinum blonde hair styled in an undercut, sharp features, and piercing blue eyes. Despite her youthful appearance—she couldn't have been older than her early twenties—she carried herself with the authority of someone much more experienced. Her top had a slit mid way across her chest that revealed what it would look like if one wore a bikini to space. Her uniform was different from those they'd seen before—fitted black combat gear with silver accents and a small silver star insignia at her collar. A sleek energy weapon was holstered at her hip, and something about her stance suggested she knew exactly how to use it. She surveyed the assembled recruits with a cool, appraising gaze that betrayed nothing of her thoughts. When she spoke, her voice was clear and commanding. "I am Lieutenant Cassandra Beaumont," she announced. "And as of this moment, your comfortable academy lives are officially over."

Chapter 313: Welcome to space!

Comments (0)