6. The Oriya Rift

The group began to slowly filter off the ship they'd arrived in, which looked no worse for wear having shuttled them from their homeworld moments before. They emerged into a large metallic bay, filled with similar ships or 'shuttles' as they now realised. Alati in uniform were moving with purpose in every direction, tending to the ships, moving equipment or any number of other tasks. Discipline was good as although the students received some looks here and there no one approached them or watched them for long.

A distinct humming came from behind the ship and turning to look the group felt a collective shock. Beyond the ship they'd arrived on was space. Endless black dotted with light, deep and mysterious. Holding that back was a very faint shimmer, appearing like little more than an odd flickering of light.

[Dan]: "If that was to fail..."

[Penny]: "Shut up Dan."

Penny's voice trembled, she had been one of the first to look away. Matthew however was still looking, his eyes bright. He was in space.

[LT Jaswin]: "All right you lot, exciting times. Follow me through the ship. When we reach your section your little heads will let you know!"

Jaswin stood with the group and began herding them towards a section of the bay with a large exposed elevator. Once everyone was aboard they got a much better view of the bay as it climb upwards. Not only did the bay have several shuttles but also many smaller, waspish craft which seemed to have two seats, like fighters. There was also a single larger shuttle like vessel which had far more of the strange 'blisters' on its hull.

[LT Jaswin]: "This vessel is considered a light cruiser and dispatch vessel in the Alati Navy. It fills many roles, from transport to recon and fighting. Its too small to go heavy with bigger ships but too big to be a light escort. You can think of her as a being suitable for a lot of roles, but not a master at any of them."

She looked around at the group of Gifted with a smile, their eyes hungrily digesting everything around them.

[LT Jaswin]: "Don't let that fool you though as in the right hands she can be a powerful force. Our captain is a veteran and sharp, there aren't many risks in the journey so you can sleep easy and focus on your studies."

At this point Danny shot his hand into the air and shook it around energetically. LT Jaswin grinned before pointing him out.

[Dan]: "What about pirates and black holes and rouge..."

[LT Jaswin]: "Hahaha... your one to keep an eye on I see. Pirates exist, any culture with space travel pretty much ends up with lawless folk who either start out thinking they don't have any other option or plain enjoy such things. They rarely mess with military ships though, even if they succeed the heat they'd get in return wouldn't bare thinking of. And navigation charts mean that we will be travelling a well known route, with little in the way of dangers.

It was obvious that each answer seemed to deal a blow to Danny, until he seemed to lose all excitement. Only for a moment though as the elevator came to rest near the top of the bay, a stretching, bustling corridor brought into sight.

[LT Jaswin]: "Right, keep up."

What followed was a continuous stream of corridors, each very similar to the next. Some branched off into other large rooms and from more than one the young gifted could easily smell the aroma of cooking. Jaswin had explained that the ship had many 'galleys' rather than a single large one, for safety reasons. What looked like machine shops and training areas passed by, along with rooms filled with strange instruments and crew going about their business.

The group quickly got lost as they moved along. One of the rooms they were able to glance into had a swimming pool, with many Alati resting within or swimming in the lanes.

One thing that did catch their attention was the different uniforms in the crew. White was prevalent but many crew also wore a deep blue or dark brown outfit which was otherwise very similar in design. Jaswin had explained that the 'blue shirts' were the ships armed force personnel. Tasked with extending the ships 'force' beyond the ship and dealing with ship security. The 'brown shirts' were the ships engineering personnel. Obviously they kept the ship in shape and maintained its functions.

At one point they saw a single Alati pass by wearing all black, even his stripes. As he did they all felt a gentle sweep of pressure across their minds, a strange weight added to their shoulders. He didn't linger though and moved on.

[LT Jaswin]: "Crown guard. If he ever gives you an order, you obey without question. Every vessel tasked with bringing gifted for training is mandated to have one. He is leagues beyond me or most other Gifted in strength and his primary reason for being here is to ensure this ship, and you, arrive in safety. You will all meet him at least once during the journey, as he will want to speak with all of you. I advise you are polite and treat it very seriously."

The otherwise chipper LT spoke very plainly, her tone muted but clear. She made sure to meet every eye and ensure her words sunk in. Matthew and the others shared a worried glance, few would want to be alone in a room with someone that powerful and important.

They proceeded along much as they had before, though in a worried silence. For once Jaswin didn't try to change their mood and kept silent. She wanted to make sure they took her words to heart.

It wasn't long after that they crossed into a section of the ship which was a little different than the rest. This section had black highlights along the corridor walls and the moment they entered all of the young gifted groaned, many placing a hand to their heads. Matthew looked around, the only one unaffected and realised they had to be feeling the 'pressure' the LT had mentioned by the shuttle. He fingered his collar part in relief and annoyance. He knew his own experience was only delayed and was feeling conflicted.

After giving them a few moments to adjust Jaswin moved them along again. This time they didn't travel far before arriving at a corridor with many doors on either side. She brought up her wristCom and tapped a few times, which resulted in many small pings on the groups own coms.

[LT Jaswin]: "You rabbits now have your room assignments. Boys on the left and girls on the right. After dark you will not mix. Any boys found in the girls rooms will regret it. There is a large common room nearby you can spend time together in, but the rooms are for sleeping only. There is a galley at the end of the hall you will take your meals in. Meals will not be taken out of the galley. A drink station has water in every room. Go ahead and check your rooms. Your luggage will arrive before lights out. Back here in ten, go on."

The group broke up almost immediately, each looking for their berth for the trip. Matthew was pleased to find he was sharing a room with Akito, Danny and another boy by the name of Gregor. He was quiet and usually kept to himself. He wasn't shy though, as at nearly sixteen he was the oldest of their group and that just made it harder for him to get along with rest naturally.

In fact most of the group like Matthew were around ten to twelve in age, with a few younger and few older. This was deliberate as it turned out it was when the mind was most receptive it was easier to awaken the Gift. Too young and it was too dangerous and traumatic, too old and the mind was too set in its ways. It wasn't impossible though, just rare and most naturally Gifted did so at a very early age.

The rest of the day was a tour of their immediate space, including the training room. After a warm but plain meal the group bedded down quickly, even with the ever present headache. Matthew had since joined them in that particular pain, the collar now thankfully gone.