Empire academy

The empire had many schools, they ranged from general education to the highest of degrees, but amongst all the programs and schooling was a program for the best of the best.

Yuri - although she may not look it as he stumbled of the tram, winding through traffic - was special. She was selected to pilot a H.A.L.O. system.

Sixty five years ago at the end of the calamity war, after the use of bio-chemical weapon of mass destruction the empire utilising their geosynchronous satellites and original High Altitude Landing Objects to drop a wall dividing its own nation from the destruction - effectively sealing themselves off from the globe.

For the sixty five years since the empire has only focused on amassing a strength to equal their rivals, should they ever exert themselves within the globe again...

Advancements in engineering and nuclear energy allows the current generation of H.A.L.O pilots to not operate the satellites but instead pilot the Mech Suits that dive to the planet from low altitude orbit.

For Yuri it would be three more years before she performs her first space jump. This year however she should begin the pilot and combat phase of her schooling. While the excitement drove her nuts its seemed to not affect her punctuality.

"Late again miss Yuri..." A teacher noted pushing up his glasses, "that is something we will not accept in this program - work on it..." He said turning around to the board to continue.

"When operating your H.A.L.O. the most important aspect for longevity is to maintain your power output and reserve energy." Making a quick sketch he explained; "mobility and physical strikes are based on your power output but weapons require quick bursts of power so the current system utilize a capacitor system..."

"Ugh that was so boring!" A young man complained to Yuri as the pair left the classroom.

"You can study anything Will, why focus on frontline combat?" She asked in reply.

Waving his hand and laughing her off the young man claimed coyishly; "you just want me out so you can score first nationally...."

Laughing Yuri shot back "I'll be first eventually, with our without you here..."

As the pair turned the corner they disappeared into the next class room, followed by a group of young students.

As the pair found their seats Will pressed the topic further, "even with all the books smarts once we are in our H.A.L.O.s I'll shine even further..."

"Don't assume just because you've operated a H.A.L.O. successfully that the rest of us can't. Even if it takes a few days or weeks, I'll catch up and surpass you - I promise!" Yuri claimed as the teacher began quieting students for class.

"Quiet down class, quiet down..." The teacher said addressing the classroom. "We don't have much time and everything in the course outline is testable so lets get through it..." pointing to the board she continued; "When performing a space Jump there are five methods for landing. First is the un manned controlled fall - utilizing the emergency parachutes. Second is the controlled manned jumped where the operator controls the jet system to land safely, like the unmanned controlled fall this is mainly used in domestic emergencies. A 'battle jump' involved a direct fall with last minute thrust, maximum g-force and minimum time from space to ground. Finally the 'Space drop' which was used to facilitate the birth of the wall - involved unmanned objects falling the complete distance. While this is the fastest, a person can not withstand the impact and since the first H.A.L.O. system has not been used..."

As a few hands went up the teacher picked a student at random "Yes, what is it?"

"What is the fifth method?" A student questioned.

"A manned H.A.L.O. attempts a space drop, parachute fails, stabilizing thrusters fail and the operator die on impact..."

"Seriously?" the students asked almost in unison.

Looking back to the board and making a diagram the teacher continued; "The fifth is called "OTM" it stands for 'Orbit to Motion' and it involves a jump from orbit onto another moving platform or object." Finishing the diagram she turned to the class, "Three operators have ever successfully performed an OTM - all of which intercepted a flying object, two planes and one rocket..." Taking a breath the teacher explained "while it could work on a ship, it's not been utilized that way yet..."

The class gave a look of wonder as they imagined the difficulty of dropping from space onto the back of a plane. "It's not a simple process and several have died in the attempt." Looking serious he told the class, "how ever many ways we jump the last way is always failure..."