Designated Survivor 6

""An academy?"" While Diana seemed intrigued, Donovan was less than impressed. He was sick of schooling, even if it was on a different planet.

"Akkadmi?"

"The place of learning you mentioned." Diana was quickly becoming the one in charge of clarifying. Some of the words that he did not know the meaning to seemed odd considering how many he did understand, but Diana was willing to bet that he didn't actually understand what they were saying. It was more likely he was guessing.

"Yes, the Sanctum's Academy. I believe your attendance will be of great assistance to your future. Accolades are more important than I can describe in our society, and attending the Academy is the only way I can see you attaining them in any significant manner. This will also give you the chance to make connections."

"I see..."

"I say we go." Donovan was quick to accept the offer.

"We need to think about this Donovan."

"What is there to think about? We'll probably be safer there than anywhere else, and we will have the opportunity to find allies."

"Yes, but we will also have the potential to make enemies. We might also be wasting our time."

"I don't think so. I might not want to live in a high intensity learning environment anymore, but it is certainly better than just sitting around and doing nothing. You said ARC would be in charge of developing industry and infrastructure, so we need to work to provide resources and information."

"That may be, but we do not yet know the risks associated with it. Lets hear more, sleep on it, and then make a decision. Okay?"

"Sure. I don't think my mind will be changing though. What can we expect from this academy?"

The Captain was unnerved by the speed at which they came to their decisions. Perhaps this was a benefit of having established language, but their capability was definitely the biggest factor.

"That depends on what track you decide to follow. There are multiple schools, but I would imagine that Donovan would be more suited to the Military school while Diana might be partial to the Ambassadorial or Mercantile paths. There are of course specializations for each of these fields, but you should not worry about those for now."

"I think we should be." Diana refuted the Captain's innocent attempt at not overwhelming them. "We need to know our options, Donovan in particular. Despite our disdain for war, I will not deny we are good at it. Donovan is one of the best at it."

"I wouldn't go that far..." Donovan didn't want to seem like a douchebag, "However, I won't deny that I have received the majority of training available in regards to waging war. It would be nice to know if there is an area I am lacking in and should focus on."

"To be truthful, it is also a means to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of other parties." Diana did not want to appear deceitful to their hosts. Certainly she could do so if she wanted, but she deemed it to be against their interests.

"If you insist." The Captain took a moment to calmly give an order to one of the people in the pits before continuing. "There are three sub-schools within the Military academy, Land, Sea, and Space. Of these, Sea is the smallest, while Land and Space tend to have equivalent class sizes. Do you have a preference for any of them?"

"Space. Definitely space. But I am trained in all of those fields. Is there any chance for me to enroll in ALL of them?"

This brash behavior was no longer surprising. "There is a way to do so, but it requires an assessment given by the Academy's Upper management. You will need to go through one full term before they will even consider some form of expanded course. The most that could probably be excused to take would be the most basic courses in the other two under the guise of opening your options."

"I take it the true intent is to bring us up to a sufficient understanding of how war is conducted."

"Very perceptive Diana. We do not know what rules you follow in war, if you follow any. These basic courses place an emphasis on teaching these codes an the most rudimentary of military maneuvers. We can talk more about the specific classes you will be taking once you have made a decision."

Diana nodded. She was not as intent on taking the initiative as Donovan was, so this arrangement suited her. Donovan was under the assumption that the specifics were not important in the long run, the only objective of importance was to put get into a position where he could learn the capabilities and strategies of any and all potential threats so he could work out counters to them.

"As for the Diplomatic and Mercantile paths, there are really no separate paths within them. If that is disappointing to you in any way I apologize, but that is the way it is."

"Would there be any chance of me going down both at once?"

"No. As I understand it, the instruction periods for each path will take the majority of the day. However, should Donovan end up going down the path of the Imperator, you will likely be able to finish both of them before his education concludes."

"I see." Diana leaned against the backrest. "It would probably be better to start with the economic track, but diplomatic knowledge would be beneficial in building relationships..."

"I humbly suggest the Mercantile path." The Scholar had come to join them. "I hope you don't mind my eavesdropping on your conversation, but you will benefit more from understanding how our economy works more than how to set up international agreements and knowing how to eat properly."

"I would hope you have some justification for that?" The Captain was not being hostile or accusatory, just ensuring there was no bad advice being given.

"I do. Diana is already proficient to a great degree in the realm of politics and speaking. As I understand that course, the first three terms focus heavily on skills that she has already demonstrated proficiency in."

"So I will be wasting my time, at least initially?"

"Yes. I should be able to teach you all you need to avoid invoking offence or disdain. I feel you will benefit in general far more from giving yourself the ability to make money and create more even trade deals."