Chapter 34: Briefing and a challenge

( Guys I messed up calling Magnus's mother as a Captain she is really an admiral.)

The Now demoted captain ran away with his group under the surprised eyes of Magnus and the rest. They were not expecting for something like that to happen. " Why you are looking at me all surprised. I am surprised that such a low level soldier dares to talk to you like that."

" It's because of..." Magnus was about to spill it when Mavis stopped him. " We will talk about that at the Admirals office". Race saw that the topic is uncomfortable to both Magnus and Mavis.

" Ok, That can wait". Race decided to respect their wishes.

" Thank you Race", Mavis was grateful. " Then everyone lets get going", Mavis walked before leading them to the Admiral Office. Race knew that the problem that he is now a part of was something much more complicated than what he initially expected.

The group was mostly silent till they reached the office.

Mavis swiped her communicator across a panel near a the highly secure door of the Admirals office. Race and the rest of the group walked into the office. The room was quite large nearly as big as Race's bedroom on the Minotaur. The group was welcomed by a women with red hair who was currently going through some files on the hologram panel before her. The documents were blurred to normal eyes, So one could see that the edge of her pupils were shining proving that she had a accessory implant in her eyes.

The hologram immediately closed as soon as the door opened. the response was quick but not fast enough to avoid Race's heightened senses. But whatever was on the screen was of no importance to Race at this time so he didn't even try to find out was going on.

The woman Raised her eyes and looked at the group that had entered her cabin. Seeing that it was the group sent to welcome her son and the new disciple. She signaled with her eyes to the an older man in the group. He must have been a trusted as he was able to easily pick up on what she intended and took everyone except for Race, Magnus and Mavis out of the cabin.

" You must be Race. Your look younger than what i imagined.", She spoke in a voice that was appropriate for a person of her position. " I am Melina, Magnus should have already mentioned that I am the Admiral of the ship."

" Yes, Ma'am. Nice to meet you". Race spoke in a humble manner.

Melina then walked towards her son; She then placed her palm on his shoulder and said in voice that seemed emotionless but her face betrayed her heart.

" You have grown a lot, Magnus. I am proud of you".

" I missed you too mom."

There was an awkward silence for a while, till Mavis coughed and said, " Ok, Let's get down to business."

Melina hurriedly composed herself as she began walking towards her table to brief them about the mission. But Race saw that her eyes were moist. " No mother can bear to stay from there child for long", Race thought to himself.

Melina did a motion above her table causing a hologram panel to appear, She then selected a particular file and then motion towards her right, The hologram turned into a much larger screen. On it was coordinates of one planet of the solar system in which Race home world belonged.

" This is Angno, a planet close to Race's homeworld. We had obtained clues that showed there is a possibility of an unregistered lab currently functioning in this planet".

"What makes you think that ?" Race was curious.

" We found out that there was unusually high transport ship traffic towards this planet. We found that they were transporting some goods from planets which are famous for lab equipments and such; We had also sent the recon drones to scan the transport ships before they landed on the planet and also when the same ship was about to departed the system. The readings showed that the ships had definitely dropped of some cargo on the planet". She then pointed at the surface of the planet Angno.

The place where Melina pointed was zoomed till they could see a building in a small valley which was in the shadow of two large hills. The building seemed small to be too small from the outside.

As if reading there thoughts Melina said," The ships usually landed near this building. The amount cargo the ships drop is more than enough to fill that building 10 times over. So, we suspect that the greater part of the structure is below ground. We did not use a more intrusive scans as the lab may be alerted. The last lab we raided had both countermeasures against both intrusive scanning and long duration surveillance. So we are essentially blind to what is going on inside the facility we are not even able to pinpoint its defenses. Its almost as if they are non-existent. So we except a rather heavy resistance."

" So when do we get moving?", Magnus asked.

" In 1200 hrs. We need to make sure that we strike after the next shipment where they are most likely to lower their guard a little. Magnus you will be joining your old squad. Mavis will help with logistics and you Race can join me at the deck to discuss and help me analyse the situation."

" Yes Admiral", Both Magnus and Mavis answered.

Race was a bit disappointed at being underestimated but he too answered yes. But Melina was an experienced Admiral who had seen a lot of people and she knew that Race was dissatisfied.

" Race, I know you want to help out in the field, But this is not a type of mission for you. This is not a battle that all units have to work together and you and our fleet has no prior experience of working together. I am sorry, But you have to sit this one out." Melina was kind of expecting Race to argue with her to let him be a part of the assault group.

" Yes Admiral. I understand". Race knew an army need to be like a well oiled mission. If a new part is added to it without proper planning it will only cause the machine to perform much worse, And since that meant loss of life Race was alright to step away from this fight.

Melina was kind of surprised and thought to herself that Master Selia has picked up a gem.

" Since all that is cleared up, you all go and freshen up and get ready for the mission, I expect Magnus to report to Captain Razor in an hour. Mavis, you know where you are needed. Race you can come to the deck when you are ready. The way to your rooms have been uploaded to your communicator. I guess that is about it."

As Melina was about to let everyone go when the door to her cabin suddenly opened, and boy of big build but around the age of magnus walked in with heavy and quick steps.

" Which Bastard dare to boss around my people". The newcomer raged. His voice was seething with anger.

Race saw that the newcomer have a major rank. Race was really surprised to see that a major would ever dare to make such a ruckus before an Admiral. Race then towards Melina and said

" I almost forgot, I demoted a captain for insubordination, Here is his badge", Race gave the badge to Melina. " I also ordered him to tell his superior to meet me, I guess that must be you."

What Race said truly enraged the newcomer." How dare you speak to me like that, who gave you authority over my people".

Race was getting tired of this dude acting all high and mighty. Race wanted to do something but decided to wait to see what the admiral was going to do.

" Taron, He is the new disciple that Master has taken in. So his authority is even greater than mine or your father's, You don't even have the right to see him without prior notice." Melina informed him.

Taron was stunned for a bit, then he said," Is he someone who was selected due to nepotism or was he someone who earned it".

Race finally lost it when he implied that Magnus was were he was due to nepotism.

" You shut up, That is an order." Race yelled.

" What make you think that i will follow you." Taron spoke calmly.

Race then did the exact same thing he did to the captain. He ripped the Major Badge from Taron's uniform and said, " You are here by demoted to a common soldier. If that is to change I need to hear from your father. I hope you've learned your lesson, Now get out of this office, before I fire you from service".

"Do you think that I am scared of you. I will strip you of the position that you used to punish me. I will show you that nepotistic bastards will not always win..." before Taron could complete this sentence, he was smacked across the face by Race.

" You DARE TO HIT ME". Taron yelled. He then proceeded to take a card that had the Master Selia's personal insignia on it. He then crushed it causing electric sparks.

Then an alarm sounded throughout the ship followed by an announcement.

" The Disciple Race Smyth has been challenged by Soldier Taron Mark. The first of the series of tests will be a combat test followed by a test of knowledge and then a practical test. The tests will begin in an hour at the Arena. Since Race Smyth had not Known About this Mechanic he is given a choice to reject the challenge. If Taron Mark is to fail any test, he will be declared to be lost." The monotone voice said.

A holographic panel appeared before Race asking whether he wished to accept the challenge.

Before the rest could advice against it, Race accepted it,

" See you in the ring".