Welcome to the Academy 1.1

Location: Strara Station, Sector 22

Date: Ztala, day 50, 7:45

"I'm here, so where is she--"

"Raina!"

Raina turns around to see a familiar face waving at her. She waves back, and approaches her. "Eve," Raina says as she closes the gap, weaving her way through the crowd.

Eve wraps her in a hug, "It's great to see you!" She pulls away, "Haven't seen you since the Raven Company's founding day."

Raina smiles at her, "Yeah, right, the party."

Eve looks at the train entrance, "Come on, we need to go or we'll be late." Eve grabs Raina's hand and pulls her along to the train entrance.

They take their seats and their suitcases sit next to them. Eve looks out the window. Well, it's not really a window. Just a fake projection screen that simulates movement. Most people turn them off, but some change it to show the news, or turn them off completely. Raina has always liked it. Usually it shows them going through trees, mountains, and even oceans.

Eve clears her throat, "Ahem. Eris to Raina."

Raina looks at her, "Oh, sorry."

"As I was saying while you were conveniently spaced out, was, are you ready?"

Raina laughs nervously, "Heh, yeah, no. Definitely not. Are you?"

Eve nods excitedly, "Yeah I am! I can't wait! Like seriously, I was a wreck after taking the entrance test."

"Right… the entrance test…" Raina pauses for a moment, "Oh, yeah. You mean for the advanced placement exams?"

Eve shivers dramatically. Raina raises an eyebrow, It couldn't have been that bad, right?

"I was so stressed," Eve continues, "I had to make it! There's no way I could take the normal classes."

Raina rolls her eyes, as perfectionist as ever. "But the Academy is literally the most advanced school, why go to the extreme?"

"Hmpf," Eve folds her arms, "of course you would say that. I want to become an Ambarella, and help further bio-chem technology." Eve's eyes sparkle, and Raina can't help but smirk. "Imagine what we could do with gene-splicing, or living exosuits, OR--"

"I get it, science wiz," Raina interjects, "that doesn't mean you need to torture yourself with the horrid advanced classes. Don't you remember when we were little, the horror stories."

Eve shoves her playfully on the shoulder, "You're so dramatic. You just hate the idea of going. Weren't you thinking about computer science?"

Raina shrugs, "Honestly, I don't know. I figured I'd just end up doing something for Raven Company."

Eve's eyes go wide, "You didn't sign a permanent contract yet, right?"

"What? No," Raina shakes her head, "Not yet. Especially not when I don't even know what I want to do yet."

Eve breathes out and puts a hand on her chest as if she just dodged a bullet, "Thank goodness." The window screen changes, "Looks like they changed it to real time. There it is!" Eve turns her attention to the large building on a flat separate level from the rest of Sector 4. The Academy is in Sector 4B, a smaller section than the rest, it's specially designated to the Academy. "I can't believe we were just in Sector 22 a second ago, and now we're on our way to our destinies!"

Raina laughs, "Yeah right. You act like we've never been there before."

Eve scowls, "I know that but seriously, this is so cool! We're students now! Best buds taking on the world! We're not on a business trip my dude."

"Alright, okay. I give in," Raina puts up her hands in defeat, "I'll try to see the brighter side in this."

Eve smiles brightly, "Thank you."

The train stops and the speaker announces their exit. They both press the follow button on their suitcases and head towards their destination.

There's something to be said about the atmosphere in Strara. Not too long ago it was another normal city. But now, It's host to the best Academy in the world. It may be more popular than Zouvis, the largest world region. Just like everywhere else there are support buildings that reach all the way to the surface, with many smaller buildings everywhere else. While windows are no longer needed, there is still no absence of detail. Holo-screens light up the buildings. News, ads, voting reminders, and posters.

The whole way to the entrance Eve was jumping off the walls. She looked at all the shops, restaurants, and warehouses as if she'd never seen them before. Even though they visited not too long ago. When they arrived, neither moved for a moment. Both stopped for very different reasons.

Raina took a deep breath, "Let's get this over with."