Chapter 4 - School day 2

As Alex, Sarah, Ivan, and Cindy entered their respective classes, an announcement sounded over the school's public address system.

"...Attention to all students and teachers, please go to the assembly hall..."

The announcement rang three times before ending. Alex and the others looked at each other in surprise.

"Let's go to the assembly hall for now."

While the four of them were heading to the assembly hall, a meeting about the moon academy was finishing up in the director's office.

"Mr. Director, as we mentioned, the Confederation has established a reward program for each student capable of passing the tests to access the lunar academy."

The director, the head of studies, and all the department heads were gathered at the big table. The news from the Confederation came as a surprise to them as well.

"Well, don't forget that students are a priority. The Confederation holds the education of young people as its highest value."

The director was an elderly man, with long white hair tied in a ponytail, gold-rimmed glasses, and black eyes that were blurred by small cataracts forming over the years.

"Gentlemen, it is not necessary for me to say that we are risking our reputation and next year's budget increase. We have good seeds this year; work hard, and you will be rewarded."

The director was an old fox.

He knew that without incentives, the teachers would not give their all, but the concern was visible on his face.

He was competing with the entire world and had only 3 months, at most 4, to prepare at least one student capable of traveling to the lunar academy and passing the exam.

"Ahem, but Mr. Director, is this program… Isn't it something that only soldiers would do?"

When one of the teachers spoke, everyone turned their heads towards the director.

They knew that the program the Confederation had given them was quite peculiar.

Of course, it included the basic knowledge found in any institute, but there were a few topics that only a soldier would be interested in learning.

"…It is not something we have to worry about. The Confederation has notified us that they will be sending military instructors to all institutes to begin the education of promising young people."

As the director spoke, the teachers looked at each other. They understood the implications of the director's words. It seemed the Confederation was not interested in educating scientists and scholars on the moon.

"Ahem, Mr. Director, does this mean… Is there any deeper implication about the 'pordo' mission?"

When this question was asked, the director, Apov Ohanyan, took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes with one hand. It was a question he had no answer to. He knew there was something more to it; anyone could see that from the way the Confederation was only interested in young people between 15 and 17 years old.

"...Mm?"

Before Apov could answer the question, his smartwatch rang.

"Well, gentlemen, the instructors and a representative of the Confederation have just arrived."

"Uuuuaaahm…"

"Tch, Lieutenant, keep your composure, we are on an official mission."

Watching the duo argue as usual, the team captain sighed in exasperation.

She and her team had been sent with the goal of teaching the students their different specialties, but as she watched the duo of lieutenants, she felt that the mission would not be bearable.

"Lieutenant Abatino, Lieutenant Nikolaou, we have come to instruct the young people. I will not admit any behavior that causes inconvenience to the mission and its performance."

With a sharp look, Captain García addressed mainly the two lieutenants and the rest of the team made up of four sergeants.

"Yes, Captain!"

Giving a military salute, the six members of the team stopped joking and responded seriously.

They knew that this mission was important for their team.

They had heard that if they performed well, they had a chance of being proposed as instructors at the lunar academy.

"Okay, let's get going. The director and the teachers are waiting for us."

The captain smiled at the ambition that appeared in the eyes of her team members. Hopefully, not only the director and teachers would be waiting for them, but also their one-way trip to a promotion in rank and salary.