Free Annihilation Series-Searching for a Hero by Saxon Andrew

tonight?”
    “Why?”
    “I’m going to lay low until this blows over.”
    “I think that’s a good idea.”
    • • • • •
    Three days later, Ping received a message on his terminal. He read it and shook his head. Mios came running in the room and said Ping said, “I’ve just received the message.”
    “This is outside the normal training regimen.”
    Ping’s wrist unit buzzed and he saw the Fleet Controller on it. “Yes Sir?”
    “I assume you’ve received my message.”
    “I have, Sir.”
    “It appears the faculty advisor of our four bloated egos has gotten the Commandant to approve a war game because of lack of training for the big babies. It will be their four ships against your team.”
    “I don’t have a team, Sir! I’ve never had the same cadets fly with me two times.”
    “Well, you can select the ones you want to fly with you for this exercise.”
    Ping sighed, “Should I have just let them win?”
    “No, and, if you lay down on this one, I’ll be all over you like white on rice.”
    Ping looked at Mios and knew that if he brought him and Jodie in on the exercise, they would be the object of frustration for the four seniors. “Sir, I’ll take them on alone.”
    “That is not acceptable.”
    “That’s how I want to do it, Sir.”
    “Why?”
    “It’s the only way to shut them up.”
    “Do you think you can win?”
    “It will be easier to fly alone than have to work together with others that I know little or nothing about.”
    The Fleet Controller pursed his lips and slowly started nodding, “If you take one of them out, it will be a victory for you.”
    “That will put the pressure on them to have to cover each other and slow down their pursuit.”
    “You’re going to make them chase you?”
    “That’s the plan.”
    “I’ll see you in the morning at the space port.”
    Mios was angry, “Ping, you shouldn’t have left me out of this!”
    “I won’t in the future; we’ll be flying together from now on. If they can do it, we can as well.”
    “You don’t stand much of a chance against four ships that have worked together for three years.”
    Ping shrugged, “Probably, but this is making me angry. They need an ego adjustment.”
    Mios shrugged, “Are you going to use any of your talents?”
    “Only those that can’t be seen.”
    Mios smiled, “I need to place a wager.”
    Pardon me?”
    “Oh yes, the odds are three to one in favor of the four. This should raise them considerably.”
    “Mios, I don’t really have a good chance of winning this.”
    “The odds will make the bet worthwhile. As I understand it, the exercise is going to be sent to the main display in the student center. It’s breaking down to the senior class against ours. This should be fun.” Ping shrugged and closed his eyes.
    • • • • •
    “Alright, you gentlemen have the boundaries of the exercise locked into your navigation systems. If any of you leave the proscribed area, you will be considered hit and out of the exercise.”
    Avery Smith was looking around, “Where are the others?”
    The Fleet Controller said, “There are no others. You will be taking on Mr. Kendal.”
    “That’s ridiculous. There’s no reason for this exercise if we only have to defeat him.”
    Ping said, “I agree; I’ll see you in class.”
    Ping started walking away and Avery yelled, “Wait just a minute; I didn’t say we wouldn’t do it.”
    Ping stopped and looked at the four seniors. They put their heads together and discussed the issue quietly and Avery said, “What’s the matter, no one will fly with you?”
    “Nope.”
    Jon Collin snorted, “That’s a lie; your roommate would do it.”
    “No, he’s placing bets against the four of you at the moment and is too busy.”
    The four showed their rage at the remark and Avery turned to the Fleet Controller, “This will be over before it starts.”
    The Fleet Controller smiled, “Whatever, you four babies report to your ships and jump out to