Free Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles 1: Wizard Defiant by Rodney Hartman

said 303 in a panting voice. She had renewed her struggle against the ladder, but she continued to talk as she studied the best way to attack the next rung. “I like this version of 832 a whole lot better than the one we endured during pre-Academy days.”
    “I’ll second that,” said 422. “If you keep it up, 832, you might find yourself with a few friends.”
    “Liz, I mean 215,” Richard said, “reminded me friends were important. TAC Officer Shatstot told me they were going to get harder on us now that we are actual Academy cadets. He said they were going to try and get rid of any of us who they thought couldn’t make wizard scout before the Empire spent too many credits on us. I think friends are going to be very important in the days ahead. I haven’t had many friends during my life.”
    “Wow,” said 147, “that was probably the longest speech I’ve heard you make in the last two years.”
    “And the most melancholy,” said 303 panting hard to catch her breath. She had just pulled herself up to the rung two levels below them. “Well, personally, I wouldn’t mind having the best fighter in the company for a friend. However, I have a feeling anything good in that respect will be counterbalanced by being friends with a cadet TAC Officer Myers hates. I suspect your friends will catch some residual heat from the association.”
    “You’re right,” said Richard. “It’s probably best to keep your –”
    “Relax, 832,” said 422 with another laugh. “She was joking. I can see we’re going to have to work on your humor perception a little. But forget that for now. You said TAC Officer Shatstot told you. Are you like buddy-buddies with him now?”
    “No,” Richard said quickly. “He just talked quite a bit when he was trying to heal me the other day.”
    “Speaking of which,” said 147, “how are you holding up? Are your ribs still bothering you?”
    “They’re not bad,” Richard lied. The obstacle course had re-damaged his cracked ribs, and he felt like someone was sticking a knife in his side.
    “Liar,” said 303 who had finally made the top of the ladder. “I saw you slam your side against that post during the rotating-logs climb. You should report to the medics before you damage your ribs anymore.”
    “No way,” Richard said. “Myers would have me out on a medical before the medics finished filling out their paperwork. I’ll be fine. I just need to be more careful, that’s all.”
    “All right,” said 422. “It’s your funeral.”
    “Well,” said 303, “I’d hate for you to die without a friend, so I’m going to go out on a limb. My name is Telsa Stremar. I’m from the Dreppin system, and I came to the Academy right after I graduated from the university with a degree in astral physics.”
    Richard didn’t say anything. An awkward silence hung in the air for about five seconds.
    “Okay, 832,” said 147, “I guess we’re going to have to work on more than your humor. You’re a little short in the etiquette department as well. If a fellow cadet lowers their social shields enough to tell you their name, you’re supposed to reciprocate and tell them yours. I’ll show you how it’s done. My name is Jerad Criteron. I was born on Terra, but my parents were military, so I’ve been all over. I’m thirty-eight Terran years old, and I’ve been told I’m the oldest human cadet to ever make it past pre-Academy training. I was a battalion commander in heavy armor with almost eighteen years of service.” Holding up his hands before anyone could say anything, he said, “And why would an old man like me apply for wizard scout training? I have my reasons.” Looking at Richard, he said, “Next?”
    Richard listened to the yells and grunts of other candidates just beginning their climb of the ladder obstacle. He knew they didn’t have much time. One of their TACs was bound to spot them sitting on the top rung of the ladder before long.
    Okay, Liz, Richard thought. This is