Chapter Text
Elias had always been a bright kid, sunny, eager to learn and to help. His earliest dreams were of becoming a doctor, a scientist, someone who helps, explores. So during the first half of elementary school, he was sure that that was what he was gonna do. But when he got a little older, and the time to choose a highschool or an academy approached, his thoughts were met with a little change. He learned more about what the daily life of a doctor would probably actually look like, and was suddenly unsure if he was really cut out for that sort of work.
With the help of his mom, they looked at different schools in the region, academies, promotional material, to find something that he liked, something that would suit him.
His mom flicked to a different poster on screen. His eyes were immediately drawn to it, feeling drawn in by what it represented, what it meant.
Join the Aurora Legion, safeguard galactic peace.
Bring aid to where it is needed.
We need YOU.
and below it, illuminated by a star:
We the Legion
We the light
Burning bright against the night.
His blue eyes widened with interest and joy, taking hold of his mother’s shoulder to urge her to look further. He wanted to know more.
‘Aurora Academy,’ his mother read, ‘a neutral peacekeeping organization spreading humanitarian aid and assistance across the galaxy.
He was drawn in even further. An academy in space!! He had always grown up on Terra, but he, like any other kid, knew that humanity had spread to multiple other places in the galaxy now, making friends (and sometimes enemies) with several alien species.
If he joined this academy, he could explore the cosmos beyond Terra, he could help people, he could bring a little light to places shrouded in darkness.
It was everything he needed or wanted.
‘Please say I’m allowed to register,’ he said aloud, chest tight with anticipation as his mom looked up more info on her holo-screen.
His mom pulled up more details.
‘To register… sign here, register there and fill in this and that. And be prepared to pay the admission fee.’ She whistled. ‘Not cheap.’
Young Elias looked at his mom, eyes bright with a plea. Her heart softened at that.
Her boy had noble dreams, and good prospects. And it didn’t happen often that he wanted something as badly as this.
(...)
A few months later, he was standing in line at New Gettysburg station, among other kids with their parents, from all backgrounds, all around thirteen years of age, like he was. He was a little nervous, but also very proud and excited, feeling that he was about to become part of something greater, to journey to the stars.
He signed his name among the line, his mother filled in the details, and it was done. He was officially enrolled at Aurora Academy. He couldn’t believe it, feeling things he couldn’t quite put into words. Scared? Sad to say goodbye to his mother soon? Nervous? Proud and full of joy?
He hugged his mother tight as he prepared to step aboard the spaceship that would take them there, big backpack stuffed with his things. She stroked his cheek, told him she was proud of him, that she would miss him, that he would promise to call if there was anything wrong, and stay in touch as often as he could.
After a warm goodbye with his mom, he stepped aboard, looking where to go inside the hull of the big ship. He hoped that the other teens would be nice, that he would be able to make friends.
The whole journey was exciting and unlike anything he had ever witnessed before. It smoothly blasted off into space, Terra slowly growing smaller and smaller beneath them as they left its sphere of influence. He peered out of the window, mouth slightly open. He was in space. Space exploration was nothing new, but for a boy like him, it was magical.
They flew toward a hexagonal FoldGate, hanging in the black of space.
They were far bigger up close, he thought, taking in every sight on this journey.
The ship hung still for a moment, waiting for clearance, then dropped into the gate. He and the other kids felt a rush of vertigo, and every color faded to monochrome.
Everything was colored in shades of grey, white and black, all color having disappeared as they had entered the Fold. It was really strange, seeing everything in monochrome. Around him, some kids were chattering excitedly, others silently looking out of the windows.
They were inside the Fold right now. It was unbelievable.
He had read about it in books about space, this empty space between space, that you could use to go from one corner in the galaxy to another. But to fly through it in person was something else entirely. He was practically glued to his window, taking in every sight, mapping it inside his head.
After some time spent Folding, they arrived at another FoldGate, flying up to it and dropping through it. In a sudden moment, all of the color returned to reality.
‘Wow…’, Elias breathed, all he could say.
In the distance, a star burned bright against the black. Around it orbited a large space station, a city floating in space.
The closer they came, the better he could see it.
Aurora Academy.
Impossible shapes, smooth domes, the highest technology.
His new home.
His chest filled with excitement, anticipation, nerves and pride. He couldn’t wait to set foot inside, to see this place for himself, and he hoped he would be worthy, worthy of earning himself a place in this magnificent Legion.
They docked, and the bay doors flew open with a whisper, everyone taking up their bags and following the officer receiving them. Inside, the place was even more magnificent. It was impossible to take in every sight, the highest tech, smooth shapes, full of people aboard this space academy. They were shown around, past the most important places, eventually arriving at the dorms. His roommate was a boy named Gideon, he had read in advance. Now he got to shake hands with him in person. He was dark-skinned and had short, curly hair. He seemed nice, and full of excitement, like him. Gideon made him promise not to snore, and they laughed, stepping inside to go set down their stuff.
Elias rummaged through his large backpack, unearthing several of his possessions that he had brought along with him. His favorite necklace. Hair ties. Extra sets of clothes. And some of his favorite books to read. Today was just for settling in, their schedules would be communicated, they’d receive their cadet uniforms along with other stuff they would need.
This could feel like home.
Though, he did miss his mom.