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nightfall2021 · 07-15-2011, 10:48 AM,

If you know others and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know others but know yourself, you win one and lose one; if you do not know others and do not know yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle. 'The Art of War' ' Sun Tzu.
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Chapter 1: Graduation

Gabriel Forge could feel the slight thrum of West Point's reactors through the sole of his boots, could feel the air circulation system trying to keep up with the hundreds of spectators in the Military Academy's auditorium. It was a surreal feeling, the end of a long two year road and yet his senses seemed dulled.

Except for that Damn reactor! Gabriel had long though they had it just out of sync to keep people on edge as part of their training.

Several hundred others stood in rows around him on the bottom floor of the auditorium. They were dressed as he was, in rich Blue navy uniforms. They were rankles, with no pins on collars or sleeves, as they were still technically students until after the graduation ceremony. Surrounding the recruits in stands that circled an elevated section of the auditorium were seats for families. They were filled to almost capacity, with more spectators than actual graduates. His own family was there, his Mom and Dad, and his brother Dominic had made the trip from Los Angeles. His sister had been unable to make it, her transport was somewhere out in the Border Worlds and was unable to get to Liberty Space in time.

'Today, you all embark on the grand mission of the Navy, which began when our ancestors left Sol for a new life in Sirius'¦' Boomed the voice of Commandant Mathew Evans, the admiral in charge of West Point making the speech he had said each year for his entire tenure at the academy. Gabriel barely heard the words, but he understood the message and felt the swelling pride of the two hundred other officer candidates that were graduating. You are the best and brightest of us, go forth and show Sirius why the Liberty Navy is the dominate force in the sector. Be proud of the Navy, and welcome to the family.

Gabriel knew his family was proud of him'¦ for the most part. His parents, Abigail and Marcus were simple folk from Los Angeles. His father a commercial trans atmospheric shuttle pilot working for a local shipping firm and his mother a secretary at a doctor's office. His dad had served in the Liberty Security Force during the Nomad War, and it was logical that one of his son's would do something similar. His brother Dom was a Marine, not having the scholastic aptitude to make it as a Naval Aviator he still did his part in one of a dozen land engagements Liberty seemed to be involved with at any one time.

Ashley, his sister was another story. Always a rebel she felt that Liberty had grown corrupt had been angry when Gabriel joined the military. She had taken berth on a freighter heading out towards Zoner space and was now working as crew. While their parents never agreed with her leaving the way she did, Gabriel was just thankful she had never joined one of the numerous factions that opposed Liberty like the Lane Hackers or Rogues. He was not sure he could pull the trigger on his own sister in a dogfight.

'You are the next fine generation of Naval Officers. The first and last line of defense for this great nation of ours. I know you will not shirk your duties, that you will do your uniform and our homes proud. Our enemies are Legion, but we are the Navy. A thin blue line across space, but a line forge with iron resolve and unbreakable courage. As Fleet Admiral David Hale once said, 'Ever vigilant, never fearing, and always ready.' The Commandant was finishing his speech and Forge could feel the excitement start to fall over the graduates. Two long years in OCS and flight school and It was almost over.

'Class, it has been an honor. Take what you have learned here, and use it wisely. Dismissed.' With that Admiral Evans saluted the assembled graduates. Each of them officially held the rank of Ensign in the Navy, pending assignment.

The first cheer came from the stands of course, a civilian, hopefully not Dom. The graduates had remained quiet, not sure if it was alright to have an outburst or not. Two years of military training and conditioning keeping them from acting out irrationally, but the one civilians cry became a roar and the newly minted ensigns soon joined in. Gabriel looked up to see Admiral Evans shaking the hands of several of the faculty before looking out over the graduates with a smile and a good natured shake of the head.

Ensign Gabriel Forge hunted through the crowd for his family. The entire journey a minefield of hugging families, congratulatory handshakes, hugs and backslaps from friends he had made over the last two years . He found Dom first, standing out in his Marine dress uniform.

'Well,' Dominic said with a smile, 'Congratulations bro, you might not be a marine but someone has to have hot and a cot in the family.'

Gabriel laughed. Hot and a cot referred to hot showers and a cot. Marines were notorious for letting fleet know that they had the easy life. Hot showers, cots and three square meals a day. Part of the marine mentality. 'Thanks Dom. Though I didn't get a sword.'

His brother smiled as he thought of his Marine issue cavalry saber, part of the standard Marine uniform for a millennia, ever since North Africa in the early days of what was the United States. 'C'mon, mom and dad are looking for you.'

Dom had an easier time muscling his way through the crowd. He was a Marine, which meant he was lean and strong, but his brother had always been the ox in the family. Many of the civilians made way because they though Dom was an official escort to some highly placed graduate or something. Of course, the sword did not hurt either.

They found their parents near the stands, back away from the press of humanity that made up the center auditorium. Gabriel's mother was busy looking up through the huge transparasteel viewport and the view of the Badlands and his father just watched the huge group of people smiling.

'Dad!' Gabriel yelled and ran over to shake his father's hand. His father had a strong grip but it quickly turned into a strong hug as he pulled his son in close.

'I am very proud of you son.'

He hugged his mother too, who was teary eyed. 'it's ok mom.'

'I know Gabe'¦' she said tears in her eyes but still happy. 'Just proud of my baby boy. You look so good in your uniform.'

'Mom'¦' Gabriel protested as his mother tried to straighten the already straight collar of his uniform jacket. Behind him Dom was laughing.

'You should have seen her when she saw the sword.' Dominic said behind her. Their mother gave them both a disapproving stare before the eldest Forge cut them off.

'So what is your first assignment son?'

'Nothing major dad'¦' Gabriel replied. 'I am going to be in secondary fleet guarding mostly the home systems until my official papers come through. Commandant Evans is putting gave me a recommendation and personally wrote a letter to Vice Admiral Stephanie Grey for primary fleet duties.'

'Admiral Grey? Personally wrote you a letter?' Dom asked. 'What were you super student or something?'

'Nah'¦ just did my part. With a war heating up between Bretonnia and Rhienland most likely Liberty will get involved. They just need the pilots.'

'Maybe you will meet Admiral Grey, or even Hale in person.' His mom said.

'That is doubtful mother. That would be like meeting god himself.' Dominic said. 'Admirals have better things to do than rub shoulders with ensigns. Unless they have long legs and bodies that defy gravity.'

The entire Forge clan turned to look at Dominic for a moment. A look of amusement on their father's features, and a look of shock from their mothers. Dom was a marine'¦ and marines have a unique outlook on life.

'Sorry ma.'

'Since you are dismissed son I think we should get out of here. I want to see if we can catch a flight back to Manhatten so we can have one last family dinner before the navy swoops in and takes you off to some backwater escorting boron or something.'

'Sure thing dad.'

Gabriel Forge looked back towards the auditorium as they left, knowing that the last two years of his life were over. But his new life as a Naval officer had just begun.

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