There was a party in the boys’ room, electronica hip hop blasted on the speakers and guests all of the new flyboys and girls were standing around conversating amongst themselves. It was a joyous affair and Lathan was the main attraction. He spoke of when he was flying even though this confused him as everyone in the room flown at one point or another, but the main consensus was of the feeling of beating Siran Starzancer’s six records. Three of them in just one day. Lathan told his own story so many times that he began to get bored with it himself, sound slightly pompous during one retelling acting like this was his aim at the beginning. Truthfully he was just lucky. It was his day and he was thankful. Of course he would not say that out loud. This was a precious thought for him and for him alone. Everyone else hung around for that story and Lathan could see his friend all standing by their own little corner chatting amongst themselves. Of course he felt bad not being with them, but if they kept on asking who was he to refuse?

  “Look at him.” Jaden said looking at Lathan and his crowd. “Basking in the glory while I’m here in the corner.”

  “I thought you liked being in the corner?” Elena said smiling while sipping her drink.

  “A question that was not needed. Thank you Santana.”

  “You’re welcome Sparrious.”

  “Hey leave it Jaden. Lathan deserves his time in the spotlight. He earned this.” Zenden said with authority.

  “Yeah well we posted great times too.” Jaden said in defence.

  “Yeah well they weren’t legendary times.” Hawken said, “Times he passed including Starzancer’s were all posted by the greats of the fleet.”

  Kayla kept herself quiet. She just stared at Lathan admiring him. Partly because Starzancer was not knocked off his peg as the top dog of the Knights, but also the fact that Lathan Thorne just seemed that much more attractive then he usually was. She looked at how he made eye contact with everyone else and spoke directly to them and how he made sure that everyone knew this was him, real and honest. He looked like a leader trying to rouse his troops. He looked like a powerful man and Kayla liked that. She felt like going over there and taking Lathan by the hand and just kissing him, she even contemplated it until Starzancer came through the door and more people cheered. He stood in front of the door and nodded. Lathan looked at his hero with admiration. “The greatest of them all is here. Please people let him through, let him through.” Lathan said ushering Starzancer to come, Starzancer who smiled walked over.

  “Ooh.” Elena said sipping her drink once again and the rest looked at her. Kayla paid particular attention waiting for Starzancer to do something stupid.

  Starzancer walked over and nodded and smiled. He shook Lathan’s outstretched hand. “Well done master Thorne. Well done.” Everyone cheered and Kayla and Elena breathed a sigh of relief. “Can I talk to you for a moment? Outside.”

  “Yeah sure.” Oh my god. He wants to talk to me alone for a moment. Probably to say that he’s honoured for me to be in his esteemed company I’ve waited for this.

  They both leave the room and Zenden watches the pair of them exit with interest.

  Starzancer and Lathan go out into the hallway. The music despite the door being closed can still be clearly heard. Lathan was in turn giddy with excitement. Starzancer had his back turned to Lathan. “I guess you think you’re the man now Thorne?”

  Huh? “Sorry?”

  “I guess you think that you’re the best right?” Starzancer said with real sneer.

  “I’m sorry I don’t seem to understand,” Lathan asked confused.

  “You know how hard I had to work for those records? To be the best Thorne? I had to work damn hard and you don’t even know….you think,” Starzancer turns with his eyes flared with fury, “you can just come in here and try and replace me?”

  “No, Lieutenant I don’t think,”

  “Yeah Thorne! You don’t think do you? I am the best round here. Do you understand me?” Starzancer places his finger on Lathan’s shoulder and keeps prodding it. “I’m number one! I have the most results! I am the hero round here! And I’m not going to let some upstart try and take my position.” Starzancer said moving Lathan back with his prodding which got harder with every prod. “Do you understand?”

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  “Do you understand?” Zenden said standing near the door. “That if you touch my friend again then that finger will come off.”

  Starzancer barges past Lathan and walks up to Zenden’s face. “Did you just threaten a superior officer?”

  “Did you just threaten a seventeen year old who is highly regarded in the fleet? A seventeen year old whose father is of legendary ilk? A seventeen year old who is my best friend and someone who I won’t let anyone push around. Anyone.” Zenden said with menace. He looked deep into the eyes of Siran Starzancer who kept on looking. The tension was intense and you could cut with a knife. Zenden stood firm not moving just looking at Starzancer. Starzancer stepped back. He then looked at Lathan.

  “Remember what I said.” Starzancer said.

  “Remember what I said.” Zenden said also.

  Starzancer then walked off alone down the corridor. Zenden then walked up to Lathan whose eyes never left the departing Starzancer. “Some hero huh?” Zenden said.

  “You know he might have been able to take you on.”

  “You really think that?” Zenden asked.

  “He’s tough.”

  “Well I’m tough.” Zenden said and Lathan kept on looking at Starzancer looking going down that long corridor alone. “Don’t pay him any mind Lathan. He’s isn’t worth it.” Lathan kept on looking. “Look lets go.” Zenden puts his hand on Lathan shoulder and moves him back to the door where Kayla stood and smiling. “Amused?” Zenden asked.

  “I’ve always wanted to do that to him.” Kayla said looking at Starzancer. “Now I’ve seen someone stand up to him and he has backed down. This will be spread.”

  “No!” Lathan said and Zenden and Kayla both look at him. “This is between the three of us. No one else. Okay?”

  “Okay.” They both say as Lathan enters back into the room and Kayla and Zenden both exchange quizzical looks before entering in themselves.

  The graduation ceremony was held at the main courtyard of Knight Central. The courtyard was a wide space separating the four corners of Knight Central from the more technical areas to the rooming quarters. The walls were high and large in width and some parts of the wall had flowers and brightly coloured green leaves growth along its panels. It was a nice evening sky and some birds flew above. Everyone was standing and in main uniform dressed neat and proper. General Blake was there and also Captain Thernright, Kayla, Elena and Starzancer.

  Everyone was excited as this was it those long months of training were finally over. General Blake looked around with authority, but then he revealed a warm smile when he stood on the podium in front of everyone. The others were stood to the side. Lathan couldn’t help, but look at Kayla thinking about how she looked in uniform and the fact that she hated being in uniform. Kayla herself kept on looking at Lathan thinking how handsome and regal he looked in his official attire.

  General Blake tapped the microphone and coughed so that everyone could hear. For most they had not seen the General of the fleet and stood in awe of the man, Lathan had met already so all feeling of awe was left in the past. “I would like to firstly say congratulations to you all for being here and joining the fleet.”

  Everyone claps.

  “For some of you this is a choice that you freely made and others are following in auspicious footsteps.” He looked at Lathan in particular, “all of you deserve credit for being here and getting this place becoming a Speciour Knight is the greatest of honour. It is of great responsibility not just to the fleet, but to yourselves and the world that you all live in and after saying the Galactic Fleet pledge, a world you will protect.” He paused, “I could linger on here and tell you more about what it is to be a knight, to be part of this fleet, but you will find out. There will be arduous times. Times of fear and you will see at the time of battle things that lean closer to hell, but what I can promise is that you will not see those times alone. You have your fellow Knights right by your side!!!!”

  Everyone releases a rapturous applause.

  “That my young knights you will not be alone and you will have no reason to every feel like that ever again! And my Knights, you will see your glory. You will strengths that you never thought you had and your life will be fulfilled. Everyone has the potential to be a hero. Now recite the pledge.”

  Everyone speaks in unison to recite the pledge.

  The Galactic Fleet Pledge

  I shall pledge myself to the Galactic Fleet

  I shall fight the unwavering peace of our worlds

  I shall sacrifice every inch and bone for my family, my fellow fleet members and the free citizens of New Earth, Andula and of the Vennesulan Galaxy

  I shall live for our love of our worlds and fight for what’s true and what is right

  I pledge to be a Speciour Knight and to have valour and honour

  I shall give my all for the Galactic Fleet.

  “THEN I PRONOUNCE YOU ALL SPECIOUR KNIGHTS!!!! CONGRATUATIONS ONCE AGAIN!!”

  Everyone cheers and throws up their hats and sector knight fighters fly past with green and blue entrails behind them with fireworks going off in illuminating the sky. Lathan and Kayla’s eyes meet again and do not move. Both cannot stop looking at each in mutual admiration and attraction.