CHAPTER 59: THREE YEARS

The transport ship waited at the orbital docking bay, sleek and silver, humming with anti-gravity engines. Boarding passengers hurried to find their seats, but Ahce lingered, taking in the city one last time. Towering structures stretched toward the sky like crystalline trees, the streets below alive with hovering vehicles and citizens in flowing garments of iridescent material.

She noticed the artificial plants lining the avenues, their leaves glinting unnaturally under the sun’s light. Even the wind smelled of synthetic freshness, a reminder that natural life was now a luxury beyond reach.

Alexander handed her a small, metallic pendant, engraved with their family crest.

"For luck. And so you’ll always have a piece of home with you," he said, his voice unsteady.

Ahce accepted it, pressing it against her chest. "I’ll keep it safe."

Amiel gave her a final nod. "When you return, Ahce, you’ll tell us everything, the battles, the classes, the friends you meet. Make this world your home."

Finally, it was time. The boarding doors sealed, the ship shuddered, and anti-gravity engines lifted them from the Capital Star’s surface. Ahce watched the familiar skyline recede, her heart heavy but resolute.

She had never imagined she would leave home in this galaxy, yet here she was, hurtling toward a new life on Planet Camero, a world at the edge of danger, where every moment would test her abilities, and where she would be far from the protective presence of her family.

The journey through space was long, but Ahce filled it with observation and preparation. She studied the ship’s layout, familiarized herself with the transport’s navigation systems, and mentally rehearsed her training routines.

Her brothers had given her a list of necessities, combat gear, data tablets, nutrient packs, and personal items, but beyond the physical, she also carried with her the knowledge, skills, and determination honed over the past months.

The closer they got to Planet Camero, the more Ahce felt the pulse of tension in the air. This was a frontier planet, a buffer between the heart of the galaxy and contested territories where rogue factions and Zerg incursions were constant threats. Even in transit, the ship’s security systems were active, scanning for anomalies.

When the planet finally appeared in view, a swirl of emerald oceans, jagged mountains, and sprawling fortified cities, Ahce’s heart raced. Camero was breathtaking, but it was also a reminder of the challenges ahead.

The First Military Academy dominated the planet’s central continent, a sprawling complex of towers, barracks, training grounds, and observation decks. Its reputation preceded it. Students were not merely trained in combat but molded into leaders, strategists, and guardians of the empire.

As the ship descended, Ahce took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her family’s hopes and the imperial expectations pressing on her shoulders. Her fingers brushed the pendant at her chest. She had left home, yes, but she carried Alexander’s guidance, Amiel’s counsel, and the quiet determination to survive and excel.

The ship touched down with a gentle thrum, landing in a designated dock near the Academy’s central hub. The doors opened, and the scent of mechanical oil, ozone, and faintly artificial soil greeted her. Ahce stepped off, taking her first careful steps onto Planet Camero, the beginning of three years that would shape her body, mind, and future.

She allowed herself a single thought before being swept into the Academy’s intake process.

Three years. Three years to learn, survive, and prove herself. Three years to prepare for a universe she no longer recognized. And three years to become someone strong enough to face whatever fate awaited her... perhaps even a fate that included the memory of Reichardt, buried deep in the stars.

The entrance to the First Military Academy was colossal, a structure of gleaming alloy and reinforced crystal that reflected the sunlight like a shard of starlight. Ahce paused for a moment, taking it all in.

The massive training grounds, hover-vehicles darting along elevated pathways, and cadets in uniform moving with precise, military cadence. The hum of energy shields, distant clashing of sparring students, and the occasional roar of mecha engines created a symphony of disciplined chaos.

Ahce adjusted her travel pack and followed the holographic guidance signs to the Plant Engineering Department. Unlike the other departments, which were crowded and rowdy with hundreds of students, Plant Engineering had a calm, almost peaceful atmosphere.

The hallways were lined with bioluminescent panels and delicate hydroponic gardens, the scent of engineered flora faint but present. She noticed how meticulously the plants were arranged, each one tagged with detailed information, species, growth rate, elemental affinity, and genetic modifications. It was quiet, purposeful, and precise.

At the department’s reception, a high-end console glowed as she approached. She placed her identification bracelet against the reader, and a soft chime acknowledged her arrival.

"Cadet Ahce Qin," a melodic female voice intoned. "Please report to your supervisor for orientation."

Moments later, a tall instructor appeared, her silver hair tied into a practical braid, her robes embroidered with the insignia of the Plant Engineering Department. She extended her hand.

"Welcome, Ahce Qin. I am Instructor Lysandra. You are now officially registered. Follow me, and we will begin your induction."

Ahce followed her down a corridor lined with transparent walls, allowing a view into laboratories filled with complex growth chambers, nutrient injectors, and simulated weather systems.

"Your department is unique," Lysandra explained. "Plant Engineering is essential, though less populous. You will have one-on-one access to laboratories and equipment. Unlike other departments, your dormitory arrangements reflect this... you will have a private room."

Ahce’s eyes widened. A private room, an entire space to herself. She had never had such privacy, not even back on Earth. The orientation continued with formalities. She was issued her uniform, a dark green tunic with silver trim, flexible combat pants, and boots designed for both agility and durability.

Her ID badge, embedded with microchips that linked to the Academy’s central systems, glowed faintly when scanned. Data about her schedule, courses, access levels, and emergency protocols were all instantly uploaded to her bracelet.

Once orientation concluded, Ahce was escorted to her dormitory. Unlike the barracks of other departments, her room was quiet, spacious, and efficiently designed. A work desk with holographic display panels faced a window that overlooked the central garden of the Academy.

A small hydroponic plant rested in the corner, its leaves shimmering with faint bioluminescence, a reminder of what her department cared for most. A soft bed, neatly made, waited for her at the far end, and storage compartments for her uniforms, personal items, and combat gear lined the walls.