Jodiah

By the time Jodiah got himself sorted back out and headed in the right direction, he was almost late for dinner. He stood just inside the doorway of the main galley and stared — so many people and all of them techno-geeks. Jodiah shuddered. They were going to try to make him one. He wondered what his father would say if he asked him if he could leave the family and go to another place to learn. He did not even care if he was technically too young to leave. He did not want to be a techno-geek. It was very crowded, but the lines moved relatively quickly and soon he was joining the rest of his family at one end of a large table.

They looked up as he joined them, recognizing the saffron, and continued their chatter as they always did, conversing about things Jodiah did not understand. Things until now he had never really made an attempt to understand because it did not involve him. It was very easy to slip into his old routine: smile and nod along; pretend he was paying attention, although this time he was trying to; and the more recent addition to the list, miss his mother. This is when they would have been conversing in what ever language he was studying at the time. His unofficial study time. It was one of the reasons he was already a third class. However, she was no longer here and he needed to learn about his new discipline now. He tried to concentrate on what they were saying.

Ian was chattering on about his new office space; obviously this move included a promotion of sorts for him, and Father was congratulating him. He would be getting his exact work assignment tomorrow morning. He was sure it would involve another clean room. Jessica and Erin were putting their heads together and whispering in the way that they tended to do when they had spotted a cute boy. Jodiah turned and looked in the direction they were looking and saw several young men who could have caught their attention, ranking from Novices to one very nice looking First Class. He blushed at their antics and turned his attention back to his food. Micah and Liam sat quietly on one side of Father and speculated about their classes and how long it would take for their teachers to tell them apart. Jodiah groaned and wondered whom his father would put in charge of rescuing the twins from the results of their own antics first–usually their mother tended to them but she was no longer available to do so.

“So what did they decide to do with you Jodiah?” Father finally asked and the others held their collective breaths.

“Re-training,” was all he said. Apprentice Jessica gasped, “They busted you?”

“No, I’m keeping rank. I just have to learn a new discipline.”

“How are they handling the schooling?” Benedict asked.

“Better now, I spoke to the Provost.” Jodiah said.

“You did what?” Benedict and Second Class Ian said at the same time.

“I went and I spoke to the Provost.” Jodiah said again. “Everyone knows it is within the rights of every student to have council with the Provost if they feel there is a problem with their training.”

“You are also supposed to go to the Steward first,” Ian stated bluntly.

“It was the Steward who presented the problem.” Jodiah defended his position. “I did what I thought was right.”

“I thought you agreed to not make waves for the others, Jodiah.” Benedict chided his younger son.

“I didn’t make waves for anyone but me.” Jodiah stated tersely. Benedict sighed. “I’m sorry Jodiah. I could not… we could not… it was just too hard.”

“It’s all right, papa, I’ll manage, but I earned my bar and they tried to take it away from me. Being ranked a Third Class Linguist isn’t something to sneeze at.”

“That’s the way to think.” Benedict smiled at his middle son. “Don’t let them get you down.”

“I won’t papa.”

“Good boy. Now if you young ‘ens don’t mind, I have a very early day tomorrow and these old bones need rest.” They laughed again and Benedict left them alone, taking Micah and Liam with him.

“I still have unpacking to do,” Ian said.

“Our stuff has arrived?” Jodiah asked. “Mine hasn’t.”

“Oh. Ours turned up at Father’s quarters, something about plebes not being allowed personal items.” Erin said softly.

“Please tell Father I will be collecting my things tomorrow.”

Jodiah woke with the alarm in the morning and headed to the communal shower on his hall. He was not surprised to see it full of twelve to thirteen year old boys. With a sigh, he found an open nozzle and washed — trying to keep from looking at them and not really caring if they stared at him. The Provost said he would get it taken care of. He could manage a couple days. Finally clean, he dried and wrapped in a towel to return to his room. Behind him, Jodiah heard a voice, “Plebe!”

Jodiah did not stop.

“Plebe! New guy!” The voice continued sounding as if it were getting closer even though Jodiah had not stopped walking toward his room. Then he felt the hand on his shoulder. “Hey, I’m talking to you.”

Jodiah stopped, turned around and looked at the boy. Behind him stood the rest of the occupants of the hall in various states of undress.

“When you address someone of higher rank you should use their rank, title, and their last name, plebe,” Jodiah said softly, “If you know none of those things, the proper form of address is Sir.”

“Look Plebe, I don’t know who or what you were before you got busted, but I’m squad leader down here, and you’re the piss ant, get me?”

Jodiah laughed. He was not getting into a pissing contest with a child. He turned and continued to his room unmolested. A short time later he exited again dressed in his saffron uniform, black belt, and black boots which he had carefully polished the night before going to bed. He was glad he had when he stepped out into the hall, as it seemed that every occupant of the hall was out there waiting on him.

“So, Plebe, you finally decided to join us,” their leader commented dryly. There were a few giggles from the troops. “If you would so kindly take your place in the back of the line we will head out.”

Jodiah turned on him, standing toe to toe and looked down at the boy. “You will address me as Third Class Dalton,” he said in his most authoritative voice, ” in the event you can not remember the word ‘Sir’.”

“Plebe,” he glared with his hands on his hips, “I said, your place is last in the line.”

Jodiah sighed, so it was going to be like this. He ignored him, and walked down the hall alone, leaving them behind. He would find breakfast on his own.

He heard footsteps behind him, a lot of them. They were following him or, at the very least, they were headed in the same direction as he was. At each corner, he stopped and looked for the student galley. Eventually he found it, and led the squad to breakfast.

The first thing he noticed was that everyone sat according to their ranks, which left him with a bit of a problem. Should he sit with the plebes, or should he go sit with the Third Classes? He could have sat with Erin, as she was a plebe too, but what twelve-year-old girl wanted her big brother hanging around when they were trying to make friends? Jessica or Ian might have welcomed his company but he did not share their ranks, therefore it was out of the question. He pondered the question of where to sit while he got his food. With a frustrated sigh, he decided he did not want to sit with the plebes, which left the third class table or eating alone. Since he wasn’t sure of his welcome at the third class table, he found a space where no one was sitting and put his tray down there. It seemed like a workable compromise: leave the children alone and not force his way in with a group who probably would not welcome him so easily anyway.

Mentally chewing on all the things that had happened to him since his arrival on this rock while physically chewing his food, he considered the things the Provost had said, and more importantly, the things he had not said. He added in the attempt of the Steward at busting him down completely to plebe status and the actions of the squad leader this morning.

He could finish his program by doing a self-study if he could find a way to practice the oral portions for the exams. It could be done. It would be slower, but he was stuck here for two years at the very minimum. He filled his mouth again and chewed slowly. His schedule was in his pocket, he would have to look at it soon and figure out where his classes were being held. He was sure today’s education would be very different when he heard a familiar voice behind him. “So plebe… you so special you think you can just sit where you want?”

Jodiah ignored him. It was none of the plebe’s business what he did with his time. Really, it was not.

“Hey, I’m talking to you,” the kid said a bit more loudly and jabbed him on the shoulder. “You stupid or something? That why they re-training ya?”

Jodiah put down his food, and pushed the tray to the center of the table before turning slightly to free his knees from under the table. Then he responded, speaking perfect Beldarianese, enunciating very slowly as if speaking to a child, “The reasons I am here are none of your concern. Go away, gnat before you are swatted.”

The language was common enough to this sector that some of the nearer students chuckled, but the boy didn’t understand. Instead, he balled up his fist as if he were going to punch Jodiah who was still seated.

“I know you speak proper,” he said through gritted teeth. Jodiah blinked, his face impassive — ignoring him with out actually ignoring him. Jodiah knew it was a huge insult to most Korsavians, most Tetyvians too, and by his looks the boy was descended from one or the other.

At this point, a young first class came over. “Plebe Darvin, I do believe he asked you politely to leave him alone.”

“This is my problem Senior First Class Tyval. He’s in my squad, although he won’t acknowledge the fact.”

Kryst looked at Jodiah then at Malee Darvin, then again at Jodiah and asked him, in Beldarianese, “Truth? You are on his squad? Thinking you visiting I am.”

Jodiah shrugged his shoulders, and responded in the same language, leaving Plebe Darvin out of their conversation. “Sleeping on the same hall he sleeps. Rank higher, I do. Squad mine now, possibility?” Kryst’s eyes moved over Jodiah’s uniform taking in its color and rank more fully. Then his eyebrows shot up. “Linguist?”

Jodiah nodded.

Kryst burst out laughing.

Darvin looked at them and scowled. “I know he speaks Tranglese, I heard him speak it this morning.” Then he turned to Jodiah, “Plebe, you are supposed to be sitting over there, at that table, with the rest of the plebes in my squad.”

Kryst gathered himself together enough to address Darvin, “Go back to your seat, the meal is almost over. You can strut around tomorrow, Plebe. He has my permission to sit here today.”

Darvin glared at Kryst. “Are you interfering with my duties as squad leader?”

“Go, Plebe, or you will not have a squad to lead.” Kryst scowled. Darvin took the hint and went back to his seat. Kryst sat down next to Jodiah.

“I’m Senior First Class Kryst Tyval.”

Jodiah turned around and smiled. “Pleased to meet you Senior First Class Tyval. Third Class Jodiah Dalton, aka Plebe Dalton.” He reached for his food, time was growing short and he was hungry.

“Linguist, huh?”

Jodiah nodded.

“How in all the worlds did you get stuck on this rock?”

Jodiah swallowed, nearly choking as he laughed. “My family, they are all techno-geeks. We were transferred.”

“Ah, so you got brought along for the ride.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, if you need any help settling in or anything, feel free to ask.”

“Thank you.” Jodiah smiled. “Actually, I could use a little help. I have no idea where my classes are.”

“That should be easy, follow the plebes.” Kryst teased.

“Might be difficult. I had a discussion with the Provost yesterday and I’m not in a traditional training track.”

“Oh? Well, let’s see what you have.”

Jodiah pulled his schedule out of his pocket and handed it over to Kryst who looked at it and whistled softly between his teeth. “Man, just how high were your scores?”

“I don’t know, they never told me.”

“You never asked?”

“No, I asked for a class, they gave it to me. I took it and passed the exams.”

“Have you ever failed an exam?”

Jodiah had to think about it. “Not that I recall.”

“How good are you with your hands?”

Jodiah shrugged, “Pretty good I guess.”

“Well, you have Applications and Organization, those are pretty mild compared to the rest. Drafting, Measurements and Instrumentation, and Soldering just require steady hands and a good eye. Programming and Language Concepts are going to be tough to take together as they usually follow each other. Circuits and Devices won’t be too difficult — mostly memorization work; but I hope your math is up to par because Physics is going to hurt if it’s not.”

Jodiah shrugged. “I’ve not heard of half those classes before. I guess I’ll figure it out as I go along. What do I have to worry about for today though?”

“Applications followed by Organization in the morning; Programming and Physics in the afternoon. I can walk you to Applications and point out the others on the way, if you would like.”

“I would appreciate it very much. Let me just get rid of this,” he indicated his tray. He stood and took it to the receptacle then went back to Kryst who was waiting with a grin.

“Shall we be off then?”

Jodiah nodded. “Lead on fearless leader.”

With Kryst leading, Jodiah found the room with no trouble, and the other classrooms he would have to attend were not that far away. “Thank you, Senior First Class Tyval.”

“You are welcome Third Class Dalton. Just be aware, with your schedule, you will not be in with the same squads all day. It may be difficult on both them and you, so if they give you any trouble let me know.”

Jodiah nodded, then took a deep breath and entered the classroom. He was early, which was good as far as he was concerned. There was a woman with the appropriate rank to be an instructor standing near one corner of the classroom.

He approached her.

“I did not inform the squad they could enter,” she practically barked.

“My apologies Ma’am, I’m not attached to any squad officially. Third Class Dalton, reporting for instruction.”

“A Third Class in saffron, this should make for an interesting tale. You are aware this is an Apprentice level course in a Technology Track Discipline.”

“No Ma’am, I was not aware, but this is the class I was assigned, so here I am.”

At that time, there was a discrete knock on the door and a young woman opened it. “Omega Squad requesting entry, Ma’am.” Then a young man popped in right beside her, “Loki Squad requesting also, Ma’am.”

“Enter, Enter,” she nodded to them then looked at Jodiah. “You sit there.” She indicated a seat near her desk. “I assume you have no materials today?”

“I had no idea what to bring except my data drive.” He fished the small portable device out of his pocket and unfolded it. It had been the first thing he bought when he ranked Third Class and had some extra income of his own. Ian had helped him choose it, telling him it would serve him for anything he would ever need. Well, now would be the test.

Two numbing hours later, he stood, stretched, checked the time, and hurried to his next class. This time he arrived after the two squads of Apprentices — a different two — who looked up at his interruption.

“Pardon, Third Class Dalton requesting entry, Sir.”

“This class is closed, Third Class.”

“I have been assigned.” Jodiah held out his paperwork for the instructor to see if he chose.

“I had word of a plebe who was joining us today, not of a Third Class.”

“Cross-training, Sir, not re-training, I keep my rank.”

“Semantics.”

Jodiah shrugged. “My specialty, Sir. Where should I sit?”

He waved his hand in the general area of the room where there was an empty seat and Jodiah took it. Once settled, Jodiah again took out his data drive and began to absorb as much of the new material as he possibly could. When it was over, he folded up his data drive and sat as the squads marched out. When the squads filtered out, he stood and followed. It was lunchtime and his stomach was grumbling.

He sat in the same place as before, only this time he had his data drive open and was trying to make heads or tails of his notes when he felt someone sit down beside him.

“So, how is it going?”

Jodiah looked up to see Kryst smiling at him. “Harrowing, there is no way I’m going to be able to manage all this information. I don’t have the background for it.”

“Your family does. Every one of them is a techno-geek.”

“My mother was a linguist.”

“So that’s where you get it from?”

Jodiah nodded.

“You can learn it. You wouldn’t be a Third Class if you weren’t capable of learning.” Kryst placed his hand on Jodiah’s arm. “You can do it. I’ll help you if you want.”

“Help me, how?”

“I have study sessions for some of the brighter apprentices a couple nights a week. There will be one tomorrow night after dinner. If you need help, feel free to come, we’ll work on getting you settled. Most of your classes are apprentice level.”

Jodiah nodded. “I’ll think about it. Ian said he could help me, too, and Jessica is an apprentice as well.”

“Bring her along if it makes you feel more comfortable.”

Jodiah smiled. “All right.”

Kryst patted him on the arm and stood up. “Now I have to go speak to a few other people before the meal is over. It sucks being Senior First, everyone wants some of your attention.”

“I…” Jodiah tried to deny wanting Kryst’s attention.

“I know you didn’t ask for my attention, and that’s why I enjoyed sitting with you.” Kryst winked then walked away.

Jodiah smiled at Kryst’s back, then with a shake of his head, he turned back to his food and his notes. If this morning was any indication, this afternoon was going to be hell.

And it was.

He sat down placing his tray in front of him. Their family took up much of a small table off to the side of the galley.

“So how did classes go today?” Benedict asked his children.

“Jody is in my class,” Jessica said, grinning.

“And he almost got into a fight today at breakfast.” Erin added.

“And he caught the attention of the Senior First Class,” Ian commented dryly.

“So Jodiah has been a very busy boy, I heard about your conversation with the Provost. Seems he was impressed with you, son. You stuck to your argument, used logic, and didn’t get emotional.”

“Yes Sir.” Jodiah blushed. “I’m not a plebe.”

Benedict grunted. “I thought you agreed not to make waves.”

“I’m not making waves, Sir. I’m… well I’m just requesting equal treatment,” Jodiah said softly, “Everyone else is what they are without question, I earned Third Class, and I’m entitled to the rights and privileges that comes along with the rank.”

“You are aware that also means you are accepting the responsibilities and duties that come along with the rank?” Benedict asked him.

Jodiah nodded. “Although I’m not sure how a Linguist will be of help in a technology discipline.”

“I’m sure they aren’t sure either, but you can be sure they will figure it out soon enough. Someone from the Steward’s office came by this afternoon and retrieved your boxes. Did you get them?”

“I don’t know, I’ve not been back to my quarters yet.” Jodiah sighed,

“This rotation is going to be tough. It’s the first day of classes and already my head is spinning.”

“Today’s class wasn’t that bad, Jody.” Jessica said. “It was mostly a continuation of what we studied… oh.”

“What?” Erin asked.

“Well the class that Jody has with me is actually the continuation of a novice level class, and it just dawned on me that he didn’t get the novice class or if he did, it’s been a while.”

“Which class is it?” Ian asked.

“Programming,” Jessica told Ian.

“Ah, no, he wouldn’t have had the earlier class. They put him in it cold, probably assuming he could just notice the things you were taught last rotation. If you need any help you can come to my room, both of you,” Ian offered, and gave them his location, then dominated the conversation with his first day of classes. This was his last rotation before becoming free to study what he chose and teaching plebes if he so requested. He was interning five days a week in a robotics plant and today he had his orientation.

“Just wait, Jodiah, you’ll catch up soon and then you can intern somewhere too. I bet they’ll find you somewhere interesting to intern with your skills range. You know how they decide internships, don’t you?” All his younger siblings shook their heads. “They put all your test scores in a database and add in time in you’ve been in each rank. Of course that means the higher the test scores and the lower the time in rank, the better you will be in the standings. Then they rank everyone who is being placed from most skilled to least skilled according to specialties and the best qualified candidates get the best jobs.”

Jodiah looked at him, “So what you are saying is that I’ll have two scores for novice, apprentice, third class and so on…. and some really strange time in rank because I’m serving it concurrently. There has got to be a rule for that somewhere, Ian. I am a Third Class, I cannot be a plebe.”

“If that were true then you shouldn’t be allowed to take plebe courses,” Erin commented.

“He’s not.” a new voice broke in. “Hello Family Dalton, I’m Senior First Class Kryst Tavyl. I just headed over to make your acquaintance, Second Class Dalton, something I had intended to do today at lunch when I was interrupted by Third Class Dalton, my apologies.”

“Apologies accepted.” Ian smiled. “What do you mean he’s not taking plebe courses?”

“Well, from what I saw of his schedule this morning, Third Class Dalton is assigned one novice class, and the rest are apprentice level classes from both rotations.” Kryst remained standing.

Jodiah smiled up at him and moved over, offering him a place next to him to pull up a chair. Kryst smiled back and did just that. Benedict said nothing, Ian looked down at his plate, and Jessica giggled.

“So, what you are telling us, Senior First Class,” Benedict began, “is that they have not only decided that my younger son needs re-training, but he needs to be re-trained quickly, possibly as quickly as he can absorb the material, and pass the tests.”

“Please, call me Kryst, Specialist Dalton.” Kryst smiled. “I’ve said nothing of the sort. I don’t know why they have placed him on this track. However it does interest me, both of your elder sons do.” He looked from Jodiah to Ian. “There are very few of us who have such high percentages on the rank lists.” He looked at Ian, “I lost my Junior just before your arrival, and I had hoped…” Kryst got a far away look in his eye as he quickly looked away, then as he returned his attention back to the Dalton family he shrugged, “However, now the matter is out of my hands. It seems I will be ‘assigned’ a Junior,” he spat the last words. “But this is not your matter.” He smiled again. “They will learn; Juniors are not to be assigned.”

Kryst smiled at them. “Anyway, what I came over here for… yes… I was thinking that maybe the three of us could have lunch together. Nothing at all wrong with a group of friends eating together.”

“I was informed I had to eat with the other Second Classes,” Ian said.

“This is true, except when the Senior First Class requests your presence. This total separation of the ranks at mealtime is bad for when cross-ranked groups have to work together. ” Kryst grinned. “At lunch time, they are all my squads, and this one –” he indicated Jodiah,” he is my squad all the time as he is assigned to no other.”

Jodiah blinked. “You’re joking.”

“Nope, I was informed this evening before dinner, both the Quartermaster and the Provost came to my office to inform me,” he chuckled. “Talk about a lecture, you would think they were putting your entire life in my hands or something.”

Benedict shook his head. “Kryst, how old are you by chance.”

Kryst blushed. “Promise me you won’t let it spread too far?” he pleaded with his eyes.

They all nodded. “I’m nineteen standard cycles.”

“That is very young for a First Class.” Benedict said.

“My home world was different than this one with a tendency to war… my world had the foresight to send the children away… fostering us out to anyone who would take us, to any discipline that would take us. I was a thirteen year old Third Class when I arrived here and the progression through rank has not exactly been a smooth one since then until I made First Class.” He chuckled and winked.

The others at the table laughed, then Kryst stood. “Well I hate to cut this short, but there is a meeting of the Seniors tonight. I’ll see you two at lunch tomorrow.”

“Of course,” Ian said. Jodiah nodded his assent.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Senior First Class.” Jessica said with awe. Erin just blushed.

Jodiah watched as Kryst walked off wondering what else they had in common and what he could do to learn more about the other young man. Then his family regained his attention and those thoughts were pushed aside for the time being as Erin had asked for more information concerning the Seniors and Juniors.

“Each rank up to First Class has a senior member, like Senior First Class Kryst Tavyl, and for each Senior there is a Junior. The Senior is chosen on merit by the staff for reasons of their own. The Junior is usually one rank lower and chosen by the Senior they work with, so Senior First Class’ Junior will be a Second Class.”

“How does that work with the plebes?” Erin wanted to know.

“Plebes are a little different. Each Squad leader is like a Senior of his squad and the Senior First Class is in charge of all the plebes. The highest-ranking Plebe is actually Junior Plebe because he or she works with Senior Novice,” Benedict explained before looking at Liam and Micah. “So if the two of you work really hard, then you can both become Squad leaders when it’s time. But to do that you have to have one of the top scores in your class and impress a lot of people, so no antics.”

“Yes, papa,” they said in unison. Jodiah smiled, he knew his brothers would make Squad leader, they all had, even Erin until they had moved.

“Well, if you don’t mind, I have a lot of studying to do. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, and I must be prepared for my classes the day after.”

Jodiah gathered his things so that he might be excused, but he wasn’t getting off that easily.

Benedict stood up and motioned for Jodiah to come with him. Jodiah picked up his things and followed.

“I’d like to have a word with you son,” Benedict began, “this young man, Senior First Class Tavyl, I want you to be careful around him.”

“Careful?” Jodiah looked confused.

“Yes, careful, he’s too friendly if you know what I mean.” Benedict looked at his son. It was obvious that the boy didn’t know what he meant.

“Just try not to be alone with him.”

“Yes sir. He did invite me to come to a study group he hosts for the Apprentices. He said for me to bring Jessica too.”

“No, Jodiah, you stay away from him.”

“He’s my Squad Leader.”

“That does not require fraternization, mark my words son, that boy is nothing but trouble.”

“I’ll do my best, Sir.”

“Not your best, Jodiah, you will obey me in this.” Benedict said sternly. Jodiah only nodded and headed off down the hallway toward his bunk. He didn’t understand why his father did not want him to talk to the one person who had been the least bit friendly to him since he had arrived.