Lore: Darius Shendar sat in a seat behind the crew of cadets training on the bridge of his second generation of Shendar cruiser observing as they handled a simulated crisis situation. They would one day be future diplomats, engineers, command officers, pilots, doctors and other positions in the Space Force. Perhaps some of them would choose to enlist into the Jx or Boxer Squadrons. “Ensign come about to course 215 mark 003 and keep us between the pirate vessel and the civilian ship.” The cadet captain ordered. The other kid moved his fingers across the controls with a precision showing he’s spent his fair time in simulations. “Julia open a comms channel to the pirate ship.” The cadet captain called across the bridge to a girl who was 14 and just 1 year younger than Aleena. Julia did as she was instructed. “Pirate vessel this is Boxer Shendar Cruiser 15, this is a restricted area and you have attacked a civilian vessel, if you do not withdraw we’ll be forced to respond in kind.” He commanded. “Sir the pirate vessel is charging weapons.” Another boy called out. “Shields up and go to red alert.” The cadet captain ordered. The claxon sounded across the ship. “Commander Darius sir, I’m getting a distress call on the comms.” Julia called out. “Julia it’s not proper to address me during the simulation for this stuff.” He gently said. “Sir this isn’t coming from the simulation, this is coming from another ship and orbital station.” She told him. “Let me hear it.” Darius commanded. When Darius heard the distress call he knew the situation was serious however there was no time to evacuate the cadets from the ship and get there in time. Yet if he took the cruiser there he would be taking a ship with a half adult and half kid crew into battle with the average age being 16. “Julia are there any other ships close enough to respond?” Darius asked already knowing the answer. “None sir.” She answered. “What about Captain Blade’s fighter squadron that was out on maneuvers?” He asked. “They’re in route but still a ways out.” Then another round of the distress call came in signaling that the shields were nearly gone on the orbital station and the one Space Force cruiser was dead in the water and adrift. “Commander Darius sir, my little sister is in that colony. I have to help her.” The cadet second first officer spoke with a pleading in his voice. “Sir if you wanted us to get experience for stuff we would be doing in the future this is the time.” The cadet captain spoke. Darius sighed. “You kids know what you’re asking me to do?” He spoke. “Yes sir we do. With respect sir you told us one of the jobs of the Space Force and why helped form the Jx and Boxer Squadrons was to help those in need. Part of that sometimes means risking our lives for those who can’t fight for themselves.” Darius then stood. “Okay we’re going. Any of you who wish to object should do so now, I’ll note it in the official logs.” Darius said. He then looked around the room and not a single cadet uttered a word. “Very well, all hands to battle stations.” He commanded.

The cadet captain transferred to first officer role as best he could given the circumstances. The Shendar cruiser jumped to warp. Once they arrived in the system the Space Force cruiser was completely disabled and the shields had failed on the orbital station with it’s weapons offline. Darius was impressed by how well the cadets were holding up under pressure. “Evasive maneuvers then attack pattern delta. We’ve got to shake that fighter on our tails.” Darius commanded. “Delta pattern what’s that sir?” The cadet questioned. “Port to Starboard hard.” Darius commanded. The cadet did as instructed. “Still with us.” The cadet called out. “Hard to port” Darius called. “Sir shields have failed and that large pirate dreadnought has us in range. A couple good hits could finish us.” The cadet called out. “Then we’ll have to not get hit.” Darius said before ordering the cadet at the helm up. “Nothing personal kid I just know the ship better.” Darius sat then took the controls. “Hold on.” He called. He moved the ship to and fro expertly weaving between weapon blasts. “Sir the dreadnought is moving towards the station.” One of the cadets called out. Just then a control panel shorted on the bridge throwing the 2 adults out of their seats at 2 different gun control seats. The cadet captain and the cadet second officer jumped into the chairs raining destruction on the pirates. When the other pirate ships converged on the Shendar cruiser they took a glancing blow. Before they could do much damage help came in the form of the arrival of all 5 Gold XM pilots as well as Captain Blade’s fighter squadron. The cadets placed their shots with the precision of someone powered by a righteous fury. Then an opening presented itself and the 2 cadets concentrated fire on the pirate dreadnought’s reactor destroying the ship in a blazing fireball.

Later once the battle had wrapped up and everyone was safely back at base, the crew of cadets were honored with medals for their bravery. The cadet captain, first officer, and second officer were placed in advanced command courses for their actions. The second officer even had his younger kid sister with him when he was presented a medal of valor. Although they weren’t officially commissioned officers yet, the cadets were well on their way to impressive careers.