The Hundeerde Space Defence and Communications Network Academy: Theden University
At 07:50 the Hundeerwagon containing Seb, Raven, Lewis, Scott, Timo, Hans and Toby entered through the wrought iron gates of the Hundeerde Space Defence and Communications Network Academy at Theden University. The Hundeerwagon pulled up smoothly at the drop-off zone, situated next to the finely manicured gardens. A circular garden and fountain sat within the grounds, home to an armillary sphere sculpture made of brass rings, with the golden academy star at its centre.
Another summer had come and gone, and the final year of high school for the boys in the upper class had begun. Along with the beginning of autumn, came Seb’s 18th birthday, another significant milestone, five years had now passed since a thirteen-year-old boy walked down the ramp of the Chasetail. For Seb, each year had presented its own unique challenges and triumphs, learning to fly a glider and going solo, his notebook, containing drawings of things that he could not express with words, unresolved grief that still surfaced at unexpected moments and new friendships forged with old ones strengthened.
However, the biggest challenge of his life so far still lay before him. Asking a girl to the high school formal.
Angus was about to turn ten, a significant milestone, moving from single to double digits. The cake, as usual was baked by Charlie, chocolate, moist, with rich dark chocolate icing — right down the sides, and covered in chocolate shavings. On top, two candles: a number one, and a zero, befitting a birthday of special magnificence. The twin flames of light signifying him becoming another year older. In addition, a huge bowl of pink and white marshmallows, and along with chocolate, one of Angus’ firm favourites. Angus, for once, was firmly the well-deserved centre of attention in a full house warm with celebration.
Just before eight o’clock, Grandpa Jake slipped into his den expecting his familiar call from his friend Marvin Huxley. It was not long before he returned to the party and came over to Lewis with a look of cryptic intrigue.
Baking day. The smell of baking had drawn Seb to the kitchen, in the hope that something fresh and warm may have just come out of the oven. As Seb wandered into the kitchen Rebecca greeted him warmly. Rather than shooing wandering boys away, she was more likely to ask if they would like to help with something and she knew just the right thing for Seb.
Winter flight training continued for Seb and Raven as the landscape turned white beneath them. Gloves were now not ‘just a cool’ flying accessory, they were absolutely necessary, along with a warm scarf and thermal layers under the flying jackets that had been given to both boys on their birthdays by Grandma Bella.
The boys were consolidating their circuit flying skills, making multiple short flights, practicing take-offs and landings on the same day. After being winched up to around 1000 feet, they would release, fly straight ahead for some distance on the upwind leg, then make a left-hand turn for the short crosswind leg, before turning onto the long downwind leg flying parallel with the runway, another left-hand turn for a short base leg, then turning again to make the final approach.
Seb was on his third flight of the day, and Daan, sitting in the back seat, was progressively handing over more and more of the flying as Seb’s confidence and skills increased. However, Seb still had one flaw — a tendency to fly a little too fast on the final approach and landing. After correcting Seb on the first two flights, Daan decided to let him complete his circuit and land, even if his speed was still a little too high.
Twelve boys, and three pups all getting ready for the first day of the new school term. Fifteen uniforms, fifteen backpacks and thirty individual shoes, needing to be matched with their mate to form a pair. There had been more than one cry of — “I can’t find my—” to which the answer was invariably, “it’s where you left it!”
—And in the case of two of the pups, first day nerves. Fergus and Hamish were moving from kinder class to the ‘big school’ at Veldmeer Primary. New uniforms, shirts, ties and jumpers; and pant legs folded up three times.
Angus, who had been up since before dawn, was in full authority mode, regaling both Fergus and Hamish with colourful stories of all the things they had to remember to do or not to do, and all the rules of — big school.
With Daan driving and a Hundeerwagon full of boys all pumped from their flights, they were looking forward to getting back to Headwall where the promise of a full Harvest Dinner awaited.
A full year had now flown by since twelve frightened and traumatised boys from a collapsed, hostile Earth, walked down the ramp of a Hundeerde shuttle into a new world and a new life. Twelve boys taken into a Hunde family and who were shown complete and unconditional love, acceptance and belonging. Each one, on a unique journey, carrying their own personal loss and grief.
Raven continued to work on his coffee table, and was now well underway making the legs, from large blocks of wood. Marta had shown him on the first leg, how to chisel out and make the holes for the mortise joints — and then left him to it. Marta was not one to hover; she was available if needed. The second and third leg had gone well and he was feeling confident. With a steady tap of the mallet, the pile of wood shavings on the bench grew, filling the workshop with the scent of freshly cut wood. The workshop was the place where he felt happy and most himself.
Raven was carefully chiselling out the last mortise joint on the fourth leg. A large chunk of wood was still stuck stubbornly in the bottom of the joint and he put his fingers down to try and free it, using the chisel with his other hand to try and pry it out. Without warning the chunk of wood came free, the chisel slipped, and it sliced cleanly across the palm of his hand.
