Julie said, “Depending on the power level?”

  She nodded, “I plan to make the spell schematic robust enough to stream magic into it to fire a power level twelve spell every half second. But the spell could fire from that level or lower depending on the caster, but even when firing from the lower level it would recharge at level twelve speeds. So I could fire a level six version every quarter second… or twenty-four level ones in a half second.”

  Julie blinked, “That sounds awesome. But you’re right, you’d only need it until you perfected the basic spell. Actually, the way you have it set up would be better than the basic spell, since you can cast faster than every half second with anything under level twelve, and absurdly fast at level one.”

  She said, “I’d also only cast it in a real fight outside of enough practice to familiarize my mind with using the spell. Not in class or competition. You’re right about it remaining useful, so if I can keep it I will. I’ll even donate it as a new military standard spell option, if they’d agree to that, but I don’t see them letting me have an advantage over everyone else in the long term, they can’t afford to show favoritism like that once the driving reason for an exception is past.”

  Julie nodded, “Wise of you to see that, Ashley. I’ll suggest it, though it would take moving heaven and Earth to make it a standard spell. I’ll write the request note myself and send it to you, if I get approval.”

  Julie nodded to the others, then left. The intelligence officer had just been there to ensure they weren’t bullied or threatened into talking about her classified abilities. Now that the inquiry part was finished, all that remained was the judgement, so Julie didn’t need to stay.

  It wasn’t long before they were called back inside and sitting back at the table.

  Hill said without preamble, “Just to be clear, the action was righteous, there was no question of that at all, from the start, on any of our parts. Our inquiry into your motivations and what led up to the incident was the only thing ever in question. While I would wish for more prudence in my cadets, I cannot fault your reasoning and actions, and as a whole the board finds you were not acting recklessly with disregard to your own lives and the lives of your fellow cadets.

  “That said, now that the academy is aware of Cadet Foster’s history with the Harbingers, and we know they want her dead, you will share your suspicions in the future if you have reason to believe an enemy team has been inserted onto Irilia soil. I will ensure one of our marine teams are also taking a day off, nearby, if a similar possible situation arises you will move together as quickly as possible. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir,” they all parroted in high volume.

  She felt a surge of relief at not getting into trouble, at the same time she was hardly going to turn down the offer of a squad of marine support, so didn’t take insult in the least. Chances were however, that they wouldn’t divine the next attack at all, so it was rather moot.

  Hill said, “Dismissed. I’ll be sending a message to Janine Cahill that the inquiry is ended, so don’t dawdle getting to class.”

  They all left and headed straight to class, which had barely gotten started.

  “We need to stop by the house.”

  She nodded absently as her feet shifted course, heading toward the housing instead of the café building. She held the palm sized device in her hands that Cahill had just returned. Her grade was the highest mark possible, and of course the extra credit would carry over if it needed to for her final marks.

  “Did Cahill seem odd to you? And why did Ella run out of here with the boys like her tail was on fire?”

  Stacy blinked, “Umm, odd?”

  She shrugged, “Yes. She’s always been nice as long as we show respect, but she’s never been so chatty before. I could swear if I didn’t know better, she was trying to keep us there for some reason.”

  Stacy hummed curiously, “I didn’t notice.”

  She prompted, “Ella.”

  Stacy giggled, “What about Ella?”

  She shook her head, “Why did she run out?”

  Stacy shrugged, “Got me, we can ask her at lunchtime.”

  She sighed and rolled her eyes, “How the hell did you guys find out?”

  Stacy smirked, “Find out what?”

  She snorted, “You’re a terrible liar, Stace. You guys recruited Cahill to help delay me, didn’t you?”

  Stacy asked, “Why would we do that? What are you talking about? You sound like a crazy person.”

  She rolled her eyes again, “You know I can feel our whole platoon stuffed in our small living room from here, don’t you?”

  Stacy sighed, “Fine, birthday girl, but act surprised anyway.”

  She giggled, “So how did you find out?”

  Stacy snorted, “You’re dating a councilor’s son, you don’t think he asked his dad to peek at your birthdate for him?”

  Yeah, more like the date she’d come out of the artificial womb incubator. Well, it wasn’t as if she hated the idea of her birthday, but she’d only had one party in the last nineteen years and the last one had killed her only friend Ashley when she was six. Not exactly a lot of fond memories. Maybe it was time to make some.

  “So, one more year and I won’t be a teen anymore. Why lunch?”

  Stacy smirked, “We figured you’d want to celebrate alone with Crandall tonight after dinner.”

  She blushed, “Yes, that is the perfect gift, thanks.”

  Stacy snickered a bit wickedly.

  “How are things with Brent?”

  Stacy blushed, “Good. I think. Maybe very good.”

  She replied, “Because of the whole hide it in public thing?”

  Stacy nodded, “I’ll know for sure later when we can actually talk.”

  She got that, it was hard pretending Crandall wasn’t important to her and not touching him, outside the house.

  Her implant went off, and she sighed as she read the message.

  “Julie dropped me a note. No go on my spell idea, at least not yet.”

  Stacy replied, “Not yet?”

  She nodded, “Yet. Her bosses wouldn’t recommend an exception for my extenuating circumstances, I think they don’t want me looking for trouble, like I’d do that?” she snorted, “But her bosses loved the spell idea for the entire mage fleet as a standard spell. So they’re going to go to the committee and run the idea by them.”

  Stacy sighed, “We’ll be lucky to see it by next year then, probably just in time for us to master the basic spells in third year. They’re not going to let a first-year cadet design and build a standard fleet package spell, and I bet their people are a lot slower than you.”

  She snickered, “Probably.”

  They headed inside, and she blushed and grinned like an idiot on demand, as they all cheered, “Happy Birthday!”

  “Thanks everyone!”

  Ella grinned and pulled her through the crowd, and she put the device on the kitchen counter. She didn’t need the device with the spell, but it was her first one, so she’d probably keep it.

  Then she looked in shock, at the small box with holes in it, sitting on top of some other presents, all next to a huge tray cake that had burning candles.

  Then she had to endure a rendition of Happy Birthday, and she felt a little overwhelmed in truth as they finished up and she blew out the candles. Cake, presents, her lover, closest friends, and the rest of her platoon.

  Best birthday ever…

  Chapter Seven

  The mackerel kitten was an orange and white ball of fluff, fortunately, her uniform seemed kitten claw proof as the tiny thing pushed its claws into her legs as she slowly petted it. It was later that afternoon, after Hall’s class, and the tiny kitten was happy to see her back.

  “What were you thinking?”

  Crandall smirked, “Who doesn’t like cats? It’s not against the rules, except in the dorms, but you don’t live in the dorms. Plus, they’re low maintenance, with the automated feeders and self-cleaning litter box you can leave her alone up to a week, and we’re never out longer than two days. With your spell it won’t be a problem keeping up with the shedding either.”

  Or for the inevitable accidents no doubt, until the kitten is trained to use the litter box, her spell would clean it right up and deodorize it.

  She snorted, “She’s adorable, I’ll call her Coral. Just one question, how? We didn’t go in a pet store on Saturday, and she couldn’t have been hidden in your dorm the last two days either.”

  Crandall shook his head, “Trade secret.”

  Daniel snorted, “Same way we get everything done. His mother arranged it.”

  She giggled.

  Crandall glared at Daniel, then shrugged at Ashley, “Our dads love us, but our moms have them wrapped around their little fingers.”

  “And have a soft spot for their sons, no doubt.”

  Daniel winked.

  Crandall shrugged, “All I know is the pet store delivered her and the pet supplies to the gate halfway through magic class. Daniel and I almost didn’t make it all the way there and back to the house before you, despite Cahill doing her best to delay you and using a level two flight spell.”

  She smiled, “Thank you. I’m awed by Coral’s cuteness. Everyone, all the presents were great.”

  Most of the platoon had all pitched in on a single gift, a high-quality tactical knife made by a genuine blacksmith in the city, which she hadn’t even known was a thing in this age, along with a boot sheath. It wasn’t against regulations, and it was barely noticeable in her boot. If nothing else, it would come in useful when they were on their weekend exercises in the sticks.

  Ella, Stacy, and Daniel had gotten her less practical gifts, a vanity desk for her bedroom, and one filled with makeup, hair ties and clips, among other things. Crandall of course, had gotten her a kitten and all the accessories, foods, and stuff a cat owner needed.

  She loved it of course, but she was still in a little shock about it. She hadn’t been planning on telling anyone about her birthday.

  It was a hell of a day.

  The fourth Thursday night was truly chilly, a rare forty-six degrees and overcast with a drizzling mist and humidity that made it seem even colder. It was just after dinner and her and Stacy were walking at a warming pace toward the flight simulator building.

  Tomorrow morning was their first test simulation where they’d be getting major emergencies, either equipment or weather, and a test. The last two weeks had seen average wind shear added to the simulations, as well as minor equipment problems. She was doing just fine, her flying having smoothed out the last two sessions, but Stacy had reserved an hour in the simulator for extra practice, and of course needed a buddy escort to cross the base.

  Especially that night when the rapist was scheduled to strike again. Which was ridiculous, he must hate the military with a passion to want to rub it in like that, and to stick to the same night as some perverse dare to catch him. But nothing happened and she felt no concealment spells on the way over.

  Ella and the guys were back at the house going over the latest electronic component in devices for magical class.

  They headed inside, and into Stacy’s assigned shuttle, she took a seat on the copilot’s chair which was on the right side.

  Stacy said, “Thanks for this.”

  “No problem. It’s a beautiful night for a walk.”

  Stacy giggled, “It’s your own fault, for already understanding the magic class material of the day.”

  She grinned. That was how she’d been volunteered to come along.

  Stacy did just fine going through the pre and post startup diagnostics, and the single error was quickly and competently cleared. It was only when she took off that the problem became apparent.

  She said, “You’re all tensed up. Jerky movements. Treat it like mixed martial arts, Hall’s class. You need to relax your body, minute, smooth and constant movements. Flowing is the goal, not pauses and sharp starts.”

  Stacy asked, “That’s what you do?”

  She nodded, “Yup, pretty much with everything I do. My first shuttle flight was more swaying than jerking, and eventually it just clicks and smooths out when you get a clear feel of the controls.”

  It was her martial arts training really, smooth constant movement without resistance lent a grace and economy to her movements, as well as speed in everything she did physically.

  Stacy giggled with a hint of mischief, “Everything?”

  She snorted, “Pervert, and yes, everything.”

  Stacy snickered.

  She said, “That’s better, it feels more like we’re swaying on a hammock or floating above gentle waves than riding a jackhammer now.”

  Stacy smirked, and she immediately regretted her word choice.

  Stacy shook her head, “Sorry, I’ve been living vicariously through you two, and might be a mite frustrated after seven weeks without an outlet, but that might be about to change. Brent is coming over again, later.”

  She nodded, “You’ve been really supportive of us so I’m not complaining. Hope it goes well.”

  Stacy sighed, “This really is a lot better, you should be teaching.”

  She grinned, “It’s better with everything.”

  Stacy snorted a laugh, then had to recover the flight path.

  They were mostly silent after that, Stacy was doing better with her advice, so she just let her friend focus on the job at hand while she brought up some study material of her own in enhanced reality.

  It was still misting and miserable as they started the walk back. They still had a half mile to go when she felt it. In the direction of the officer’s club, and the concealed person was right behind two others and following, which she had to assume the pair had at least one young woman in it, and they were walking away from the club.

  “Stace, hold up.”

  She called Maris Brennan with her implant.

  “Brennan, go.”

  “Inspector, this is Cadet Foster. Umm, you guys feel him right? He’s by the officer’s club, I think. Unless that’s one of your people or a loaned spook?”

  Brennan said, “Where are you?”

  She said, “Several blocks north heading back to our house from the simulator building, so nowhere near him at the moment, and no line of sight so he has no idea I’ve pinged him.”

  Brennan said, “Hold one.”

  She said, “Yes, maam.”

  Brennan came back a few seconds later, “Our people in the area say there’s nothing there, cadet.”

  She frowned, “Maam, does reveal have a detect thaums component? If not, and it’s just designed to counter concealment, I’m wondering if his illegal version of conceal was designed to frustrate it.”

  There was a long pause over the line, then a fervent curse.

  She waved at Stacy, and then took off at a slow jog south, just one block east of the target so he wouldn’t see them coming.

  Brennan said, “I can’t ask, cadet.”

  “Already on the way, maam. Do we need to wait until he drugs them, or can we just take him down?”

  Brennan replied, “The latter, we’ll have all the evidence we need on his own hacked implants and in his mind. To do what you’re suggesting he has to have the reveal spell, which is not good, but just that will send him away for twenty years.”

  “We’ll run an extra block and circle around his block at a casual walk. We should intercept him right around Fourth and Maple. He’s not shielded, and he’ll expect us to just walk by. So when I’m too close for him to possibly dodge it, I’ll hit him with a power level one blunt force spell in the knee cap, and Stacy will nail him with a mage capture half a beat later.”

  It’d shatter his knee most likely, which was more than enough pain to make the mage capture stick. She could hit his chest, but if he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, then he wore a uniform and had armor. A force one would hurt, but not disable him. On the other hand, if he didn’t have armor, a force two could kill him. So, the leg joint was simply the best option and required no guessing.

  Brennan replied, “Simple and direct, not much to go wrong, I approve. My people will rush in as soon as he’s visible. He may be armed.”

  “Stace?”

  Stacy said, “Just don’t look at him until you fire, otherwise I’d have suggested the same thing.”

  She’d already thought of that, but a reminder didn’t hurt.

  They both shielded, and she added in her usual telekinesis and levitation. Those latter two just came in too useful in the past, and had saved her life more than once, not to use them. If their quarry could detect shields somehow that could complicate matters, but better a takedown gone a little wrong then ending up dead by going in without them. She also set up the feed to Stacy’s implant, so that she’d be acting as spotter for Stacy. Lastly, they cast the blunt force and mage capture spells and held them ready.

  They slowed down to a casual walk as they rounded the block and came into line of sight. She considered the idea of throwing out some banter, but she decided that would be trying too hard. The two women looked to be in their early twenties, one either a third or fourth year cadet and one of them a lieutenant a year or two older. They both had raven hair and black eyes, and they looked similar enough around the face she suspected they were sisters, one graduated and visiting her younger sibling.

  The lieutenant nodded casually in greeting, so she did it back. As soon as they were past the two women, she aimed for knee height and off center of the magical field, and released her spell.

  The hit wasn’t perfect, she couldn’t see the knee, but the spell still hit hard enough to send him crumpling to the ground. Stacy’s spell hit a moment later, but the magical field started to roll to their feet.

  Stacy said, “He fought it off.”

  She lunged forward, pushed back against the ground with telekinesis to increase her momentum further, and kicked the back of the field hard enough to send him tumbling back down to the ground. She still couldn’t see him but she knew she hadn’t kicked armor.