Origins

I have begun writing a series of prequels that flesh out the stories and origins of characters in my Jordan Locke series (Altaria's Last Stand and Jordan's Revenge) Enjoy.

Jordan Locke:

The final bell rang. Students stood up and cheered. School is finally over, thought Jordan Locke. Twelve damn years of going to three consecutive hellholes for five days a week. Still, it was a good ride.

Students quickly ran out the door to celebrate. Jordan knew what would happen later. Parties, beer, and sex, the good things in life. Jordan put his things in his backpack and turned to leave.

“It’s been a hell of a year, Jordan,” said Jordan’s English teacher. “All I can say is good luck. In this day and age, you’re going to need it.”

Jordan grinned. “Thanks. Take care of yourself.” With that he turned and left.

The graduation ceremony was a blur. With all the excitement, all Jordan remembered was getting his diploma, flipping off the arrogant students one more time, getting hugged by his father, and leaving.

Everything came back into focus at the graduation party at Jordan’s friend’s house. People talked, shouted, and howled with laughter. Alcohol flowed like water, with some kids drinking themselves unconscious. Pretty much every room in the house was filled with teens who made sober decisions to have sex. I love times like these, thought Jordan. I fit right in. Eventually, the party came to an end. There were countless tearful goodbyes, hugs, and the like. Almost everyone was going to college within the Terran Alliance. Some were studying abroad in the Altarian Republic. Jordan was going somewhere much different.

Jordan had received his acceptance letter to the Terran Alliance Naval Academy in the middle of the year. As soon as he opened up the letter, which was written on old-fashioned paper, he knew he had a future aboard starships cruising space. The time was now. He would be leaving the day after tomorrow.

“Please load your baggage onto the automated cart” chimed a robot. “You will be directed to your destination momentarily.”

Jordan looked around the San Diego Domestic Spaceport . Despite living in what was called the finest city in the United States Territory all his life, he had never been here. Lines of people shuffled and ran past, eager to get to their destinations. Robots zipped past, doing all sort of tasks. A group of soldiers walked by.

“All new recruits to the Terran Alliance Naval Academy follow me!” shouted a man. “Please get on the automated tram system, which will take you to your gate.” Jordan and the other recruits quickly hurried on the vehicle. Once everyone was aboard, it sped off to its destination.

Once they had arrived, the same man began to shout again. “Attention recruits! You will board this shuttle to San Francisco, where you will be processed and enter the first main academy. Those who pass and/or are chosen for advanced duties will fly to Mars to complete your training. Now, please board.”

The man turned and walked down the access tunnel. Everyone followed him, and attendants directed everyone to their shuttles.

Jordan sat in his shuttle and turned on his entertainment system. Even though the flight was only half an hour, he still wanted something to do.

“Attention, this is the captain. We are locking the doors and preparing to depart to San Francisco. We will be landing at the Terran Alliance military airfield. Once we land, you will be taken to the Academy, and everything will begin. Enjoy the flight. The shuttle’s engines whined as it turned and took off.

After the flight, Jordan walked with the rest of his group. They then boarded a monorail that would take them into the Academy. As the train turned a corner, the massive building came into sight. The Terran Alliance Naval Academy building was shaped like a squat box on the bottom, but several spires and docks for ships of various sizes protruded from it. Rails, roads, and skyways moved into the building. The monorail followed its path into the great building. After stopping at its station, the doors opened with a hiss. Everyone stepped out.

They were at an indoor plaza below the main spire. Above them, activity bustled around the hollow structure. In front of them was an assembly ground in front of a massive statue, which showed and eagle with an olive branch and a handful of arrows, which was the symbol of the old United States of America. The sheer scale of everything overwhelmed Jordan. He quickly came to his senses and headed to where the instructions he was given told him.

Inside a room, recruits were giving their personal details to robots. Jordan sat down in front of one.

“Full name?” asked the robot, its large red eye looking at Jordan.

“Jordan Locke.”

“Middle initial please.”

“R.”

“Height?”

“Two meters.” This was average height for most Terrans.

“Approximate weight?”

“80 kilos.”

“Place of origin?”

“San Diego, United States Territory.”

“Religion?”

“Christian.”

“Please hold still. I am recording your facial features.”

After ten seconds an ID card popped out of a tray.

“Do you need a reprint of instructions of where to go, Cadet Locke?”

“No.”

“Please go to your next destination.”

Jordan got up and left. He then went to the rest of the places he was supposed to go. After getting his new uniform, Jordan then went to where men were supposed to get their hair cut if it was below shoulder level. After a quick trim, Jordan headed for the auditorium, where an assembly was to take place.

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