Strength In Our Bonds (The Strength in Generations Accompanying Book)

Academics In Space

"Greetings, members of the Academy board and guests," Hope said, standing at the podium at the head of the conference table. "Before I begin speaking about why I've gathered you all here today, I'd like to formally recognize and introduce the board. Well, as you all know- or at least you should know at this point- I am your director, Hope Estheim."

"We totally don't know the man that employs us, Hope," Snow said jokingly, with a laugh.

"I'd believe that when it comes to you," Hope joked back, gently nudging him. "Now- to the guests that have joined us today- why don't I start with introducing this big lug? The Head of Combat, Snow Villiers."

The guests in the room clapped. "Nice to meet you all!" Snow said, grinning.

"Next, we have the Field Research heads, Noel Kreiss and Serah Villiers. Serah also doubles as the Head of Academics."

Everyone clapped again, as Noel and Serah waved.

"We also have two of our regional studies heads here today: Head of Regional Studies, Southern Esthar Division, Oerba Dia Vanille, and Head of Regional Studies, Centra Division, Harlan Chesterfield."

The two of them waved as well, as everyone clapped.

"And last- definitely not least- Head of Magic Studies, Quistis Trepe."

There was applause yet again. Quistis smiled good-naturedly at all the guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Hope continued, "I have gathered you all here today to introduce an idea for the Academy that we've been debating about for at least the past twenty years, but only recently have been able to think about making into a reality. I've prepared a short video introducing the topic."

Hope stepped aside and turned on the projector in the room, and then dimmed the lights. The narrator of the video had been Fang (Hope had asked her to do it before she'd taken off on another field study trip).

"For more than twenty years, the Academy has brought you the ultimate in knowledge- from the forests of Galbadia to the sands of Besaid. This year, we've come up with an idea to expand the already vast depths of our knowledge bases. Consider this: space."

The video shifted to a recording taken just outside the planet's atmosphere.

"We know that space is infinite, that there are billions of other galaxies out there. But what do we really know about space? Apparently, not enough to satisfy Director Estheim, because he's come up with a bunch of new plans to explore the vast depths of space, and potentially make history in a number of ways. Want to play a part in making history? Then join us in making these plans a reality."

Hope turned the lights back up, and returned to the podium.

"At present, the only thing we have relating to space intel in this world is Dollet's Communication Tower, which unfortunately can't be used by the Academy because of some Galbadian law. So, it was my idea to build our own tower and satellites, which all went up last year. We have very recently procured a spacecraft, thanks to generous funding, so our next- admittedly ambitious- project is to start the creation of a space station."

"A space station?" asked one of the guests.

"Yes, an inhabitable space station, similar to the Lunar Base, but not affixed to the moon; free-standing. It would primarily serve as a living space for personnel whose careers require extensive space monitoring. It would be far more efficient than our current Space Room. Not only would this prove useful for space-related studies, it would provide some insight into other departments here, as well."

"It would certainly add more academic courses," added Serah. "Not to mention space's effect on magic could fit into just about all of our departments."