Blackstone

A New Beginning

The Blackstone Parade Ground gleamed in the spring sunshine, and the Battalions marched in tight formations across perfectly cut grass, heading towards the review stand where the members of the Families sat looking resplendent in fine clothes.

I marched beside Thomas who looked very uncomfortable in the red, black and gold dress uniform of the Rangers. He pulled at his starched collar and grimaced.

I looked over at him and whispered. "Relax. It'll be over in a few hours."

Thomas's eyes widened. "Bloody hell, a few hours. That's how long graduation takes?"

"Quiet in the ranks, worm." Nicole barked, who marched beside the company.

"Does this witch hear everything we say?" Thomas grumbled.

"Only when you shout it," I whispered back. "She's just enjoying her last bit of fun before we graduate."

Even if Thomas looked uncomfortable, I was having fun. My crisp pressed red, black and gold dress uniform fit snugly against my skin. The scent of freshly cut grass filled my nose and the warm spring sunshine felt good on my face. After all the trials and tribulations of the last 9 months, it was hard to believe that I was graduating. I was going to be a Ranger.

I looked around at the Battalions. This was the first time since admittance day that I had seen all the Branches of the School together at once. The Union of Psionics marched in their reserved navy blue, black and gray uniforms while their MechaNect carried the Battalion Standard - a Black, Blue and Gray Flag with a Ghostly Pale Owl on it. A silver thunderbolt streaked across the background.

Next onto the field came the League of Hackers. Rangers always joked about the Hackers. How they never saw the sunlight and all weighed ninety pounds soaking wet, but we all knew that they were essential to our survival. Without the Hackers, none of our equipment would function and the elaborate computer systems that ran the school and Control would be open to a virus attack by the Grimm.

I squinted against the sun to make out the Companies of the Hackers. Their Battalion Standard was a great black spider with ruby red eyes that sat on a gold web across a field of black and orange. I shuddered when I saw it, recalling my meeting with the Guardian. The Hackers marched imprecisely and looked disoriented in the bright sunshine. Some of their orange, gold and black uniforms looked unkempt. I could see why Thomas would feel uncomfortable in their company. He was too full of life and fun to be part of that creepy looking bunch.

The Blessing of Healers marched onto the field last. They were just a single company and they looked magnificent in their white and gold uniforms with their Standard flying proudly. I glanced at the standard. It was the Caduceus: two snakes entwined on a single winged staff on a white and gold background.

Finally, the battalions formed on the parade ground. Quiet settled over the grounds and only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees could be heard.

Colonel Nash stepped to a podium that had been set up on a reviewing platform and spoke into a microphone. "Hello and Welcome. Honored Visitors and Distinguished Guests, may I present to you the graduating class of Blackstone."

The Families politely applauded.

Colonel Nash waited for the applause to die down before she continued. "What you see before you is the very best the human race has to offer. These young men and women have gone through the toughest training, faced the fiercest obstacles in order to become the Graduates that stand before you today."

Another round of applause greeted her words.

I watched Colonel Nash. Clearly, she was a master of oratory. She knew how to make a speech. I stood there as she went on, praising our efforts and making us sound like we were the last best hope of mankind. It would make anyone feel proud for what we had accomplished, but I knew the truth. I looked at the members of the Families that sat behind Colonel Nash in their fancy clothes, and I couldn't help but feel disgust at the whole situation. It was a total sham. The Families controlled the Wealth of the Planet and we were just pawns in their control. If it hadn't been for the Grimm then there would no need for Blackstone. We would still fight against each other like it was in the old days - constant civil war, with one single Family fighting for dominance. It made me sick. I knew it was my mission to end their dominance, but first we all had to deal with the threat of the Grimm.