Thursday. 06:30 Co-Ed Dorm

John woke up fifteen minutes before his alarm. Every single joint hurt. He rolled his legs off the side of the bed and stretched his arms. Doing this woke up Alice.

“I hurt all over and I don’t want to go to class. We can skip today, right?” Alice was up but was not moving.

“I can’t say I disagree with your idea.” John got up and took a step. “I overdid it but I’m taking the first shower.”

John was out of the shower in five minutes. Alice was moving like an octogenarian into the bathroom. John was sitting down in the living room when she came out from their bedroom. The shower hadn’t loosened her muscles up much.

“John, I really hurt.”

“Not that this is going to make you feel any better I do too.” John got up and took her hand. “I suspect this is going to be true for everyone.”

“Your right, that doesn’t make me feel any better.” Alice said as the couple walked out of their room.

They made their way down to the cafeteria. It wasn’t nearly as busy as it normally was for a weekday. Alice didn’t have much of an appetite that morning so cereal and a banana were all she wanted. John’s plate looked to have four or five scrambled eggs, eight slices of bacon and two pieces of toast. He filled up a cup of two percent milk before he walked over to their table.

“I love you honey, but how are you able to eat that much after yesterday?”

“Because I’m hungry?” John looked at Alice quizzically.

Jessica sat down next to Alice. “It’s less food than yesterday.”

“How are you feeling?” John smiled as he finished some toast.

“I hurt. All over.”

“Yeah, look at those three. They look like they can hardly move.” John was pointing at Nathan, Thomas and Brian.

“You looked like that too.” Alice elbowed John.

“Careful now, but I moved more quickly than them.”

Kristen appeared out of nowhere sat down next to Jessica. “Owwww.”

“You look like hell.” Jessica winced when she laughed.

“None of you look stellar either.”

“Zing.” Andern grunted when he sat down. “Why do we have classes today?”

“Be thankful we didn’t have to do that crap in the afternoon, we’d be hurting more.” John’s plate was almost empty.

The rest of their group showed up and were hurting like everyone else. They left early to slowly make it to class. John and Kristin weren’t the only ones to notice about a quarter of their classmates weren’t there that day. Everyone was excited after each class that five percent of their grade was just attending that day.

Getting to and from the different lecture halls did not get any easier as they day went on. The group decided against hanging out in the lounge after dinner that night. Sleep and not moving was on the mind of everyone.

19:15 Co-Ed Dorm

Alice was sound asleep while John was working at his terminal. He took breaks from time to time to stretch and just keep his muscles working. He was reviewing the schematics of the amplifier and looking for ways to make it more efficient. Engineering wasn’t his area of expertise; he knew enough to be dangerous but clearly didn’t know enough to improve it any more than he already had.

His terminal flashed, indicating an incoming call. “John here.”

“Hello John. We’ve never met, and I plan to keep it that way.”

“K. Do I know you?” John leaned back in his chair.

“No. You killed my nephew, Vito.”

“Ahh, so he wasn’t the boss of a family like everyone thought. You were. Impressive staying that well-hidden.”

“I’m not on Earth. I won’t say where, it doesn’t matter. I’ve ordered the remaining members of the family to come where I am. I believe you will accept my offer.”

“Let me guess.” John smiled. “I don’t get involved with you and you don’t get involved with me.”

“Then it is agreed.” The man ended the call.

John just smirked and got back to working. After forty-five minutes of trying and failing to improve the amplifier he gave up and switched to reviewing academic papers on psychic capabilities. There was a shocking lack of documentation about how one could improve their abilities over time.

“This makes no sense, I know this to be possible now, but why is there nothing about it anywhere?” John said to himself.

He logged into an account he had in the Alliance Holo-net and ran a similar search. There was more information here but nothing with actual results. All the papers were based on a hypothesis. John tried the same thing with the Mercantilist’s data-net. There were papers here, but the results were focused on L1 and L2 telepaths. Improvements were made through training but nothing spectacular.

John was frustrated, he got up and opened up the cupboard to get a snack. He shook his head as he did that, they hadn’t restocked their dorm room since before the new year. John grabbed his wallet and headed down to the first floor so he could purchase odds and ends from the commissary.

20:30 Co-Ed Dorm Commissary

A few things turned into a more things and his basket was nearly full. He didn’t need to go crazy though because they would be at Yeager Station in under four weeks. There were only a couple of items John wanted to get. He was about to grab one of those items when someone asked him a question.

“John, why were all the sophomores moving like old people?”

“Our class had a massive PE session yesterday. It sucked.”

“That bad?”

“10k, bunch of lifting weights, obstacle course and some other stuff.” John stretched his free arm.

“Damn, well that answers that.”

“I take it the junior class didn’t do that?” John was getting irritated.

“Sure didn’t, though we have more PE session throughout the semester because we get our ship assignments before the end of the term.”

“Yeah, they changed things up since my class will be the junior officers for the fall term.”

“Damn, they really did change things up for you. Well, I need to run. Have a good one.”

John finished up his shopping. He walked over to the counter and paid for his goods. He left the store and headed for the elevators. A few minutes later he was in his dorm room. He put away the things when he got back to the room. John then moved into the bedroom and was getting ready for bed when he shook his head. He went to get snacks but then didn’t bother treating himself to a snack. He shrugged and then crawled into bed.

Two Weeks later. Saturday. 09:30 Bridal Essentials

The girls along with Kate and Alexa Beck were shopping for dresses. The store they were in shocked the fellow cadets. The cheapest dress in the store cost as much or more than homes in rural areas. That Alice was going to wear not one but two of these dresses shocked the girls.

“Your totally happy with your reception dress?” Alexa asked.

“Oh… My… God…” Alice was spinning around some mirrors and her friends.

“Yup, that’s one down.” Jessica said.

“You look so pretty.” Theresa joined the chorus.

Alice continued to spin. She loved the dress and couldn’t wait to surprise John with it. The friends took notice of how nonplused Kate was about the price tag. They were all aware that Alice came from a very affluent family. But how affluent they really were wasn’t known until now.

“Honey, how many ceremonial dresses are you planning on trying on?” Kate asked.

“I have four I really want to try on and maybe one more, but I figure one of these four will work.”

Alice left the room to go into the dressing room. The girls in the room were chatting amongst themselves and sipping on wine. They didn’t have to worry about driving because Kate picked them up in a limo.

“Oh, my good lord. How is this dress over ten million credits?” Kristin pointed at a dress in a secure showcase.

Kate walked up and looked at it. “A combination of brand name and fabric. That silk is only produced on a small moon in the Wolf system and precious little every gets exported.”

“Wait, are you trying to tell me that silk is worth that much?” Jessica had joined and couldn’t hide her shock either.

Alexa smirked. “Y’all should take a look at this one. Most expensive one they have here is this Faye Lavigne princess line.”

“I think that looks terrible.” Theresa was not impressed with the dress.

“No, this isn’t right.” Kristin was looking at the price.

“It is.” Alexa was egging them on.

“How much is it?” Theresa was now very curious.

Jessica walked over and look. “Twenty-five and a half million credits. I can’t even imagine having that much money much less spend it on this.”

“That is absolutely absurd.” Kristin.

“Anyone else think it’s crazy to spend this money on a dress and yet the boys are just wearing their dress uniforms?” Theresa asked.

“Yes, but if I ever get married, I want to look like a princess.” Kristin laughed as she gave her justification.

“Totally agree.” Alexa smiled.

Kate just smiled at the girl’s amazement over the dress. She chose not to tell them about the cost of her and Aaron’s wedding. Or about the cost of her four dresses, she wore at the various ceremonies. All of those cost well over two million credits.

“Ladies, Alice is ready to show off her dress.” The bridal attendant walked out and rounded up the girls. “The first dress is a Givency. Sleeveless and very playful.”

Alice walked out in the dress. It hugged her curves and left little to the imagination. Flesh toned sheath went down to above her belly button and split her bust. Crystals, diamonds and sequins covered the bust and her curves.

“Honey, I don’t know how to put this.” Kate was struggling for words.

“That dress is so not you.” Theresa was the first one to be blunt.

“Agreed, like you have a great figure and all, but that dress is dangerously close to trashy.” Jessica held nothing back.

“Ok thank god. I was thinking the same thing.” Alice smiled.

“Want me to send a picture of you in that to John?” Kristin laughed.

“YES. Do that!” Alexa bounced over to Kristin.

Alice tried to do a model’s pose while Kristin took a picture. The girls laughed as she sent it to John. They were all curious what his response would be. Kate shook her head at the silliness that was happening in the room. Eventually the attendance shooed Alice back into the dressing room to try on dress number two.

10:15 Jake’s Axes

“How the fuck does he win at everything?” Thomas shouted.

“Because I’m a fucking god.” John’s arms were outstretched.

“Magnanimous to a fault too.” Nathan snorted as he said that.

“Who wants to be my bitch next?” John was egging on the group.

Andern stepped up and did alright but lost the next axe challenge by a single point. The group continued its banter. They were definitely louder than any other group, but they hadn’t yet crossed the line into annoying douchebags.

They took a break from tossing axes in the stalls and walked back to the patio area. They sat around a table that was full of cheese, cured meat, fruits and vegetables. Though the fruits and veggies, outside of carrots, were largely untouched.

“Dude it’s really happening for you.” Kevin took a swig from his mug.

“Crazy how time flies. Shit in seven months we’re going to be in ships.” John was smiling.

“So, are we having more fun, or are they?” Andern asked.

“We’re eating food, drinking beer and throwing axes. Is that even a question?” Nathan laughed.

“I bet Alice is having the best day since she’s playing princess dress up.” Brian said quietly.

“Yeah, but women usually go nuts over bridal dress parties. Heard the other girls were excited to be driven there in a limo.” John laughed as he grabbed a couple pieces of salami and cheese.

“So, is all your planning done?” Kevin asked.

“Yup, all that’s left is for her to choose a dress, we’re paying the organizers to set everything up for us. Going to feel good to have everything done and not need to worry about anything while we’re up on Yeager Station.”

“So, no leave there?” Andern said pensively.

“Jesus dude, always about time off.” Thomas threw a cracker at him.

“It’s a military station Andern, there’s no commercial or retail presence there. They do have some rec areas but unless I’ve misread something, we don’t get access to any of those areas until March.”

“Are you bringing some bags up to the station?” Brian asked.

“You bet your fucking ass I am.” John smiled. “I can MacGuyver boards without too much difficulty.”

John noticed that his tablet had received a message. He opened it up, surprised at first to see it was from Kristin but then he saw a picture of Alice wearing an inappropriate wedding dress in a provocative pose. John did admit that she looked damn sexy in that dress, which while true, didn’t overcome how the dress just lacked class. He wrote a response.

‘Very sexy. I’ll be surprised if that’s the final dress though. Plus, I’m sure your mom would veto that in a heartbeat.’

10:45 Bridal Essentials

“I’m disappointed in his response.” Kristin was frowning.

“Yeah, but he nailed it. He knew that wasn’t going to be picked.” Alexa took a sip of champagne.

“John’s a perceptive young man. He tries to not show that side of him but it’s there.” Kate was looking through some emails.

“Does he really not show it? Or do we just know he’s that way?” Theresa asked the group.

“No, we definitely know.” Jessica confirmed.

“Ladies, here’s Alice’s third dress. This is a Danasha Classic Elegance. It’s classic fit with a dropped waist and sweetheart neckline and bow.”

Alice walked out and spun around. “I already know what you’re going to say.”

“That dress would look amazing on you if it weren’t for that stupid bow.” Kristin said without thinking.

“Mhmm, the bow’s gotta go.” Theresa joined in.

“Mam, do they offer this dress without the bow?” Jessica asked.

“Yes, they do but we didn’t have one here. Let me pull up what that would look like.”

The attendance went up to one of the mirrors and clicked a couple buttons. The mirror stopped reflecting an image and instead showed Alice in the same dress but without the bow.

“Yeah, that’s the top one, right? Classy and elegant.” Kristin looked excited.

“Yeah, and your boobs aren’t hanging out there like the last one.”

The girls laughed. Alice agreed that it was the top one so far. The second dress she tried on was too much like the first one. Neither one was really appropriate for a wedding according to the group of friends. Alice went back into the dressing room to try on one more dress.

11:00 Jake’s Axes

“Well, that’s a screw job.” Brian shouted at the TV.

The Naval Academy was playing Stanford and the officiating crew had made one bad call after another. It had been a frustrating start to the game.

“At least we’re up a touchdown but that was fucking awful.” John said as he grabbed the menus. “Figure out what y’all want for lunch.”

“John, what dress you think she picks?” Kevin asked as he snacked on his plate of crackers and meat.

“She’ll have a casual one to wear at the reception. And then a dressier one to wear at the ceremony itself.” John shrugged. “My guess the casual dress, is that a thing, well whatever will likely have a skirt. And be white.”

“You don’t really care what she wears, do you?” Thomas asked.

“For the record I do care, but she has said literally nothing about what she wants to wear. Whatever she wants to wear I’ll be cool with.”

“Theresa and her look at wedding dresses all the time when they aren’t around John. The moment he’s within sight they shut things down.” Kevin shared the inside info.

“She likes being the sneaky one in this. She says she doesn’t like being sneaky, but she does.” John smiled. “Wouldn’t it be great if we got a pick six?”

Just then a defensive back for the academy intercepted a pass. But in the return, he fumbled the ball into the hands of the running back who then ran it in for a touchdown.

“John, please shut the fuck up. You always jinx us.” Andern glared daggers at John.

“Hey, that’s not on me. Not at all. That was pure dumb luck.” John through his hands up. “Well shit. Y’all know what you want to eat. I’ll get the order in.”

11:15 Bridal Essentials

“That is the one Alice.” Kristin was almost crying with joy.

“Honey you look stunning.” Kate strode up to Alice and hugged her.

“Yeah, I think you found the gown.”

Alice was wearing a strapless and sleeveless Mauro Adami Fairy Tale dress. The dress combined a classic look with a modern feel to it too. It had a plunging backline. She was in love with how this dress looked and it made Alice feel like the most important person in the universe.

“There is no way the boys could be having this much fun.” Kristin said.

“Kristin, you grossly underestimate what Andern and John would find fun.” Jessica laughed.

“They are literally throwing axes at two by fours, eating food, drinking, and watching football on TV.” Theresa took a sip of champagne. “They are missing one or two things and it’d be heaven for them.”

“Except John would love to be fighting something or solving some crime or problem.” Alice smirked.

“Or grifting something, but he could multitask that.” Kristin joined in the laughter.

Kate smiled and spoke to the manager. She’d order and pay for the dresses there and then. They’d have the dresses delivered to a seamstress in Mobile to make any adjustments to the dress. It was unlikely any of her sizes would change between now and then, presuming she didn’t get pregnant that is.

Alice followed the attendance to the dressing room and got changed out of the dress. She joined her friends in drinking some champagne and talking with them. Everyone was so excited that they completely forgot about the three or so months they’d spend on a military space station.

21:00 Co-Ed Dorm

John was watching the evening football. He and the rest of the guys should’ve gotten some exercise to burn off some of the calories they got, but that would have to wait until Sunday. They had drunk too much beer to do an effective workout. Or be effective at anything else for that matter.

Alice and the girls sequestered themselves in the lounger when they got back and forbade the guys from doing anything with them that afternoon. They had some other wedding plans to take care of that they didn’t want to be interrupted.

The boys decided to part ways and meet up in the morning for PE. They went back to their rooms and relaxed. John was looking at some investment data and began working on his taxes. Every time he worked on the latter; he felt a small part of his soul got crushed. Though not paying taxes would be amazing, the headache the IRS could cause was simply not worth it.

The door opened and Alice walked in positively beaming. “Someone looks like they are happy.”

“Today was such a wonderful day. Love you to by the way.” Alice sat down on the couch and kissed John.

“So, about that first dress.” John smiled.

“You can’t call it slutty, because it wasn’t. But it left nothing to the imagination.”

“I mean, I don’t really need my imagina…”

Alice slapped his chest. “Stop it, be nice.”

“So, any hints on the dresses you got?”

“Why would I have more than one?” Alice tried to be playful.

“The reception would be a big pain if the dress was all ornate. So, it stands to reason that you have a dress for the ceremony and then one for the reception so you can move about.”

The couple continued to talk. They were both excited, but before they could enjoy their wedding, they had a full five months before it’d happen. Four of which were going to be incredibly busy. But for now, in the moment, they were going to enjoy the excitement and run with it. For good or ill the train was in motion and the ride they were going to take was going to be amazing.