Read Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles 1: Wizard Defiant for Free Online

odd cadets being spread out among the other teams. TAC Officer Myers personally took charge of Richard’s team and double timed them to the farthest square.
    “This is different,” panted 303. She had rejoined her squad when they had reached the top of the hill. As it so happened, 303 had been assigned to Richard’s team.
    “They’re holo-squares,” said 147. He’d also been assigned to Richard’s team. “They’re only used for advanced training because they’re so expensive. I guess we’ve joined the big boys now.”
    “What’s that?” said 303 with a mischievous smile. “You mean the big girls, don’t you? You are aware since the last simulation we females outnumber you males, don’t you?”
    “I hadn’t noticed,” said 147. “Had you, 832?”
    Richard rarely participated in the friendly banter the cadets used to vent their stress. However, fresh from 215’s chastisement to be friendlier, Richard took advantage of the opening. “Well to tell the truth, 147, I’ve never really paid attention. Are there females in our cohort?”
    “Oh,” said 303 who sounded a little surprised. “Cadet 832 does talk outside of a classroom. Well, 832, you can’t fool me. I happen to know cadet 647 and you had a few hookups before she was D.F.R.’d. So, don’t try to tell me you don’t notice females in the unit.”
    Richard turned a little red at the mention of 647. They had been pretty close during their first six months of training, but Richard thought they had been discrete. Apparently, they hadn’t been as discrete as Richard had assumed.
    “Oh, ho!” laughed another cadet in their team. “I think cadet 832 is actually blushing.” Several of the other members of the team laughed good-naturedly.
    “Silence in the ranks!” said TAC Officer Myers. “We’ll see if you feel like laughing after a few minutes in the holo-square.” By this time they had reached the square formed by the metallic posts. All but two of the technicians had departed.
    “Is it ready?” said TAC Officer Myers.
    “Yes, wizard scout,” said the older of the technicians who happened to be a senior sergeant. “We’ve got it hooked up into the tele-network. Your battle computer should have no trouble controlling the training scenarios.”
    “Fine,” said TAC Officer Myers. He removed a rounded piece of dull-black plastic off his hip. As he flipped the elongated plastic in his hand, it expanded into the shape of a wizard scout battle helmet. He placed the close-fitting helmet on his head.
    The sergeant had not moved.
    “Is there something else?” said TAC Officer Myers.
    “Wizard scout,” the sergeant said. “The specs for this holo-square were different than the others. Those are full-force rays on the holo-posts. The specs were specific, and they were signed by the High Command. But I’m concerned. Full-force rays can be deadly if not handled correctly.”
    “I’m well aware of the specs for this holo-square, sergeant,” said TAC Officer Myers. “All is as it should be.” When the sergeant did not move, TAC Officer Myers said, “If you have any concerns, you should address them with the High Command. In the meantime, you’re interrupting our training. That will be all.”
    The sergeant hesitated. Wizard scouts weren’t officers, but then again, they weren’t enlisted soldiers either. They were a strange, grey area between officers and enlisted. Still, they were skilled specialists, and most military personnel gave wizard scouts a well-deserved respect.
    “As you say, wizard scout,” said the sergeant. “And, I will be sending a protest up the chain of command.”
    “You do that,” said TAC Officer Myers to the back of the retreating sergeant. With that, he turned to the cadets and said, “As you may have gathered, our training is going to be a little different this afternoon. If it’s a little tougher than normal, you can thank cadet 832 and his preference for challenges.”
    Richard felt nine sets of