CHAPTER 60: PLANET RHINO

Ahce sat on the edge of the bed, letting the silence of the room wash over her. This was the first space in the galaxy she could truly call her own. It felt alien and comforting at the same time. She took a deep breath and ran her fingers over the ID bracelet, a link between her, the Academy, and the vast network of the interstellar society she was now part of.

She glanced at the small plant in the corner and smiled faintly. Unlike the artificial flora she had seen in the capital star, this one was real, even if engineered. It reminded her that despite the strangeness of this new life, she had a place here, a purpose.

Ahce placed her hands on her lap, her thoughts drifting momentarily back to her brothers, and then to the memory of Reichardt. She clenched her fists lightly, letting the energy of determination settle in her chest. For three years, she would learn, adapt, and grow stronger, not just for herself, but for the world she had been thrust into.

Tomorrow, the real Academy life would begin, classes, training, and the trials that awaited every cadet. For now, she allowed herself a moment of rest, letting the quiet hum of the room and the faint scent of hydroponic soil remind her that, at least here, she was alive, and she had a chance to shape her destiny.

The first morning of military training arrived with a dawn that seemed sharper, colder than anything Ahce had experienced before.

So... this is a joint military training and survival event.

The Academy’s courtyard buzzed with cadets from every corner of the Orion Galaxy, their uniforms pristine, their weapons and gear meticulously arranged. The air carried a faint metallic scent, mingled with ozone from the hovering drones that scanned and monitored the entire assembly.

Ahce’s heart beat steadily, though a quiet tension hummed beneath it. Today marked the beginning of the Survival Assessment, a grueling test that would push cadets to their limits, assessing combat skills, adaptability, strategy, and the raw ability to survive in hostile terrain.

Instructor Lysandra approached, her silver braid swinging slightly with each step.

"Cadets," she called, her voice amplified by a subtle projection device, "today you will be deployed to Planet Rhino. This planet is military-controlled and specifically designed to measure your survival instincts in unfiltered wilderness."

A monitored planet... interesting!

"Every student will face environmental hazards, native fauna, and unpredictable scenarios that simulate extreme combat situations. The data collected will determine your rank, progression, and suitability for higher-level assignments. No exceptions. No assistance outside your unit. Survival is your responsibility."

Ahce swallowed, her eyes scanning the students around her. Some were veterans from other star systems, already seasoned in survival strategies. Others were younger, wide-eyed, untested, and trembling at the thought of the harsh realities they would soon face.

She went over her preparations carefully. Her pack contained nutrient capsules, water purifiers, a compact energy weapon, and multi-purpose tools designed for both combat and survival tasks. Her uniform was reinforced with lightweight armor panels, and a small personal drone hovered at her shoulder, ready to provide reconnaissance and communication within the constraints allowed.

Alexander’s voice echoed in her mind.

"Trust your instincts. They won’t fail you, even here."

The military warship that would carry them to Planet Rhino waited in orbit, its hull shimmering under the sun of Camero.

Its interior was utilitarian, lined with reinforced seats, storage for combat gear, and observation windows showing the vast expanse of space ahead. Cadets filed in, each one scanning their equipment, mentally rehearsing strategies, and murmuring quietly with their peers.

Ahce found a seat near the hull window, the expanse of stars stretching infinitely before her. Her gaze lingered on the distant spiral of the Orion arm, the planets they had passed, and the edge of the galaxy where territory often bled into lawless zones. The thought of surviving in Planet Rhino’s wilderness filled her with a mixture of exhilaration and apprehension.

The ship’s engines hummed, a deep resonance vibrating through the deck. The warship lifted from the Academy dock, anti-gravity thrusters propelling it swiftly toward the coordinates of Planet Rhino.

Hours passed. Ahce spent them checking her gear, calibrating her drone, and reviewing survival protocols. She studied the schematics of Rhino’s environment. Dense forests of bioluminescent flora, jagged rock formations, rivers of acid-like composition, and wildlife engineered for aggression and resilience.

Every detail mattered. Any oversight could be fatal.

Finally, the ship entered Rhino’s orbit. The planet below was a chaotic mosaic of deep green forests, jagged scarlet mountains, and mist-laden valleys. It was beautiful, in a terrifying, untamed way.

"Cadets," Lysandra’s voice came over the ship-wide communicator, "prepare for deployment. Survival protocols commence the moment you exit the drop pods. Remember, observation, adaptability, and strategy. Fail, and extraction will be delayed until assessment concludes. Good luck."

Ahce’s pulse quickened. She secured her pack, activated her personal drone, and checked her energy weapon. The drop pod hatch opened with a hiss of air, and she felt the sudden pull of gravity as the pod was ejected from the warship.

The descent was rapid. Ahce gripped the harness tightly, her eyes scanning the forest canopy rushing toward her. Every instinct honed from years of martial arts training and interstellar combat courses sharpened. Survival was no longer theoretical, it was immediate, visceral, and inescapable.

The pod landed with a jolt, skidding slightly on the uneven terrain. Ahce kicked open the hatch, rolling to absorb the impact, and immediately scanned her surroundings.

Trees taller than any structure she had seen swayed under a strange wind, casting bioluminescent shadows across the jagged undergrowth. Strange calls echoed from the depths of the forest, predators, perhaps, or mere wildlife designed to test their nerves.

Taking a deep breath, she activated her drone, sending it above the canopy to scout the immediate area. The readings showed rough terrain ahead, rocky ridges, a river with acidic composition, and zones of high predator activity.

Ahce adjusted her pack, checked her weapon, and whispered to herself, "Three years, Ahce. Three years to learn, survive... and maybe find a way to thrive in this galaxy. Be brave."

With that, she plunged into the forest, her senses alert, every movement deliberate. The Survival Assessment had begun, and nothing in this galaxy would wait for hesitation.