Deep Space Adventures - 10. DSA Chapter 10

“Mother, I just realised something, all of my former school mates at Winchester College, will know who I really am, which means, I cannot go back there, as it will be to unsafe,” I said, as we travelled by boat back home, “That is true, and what about your former school here on the island, although, I think we have a better chance of looking after you here at home,” my mother replied, and I just groaned when I realised this.

For the next nine weeks, Isaac and I continued to be tutored, until we were given a two week break, before the commencement of Term Three, were we would be attending Warwick Academy on Bermuda, with Sam already attending the school since he was six years old, and where I attended school from the age of nine, till when I started at Winchester College last year.

I was hoping that my former old friends, who I had seen very little of since starting at Winchester, would be supportive and protective of me, and on the first day of school, I nervously stepped out of the car, after a 20 minute drive from home, and Isaac was at my side.

“Head up high sire, deep breaths, and stay calm, and you will get through your first day back,” Isaac said to me, and I did as he suggested before smiling and giving a nod of my head, before waving goodbye to my father, and setting off through the school gates.

“Mason Lenegan and Isaac Otterman, reporting in for first day at school sir,” I said as I approached the counter, and one of my former teachers was standing in the reception area talking to one of the other staff members. “Well Mason, welcome back, or should we be addressing you Sire?” Mr Archerson said as he approached, “Mason is fine sir, and this is my protector, Isaac Otterman. Protector, this is our Mathematics teacher and Deputy Principal, Mr Archerson,” I responded, making the introductions.

“So, is Protector a title of some kind, as well as your job?” the teacher asked Isaac, “Yes sir, it is both, but you can call me Isaac,” my protector replied in much improved English. “Sir, I must inform you that if Issacs sees any threat to me, he will respond instantly, and with as much force as required,” I informed the deputy principal.

“As long as it is not deadly force, and that there is no serious injuries, I think we can allow that, to a certain limit, do you understand me, Mr Otterman,” and Isaac looked around him before realising that he was the one the teacher was speaking too, and he blushed a little at his error, and I gave him a little nudge in the ribs, before we both began laughing.

“Off you both go, good luck on your first day, and don’t hesitate to let my know if you have any problems,” the deputy principal said to us, as we left the administration area. As we walked through the hallways of the academy, I pointed out different things to Isaac, and when I heard my name, I stopped.

“Mason, my good friend… sorry, should I call you something more formal?” the familiar voice of Anthony Gibbs, my closest friend when I was attending the academy a few years earlier. “No, Mason is fine, I want to keep it as casual as possible. Anthony, this is my protector, Isaac Otterman, even thou he is half Earthling and half Sahndrolian, this is his first time on Earth. Isaac, this is by best friend when I was attending this academy before, Anthony Gibbs,” I said making the introductions, as a large crowd gathered around us.

“Oh, oh, watch out the school bully has arrived, let us deal with him Mason and Isaac,” another of my friends, Oscar stated, and immediately a circle of students surrounded us, while other stepped towards the approaching bully and his so-called friends.

“Rack off Henderson, you and your pack of hounds are not wanted around here,” I heard Anthony say, “Yeah, Henderson, just go and dig a hole and sit in it,” we heard another boy say, which had the group laughing. “You think you are all funny, well I will get pretty boy one day, you just wait,” the bully responded.

“Henderson! Did I just hear you threatening the Crown Prince?” a man’s voice said out loud, and the protective group that surrounded Isaac and me opened up, and we saw Mr Archerson approaching. “He’s not a prince, he’s just a poor little rich boy… Sir!” Henderson responded.

“Tell me Mr Lenegan, what is the punishment in the UK and Bermuda, for causing harm to a protected person?” the deputy principal asked me, and I saw Isaac smile. “A minimum of 18 months, in the two regions that you mentioned, but much harsher elsewhere in the Empire that I represent,” I responded, as I looked over in the direction of Henderson, who I could see was deciding if he should challenge me so more or make a dash for it.

“What is the Empire’s punishment, if I may ask please sire?” Mr Archerson asked me, “At least three years minimum of hard labour in the mines,” I responded, which was sort of true. “And where are these mines, if I may ask?” Mr Archerson asked me, and by now Isaac had a huge grin on his face.

“I can answer that one, if I may sire,” Isaac started, before turning and walking up close to Henderson, “The mines are on a remote moon, just a bit away from my home of Ganymede, which is a large moon of Jupiter, where if you make one mistake and damage your work suit, you can run out of air within minutes and suffocate, as many have done so before,” Isaac replied, and we saw Henderson swallow loudly and his eyes showed real fear.

“Now Mr Henderson, we don’t want to send you off to a far-off place, where you will not see your family for a very long time, do we?” Mr Archerson said to Henderson, who shook his head no, as he swallowed again, before slowly backing off then sprinting away from us, followed closely by his bully mates.

“I hope that what you just said, is all made up?” Mr Archerson asked, when they disappeared out of sight, “No sir, a lot of what my protector said is true,” I replied, “Well, I think he and his friends got the message loud and clear, don’t you think?” Mr Archerson said before turning and heading back to administration, and Anthony and his friends all cheered.

“So, my good friend, how was it at that posh college in England?” Anthony said to me, as he slung an arm over my shoulder like he used to do when we were younger, “It is ok Isaac, he is my best friend, he won’t harm me,” I said to my protector, who I saw flinch when Anthony moved his arm. “It was alright I guess, but I was only there for one term. I was on my way there for the start of this term, when I was assaulted at Heathrow airport, so I have been recovering from that injury.

Issacs and I have been tutored at home since we came back to Bermuda, after the assault, as my parents had me transported back here using a URP shuttle, which is faster and a lot more comfortable,” I explained. “So, you still live in that house near Tucker’s Point in St George’s Parish?” Anthony asked.

“Yes, we are still there, but now that I am the Crown Prince, which is a fairly recent thing, security at home is a lot stricter,” I replied. “Shame, I would like to hang out and get to know you again, I have missed you buddy,” Anthony said, “That is good to know my friend, as I may be relying on you and my protector here, to keep me safe,” I said, “You can count on it,” Anthony responded.

“Good. Once you have be cleared by security, I will be training you three times a week,” Isaac said to Anthony, who looked a little shocked at this news, “Mate you said you wanted to help, and to do that, you need to be trained, so decide now, if you want to continue, or we just be friends during school times,” I said to Anthony.

“No, I want to help, I just didn’t expect to be trained in… What am I going to be trained in?” Anthony replied, asking the question to Isaac, who smiled, “Wait and see my new friend, you will soon know,” Isaac answered, “Somehow, I feel like I have been tricked into this, but I still agree to go ahead with the training,” Anthony said, looking a little worried.

“Take it easy on him, he hasn’t had the training that we have had on Ganymede, so take it easy on him, ok?” I said to Isaac, who smiled and nodded to me that he understood, and we saw Anthony look from me to Isaac, and back to me, curiously. After three classes, it was finally lunch break, and I was glad to be able to rest from all of the studying, as Anthony, Oscar and Micah, joined Isaac and me to sit under a tree to enjoy our lunch.

“I wonder what food we have packed for us?” Isaac said to me, as he glanced into his lunch box and screwed up his nose, and I just laughed, “I know, you are not used to Earth food yet, at least it is good for you,” I replied, “Hey, you guys are talking to each other silently, by um… what’s it called,” Anthony asked, “Telepathy, and yes we are, sorry, I sometimes find it easier to speak in our native language by telepathy, as I am still learning English,” Isaac replied.

“Yeah telepathy, that is it. Can anyone learn to be telepathic, or is it something that you learn from where you come from out there?” Oscar asked, as he pointed up towards the sky. “It is just us Sahndolian’s who can speak it, usually from the age of ten or eleven, but if you like we can teach you some of our language, which is called Drol,” I replied, “Are you allowed to teach them our language?” a new voice asked, and it took me a few seconds to realise that it was Sam’s voice, and I soon saw him approaching.

“You are right, I better check with mum first,” I responded, and Isaac nodded his head in agreement, “Sorry, my brother, Sam is approaching, and he was listening in to our conversation,” I explained to the group, and moments later, Sam sat down beside me, smiling.