Flight     Lance sat in the simulator, easily following what the instructor had told him to do but  unable to keep himself from yawning in his utter boredom.  As usual the program ended without incident and he crawled out of the tight space to let Keith in.  Passing the instructor he received an acknowledging nod and little else.  Keith, he knew, would get a lot more but then he was a natural teacher's pet not that he strove for that personae... he just was.
    As all of the other students he turned to watch the screen showing his friend's flight, as he had expected it was nothing less then flawless.  Feeling a presence beside him he turned his head ever so slightly to see Sven standing next to him.
    Sven didn't look down at him and that was just fine with Lance, still Sven was seventeen years old... a good two years older then himself... he should have been in his own class.  Shrugging off the thought he turned his attention back on the screen, after all, it wasn't any of his business.
    Keith's turn ended and as he joined the rest of the students he received a 'Well done.' from the teacher who stepped onto the bottom step to the simulator as if he were going to make a speech.  Lance's suspicions proved to be correct as the man cleared his throat and began speaking, "Cadets, I've graded your simulation flights and have come up with the top five.  Those five will go with Cadet Bjornason to the advanced class."
    A wave of murmuring went through everyone around Lance like a brush fire.
    "Excuse me.  If I would have your attention for a moment so I could announce the names..."
    Instant silence followed, to which Lance's heart seemed to thunder so loud in his chest that he was sure anyone could hear.  Very careful to keep his outward appearance as stoic and calm as possible he impatiently waited for the names.
    "Keith Akira, Jeff Anderson, Tony DeLaney, Dillon O'conner and..."
    It took Lance's entire will to keep him from running up to where their instructor squinted at the last name on the pad.  It had to be him, had to be....
    "...Akane Saotome."
    The flicker of hope went out but though inside he'd wilted from the unfairness, outside he smiled as Keith came up to him.  A look of puzzlement marring his features, but before Keith could talk Lance grabbed his arm and pumped it with an enthusiasm he didn't feel.  "Congratulations, Keith.  I knew you could do it.  Look, I'd like to stay around but I've got to plan a party, I mean it's not every day you get to move up to an advanced class.  Ciao!"  With that he turned on his heel and sped away at a quick walk, struggling to hold himself together.
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    Keith stared after Lance a moment before speaking to Sven.  "I don't get it Sven.  I've heard our instructor talking to you about Lance's potential.  Everyone here has seen...."
    A large hand landed on his shoulder and Keith looked into his friend's face.  "Aye.  But zee insturcter doet knowt vhat ee be doing.  Ift Lance is tah be zee bet he needs tah find eez inner fire."
    "I know you're probably right but I don't know how much more Lance can take before he looses it."
    Sven nodded, "Perhaps, zat eez why the instructor did vhat ee did.  Vhatever eez reason, et is not for us to question."
    Reluctantly Keith nodded.
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    One after another Lance ploughed his fists into the sand bag.  He'd already made the calls necessary for the party.  In the six weeks he'd been at the academy he'd managed to set up a network of connections that would have probably made Keith's jaw drop.  The image made his mouth twitch.
    Weather Keith liked it or not he was going to get one heck of a party and just maybe it might make him forget about not being chosen.