Chapter 1 - 05: Rookies

At the Training VR (virtual reality) room, Kanya and Cassandra are warming up before the rookies come in. "This damn ship is so old, this is still called the VR room," Cassandra complained over the simulated communications line.

"At least the interior is of the ships of the current era," Kanya joked.

They had been chasing each other around an asteroid field when the two new rookies came in.

"So where's the instructor we're supposed to defeat today?" were the first words out of the confident duo.

"Get strapped in calibrate the devices to your liking. We'll begin as soon as you're ready." Cassandra's voice came out of a speaker nearby.

"No face to look at today? Did all the others warn you of imminent humiliation or something?"

"I'm busy training someone else now. Just get it and cut the crap."

Within the virtual asteroid field, Kanya was still hot on the tail of Cassandra's fighter. The other two had spawned within the field also. The radar display on the interior registered two new blips.

Cassandra immediately ordered: "It'll be the two of us against the two of you. Be prepared. All the ships have unlimited small projectiles - and no missiles, to closely simulate the standard loadout during most of the stuff you'll be doing on this ship."

"Affirmative," the duo replied in a more serious manner.

It didn't take long before the fighting began. Needless to say, the two rookies confidence was quickly shattered as their ships were decimated in one run by pure projectile fire. Apparently, their earlier instructors were pretty incompetent. Supposedly the reason why they ended up assigned to this ship anyway.

The rookies were another matter. It's supposed to be standard procedure to be just put on a random ship for to train them in protocol before being placed into their actual assignments. It just so happened that these were the top of their class. Unfortunately for them, Kanya and Cassandra were supposed to be the top in their field as well.

The horror show of their wings ripping apart, cockpits shattering, ships blowing up continued for about an hour before Cassandra called it quits. The rookies had improved considerably since the first run.

Then, they headed for the nearby pantry for a drink. Cassandra had obviously pulled the same thing she did with Kanya the previous day. Apparently, she was the 'cafeteria lady' as well.

It didn't take long before bonding (otherwise known as pointless conversation) occured. Cassandra was the leader for the entire fighter operations of the ship. That means she has a lot of tales (tall or short) to tell. Of course, nothing could possibly happen now. Travelling deep in Terran territory usually meant no trouble for a while. The Dekaten System happened to be among the central trading posts for the Terrans.

However, being a medical vessel, MV2904 is generally a prime target for sanctioned Arltian worlds or pirates for supplies. It was raided several times, but never again after Cassandra came onboard. The TRi, however, had little concern over these raids, since there rarely are any casualties from the raids. Of course, there usually aren't any important people on the ship either.

The first time in a decade that someone important would step onboard would be when Erse Arete walks aboard the ship. Kanya was, of course, oblivious to the significance of this event to the crew of the MV2904. The only Gifted in the entire TRi organisational structure coming aboard a relatively unknown ship.

The supply stop was coming soon. Kanya was pondering about the stuff he might find on the supply stop (induced from a conversation about the supply stop at a trading post) when Cassandra snapped him out of it. "Go follow those rookies to class. You're not exempt from emergency and military protocol. Follow them all day. I wasn't kidding about you having a long day yesterday. Today is a chock full of lectures since tomorrow is the supply stop. It's unlikely anyone will want to stay on the ship anyway since the trading post is a big one. We'll be stopping for a few days anyway - so all the classes got pushed to today."

Kanya showed an expression of the unpleasant day ahead of him, but of course, looked forward to the next few days, which would be filled with something less arduous than protocol lectures.

Chapter 1 - 04: It's Tuesday

Kanya awakens from his slumber to an odd sound. Before long, he realises its just his personal data device. He picks it up and presses a button. A projection appears out of the device. The huge words slowly come into focus of sleepy-eyed Kanya: "Wake up call! - Harrison "

He then looked at the time display on his device: 7:02am. Oddly late for military training. Thinking about it, he had spent most of the night researching data on the Gifted, Erse as well as filling in any holes in his memory with the file Harrison gave him.

He immediately went to the bathroom to prepare for the day. How else would you prepare for the day?

When he returned, his device had received another message. Now it said: "Meet me for breakfast as soon as possible at the Cafeteria. -Harrison"

Kanya was puzzled. Where was this cafeteria? He tried searching through his memory for this place. Of course, that being said, he obviously lacked some form of common sense. Everyone knew how to find the cafeteria. PDDs generally download the basic navigational data whenever it entered a ship.

It wasn't long before he found someone who pointed out that rather obvious fact. He then rushed all the way to the cafeteria, which happened to be another section of the ship. He then came in, seeing Harrison at one of the tables. The nurse from yesterday was with him. She wasn't in uniform.

"Oh yeah, you haven't been formally introduced. This is Cassandra Atlam. She's your training instructor."

Kanya looked in disbelief.

Harrison picked up on it immediately as Cassandra began giggling. After recovering, she explained that she decided to see her new recruit the day before, disguising herself.

"I'm going to take it you told him about Erse visiting already?"

"Of course I did. He should've spent all night puzzled about what I was saying."

Kanya felt obliged to respond, but couldn't find any words. He just continued eating his food, not very surprised by the situation. Cassandra was a little irritated by his silence. "Say something, Kanya! You're not supposed to keep eating and ignoring the conversation!"

"What can you expect me to say? I'm not exactly surprised. You didn't act like much of a nurse yesterday anyway. Didn't think you were a pilot though."

"Hmmph," she pouted and began cleaning up her tray, preparing to leave. "Simulation training is in an hour at the Training VR Room. You'll be meeting a few fellow pilots like yourself. The only exception is that you're just practising to get up to speed. They're fresh from the Academy. I fully intend that the both of us beat some sense into them, so they won't slack off."

Kanya was a little surprised by the revelation. "OK. Nothing like ragging rookies, huh?"

"Don't be late. 9:30am sharp at the room. No late antics like the cafeteria stunt this morning."

She then left the cafeteria.

Harrison then said, "Being the best pilot on the ship means she has a lot to live up to. She a little sore that the best assignment she could get was on this ship. Apparently someone higher up doesn't like her or something."

"If she's so good, wouldn't some admiral already be scrambling for her?"

"Apparently someone put a black mark on her file or something. She didn't know why, and she couldn't find out why. She's been trying to get the mark off the file for years. Apparently, the someone who's doing is some really powerful authority. Probably someone in the ranks of the Gifted, I'd say."

"Why?"

"I'd speculate they intend to put her into some high profile project later. She still thinks she must have pissed off some general somewhere."

"But speculations are speculations."

"This ship has seen plenty of fighting though. We tend to attract pirates and the sort pretty often - plenty of which Cassandra was probably the only person that could hold them off."

"Hopefully, we'll now have two." Kanya grinned cheekily.

"Dream on. She's way beyond your level. You'll see soon enough."

Dissension: Card-by-Card Part 1

I know, this is long overdue. Here's my opinion of Dissension cards. Whatever I don't list here, I thought was awful and isn't worth my time. (Lands and signets need no comment. Get them.) Æthermage’s Touch - Good card, especially if you pull some kind of forecast stuff (like Pride of the Clouds).

Anthem of Rakdos - It's an anthem. When you get to Hellbent (which you should be Hellbent on getting, it is king. :D

Aquastrand Spider - I don't know about you, but +1/+1 counters are my friends when it comes to blocking flying. :D

Assault Zeppelid - Flying + trample (plus +1/+1 counters) = bloodfest.

Aurora Eidolon - Worth an attempt to use, but likelihood is that it costs too much mana and can't be used aggressively.

Avatar of Discord - I don't know about you, but I would get 4 of these scary things. :D

Azorius Æthermage - Combos with some other card with Æthermage in the name.

Azorius First-Wing - No Faith Fetters to stop this thing, not easily stealable, holds a Jitte/Warhammer. In addition, value for mana!

Azorius Guildmage - Among the more annoying Guildmages printed. I would get it because it's blue.

Azorius Herald - Good for life, good for attacking someone's else life. 'Nuff said.

Azorius Ploy - To me, it costs too much, and isn't even worth a common slot. (which is why it's uncommon)

Beacon Hawk - I think it's marginally usable. Maybe.

Biomantic Mastery - Cool, expensive, not very useful.

Blessing of the Nephilim - Good. (what? do I need to say some more?)

Bond of Agony - You see, this is one card that I think is even worse than One with Nothing.

Bound // Determined - Good, versatile, plausibly worth something.

Brace for Impact - Expensive, good surprise tactic, but otherwise I'd prefer Hold the Line.

Brain Pry - Card advantage all around the place. :D

Bronze Bombshell - I don't think Donate is still around... *grins evilly at the 4 copies of Donate in the file*

Cackling Flames - I'm Hellbent on burning you for t3h ch34p. :D

Celestial Ancient - I like enchantments, but this is a little far-fetched. We'll see how it is next block before I pass true judgment.

Coiling Oracle - Card advantage of any kind is welcome. :D

Condemn - I like the card. I just prefer Devouring Light.

Court Hussar - creature has a weak body, strong effect. I dunno whether I'll play it for either.

Crime // Punishment - I don't think much of this card, to be honest. I think it isn't all that versatile and all that useful.

Crypt Champion - I look at the card, I look at my opponent's graveyard. I see a Boros Swiftblade. I decide that the card is probably worthless.

Cytoplast Manipulator - heheheheheehe.

Cytoplast Root-Kin - HEHEHEHEEHEHEHEEHEHEH.

Cytoshape - *evil laugh*

Cytospawn Shambler - I've always liked trample. Now I get to spread the fun. (pun intended)

Delirium Skeins - I don't like losing cards.

Demon’s Jester - To me, it's pretty inferior for something I have to have an empty hand to have.

Demonfire - Good burn. :P

Dovescape - I like the card. It seems like a fun card to abuse, but I'm not entirely sure I would like to go against someone who is playing expensive spells with it.

Dread Slag - Difficult to use, probably worth the effort.

Drekavac - Very good Watchwolf.

Elemental Resonance - I would abuse this card. I don't know whether anyone else would.

Enemy of the Guildpact - Heh.

Enigma Eidolon - See below. Entropic Eidolon - I think these are the two best eidolons. They have a fun ability that is quite agressive, and I wouldn't mind losing them.

Evolution Vat - I feel my Phantom Nishoba becoming a tad more difficult to kill than it should be....

Experiment Kraj - Stealing abilities? I like.

I'll stop here today. Too many cards too comment on. :P

Guildmage Set Complete!

What have I been up to? I've been dabbling in my assignments, homework and study. I just somehow haven't been up to the posting anything. Even my card-by-card analysis of Dissension hasn't been done yet. It probably won't be done for a long long time. (that is when it's probably useless to post it)

All I can tell you is that I'm just don't feel like blogging much. Expect a few photos here and there, but don't expect the regularity of the few weeks of regularity. It's just natural for it to happen once in a while. ;)

Blog Weather

cfgt.net/blog has been experiencing a post drought throughout the past few days. The reason? I just didn't feel like blogging. I just got my next assignment, so expect the drought to continue although the assignment is not quite that complex or time consuming. I'm just currently not in the mood to blog or even put up fillers. Be prepared for weeks or even months of non-updating again. It happens when I just think I need a break. Don't worry. If you've ever read my blog regularly, you know it tends to come to life a few months later at worst.