Station Force Nova

  All the regur pilots were summoned by the Captain Hans to hear the announcement about the upcoming activities.

  – I am going to invite five rival teams from Sitara Station to compete with you for a spot in the next Gactic Pilots Championship. They are the best pilots from their station. If we prove ourselves, we might earn a spot to compete this year against the top 10 stations in the Milky Way. If not, we're out. Convincing the station commander Kay H to give us this opportunity was difficult. I had to emphasize your exceptional skills and how beneficial this exercise would be for their cadets ahead of the Championship.

  – In other words, they don't believe we'll win, – Benn said, arms crossed.

  – That's right, cadet, Captain replied. – That's why I expect you to obliterate them. But don't get overconfident. When I say you're good pilots, I mean it. You've been impressive, and I know what you're capable of. Let's tear them to shreds and earn the respect of the Sitara Station commander. Let's make them fear us."

  – First group: Renn and Benn will face the 'Blue 214 team'. By the way, I registered you as Team 'Rennben.'

  – What the fu... I'm sorry, sir, but why did you register us with that name? Ben asked indignantly.

  – Sir, we can come up with a better name. Our cssmates invented that one to tease us," Renn added, hoping for a change.

  – It stays. You didn't send a consensus name, so I sent that one. Maybe next time you'll answer my messages promptly, – the captain said firmly.

  The other cadets snickered, angering Renn and Benn.

  – Second group! – the captain continued. – Rina and Kiya 'Horus team' facing 'Red 3215 Team'. And finally Third group, the Rosemberg twins, 'Gemini Team,' will face the 'Bnco 236 Team'. Understood?

  – Yes, sir! – all the cadets shouted in unison.

  The cadets had two months to prepare. Alongside their daily training, they researched their opponents, with Kiya leading this effort. They discovered that these groups, known as "The Champions," had earned their name by winning numerous competitions. They had an excellent reputation, and their flight strategies were both highly accimed and impressive.

  – I don't care, I will crush them! Ben said confidently.

  – You two will do well. You've never lost against the simutors," Rina said to Team "Rennben."

  – That's thanks to me, but you can give him a little credit," Ben bragged.

  – You think I like being your comrade? I hate it. Renn said furiously. – I tolerate it for the captain, but I don't have to put up with you overestimating myself. You're not half as good as my comrade on Earth was. You brag about your abilities, belittling the potential of others. You suck, Ben!

  – We can't stand each other. We can settle this anytime, anywhere. I don't like you either, so screw you. I don't need someone who cries over a comrade left on Earth.

  Renn threw the first punch, hitting Ben with his right fist. Enraged, Ben kicked Renn in the stomach. The others tried to separate them, but the two wouldn't listen to reason. After exchanging a few more blows, the captain arrived with some soldiers and forcibly separated them. They were both kneeled and thrown in front of the captain, who was visibly furious.

  – You have two options: spend the next two months in jail for insubordination, or reach an agreement and participate together in the next competition even if you hate each other.

  In a way, Renn was considering opting for jail to avoid dealing with Ben during practice, but two months without piloting seemed unbearable.

  – I accept, Captain. I don't want to spend two months in jail," Ben said resignedly.

  Renn did not say anything, he remained silent.

  – Renn and you? the captain asked.

  – I'm still not sure," Renn said, lowering his head.

  – Well, if you're not sure, you'll go to prison to think it over. Take him away!" the captain ordered.

  Rina, the twins and Kiya were surprised by the choice.

  – "Ben! This is your fault. Apologize to Renn. You started it," Rina said, annoyed.

  – I'm not doing that," Ben retorted. "The captain gave him options, and he didn't take advantage of them. I'll see you ter. I need to tend to the wound that idiot gave me.

  – "They're both too proud. I don't think either of them will take the initiative," Dan Rosenberg said with a sigh. His brother nodded in agreement. "Maybe we have to accept that there will only be two groups competing."

  – "They're both idiots," Kiya said sadly. "They're good people, but they don't realize it. Their connection could take them far."

  – "What a waste!" Rina shouted.

  ***

  A week passed, and Renn was still in prison. In a way, he felt a sense of calm not having to listen to Ben's boasts. Meanwhile, Ben was determined to find a new comrade. He persuaded the captain to let him conduct a selection test. Seeing that Renn remained steadfast in his decision to stay in prison, the captain had no choice but to try new candidates.

  The captain began the tests while the regur cadets watched.

  – "100 Draquens the first pilot faints," Eitán Rosenberg wagered.

  – "100 Draquens he doesn't faint but can't coordinate with Ben," Dan Rosenberg countered.

  Ben started with the first candidate. Despite a promising start, the pilot couldn't follow Ben's directions and grew frustrated by the ck of coordination.

  – "You won, Take your 100 Draquens, brother," Eitán said as his brother ughed.

  Ben didn't give up and called in the second candidate, known for his speed and excellent coordination. They started the race perfectly, but when facing enemies in the simutor, the candidate failed to protect Ben, resulting in a loss.

  Rina made a giant banner that read, "Let Rennben Come Back." The others ughed, but Ben gred at her.

  The third candidate had a high score in flight strategies, but the captain had to cancel the test because the candidate's heart rate spiked dangerously.

  In the final test, Ben lost concentration and performed terribly. He was trying too hard and forgot about his comrade. Frustrated, he smmed the ship's controls as droplets of blood floated in his helmet. The captain sent him to the infirmary and told him he was out of the competition.

  – Ben, we're more than half a year away, and you've already lost your comrades. You'll have to try again next year. I can't have you in the competition if you don't have a comrade.

  – You can't do this to me! If I'm not among the starters, I'll be a full year behind. I'll keep looking for a new comrade.

  – No, Ben. We're done here. Don't show up for practice tomorrow. Dismissed. Captain said firmly.

  Furious, Ben went to the infirmary for his nosebleed. His girlfriend, Dr. Eli Goldstein, was there treating him. She listened as he expined what happened.

  Eli looked at him kindly and said, – Sometimes, good comrades aren't those with whom you never fight. Sometimes brothers fight. You and Renn have a lot in common. You're both proud, always want to win, but protect your teammates... and you both have pretty eyes.

  – What!? So you like Renn's eyes?

  – I think he has pretty eyes.

  – Just what I needed. Now I have to compete for your love. Ben said with a lot of jealousy.

  – That would be impossible, – Eli said, clinging to Ben's arms and giving him a sweet kiss.

  ***

  The next morning, Ben looked into the prison and saw Renn lying on the bed.

  – "Seriously, aren't you bored being here?"

  – "It's better than listening to you," Renn replied from his bed.

  – "If I don't have a partner, they'll take me out of the competition. And you, for being in this disgusting prison. It's in both our interests to call a truce and be comrades for at least this year," Ben said firmly.

  – "Wait a minute, are you apologizing?"

  – "I never said that," Ben said, gring.

  – "Well, I've felt comfortable in this prison. It's peaceful without you," Renn said with a Machiavellian smile, goading Ben to apologize.

  – "I admit I can be annoying, but you must recognize that you also have prejudices, ...and you don't have pretty eyes," Ben said, trying to apologize while still sounding defensive.

  Renn didn't understand why he said that st thing about his eyes, but he had to take the next step. – Yes, that's true, I also have prejudices, Renn said, looking into his eyes.

  "Okay, truce?" Ben said

  "Truce."

  They shook hands, quickly pulling away at the same time. Still, they were Team Rennben, ready to work together to defeat their opponents from Stelr Station.