Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two

Battle Plans, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two Update

Erik was up late on Sunday night. Having just won the prestigious Song of the Year award, sleep evaded him for some time. As soon as the sun was up, he sprang out of bed, despite how fatigued he felt. Bothered, still, at how harshly Kayleigh’s father had spoken to him, the sense of loss plagued him. Brianna was busy rousing her siblings. They had a deadline to meet if they were each to get a place in their respective classes. She brewed up some Dragon Tea and called them all to the dining room.

Despite it all, Erik wasn’t the last one downstairs. Instead, it was Joey. “Thank you for joining us, Joe. Let’s get to it, gentlemen,” Brianna said. 

 Friday they were to set out for Britechester-U to take up residency in Wyvern Hall. “I say, we do three classes,” Joey said. “We’ll be done in four years and hopefully will be ready to tackle real life, by then.”
“Speak for yourself, Joe, Erik already has a handle on his life path,” Aaron said.

“Well, I used to until a certain rabid captain put the kybosh on things,” Erik groused.

“I’m telling you,” Aaron said, “Put that girl out of your mind, once and for all. She’s no good. She hurt you years ago, and she’s still hurting you. Learn to recognize when it’s a bad fit.”
“Are you done?” Erik shook his head, “this from you, who has shown little to no interest in dating, dare to give me advice on it?”

“Come on, guys stop,” Joey said. “We need to sort out our classes, not your miserable love lives.”

“I have to do four classes,” Brianna said. “I have to go back to Vulcan on my seventeenth birthday, don’t forget. To sit the Test of my life.”
“The K’Matra,” Erik supplied, gazing at his sister with concern. “What is it, exactly, that is if you’re allowed to say to those of us who are mere humans. Non-citizens, as it were.” He winked.

“Hey, I was born in Vulcan, too, I’m a citizen,” Joey said. “You can tell me, at least.”

Brianna grinned, gazing at her older brothers. “We are all aware that Vulcans have mind powers. Each year the new class of students, having gone through their training in the Way, sit a test. It’s individual, not done as a class.  In the time of the Beginning, many of the Ruling Houses found their mates based on the results of an individual’s test score.”
“What?” Aaron said. “Sounds complicated, let alone Mediaeval.”    

“No, not really,” Brianna said. “I will be put through a series of tests to see if I can truly perform a mindmeld. Did you know, not every Vulcan can do that? Then the bigger part of this test is that I will project my thoughts out into the ether."

"Project, as in leave your body?" Joey said. "Into the ether?

"Yes," Brianna said, calmly, "In reality it’s called a Corridor where Vulcans who have passed this test will be there to guard the Candidate from untoward influences. Bad spirits. Bad actors. They will witness just how far the Candidate’s thoughts reach. The farther out, the higher the score, you see.”

“There is a need to assess my abilities,” she furthered.”I have to show them just how far I can project my thoughts, and how well I can stave off the bad influences.”    

“If this subjects you to danger, why do it?” Joey said. “Anyone want more tea?” he said. He walked through the arch into the kitchen to start brewing another pot. He returned to the conversation, very shortly, while he waited. Brianna smiled and went on,

“In Ancient times,” Erik said, “or so I’ve read, Vulcans used their mind powers as weapons of destruction. They could actually think another person to death.”

“Exactly,” Brianna said. “And since not all Vulcans accept the Way which calls them to suppress their emotions, new problems are plaguing the Great Society. Sadly, this group is growing, I’m afraid, gaining traction among the youth; led by Sybok of the House of Talek Sen Dene, no less. That’s T’Pau’s family, in case you were wondering. There is a real threat the planet could be thrown back into civil war. They very nearly destroyed themselves, don’t forget. The fear being, an unscrupulous Vulcan could attempt to force their way into my mind and use my powers as a weapon of war.”

“Over my dead body,” Erik said.

“Relax, it’s already been decided by the High Council that I need a Keeper. I have this strong sense, and my dreams have verified, I will meet my prince during this time. Don’t worry, I’m not at all afraid. But you see, my dance card is rather full. I have to finish my degree in just three years. I have submitted an application to join the Starfleet Academy for officer training, to commence just after my test is complete.”

“Ah, going the way of our maternal grandfather,” Erik smiled. “You’ll make a terrific officer, of this I’m certain. Do what you must, just know we’ll miss you.”

“Yes, we guys will do three classes, so that Erik might have a moment to catch his breath between classes, concerts and photoshoots. I don’t know how you do it,” Arron said. “The very thought exhausts me. I’d rather run drills up and down a soccer field.”

“Okay, then it’s decided,” Joey said. “Thank you, Bree for taking the reins on this.”
“No problem, sometimes you guys just need a nudge.”

All for now, thanks for reading!