"We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction, that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon."
The Teachers’ Lounge
A white table united several individuals, whose entire attention and focus as directed at a holographic projection that would flash between several faces, identifications, and action sequences. The instructors made some small talk, many broken off into discussions about a particular student or power that looked promising or not up to par with the standards set at Horizon. Seated at the head of the long table was Dean Hammer, head of the school staff and administration, as well as the final say in admissions. Rather than boredom stretched onto his face as was the case in recent years, he seemed excited and relatively upbeat.
“It seems that,” He began speaking in a deep yet rhythmic voice, the rest of the teachers ceasing their discussions and focusing onto Hammer, “It seems that this year is full of admissions of the highest caliber. I couldn’t help but notice the steady increase in overall ability and power in the student body over the course of a few short years.” He began clicking a pen and relaxing a bit, “We can be certain that this freshman class will be the strongest and most diverse we’ve had.”
“That may lead to trouble.” A gruff, extremely large and muscle-bound gentleman pointed out, his attire fitting for a physical education coach, “Outliers attract attention and that brings more villains to the school. Every year or every other year we get a cast of hooligans who almost invite Baddy McEvil into our school grounds, or so it seems.” The goliath said with a huff.
“Coach Gregor, you have a point, but it’s almost a ritual nowadays. The school is under-attack used to mean something twenty years ago but now, it’s a rite of passage for every graduating class.” A well-endowed amazonian-like woman replied, folding her arms across her chest and giving Coach Gregor a smirk. “Besides, they’re attacking a facility that houses some of the strongest beings in the galaxy, either student or staff at this point.” Gregor shook his head and glanced off to the side in annoyance, but also begrudging acceptance.
“Well,” Hammer continued from Coach Gregor and Amanda Noel’s interruption, “As Ms. Noel stated, it’s almost a rite of passage. We are so well-secured and well-prepared that we shouldn’t worry about intrusions. It serves to bring the students directly into the world after graduation as well, so, I think they’ll be fine.” Hammer moved onto the hologram situated in front of the staff, stopping on some photos. “As this is the second day of our deliberation, I think we’ve weeded out those who wouldn’t fit into Horizon based on the exam and those that will be a fine addition, as well some others that we as a group decided to take a chance on. Is there any further opposition to certain candidates that any of you would like to bring forward before we issue our acceptance protocols?”
The room was silent and seemed to be in agreement with those chosen, a decent number of potential applicants managed to make the cut but a significant number did not, more so than usual due to the impressive nature of the incoming freshman class. “Then we’re all in agreement, we will welcome the freshman class of Horizon Academy momentarily.”
The Auditorium
It would take a day or two at the most for students to receive word back on the status of their application to Horizon Academy, and this was the same case for much of the current applicants. They had passed their exam, each one designed to test the true skill of the potential student in a variety of situations, no two exams were alike beyond the ability to take down a robot of some sort for this year. Those who passed would be escorted directly back to the school with their belongings, while those who were rejected simply got a letter, and as they arrived, would be situated in a typical dorm room environment where most of their amenities would be provided for them. As the new freshman class settled into their new homes, an announcement was called to bring them all to the academy’s auditorium, whose only purpose seemed to be for these type of class-wide speeches.
The freshmen settled into their seats, if they could, as others were accommodated accordingly due to their radical difference in physiology, as a tall, razor thin man stepped onto the high-tech stage in front of them. “Greetings.” He said to the quiet room, his voice echoing naturally, “I am Doctor Thaddeus Hammer, Dean of Horizon Academy. I expect some of you know me, but others, not so much. That will not matter either way, as you all will be concerned with your teachers instead of myself. Let’s move into the meat of our announcement here, as some of you are aware of Horizon Academy’s tailor-made education course while others have no idea of what goes on in these many, many walls.” Hammer seemed to be an excellent public speaker, but tended to move quickly onto subjects directly instead of doing typical first-day, enthusiastic speeches.
“The world outside of Horizon is full of good and evil alike, but most of it falls into a gray area where you need to use your best judgement in a given situation, whether to respond with force or to simply talk to someone. Countless robberies can be stopped by just talking to the perp rather than blasting him dead on the spot, so, what we do here is in-depth simulations and scenarios to prepare you for action across the galaxy.” Hammer explained, a projection popping up behind him to aid in his visuals. “You will constantly have your powers and mind on a grindstone, each test ruthlessly assessing your decision making skills and power projection in a given situation where we can control the variables, and even in situations where we have no control. There is no better teacher than experience, after all. You will come to realize that Horizon Academy has no real classes to speak of, because we are not here to make mathematicians, historians, actors, doctors, anyone like that, we are here to fulfill one purpose and that is to make heroes and heroines.”
“You all are gifted beyond any one person’s wildest dreams, and some of you will come and go through Horizon easily, but everyone will fail at one point in our peerless and thorough examination process. We will shape you into the heroes that the many worlds of humanity and her allied races need, paragons of virtue who know when and where to take a stand for what they believe in. I have and always will have faith in my students, as time goes on, the teachings found here have shaped millions of lives for the better and will continue to do so, either through a superhuman agency, the government, or on your own. Now, feel motivated to be the best that you can possibly be, and be ready to start with your assigned teacher first thing tomorrow morning.” With that speech, Hammer gave a quick bow and exited the stage to some light applause, dismissing the students to their dormitories for the evening.
