8759 11-6 behind but will make it up. flat tires, shopping and computer return (me not book)

Devlin looked at his trunk and frowned a bit. I should finish packing now, and then I won't have to come back for it. On the other hand I just bet that there is going to be a lot of waiting before I can even check in. Why lug that around when I can leave it here until I am done?  the back pack, though I will take, it will look better if I have something and there is likely to be a lot of waiting, so might as well have something to read with me. Grabbing his bag he left the tent and nodded his neighbors and started into town. By now it was easy to find the stall selling coffee.

The lady smiled at him and was getting a cup before he ordered. “Have a good day, the lines are already forming, so you had best hurry on. It is going to be madness over there, always is the first two days.”

Devlin smiled back and paid her. “Thank you Ma’am. I feared as much, it is the same back home. However there was no way I could think of facing it without a good cup.” She laughed, making him smile a bit wider as he set off to the campus, it wasn’t far from the stall, meaning he would likely be spending a good bit of coin there, but the goods were worth more than she charged. He wasn’t surprised to see the lines and even less to recognize a few faces from the campground. Looking at the signs he found the one he needed and got in it. The line was slow but it was moving, so better than the one he had been in last year.

He had moved up three places when his cell rang, getting a few odd looks. The phones weren’t seen much here, for all there were stores that sold them. He wondered if there truly was an aversion to the tech or just more telepaths here. He shrugged and took the phone from his pocket. “Hi, so how is it going? I am in the first line, but it will be at least ten minutes until I can see the front. Also I think that it is considered strange to carry a cell here given the looks I am getting, but it could just be they are wondering why I wasn’t playing a game on it.”

His Father laughed. “I can just see you trying to play a game. You would throw the thing further then your sister did when she tried to talk on it. She always did fight things of tec, could be a lot there are strong in magic and so have such problems as well. We are on track so should be there around noon tomorrow. The girls want to see those school fliers, just sure that will be far better. They didn’t like the idea of taking the classes, but didn’t want to home school so are glad there might be an answer.”

Well at least he was talking about Gale, even if he was avoiding her name. I still wonder what to do. I am just sure that girl is her, but then again. I might just want it to be, so seeing more resemblance than is really there. Devlin said. “I have picked up more copies so they won’t have to fight over it. I am glad that they want to try. From the paper it sounds like it will work just fine, so I hope it will hold true when you talk to them. I am glad things are going right. I want to see you guys. I will be there around one to help you unload, and then we can get the rest of my things over here.”

Hi Father said. “It will be good to see, but don’t rush. We can get things moved in. You are going to be busy there. I am sure that there will be a lot going on this week.”

Devlin shook his head. “I am not that busy, most of the first two days is given over to registration. I said one as there is nothing planed for the afternoon.  I take it that as long as the lines are today they expect most to get in tomorrow. So likely there is going to be a good deal of traffic to deal with as your house is close to the campus. I’m next, so will talk to you latter. Be safe and see you all soon. I think you will like it here.”

His Father said. “Don’t worry, it can’t be any worse than we found it in Ocean, we will be fine. I expect traffic to pick up as we get closer. See you tomorrow.” Devlin put his phone away and moved up to fill out the forms and get his student id.

All went as it should, just time consuming and a lot of paperwork. Then he reached the front of the line in the housing office. He gave the man his name and waited for the paper to sign. The man looked up and said. “Your apartment assignment has been changed. You will now be in Flouton, we had failed to see that you wanted training for a service ration. Even though you are noncom, that is what we call the back line support here, the fact that you are planning on a rotation means you will be expected to train for service.  All who are train are placed with a unit and housed in the military area. You are not in any way expected to do your service here, but it will stop some questions if you are over there.  Let me see where is?” He looked around then said. “Ah there you are Nacy, this is Devlin, he is yours, room 432. You want to get him checked in?”

A lady with purple hair walked over, smiling. “Sure thing, but you didn’t need to scare him. Don’t worry Devlin, I am just the advisor for your floor, not that means much with grad students. All it amounts to is showing you to your room and meaning any conflicts that get out of hand. Not that there are many of those. Come on and I will walk you over, the place isn’t on the maps. They keep saying that they need to update them but never do.” She started walking, giving him no chance to say anything. However he was to confused to anyway. Just what was going on here? So he was being put into a unit somehow? I think you will like it, for all it is more likely to be woken when one of the units gets called up. Those in Flouton are all attached to active units. Now med personal never go into the field until they have been cleared and that means at least second year of study.”

Devlin shook his head a bit, still trying to make some sense out of this change.  “I am a bit confused by this change. I didn’t know that saying I needed the battle magic certs would end up getting me assigned to a unit. I do hope that I am not causing any problems, or displacing someone.”

She smiled. “I should have known he botched it. I thought it was just his saying you were mine that had you worried. No lad, you are not causing any problems for anyone. There are always open spots for support people unless there is a war or a large threat of one. If there wasn’t room then they wouldn’t have moved you over. Everyone knows that you are just visiting here, so no fear there. They just want to see that you have the skills you need. For all you don’t plan to be on the lines you need to be ready should it happen, war is an unpredictable beast. Any post in the service should be treated as gantry that you will see combat, no matter how unlikely that is. I know that this isn’t what you were expecting, but taking battle magic would have you expected to do fitness training and it just works better if you are attached to a Unit for it. It also means you will be a bit ahead by knowing a bit of the discipline expected. Now then we want to go right here. We are going to that pink thing. Don’t worry it is a lot better on the inside. I was horrified when I was first shown it.”

Deviln said. “I wondered just what that building was but never was brave enough to ask. It is very bright, and creepy. I can just hear my brothers. They are going to be delighted. I was planning on seeing if it would be possible to get in on the physical training, knowing it is needed. I have no talent for weapons though, and no desire to weld them. The battle magic is going to be hard enough on me. I do not care for fighting, but fully know why I need the classes. Medics are sent out with the raids and so I know I will see fighting. I would be doing something like this at home, just didn’t expect it here.”

She said. “So you have been shown around some? That will help. Don’t look so. New faces are never left to wonder on their own long here. Trying to follow the maps could lead you into serious trouble. No magic to it. As to the training, everyone taking any combat class is put in it, no matter the country of origin. We don’t consider endurance and readiness skills worth hiding. I can see why you would expect to be restricted, but very little here is for anyone, as long as the right safety measures are taken. It is far easier on everyone that way. Not that it stops all attempts to break in for some hidden knowledge, but it has greatly reduced injuries.”