report to simulator, or, any other training you
will present your coms at station, and be logged in. For the rest of
your life, or as long as you have to do with the Service, this com will
be with you. It will record every action you take while on duty. It is
your official log and you cannot take command without it. If you have a
personal computer, I would suggest you transfer all information you
have on it, to your battle com, and the reverse. It is good practice to
do this daily. It's always good to have a spare.
64 These things are damned hard to damage, but it can happen. They're
even harder to lose! Watch! " The Commandant took off his own com, put
it on the podium, and started to walk off across the stage. When he
reached about twenty feet away, the com started to emit a horrible
screech! As the Commandant walked back, the screech died down to a
beep, and stopped when he picked the com back up. "When you're handed
these, and you press the activation button, it registers your body
frequency, and automatically shrieks when you get twenty feet away from
it. If you ever lose this, you'll have a lot of explaining to do. Now,
gentlemen, ATTENTION!"
65 The Cadets came to their feet. "Stand at ease. Raise your right
hand. 'I, (state your names), upon entering the service of my Lord God,
do hereby swear to obey all of His commands, both written and oral,
given to me through those officers that He, in His Great Wisdom, has
seen fit to appoint over me. I will obey unto death, the regulations of
The Fleet I am now entering. Failure to do so, will mean the loss of my
life, and, my immortal Soul. This I do swear.'
66 Now, gentlemen, you will form ranks on either side behind your Cadet
Officers, and receive your coms. You will then be officially in
Academy. ATTENTION!" the Commandant cried. Marching briskly, the Cadets
came up on stage. Morn and North approached the podium from opposite
sides and saluted the Commandant. The Commandant picked up