Roger led him up to the observation deck. On the back wall was a map. Roger pointed proudly to the island in the middle of the lake.
"Morndorf Island," he announced, "holding The Academy. She's three miles long and a mile wide, at her broadest point. She's named after the Indian tribe that used to live in this area. It was wiped out by a fanatical priest and his followers in the early 1800s because they wouldn't convert to Catholicism. The main Academy is right about in the middle of the island. Morndorf mental hospital is right next door. It's off limits, by the way, patients and cadets don't mix, unless you happen to like advanced medical courses. Then you might work as staff after graduation.
We're almost entirely self sufficient! To the south of the village, Lakeview, we have a big produce farm. We grow all our own vegetables and squashwhe for flour.
Right next door is the buffalo ranch, next to that is the experimental station that produces all our fuels from wood .
On the island, itself, we have chickens and rabbits. You'll eat a lot of chickens and rabbits, but they're really good!"
Samuel pointed to a spot on the east of the map. "Apple orchards?" he commented.
"Yes!" Roger answered. "Three varieties. What we don't use ourselves are sold commercially, some with our produce and squashwhe. The Academy is totally self sustained. We make a profit every year. That's why tuitions can be so low. Oh, we've got trout farms underwater, and catfish. You'll eat a lot of them, too!"
"Is the ferry our only boat?" Samuel asked.
"Oh, no!" Roger explained, "At West Dock we keep speed boats and hydrofoils. At North Dock we have our heavy barges that bring in most of our wood, and, charcoal. We keep a three year fuel supply and a five year stock of emergency rations . If anything should happen we could sustain ourselves for a considerable time. There's more provisions on shore, that could be brought out if the need arises."
"What are these three things down here, on the southwest end of the island?"
"Those are called The Stumps," Roger answered. "They're three big rocks. You don't want to run into them in a boat. Our swimming beach is by West Dock, and it's not very good. Here's some pictures of everything over here."
When Samuel looked at the pictures he was shocked. "Where's the buildings?" he asked.
Roger laughed. "LOVE that reaction!" he finally managed, "Everything's underground, almost invisible from the air! The whole top of the Academy is covered with nut trees!"
Samuel laughed. "I know!" he put in., "I'll eat a lot of nuts!"
Everybody around him roared with laughter. The ferry's whistle sounded. "Come on!" Roger chuckled, "I'll get you to the dock. There should be somebody waiting for you."
"I've got ONE question," Samuel asked, as they headed for the gangway, "what in the hell is squashwhe?"
Again everybody roared with laughter.

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