Chapter 66: First Rank, First Choice

Brandon exited the engineering wing with his tablet tucked under one arm and his head still half in equations.

He hadn’t failed.

That alone felt unreal.

The corridor curved gently toward the residential ring, light spilling in from above as the station adjusted to an artificial afternoon. People passed him—engineers, logistics staff, a Marine in partial armor—everyone moving with purpose, but without hurry.

“Don’t overthink it,” his mentor said, catching up to him with long, easy strides.

Professor Hale had been spacefaring longer than Brandon had been alive, and somehow still moved like gravity was optional. He gestured with his chin toward Brandon’s tablet.

“You passed,” he continued. “Cleanly.”

Brandon stopped walking.

“Passed-passed?” he asked.

Hale smiled. “Passed enough.”

That did it.

Something in Brandon’s chest loosened, then expanded, like his lungs had been waiting for permission to work properly. He swallowed, nodded once, then nodded again like that might make it more real.

“I don’t—” He stopped himself, embarrassed. “I mean ... thank you.”

“You earned it,” Hale said simply. “Navigation aptitude, systems comprehension, instinctive spatial correction under stress. You’re not brilliant yet—but you’re learning fast.”