"The thing about your memory is that it can be cultivated, trained like your muscles." Remian explained. "There are also some tricks to memorization, like a.s.sociating what you want to remember with something you couldn't forget if you tried. It all takes time, so be patient with it."

The third thing he had her study was Observation. This focused on people, their mannerisms and identifying physical traits.

"What does all this have to do with stars.h.i.+ps, in the end?" Alani wanted to know.

"Nothing. It has to do with people." Remian explained. "Most especially your future cla.s.smates, or teammates, if you prefer."

"There's going to be other students, then?"

"Other teachers, too."

"Who do you have in mind?"

"You'll meet him tomorrow."

***

Gary did not think he would get roped in on an intergenerational s.p.a.ce project.

"You want me to do what?!" Gary gaped.

"Build a quantum computer and construction nan.o.bots. Advanced Artificial Intelligence would be great." Remian explained. "But barring that, a microprocessing computer will do. Actually, before that, how about an electronic calculator?"

"How am I supposed to do that?!" Gary protested. "I don't know what that is! I don't even know where to start!"

"You start with material sciences." Remian said. "And math."

"B-but! Why me? Why not Jim or Arnold?!"

"Because you're scientifically minded, you're young, and you've never learned anything about their craft." Remian sighed. "It's easier to teach someone new things than to try to have them unlearn everything wrong they've mastered."

This started what promised to be a very, very long discussion.

***

Gary met Alani the next morning and shook hands solemnly.

"We gonna save the world." Alani told him in greeting. "Or at least, the people in it."

"a.s.suming we don't go crazy learning how." He told her, just as solemnly. "That's a very big a.s.sumption."

"We're young." Alani shrugged. "Young people are crazy to begin with."

***

After that, he brought Siti in.

"Hi. Is this where I learn medical skills?" Siti queried.

"M-medical?" Gary blinked. "Shouldn't you be learning that at the hospital or something?"

"No, this is the place." Remian cleared his throat.

Just then, Jamie showed up. "Yo! I'm here for weapons cla.s.s!"

"Weapons?!" Gary gaped.

"You're right on time." Remian greeted her.

Knocking sounded on the door and Isabella poked her head in. "Um… I'm here for math and logistics?"

"Come in!" Remian waved her in. "Anyone seen Juni?"

"He's lined up outside the door." Isabella jerked her thumb to one side.

"Call him in, please."

Juni marched in, saluted, and said, "Ready for armorer lessons, sir!"

Gary's jaw dropped. "All of these?! At the same time?"

"Sort of." Remian shrugged. "It all begins at the same place, actually, and since I want you guys all to get along and work together in the future, I figured it was best to have you all learn together first."

"And… what are we learning, exactly?" Gary had to ask.

"Language and speed reading, to begin with." Remian stretched. "And memory exercises. Oh, and if you have any questions… ask Alani."

Right from the start, he made her their go-to person. This was only her third day, and Gary's second, and the first for all the rest, but it was enough that she knew more than they did, and within an hour, Remian had her explain things to them in her own way, as if she was his teaching a.s.sistant.

As he gave them their framework and left them to practice, he caught Xiao Yan and Eriane spying on them from the windows.

"What are you two up to?" Remian asked, in humor.

"Shouldn't we be in there?" Xiao Yan asked. "Learning stuff?"

Remian shot her a look of disbelief. "Ten years of studying formations not enough for you?"

"Not entirely. Your ten years was my two, and I had no datanet restrictions." Xiao Yan shrugged. "Including their top-of-the-line entertainment virtual experiences."

So… not exactly a formation master, but at least wiser and more mature. Remian thought for a bit, then opened a cabinet and took out a black headset. "Know what this is?"

"A Psionic Interface Visor?" Xiao Yan guessed immediately. "The style looks Quarin."

"It's something they left behind in their ruins when they abandoned this world in a hurry. It's got some stuff pre-loaded, including some basics of s.p.a.ce magic. It's actually where I learned about s.p.a.ce magic from. I'm thinking if you can combine that with your formations, we might be able to do something with the Spatial Rift when the seal wears off in a couple of years."

"Gimme." Xiao Yan held out her hand imperiously. What else could Remian do but surrender the headset?

"Um…" Eriane looked at the headset longingly.

"I'm sorry, there's only one." Remian winced. "How about we leave that with her and you and I go play together?"

He'd really been neglecting his family, he felt. He owed his little sister at least some time together.

But Eriane turned to Xiao Yan. "I want to borrow your crossbow."

"No." Xiao Yan refused immediately.

"But it's for Remian." Eriane said shortly.

"Oh." Xiao Yan hesitated, then slowly nodded. "Okay."

Remian frowned. That crossbow in question was undoubtedly the black a.s.sa.s.sin's Crossbow that Remian picked up back in Xiao Yan's world. "Xiao Yan, you don't have to lend anything you don't want to, even if it's for me."

"It's fine. You won't be able to compete with her without a shooting weapon." Xiao Yan shrugged.

"Compete…?" Remian blinked.

"In shooting, of course. That's how she plays." Xiao Yan had only met Eriane recently but already she had a lot of experience in that particular area.

"Ah… right." Remian felt even more guilt all of a sudden. Even Xiao Yan knew his sister better than he did. "Actually, how about we play something different this time?"

Eriane didn't object. She just looked at him quizzically. "Like what?"

"I don't know. Let's go try everything and see." Remian suggested.

***

Three hours later, they ended up designing sniper rifles together.

Eriane worked hard at this new 'game'. She drew out a huge gun laid on a four-legged stand that included spring-loaded mechanisms for reloads and a triple magnification scope…

But in the end, it was simply a crank-loading gunpowder-based machine gun with a scope, very bulky, and not exactly practical for any specific purpose.

Remian drew out a laser-scoped railgun.