Dawn came too early, announced by an alarm that resonated through the dormitory walls with uncomfortable efficiency—it was not loud enough to be painful, just persistent enough to make sleep impossible.
Bright rolled from bed, his body protesting the early hour, his mind still processing yesterday's revelations about the Covenant leadership and the Republic's pragmatism.
Kildare was already awake. Or maybe hadn't slept. Sitting on his bed in the same position Bright had last seen him, staring at nothing with that same absent presence.
Does he ever sleep? Bright wondered, not bothering to voice the question since it wouldn't be answered anyway.
He changed into his uniform—the dark green feeling less impressive this morning, more like a marking that identified him as the Academy's property rather than a symbol of achievement.
The schedule posted on their door showed the first day's structure:
0600 - Morning Assembly (Central Courtyard)
