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11
Will and Lyra started off with target practise. Lyra would throw old crockery
up in the air and Will would shoot them with his laser gun. There were many
occasions where he nearly singed his mentor’s curly hair. Most of the time he
just hit the walls, leaving burn marks on almost every surface. Will apologised
but Lyra didn’t care.
Will then told to Lyra that his strengths was bookwork and smarts, but she still
made him read a dozen astronomy textbooks. He felt comfortable with what
he knew for the theoretical examination. The last thing that scared him was
the flying exam. That was his worst area of expertise.
After finally finishing another successful training session, William and Lyra
flopped back onto the floor, exhausted.
“I can’t believe I’m really gonna be an astronaut!” William exclaimed.
Lyra smiled fondly towards her charge, sharing in the exciting moment.
“Don’t get too cocky, little mate,” Lyra urged him, “We still have to get back to
the Station.” William paused, his excitement quelled by the sudden realisation.
His face fell, dulled at the prospect of all his hard work going to waste.
“How are we possibly going to get back to the Station in time for me to take the
test?!” William was distraught.
Discouraged by her pupil’s distress, a thought popped into Lyra’s head.
Immediately, Lyra sprinted from the training area back into the antique store,
frantically searching behind bureaus, cupboards, and stuffed native animals.
Hurrying behind her, William began to fire off questions, his own emotions
entering a state of panic.
“Lyra! What are you looking for?! How could you be working at the store at a
time like this?” William all but yelled, exasperated.
Suddenly, Lyra lets out a cry of victory, calling William over to where she
stood beside an unassuming chest of drawers.
“Come on, help me move this over!” Lyra called.
Together, the two pushed with all their might, and the chest scraped along the
floors. Finally shoved out of the way, William and Lyra uncovered the hidden
door, once-obscured by the chest.
William’s intrigue peaked, and he inquisitively turned to Lyra. Before he could
even open his questioning mouth, the door slid open with a mechanised hiss,
revealing a dimly lit elevating platform.Lyra strode onto the platform, with