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"If you don't stop that, I'm going to lose it...". Jack's roommate didn't exactly have the same tolerance for stress or noise as he did. With finals less than a week away, the pressure was definitely on and Jack's humming wasn't exactly helping Malric study Astrometrics.  Jack gave the credit for his cool and collective personality to his parents. The Triceryn family was lucky enough to have Civire blood flowing through their veins- the bloodline gave them great competitive drive and allowed them to thrive under chaos. This especially came in handy for Jack during exam crunches and hectic star ship command labs, when the rest of his classmates were drowning in their own sweat.

"I'm sorry. I think we should take a break and head down to the commons for some food. You've been cramming for that course since 14:00 and it's not even that difficult. Why are you freaking out about it?"

"It's not difficult? It's not difficult for you, Jack." Malric hissed. "I'm completely okay with you striving for Top Graduate. I know you'll probably get it. You have a natural calling for asteroids. I on the other hand, have to study for everything like a mad man. So when I'm studying, can you please keep your incessant humming down... or off?"

Jack nodded and apologized. He felt bad for Malric. He studied so much harder than he did the last four years at the institute. Jack just had an instinct for rocks. They spoke to him. He knew every type, every composition, every amount needed for refining, absolutely everything. He was at the top of his class and had very little competition for Top Graduate. Only one week stood between him and becoming an Industrialist. Nothing was going to stand in his way. 

The two of them zipped on and buttoned their black, gleaming boots and headed out the door. When they walked through the ID field of their door, they could hear their door shield ping and come up. The shields kept everyone but the two of them and instructors with the proper ID implanted out of their living quarters. The halls were crowded. Many students had the same idea as Jack and were rushing to the commons for food before it closed at 20:00. Once they got their food, Jack and Malric sat at a table with a bunch of other seniors. Many of his classmates hadn't even looked at their food yet, they still had their noses buried in books and notes. Science, Industry, Mining, Exhumers, Refining Efficiency were just a few Jack caught a glimpse of as he turned his attention to his food. 

Jack looked up and noticed something that would make Malric feel much better about his studying troubles. He nudged his roommate and nodded in the direction of a group of Rockies pacing around each other frantically trying to share notes and ideas to help them pass their freshman finals. Seniors called them "Rockies" for short. But what they really were was Rock Rookies. Malric smiled and shook his head, "I'm still mad at you, but that's hilarious!"