At Circle's End

by Ian J. Malone

  Danny took them. “What’s this?”

  “This is your life back. You’re no deserter, Danny, and the official record shouldn’t reflect you as that. You’re free and clear to go and do whatever you want.” Wylon raised a cautionary finger. “Anything legal, that is.”

  Danny examined the documents in his hands. It was all right there in black and white—Daniel Rhett Tucker, Staff Sergeant, ASC Starborne Infantry Force: Discharged with Honors. “I honestly don’t know what to say, sir. I…thank you.”

  “You’re a good man, Danny,” Wylon said. “My daughter chose well.”

  Danny had no words—for the pardon or for the embrace that Wylon gave him after presenting it.

  “You take care of yourself, son. Whatever you decide to do, my door is always open to you…always.”

  Danny swallowed hard. He’d hated his own father for as long as he could remember. But there and then, for perhaps the first time ever, he dared to wonder what his life might’ve been like had he grown up under the roof of this man instead.

  “All right, go. Get out of here.” Wylon pulled back and shooed him away. “I’ve got a shuttle to catch back to Retaun, and you guys have a ship to catch of your own.”

  “Oh, um. Yeah, right.” Danny gave a covert wipe of his cheeks then took his leave. “Thank you again, sir. For everything.”

  “Safe travels to you and your friends, Danny. I’ll see you…” Wylon paused and considered. “Well, I’ll see you when I see you.”

  * * * * *

  Chapter 44: Homecoming

  Danny’s nostrils were invaded by the foul scents of cigarettes and stale beer as he rounded the horseshoe-shaped bar beside Link and Hamish. Yep, home sweet home. He halted at the last set of scarred wooden booths next to Lee. “You ready to do this?”

  “Man, you’ve got no idea.” Lee sighed. “I’ve been lookin’ forward to one of these for what seems like an eternity.”

  “You and me both, bro. You and me both.” Danny turned to Mac, who held her old post behind the center taps, a pair of mugs in each hand and hair pulled back in a ponytail through the same New York Yankees cap she’d worn on the night he’d met her.

  She threw him a thumbs-up. “Anytime you’re ready, boys.”

  Danny looked to Lee who looked to Hamish who signaled Link at the door.

  Link stepped forward and, with a mighty shove, flung open the entrance.

  Smack!

  “Ahhh!”

  Danny peered past the doorframe to see Hicks facedown in the dirt, holding his nose.

  “Well damn, Hicks, don’t crowd the door like a boy-band groupie, and that won’t happen.” Link waved to the throngs outside. “Bar’s open!”

  Van Halen blared from the jukebox as the Pourhouse of Tallahassee flooded with no less than a hundred patrons from two different galaxies. Kris Wyatt and Katie Summerston were there as were Hicks and the rest of Lee’s people from the Kennox. Shannon Baxter showed up, of course, as did Danny’s guys from Overlook and various other members of the Keystone, Praetorian, Davis, and Triton crews. They were all there, every one of them piled up in the same crap dive bar where, almost twenty years prior, five unwitting students from Florida State had shared their first of many beers together after a Dropkick Murphys show in the dead of fall semester.

  As expected, countless drinks were poured, even more songs were sung, and cheers abounded for all. Well into the night, once everyone had finished making the rounds, Lee, Danny, Hamish, Link, and Layla found their way to the bar’s only long table in back, where Katie and Wyatt joined them.

  “Whew, man, I’m out of practice.” Mac wiped her brow and slid into the seat next to Lee.

  “Well, it’s only been—what, six years since you’ve tended bar?” Katie asked.

  Mac considered. “Now that you mention it, yeah. I guess so.”

  “Dude, seriously?” Link hunched over his mug. “Has it really been that long?”

  Lee surveyed the room of some forty remaining people and whistled. “Yep. Been one helluva ride, though. That’s for sure.”

  “Let me ask you something, bro.” Danny turned to Lee. “If you could go back to that hangar in Jacksonville six years ago and tell yourself what was about to happen before you got on Jon Reiser’s plane, you think you would?”

  Lee stared into his drink and weighed the question. “Nah, probably not.”

  “How come?” Danny pressed.

  Lee shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe because it might make me overthink myself out of goin’.”

  “You? Overthinking things?” Mac cupped her face, aghast. “Nooo!”

  Lee flicked a peanut at his wife, who ducked. “Don’t get me wrong. Not a day goes by that I ain’t grateful for the fact that we’re all here and breathin’. I mean it—maybe now more than ever on account of we know so many people who can’t say the same. Havin’ established that, if we don’t take that chance, if we don’t put ourselves out there and leave San Diego with Reiser and his staff, odds are better than decent that a lot of other folks—like the ones we see here tonight—” Lee tipped his mug at Wyatt, “—might not be. So no, I wouldn’t say a word to my past self even if I could.”

  “Ruah, brother.” Wyatt raised his glass.

  Danny conceded the point and slid aside to let Layla out of her seat.

  “Well I, for one, wouldn’t have wavered one bit.” Link slammed his mug proudly to the table and pinched his wife’s butt. “I don’t give a rat’s ass what I did or didn’t know at the time. I’d still take this trip with bells on if I could do it again. Period. Not a second thought about it.”

  Layla nuzzled her nose in her husband’s week-old beard then shot a wry grin at Mac and Katie. “Hands off, ladies. This one’s all mine.”

  Snickers filled the air as Layla plucked the mug from Link’s hand and vanished for refills.

  “Link, even to this day, it still kills me how you managed to land a lady that upstanding.” Katie saluted him with her wineglass. “Talk about out-punting your coverage, man. You did good. Really good.”

  Link saluted back with his imaginary mug.

  “So, what now?” Katie asked. “You guys headed back to Aura?”

  Link slumped in his seat. “Yeah, I think that’s the plan. We’re gonna hang out and fly to Denver for a few days to see my dad. After that, though, we’ve got to beat it back to Aura so Shannon can have a one-on-one with the admiral.”

  Danny arched an eyebrow. “Really? What’s that about?”

  “If I had to guess?” Link scratched at his whiskers. “I think he’s gonna give her the big chair on the Keystone.”

  “Nice!” Mac clapped her hands. “I’d heard Rollins was moving up. Dude, she’ll absolutely rock that post!”

  “Yeah, I’m pretty proud of her,” Link said through a happy smile. “She’s worked her ass off her entire career for her own command, and nobody deserves it more.”

  “So, where does that leave you?” Mac asked. “You gonna stay with her on the Keystone and make another run at rank?”

  Link shook his head. “Nah, I’m done playing soldier boy. Once my tour’s up and Shannon’s moved on from the cockpit, I’m out.”

  “To do what?” Lee asked.

  Link shrugged. “Believe it or not, I thought I might try my hand at the restaurant business.”

  “Really?” Mac wrinkled her nose. “You? The only guy in history to burn ramen noodles in a microwave?”

  “Hey, don’t hate,” Link said. “Contrary to popular belief, kids do get sick of macaroni and cheese, which means a parent’s gotta change up the menu on occasion. As such, I’ll have you know I’ve picked up some skills since my ramen days, skills I thought I’d put to use via self-employment for a while. Got a place picked out and everything.”

  “Yeah, where at?” Danny asked.

  “Over in Retaun’s Harbor District,” Link said. “Gonna serve up some seafood, Frisco style.”

  “I didn’t know Hungry Man did seafood.” Mac thr
ew him a wink.

  “Come try my cioppino, Princess. Then we’ll talk.” Link shifted to Lee. “How about you guys? You headed back to the Kennox?”

  Lee exhaled. “Yeah, that’s our plan. Not sure what our future with the ASC holds either, though, past this tour. Maybe we stay in; maybe we don’t. Reckon we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

  “Ha.” Danny scoffed. “For the record, I’m gonna go ahead and call BS on that right now.”

  Lee regarded his friend. “How come?”

  “I love ya, Lee, but if there was ever an ASC lifer, it’s you.” Danny reclined in his seat. “Admit it, amigo—you’re too much of a do-gooder not to be.”

  “Much obliged for the condescension, brother. Thanks.”

  Danny waved him off. “Oh, get over it. You know what I meant. You like helping people. It’s etched into your frickin’ DNA; always has been. It’s one of the things I’ve always admired about you, actually.” He laughed. “Besides, what else are you gonna do? Come back here and teach military history to a class full of halfwits at Layne College?”

  Lee winced. “Not a chance.”

  “It would be nice to come home, though,” Mac said, “if for no other reason than to be closer to family.”

  “Don’t let her kid ya.” Lee elbowed his wife. “She just misses baseball season.”

  “Yes, there is that.” Mac sighed longingly into her ale then turned to Katie. “How about you? You coming back with us?”

  Katie thumbed the stem of her wineglass. “No. No, I’m not.”

  Everyone looked up.

  “Let’s be real, guys,” Katie went on. “It’s been the thrill of a lifetime to do what I’ve done and see what I’ve seen this last year. But my place is here with my son. Maybe one day I’ll go back, once he’s a lot older. But not before.”

  Lee’s gaze darted back and forth between Katie and Wyatt. “So…what does this mean for you guys? You gonna do the long-distance thing?”

  Wyatt traded looks with his girlfriend. “Actually, no.”

  Lee did a double take. “Well, why not?”

  “Because I’m staying here on Earth…with Katie.”

  Mac squealed like a schoolgirl.

  “Whoa, now.” Hamish put up his hands. “Let’s just slow down a wee moment and think about this. Praetorian needs her chief, and that’s you. Don’t misunderstand me, Kris; I want to see you and Katie stay together as much as anyone because I think yer grand for each other. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

  “Praetorian needs a chief.” Wyatt met Hamish’s eyes. “And I just so happen to be looking at a damn fine candidate for one right now.”

  Hamish blinked. “But…what about Jon Simpson? Surely, with his experience he’d—”

  “Simpson’s doing just fine on the Bakersmith,” Wyatt said. “That’s where he’s needed. I, on the other hand, am needed here. Hamish, I’ve been an engineer in the ASC fleet for going on twenty-eight years now. It’s my time to go, brother, just as it’s your time to wear the big stripe. You’ve proven that time and time again on my staff, and you did it again with your work on the Triton.”

  “Aye, but that hardly—”

  “Hamish?” Wyatt leaned forward. “Take my word on it, friend. You’re ready. And I, for one, can hardly think of a better wrench man to keep the old girl on top of her game than you.”

  Hamish sat back and digested Wyatt’s meaning. “I…I dinnae have a word, Kris. Truly, I do not. Thank you.”

  “I’ve got a word.” Link raised his fresh mug as Layla slid in beside him. “Five of ’em, actually. Hail to the chief, bitches!”

  “Here here!” Glasses clinked all around.

  “Hey, Hamish.” Link belched. “Seeing as how you’ve got a bit more pull with the brass now, maybe you can talk them into having your girl Lindsay over there transferred to the Praetorian.”

  Hamish’s deep-brown eyes cut to slits. “Shut it, Lincoln.”

  “Lindsay?” Mac perked up. “Color me interested. Please, someone; do tell.”

  “Oh, for the love.” Hamish’s head fell back.

  “Exactly.” Link grinned.

  “Everyone relax and hold yer knickers. There’s nothing to tell. Commander Lindsay and I are friends, nothing more. That’s it. End of the bloody story.”

  Link guffawed in his seat. “Please, you’ve been drooling over that chick for months. Now, are you gonna man up and tell the table why, or am I gonna do it for you?”

  Hamish growled a warning.

  “Piss on ya then. I’ll do it.” Link turned to the group. “So, get this. One night about six months ago, our boy here had a bit too much of his own ale and confided to me that he’s had a thing for Lee’s former protégé since she joined his crew on the Kennox. You know why?”

  “No,” Danny said. “But even money says you’re about to tell us.”

  “It’s because she reminds him of Lady frickin’ Jay!” Link slapped the tabletop. “Boom! How awesome is that?”

  Katie winkled her nose. “Lady…wait, the chick from the G.I. Joe cartoons back when we were kids?”

  Hamish rolled his eyes though they inevitably betrayed him when they landed on Lindsay at the bar. “What can I say? It’s the freckles and the copper-top hair. Gets me every time.”

  “She’s a helluva lady.” Lee regarded his subordinate. “Great pilot, even better person. You’d do well by her. You gonna go talk to her?”

  All two hundred and eighty pounds of Hamish Lunley shrank into his chair. “Maybe…at some point.”

  “Yo, Lindsay!” Link shot up and darted for the bar. “Let’s rap for a second.”

  Hamish scowled into his pint glass. “Stumpy wee bastard.”

  * * *

  As the night drew to a close, Danny left the others in the bar and headed for the parking lot, where he was greeted instantly by the thick night air of a sticky North Florida summer. He wiped his forehead then glowered at the sweat on his palm. Yep, still hate the weather here.

  “You lookin’ to disappear on us or what?” Lee traipsed through the gravel as the bar’s ancient door swung shut behind him.

  “Nah, not really,” Danny said. “Just wanted some air is all. How’s everybody inside?”

  Lee puffed his cheeks then blew them out again. “Well, let’s see. Mac’s busy grillin’ Katie about engagement stuff—specifically when Sis expects Wyatt to pop the question. Meanwhile, Layla just rolled her drunk husband out on a hand truck to wait for a cab.”

  “Good old Short Round.” Danny chuckled. “Never could hold his liquor. Did he plead his case for Whataburger breakfast on the way out?”

  Lee made a face. “Is that a rhetorical question?”

  “Check and mate.” Danny sipped his cider. “I hope it happens for Katie and Wyatt. Really. They’re good together.”

  “I think so. Oh, speakin’ of engagement stuff.” Lee reached into his pocket and fished out a black-felt jewelry box. He handed it to Danny. “I been holdin’ onto this for almost a year now. I thought you might want it back.”

  Danny flipped the box open and found his mother’s wedding ring glimmering under the starlight. His thoughts filled with Madisyn, and how things would’ve gone had he been able to give it to her as planned. He’d so desperately wanted to. It would’ve looked great on you, baby.

  Danny closed his eyes then the box, which he tucked into his jeans. “Thanks, Lee. I mean it—thank you for keeping this.”

  “Didn’t figure it right to leave it in an ASC evidence locker. Besides.” Lee clapped his friend’s shoulder. “You might need it someday.”

  “Not likely.” Danny huffed. “Maybe I ought to give it to Hamish. Things keep on with him and Lindsay, and he’ll need it long before I will.”

  “On that, you may have a point.” Lee aimed a thumb at the door. “They’ve been makin’ eyes at each other in the back-corner booth for more than an hour now.”

  Danny stared into the clear night sky overhead. “Good on you, Ham
ish. You deserve it.”

  “Yes, he does,” Lee said. “So, you got a plan after all of this or what?”

  Danny cocked his head. “I was contemplating a Gut Box with extra fries, actually.”

  “Smartass.” Lee smirked. “You know what I meant.”

  Danny raised a shoulder. “Not entirely sure yet. I kinda thought I’d just take things a day at a time and see what shakes out.”

  “You know, Anders would sure love to have you back in his unit. Told me so himself.”

  Danny pursed his lips. “Sarge is a helluva good man. Any soldier would be lucky to serve with him. I just don’t think that soldier is me anymore.”

  Lee nodded. “Nobody faults you for that, Danny, particularly given everything that’s happened. So, if not the ASC—and we know you ain’t comin’ back here—where, then?”

  “I don’t know yet. Figured I’d head back to Overlook and go from there. They are a good crew, ya know. Reegan and that bunch.”

  Lee swigged at his beer. “Yeah, yeah they are. I’ll admit I had my reservations about ’em at first. But when the chips were down, they came through big-time. Just one question.”

  “And that is?”

  “Don’t take this the wrong way or nothin’, but why on Earth would you go back to crime for a livin’ when the president of Aura just bent over backwards to get you pardoned?”

  Danny feigned being wounded. “Dude! I don’t know who you’ve been talking to, but we did do honest work from time to time. Granted, it was mostly bounties and supply runs. But that’s still legit earning, and it pays the bills…mostly.”

  “Uh-huh.” Lee beetled his eyebrows. “And Remy’s requisition of your armor, which they salvaged from Thawnose—that part of your legit plan, too?”

  Danny grinned. “Don’t hate, bro. Mr. Black’s as much a part of my crew as anybody else, and we don’t leave our own behind. You of all people should appreciate that after the Vanxus. Plus now that Doc’s got access to all of the empire’s Kurgorian research, he’s pretty sure he can find a long-term solution to our juice problem.”