A New Beginning

by Alexander W Meurant

  "The kid is full of surprises though, and it’s getting harder for me to not show my own surprise at some of the things he does. Give him a few years of experience and teaching, and we could have a damned monster on our hands" the Major stated with a half joking tone as he handed the clipboard back to Lesha.

  "Has the Commander seen these yet" he suddenly asked, looking up and waving the papers somewhat in the air.

  "No, he hasn't. He most likely won't either, with your reports and my own, he will get all the information he needs" Lesha replied tiredly.

  "When the commander said Belford was my responsibility, I didn't realize he meant I would be looking after everything to do with the kid" she muttered a little resentfully.

  "Well Lt, don’t let it get you down. He is in good hands" Travos stated in a conciliatory tone.

  "And I am sure the rewards one day will be quite significant" Travos stated, a twitch of a smile on his face.

  Lesha raised a single eyebrow from the comment and then just snorted.

  "I didn't go to the academy to baby sit some kid" Lesha snapped irritably as she plucked the papers from the Major's grasp.

  "Lt, Belford isn't some kid. He can't be more than a year or two your junior after all" Travos stated mildly as he looked over the top of Lesha's head, his attention caught by something.

  Before getting a chance to reply Lesha heard steps behind her and she turned, her attention being drawn by a doctor who approached the duo, giving a stern nod to each of the officers.

  "Sir, Ma'am, we have finished all the tests and final interviews. Private Belford will be out momentarily" he stated but turned his full focus to Travos.

  "Major, there is one thing of concern for me. During the interview, Private Belford notified us of the fact that last night, he consumed a vast amount of alcohol. Is this true?" the doctor asked, a slight frown on his face.

  The Major instantly took on a look of guilt that flashed across his face for the briefest of moments and Lesha couldn’t help but snort and roll her eyes. Commander Sembak had taken advice from the doctors to prohibit any alcoholic substances that Sain may consume, so as not to interfere with the tests that the doctors would perform, and it seemed Travos had conveniently forgotten about that order.

  "Major, weren't you supposed to watch out for that" she asked of Travos, a look of pure evil on her face, so much so she almost looked gleeful.

  "Now now, don't be jumping to conclusions ok. Just let me explain" the man stated hurriedly as he held up both hands palm outwards to stave off any assault, intending to spout some excuse.

  The doctor simply frowned though and shook his head.

  "Major, I was just asking out of curiosity, not to reprimand you. I only say this as we took some samples alongside our other tests, and yet there was no trace of alcohol in Private Belford’s system. And I do not think the Private has any reason to lie on the matter. So, are you able to confirm if he was drinking or not?" asked the man with a rather dry expression.

  Travos just blinked at the man, and made some sort of noise betraying a notion of disbelief.

  "What. But he did drink. A hell of a lot in fact" the massive Samite man readily admitted, the look of disbelief still his dominant expression.

  The doctor frowned again and simply lifted a hand to his breast pocket and pulled out a simple pen before reaching over and simply plucking the clipboard of reports from Lesha's limp hands. The doctor then proceeded to flip through the pages until he found the one he wanted. He then scribbled a handful of notes, and once done, placed the clipboard under his left armpit and his pen back in his breast pocket.

  "Well Major, if that’s the case, then Belford’s body completely neutralized the alcohol content within a matter of hours of consumption, and clearly voided all negative effects of the substance" came the disinterested statement from the doctor. He turned away then and made to walk away just as Sain could be seen being ushered from the examination rooms by a nurse. Stopping, the doctor looked back at the officers and spoke.

  "Well Major, Lieutenant. I suggest you report this to the commander, because it will be in the records" the man added before heading off.

  Lesha turned to Travos, a grin on her face like she was enjoying the Major's sweating more than she should and she chuckled.

  "I suppose I will do the honors Major, or would you like to" she asked of the man, an eyebrow raised in mischievous query.

  "Ah to hell with you Lesha, I'll do it myself" he grumbled, forgoing her rank Travos just looked past her at Sain who quickly arrived and stood near the duo looking at them with a quizzical look.

  "Hey, what’s up?" the youth asked with a completely innocent look on his face.

  Travos just threw his hands up in the air and started walking away with a look of exasperation blanketing his features, and with a sound of surprise Sain followed after him, the sound of soft laughter trailing them from Lesha.

  Chapter 12

  * * *

  Sembak lounged back in his chair as he looked at Major Travos Ligare, his gaze steely and a small frown tugging at the corner of his mouth. A thick finger tapped a rather slow rhythm on his desk, the soft thump the only sound in his office. After a moment he let out a sigh and leaned back, his chair creaking rather loudly.

  "Major. I thought I made myself perfectly clear regarding your instructions with Private Belford. Or did you perhaps not understand what I said?" the man asked as he touched his hands together in front of his face.

  The chair creaked yet again as the commander shifted his weight some more, his dark eyes never leaving Travos for a moment.

  "You did Sir. I understood perfectly" came the reply from Travos, short and to the point.

  "And yet Major, I have not only your weekly report with the information, but also a report from a doctor here, saying that Private Belford himself admitted to consuming alcohol under your supervision. Can you offer a reason as to why you disregarded such an explicit instruction" Sembak asked, his voice cool and drawn out, as if he found this whole matter tedious?

  Travos stood straight, hands clasped behind the small of his back with a blank expression on his face. He seemed to have nothing to say and remained silent a few moments.

  "No Sir. I have nothing to say" he stated, rather subdued.

  "In that case Major, you are dismissed. You will have half a week’s wages deducted as punishment. Make sure not to disregard my instructions again". With that statement made, Sembak leaned forward and picked up the reports to flip through them again, basically leaving the Major to see himself out.

  Travos did just that. A grim salute later, he turned on his heels and exited the office, barely a glance offered to Lesha who stood silently near the door. Once the large Samite man was gone Lesha stepped forward, her gaze on the Commander.

  She immediately pulled a form from her clipboard and slid it onto the man’s desk, discreetly on top of his reports, eliciting a raised head and a gaze from the commander’s dark eyes.

  He stared at her for a moment then smiled wryly.

  "On top of my job again Lieutenant" he murmured and looked back to the form.

  Noticing it was a disciplinary action form with Major Ligare's details, breach terms and actioned punishment Sembak smiled further and just signed off on it before handing it back to Lesha.

  Taking the form and slipping it into her clipboard, Lesha looked at the commander a few moments, a thoughtful expression on her face.

  "Sir, if I may be so bold as to say, the Majors lack of discipline regarding Private Belford has, in a way produced some results. In terms of his ability to recover I should add" Lesha said, her heart beating a little rapidly. She always felt this way when interacting with her commander. He was one of the most influential men in the country after all.

  Sembak just leant back in his chair again, eyeing his staff officer somewhat curiously.

  "You are not wrong Lieutenant. This case has some similarities with that of my niece Kasui's own condition. Her knack of unexp
lained invisibility" he murmured thoughtfully. The man lifted a hand and stroked his chin, quite obviously deep in thought. Lesha just stayed silent, waiting for his words with near bated breath.

  "So, Lieutenant I wish for you to monitor Private Belford closely. As close as you possibly can. Every change in his status no matter how small is to be reported to me. Kasui became a true weapon with the right guidance, and it would please me greatly to gain another such weapon. Devise some tests, or challenges if you would, to see what the youth is capable of" Sembak stated rather softly, his hand still stroking his chin in that thoughtful manner.

  "If you can achieve great things with him, then there very well may be a few promotions up the line for you" the commander continued, his eyes flitting to lock onto the face of his staff officer. He stayed silent now and Lesha just gulped, realizing she had been holding her breath.

  "Commander. Certainly Sir. I will do the utmost to achieve want you expect" Lesha stated and lifted her hand to offer a salute, her heart beating hard and fast in her chest, her mind a whir of thoughts. She stepped back then and turned. Without any other words she exited the commander’s office and quietly closed the door behind her. Flicking her wrist, she looked at her watch and frowned. It was nearly midday. She wasn't required to work later than that on a Saturday and she sighed. Some personal time would certainly be appreciated.

  She began to walk down the hall, her mind wandering over what she would do in her spare time. Coming to her office she stepped inside and placed her clipboard down on her desk. She slid the disciplinary form out of it and stepped around her desk, picking up a medium sized bag that held some personal items.

  Heading out of her office she pulled the door shut and made her way to the building’s foyer. She made her way over to the counter and saw the attendant on duty. A Samite woman with a long scar down her face. From forehead to chin.

  "Massa, good morning. Can you make sure this gets to pay roll by the next cycle please?" she asked of the woman and slid the disciplinary form over the counter to the woman. Massa plucked up the form and looking over it she frowned, her eyes darting up to look Lesha in her own.

  "Poor Major Ligare. He never learns does he. I'll make sure this gets there" she stated and leant to the side, placing the form in a folder marked payroll. It looked to be a pretty full folder too.

  "Yeah, he does seem to get into quite a bit of trouble lately. Good thing the commander values him though" Lesha stated as she forced a smile. Massa just smiled somewhat in return and nodded.

  "Guess it is good" she murmured in reply just as the phone on the desk started to ring. Lesha blinked and then lifted a hand in farewell.

  "Well, i'll leave you to it. Have a good day" Lesha said politely before turning away and heading out of the building. She stepped into the bright light and instantly felt the heat on her skin. Sticking her hand into her bag, she pulled out a military cap and pulled it onto her head, tucking her hair bun beneath its rim. She let out a sigh and looked around contemplating what she should do. It was too early for lunch. Maybe an hour or two and she would get a feed. Looking to her right she saw the sports Centre in the distance and nodded. That place was always as good as any. And her apartment was on the way there.

  Starting off on a brisk walk she made her way towards a block of apartments and before long she arrived, pushing past the glass doors of the foyer. As she came into the foyer, she saw another woman coming towards her and she frowned, stepping out of the way as none other than Kasui Fuldhouser damn near barreled her over. Lesha let out a sound of indignation as the other woman brushed past and Kasui looked back over her shoulder, a hand on the handle of the glass door.

  "What? Got a problem sweet cheek’s?" Kasui snapped and Lesha raised her eyebrows, catching a glimpse of red rimmed eyes behind dark glasses. The woman was hung over. Not that that was unusual.

  "No, nothing Warrant Officer Fuldhouser. You just startled me a little" Lesha stated mildly. Kasui just snorted and muttered something under her breath before disappearing out the door, letting it clatter shut behind her. Lesha shook her head and then continued into the apartments, making her way up two flights of stairs to the third and top floor. Entering her unit, she quickly got changed, discarding her military uniform and finding some clothes more suitable to exercise. Packing a shoulder bag with a few essentials, she took another cap from her coat rack and then exited. Before long she left the building and was on her way to the sports Centre.

  As she walked, her mind began to wander once more, thinking on Sembak’s orders for her. How should she approach Sain and get close enough to monitor his every detail? The commander’s orders did seem akin to stalking and Lesha just frowned. How was she supposed to keep a detailed record of the youth, let alone give him tasks and tests to do? She just sighed and shook her head as she arrived at her destination. Stepping into the sports Centre she let out a sigh of relief as the air conditioning washed over her. It really was a treat in this hot country.

  As she made her way through to the gym section of the Centre, she rounded a corner and caught wind of a conversation. One of the speakers sounded irritated. And she recognized the other voice. She actually felt her heart leap as she rounded the corner and locked her eyes on Sain and a pale skinned Samite man having a heated discussion. The Samite man was obviously one of the facilities staff members and was trying to explain something to Sain. And he was clearly frustrated. Sain suddenly looked straight towards Lesha and she felt her heart jolt uncomfortably as she saw relief wash over the youth’s face. He actually seemed to struggle to find words. She groaned inwardly.

  "Private Belford. I mean Sain. What seems to be the problem here?" she asked, trying to remain aloof and casual. She turned to looked at the staff member, a slight frown on her face.

  "Um, Lesha. I am trying to find where the boxing class is. I haven't, really been here before" Sain stated in Gestonian. He lifted a hand to rub behind his neck and closed his eyes in a sort of embarrassed gesture. Lesha groaned inwardly again. Sembak's orders rose to her mind again and she shrugged mentally. This was as good a place to start as any she supposed.

  "Well, you are in luck Sain. I was headed there myself" she lied. She had only planned to do some work in the gym. Not a boxing class. But she knew where it was held anyway.

  "Follow me, i'll take you there" she stated, replying in Gestonian before she gestured for Sain to follow, forcing a smile on her face. Another wave of relief seemed to wash over Sain as she spoke and he picked up a bag by his feet and then looked at Lesha expectantly, waiting for her to lead the way. She sighed inwardly. This young man was like a lost puppy.

  * * *

  Sain frowned in confusion as he stood in front of the mirror in the barracks bathroom. His mind was a whir of thoughts as he thought over the events of the last week. He felt overwhelmed by all he had experienced, and all he had learnt. He felt a stir in his groin as he thought back to last night with Kasui and felt his cheeks heat up. Damn it. He scooped some water out of the basin and splashed it against his face.

  Pulling his towel from where it rested on his shoulder, he wiped the water from his face and stared at the mirror again. And his reflection. He had certainly changed over the last few months. He now had fuller features and a healthy skin color, if not a little pink from his exposure to the sun recently. Shaking his head, he stepped away from the mirror and tried to ignore some of the other men in the showers. He could hear raucous laughter from somewhere even as he saw the occasional naked man walk past. It wasn't something he particularly liked to see. He was not as willing to walk around naked and so was wearing a pair of khaki shorts and singlet.

  Making his way towards the exit he threw his towel into a basket by the bathroom door, already packed with other towels. He made his way out of the bathrooms and into the late afternoon light and began to make his way back to the barracks which was only around a dozen meters away, and was accessible by a covered walkway.

  Letting his mind wander again, he though
t back to the most recent event that had him stumped. The face of Lesha came to mind and he frowned. He had found her at the sports Centre today and gone to a boxing class with her. She had been aloof for a lot of it, and seemed to occasionally throw in odd or even flirtatious comments. She confused the hell out of him. He felt as though his emotions where on a roller coaster. He suddenly had desires he had never had before. After Kasui, he had found himself staring so many times at other women and sort of sizing them up. He had to stop himself sometimes, and even asked himself if that was normal.

  Shaking his head as he entered his room, he cast his gaze around the small area he shared with three other people from his platoon. The bastards had played a few pranks on him the first few nights but everything seemed to be fine now. He felt accepted. Seeing one of the men splayed out on the bottom right bunk with a magazine Sain threw his bag of toiletries down onto the bottom left bunk. His bed.