by Lance Berry
“I had never heard my father sound uncertain about anything in his life, but what I heard at that moment frightened me. Then, before my aunt– always the sensible one in the family, Mom said–before she could even reason him into ‘bucking it up’, as she called it, Jack did it himself. He realized, he said, that there were other children like me, who had lost family to the enemy. To the Calvorians. They had lost fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, long before he had come on the scene…but now that he was here, it wouldn’t happen anymore.
“I know, it probably sounds like self-indulgence, vanity, even egotism run wild. But it wasn’t. It isn’t. With that one statement, my father’s self-assurance had returned…and I snuck back to bed and slept peacefully every night then on. In his time as captain of the Samurai, Jack Richards had a nearly unprecedented number of victories against the enemy. More than any ten captains combined.”
Travis paused, suddenly feeling a twist in his gut. His jaw tightened a moment, and tears unexpectedly and abruptly filled his eyes. He sniffled slightly, then went on, “I never told him this, and now that he’s gone, I realize I should have…but I decided to join the military because of what he said that night. I don’t think I ever realized until this moment, that his philosophy has become mine. I want to make sure no one else loses family. Not because it’s the right thing to do, or because it’s going to be my job… but like my father, because of my Mom.”
A round of applause began to go up, but a sudden anger gripped Travis, overwhelmed him, grabbed the knot in his gut and snapped it in two. He leaned into the mike, his voice booming across the base. “I swear on my life, as I stand before you now, that this war will end in our lifetime! We cannot be beaten! Humans do not give in! And because Jack Richards and the crew of the Samurai wanted it that way!”
Travis slammed his fist down upon the podium, and the entire base erupted into a round of applause and cheers that lasted for what seemed forever. Travis wiped away tears and glared up at the sky, wishing with all the raw fury and pain in his heart that those cheers could travel across the gulf of space, toward their intended target.
And somewhere on a world far away, a world that he had never seen and only heard about, he imagined the leaders of the enemy nation felt a cold shudder of fear run down their collective spines…
Chapter 9
A half hour after the memorial, Travis was still receiving pats on the back for his speech. He felt good that he had done it, but uncertain of his motivations. He found himself strangely wondering if heaven still existed, and if so, would Jack be looking down with approval? He then found himself amazed that he had actually considered it possible that Jack Richards would’ve made it into heaven, for all the times he had mistreated him. He chuckled to himself, and when Gilda asked what was so funny, he slyly declined to answer.
Travis, Gilda and Lisa were in Champion Base’s main mess hall, which had been suitably dressed up for the wake following the memorial. There were six long tables lined with food of nearly every ethnic cuisine Travis could think of, and a few he had never heard about. After they had gotten their plates, General Wintemberg’s attaché showed them to the general’s private table, at a small alcove in a corner of the packed hall. The general stood as Travis and the others took their seats, yet remained standing, as if waiting for something. Travis looked around, trying to follow his gaze, and finally spotted the Diviner from the Nondenominational Church of the All–Thewlis was his name–moving to the center of the hall, a thick white book tucked protectively under his arm.
“RESPECTFUL ATTEN-SHUNN!”
Wintemberg’s voice boomed across the entire length of the vast hall, amazingly cutting through all of the noise of talk and chatter, seeming to fill every corner of it. Travis actually jumped at the sound. Yet all within the room fell silent, the soldiers solemnly bowing their heads. All the civilians followed suit, and Travis did likewise. He cared as little for the NCA and its ceremonies as he did for the Roman Church’s antiquated rites, but he didn’t want to cause a stir by being deliberately disobedient. He couldn’t help it, however…his eyes slid sideways and he stared at Diviner Thewlis with an odd mixture of curiosity and contempt.
The Diviner pulled the book from under his arm–as he opened it, Travis could see it had a large, golden symbol representing infinity on its cover–and in a calm yet commanding voice, began to read from the book:
“’Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.’” He turned a page. “’I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’”
Thewlis gently closed the book and raised it to his lips, kissing the infinity symbol. He solemnly tucked it back under his arm and raised his free hand toward the ceiling. “Divine All, the source from which all life and glory were granted…bless this congregation, now and evermore. Keep watch over these protectors of our world, stay their lives on the field of battle, as they seek to preserve our right to live freely. Strengthen the hearts of their families, of those who will see them off here, and of those who have already lost brothers, fathers, sons, wives and daughters aboard the Samurai.” At this last, a middle-aged woman at one of the far tables burst into tears. A man beside her–a stranger, apparently–tentatively reached forward and pulled her shuddering body close to him in an attempt to comfort her. Diviner Thewlis instantly turned in her direction, pointed his hand toward her and traced an invisible infinity symbol in the air. He then faced the majority of the assembled once more. “And keep all humanity safe and protected, in this hour of need. Blessed be All.”
“Blessed be All,” the group repeated. As the Diviner took a seat at a nearby table, the people quietly began to converse among themselves once more. Soon, the woman’s sobs were drowned out by the normal din of mess hall conversation once again. Travis didn’t quite know what to make of it all, but his thoughts were interrupted by a gentle nudging at his elbow. He turned to face General Wintemberg, who seemed to be eyeing him very studiously. “That was quite a speech you gave, Travis. I think old Jack would’ve been very proud.”
Travis nodded appreciatively. “I hope so, General.”
Wintemberg’s intense gaze never wavered. “After the ceremony, I took the time to go over the transcripts and recommendations that allowed you to get into Sanderson. I’ll admit, I was very impressed with both your grades, and the praise you received from your teachers. I have to say, I agree with Professor Blaustein; Earth Force Military could use more young men like you.”
“Thank you, sir,” Travis said, rather astonished. Although he hadn’t known Wintemberg for long, the general’s military record was a distinguished one. He couldn’t conceive of him handing out praise lightly. Wintemberg sat back in his seat a bit, still seemingly taking stock of Travis as he addressed him. “What would you say if I told you that you could be admitted into Sanderson next month, instead of waiting until next semester?”
Travis’ eyes popped so wide, he feared for a moment that his eyeballs would jump out of their sockets and go rolling across the table. “Are you serious?” Beside him, he could feel, almost sense, Lisa now turning to stare at him and the general…he was certain he knew what her reaction to this news would be.
“I’m quite serious,” Wintemberg acknowledged. “When I heard your speech out there, the steadfast certainty, the pride in your voice…I knew that you’d be an excellent candidate for early entry into the school’s Jump Start class. It’s a special privilege many don’t hear about, and reserved for a select few. I think you’d do well to begin early. I’m never wrong about a soldier.”
“He’s not a soldier,” Lisa snapped sharply. “He’s a scared young man, looking desperately to fulfill some supposedly grand
destiny that’s been stuffed into his head by the Military’s propaganda mongerers.”
A slow sigh of mortification slid between Travis’ lips. His eyes closed briefly, almost not wishing to see what was coming next. But when they flickered open once more, he saw not a hint of anger or contempt on Wintemberg’s face, as he had expected. Instead the general’s tone was calm, even, and utterly without malice. “With all due respect, Ma’am… protecting humanity from the threat of conquest by the Calvorian Alliance is indeed a grand destiny. Not just for Travis here, but for every citizen of the United Earth Force and its colonies.” He delivered the rebuttal with an assured measure, as if he had waged this argument a thousand times before–and had won every time.
“Whereas you see a frightened young man, I see an as-yet undeveloped resource–“
“Yes, I’ll bet you do,” Lisa retorted.
Wintemberg said nothing, but sat back and folded his arms expectantly…holding a cool, impassive expression on his face as he waited for Lisa to continue her rant. When nothing else was forthcoming, he continued as if she hadn’t even spoken. “A soldier of the future, who will strike out at our enemy not with simple brutish force–but with the inherent righteousness of the desire to protect the God-given manifest destiny of free will, which is the birthright of every human being. And along those lines, doesn’t your nephew have the right to choose his own destiny, rather than letting others–even those who love him dearly— choose his path for him?”
For only the second time in his life, Travis saw a look of defeat in Aunt Lisa’s eyes. She stared icily at the general a moment, then at Travis. She got to her feet, straightening her dress as she did, and turned sharply on her heel. “We’re going. Now.” And without waiting for Travis or Gilda, she headed for the exit. Gilda half-stood, not fully out of her chair as she looked to Travis to make the decision. Travis abashedly looked at the general, whose placid expression hadn’t changed in the slightest. “Just …give us a moment, sir, please.” Wintemberg nodded, and Travis offered his hand to Gilda. The couple left at a brisk pace, Travis ignoring the congratulatory offers given him by admiring civilians and troops along the way to the exit.
“Aunt Lisa–?” Travis called out as his aunt strode purposefully toward the waiting limo, not looking back at either of the youths. Travis rushed to try and keep up, almost tugging Gilda along behind him. “Aunt Lisa–!” he cried, more desperately. He abruptly halted in his tracks, his free hand balling into a fist as he thundered, “LISA!”
Gilda gasped, more from shock than the fact she had become out of breath trying to pace Travis. Lisa stopped dead where she was and spun around to face him, a look of astonishment on her face. Travis was also surprised by the anger in his voice…anger he had never expected in all his life to be directed at the woman who stood before him. But there it was, burning raw and fiery in his belly, unwilling to be abated. He had to deliberately unclench his fist as he took a deep breath, let go of Gilda’s hand, and marched toward his aunt.
“What are you doing to me?” he pleaded. “Why did you have to embarrass me like that in front of the General?”
Lisa stared at him a moment more before answering. “It was never my intention to embarrass you, Travis. But you’re the last link to my sister and your father, and I worry. I can’t help it, there’s nothing I can do about it, and that’s never going to stop, no matter what. No matter how old you become. You’re my nephew, and I love you more than anything. I don’t think you should go off to war.”
Travis felt tears waiting just behind his eyes, and had to bite at his lip to fight them off. “I know you love me. I love you too,” he said softly. “But I’ve already made the choice to go into the military, so what’s the difference if I attend classes at Sanderson early? General Wintemberg is right…it’s my life, my destiny to choose.”
“If that’s true, then why not wait until the semester officially starts? Give yourself more time to prepare, to become more experienced at life. To have fun with your friends…and to discover other things,” she said this last with a subtle yet meaningful glance at Gilda. Travis almost looked back at Gilda, but stopped himself…if he had seen a look in her eyes even close to reflecting Lisa’s, he knew he’d lose his resolve. He stared at the ground a moment, then slowly shook his head. The moment he had accused Lisa of embarrassing him, the moment he raised his voice at her, he knew he was wrong. Lisa had always supported him emotionally, had always backed his arguments against Jack’s, had always been there for him. Even when he told her of his acceptance to Sanderson, he knew she accepted it because she loved him. But he had the right to begin choosing his own life.
Still holding back tears, he leveled his eyes to meet hers. “There’s nowhere else I want to go. There’s nothing else I want to do. I want to fight for my world.”
“And I think you’re just eager to join your mother.”
There was no malice, no superiority in the address. It was just a statement of fact. And perhaps that’s why it hit Travis as hard as it did; because a part of him knew it was true. The floodgates opened, and tears silently spilled down his cheeks. His body shuddered slightly, but he refused to bawl outright. He felt like he had become that four year-old child again, who had bopped his chin on a stone after dropping out of the AirKar at his mother’s funeral, so very long ago.
Gilda walked up behind him, tried to wrap her arms around him–but he shook her off and defiantly stared at Lisa.
“I want to fight for my world.”
The lie came through trembling lips, and Lisa decided not to fight it. Travis was sixteen now, and in the eyes of the law, technically a man. As much as she hated to admit it, as much as she wished she could take him away from the reality of the world and clasp him to her in a place unknown for all eternity, the truth was that Wintemberg was right. This was Travis’ choice to make, his destiny to forge…she had no right to interfere anymore.
Lisa went to him and reached up her hands. Using her thumbs and palms, she lovingly wiped away his tears. She kissed him gently on the lips, and looked into his eyes. “Make your choice, darling. We’ll wait here.”
INTERIM TWO
Travis reentered the mess hall and spotted Wintemberg at one of the serving tables, going back for seconds on turkey. He approached the general and offered a respectful salute, which Wintemberg appropriately returned. “Sir, with all due respect, I’ve decided to wait until the fall for the official start of the school term. I’d like to thank you for your generous offer, and I hope you don’t think less of me for turning it down.”
The general offered a genial, closed-mouth smile, and placed a friendly hand on Travis’ shoulder. “Son, I understand that there are other duties in life, one among them being the priorities owed to family. I’m a little disappointed you won’t be in the early class, but I don’t think any less of you. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you in the fall, when I stop by for class inspections.”
Travis nodded, immediately feeling better about this whole thing, and thanked the general again. He rejoined his aunt and Gilda at the AirLimo, but said nothing about his decision as they got into the vehicle. Lisa chose to allow the silence, and Gilda said nothing, feeling somewhat awkward about intruding into what was very obviously a family matter. On the shuttle ride back to New York, Travis almost immediately fell asleep. It wasn’t until they touched down a few hours later, when he awoke, that he told them both of his decision. The ladies acknowledged with a silent nod, but he could tell they were both secretly very relieved. For some reason, this made him feel better about his choice as well, and when they arrived back at Aqueduct Road, the three of them happily spent the rest of the evening watching an old movie, and the subject did not come up again that night.
Chapter 10
(2175 – fall)
Summer raced by, and Travis divided the time as best he could between hanging out with Jared and Carver, visiting his aunt, and spending time with Gilda. The young couple had become very close, and Gilda’s
father seemed to grow less concerned when she would stop by Travis’ house for extended periods. All things end, however…and the time finally came when it was Travis’ last night at home before he had to leave for the Sanderson School.
Lisa had recognized Travis’ need for independence, and so allowed him to spend time alone at the house in Garrison, so long as he called her twice a week at a specified time and spent at least two weeks with her in Virginia each month. So it was that on that last night, he and Gilda were alone in his father’s house, eating pizza and laughing their way through an old horror movie from the early 21st Century. Her father had gone into Jersey to visit relatives and so she stayed over later than usual to enjoy Travis’ company.
“Oh my god, I can’t believe how stupid that was,” Gilda remarked as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. “It was fun,” Travis enthused. “Of course, if zombies really tried to overrun the planet, our troops would take them out right quick.”
“As long as Private Rand is in charge of the troops, right?” she said, flashing him a smile.
Travis laughed. “No, no–General Rand, thank you. Nothing less will do.”
“Think you’ll go that far?”
Travis considered it. “Doesn’t matter, really. All I really want to do is aim a gun with a Calvorian dead in my sights at the other end. Long as I can take down as many as I can to protect Earth, that’s all that matters. Rank doesn’t mean shit.”
She placed her hand on his. “Please just be careful, Travis. Seriously.”
He covered her hand with his other one. “I promise.”
