by C. S. De Mel
“Didn’t you do enough running at the park?”
“I can still take you!” said Bruce determinedly.
“Yeah, right, let’s save it for another day; we’re practically home anyway,” Matt replied.
“Alright, fine,” Bruce replied, sulking. In truth, Bruce had never been able to outrun Matt. But this was only due to Matt being older than Bruce. It was the fact that Bruce was unable to beat Matt that made him so eager to take on the challenge.
Matt fumbled around in his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. They had arrived at a large house that had belonged to the Walkers for three generations. The Walker family was a middle-class family that lived in Manhattan, New York. Chesterfield Walker was a carpenter, and his wife, Meredith, was a stay-at-home mother. The couple had two boys: 24-year-old Doug and 10-year-old Charlie. Despite the Walker family not being particularly wealthy, they had big hearts and were well-loved by their neighbourhood. They were involved with many charity events such as food drives and clothing donations. However, their biggest gift to the world was their role as foster parents to orphan boys. Over the years, they had adopted several children, Bruce and Santos included. Financially, they would not be able to undertake such an endeavor if not for their charity efforts being sponsored by members in the Legion.
The five boys stepped into the house and were surprised to find two strangers in the entrance hall talking with Charlie’s dad, Chester. They were an odd pairing indeed. One was a tall Englishman. He was slim, with a well-groomed brown beard that matched his suit. The second was an older Asian gentleman. He was short in stature and was wearing a pale orange robe over dress pants and a shirt. The robe was held snugly in place with a wide golden sash.
“Ah, boys, you’re home!” Charlie’s father greeted. “We have guests, as you can see. This is Mr. Alastor Moore and Mr. Keion Shyu—acquaintances of mine.” One by one, Chester introduced each of the boys to the two gentlemen. Their interest piqued when they got around to Bruce.
“Ah, and this is Bruce,” Mr. Shyu said, while shaking hands. Mr. Moore looked over Bruce with twinkling eyes.
Charlie’s wife walked in from the kitchen and her mouth dropped open in shock. “Oh, just look at you, Bruce!” she exclaimed, pinching his cheek. “You’re all sticky!”
“Ow!” Bruce mumbled, as he pushed her hand away.
“You need to go take a bath and clean yourself up when we have guests!” She looked over the other four boys. “That goes for the rest of you too!”
“It’s quite alright, Mrs. Walker,” Alastor Moore said. “You know the old saying, ‘boys will be boys’.” Alastor smiled at the group. “You were all at the park, I understand?”
Bruce noticed that when Mr. Moore spoke, there was a certain warmth in his candor. “Yeah, just playing around. Soccer and stuff,” Bruce replied.
“Good-good. Bruce, do you mind if we have a word with you in private?”
“Um...sure, I don’t mind.”
“You can go into the living room if you’d like,” Chester suggested, directing them down the hall with his hand.
“Yes, that would be perfect, thank you,” Alastor replied. Bruce followed Mr. Moore and Mr. Shyu into the hallway, sneaking an uncertain glance back at his foster brothers, who returned the look of confusion.
Bruce, Mr. Shyu, and Mr. Moore were now standing alone in the living room. “Bruce, allow me to properly introduce ourselves. Mr. Shyu and myself are part of an organization known as the Omega Ops Legion. Have you heard of us before?”
“Hmm...no,” Bruce answered truthfully.
“As it should be. I didn’t expect Chester to tell you about us, and we don’t really advertise.” Alastor Moore smiled. “I am a friend of Charlie’s father—we go back a long way. But back on topic: We, the Legion as a whole, have always encouraged the pursuing of charity efforts, such as in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Walker and their generous contributions to their community. Philanthropy is one aspect of what it is we do. The other two facets of the Legion are mentorship and peacekeeping.”
“Peacekeeping?” Bruce laughed before he could stop himself. “By that you mean fighting and battles?”
Alastor Moore smiled. “As a last resort, yes. Simply put, the Legion does everything within its power to make the world a better place—which brings us to why we are here. Chester has told us quite a bit about you, Bruce. From the time you joined the Walkers’ family, he knew there was something special about you.”
Bruce’s eyes grew wide. “Something special? ...What?”
“The potential to do great things. From a young age, you’ve showed incredible drive, perseverance, and most importantly, a very strong sense of moral obligation. A duty to do what is right. For these traits to be instilled in someone so young is quite remarkable. We place a great deal of stock in Chester’s intuition.”
Bruce ruminated about what he was being told. “So, you want me to join this organization, the Omega Ops Legion?”
“Sharp and to the point,” Mr. Moore replied, smiling.
“Yes, a young man like you has much to offer the world,” Mr. Shyu added. “Such an organization would nurture your true potential. I would personally be one of the teachers to train you.”
“So then, you’re a teacher from the Legion?”
“Well, speaking specifically, he is the current Grandmaster of the Legion,” Mr. Moore stated on Keion Shyu’s behalf.
“Oh—so, the boss?”
“Grandmaster,” Mr. Moore repeated. “This is obviously a lot to take in. Joining the Legion is a calling that will become a member’s life, in a manner of speaking. You will need time to talk this over with your family.”
“There’s no need,” Bruce said. “I’m grateful that you considered me for this organization, and it does sound really great—something I would want to be a part of...but I can’t join. I have other plans for my future.”
“Really?” Mr. Moore stroked his bearded chin. “May I be so bold as to inquire what young Bruce has planned for himself?” Bruce hesitated. After all, these two men were still strangers to him.
“It’s okay, son; you can talk to them.” Bruce turned to see that Chester had walked into the living room. “You don’t have to doubt these two, Bruce. They’re family too.”
“Okay,” Bruce said, relaxing a little. Bruce trusted Chester, and if he vouched for these two, he had no reason to hide anything from them.
“Hey, but before you guys really get into it, why doesn’t everyone grab seats; there’s no need to stand around!” Chester exclaimed. He ushered them towards the couches. “Sit-sit!”
“Thank you, Chester,” said Mr. Moore. They all found a spot on the sofa set: Mr. Shyu on the armchair, Mr. Moore on the loveseat, and Bruce and Chester on the three-piece.
“So, what are your plans, Bruce?” Mr. Moore asked.
“I want to join the army,” Bruce replied. “I want to be able to protect my country and protect my family.” Bruce looked down at his feet to hide the faint trace of sadness across his face. “If the war’s still going on when I join, I want to be able to help the people overseas.”
Mr. Moore nodded appreciatively. “Well, that’s very admirable of you, Bruce. Self-sacrifice is the highest calling a man can strive for.”
Mr. Shyu leaned forward. “I know this is a difficult time for you, Bruce—for your family. I understand that three of your foster brothers are fighting overseas.”
Bruce nodded solemnly. “We haven’t heard from them in months.”
Chester placed a hand on Bruce’s shoulder. “We can still hope and keep them in our prayers. There’s Flint Pederson, the eldest of my foster boys; Ned Crawford, the youngest in the trio; and my son Doug; he’ll be twenty-five in August.” Chester smiled. “Those three are inseparable. The three musketeers. I hope they’re taking care of each other out there.”
“I’m going to join the army like them,” Bruce stated adamantly. “And like my dad... They knew it was the right thing to do, and I do too
.”
Alastor Moore nodded. “Tell me, Bruce, what are your thoughts on the conflict in Vietnam?”
“We need to keep fighting to defend South Vietnam.”
“Really? The media is starting to tell a different story. What do you make of that?”
“Well, they can say whatever they want, but that doesn’t make them right.” Bruce clenched his fists. “What would be wrong is to sit and do nothing while people get killed. North Vietnam is trying to impose communist rule over South Vietnam through force. It’s a system that doesn’t work. In theory, communism sounds good, but the power corrupts, and people are ruled over with an iron fist. I don’t think it’s wrong to fight for the right cause, but what North Vietnam is fighting for will eventually rob people of their freedom.”
Keion Shyu smiled. “You are very opinionated and speak passionately for someone so young. And you are not wrong in what you are saying. It’s the sad truth of this world. Peace and freedom are a constant war. I do not want to dissuade you from your goals, but I will tell you this: To become a Legion member will be a life changing experience, and someone of your character would benefit greatly from it. How long until you are old enough to enlist for military service?”
“Six years.”
“Well, you know, you can always do both. Legion training can start at any age as long as the candidate is ready. You’re only competing against yourself, so you dictate the pace of training.”
“I could start right now?”
“Absolutely.”
Bruce contemplated the possibility. “But even still…once I’m eighteen, then what? I want my commitment to be to the army.”
“I’ll make you a deal, Bruce. You take a chance with us. Commit the next six years to the Legion, and it will change your life and your perspective on the world.”
“What if I like my perspective?”
Keion chuckled. “Well, we just give you more and more pieces to puzzles. You can arrange them however you wish.”
“And when I’m eighteen?”
“When you’re eighteen, you are free to choose whatever path is right for you.”
“So, if I want to...I can just leave?”
“Yes.”
Bruce found this hard to believe. “Wouldn’t that just be a waste of everyone’s time? Investing six years and then just giving it up?”
Keion shook his head. “Not at all. That is the beauty of this learning process. What you learn will never go to waste. And what we will teach you in those six years will get you that much more prepared to face the world. Like we said, you have the strength of character to put our teachings towards bettering the world. And, in the end, that’s what the Legion is all about. It’s an investment, on our part. Being an official member of our organization or not is immaterial.”
“What are you kids doing!” Charlie’s mother could be heard screaming from the other side of the wall. It was apparent that Mr. Moore and Mr. Shyu had a secret audience. “How dare you go eavesdropping on a private conversation! I raised you kids better than that!”
“Mom, I didn’t want to, and I tried to stop them, but they forced—”
“Oh shut up, Charles; you’re the worst one in the bunch!”
“Huh?! No, not me!” Muffled laughter could be heard.
“What are you laughing at, Dillon!? You kids get upstairs and get ready for bed!” Charlie’s mother always tried to put all of them to bed extra-early when she got annoyed with them.
Chester stood up. “Sorry about that. I’ll be sure to discipline them for their intrusion.”
Alastor Moore chuckled. “Nonsense.” Alastor waved a hand for Chester to sit back down. “They’re just curious, and we’re not exactly discussing matters of national security here.” Keion watched Bruce, who was unfettered by the distraction—he was still mulling over his options.
Bruce looked up. “Mr. Shyu—Mr. Moore—could I be part of the army and a member of the Legion at the same time?”
Mr. Moore blinked. “But of course! I’m sorry, it must have slipped our minds to mention that. Many of our members have other careers alongside their Legion duties. Police officers, politicians, lawyers, doctors, teachers, and every sort of profession you can imagine. And, of course, several enlisted in military service.”
Bruce jumped off his seat. “Really!? That’s perfect!” He pumped his fists in excitement. “So I can do both!”
“I take it you’re interested in joining, then?” Keion asked, smiling.
“You bet! It sounds awesome!”
“Now you know, Bruce—for us to train you, you will have to spend several years in Asia. This is where I reside,” Mr. Shyu stated.
Bruce lowered his hands and his heart began to sink. “What? I have to leave the country? My family?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so. But this is what young people do when they are discovering themselves. They must travel.”
“But couldn’t I stay here and still join the Legion somehow?”
“There are members situated all over the world and several here in the States that are capable of undertaking a pupil. Normally, this is what I would suggest. But upon having met you, Bruce, I feel it is imperative that I be the one to train you. There is much you can be taught and a few things that I alone can teach.”
“He is the best,” Mr. Moore attested.
Bruce looked to Chester apprehensively for input. Chester shrugged. “It’s up to you, Bruce. We would miss having you around the house. But I think this just might be your calling in life—and it won’t be forever. When you’re all grown up, you can come back and visit us.”
Bruce stared up at the ceiling; his eyes were starting to water. “I don’t know what to do...”
“Well, Bruce, don’t say anything just yet, then,” said Mr. Shyu. “We are in town until Monday. Get a good night’s sleep and think it over with your family tomorrow. We’ll drop by before we leave to have your answer. This is a big decision.”
Chester stood up. “Well, before leaving right now, how about something to drink?”
Mr. Moore thoughtfully stroked his chin with a thumb and forefinger. “Well, a tea would be grand.”
***
Bruce walked up the stairs with his head reeling from the conversation he had with Mr. Moore and Mr. Shyu. He opened the door to his room, which he shared with Peter and Charlie. He was hardly surprised to find both of them awake, along with Matthew and Dillon in the room. There were three small beds in the room, side by side. The boys were sitting on the two end beds and were using the middle bed as a table for their card game. “So, how much did you guys hear?”
“Bits and pieces, Bruce. Not enough to make sense of it.” Matthew stood up. “Fill us in on what that was all about.”
“They want me to join some group. Peacekeepers or something.”
“Did they give you a name?” Matthew questioned.
“Yeah. The Omega Ops Legion.” Matthew’s eyes grew wide. “You know about them?” Bruce questioned.
“Who are they, Matt?” Dillon asked.
Matt looked around the room. “Really? You guys don’t listen to the radio?”
“I read…” Charlie muttered under his breath.
“They’re a secret order and they have influence worldwide—fingers in every cookie jar.”
“Yeah? What do they do?” Bruce asked, intrigued.
“I’m not entirely sure. Their whole existence is shrouded in rumors and hearsay. It’s a big conspiracy.”
Charlie frowned. “That doesn’t sound like a good thing.”
“Well, those two friends of your dad are a part of it,” Bruce countered. “And that Mr. Shyu was the boss of the whole thing, apparently. They do humanitarian aid for people in need and wage wars against tyrants, from what I gathered.”
“Are they fighting in ‘Nam?” Charlie asked.
“Probably. If your dad trusts them, Charlie, then so do I.”
“Depending on the source, people spin them either way,” Matt informed
. “Maybe they are something good; I have no clue.”
“They want me to leave the country to train with them.”
Peter’s eyes grew wide. “Whoa—how long?”
“Six years. In Asia.”
Matthew laughed. “You’d never get me to go along with those terms—no way.”
“Same here,” said Dillon. “Taking orders from a couple of strangers in a foreign country? No, thanks.”
“Are you going to do it, Bruce?” Charlie asked.
“I don’t know... What do you guys think?”
Matt folded his arms in front of him. “You heard what we think. Now do what you gotta do.”
Bruce’s eyes darted back and forth as he thought. He knew what was really holding him back. He wanted to join. He wanted to help. But he didn’t want to face it on his own. If there was just one familiar face to go on this journey with him…
“I’ll go with you.” Bruce looked at Peter in surprise. “If you’re joining, Bruce, I want to go too.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. This is what we wanted to do, isn’t it? A chance to make a difference. If they’ll accept me too, I’ll go.”
Bruce placed a hand on Santos’ shoulder. “Then I won’t go unless they accept both of us.”
Dillon smirked. “Oh you kids and your ideals.”
***
The next morning, Bruce woke up with butterflies in his stomach. He glanced at the wall clock in the room. It was only six, but he was wide awake. Peter and Charlie were still sound asleep. He silently crept out of bed and opened the closet door. He began to rummage through his clothes and toss them into the duffel bag he had lying on the floor. He didn’t have many possessions—the one bag was more than sufficient. Bruce decided that the few toys he owned, he would leave behind. He had no more use for such things. He was becoming a man at the age of twelve.
The evening came much too quickly for Bruce. Or maybe it couldn’t come fast enough, he couldn’t decide. He was feeling extremely excited and nervous all day long. Bruce and Peter had spent a quiet day at home with their foster family. Precious moments like these were few and far between, and they cherished them dearly. They would likely be the last for a long time because today was the day they would embark upon a new life. Peter was still uncertain about his fate, but both Bruce and Chester were confident that he would be accepted. A knock on the door signalled that the time to part ways had come. Chester opened the door with Bruce and Santos standing behind him.
