by LC Morgans
“Hawaii sounds nice, but I’ll be bored there alone.”
“Oh, you won’t be alone,” he whispered, and took a step back. “Well done, Millan. Grab your things, you're holding up the rest of us.”
Silas was gone before Kyra even took a breath, but she didn’t care. All she could think about was that he’d finally asked her the question she’d been desperate to hear come from his lips. He wanted to spend their summer break together, and she knew damn sure they wouldn’t spend it seeing anything of the island other than the inside of their room.
Chapter
Six
Platoon group Lima reached their door late that night, and quickly headed into the same corridor where they’d entered the exercise the morning before. Silas lead the way, and pulled a key from his pocket to unlock the door that would take them back out to the base. There they would find out how many others had completed their assessments as well, and hopefully judge where they might come in the rankings. The lock clicked, and the door swung open while every one of them held their breath in anticipation. On the other side stood Lt. Psy, and his grin told them everything—they were the first ones to complete the exercise. He greeted each member of their platoon and congratulated them before slapping Silas on the back and shaking his hand.
“First platoon back, McDermott,” Kyra heard him say. She was buzzing with pride for both Silas and their unit, and knew they’d rank highly regardless of any demerits. She was then swept up in the celebrations with her fellow recruits, and it took a few minutes before they calmed down and regained their composure, but Lt. Psy seemed happy to let them celebrate.
It was a full thirty minutes before another platoon emerged, and soon after more and more completed their exercises. Word got around quickly that Lima Platoon had won, and their fellow recruits congratulated them, despite the competitiveness. Their fallen comrades were also released from the exercise area and came out to join them, each one full of apology for having been caught or killed in the simulation, but none of them cared. Morale was at an all-time high, and regardless of their exhaustion, the recruits spent hours telling the other platoon’s their stories from inside the training grounds.
“Hey, little lady,” Silas whispered from beside Kyra, but it didn’t matter anyway. Everyone was so pumped that they’d completed their primary training that they were shouting, laughing and joking loudly to one another and wouldn’t overhear them. “Come with me,” he added, before ducking behind some of their well-known crates in search of a hidden spot. She followed, and soon found herself being pinned to the wall by Silas’ immense frame. His mouth found hers and he kissed her with such fervor that it took her breath away.
“Hawaii?” she asked when he finally pulled back, and he nodded.
“Hawaii. I’m not going home, so I've arranged for somewhere to stay on the island instead. I want you to come with me. Our credits are good for return travel anywhere. As long as we come back when we’re told, there’s no need for them to look into where we went, or with whom. Tell me you’ll come?” he sounded like a lovesick teenager, not a powerful and successful soldier in his mid-twenties, but she could hear the need in his voice. It echoed her own. The throbbing angst she felt deep within wanted so many things from him, and it seemed he wanted her the same way too.
“There’s literally nowhere else on this entire planet I’d rather go than with you,” she reached up and stroked his stubbly cheeks before kissing him again.
“After tomorrow I’m no longer your Commander, so we can officially date after summer leave. No more hiding in the shadows stealing kisses,” he told her, nuzzling her neck.
“But I like stolen kisses,” she teased, arching into him. The deep growl he gave her fuelled her even further, and Kyra planted a kiss against his earlobe. “I can’t wait.” She then slid sideways to escape his hold, and ducked back out into the crowd before he could keep her there any longer. They were so close, and she had to keep her cool if she was going to make it through the next day in one piece.
She’d left her entire world behind to come here, and now looking around at Fort Angel and its inhabitants, Kyra knew she’d done the right thing. She wasn’t a leader or a specialist yet—she was simply a recruit. But, she’d worked hard, and had helped her platoon reach that flag and get back in record time. They'd succeeded regardless of the setbacks, or the times others might’ve thought they'd fail, and she felt immense pride in herself and her comrades.
Lots of changes were ahead; it was inevitable. Some of the other recruits would stay at a primary level to carry on with their careers as infantry soldiers, while others like her would move on for a further two years of secondary training, and a pass would ensure they were chosen for one of the middle or upper-class military divisions. Kyra had her sights set on the Intelligence Division, and knew she’d already shown proficiency in both her computer skills and tactical ability. Lt. Psy had already said so himself, and all she had to do now was keep going, keep winning, and keep pushing.
***
The next morning, Kyra and the others lined up in the yard and sat in wait of the final results. The top fifteen platoon’s would go through to secondary phase training, but the top five units were also awarded extra credits as an award, and the honor of knowing they'd succeeded above all others. Competition was a surprising part of the camaraderie, but they all felt it, and were eager to hear who had placed at the number one spot. The scores for the entire year were tallied and added to the results for the final exercise, so there was no real way of guessing who’d come out on top.
“From this moment forward you are no longer Recruits. You are Corporals in his majesty King Kronus’ Human Royal Armed Forces. You serve, fight and lead. You preserve and protect our way of life as was given to us by his highness, and above all—you wear that pledge with pride,” Lt. Psy told them from the podium set above the crowd. He then began informing them of the scores, starting at the bottom. Moans and unhappy murmurs could be heard from the unsuccessful platoon’s, clearly disgruntled at having to remain in the lower-class division of the army. None cried or refused their position though, and Kyra knew that no matter where they’d placed, it would be better than going back to the lower-class civilian sectors to try and live on measly credits and hard work. The army was a better alternative no matter what, and they were no doubt grateful just to have made it through with a role at all.
The middle groups were then called, and the members of Lima Platoon were growing restless. They each wanted to hurry up and find out their position, and Lt. Psy seemed to be enjoying his casual speed, or at least it felt that way. It was wonderful knowing that no matter where they placed now they were returning for secondary phase training, so Kyra’s goal had already been achieved for her first year. It still didn’t stop her hoping they might come in the top five, but to reach the number one would be wonderful. “In fifth position… Delta Platoon.” The group next to them erupted in exultation, and Kyra watched them with a smile. She turned and risked a glance at Silas, who didn’t look back at her, but smiled. She and the others had given him his top five placing, and the sense of pride she had at giving him his dream was immense.
They weren’t fourth or third place, and Kyra started to sweat. She’d never dreamed of doing so well, and grabbed Brona’s hand beside her. They watched as Lt. Psy read the autocue and smiled. “It gives me great pleasure to announce that second place goes to… Juliet Platoon.” The group across the way began cheering, and she suddenly felt sad. It was only when she registered that her own platoon were celebrating too that it dawned on her. “And last but certainly not least, after a superior year’s training and a tremendous final exercise, first place goes to Lima Platoon!”
There were people hugging and grabbing her from all around, and Kyra was in utter shock. By the time it all sunk in, they were ushered to sit back down, and she kept hold of Brona’s hand. Their smiles didn’t fade for even an instant, and it was all Kyra could do to concentrate on what she was hearing f
rom the podium above. Their Commander was saying something about the designated transports and return dates for secondary training. She picked up on some of it, but knew Silas would go over the details again when they returned to their rooms in Lima Platoon one last time, so didn’t worry too much. It was the end of an era, and although it saddened her, Kyra was pleased to be coming back after the break. She would get to see Silas on a night after her training was over and he’d finished with his new recruits for the day, and knew he’d make time to be with her. They would be a real couple, able to walk together during breaks and sit with one another for meals. They could laugh and joke without having to worry who might see, and she couldn't wait.
“Where are you all going for summer leave?” Brona asked when they were packing their bags and clearing the dorm room a short while later. “I’m heading home to Atlanta, my parents have missed me something rotten, but it’ll be nice to see them and tell them all about our adventures,” she added excitedly. They hadn’t learned much about one another’s families, but she knew the other girls were all close with theirs. Once upon a time ago she’d envied them, but not now. She had somewhere to go, and someone to go with. There was no sitting in downtown Los Angeles whiling away the next two weeks like she’d thought.
“I’m going home too,” Liza answered. “My sister is getting married and she had a baby this year so I’ll get to meet my nephew.” She had a smile that screamed she’d once been a small-town girl before running away with the soldiers on sector selection day, and Kyra was pleased to see the real Liza she had kept hidden away the past year. She was clearly itching to get home, and spoke of her family with such love and adoration Kyra envied her.
“I’m visiting a friend on the west coast. I’ve no family in Los Angeles, but further south I have some distant cousins I can stay with,” she lied. “Sun, sea and sand—here I come!” the other girls beamed, and seemed to believe her. She knew they'd never ask Silas where he was going for summer leave, and even if they did he’d more than likely tell them to mind their own business. No matter their achievements and the changes they’d all made during the past year, he was still a hard-ass, and their superior. Kyra did wonder where he was from though. His accent was full of southern lilts and influences from the east, with a hint of wealth, but she hadn’t learned where he’d come from yet, and hoped that over their break he might open up about himself some more. Even just thinking about spending the next two weeks with him made her cheeks burn, and she had to turn away from the other girls until it subsided.
The platoon was no more, and it was a bittersweet moment disbanding their small unit so each soldier could carry on without one another in the secondary phase. They said their goodbyes and grabbed their things, but not before giving one another one last hug and wishing everyone well. They weren’t sure if they'd be together again in the next phase, so said their goodbyes now, just in case they didn’t have the chance later.
Kyra boarded the bus heading to Los Angeles, and when she spotted Silas in the queue a few feet behind, her heart began to race. She was excited, and a little bit scared about the couple of weeks they had ahead of them. She hoped they hadn’t put too much pressure on themselves to have a wonderful time, or for everything to be perfect, and was determined not to let her expectations ruin the reality of their time together. Kyra had done that her entire life with her fantasy of King Kronus she’d held dear to her heart, no matter how fictitious she knew him to be. Every man she’d been attracted to since had been compared with him, and so far none had measured up. But now, she had the real thing, and had been trying her hardest to forget about the Thrakorian who had kept her company in her dreams and helped her escape reality through the years. What she and Silas had was real, and their connection had been forged over days of clandestine kisses and glances, the gentlest of touches, and the unadulterated need to connect on a spiritual level.
Kyra watched as he climbed on board and took the seat across the aisle from her, offering nothing but a brief hello to her and the others, while she swooned and fiddled nervously with her hands. The next five hours were going to be torture, she just knew it, but it was the sweetest of torments, and because she knew what was on the other side, she was ready to endure them.
She ended up falling asleep halfway through the bus ride. The motion and her exhaustion sent her body into sleep-mode quickly after finally leaving Fort Angel behind, and many of the others did the same. She woke up just in time to see the signposts signifying they were a few miles out of Los Angeles, and quickly smoothed down her hair and popped a mint in her mouth to freshen up her sleep-breath. Kyra felt very aware of the ache in her neck, and knew that she’d probably been nodding her head or rolling it left to right on the cushion of her seat whilst asleep. She didn’t dare look over to see whether Silas was giving her one of his masked smiles, because she was getting used to seeing right through those stern looks by now, so watched out the window instead of admitting her embarrassment with a shy smile.
After they arrived, it was a case of swiping their wrists over a customs gate so their embedded microchips could be read and their credits checked. Then the designated travel sector staff began directing the hoards with ease and in a clearly practiced organizational manner. They were processed and sent on their way, and at one point Kyra lost sight of Silas in the crowd. She panicked, looking from left to right amidst the huge wave of people, but she didn’t see a single face she knew. She went to call out, but no sound left her lungs, and she had to tell herself over and over again that it was all in her head. She wasn’t lost, and they had plenty of time yet. All she had to do was stay put, and he’d find her. Once the terminal building started slowly emptying, Kyra took refuge in a corner. Never before had she been afraid of crowds or felt claustrophobic, but she’d never been in such a bustling throb of people at one time either, and knew she wanted to avoid it at all costs on the return journey.
“There you are, I thought I’d lost you,” Silas called as he rounded the corner and caught sight of her. He frowned and pulled her into a hug when he saw how disheveled she was. “We missed the early hovercraft, so how about we go and wait for the next one where we can relax just you and me? I’ll even buy you a coffee,” he then offered, and immediately pulled Kyra from her somber state.
“That sounds wonderful,” she replied, and let him lead her to the dock where they'd catch the next hovercraft to Hawaii a couple hours later.
When it was time, they boarded the hovercraft headed to Kailua-Kona on the Island with hardly any other passengers. Not a single soldier joined them on the craft, and both Kyra and Silas took it as a sign of good fortune. They sat close together and talked while the small craft took them across the ocean. Silas held her hands in his and leaned in close, while each of them still felt forbidden from doing so, but it also felt so right. Kyra had never been so alive, and the short drive from the airport was like a breath of fresh air. She discarded her hair tie and combat cap once they were on the road, and let the warm wind send her dark hair flying around her shoulders as the cab drove them to the destination Silas had given the driver.
“Here we are,” the man called from the front seat when he came to a stop, and Silas swiped his hand over the payment screen, depositing one of his credits to cover the fee, while Kyra took a look at their home for the next two weeks. What he’d said was nothing more than a place to crash for summer break turned out to be a secure mansion set back from the street behind a gated fence. It was huge, like some monument to days of old, but with modern edges all around, and it screamed of wealth and power.
Kyra was in shock. She gawped up at the house while Silas grabbed their bags and punched in a code to open the gate to the walkway, and then immediately followed him into the house in silence. Once clear of the garden and inside, the emptiness of the vast mansion was daunting, and she felt uneasy. She’d never lived alone in all her life, and never spent the night in such luxury as this. After having been brought up in dorms and then a block room with
her female platoon-mates, the silence was deafening. Privacy was a comfort she’d never had before, and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to sleep with so little sound.
“I know it’s a lot to take in, but just relax. We’re here to block out the rest of the world and have fun, so lets enjoy ourselves, okay?” he asked, reaching out a hand for her to take, and Kyra took it. Silas led the way, and showed her to a bedroom filled with nothing but pale blues that were the exact same shade as the sky outside. “This is your room for the duration of our stay, I’m next door,” he told her with a shy smile.
“We’re not sharing?” she blurted out, and loved how his eyes flew to the bed in response.
“We can if you’d like, I just didn’t want to rush you,” he answered, pulling her in for a kiss. The act of chivalry did nothing but make her want him more, and she grinned up at him, but first a shower was in order, followed by a stiff drink and a chance to take all of this in.
“Let’s see how we feel, yeah?” Kyra eventually answered, and Silas nodded in agreement before ducking out through the connecting door to his room. Strangely, she didn’t feel uncomfortable in the bedroom like she had the rest of the empty house, but still needed to know why he’d brought her to this beautiful and very large mansion, rather than a hotel or small apartment by the beach like she’d envisioned. Kyra took a minute to get her bearings, and pulled out the only clothes she had, her old and scruffy jeans and shirt she’d been wearing the day she’d climbed aboard Silas’ truck and left for the army. Everything else had gone to the other dorm girls, and she knew it was time to check her credits so she could buy some more. It hadn’t mattered when all she needed was her combats and boots, but now that they were on summer leave her uniform wasn’t necessary, and it was a welcome thought not to have to wear her combats for a couple of weeks.
