The Jumpgate
Page 22
David gave his mom a comforting smile. “You don’t need to apologize. Look, I know you’ve never been a fan, but why don’t you come to Mars with me? I just accepted a position there.”
“What position?”
“I’m going to be head of the Mars communications station during the night watch.”
Judith was surprised at the news, but happy for her son. “I’m so happy for you. Are you sure it’s what you want? I know your father pushed you into TERRA.”
“At one point I was ready to walk away,” David admitted. “But seeing how I helped with changing things, I decided my place was in the military. I’m doing what I want, mom. With the money I’ll be making I can get us an actual house in the Neighborhood District. There will be plenty of room for all of us.”
Judith was genuinely touched by her son’s offer. She realized what a remarkable man she helped raise. “I…I would like that.”
David activated his DAT. “Computer, purchase another ticket for the same flight I’m on to Mars for Judith Block.” The DAT beeped, and the confirmation displayed on the screen. “We’re all set. Tomorrow you and I will be in Crimson City.”
Judith didn’t know what else to say. She hugged her son and held him tightly. For David, it felt good. He felt fortunate. He got both his friends and family back.
********
It was mid-afternoon in the city of San Antonio. Jacob was leaning up against a vehicle, holding a DAT, while looking at the high school courtyard across the street. He was dressed in civilian clothes. He didn’t want a TERRA uniform to make him stand out. He watched a group of teenage boys chat with each other. It was only on the advice of Michelle that Jacob was here. This was the first time he laid eyes on his son, who was part of the group in the courtyard. So many emotions rumbled within Jacob as he watched his son. He realized what he’d given up. Everything he went through on the PHOENIX and SOLARA seemed to pale in comparison to missing out on raising a child. But it seemed his son was happy, actively engaging with his friends.
The kids eventually dispersed. Jacob watched his son disappear behind the school building. He looked down at his DAT. On it was the resignation letter he drafted, set to be sent to Admiral Vargas and Admiral Vespia copied. He wrestled back and forth with this decision but seeing Chad had made the choice for him.
Jacob was about to hit the send button when he was interrupted. “Excuse me.” Jacob looked up from his DAT and saw his son in front of him. Jacob didn’t know what to say. “You’re my dad, aren’t you?”
Jacob was at a loss for words. “Uh…”
“Mom’s showed me pictures of you.”
There was no way for Jacob to deny his identity. “Yes…” What else could he say?
“You work in TERRA, right?”
“I do…well…”
“Mom said you’ve done important things that have helped people. She said I should be proud of you.”
This came as a complete surprise to Jacob. There was a lot of hurt and anger in the letters his ex-wife sent to him. He assumed that she either said nothing about him or bad mouthed him to Chad. To hear that she had said only positive things about him…Jacob couldn’t help but smile.
“What…what else has she said?” Jacob asked.
“That I shouldn’t be mad at you for not being around.”
Jacob was moved hearing those words.
“Are you in TERRA? I told my friends you served on PHOENIX,” Chad said.
Jacob looked at his DAT and turned it off, never sending the letter. He looked at Chad. “Yes, I’m still an officer. I’m going to help build a new starship.”
Chad’s eyes grew big. “Really? As big as the PHOENIX?”
Jacob chuckled. “Not quite, but I can tell you a little of what I’m doing, and I can share a whole bunch of stories of my life on PHOENIX.”
Chad got excited. “I want to hear about them. I don’t have to be home for a while.”
“I know of a pretty good café we can go to,” Jacob suggested. When Chad nodded yes, both father and son started walking down the sidewalk. “We made our first jump to Alpha Centauri, and wouldn’t you know it that’s where we encountered our first alien.”
“A Cresorian,” Chad piped up. “I read about it in school.”
Jacob smiled. “Hey, who’s telling the story here?”
Novels by Robert Stadnik
EXODUS SERIES
Exodus Of The Phoenix
Phoenix Among The Stars
Phoenix In Chaos
Fury Of The Phoenix
Fractured Alliance
EXODUS UNIVERSE
The Io Effect
The Jumpgate
HEROES & CONSEQUENCES
Tales Of A Former Child Superhero