Unity

Chapter 2

Time was something I had always taken for granted. Now it seemed very short in supply. The recruiters for Battle Fleet had given me a week to put my affairs in order, as they put it. My brain was a mess as it tried to organize everything I needed to get done. Like most people my age, I had procrastinated on too many things. I had just been accepted yesterday, and I was already back filling out more paperwork. It was actual paperwork. I couldn't believe they were still using paper.

After an hour of paperwork, I could barely move my hand. I had to read and sign forms on life insurance, pay schedules, multiple non-disclosure agreements, and a whole bunch of other legal documents that I couldn't even begin to understand. On the end, the pain was worth it. I was in.

I exited the recruiting station feeling exhausted. I was trying to organize my thoughts when somebody slammed into me, nearly knocking me down.

"Watch where you're going," a familiar voice said. "Don't they teach you Battle Fleet recruits to pay attention to your surroundings?"

"Derek!" I hollered back. "What are you doing in town? I thought you were stuck in school with all those obnoxious nerds." Derek and I had been inseparable since we had met in elementary school. "Zack!" he yelled as he trotted over.

"At least I had the brains to go to a university instead of getting shot up in the military like someone I know."

"First of all, the Battle Fleet is only accepting the best and brightest. Secondly, the odds of me getting shot are about the same as you getting a girl. I'll be in space. There are so many other ways I could go."

"That is why I'm the smart one," Derek said smugly. "It's much safer here on solid ground. That and I hear all the girls that you won't be allowed to date up there are manlier than you."

"We'll just see what happens when I get leave. I'll show up on your doorstep with the hottest girls around, just begging for my attention."

Our banter began winding down as we neared the bus depot. "Seriously man, I didn't think you could get away from your studies before I shipped out," I said.

"I talked to the dean and explained what was going on. He's a pretty chill guy. He managed to work some magic so I could take a few days off."

"So, what should we do with my last few days of freedom?" I asked. The mischievous look in his eyes told me he already had everything planned out.

"Why do I get the feeling I'm going to regret asking you that," I said, faking anxiety.

"First of all," he stated, "I'm bunking with you this week. Your mom made me promise that I'd have you home tonight for a celebratory dinner. Secondly, we have a part to attend tomorrow."

"I should have known you would be pulling the strings behind this little impromptu party that is going down," I shot back.

"Just relax. I know how much this means to you. I promise we will not do anything that would stop you from going into space. So, let's get you home. We have some planning to do."

When we arrived, we were greeted by the most amazing aromas. I walked into the kitchen and found every available space covered with bags of groceries.

"Hey mom," I said as I gave her a hug. "Are you sure all this food is necessary? Katie is gaining weight as it is."

"I heard that," Katie yelled from the living room. My sister Katie was a year and a half younger than me. She was an athlete and a health food fanatic. I doubt she would eat half the stuff my mom planned on cooking and it looked like she planned on cooking a whole lot.