Brave But Cheated

Purple Heart

Noctis

Today is the day I am heading to the base for the award ceremony. Dad, Amara and Callum are coming with me. I don't have my ceremonial uniform with me, but I got word from Sergeant Major Jones that he can bring it.

We pull up to the parking lot and head inside. Dan meets me in the hallway and we share a short hug.

"Who are these people?" Dan asks as he looks at my friends and family.

"This is Amara, Callum and my Dad, Riggs," I introduce.

Dan's eyes widen as he realizes who my dad is and he bows his head, "Nice to meet you Alpha Riggs."

"Pleasure is mine Sergeant Major, I heard you have helped out my daughter a lot these past couple years."

"It was my pleasure. Here Noctis, you should go get changed," Dan hands me my clothes.

I head to the bathroom to change while Dan takes my family to their seats. After I get changed into my uniform with my five metals I have earned on the breast. I walk into the ceremony room and find my seat. I am sitting between two soldiers I don't recognize and the director takes a stand at the stage.

There are vampires in the army? Dad asks shocked.

Yes Dad, all the ones I have met are really nice.

I'm not judging, just shocked, Dad defensively says.

"Thank you all for coming here today for this awarding ceremony. Let's get started. First we have Dax Wilson, he is receiving a metal for his courage and leadership. He stepped up when his lieutenant was captured and continued to look for her while fighting off the enemies."

Dax looks happy and I look at him proud. When he sees me, his smile widens. I guess he didn't know I was coming here today. After he receives his metal, a few more soldiers are called up before it is my turn.

"Lastly, I would like to call up Lieutenant Noctis Kilo," I walk up beside the director, "She  lead the best Special Ops Platoon that the army has ever seen. She was captured by the enemy for two years and took them down single handedly to escape. She is one of the best soldiers that the army has ever seen and I am honoured to be awarding the Purple Heart to her today," he pins the metal to my uniform and I go to salute him, but he continues talking. "Today we are also awarding Lieutenant Kilo the Metal of Honour for her courage and bravery."

To say I am surprised is an understatement. That is the highest award you can be given in the military. He pins it to my uniform and salutes me. I salute him and then make my way back to my seat, still in shock.

"Thank you all for coming today, there will be a gathering held in the hall across from here," Dan says.

We all stand up and file out of the room to enter to large room across the hallway. I don't get far before I am embraced in a tight hug. I sniff the person and I realize it is Xander. I hug him and back then we break away from each other.

"You look like you are doing better," he comments.

"I feel a lot better. How are you? How's Uncle Chris?"

"He's good, congratulations on the metals!" He smiles widely.

"Thanks. It was a big shock to me as well," I tell him.

"Noctis!" A man exclaims and embraces me in a hug. Tobias.

"Tobias, congratulations on your metal," I smile as I hug him.

He pulls back, "You as well. You seem better."

"I am."

"Tobias, Xander!" I hear Mara shout as she runs up and tackles them in a hug.