The Cadet and The General (Final Space)

Chapter Five: The Trip Begins

The scout team was dropped off on a jungle planet. Three of the four cadets that were chosen had already been here before, but Pawblo was in awe of the surroundings. He never took into consideration of all the new places he was going to see. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.

When they arrived, Cataloupe was busy setting up the sturdy tents for him and the rest of the crew. One for himself, and the other one for the cadets that were chosen. He made sure not to mess up, not that he usually did, anyway.

As Pawblo was carrying a stove, he eyed the finesse of the General's hands. How he placed the tent poles and hammered down the stakes. It seemed as if he had done this many times before. Pawblo mentally took notes in his head as he eyed him, but became distracted at how muscular his arms were. For an older guy, he looked young. And handsome.

When Cataloupe looked up, Pawblo quickly turned his head back and walked away. The older ventrexian was a little suspicious of the cadet, but he shrugged it off.

Night time soon arrived, and the team sat around the campfire, eating dinner and opening care packages that their families sent. Pawblo didn't get one, due to his past being a little too painful to talk about. Cataloupe never recieved one either. The general got up from his seat and sat down next to Pawblo.

"Loner too, huh?"

"W-what?"

Cataloupe chuckled. "You never got a care package. I didn't, either. That makes the two of us a pair of loners." He curled his mustache with his finger. Pawblo slouched a little bit more. He was feeling a little sad about it, but he kept it to himself, as to not alert the others.

As they ate dinner, Pawblo pulled out his journal and began to write again. He was describing the day and experience so far. As he was writing, Cataloupe inched in a little closer. "What are you up to, Cadet?"

Pawblo shrugged as he looked at Cataloupe. "Nothing much. Just....writing down my thoughts, just like I've been doing at the base." He clicked on his pen's button multiple times. "I usually write about my day or just what I'm thinking in general."

Cataloupe nodded in agreement.

"I'm sorry, sir. I must sound boring, haha." Pawblo scratched his neck, chuckling a little. He felt nervous.

Cataloupe shook his head. "I'm not bored. I'm quite intrigued, actually. Never knew that you did that. Have you shared your journal with anyone?" Pawblo's ears perked up a little. He blushed at the thought of sharing the journal with anybody, especially Cataloupe.

"It's....it's a private thing, sir." The older ventrexian nodded. "Ah. I understand."

When everyone finished up their dinner, Cataloupe and the other soldiers headed out to their tents to get some sleep. Pawblo stayed near the campfire, looking up at the sky. As the stars twinkled, he stared in awe. "Well, you don't see this much beauty back in TCP." He chuckled. "Not as many good friends or trust either......or hot people." He kept that last retort to himself. Pawblo soon got up, put out the campfire, and into the tent that he and the others were assigned to.

Little did he know that Cataloupe was still awake inside of his tent, and overheard that.