Gabatrix: The Violet Wave

Chapter 2: It Was a Typical Day....

"Cason, there you are!" Javier said as he carried his food tray towards his friend's table.

It was a Tuesday morning in a colony world with a never-ending day. Javier carried a tray with a banana, coffee, and an egg sandwich on it. The galley and mess hall were enormous. UHN headquarters was a massive domed building with multiple rooms, offices, and administration for the military on Aphadus. If anything, it was the only military base for the seemingly lonely planet in the solar system.

The food hall was massive and consisted of numerous tables of various sizes for the crowds that ate there. Areas were sectioned off for enlisted, civilian, and officers alike. Only recently had the place been modified to allow a new set of visitors......the Itreans.

Javier was used to eating at the food hall. He had been all but used to those that would come and go. The establishment was busier than ever. The table that Cason sat at was small and in an area where foot traffic was low. Javier noted that Cason sat on a chair and was highly focused on the digital display that depicted the news. His tray of cereal was already half-eaten.

"Cason?" Javier called out as he stood next to him.

Cason was a typical officer of the Aphadus UHN team. He was a lieutenant and dressed similarly to Javier. His red and blue fancy uniform stood out. His pale complexion was reminiscent of the pale red environment. The big difference was that he had a mustache and black hair.

"Wha?......" Cason said in a deep voice. "Oh.....Javier. Dude, I am sorry I didn't see you, man."

"Everything alright?" Javier asked him as he placed his food tray down on the other side of the table. He sat down and got a chance to see the news display screen.

Cason lifted his arm as he activated a display screen. His left arm glowed yellow as it displayed a digital holographic display menu for him to look at. He used his right hand and pressed a button, putting the table's digital screen on mute.

"You know, you can simply press the button on the table instead of using that augmented arm of yours," Javier told him.

"Ugh.....sorry about that," Cason replied to him. "Had a lot of stuff on my mind. I was trying to watch the news to distract myself."

"Looks like it partially worked," Javier said as he picked up the banana and began peeling it.

"Partly," Cason said as he took his spoon, scooped up some of the almond milk and cereal, and put it into his mouth. "Karen asked me to marry her."

Javier choked on his banana for a split second. "Seriously? Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?"

"Well.....yeah. We were talking about it off and on. She took me by surprise when she asked me."

"Well? Did you accept?"

"Fuck yeah, I did. I knew her for four years, duh.....it's just......"

"What is it?"

"I was kinda torn back and forth, really," Cason said. "I think she saw me hesitate for a moment, and she was discouraged. She almost walked out on me, but I had to stop her. That was.....last night."

"But you guys are getting married, right?"

"Yeah.....I think. That is why I am a little distracted right now. My thoughts are on her."

Javier smiled at him. "Hey, me amigo. Just let me know when the wedding day is on, and I will be there. I want to be the best man."

"You will definitely have that honor, I promise," Cason said with a nod.

Javier and Cason took a bite of their food before they resumed talking.

"You know, I admit that Karen.....she doesn't normally ask for a marriage," Cason told him.