Ichor

Commander (Part XIX)

Year 20 - Commander
Planet Earth

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Jason was suddenly faced with the impossible. How was anyone expected to make such a difficult decision? Continue to clean his sword or get an early breakfast like he set out to do?

Jason figured his meeting with Commander Ichor would run into breakfast, so he got up extra early to make sure he was packed and to grab a bite. But somehow he ended up doing sword maintenance.

On one hand, he was already cleaning and it would be a waste to stop. But on the other, he should probably eat something. Then he spent too long deciding between the two that he didn't complete either before he had to head over to the command tent.

Standing in front of the seemingly ordinary camping tent was more anxiety inducing than he imagined it would be. Jason knew the circumstances of his enlistment were controversial, but he vowed to do his best and prove that he belonged amongst the ranks. He wouldn't kid himself by believing it would be easy, especially if the Commander gave him a hard time. But part of him was comforted by the familiarity of working in a unit. That's how the Romans did things. That's how he grew up. And he did well then. He could do it again, surely.

So why did he hesitate before knocking on the post outside, alerting those waiting inside of his presence? Why was his hand fidgeting more than usual with his ADHD? Before he could rap on the wood, Travis came to stand beside him.

"You nervous?" the son of Hermes asked.

Jason thought that was a stupid question. Anyone would be nervous, himself no exception, and Jason wasn't doing a good job of hiding it.

"More so than when I faced Krios," Jason admitted.

"You'll be fine. I've drawn the short straw to be the witness for your induction. I literally pulled the shortest straw out of the bag."

Jason let out a humorless laugh. "Better you than anyone else. Familiar face, you know?"

Travis nodded. "Maybe. But Ichor isn't exactly happy with me at the moment. Both of us are reminders of people disobeying his orders, of people not trusting him."

Jason didn't know how to respond to that. There wasn't really a response. Travis was merely stating facts. Probably a heads up that the Commander, his Commander would be testy if not plain rude.

Instead of commenting, Jason merely suggested to go in. So the two walked into the tent. They walked towards the desk and came face-to-face with Ichor.

Technically, Ichor's head was down, focused on the papers in front of him, and Jason still couldn't see his face, but whatever. Semantics.

And then they stood there. Two minutes went by with Ichor filling out paperwork before Jason subtly glanced at Travis, silently questioning if they should make their presence known.

Jason thought it had to be obvious. They weren't quiet when they entered and they were only two feet or so from the desk. But Ichor made no indication that he knew they were there. At first, the new private believed it was a test—would he stick it out in silence to prove he had self-discipline or would he cave under the pressure and say something? Or maybe even a punishment—not acknowledging his acceptance into the army, making him stand there for as long as he wanted.

Then he saw Travis roll his eyes, pour a cup of some green liquid, and slide it under Ichor's nose.

The Commander startled as he gazed up at the duo. He looked at each for a second before glancing down at his papers again. With a deep sigh and slight frown that Jason still couldn't see but could sense, he drank the liquid and stood up.