Delta Force

Vol 4

Vol.4
"To See the stars"

"New Earth Military Camp For The Gifted"
Year: 2664

Mike leaned over the wooden railing of his sector's cabin. It overlooked the forest soldiers that swayed peacefully in the evening breeze. Stars from galaxies far away shone proudly in the clear sky and the moon painted the late night a weak white. He was holding out a small notebook and was sketching the landscape of the planet. The planet (in present day now destroyed) was called JUN-1, standing for Jungle one. For obvious reasons. It was around midnight, the usual time for Mike to sneak out and not be noticed. The generals there had previously noticed him but they never cared unless he complained the next day about being tired. That would lead to a lot of laps around the Grand Camp Track - a 10 mile circuit that circled round a part of Jungle going overground, underground and all over the place. However, it was almost always only the generals who'd notice him. Every other trainee was asleep. Sleep was very necessary for this camp. As its name suggests, it only holds the best of the best and if you fall behind then you can expect to go home to your disappointed carers. However, Mike didn't have parents (that he could remember at least) he only had his great aunt who was against the idea of him going but he went behind her back. He found himself not caring due to that. Besides, he didn't put much effort in yet still excelled. His performance was even better than some of those who put all they had in it. It was believed that Mike would go on to become a legend whose name would be sung across the universe. But, of course, that was only a story. He shut his book, ready to go to bed when his eyes locked with Stela's. Butterflies invaded his stomach within seconds. "Hey, what're you doing up?" He stuttered. Stela came dashing towards him as if she was going to kill him. She jumped going for a fly kick to the head causing Mike to duck and her to crash into the railing. "How do you do it?" She asked, he tilted his head in confusion. Was it not obvious that he only needed to duck? "What do you mean?" He asked, confused at her question that she had asked him. "How are you the best soldier here when I can just..." she cut herself off to throw a hook punch towards his face, he caught it with his palm and she threw the other at him, only for it to get caught too. She kicked him in the leg and he didn't even wince, he pulled her towards him and slid to the left keeping his right foot out. As she stumbled forward, she tripped over his foot, sending her flying face first. "Alright, I get it." Mike slumped down onto the ground looking miserable. "What? Did that tire you out?" Stela teased. He pulled out his notebook and scrolled through the pages of sketches and notes. "No..." his voice faded, "it's just...don't you ever wish there was more to life than just fighting?" She giggled and sat in front of him. "Didn't you sign up for this?" He closed the notebook and rubbed his arm. "I joined but not because I wanted to fight. I joined because I wanted to travel. To go out and explore galaxies, planets, cities, civilisations. There's nowhere else I can go for that. This is the only way." Stela shrugged and looked out into the night sky. "You could try cargo." She retorted. He sighed, displeased with her answer. "If I'm honest." He began, "and don't tell anyone. I trust you enough to say this but. To be honest, I want to run away. Away from here. Just me in a ship, sailing across the stars." Stela laughed at first thinking it was a joke until she saw the serious and honest look on his face. "Oh...you're serious." She gulped, "well, you know that wouldn't work." It wasn't long before Mike snapped back. "But what if it did? I got away, free from everything, living life free; how I want it. I could do so much more but here I am. At this stupid camp." His eyes kept fixed to the ground and then her eyes. "Stela." She faced him too and looked at him dead in the eyes. "Run away with me. Let me take you to see the stars." He smiled sweetly - Stela's jaw unhinged in shock and her face glowed red. "Mike..." he shoved his face in his palms and cursed to himself. "Please." He begged her, "Stela. The truth is, I really like you. You're not like anyone I've ever met before. You're not basic like everyone else and you understand me, you listen to me and my pointless shit. I want to be with you, to spend my life with you." A tear rolled down her cheek and her mouth did not shut at all until she sniffled and answered. "Mike...I...we're 15. We can't do something like that, you're thinking too fast and..." he threw his body up and leaned over the rail again. "But that's just me, isn't it?" He barked, "stupid old Mike. He never thinks or does anything right. He's insane. Because that's just me, isn't it?!" His eyes were a stream of tears. Stela should've been afraid of his outburst, but she wasn't. She understood him. "You're not. We're just a bit too young for that and I don't think I'm ready to be with you, not like that." Mike clenched his fists and held back the scream of pain and sorrow that he wanted to let out so badly. Any second, he could set off like a time bomb. The pain he held inside him was ready to escape until Stela did something he'd never forget. She stepped slowly towards him, stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips on his. They shared a kiss for a few seconds before she drew back. She was blushing intensely. "Mike, I love you. I seriously do. But this is too soon. When we're older, we can. I promise." Suddenly, every ounce of downcast, pain, sorrow drained away from his body. She smiled sweetly and walked back into the bunk. As she closed the door, she pressed her body against the door and her mouth dropped open. "My heart! It's going to explode! I kissed him!" Stela thought excitedly, her heart thumping. Meanwhile, Mike stood lifelessly on the porch. Probably because of the shock of what just took place. Once he came back to life, he entered the bunk and slipped back into bed; he smiled to himself but he knew it would be a one time thing. If only he could have enjoyed the moment more.