The Legarthan Saga

Chapter 13

Axton glanced over at a clock as it ticked in the corner of the office. Just one more minute. He thought to himself as he leaned back in his chair, bracing for what he figured would be a very explosive conversation. Merely seconds later, there was a knock on his door. "Come in."

The door opened, revealing Jaylee. She closed the door behind her and walked up to the desk. "Jaylee Hayes...reporting."

Axton motioned to a chair in front of the table. "Please, sit."

Jaylee nodded and sat down, avoiding eye contact with Axton. Axton stared at Jaylee for several seconds, trying to gauge her body language before sighing. "Under ordinary circumstances, this would be a quick and simple meeting about your dismissal from your role as second in command, and maybe even from the military as a whole. You've repeatedly shown open hostility to me ever since we were both stationed here, both in private, and now openly with others present. Not only that, but you've shown this hostility when we need to stick together the most. Our lives are in constant danger now that a civil war has started, and having a second in command that openly hates your guts isn't the greatest for morale."

Axton leaned forward and continued to stare at Jaylee. "However, before I make my decision, I want to hear why exactly you've shown such hatred and disdain towards me, not only while we've been stationed together, but at the academy as well. I highly doubt getting beaten in our first mock battle would instill such hatred and animosity towards me, and considering what you've said about my family multiple times now...it has something to do with them, doesn't it?"

Jaylee was silent as she looked away, before slowly nodding. She finally looked at Axton. "Yeah, you're right. It is because of your family." Jaylee shifted positions in her chair before continuing. "My family, while it's very recent, does have some history regarding military service. My father graduated from the officer's academy as the top in his class. He was then stationed at an outpost similar to this one, but he grinded every day and rose through the ranks. He was eventually promoted to a general and put in charge of a military fort near Acray that protects the town of Cerenth. During his tenure of command there, he continued his exploits, putting down riots with few casualties and even stopping a rebellion before it could start through peaceful methods. He was kind, yet stern when needed. He was always available for his men to talk to and give them advice wherever possible. The soldiers under his command absolutely loved serving under him, and many fought tooth and nail against reassignments to another commander or general. However..."

Jayle took a deep breath to steady her emotions before continuing. "One day, he was given a letter from the top general at the time: General Perseus Graham. He was told that he would be visiting the fort within the next week and to expect a review of his performance. Thinking nothing of it, my father continued his command as business as usual. When Perseus finally did arrive, his review was...a sham, to put it lightly. He was docked for things that never occurred, complaints that nobody under his command ever complained about, and was even told that peacefully resolving the would-be rebellion circumvented the proper channels, and he could be charged with failing to adhere to the chain of command. He was given the option of stepping down and being reassigned to a tiny outpost in the southwest of the country, or be discharged from the military."

Jaylee shook her head. "Well, my father didn't take either choice and instead fought tooth and nail against it. He made a formal complaint to not only the Prime Minister at the time, but also to the military ethics board. He gave a mountain of evidence proving that his performance review was a farce, and that he was being treated unfairly. However, merely two days after filing his grievance, he got the reply that his grievance was denied by both the board and Prime Minister. The person who he had to give up command to? A man named Heath Riley, someone who had just graduated from the academy and given command merely because of his family's name."