JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: fanpart "Days Of The Future Past"

Chapter 13: General Reed and Sergeant Pepper

By the table sat a group of three old men, while the other four stood around the room doing their own things. The one in purple, with a chain belt looked with admiration at the bookshelves, the tall one in the green shirt sat on the armchair and scrolled on his phone. The long-haired one with a girl next to him talked in hushed voices in the doorway to the kitchen.

A tall, broad man in a dark olive green uniform with red outlines leaned on the table. The front flap of his uniform was unbuttoned and showed a beige fabric on the inside. His square face was cleanly shaven. His big nose was a prominent feature of his face, sitting just above his wide, almost lip-less mouth. A large metal visor with red lights in the front slits covered his upper face, ending just below his dark graying hair, which was cut in a slanted square way, typical of higher-up army men. On his neck were visible metal patches of various chrome enhancments. Rounding up his attire were white gloves on his big hand with metal covers on the fingertips. On his chest were emblemats showing that the man was a general. 

Next to the broad general sat a scrawny man, especially compared to his companion. He had short black hair , short on the sides, slightly longer on the top.  Dark brown eyes hid behing his round glasses. He was wearing an orange bomber jacket with a silver emblem on his left. The jacket's sleeves were rolled up. A chestnut smell was coming off him, although other awful smell was mixed with that, indicating that it wasn't pefume. Dark brown trousers covered his legs, and high black boots. 

They sat across Tom, drinking tea that the host brought them. The general looked around the room, noticing one of young people in particular.

- So, tell me Tom, who are they?

- Oh, just some students I'm helping

- Oh really? Look at you, Tom, being a tutor on your retirement! - The general's bear-like voice boomed. - Hey, you! What school do you go to?

- All of us were students of the NA university... - Joden was cut off.

- NA? Wow, that's some high-end stuff. Actually, I graduated that collage. Is it as demandig as it was back in the day?

- Well, sir, it definately is demanding... - Joden was cut off again.

- Ah, that's good to hear! Remember, without hard work you won't go anywhere... - while saying that he turned his head slowly to his left, where the bookshelves were. - Wait... NA...NA... Wasn't that the university that was blown up last month? Tom, what are you helping them with?

- We have to finish one last assignment - Joden lied about Major Toms help.

- Hngh, well then, I wish you all good luck with that assignment.

Iris turned to Joden and whispered something to his ear. The man nodded and took a deep breath. 

- I think we should leave - her melodic voice spoke softly.

- Nonsense! You four are guests of Tom as much as we are. - The general smiled, then he turned his head and his expression soured. - I'm kind of curious about that project of yours.

- It's about stealth combat in war. - Orion looked up from his screen, sensing the need for a web of lies.

- Any... particular war? - The man in the orange jacket said in his nasal voice.

- No, just examples. - Joden responded.

- Well, then you've come to the right man. During planning Tom was a true mastermind... I don't how he did that, but his strategies were almost flawless.

"He doesn't know? He's not a Stand user then..." Joden looked at the man. "But the other one... Is he? If he is, he could be of help, if he isn't he'd be taken aback... He'd think I'm insane... I can't just ask Major Tom, as they are listening..."

The general turned to the other man. He whispered something and turned away. 

- Excuse me, what rank were you in the army? - Ember looked away from the bookshelf. - We know that mr. Tom was a major, but from what I understand you are friends from the military. What rank were you? - His voice was very excited.

- Oh, Miles was a general, even now he boasts those plackets. I was just a sergeant. Actually, we were quite a well put together trio! Do you remember? Miles Reed, Billy Pepper and Tom Fox, Always together in the living quarters, in the planning room, on the field, everywhere! - The man who's name was Billy exclaimed.

- Yes, yes - Reed dismissed Pepper - Hey! You, in purple! Tell me your name.

- Me? - Ember turned around - I'm Ember Black, why?

- Are you also in the NA university? - Something about general's voice was off.

- Yes, I am. Like my friend said earlier, we all are. I'm studying history.

- Hngh, so this project is for your studies. I suppose you have to work twice as hard as the rest of your, umm, friends.

- Wha..? Excuse me?

- What? History is very dificult! I've graduated with a degree in history. - The General's gaze lingered on Ember a moment longer, a faint, unsettling smile on his lips, before he looked away. "Shit...", he thought to himself.