Reconciled in the End

Chapter 19: Friend

The next day Thomas was diligent on ensuring they had a few moderate rations. MREs lasted a while, calorie dense and compact. It would have to do he assumed as he sat down to eat lunch. It was packed today, the cyber situation was like a warzone lately, and all the officers were extremely busy. In the building’s cafeteria, he struggled to find a seat. Finally in the corner, there was one seat, but a little guy sat at the table too.

Thomas shrugged. The guy seemed strange, but why not sit there? They were fellow officers, perhaps the guy was younger and lower rank, but Thomas figured the guy would feel more nervous being around the Task Master than the Thomas nervous about it. Thomas’s stride came to the table as the little guy jumped up, frazzled. He saluted, his hand a bit shaky.

“Mind if I join you?” Thomas nodded. “Not much space…”

“Yes Sir!” the guy squeaked out.

Thomas sank down as he gently spoke, “At ease. We’re on break.”

The guy nodded as he drifted down to his food. Thomas smirked, figuring the guy must’ve started recently. He was so jittery and conscientious. A few older officers pointed and laughed at the guy as he sank lower in his chair. That was until they noticed Thomas sitting across from him and stopped immediately, wary of the Task Master. They obviously were razzing the young man.

Not generally desiring to chat on breaks but attempting kindness, Thomas inquired, “So what is your name? I’m Thomas.”

The guy’s eyes went wide as the Task Master introduced himself so informally. The guy then squeaked out, “Private Peter Simon, Sir.”

Thomas chuckled lightly at the name as he mumbled, “Peter Simon, not Simon Peter…”

“Huh?” Peter shot out in confusion.

Thomas shook his head, “In the Bible, one of the twelve disciples is named Simon Peter. Almost like your name, but backwards. I thought the connection amusing. I apologize.”

Peter smiled in confusion. He hadn’t an idea what that meant at all. “Oh, is it a new virtual game I haven’t played yet? I’m glad you look happy, Sir. I doubt I’m as cool as that character, though.”

Thomas snorted, “No, it’s not a game. He’s from a very old and important book of history. He was just an average guy like us, I suppose. He did exist, however.”

“Is that what you do on you’re off time? No wonder you’re so smart and respected,” Peter grinned.

Bashfully, Thomas returned, “I’m nothing special. I do my job just like anyone else.”

“Nah, you’re way different than the rest, more refined and dutiful. To be honest, most of the Officers watch you in admiration. They’d punch me if they knew I said that though…” Peter trailed off, his youth was showing as Thomas merely nodded at a loss in how to respond.

Peter, oblivious to his thoughts, rambled, “You’ve always looked so stern and pained before your week off, but so patient and kind with all the demands and troubles we placed on you. Then, after that, you were super happy. Even today, you smiled. The others are dying to figure that out. Most say you never took off before and needed a break finally, but I think there’s something more about that.”

Thomas frowned at him as Peter flinched back. He murmured an immediate apology. “I’m sorry, Sir, I know I tend to shoot my mouth off…”

“No, it’s alright. We’re having a casual conversation at our leisure, it’s just I hadn’t realized how opaque my feelings were to you all. Indeed, my break was very important to me, but only because my wife’s health took a turn for the better. I’m extremely relieved and happy now,” Thomas eased out, Peter saw the man’s countenance brighten upon saying these things.

“What’s a wife?” he blurted innocently. “Is that some kind of dog or pet?”

Thomas laughed heartily, Peter’s expression was utterly priceless. He could see the others tease Peter so, he couldn’t seem to help being so expressive and naïve. He certainly was a character, but Thomas enjoyed the young man’s personality some.

“A wife is a special partner. I vowed to God to be with her indefinitely. No changing, only her for as long as I live and she vowed the same. When she wasn’t well, it devastated me,” Thomas confessed. He was curious how the Private would consider this information.

“I’d like that myself, only I suppose one would have to start dating. I’m kinda weird, I have to get friends first. You seemed like a very devoted person, I know I’d like to be like you someday,” Peter firmly spoke.

Thomas shook his head at the crazy guy, “How old are you? As a Private, you must be just starting out here.”

“Been here six months, Sir. After I graduated. I don’t talk well with people, so I figured I’d use my talent in networks here instead,” Peter sighed.

“You’d have to be good if you’re here,” Thomas muttered.

“You too Sir, very much so. You’re brilliant in fact, Task Master,” Peter added.

Thomas immediately lifted his hand in modesty, “I was only motivated for it because of my wife. My love for her drives me that much.”

Peter’s eyes popped wide as he didn’t say much more. Perhaps he was recalling her unwell at the time, and that Thomas had replaced the pain with the intense focus of work. Feeling convicted, Thomas urged out, “Peter? Do you read?”

Peter shrugged innocently, “I can. Usually spend my off time play games online. What would you recommend, Sir? I have trust in whatever you suggest, I desire to further my career and if something would help me gain knowledge…”

“There’s something important I want you to study. I care about you and your fate. I believe it would help you in life more than just simple duty. I know it directs my purpose in life,” Thomas firmly explained.
Peter saluted, “Immediately Sir. I would like that very much!”

With that, Thomas exchanged his personal contact information. He left the lonely young man so both could get back to work. Thomas would leave an open communication should the poor man get confused if he dilgently studied what was sent. Thomas confessed that if Peter was interested, the earnest man might make an actual good friend and comrade.

All in all throughout their brief conversation, Thomas felt such a strong urging to talk with Peter about those things. He understood Peter was searching, feeling empty and alone despite hiding his depressive thoughts with a smile. Thomas knew the Holy Spirit resided within him once saved, and reasoned the Spirit was urging Thomas in reaching the young Private strongly. This never before felt shove confirmed the unseen workings of God for him.

Thomas would remain open to all this. It was a new, hopeful reality. It displayed how temporary and fragile the real world was, foolish to devote ones energy only to its fleeting pleasures. The more he read about heaven and God’s final plans, the more he took courage even in what bad things might befall them. He didn’t have the utter despair most were feeling. They truly had no hope or purpose. What a scary thing to believe! He knew His purpose now for living in this time was to guide them to hope.

His job meant nothing. Wickedness couldn’t be stopped. It grew exponentially after that ominous night. No one here was even making a dent of difference. He secretly was awaiting for lawless to take over, making him jobless and perhaps very dead. It was a potential fate.

He stayed to encourage his fellow Officers however, and leave them comfort if they were willing. Thomas frowned as he secretly hacked to find seventy percent of them taking, ‘night jobs’. The pleasure of sin corrupted them.

“They draw nigh with their lips, but their heart is far from Me…” Thomas quoted Isaiah twenty-nine verse thirteen cynically.

Like God, these men were only displaying him lip service, Thomas pondered when they would snap on him. At least Peter outwardly seemed genuine in his conduct when researched, outcast that he was. It might be that only he would be the reason to stay instead of flee. One meager, lonely soul, but worth every effort on God’s part to keep Thomas where he was.

Leaning back into his desk chair with a sighed, Thomas looked to the ceiling. Maybe they wouldn’t betray him, maybe the seals would destroy and scatter the sector first. Either way, God settled Thomas to stay where he was for now, unnerving as it was.