Strength In Our Bonds (The Strength in Generations Accompanying Book)

Linna's Journey To Love

"Hey, so I just passed the director, and he was carrying a bunch of boxes. What's that about?"

Linna sat with Gale as they ate in the Academy's cafeteria, on their lunch break. Linna had just gotten her food, and Gale had- of course- been there a while, not wasting any time on digging into his meal.

"I dunno." Gale shrugged. "Oh, wait- I think I do know. The Academy is having a company get-together soon, they're probably supplies. I heard my dad talking about it."

"It's that time again already? Whoa." Linna grinned, "Hopefully we can go do laser tag again, that was awesome."

"I doubt it's gonna be laser tag again," Gale said, sipping his soda. "My dad got a little out of control last year, you probably remember that."

"Yeah..." Linna said uneasily, remembering how Snow had all but tackled her trying to get Hope back from a previous round.

"Pretty sure we could just ask Aurelie if we really wanted to know, since the Director is her dad; I'm sure she'll know." Gale bit into his third sandwich half. "Just gotta find her."

"Good afternoon, Gale and Linna." Harlan sat beside Gale, placing a hefty bowl of kale and spinach salad on the table.

"Or we can ask her husband." Gale shrugged. "Harlan, do you know what the thing is for our company thing this year?"

"I'm afraid not. Director Estheim has been rather secretive about it this year; Auri actually doesn't know either."

"So secretive he didn't even tell his own daughter? Whoa." Gale looked over at Linna, who was just trying to will away the annoyance that came every time she heard Harlan use his nickname for Aurelie. He didn't do it often, but when he did...

"Yeah, that's pretty strange," she agreed aloud.

"I trust in the director, though; if he's being secretive, it must be an astounding event he's planning," Harlan said. "I've been told that he's an excellent planner by many of the personnel here."

"That he is. He always makes sure the security guys are well taken care of." Gale grinned. "Is your wife coming down today? She hasn't sat with us in a while."

"She has been busy with her duties," replied Harlan. "I didn't wish to disturb her, so I didn't ask; however, I don't believe she will. A new class of interns started this week, and she has her first one."

"Whoa, really?" asked Linna. She'd had three interns in the past, all extremely eager to learn about weapons and fighting techniques. Aurelie never got her own interns because she was usually so busy; she'd spend a bit of time with some of the general interns, teaching them a bit about what she does, but this was the first time she specifically had one to herself.

"Yes. From what I've been told, she's a very bright young lady, though a bit timid. Her name escapes me at the moment..." Harlan thought. "I know that Aurelie has said it before..."

"Hey, don't strain yourself there," Gale chuckled. "It'll come to you. And even if it doesn't, maybe we'll see her around. You know Aurelie can't live without us."

~ * ~

"Therefore, we can go out for lunch if you so please," Aurelie said as she went to her wardrobe cabinet to pull out her jacket. "Since we'll already be out, we may as well procure some nourishment. Is that all right with you?"

She turned when she didn't get an answer, and found her intern staring at a picture that usually sat on her desk. "Rochelle."

Rochelle blinked twice, before nervously brushing her bangs behind her ear and straightening her glasses. "I'm sorry, Ms. Trepe-Estheim."