Heritage

Heritage (Chapter 11)

Chapter 11 - Ethan

“What a mess,” Elena says to me as we stare in disbelief at the scrap metal in front of us. The scrap metal I'm speaking of is ten Krakens that the Cadets use to get around town on the weekends.

Or...used to anyway.

I can only shake my head as I examine them, seeing how each one is in disrepair. I've noticed that the Cadets have been getting antsy the past few years due to the fact that they have no way to town. I more than anyone would know that it sucks; being stuck in a Habmod all day.

The biggest problem with the Krakens is that they're in need of serious safety and technological upgrades to meet military standards. When Elena asked me to the Kraken Bay, I knew that she had something up her sleeve.

“Well, I think your idea is great, honey,” I say to Elena as her explanation finishes. There’s no sense in letting them go to waste if someone can repair them. 

“Or some ones,” Elena replies to me, emphasizing the word.

“Leon and Stella?”  I assume as a grin comes across my face and I kiss her. “I think that’s a brilliant idea. Yet another way to dissolve some of that animosity-Are you gonna tell ‘em, or am I; because I have some news of my own to share with the two of them as well.” 

“Oh? What’s that, love?”  Elena asks me as I wrap my arm around her waist.

“Cadet Jameson has crossed the line yet again, and I’ve pulled his Senior Cadet privileges and demoted him back to a standard Cadet. I’ve had numerous reports from his Officer Trainee about HabMods in disarray, demerits for misconduct and uniform and haircut violations. I’m tired of his slacker attitude and his lack of respect for authority, so I’m going to ask Stella and Leon to take over Omega Squad. It needs the most work, and if anyone can whip them into shape, it’s those two stubborn asses,” I say as another grin comes across my face.

“I couldn’t agree more. I ll let them know today after class about the Kraken repairs, if they want to do it, that is. I don t think it’ll be a problem though. Stella is always up for extra credit work, especially anything to do with Tech Repairs, and Leon finally pulled up his grade in Terrestrial Creatures class, so he’s now making straight A’s. Besides, I think Stella is finally warming up to him. I’m just glad someone is seeing Leon for who he is for a change.”

“Yeah, me too baby. And if he keeps up his A’s for another week, he’ll make the General’s Honors List. He’s not a bad kid. True, he can be arrogant and obnoxious at times, but he’s a seventeen year old boy with a lot of curiosity and misplaced talents. If he could just focus his energy on actually finding a place for those talents, instead of focusing it on misbehaving, then he’d be far better off. But I think you’re right. I even saw Stella smile at him earlier today when I was getting my Fuse from the Mess Hall,” I say as I chuck my empty can in the trash.

“If you keep drinking that shit, Ethan, your head is going to explode like a solar flare,” Elena says to me hitting me in the stomach.

“So lady-like. Sometimes I forget how tough you are!”  I reply rubbing my stomach, acting like she really hurt me.

“Big baby,” She says giving me a smirk.

“Only for you, love,” I reply giving her another smile before kissing her again.

Another few minutes go by and after discussing a few more things about the Krakens we head back into the main wing and pass by my office where I say goodbye to Elena and give her one more loving kiss.

Since it was another half hour until classes resumed from lunch I decided to take that time to talk to Stella. A few minutes pass after I enter my office and continue my work I was previously working on.

A slight feeling of excitement comes over me as I hear a knock at the door and say, “Come in.” 

Stella walks in with a nervous look on her face as I tell her to take a seat. A smile comes across my face.

“No worries, Cadet, you’re not in trouble. The opposite actually,” I say, bringing her mind to ease. “I’d like to invite you to be the new Senior Cadet for the Omega Squad. Cadet Jameson seems to have a problem with following protocol and simple requests, so he has been stripped of his title and given a demerit. I think you’re the best one for the job. You re grades are impeccable, you are a natural leader and you’ve never had a single demerit,” I say complimenting her.

“Well, General, I’d be honored to be a Senior Cadet. I was hoping to be made one this year, but this is unexpected, and great! Thank you so much for this opportunity. I won’t let you down,” Stella replies excitedly.

“That settles that, then! Thank you for agreeing, it takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders. You’re doing me a favor here, Cadet. I believe you have Tech Repairs this period, am I correct?”  I ask her taking a glance at my watch.

“Yes, on Wednesdays we have Tech Repairs after lunch instead of before,” She replies to me as she's saluting me at the door.

“Have a nice day, Stella, and thank you again.”

“You too, General Blake, and thank you again for trusting me with the squad,” Stella then leaves my classroom grinning like a little girl.

I sit back at my desk and continue my paperwork when suddenly I get an emergency transmission from Headquarters on my Tablet. I tap the screen and the transmission comes in.

“Afternoon General Raines, what's going on?” 

“General Blake, you have possible Sekrid flagships heading your way. We need you to monitor it until it either attacks or is proven to pose no threat. This is a serious matter, if they get past you then the fleet has serious troubles, is that clear?” 

“Crystal clear, I will start the monitoring right away.” 

“Good. General Raines, signing off,” The screen goes blank and I tap it again so that it goes back to the desktop. I sit back in my chair and sigh while rubbing my eyes.

“Well, this was something that was really not needed right now,” I say to myself.

I call to the flight control deck and inform them of the situation. They tell me that they'll start the scan immediately. I take a deep breathe of relief and remove my glasses. I close them and continue to wonder what other stress inducing things will come my way for the remainder of this tour in space.