Age of Lies (Original Version)

Chapter 15

Captain Kelly and the man grabbed each other in a big bear hug and they began making a few verbal jabs at each other. "I see that you're gaining more of a belly. Is that the work of your wife?" Greva laughed in a jolly tone "Well I dare say that you are getting some grey hairs to finally show your age." Kelly lightly slapped Greva on his back, "We at least I make them look good, unlike you who has that bland salt and pepper look." The both broke out laughing and after a moment Kelly beckoned Markelium to come forward. "I know it has been a long time but do you remember when I told you about that one person? My great great great grandfather who served on the LPC-1578 rather known as the ESF Hudson?" Greva scratched his head and the two women looked on in curiosity. "I remember you talking about him and how he went missing a long time ago, but what does it have to do with this young man here?" Captain Kelly grinned, "Well, This here is Lieutenant James Markelium." Greva looked at Kelly, "So some family has started naming their children after your family's heroes?"

Captain Kelly smiled a wolfish smile, "If that was the case I'd flog the man myself. However, this man here is the one and only, James Markelium." Greva looked at Kelly and Markelium. He suddenly began to chuckle, "You seriously want me to believe that your great great great grandfather who went missing a few hundred years ago, is in fact standing before me?" He bellowed a great laugh causing the two women to look on further interested in what the two men were talking about. "That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. How could he even be alive after all this time? I mean the only way would be if he was in some form of cryo-pod which was only ever used on the . . . Hudson." Greva's voice trailed off as he stared at Markelium, his grey eyes wide with wonder. Markelium glanced over at Kelly and then shifted his attention back to Greva, unsure of what he should do.

Markelium walked up to Greva and offered him a hand which Greva shook earnestly. "I can hardly believe that you're here Sir. The one and only James Markelium." The two women had moved a little closer trying to hear the conversation. Intrigued as to why Greva was acting this way. When Greva noticed this he immediately stepped to the side and waved them forward. Greva turned to Kelly. "I shall keep this a secret from everyone until you decide to make it available to them." He then turned back to the two women. As they came up and Markelium took a guess that they were the wife and daughter of Kelly's friend Greva. "Sorry for the late introductions. This is my wife Krystal and my daughter Rose." Markelium bowed and greeted them and the women responded in turn. Captain Kelly came up and greeted the two women letting Markelium breathe a sigh of relief. "Hello Krystal, how's the ole rascal treating you?" Kelly called out with a chuckle. He then turned his attention to Rose, "Rose my dear. You look lovely as ever. I hope your old man is spoiling you as he always does." The trio laughed as Greva walked up, "I'll spoil her as much as I want. Besides how could I not? She's my only daughter, and I can't exactly dote and spoil my boys can I? Speaking of that, Henry and Luke should arrive in a bit. They were finishing up some work from earlier."

Markelium listened on thankful to Captain Kelly for getting Greva's attention off of him. He stood out of the way trying to get an idea of how the rest of this dinner might go conversation wise. Rose who had been briefly at the center of attention was now off to the side listening to her mother and father talk to Captain Kelly. When she saw that Markelium was out of the spotlight as well, she slowly made her way towards him, curious as to why her father had been so captivated by him even when her father's close friend Kelly was there.

Markelium saw Rose moving around her parents towards him and gave her a greeting as she neared, "Good evening mam. Rose right?" She gave a small laugh, "Yes, and your Markelium right?" Markelium smiled in return, "Yes mam. That is me." The young woman laughed, "So who are you exactly? I never see my father act that way." Markelium was unsure as to what he should disclose so he took the cautious approach, "I am but a simple officer aboard the UPSF Prince." Rose looked at him with skeptical brown eyes. "Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, I doubt my father would act that way unless there was something special about you anyways. So care to reveal anything now?" Rose smirked and looked at Markelium who just looked back. After a moment he looked towards Captain Kelly and Greva, "I'm sorry but I cannot divulge any information unless you are cleared for it by my Captain." Rose's face settled into a slight pout, "I'll find out sooner or later you know." Markelium continued to avoid her glare. After a moment he spoke up, "If you wish to know then ask Captain Kelly. He will give you an answer." She looked over at the small group chatting away, "There's no way for me to break that up now." She gave out a sigh. A moment later the doors opened and a butler came in, "Sir? Luke and Henry are here. Shall I send them in now?" Greva looked over to the man, "Yeah it's about that time anyways. Oh go ahead and have dinner ready to be served please? Then you and every one can grab some dinner." The man bowed, "Thank you sir. I shall show them in now."

The doors opened a minute later and two young men walked in wearing suits. When they saw Captain Kelly they quickly made their way over and greeted him. The shook hands and patted each other's backs and then Kelly motioned for Markelium to step forward. "Henry, Luke. This is James Markelium. He is serving as one of my officers on the Prince. They shook hands and greeted one another until Rose walked up. "So Kelly. Who is he exactly? You don't typically bring your officers to these kind of meetings either. So could you please let us in on it?" She looked at Kelly with an innocent yet questioning face that would put puppy eyes to shame. Captain Kelly looked from her to Krystal to the two young men who looked eager to know as well. The silence that followed was deafening and unsettling at the same time. He finally glanced over at his friend Greva who gave Kelly a look that said, "It's all up to you." He then looked at Markelium who looked back with a neutral face. "Well. I guess you'll find out sooner or later, so later it is. "Everybody groaned over the ruined suspense and finally were persuaded to wait.