Heritage

Heritage (Chapter 21)

Chapter 21 - Leon

"Get dressed, we have to see what's going on!" Stella yells, jumping up and grabbing our clothes.

She tosses me my clothes and I quickly put them on. I don't bother taking the time to put my tie on or button up my jacket. I take Stella's hand and we walk out of the Sky Deck.

It's seems to be a whole new world we step into, as there are Cadets and ship personnel running all over the place, nearly colliding with Stella and I.

I stop one of the cadets rushing by, "What the hell is going on!?" I ask.

"You guys gotta get out of here, we're under attack, all Cadets are ordered to go to the escape pods!" he yells quickly and then runs in a panic.

"Shit, mom and dad! I have to get to them Stells, you get to the escape pods, I'll be there shortly,"

"No, if you're going, I am too, I'm not going to let you leave my sight."

"Stella, I'm not going to let—"

"Save it Leon, I'm going and that's final," Stella says, cutting me off.

I sigh in concern and take her hand once again as we start to run down the hallway. The ship rumbles and shakes as it takes missile hits from the attackers, causing Stella and I to lose balance here and there. We arrive at the control center, breathing heavily as we enter.

"Stella? Leon? What the hell are you two doing here, get yourselves to the escape pods right now!" my father yells out of frustration, sweat beading down his face.

"I was just seeing if you were alright dad,"

"Your mother and I are fine Leon, you two need to leave right now," Dad says sternly.

"Your father is right Leon, it's not safe for you and Stella here. Now go, the both of you," my mother says. I grit my teeth in frustration and begin to leave the control center.

"Leon wait..." my dad says stopping me.

"Take this, just in case," he says handing me his old pistol from the war.

Taking it in my hands I can feel its memories, the numerous scratches etched into the grip showing the number of Sekrid lives it took. The faded chrome plating, and the newer engraving carved into the slide in remembrance of my father's fallen comrades.

"Are...are you sure you want me to have this dad?" I ask.

"Yes, you'll have better use of it then I will right now, now go, get off this ship," Dad answers.

I nod my head in acceptance and Stella and I continue on our way out of the control center. I place my father's pistol in the dress uniform holster required for all dress uniforms.

Stella and I make our way to the escape pod room, hurrying as fast as we can. We arrive at the door, sweat dripping from both of our faces. I wave my TAPs over the doorpad. There's a buzzing sound the pad turns red giving me a denied signal.

"Oh, come on damn it! Open!" I yell in anger and irritation.

I continue to wave my TAPs over the pad to no avail, as it keeps denying it. I slam my fist against the door and look through the window as pods start to lift off. My eyes widen at my next sight. A missile, hurling at least Mach three screams toward the pod bay.

"Get down!" I scream jumping towards Stella, covering her from the blast.

The missile impacts, causing a huge rumble in the ship and blowing the door off the it's hinges. Debris and the door itself land on top of me. Shattered glass from various places around us falls, some cutting my face and tearing holes in my jacket. I wince as more and more rubble piles on my back. It finally stops and my arms begin to tremble as I try to hold the debris up.