Kadance: Another Tale

22

Jayse, Tommy and Jannsen all close their eyes. They feel like idiots. None of them had asked her why she was against the reforming of Sigma. Jayse and Tommy both feel their cheeks heat up in embarrassment, not something they are used to. They, at least, should have asked her why. They know more than any one that Kadance isn't stupid and would have seen the logic of the formation of such a Company.

"Kadance, I know that it really isn't any of my damn business, but in order to get Jade and Jax as their commanding officers they have to restart Sigma. Otherwise Alpha won't let them go, they need them too badly.

"Another thing, you know as much as the rest of us what the loss of Sigma did to the morale of all, both civilians and warriors. Reorganizing Sigma into the most elite of all Companies will once more help with morale even more than forming a new company.

"I'm sure that you wouldn't want any other commanding officers than your nephews. They are damn near as brilliant in leading as Jayse is or I suspect Tommy could be if he wanted to. I know the reputation of Tanker and I rather suspect that Jayse based his leadership off of him. Your nephews are much like them both. Truly there is no one better to lead them. Would you truly want any one else to do so?" Jayse, Tommy and Jannsen are all looking at Commander Kellan in near awe and with their jaws dropped open in shock.

Kadance looks at Kellan, first with irritation but after thinking about things a bit and then looking at her husbands and Jannsen she starts laughing. "Boys you should shut your mouths you look ridiculous."

Kadance loses her laughter and turns her attention back to Kellan. "You, Commander, are very good. Have you by any chance been spending time with... no of course you haven't, he hasn't left Gaia since I went back to have the children." Kellan is confused but goes through her list of men on her security force. Oh, yeah, Borden is a master manipulator. But he's confused, he has children graduating this turn as well, or at least he thought he did.

"Didn't all your security come with you to see their children graduate?"

Kadance and her husbands smirk, even as Kadance shakes her head, "No, their surrogate is having their babies at this time and their children have told them to stay there and not come to the graduation. Tommy will be broadcasting the ceremony on a secured link so that they can see it. The boys will talk to their parents afterwards. They are hoping that their new siblings will be born by then."

"Her doctor is less than pleased at Kadance traveling at this time. Every one else is here," Tommy is smirking at Kadance even as she gives him a dirty look. Kellan is lost.

"I'm pregnant again and my doctor is less than pleased about me traveling or the stress of fighting with these three." Kadance says with a moue of distaste.

Kellan is watching this scene in fascination. He feels like he's been accepted by Kadance and her husbands and he feels very honored to be so. Kadance doesn't like many.

"How many children this time?" Kellan asks hesitantly, not wanting to say something to rock the boat.

"Just four this time. It seems it goes down by two each pregnancy." Kadance smirks back at her husbands.

Kellan had forgotten that she'd had another pregnancy shortly after her kids entered Camp.

"With this issue taken care of I'll be able to spend more time with the kids that aren't graduating this turn." Kadance says and sighs. She misses all her children. She gets special permission to see her children even while they are at Camp and of course when they are on their special missions, at least once they are done, but it's not the same.

"So you will allow the reformation of Sigma?" Jayse demands looking at her hard. Tommy and Jannsen both holding their breaths.

"Yes, of course. Kellan is right. Jade and Jax are the only ones that I would want to lead my children unless of course I have Jayse reinstated and I refuse to do that. And if the only way to have Jade and Jax lead is to have the company be named Sigma then I really don't have a choice, do I?"

With those words tensions around the table seemed to almost disappear completely. For the rest of the night things were far more light hearted.

"Thank you, Commander." Jayse stops Kellan before he leaves that night. "You have no idea just how much relief you have given me and Tommy. The stress wasn't good for her or the babies. You stepping in like you did has reduced the stress on her and the babies."

Kellan gives a weak smile, "And you as well?"

Jayse chuckles at his words. "Yes, me and Tommy both and you might just have saved Jannsen from another ulcer."

Kellan debates with himself not knowing just how sensitive the subject is. "I read the report that was given on Bandro and found it full of bullshit and at dinner Kadance alluded to another report that Tanker talked to you about."

"Bandro," Jayse hesitates and that's when Tommy comes up.

"Bandro wasn't just one invasion force of shifters. We were far more outnumbered than we'd been told to expect. Tory and myself had terrified them sufficiently that they sent their own reinforcements. I also suspect that they had received traitorous information and they were therefore able to hit the command tent with the first salvo."

"The loss of the leaders forced me into the position and we were losing men far faster than we should have. Tommy was busy with his team setting up the only thing that could save us when I decided that we couldn't hold off asking for aerial support any longer."

Jannsen comes up at this time, "I'll never forget that call. I think it's the only time I've ever heard Jayse lose his temper. Even when he went suicidal he was calm. But when he called in for the support he was angry when the ass refused to send it."

"Then there was a huge explosion from Tommy's position. I knew then that it was too late." Jayse says tears in his eyes at the memories.

Tommy leaves and Kadance goes to him. The loss of his son still hurts him even after all this time.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." Kellan feels embarrassed for causing them all so much pain. But he hadn't realized that Jannsen had been there.

"No, you're fine. The report, the real one that Reuton buried gave the truth," Jayse is angry now and has to stop speaking. 

Once more Jannsen picks up the narrative. "There were three full invasion forces sent to Bandro, not just the one Sigma had been told about. There is no way they could have survived without the incredible leadership of Jayse here. They shouldn't have even with aerial support. That any of them did and they accomplished their objective is the reason they both ended with promotions after the investigation.

"I thought Reuton was wrong to bury it, but I had to follow orders too. I'm sorry Jayse. Seeing you torn and bloody and Tommy like he was when you both were brought back...I couldn't get your call out of my head or how you looked when you were brought back."

"I'd forgotten that it was your people that were carrying us that day. It wasn't your fault. I think Reuton just plain hated me and Tommy." Jayse says getting himself back together. For the first time the memories don't make him flare up in hatred and pain so profound that he wants to die.

"I wish that you could have used those knives to help Rory, then perhaps there would be another survivor of Sigma." Jayse says quietly before walking off.

"I messed up again," Kellan sighs in defeat.

"No, he'll be fine now. It will always be hard for him, but the truth should be made known." Jannsen says opening the door and they all bid goodnight to the three left behind.

"Well, this night has sure been enlightening," the LC says as they make their way to their assigned rooms.

Kellan has no words just laughs with a hint of bitterness and more than a hint of hysteria.