It's all an act.

What is? Well...

Do you know the name Kelp? Oh, listen to the reactions I'm getting, "Oh, Trouble Kelp? The Commander? He's so brave! So smart! So...everything!" Yes, well, go on, I can wait all day.

Anybody else? Like...Grub Kelp? Ah, see, it took you a few moments to remember. Then you go, "Oh...isn't he Trouble's younger brother? That idiot? How did he get on the LEP? Trouble must have convinced his superiors. I mean, honestly..."

Yeah, I get that a lot.

But back to the main question. What's an act?

Why, everything you just described. My klutziness, my whine, the way I'm similar to a human toddler....

Perhaps I should elaborate.

See, when I was younger, I idolized Trouble. He was the ultimate brother, and I was so devoted, I did something stupid. I let him have all the glory. I pretended to be idiotic, pretended to whine...did anything to show how much better my brother was than everyone else...

And me.

I can take pain, contrary to what people think. I stopped a bullet from hitting Trouble, and he never noticed. Buried itself in my right arm. I never made a sound.

I see that some of you are doubtful, can this really be Grub Kelp?

Yes, yes it can.

I've gone on secret missions, that no one else knew about, secretly changed officer files so that they wouldn't be de-commissioned...do I want glory? Yeah, maybe. Sure, I've given my brother everything he could want, a job, fame, admiration...but sometimes, sometimes I wonder. Does he actually care the same way? I know, it's a cold thought to think about him, but, still.

And, now that I think about it, I'd like somebody to know of what I've done. So that I'm not the klutz anymore. So that I'm someone, someone that's made a difference.

If anyone asked me, "What is it that you want, Grub?" Followed by several snide comments.

Recognition. That's all I'd ask for. At least once, and then I'd allow myself to retreat back into the shadows, the shadow of my brother...the shadow...of me.

Well, just some thoughts of Grub...I pity him, and think that he deserves more than what he gets.