Cadet Lance McClain sauntered into the commandant's reception area, gave his name to the secretary, and sprawled across one of the chairs. He had been in Aerial Combat class when summoned, and so wore his black flight suit, sleeves pushed to his elbows in defiance of regulations, and his flight gloves stuffed in a pocket. Figuring this was about the joyride in the '15, he started to plan how to charm his way out of trouble yet again. He grinned as he replayed the flight in his mind's eye; the old fighter had flown like a dream. There had been almost no computer control, and the feeling of so much power in his hands had been exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time. For the first time ever, he hadn't been bored flying. 'I don't care what they do to me; that was totally worth it!'
His thought processes crashed to a halt as another cadet slipped into the room. Lance stared unabashedly and appreciatively, mouth gone dry. The other boy was slight, almost delicate, with long blue-black hair that begged to have Lance's fingers tangled in it. His Academy whites were crisply starched, and Lance wryly wondered how the hell he still looked so good at 4 in the afternoon. Then the cadet identified himself to the commandant's secretary in a soft, barely-accented voice, and Lance's jaw dropped. This was Keith Kogane? The wunderkind who had taken the Academy by storm? This delicate, unassuming being was the lethal martial artist responsible for the bruises presently sported by half the Academy football team? Lance swallowed and tried to get his brain back in working order as the commandant summoned them into his office. He managed, somehow, to properly report to the commandant, even while still ogling Kogane.
The commandant noticed McClain's interest with amusement. Yes, this should work out just fine. He cleared his throat. "At ease, cadets." They relaxed marginally, and he continued, "We've gotten a request for a specialized team to be trained and sent to Arus, in the Denubian Galaxy. Based on the recommendations of your instructors, you two have been selected for this team, along with Cadet Holgersson." He didn't miss Kogane's look of relief. "The other two members of your team have yet to be chosen; for now, the three of you will live and train together."
Lance looked doubtfully at his new teammate. Sure, the kid was supposed to be several kinds of awesome in one sack, but he really didn't look cut out for a deep space mission. And to actually live with him and the guy everyone referred to as "that damned Viking" . . . was going to put a serious crimp in his love life. Of course, he amended, if he could get Kogane interested in HIM . . . that was a whole 'nother ballgame. Still, he wouldn't be Lance McClain if he just accepted orders meekly, so. . . . "Ah, come on, Commandant! He's just a kid!"
The commandant raised an eyebrow. "If you aren't willing to do this, Cadet, I can always take appropriate action concerning your . . . unscheduled flight the other day."
Lance gulped. "No, sir, I have no problems with it. I just was concerned for Cadet Kogane, that's all."
Kogane glared at him. "I can take care of myself, McClain. Save your concern for someone who wants it." He returned his attention to the commandant. "When do we start, sir?"
"As soon as Cadet Holgersson returns from his emergency leave," the commandant answered. "I understand he'll be arriving from Oslo in two days; report back here at 0900 on Thursday, and I'll have the details of your new living arrangements and training schedule. Dismissed!"
Kogane saluted sharply and left; Lance gave a slightly sloppier salute and followed him. "So . . . ., looks like we're roomies!" He grinned at the younger boy, exerting the charm that never failed him. He was startled at the venomous glare Kogane gave him; he was surprised as hell when the other cadet slammed him against the wall. He hadn't even seen Kogane move!
"Understand one thing, McClain." The soft voice was deadly. "I will live with you and train with you because it has been ordered. But I do NOT want to be friends. I don't NEED friends. So just leave me alone." He shoved Lance into the wall and walked away quickly.
Lance was watching after him, stunned, when he heard a rueful chuckle behind him. "You have your work cut out for you, cadet." He spun to see the Commandant leaning against his office door, having clearly seen everything. "Kogane is a ticking time bomb; I'm hoping you can defuse it."
Well, that didn't make sense. "Me, sir? What do you mean?"
The commandant waved him into his office and into a chair; for once, Lance sat up straight like the sober cadet he was supposed to be. "Kogane has always been very quiet and withdrawn; Holgersson was beginning to draw him out of it. . . until Kogane's family was killed in a flyer accident a month ago. Now. . . well, you see how he is, and it's troubling. With his skills, he could become a danger to himself and others if he's not drawn out." The commandant locked gazes with him. "I know your reputation, McClain; you can charm pretty much anyone when you put your mind to it. I didn't put you and Kogane together just because you're the best choices for this mission; I put you together because I'm hoping you can save him from himself."
Lance's eyes widened. "I'll do the best I can, sir; I don't know if it will be enough. You saw what happened."
"Yes. Just try, Cadet. Kogane needs more friends than just Holgersson, and I'm afraid time's running out for him." The commandant stood up. "Dismissed."
Lance snapped to attention and saluted; when it was returned, he wandered out of the commandant's office, head spinning with the responsibility he'd just been handed.