HART-TNG

Part 3

Future imperfect-

A new student comes to Vale, bringing new problems for Glynda and her crop of young teachers.

Autumn stood in front of the mirror, absently running a thumb over the curved metal of her brow armor. Raising her eyes, she gazed at her reflection. "Let's get one thing straight." she told herself, "You're not her, and you might not ever be. But you can try! You can be as strong as your mom, as smart as Akiko, as brave as Tan!" Slipping the metal protector over her head, she picked up her staff and converted it into its sword form. "I can be as true as Hart, and as good a shot as Hath!" Clipping the weapon onto her backplate, she turned to the mirror once more. "I'm gonna learn it all, or die trying!"

She paused halfway to the door, then leaned backwards until she could see herself again. "Let me rephrase that!" she said, raising a forefinger. "Learn it all... no dying involved! Mom would kill me!" Nodding at her reflection, she continued out of the room and off to her first class of the week.

Days passed quickly as the young Faunas dove back into the classwork. She worried at first that all the questions she had might be annoying her teachers. Yet even that had passed as they patiently explained why she had to learn one thing to be able to understand another. What had been impossible a few weeks before became a great deal easier as her understanding grew along with her physical abilities.

In her fourth month of training, her father took her to the Ninety-Fifth's base by the docks. He needed to do some paperwork there, and McCoy's workshop was always her favorite stop.

The Armorer smiled at her as she entered the building that housed the fabrication machinery needed by his trade. "Hey kid! Good to see you again!"

A quick hug followed. She stepped back and looked up at him. "Got a question, Mac." She pulled the staff from its place on her back and held it out. "Can we make changes to this?"

McCoy scratched one cheek as he appraised the device. "What kind of changes?" he asked suspiciously.

She pressed a hidden button, allowing the staff to reform into her sword. "Well... for one thing, it's too slow changing forms! When I need to shoot something, I'm gonna need that rifle right then. Not two minutes later!"

"I was wondering when you were going to notice that!" he retorted. "And your folks keep going on about how smart you are, too."

Reforming the staff, she ignored the jibe and held it out to him. "How about it? Can you make it faster?"

Folding his arms, the soldier shook his head. "Nope!" He tried not to smile as her face fell. He waited a moment just for effect, then pointed at her. "You are going to do it!" Autumn's face lit up as he turned towards the workbench, motioning her to follow. "High time you learned how it all works anyway!"

Trying very hard not to squeal in delight, she followed him.

Renee was washing dishes, peering out the kitchen window as she watched her daughter practicing in the yard.

The staff whirled about the girl's body, striking crude blows at invisible enemies. Suddenly she held a sword, blocking high and low before stabbing forward. Light glinted off the blade as she attempted to control the direction of her attacks.

Still needs a lot of work on her balance, her mother noted as the staff appeared again. Slipping it onto her back, Autumn took two steps forward and leapt into the air. Landing on the trunk of a large tree, she back-flipped off and landed where she'd started. Dropping down, she swept the legs from underneath another imaginary opponent before leaping upwards into the branches. A muffled cry of pain came through the window as one of the higher branches shook violently.

Her mother smiled at the sound. Her daughter had just learned another important lesson, and better a lump on the head during practice than in real combat!

"Hey big fella! R'You Hath?"

From his post as the compound's main gate, Aldus looked around, wondering who in the passing crowd of shoppers might be addressing him.

"Down here, big jobs!"

Tilting his head forward, he discovered a short Faunas boy glaring up at him from waist level. A scrawny hand raked bleached blonde hair to one side, flipping a dangling rabbit ear with it. An axe almost as big as the youngster was strapped across the back of his worn overalls.

"Y'All blind or sumpin!" the boy demanded angrily.

Some days, Aldus thought, being a big man had its drawbacks. From his tone, the boy had a chip on his shoulder the size of a tree and had a problem dealing with people bigger than him.

Removing his helmet, the towering soldier tried smiling, hoping to defuse the situation. "My apologies, young man. How may I help you?"

The kid stepped back a pace, relieving the growing crick in the soldier's neck. "Ah'm supposed to meet a feller here, goes by the name'a Hath. Y'all him?"

Aldus shook his head. "No. But if you give me your name I will let him know you are here."

Hostility flared again in the boy's eyes, his hand slashing the air between them. "Nope! Ya can't have it! It's mah name and I ain't givin' it ta no-one!"

Aldus blinked in confusion. "Sorry... I don't understand,"

The boy stamped his foot angrily, a broken shoelace flopping in the air. "If'n ah give you mah name, what the heck'm ah' s'posed ta call me?!" A hand slapped against the skinny chest in punctuation.

The big man forced himself not to laugh at the situation, taking a deep breath to contain himself. "Ah! I see the problem now." he said politely. "Let's try that again. Will you- tell -me your name so I can tell Corporal Hath who you are?"

"Tarnation! Why'nt yah say that inna first place?" The boy tugged his ragged shirt straight. "Name's Oakley, Persimmon Oakley. Perfesser says I's ta come a 'prentice fer this here Hath, fer ta learn how's to be a Hunter!"

Aldus frowned, puzzled by the boy's words. He'd always had problems deciphering regional accents and this child's drawl was thick enough to use as syrup. "This 'Perfesser'... was she a tall lady, blonde hair?"

Oakley nodded. "Yup! Carried a little stick she likes t' swing around. Shore seemed like she wanted to beat someone with it. Name 'a Goodywitch, or suchlike."

Aldus glanced nervously at the crowd around them, praying that Goodwitch was still in her office. How had this kid survived meeting her? Satisfied that his commander was not in earshot, he nodded to the boy. "One moment, please, and I will alert Hath." Replacing his helmet, he flipped the microphone into position. "Corporal Hath? There is someone to see you at the front gate." He waited a moment for the message to be automatically routed to the proper scroll.

A few seconds later the Corporal's voice came through the earpiece in his helmet. "Thanks Aldus. The Professor said she was sending a student down to us. I guess I should have warned you earlier."

Aldus grimaced. "Yes, you should have. And good luck with this one! Aldus out." Doffing the helmet again, he smiled at the kid. "He will be here shortly. I'm sure that you two will get along like a house on fire!" Lots of screaming and mad dashing about, he thought to himself with a repressed chuckle.

A few minutes later, Hath stepped through the gate. Oakley peered around the giant soldier and looked at him critically. "If'n you be Hath, then the Perfesser lady wuz tellin' fibs. You ain't half as big as she made y'all sound like!"

Hath's face took on a confused look. "Oh? And just how big am I supposed to be?"

The boy hooked a thumb at the man next to him. "Way she tells it, you be as big as this'ere fella!"

The Corporal looked up at the silent giant who was struggling to keep a grin off his face. "Really? Didn't know she thought so highly of me," he said dryly. Looking back down, he crossed his arms. "The Professor told me she was sending me someone to train, so we're going to start with a little something called 'manners'! Have you said "Thank you' to Aldus yet?"

"Huh? Fer why?"

Hath thought the boy looked genuinely puzzled by the question. Who raised this kid? "For helping you find me is why. Good manners don't cost a thing, and they pay off by making people feel good around you," he explained patiently.

Oakley perked up. "Gotcha! Kinda like the whole catchin' flies with honey n'steada vinegar thing!"

Hath smiled, amused at the more rural explanation. "Exactly!"

Turning to Aldus, Oakley craned his head back. "Thanks fer callin'm! Much 'preciated!"

Doffing his helmet once more, Aldus smiled down. "You are welcome, Master Oakley. Good luck with your studies!"

A few yards down the path, Oakley looked back over his shoulder. "He's purty nice fer a big fella," he remarked.

Hath grinned at the boy. "Yes, he is. And a good friend too." Dropping a hand to a skinny shoulder, he turned towards the mess tent. "Let's see about some lunch before we get you situated, okay?"

The boy rubbed his suddenly growling stomach. "Yessir! So what'a I needs ta' be doin' ta' earn it?"

Hath's brow wrinkled as they entered the mess hall. Taking two trays off the rack by the serving line, he handed one to his newest student. "Earn it? Explain what you mean by that, please."

Oakley held the tray in front of his chest, almost defensively. "Uncle Peach wouldn't gimme no food 'til I did all t' chores 'round t' house first. Tole me I hadda earn my meals when I come t' live by him after Ma and Pa died." he explained quietly. "Wood chopped, winders washed, pigs gotta be fed, all thet there stuff." His fingers flexed on the metal. "I hadda do all 'a work afore gettin' even a single bean."

Hath set his own tray on the serving line, then squatted down until his head was level with the boy's. "Well now, youngster, all you have to do here is learn everything you can. You go to classes and try your hardest and I'll see you get fed three times a day." He held out his hand. "Deal?"

The Faunas stared suspiciously at the hand. "Really and truly? Ya ain't fibbin me? Jus' learnin' stuff?"

Hath grinned at him. "Well, I won't say it'll be easy. But if you're willing to try, we'll do our best to get you ready to be a Hunter."

Persimmon gulped as he reached for the extended hand. "Yessir! Ah kin do thet! Thankee sir!"

Gently disengaging his hand from the boy's excited handshake, he rose and turned towards the man waiting patiently behind the long counter. "Mister Padauk, what would you recommend for a hungry young man?"

Padauk's red face split into a wide grin. "Got just the stuff! Big helping of stew and fresh bread, slice of pie for dessert and as much milk as he can hold!"

"Set us up then!" the soldier responded before turning towards the frantic tugging on his blouse. Oakley stood on his tiptoes, putting his mouth next to the man's ear.

"What's a day-sert?" he whispered.

Hath patted the boy's shoulder sympathetically. "Best part of the meal, kid. You'll love it!"

Oakley settled back down as his tray was filled with the dishes handed across the counter. Padauk pointed a big serving spoon at him. "You come back for seconds if you're still hungry, okay?"

The young Faunas looked like he was going to burst into tears as he replied. "Yessir! Thankee kindly!"

The spoon swung at Hath. "Well? Don't just stand there!" the cook said in a loud voice. "Go get that kid fed! I didn't spend my time making that food just so you could just stare at it!"

The soldier neatly sidestepped the swing. "Yessir, Mister Padauk sir! Anything you say sir!" Grinning down at the boy, he jerked his head towards a nearby table. "C'mon kid. Let's do as the man says."

Hath sat quietly as the boy finished mopping the last of the gravy from the bowl with a slice of bread. He was amazed at how much the skinny body could hold, having seen two bowls of the stew, half a loaf of bread, and two slices of cherry pie disappear in the space of twenty minutes. Setting down his coffee, he leaned forward as the Oakley chewed in contentment.

"So, Oakley, where did you leave your luggage? We'll pick it up before heading to the barracks."

The Faunas frowned at the man as if he was speaking a strange language. "What's a luggage?"

Hath blinked in bafflement. "Bags? Extra clothing? Personal effects?" he asked, hoping the kid would recognize one of the words.

Skinny shoulders raised and lowered in a shrug. "Ain't got none o' them things."

The Corporal sat dumbfounded for a moment. "You came all this way without a change of underwear even?" He sat back and ran a hand over his face. "What the heck were you thinking?"

The boy squirmed in his seat. "Letter done said I's supposed ta' get things when I'd got here!" He pulled a crumpled paper from his pocket and smoothed it on the table. He pointed to a paragraph near the bottom.

Hath spun the letter around and scanned it quickly, his mouth tightening as he began to understand the boy's expectations.

'The school will see to your daily needs from the from the funds deposited on the student's behalf.'

His hand went to the scroll at his waist before he finished the sentence. Luckily his commander's number was in the speed dial. One finger tapped the letter impatiently as the call went through.

"Professor? Corporal Hath, Ma'am. I've just had a discussion with the student you sent to me and there's a question about funding that came up."

Glynda's irritated voice spilled out of the earpiece, loud enough for the student in question to hear. "Yes, Corporal Hath. There's a problem that I wasn't aware of when I sent him to you. It seems that the young man's uncle died the day after the boy left. He was deeply in debt and the courts seized the money that was supposed to be used for his nephew's education! Now he's come all this way and has nothing!"

Hath looked over at the wide eyes staring at him from the other side of the table. "So, what's going to be done for him then?"

"There's nothing I can do for him. I don't have any extra funding from Vale for this kind of situation," she explained in an exasperated tone. "As he's underage and has no living relatives, he'll most likely have to go to an orphanage until he's old enough to live on his own."

Hath's face hardened into granite at the boy's troubled face. "No!"

"Corporal, I don't have any option," she answered, her voice hardening at the refusal.

"No! I won't let that happen!" He reached across the table and gripped a thin hand. "I've got five years of pay that I've never spent, Ma'am. You made him my apprentice and I took the responsibility willingly. I'm going to take care of him until he graduates!" He nodded at the quivering boy.

He could almost hear her eyes rolling. "That's very noble Hath, but the courts... "

"Will have to go through me and the rest of the Ninety-Fifth to take him!" he growled.

"I could order you to give him up."

He grinned wolfishly. "Ma'am, respectfully, I always figured you were smart enough to not give an order you knew wouldn't be followed."

The line was silent for a moment. "Very well! On your own head be it. The boy will remain in your care during his training. I'll have my assistant do up some sort of paperwork to that effect." Her tone turned ominous. "I will be watching you!"

Hath smiled at the relieved face before him. "Yes Ma'am! You do that, and we'll see what kind of a Hunter we can make of him."

Glynda's voice softened. "Good luck then Sergeant Hath. Do me proud."

The soldier's eyes blinked a few times in surprise. "Ma'am... ?"

Her tone turned brisk "I'll notify Harper in the morning. You've already earned the promotion, and I've decided to accelerate it a little."

Hath straightened, once again thankful that he and his companions had found a worthy commander. "I will, Ma'am! Thank you." Tucking the scroll away, he winked at the boy. "Let's get these dishes squared away and go shopping!"

Oakley shifted uncomfortably. "So, Ah'm gonna live with yew now?"

"As my apprentice. It's going to take some work on both our parts," Hath pointed out. "But first we're going to get you some new clothes and all the other personal stuff." He plucked at the dirty sleeve of the threadbare shirt. "When's the last time you took a bath?"

Oakley flipped the limp ear over his shoulder. "Reckon it don't matter, seein's ah'm about ta get 'nuther!" he grumped.

Hath sniffed the air pointedly. "Yup! Soon as I can get you near some soap!"

Persimmon waved at the woman standing in the doorway of 'General Goods' before turning to follow his teacher. "She'uz a really nice lady!" he said softly, running his hands down the sleeves of the new yellow shirt. A black leather vest designed for Hunters now supported his axe properly in his back, while dark red pants were tucked into the new boots that didn't even need laces! "Ah declare, ah feel like a whole different feller!" He frowned in recollection. "What'd she mean 'bout Ay-kikko's gonna have a fit?"

Hath chuckled as he opened the door of the car he'd borrowed from the motor pool. "Don't sweat it kid. Her daughter, Akiko, is going to be one of your teachers. She's a little prickly at times, but never mean."

Oakley frowned as he scooted across the seat. "Thistles is prickly. Don't mean I likes rollin' round in 'em!"

The soldier smiled at him. "Just mind your manners and do what she tells you, you'll get along fine."

The boy leaned his weapon against the door next to him. "So, where we gettin' to now?"

Hath pulled up a map on his scroll, checking the directions. "We're off to see another of your teachers. Her name is Hart D'Ore, and you need to be real polite to her. We need her help for something very important to your future. Alright?"

The boy nodded seriously as the car began moving. "Yessir!"

Autumn was practicing her defensive moves under Hart's watchful eye when the two visitors came through the door. The young girl didn't spare a glance at the new arrivals as her aunt had the habit of making sure her student was awake by making sudden attacks with her own blade. The thin bloody streak on Autumn's cheek was evidence of an earlier wavering of attention.

Oakley paused in the doorway, suddenly shy under the older Faunas' steady gaze. He felt like a mouse being watched by a well-fed hawk, the green eyes never wavering as they watched the two approach.

Hath touched two fingers to his forehead in semi-salute. "Afternoon Miss D'Ore. May we have a moment of your time?"

Hart nodded and led them towards the side of the room, away from the sweating girl going through her paces. She glanced over her shoulder at her pupil long enough to make Autumn aware that her instructor's attention was still on her. Satisfied with the effect, she turned back to her visitors. "So, Hath. Do we have a new pupil?"

"We do indeed!" He gently pushed the boy to the fore. "Persimmon Oakley, meet Miss D'Ore. She'll be teaching you how to use your axe, along with a few other subjects."

Oakley nervously held out his hand. "Pleased ta' meet'cha Miz Dore!"

Hart tried not to grin at the boy as his cheeks reddened when her hand touched his. "I'm pleased to meet you also, young man," she said gently, ignoring the mangling of her name. "Are you ready to begin?"

Hath cleared his throat. "Aahh... and there's the next problem to solve."

Hart frowned at him, then suddenly held out a hand to stop him responding. Her head rose towards the ceiling as her voice rose in volume. "Miss Delacourt! Did I say it was time for a break!?" She smirked slightly as the sound of squeaking shoes resumed behind her. "Now, then. You said there was a problem?" she asked the confused pair in front of her.

Hath jumped slightly as if awakening, while Oakley took a step backwards. "Oh! Yeah, I did," he paused for a moment to marshal his thoughts. "If I understand it correctly, every student entering a fighting school has to have his Aura released, right?" He paused again until Hart nodded in assent. "Then Oakley here needs the same thing, but I'm not a Hunter and can't help him with it. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but it also should be done by someone who can act as a mentor too, right?"

Hart nodded solemnly. "That's a reasonable, and fairly accurate, description. Is there anyone in his family that can do it?" Her attention was drawn to the boy as his eyes dropped to the floor.

Hath shook his head. "Worse. There's no family at all. Persimmon's an orphan now. I'll be taking care of him until he graduates."

Hart laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear that. You have my condolences, Persimmon. I'm an orphan myself," She looked back to the soldier. "So we need someone willing to be his Shield then!"

Oakley frowned up at her . "Ma' Shield? Whut's that mean?"

Hart squatted, placing her eyes on level with his. "When a person's Aura, their soul, is released, it forms a bond between the student and whoever helps them. We call those people 'Shields' since they are committed to protecting the student while they learn how to be a Hunter or Huntress," Hart nodded towards the girl on the far side of the room. "She is my god-daughter and I am her Shield. Until she learns everything we can teach her, I must protect her from harm. Do you understand?"

Oakley looked across the room at the younger girl's serious face. He tried to imagine how much protecting a girl in armor with a sword might need. The trickle of blood drying on her cheek made him wonder how dangerous this particular training was going to be. He looked back towards Hart's expectant face. "Uh... not really, Miz Dore." He shrugged at her baffled look. "Ah heard Ma tell lotsa stories 'bout Gran'pappy bein' a Hunter, and how he had all sorts'a 'ventures. But she never said nothin' bout no Aw'rah stuff, nore bout no trainin'!" The boy's eyes dropped his new shoes. "Ah'm just hopin' to be somethin' more'n a pig farmer!"

Hart looked up to Hath, the soldier's look of dismay matching her own. He held up his hands and shrugged, as if to say 'Now what?'. Rising gracefully, she laid a hand on the unhappy boy's chin, lifting his face toward hers. "We'll have to see whether or not you have it in you to be a Hunter, then," she told him. Turning him about, she gently thrust him towards Hath. "Bring him back to me after dinner. Tonight, he will stand a vigil in the Circle of Memories."

As Hath nodded acceptance, she turned towards the other side of the room. "Autumn!" The girl stopped her practice and faced the three. "Run and tell your uncle Tan that I need him again!"

Autumn's eyes widened at the unexpected request. What little she'd overheard left her wondering about the new kid. Maybe she could ask her parents for some answers over dinner. "Yes, Miss D'Ore!" Finding her uncle wouldn't be too hard, there were only a few places he frequented when he was in Vale. Her gaze shifted to the boy next to Hath. Whoever he was, her Aunt obviously saw something more in him than she could. Securing her weapon, she ran out the door, intent on finding the reclusive Hunter.

( A/N : This would have been out earlier, but I finally took a real vacation and visited friends in Texas that I haven't seen for several decades. Much fun was had between old high school buddies. We get older, but are still young inside. )

Can anyone become a Hunter? Even a kid with nothing more going for him than an heirloom and stories of his grandfather's adventures? Thanks to Hath dumping the problem in Hart's lap, now she has to discover the answer with zero prep time! Is her teammate what the young Faunas needs? Or have the years changed him more than she thinks?

Keep writing!

Vindictious