A/N: Thanks to Lance4ever for prodding me to update this! Will try to update my fics more regularly.
The flight from Oslo had been delayed by bad weather; consequently, it was after midnight before Sven finally got back to the dorm. The light was on in his and Keith's room, and he swore to himself in Norwegian. He should have known Keith would wait up for him. "You should haf gone to bed," he said softly as he entered the room.
"The last time I went to bed waiting for someone to come home, they didn't," Keith answered flatly, and Sven winced.
"Anyting interesting happen vhile I vas gone?" Sven tossed his bag to the foot of his bed, and grabbed a set of pjs from his dresser.
"You could say that." Keith outlined his meeting with the Commandant, ending with, "so, we're meeting with him at 0900 tomorrow to get more details." The Asian boy frowned. "I don't like that McClain; what do you know about him?"
Sven paused, shirt hanging off his hands forgotten. "He's a genius in de air; de instructors haf yet to find anyting he cannot fly. Same vit his tactical skills." He smiled wryly. "He is also good looking, and knows far too vell how good he is at tings."
"And we have to work with him. Great." Keith rolled his eyes.
"Keit." Sven waited until Keith met his gaze, then continued, "From everyting I haf heard, McClain is a good guy, even if he is a cocky bastard. I vould not mind being friends vit him, and . . . . you could do vit more friends den just me."
Keith glared. "I don't need anybody. Not even you."
"Tell that to somevon who vill belief it," the Norwegian returned calmly. He finished changing and got into bed before continuing, "Ve are bot too closed off from people; dat needs to change, for our careers, und for our own sakes. And before you say it. . .Keit, your family did not vant to leaf you. Und dey vould not vant you to isolate yourself. Tink about dat." He turned his light out, and was asleep in minutes.
Keith lay awake, coldly furious at Sven's presumption. He DIDN'T need anybody; people only left you, and hurt you deeply. But Sven's words echoed in his head. He knew he wouldn't be considered for a Space Explorer team if he stayed as antisocial as he was; that sort of instability was not compatible with living in close quarters for six months at a time. And as for his family. . . he shivered. Meyong Kogane had been a stickler for Japanese courtesy; if she had seen his reaction to McClain's friendly overture. . . his mother would have had his hide. Grudgingly he conceded Sven's point; he HAD isolated himself, and that needed to change. He still wasn't sure he LIKED McClain, but he resolved to make an effort to at least be friendly. For the good of the team.
The next morning, Keith and Sven were in the commandant's office at 0845, waiting nervously for their briefing. At 0855, McClain sauntered in, casual as always. "Morning, boys!" he said breezily, dropping into a chair next to Keith. "So, we finally get the details on the commandant's little project today, huh?"
Keith stiffened, then remembered his resolve of the previous night and forced himself to relax. "So it would seem." He paused. "I owe you an apology, McClain."
Lance managed to keep his jaw from dropping. "For what?"
"For my attitude towards you the other day." Keith sighed. "I. . . .don't make friends easily. And I'm not entirely convinced I need them. But I was unforgivably rude to you, and for that I am sorry."
Lance waved a hand. "No biggie. Start fresh?"
Keith nodded, and put out a hand. "Cadet McClain? I'm Keith Kogane; I understand we're going to be working together."
"I'm just Lance." Lance shook the other cadet's hand. "Yeah, nice to meet you. Can't wait to see what this is all about."
"Well, cadets, come into my office, and I'll give you the details." Lance jumped; he hadn't heard the commandant come up beside him. The three cadets quickly stood and followed him into his office, standing stiffly in front of his desk until he waved them into seats.
"We have received a request from Marshal Graham for a specialist team to go to planet Arus. You three are our top pilots: Kogane and McClain, you excel at strategy and tactics; Holgersson, I've gotten rave reviews for you from your navigation instructors. We've selected you three to form the core of the specialist team, and are looking for a systems analyst and engineer to round it out."
Sven cleared his throat. "If I may, sir?" The commandant nodded, and he went on. "I do not know if you are familiar with Cadet Darrell Stoker. He is ten years old, and auditing my Advanced Quadratics class. For fun. I tink he may be de systems analyst you vant."
Lance sputtered. "A ten year old? You've gotta be kidding!"
Sven glared at him. "He is Baltan. And an orphan, from vhat I have heard de instructors say." Lance shut his mouth with a snap. Balto was known throughout the Alliance for being a cold, harsh place to grow up, even with a family; Lance could only imagine how much worse it could be WITHOUT one.
"I do know Cadet Stoker," the commandant said quietly. "The only childlike thing about him is his age." He nodded. "I will take your recommendation under advisement, Cadet Holgersson." He picked three packets up from his desk and held them out. "Here are your new housing assignments and training schedules; get settled in this weekend, and be ready to go first thing Monday morning. Dismissed."
The three saluted crisply and left the room. Once outside, they stopped to look at the new schedules. "Doesn't look too bad," Lance offered after a few minutes. "Drop the BS classes, pick up some extra sim time and hand to hand training—NOT looking forward to that with you, Kogane!" he grinned.
Keith was irritated. "If you can't handle it, McClain, then ask to be taken off the team!" He stopped and took a breath, reminding himself to dial it back. "Sorry. I'm still. . . .getting the hang of this. I won't do the damage to you that I did to the football players."
Lance shrugged. "It's OK; I know I'm hard to take sometimes. We'll adjust." He glanced at his watch. "Gotta get to class; see you guys later!" He took off in a loping run; Keith found himself watching, mesmerized by the other boy's casual grace. Suddenly he had a deep interest in getting to know Lance McClain better. A lot better.
"Vell done, Keit," Sven said quietly, recapturing his attention. "I haf to get to class too; I vill see you at lunch." He walked away, hiding a grin at Keith's absent nod and continued stare after McClain. This promised to be entertaining; he couldn't wait for the weekend.