Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters. Other canon characters are owned by their respective companies.
Exclaimer: To people who don't like the story, just don't read it.
Chapter 7 Worried
*The demonstration was tiring. It was downright…hard. We had to demonstrate most of our skills, specifically combat, in front of marines. I nearly got my ass kicked by Imca but it was a good thing I beaten him at the sword fight. The Q&A was embarrassing for all us. Partially for me since I didn't really know much about myself. A lot for Rtas and the others since they were the ones who mostly answered; I just listened. I learned a lot of…things. One marine was brave enough to ask 'What happened to the other half of Rtas's mandibles?'. Everyone fell silent as Rtas reencountered the events that had happened on the last voyage of the Infinite Succor. I almost cried myself for the tragic story…Anyways, after the demonstration…*
Gideon walked out of the hall. Marines went by him and greeted, some even shook hands. It felt nice to be with his fellow species, or once was his species. Paul approached him and said,
"You're good with the energy sword, mind teaching me?" he asked.
"If I had the time, sure." said Gideon.
"Hey Paul!" shouted a marine behind us.
"Mind you asking the elite if he wants to join us at the bar?" asked another. Gideon turned around and saw two marines approaching him.
One of them had an ink black hair, whilst the other was a dirty blond.
"Gideon 'Keslom, meet Zen Black and Jamie Jowensel and vice-versa." said Paul.
"Hi, nice to meet you Gideon." said Zen.
"Ditto." said Jaime.
"So you want to come?" asked Paul. Before Gideon could answer, Tera'kan approached him,
"What's going on Gideon?" she asked.
"They're asking me to come with them to the bar. Want to come?" answered Gideon.
"Hmm…why not; hey Imca want to come?" she said as Imca walked next to them.
"To a human bar, I always wanted to taste human liquor, I'm in." said Imca.
"The more the merrier." said Jaime cheerfully.
"Is that everyone?" asked Paul. Gideon looked around; it would seem that no one was coming with them anymore.
"That's all of us." answered Gideon.
"Let's go then." said Zen.
The six went to the bar and had a good time. Zen, Jaime and Paul mostly explained things to Imca since he was curios about human liquor. Gideon and Tera'kan on the other hand were just chatting with one another.
"Are you a drinker?" asked Gideon.
"I can sustain a few drinks." answered Tera'kan.
"Don't trust her, she easily gets drunk." said Imca.
"Oh, shut up." said Tera'kan. Gideon laughed.
* * * * *
At Sangheilios…
A meeting was happening at the Council Hall. The Councilors were discussing security matters for Sangheilios.
"What are we to do about this…problem?" asked an elder.
"We deal like with like we always do." answered another.
"And that is?"
"Send in the troops to exterminate them." said the elder.
"Are you sure of this, Councilor Iavi?" asked another.
"Yes, I am. This plan is full proof, and always works. Do you question my judgment, Councilor 'Keslom?" he answered.
"No." 'Keslom answered.
"Then it is settled then, we will send the Spec Ops to deal with the matter." said Councilor Nymo.
"Councilor 'Keslom you are to make the call and send the file to them. This meeting is adjourned." said Councilor Nymo.
Everyone began piling out and Zaphyr 'Keslom stood up. He was going to make the call again to the Spec Ops Commander, Rtas 'Vadum. Making the 'call' was a big dislike for him. One, he felt responsible when a Spec Ops soldier dies because he was the one that sent the mission. And two, his son was a Spec Ops soldier. Against his wishes, Gideon signed up and passed Spec Ops training. He felt like he was going to endanger his son's life again.
"Thinking again, aren't we?" said a voice behind him. He turned around and saw, in a dark red robe, his friend Exlo 'Gmoutee. He sighed and said,
"Of course, I am." Exlo smiled at him.
"Stop it. You're son is strong, he can handle It."
"Like how he handled the last incident?" Zaphyr asked with a scowl.
"That….He….You could say he was lucky." answered Exlo.
"Let's hope his luck doesn't run out." said Zaphyr.
"Lets." then the two walked out of the Council Hall. Along the way they passed by Iavi, who seemed in a hurry to go nowhere.
"How many times have we seen him like that?" asked Zaphyr.
"Too many to count." replied Exlo. Iavi rounded on a corner and stormed off.
The two went to the communications room and grabbed a phone. Zaphyr, went over to the board and looked at the necessary number. Posted on the board were various numbers going to different branches of the Covenant Society, one of them was Spec Ops. Zaphyr dialed the number while Exlo went over to the vending machine to get a drink. The phone took awhile since the call was redirected from phone line to radio communication line. Then someone picked up.
Hello?
"Is this the Spec Ops Commander speaking?" asked Zaphyr.
Yes, this Rtas 'Vadum speaking, who is this?
"This is Councilor 'Keslom, here to brief you of you're next mission, I am sending the file to you now." said Zaphyr. At the speaker he could hear the machine printing the said file. Rtas grabbed it and took a look.
I see… I understand.
"We expect to hear updates about the matter." said Zaphyr.
Yes sir. Is that all?
"Yes…" said Zaphyr trailing.
Is there something you want to say your excellence?
"Rtas, I wanted to ask.... How is…he doing?" he asked almost in a whisper.
Your son? He's doing fine. I have seen him trained and he had developed quite quickly. You should be proud.
"Thank you…That is all." Then Zaphyr hang up.
* * * * *
Meanwhile back at Cairo…
Everyone had a great time. Everyone drank beer and they all slowly got drunk. Zen was already hiccupping whilst Jaime was belching. Imca was still chatting animatedly to Paul who replied likewise. Gideon just watched the two chat, whilst Tera'kan beside him was almost half asleep from the intoxication.
Gideon noticed her level of drunkenness and it wasn't good. She was going to have a hangover the next morning if she didn't stop drinking right now. He himself wasn't drunk since he drank only a glass or two.
"Uh…Tera'kan I think you need to stop drinking right now." said Gideon.
"You think?" said Tera'kan then her head fell down the table and started snoring.
"That's it; I'm going to bring you back to your quarters. Imca, I'm going to go ahead." he addressed Imca.
"Sure." said Imca with a wave of approval.
"Ma'am come on." said Gideon standing up. He slung one of Tera'kan's hands behind him and did a walking assist.
"Oof your heavy." mumbled Gideon as they started walking. They made it down the halls of Cairo and headed to the docking bay. Throughout the time, Tera'kan was resting her head on his shoulder.
They managed to ride a phantom which headed to the Shadow of Intent. Gideon stared around nervously. He didn't know exactly where Tera'kan's quarters would be. Luckily Alster passed by and he asked him.
"Hey Alster, do you know where the Subcommander's quarter is?" he asked. Alster looked at him then to Tera'kan then back to him.
"Just down the hall. She drunk again?" he asked.
"Yup."
"Need help?"
"I can handle it. Thanks by the way."
"No problem." said Alster and he walked away.
Gideon dragged her half way the trip since she drifted in and out of consciousness. When they did make it back to her quarters, an obstacle arose. The door had numerical keypad and was locked. Gideon was about to ask her the code, but she was too drunk to answer. With a sigh, he was left with no other choice.
Gideon stood in front of his quarters and opened the door. Luckily there was no one at the hallway to see them go in otherwise they'll start thinking of…things. He walked in and Tera'kan shuffled drunkenly across the threshold and sat heavily in the middle of the mattress. She laid down shut her eyes and purred. "Warm."
"You go to sleep now, ok, or else you'll have a nasty headache." said Gideon.
"But I'm on armor." mumbled Tera'kan.
"My god." mumbled Gideon.
*I had to check if the door was closed to ensure privacy. I approached her afterwards and removed her armor. All the while she seemed…happy…*
"There, now get some sleep." said Gideon. She wrapped her arms around Gideon and whispered to him.
"Join me." she said suggestively. Gideon was taken aback. Did she really ask him that they should…?
"Uh…I…Uh…You don't know what you're talking about. Let go please." he pleaded. She scowled at him. She let go but not before slapping him in the butt, which made him yelp quietly. She lay on the bed and nuzzled the pillow. She purred as she slowly drifted too sleep.
Gideon sighed. This was all wrong. He should be the one being taken cared of by the commanding officer not vice-versa. He was somehow uncomfortable because he was still in his armor. He started removing his armor and stripped to his jumpsuit. He placed his armor in the armor rack and sat on the chair. He wanted to get some sleep but Tera'kan was already sleeping in his bunk.
"Well, let's just make the best of It." he mumbled as he unfastened his jumpsuit, only to the waist. He pulled his arms out of the sleeves and tied them around his waist, securing his suit in a "half mast" position that left his upper torso bare, but the bottom half of him covered. He yawned as he slowly felt groggy. He rested his head on the table and started snoring soon afterwards.
* * * * *
Meanwhile back on Sangheilios…
Zaphyr went down the streets of the Azen state; he was now heading to his home. Riding along with him was Exlo. Exlo looked at him while he was driving and noticed he was brooding.
"What are you thinking?" he asked, even though he can clearly guess what it is. Zaphyr sighed.
"It's about him…" said Zaphyr. Exlo chuckled.
"If you're so worried about him, ask him to quit then." suggested Exlo.
"I could…." said Zaphyr understanding the suggestion.
"Was that solution too hard to find?" asked Exlo. Zaphyr chuckled.
"I guess it wasn't." he answered.
"How old is your son?" asked Exlo.
"Twenty three." said Zaphyr.
"Hmm… he's… ripe for the picking." said Exlo with a smile.
"Well if he's found one, he's not telling me anything." replied Zaphyr.
The drive lasted only a few more minutes and ended when he stopped in the garage of a rather elegant looking house. Zaphyr turned off the engine and the two hopped out.
"I appreciate you coming over for dinner, Exlo. It's been a while since I have gotten guests." said Zaphyr.
"It's ok. I actually like you're cooking." complimented Exlo.
"Thank you. Make yourself at home, I'm just going to drop my things at my room." said Zaphyr carrying his suitcase.
Exlo went to the living room, sat on the couch and watched the TV. Zaphyr went to his room which was at the second story. He walked slowly as he passed by his son's room. He had always done this and it was a habit; of him taking a look at his son's room only to remind of him. He had missed his son, and was totally against him joining Spec Ops. He closed the door and went to his bedroom. He dropped the suitcase at the side and stared at the picture frames on top of the dresser. There was him, his now passed wife and Gideon. There was another of him and Gideon playing. There were about three more picture frames mostly containing happy memories until the last one at the corner.
This one had a picture of him standing next to Gideon, who was in a bed. He sighed at the remembering what the picture showed. It was a photograph taken of him visiting his son at the medical ward since of his near-death accident. Being stabbed by an energy sword and surviving was lucky indeed. He had lost his beloved wife and did not want to lose his son. At that moment Exlo's suggestion came to mind.
If you're so worried about him, ask him to quit then
He made up his mind. He was going to ask Gideon to quit Spec Ops after their Loyalist mission that was currently assigned to them.
Please take some time to R&R.