Part Seven: Graduation
"A great accolade had been paid to one of our graduating class. When the Alliance requested the services of an academy cadet for a special assignment prior to this ceremony, one individual stood out from the rest. I call upon our class Valedictorian, Lieutenant Keith Akira Kogane," Commander Wilson called out the final graduating cadet's name, "to come up, accept his degree and say a few words."
Standing at the side of the dais, Keith looked out into the audience before commencing his walk across the stage. Vanessa and Nicholas sat as proud as any parents in the crowd. Beside them sat Ally, introduced to the world as a friend of the family. Sven and Lance teased him unmercifully as they lined up to take their places, wanting to know what he'd been doing for the last three days with the beautiful young woman who they knew was not related to Keith.
Taking in a deep breath, Keith strode across the stage, stopping before Commander Wilson. "I'm glad you could make it, Lieutenant," the officer stated with a broad smile.
"I believe I had nothing to do with it, Sir," Keith offered, taking his certificate and shaking his commanding officers hand.
"Do you have your speech ready," Commander Wilson asked, glad Captain West made the sudden request on behalf of Miss Ally Smith.
Nodding, Keith turned to the podium, facing the audience. Quietly he looked out, his eyes capturing those of his friends and family before coming to rest on the woman who made this event possible. To all the world, it confirmed the ruse of young lovers when a slightly nervous smile curled his lips.
Ally had sprung this on him at the last moment. After their evening out, Keith lay awake, grieving for his perceived loss. At nine o'clock this morning, she'd banged on his bedroom door, demanding he get dressed and informing the young Lieutenant their transport would arrive in a quarter of an hour. His official academy uniform had been shoved at him through the slit. Standing, dumbfounded, Keith couldn't quite understand Ally's reasoning, until they boarded the official academy transport awaiting them on the hotels helipad. Quietly, she explained how the overheard phone call affected her and the plans she'd made to ensure both he and his family made this graduation.
"As Commander Wilson indicated, I have recently undertaken an initial assignment as an academy graduate. I thought myself prepared for my first duty as an officer. I could not have been more mistaken," Keith stated. Not once did he look down. There hadn't been time to prepare for this speech. Instead he took his inspiration from a single person in the audience. Someone who had lost so much and faced still more when she returned to a war-torn planet.
"After four years at this institution, it was the addition of the skills I learnt from my family that proved the key to a successful mission. We are more than just officers, we are individuals who each bring a unique knowledge and understanding with us. In sharing our culture and heritage with those we work and interact with, we truly represent the Alliance of Worlds. As I stand here today, my class and I represent twenty-seven nations of Terra and thirteen worlds of the Alliance. We will be assigned postings across thousands of light years, into new territories and on missions of exploration. Along the way, we will meet new friends and battle adversaries taking the ideology of freedom, justice and liberty with us."
"Our challenge, as officers and individuals will be to represent the Alliance, demonstrating our unique characteristics while learning to integrate with new people and cultures. This graduating class stands willing and equal to the task of facing those challenges, to meet new societies, to explore and discover regions of space that have so far remained uncharted. We are the very best examples of the Alliance, trained to keep peace and fight tyranny where ever it is found."
"I am sure my fellow graduates appreciate the sacrifices their families have made to aid them in their quest to become the finest officers. They will also join me in giving thanks to our instructors, who moulded and aided us to become the men and women we are today, laying the basis for who we shall become."
Lowering his head in a gesture of supplication, Keith paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. "In the future, I hope to be in the audience, watching as my own children take up the challenge of fighting for, and keeping peace throughout the galaxy. Nothing is more important than bringing concord among all the people of the Alliance Worlds and those, that we can only hope, will one day join a community committed to harmony and freedom. Thank you for your time and attention, Ladies and Gentlemen."
Turning to the smiling faces of his classmates standing behind him on the stage, Lieutenant Keith Kogane announced, "may I present the graduating class of the Alliance Space Academy."
Everyone in the audience stood to clap. With a few more words from the Commander, the ceremony was officially closed. It didn't take long for the graduates to join their families milling about in the lobby, ready to begin their new lives, starting with the graduation party to be held later in the evening.
"Keith," Ness called to her younger brother. Rushing over to him, she hugged him tightly, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. "I'm so proud of you, just as proud as I know Mum and Dad would have been."
"Hey, Kiddo," Nicholas waited until his wife released the young man to ruffle his hair. "I always knew you'd do it."
"Even," Keith teased, "finishing first in a class of three hundred."
Shrugging his shoulders, Nicholas said, "first or last, you're still an officer in the Alliance. It's what you do with your life that's the telling factor. You'll do fine, especially after that speech. Just remember who you are, and the rest will come naturally. You were born for this Keith," he turned serious, "that's why you were given the assignment before graduating."
Embarrassed to be included in such a significant moment, Allura stood off to one side watching her pretend suitor being congratulated by his adorning family. Suddenly, Princess Allura of Arus understood rank and position meant little. Alec would be no less revered by his father or sister on such a momentous occasion. Her protector had said as much in his speech. At heart, all people were the same and Keith, along with his family, brought that lesson home for Allura.
Keith, still technically on duty, reached out a hand to pull Ally to his side. Although in a safe environment, with others who knew of his assignment, Lieutenant Kogane's instincts to protect Ally came first. Nicholas's eyebrows rose slightly as his piercing grey eyes watched the interaction. He'd never seen his brother-in-law act in such a way with a young woman.
"Still on the job," Nicholas asked in a near whisper. Keith swallowed hard and nodded slightly. "Then I think coming home to Australia for a few days of rest and relaxation might be in your future, Lieutenant. Commander Wilson and I are old acquaintances. I'll go and find him. I'm sure we can work something out that will allow you to see your new nephew and continue to carry out your duties."
"Ally?" Keith questioned, his gaze saying all he couldn't.
"Really," Allura's eyes widened at the prospect of living a normal life on Terra, even if only for a few days. "I would not wish to impose."
Understanding the subtle subtext after years of marriage to a Special Forces man, Vanessa smiled disarmingly. "Keith is welcome to invite anyone home, Ally, especially a girl. I'd begun to wonder about my brother's, ah, orientation in that regard. I'm glad to see he's finally found someone."
"Hey, Mrs H," Lance chose that moment to interrupt the conversation, "you don't need to worry about your baby bro. Sven and I are kinda glad Keith's got a girlfriend. Leaves the rest of the female population for us. You're going to break so many hearts, Kogane, bringing Ally to the party."
"Lance, Sven," Vanessa greeted the pair with an ironic smirk, "I see nothing has changed."
