One month ago, Meimei Masterson was shot down in a battle against a harvest patrol fleet.
Her death impacted everyone on board the Emerald's Edge, she wasn't just another soldier or doctor to them, she had an aura about her a feel that made everyone feel better just by being in the same room as them. The warmest light that brought someone out of even the deepest since of depression or anger, but now…that light was gone.
The captain of the warship Jack Masterson was holding it together as best he could for the sake of keeping the crew's morale up as much as possible, but even that seemed like an impossible task at this point. And his son Jay was in the worst place out of everyone.
Jay hadn't left him quarters or even talked to anyone since what happened, his combat maneuvers were slipping more and more and in a moment of anger accused Kira of being the reason his mother was shot down, screaming at her that if she hadn't gotten sloppy and been overwhelmed he would've been able to save his mother's life, words of anger that hurt Kira very deeply.
Hideki was angered by Jay's words that day and was considering violently telling him that his mother's death was because they were at war. As much as he loved Jay and as much of a goof as Hideki was he had always been the first one to admit the real situation as he saw it and he wasn't going to stray away from that now.
Only through Kira's words did Hideki stand down and let Jay's words slid, even after what Jay said Kira could not and would not blame him for what he said regardless of how much it hurt her, she had no idea what kind of pain he was in, she knew he would need more time than everyone else and the support of the only person who knows him better than himself.
Mid-Afternoon one day Jay was still laying in his bed inside one of the crew quarters, like always he didn't leave the room unless there were too many people in there or there was an enemy attack. Either way he avoided everyone else and wouldn't speak to anyone.
Staring at the dark, steel ceiling of the empty room Jay silently relived the moment he saw his mother get shot down over and over. The only sound in the room was the whirring sound of the room's AC unit and the snoring of two sleeping crew members who had come off of a twelve hour shift.
Turning over onto his side Jay closed his eyes just as the door to the room slid open and a crew member said "Jay. Captain wants you at the Pit in an hour. He wants you to run the course".
Jay didn't move he just played the soldier's words over in his head while the soldier closed the door and left.
After the door closed the soldier walked down the hallway with O'Brian next to him. "Why does the Captain want him to run the course? He's a pilot not a soldier".
"Captain Masterson thinks that he might be able to relieve some of his son's depression through the course" O'Brian explained "He left the Staff Sergeant specific instructions that Jay isn't allowed to break or leave the Pit until he at least match the time of a Private in our Ranger battalion".
"Match the time of a Ranger?" the soldier asked "Sir there's no way he could do that without prior training. Ranger and S.E.A.L.S training are the toughest in our entire military, no our entire world" the soldier protested "Besides he's only 14".
O'Brian nodded "I thought so as well, but the Captain's orders are still orders" pausing as the two turned a corner O'Brian summoned the elevator that would take them to the primary training deck below the engineering deck "I respect the boy's skills as a pilot, but I'm not that fond of him, I would expect the son of Jack Masterson to be more mature and be able to follow orders better, but he hasn't shown much of that or much respect toward the chain of command".
"Permission to speak freely sir" the soldier requested.
"Go ahead Corporal" O'Brian granted.
"I don't think that's entirely fair sir" the Corporal admitted "Jay has a big name to live up to, but he isn't his father. You can push and train the boy as much as you want, but he'll never be his father. I'm not saying he's not capable of becoming a great pilot or soldier, but he'll never be his father and I think you're expecting him to grow a little too quickly. Sir".
O'Brian kept his eyes forward as the elevator doors opened and he stepped off along with the Corporal "Your concern is noted Corporal and even given my dislike for the boy this is his father's decision and as captain his words are basically law".
Arriving at the observation tower overlooking the Pit O'Brian explained to the Staff Sergeant that Jay was to go through infantry training first and wasn't allowed to proceed past that until he got a specific time.
Ordering the maintenance crew to set up the infantry course the Staff Sergeant began cleaning the weapons Jay would be using while the electronics and safety crew checked the camera's timers and terminals within the course.
Almost an hour later the course had been cleared clean and ready just as Jay stepped off the elevator and walked over to the Corporal who was standing at the entrance ramp leading down to the pit.
"Good to see you Masterson" he began "I'm sure you've seen other soldiers run the Pit before, now the Captain wants you to do it. Follow me please".
Leading Jay down the ramp the Corporal stopped at a trunk at the bottom of the ramp and opened it handing Jay a SACR-H assault rifle and an M9 pistol "We're going to start you off with the SCAR mainly because it has a low recoil factor, trust me if you ever get into a fire fight with an semi-automatic weapon, high recoil can get you killed. Also you need to keep the butt held tight to your shoulder for the best aim. Make sure you line up your sights before pulling that trigger otherwise you're going to spray bullets all over the place".
Holding his hand out to the table the Corporal told Jay to put on the tactical vest, helmet and rest of the armor typically worn by Army foot soldiers. While Jay was putting the vest on the Corporal explained how the course worked, once Jay had the vest and armor strapped on properly the corporal opened the gate for him "Give it hell kid".
Stepping through the gate Jay heard the Staff Sergeant from the over watch tower "First targets pop once you're in position!"
Slowly weighing the assault rifle in his hands Jay kept a neutral to undetermined expression on his face before holding the rifle properly in his hands and stepping forward. Once he stepped up to a low lying cinder barricade the first two targets popped up from the floor it took Jay twenty seconds to shoot them both.
From the over watch tower O'Brian and the Staff Sergeant watched Jay run the course, by the time he made the halfway mark his time was already at two minutes. Even a raw recruit could run the course in under a minute so far Jay's performance wasn't even embarrassing.
After he shot the last target Jay ran through the ending gate and heard the buzzer go off throughout the course before the Staff Sergeant yelled "What'da you call that? Reload and get back in there".
Looking up at the over watch tower with the same neutral to undetermined expression Jay restocked his ammunition in his pistol and rifle before heading back through the starting gate to run the course again.
Watching from the tower both O'Brian and the Staff Sergeant kept count of Jay's hit/miss ratio as well as his reaction time to the enemy and targets. His second run ended with a time twelve seconds longer than his first.
"Run it again!" the Staff Sergeant ordered angrily from the tower as Jay exited the end gate of the course.
Becoming angry Jay walked back through the starting gate and ran over to the first barricade before crouching down behind it and firing at both of the first two targets taking them both down with a precise shot to their chests.
Ducking out of his cover spot Jay ran over to the entrance of the small building before meeting another hostile target hiding behind a civilian target. Shooting through the civilian target to take down the hostile one a buzzer sounded throughout the course and the Staff Sergeant yelled "Civilian killed. Weapons safe and head to the end of the course now!"
Tightening his fist on the grip of the rifle Jay clenched his teeth as he proceeded through the course and left through the end gate. Just as he took the rifle's strap from around his neck the Staff Sergeant yelled "What are you doing? Get back in there and run it again. This time watch your fire!"
Jay's anger was already seething at this point he just wanted to shut the Sergeant up and return to his room, but the Ramp's gate was closed and locked so he wasn't going anywhere just yet.
Just as Jay set up for his fourth run Kira and Hideki had entered the training deck after hearing from Jay's father that he was going through the Pit and watched from the observation level as he started the course.
Quickly sprinting to and ducking behind the barricade Jay took down both of the first targets with a chest and shoulder shot before darting out from behind the barricade and sliding to the side as the hostile target popped up with a civilian shield. With a clear shot at the hostile Jay took it down with a clean headshot before pushing the civilian target out of his way and entering the building.
Sliding down to his knees to drop behind cover Jay heard a target pop up beside him and spun around before pulling the trigger taking down both a hostile and a civilian target.
"Run failed!" the Sergeant yelled "Proceed to the end and start over, watch your damn fire and use the sights, stop firing from the hip!"
Slamming his hands on the ground Jay got to his feet and in a brisk, hard walk left the end gate and went back around into the starting gate without even looking at the Corporal or at the spare ammunition lying on the table.
Watching from the Observation deck Kira and Hideki saw Jay take down the first set of targets before taking down the third using the civilian for cover. "Why is he doing this exactly?" Hideki asked after Jay shot a hostile target before leaning out of his cover to shoot another.
"His father said he's trying to take his mind off of his mother with this, but I don't think this is the right way to do it. They're pushing him too hard" Kira said in a broken voice as the Staff Sergeant yelled at Jay for killing another civilian target just as he was about to end the course.
Once again demanding that Jay run the course the Sergeant looked over to O'Brian who hadn't said anything the entire time, the Commander just watched Jay's progress not so much as making a sigh or aggravated grunt.
Now on his seventh run Jay's anger had gotten the better of him and he looked up at the speaker and yelled "What's the point of all of this huh? I'm a pilot not a damn foot soldier".
"You're not leaving until you make Ranger time on the course and I want a perfect run. I'll keep you here all day if I have to" the Sergeant yelled as he pressed the button to open the starting gate.
Starting his seventh run Jay ran through the course taking down each of the first targets with precise shots before clearing the first floor of the building with zero civilian casualties so far. Sprinting up the stairs an enemy target cut him off right at the top and Jay in a single swift movement stepped to the side before using his left hand to pull the combat knife from its holster and lunged forward, driving the downward held blade into the target and pulling it back out.
After taking down the target Jay crouched down at the edge of the roof and shot a single target using a civilian as cover before jumping down. Once again ducking behind a low lying wall Jay waited until he heard the next set of targets pop up for he stood up and fired at each of them, dropping each target with a shot to either the chest, shoulder or abdomen.
Running toward the end of the course Jay let go of his Rifle and quickly pulled the M9 pistol from its holster taking careful aim down the gun's sights as he briskly walked toward the end gate as the last two targets popped up. Making center headshots on both targets and exiting the end gate Jay heard to Corporal say "Niiiiiice run, you actually made Ranger time on that one".
"Final time thirty-six seconds" the Sergeant yelled from the tower "You've got two minutes to rest up after that you're moving on to a live fire course".
Viciously taking the rifle's strap from around his neck Jay threw the rifle down on the table and yelled angrily as he slammed his hands on the edge of the table.
From the Observation deck Kira and Hideki were both pleased to see Jay complete the course, but their good feelings about it were quickly taken away when they heard Jay was being forced to do more than just Infantry training, they were making him do a live fire course next? Just what are they thinking?
After the two minutes went by Jay was given a new assault rifle and pistol as well as a single flash, stun and smoke grenade. His new rifle and pistol were an M4A1 and a Desert Eagle. He was going to run the same course again only this time he was going to have other soldiers with simulated rounds firing back at him.
These simulated rounds packed a good punch to them to effectively simulate the impact of live fire, and the new vest that Jay was wearing had several shock patches under it. These patches would trip if they felt too much impact from enemy fire and if they did they would send a small, yet powerful surge through Jay's skin incapacitating him.
"Live course ready" the Sergeant yelled "Take out the enemy forces timer starts upon first contact".
Gripping the hold of the rifle Jay sprinted into the course and stood behind the barricade aiming at the entrance of the building waiting to see if anyone was going to come out.
After a few seconds of still silence Jay stepped out from his cover and quickly walked over to the next barricade before hearing one of the soldiers yell "Enemy spotted".
Hearing the soldiers overlapping voices barking at each other Jay heard a gunshot and ducked just as a bullet wisped past his head grazing the top of the cinder barricade he hid behind. Taking the smoke grenade from his belt Jay yanked the pin from the grenade's top and launched it over the barricade landing it just inside the doorway of the building.
"Grenade!" one of the soldiers yelled before a dense popping sound came from the grenade and smoke began pouring out of it.
Jumping out of his cover Jay sprinted over to the one soldier outside the building and slammed the butt of his rifle into his abdomen before kneeing him in the face and hitting him again with the butt of his rifle taking him down.
Taking a deep breath Jay entered the smoke filled building and took out of the soldiers standing inside the doorway before doing the same to the other two.
From the watch tower O'Brian grunted "He's just knocking them out. If he doesn't shoot them they're going to get him".
The Staff Sergeant nodded "He's afraid of hurting them, that's why he's not shooting them".
On the Observation deck Kira and Hideki watched Jay clear the course without taking a single shot and he only fired at the other soldiers to force them behind cover.
"Did he really do a live fire course without shooting anyone?" Hideki asked.
Kira nodded, but didn't say anything she could tell that the Sergeant in the watch tower wasn't going to let him leave until he did it the way it was supposed to be done.
Sure enough she was right the Staff Sergeant gave Jay some praise for doing what he did, but told him to run the course again and this time to do it right, which mean firing at the soldiers.
Watching Jay run the course again Kira told Hideki to stay there while she went up to the over watch tower to talk to the Staff Sergeant. "They're not going to let you up there Kira" Hideki called to her as she walked away.
Approaching the tower Kira was stopped by two soldiers who said the tower was off limits to uncleared personnel while the course was being run. "Then shoot me" Kira told them pushing her way past them and walking up the stairs to the watch room.
Opening the door Kira looked over to the Sergeant and asked why any of this was necessary, saying that this kind of treatment wasn't going to help Jay it was going to make him even more resentful and hostile to the rest of the ship.
"I'm under orders Airman" the Sergeant told her "The boy isn't allowed to leave until he completes both courses in Ranger time".
Turning his head O'Brian looked at Kira and told her to leave the tower, but Kira refused and demanded that they stop what they were doing at once.
"Airman First Class Esperer" O'Brian barked "As of this moment I am ordering you to leave this tower".
Kira clenched her fists and gritted her teeth before turning on her heels and leaving the watch tower hearing the sounds of gunfire from the Pit as Jay managed to breach and clear the building with his flash grenade.
Stopping at the platform halfway down the tower Kira watched Jay drop down from the roof of the building before taking a shot to his shoulder and another to his chest before falling back.
"Soldier K.I.A. Run failed" the Sergeant yelled through the speakers.
After a few seconds Jay got back to his feet and limped to the exit gate to reset his vest's shock patches and resupply his ammunition.
Waiting for him at the exit gate the Corporal offered Jay some advice, but he refused it saying that this was going to end his way.
Once his shock patches were rest Jay headed for the starting gate forgetting to resupply his ammunition before starting the course again.
Still standing on the platform that connected the two tower's staircases Kira watched Jay begin the course taking out each enemy soldier even better than he did before, suddenly it seemed as if he was a true soldier. He cleared the building and the roof without giving the other soldiers time to turn around. Everyone watching from outside the course couldn't believe what they were seeing, either Jay snapped or he was truly a natural soldier.
Dropping his smoke grenade off the edge of the roof Jay took cover behind the wall and waited for the grenade's smoke screen to pour out before dropping down himself and using the cover of the smoke to take out each of the three soldiers waiting for him.
After shooting the first enemy soldier Jay's rifle clicked signaling it was empty and he quickly released the rifle and pulled his Desert Eagle from its holster and scored a direct hit to the chest of the other two before sprinting through the smoke cover and tackling the last soldier to the ground before lifting him to his feet and using him as a human shield to exit the course.
Just before he left through the exit gate a hidden soldier left his cover spot and fired at Jay, but with the adrenaline roaring through him Jay fired two shots into the soldier's shoulder and chest taking him down.
After he dropped the last soldier the one he had restrained whipped around and wrapped his arm around Jay's and wrested the gun from his hand. After he dropped his gun Jay elbowed the soldier in his face before grabbing his arm and throwing him over his shoulder and grabbing him by the throat as he laid on the ground.
Pulling his knife from its holster Jay stabbed it into the ground merely half an inch from the soldier's head before leaving him on the ground and exiting the course.
Right as he came through the exit gate the Corporal said in a casual, but very impressed tone "Nice going. You made that course your bitch".
"Run complete" the Sergeant said through the speakers "Completion time 2 minutes 3 seconds, nice job Airman".
Leaning against the wall to catch his breath Jay set his rifle on the table as well as his Desert Eagle just as the Sergeant said he had one last course to complete. "Once you rest up head to Hole. You'll be joining a squad run through that course".
Leaving the Pit alongside the Corporal Jay was met by Kira and Hideki outside, but he didn't say anything to either of them, he didn't even look at them he just walked right past them heading to the squad course dubbed the Hole.
"That look in his eyes" Kira thought as Jay walked past her and Hideki "He looks like he wants to kill someone...Jay…please…just go back to your normal self".
Following Jay and the Corporal to the Hole, Hideki and Kira joined the Staff Sergeant at the watch post as the First Sergeant began explaining to the squad of seven in front of him what they would be doing.
"Your assignment in this course is to make your way through the distract and rescue a high valued individual being held captive by the enemy. You will have standard equipment at your disposal including the standard issue M9 berretta pistol and the SCAR-H with a red-dot sight and a grenade launcher attachment, as well as two stun and fragmentation grenades".
After he finished speaking the First Sergeant waved up at the Staff Sergeant signaling him to open the gates to the course so they could begin.
After the gates open the First Sergeant led his squad into the Hole and they entered a small one story building as the lights around the entire deck went out and a simulated moonlight was emitted around the course to signify a night time mission.
"All right squad listen up" the First Sergeant began in a low tone "Intel indicates that the HVI is being held hostage at the top of the water tower on the far side of district. Reports say we're facing around 40 foot mobiles and a single APC roaming the roads to the west. There are exactly three enemy soldiers at the top of the water tower guarding the HVI possibly snipers so stay behind cover as much as possible until we get closer".
Slowly pushing the door of the building open the First Sergeant peeked out of the doorway with his rifle pointed downrange and said "All right it's clear let's go".
Leading his squad through the door and out into the darkened streets the First Sergeant kept close to the ground before entering one of the side alleys and around to the far side of the district to avoid enemy soldiers as much as possible until they came to an intersection. "Corporal Strikes take point" the Sergeant ordered quietly.
"Sir" the Corporal next to Jay said before creeping up to the doorway and exiting into the streets.
Kneeling down at the other side of the street the Corporal waved for the rest of the squad to join him before he looked around the corner.
Once the squad made it to the other side of the street the Corporal told them that an enemy patrol was at the far side ahead of them before suggesting they try to sneak around.
"Good idea Corporal, follow me" the First Sergeant said before taking point again and leading his squad down the other side of the street and through another intersection.
Hearing a subtle roaring sound Jay looked over to the First Sergeant and said "Sergeant hold up".
"What is it Airman?" the Sergeant asked.
"Do you hear that? Sounds like an engine" Jay told him before the enemy APC drove over a small car at the corner of a side street and stopped before it open fired at the squad.
"Enemy APC everyone move!" the Sergeant yelled "Get to cover!"
The squad scattered in three different directions while the enemy vehicle fired at them hitting Corporal Strikes in the back.
"Man down!" one of the soldiers yelled after ducking into a building and dropping to the floor.
Ducking behind the corner of a large building with the Sergeant and a Private first Class, Jay waited until there was a break in the enemy vehicle's fire before looking around the corner and seeing the APC turn onto the street and head their way "Its coming get inside" Jay said before pulling the pin out of a grenade and tossing it around the corner landing it under the APC.
Just as the grenade went off the Sergeant kicked a nearby door open and order Jay and the Private to follow him and to stay away from the windows.
Once inside the Sergeant used his radio to contact the rest of the squad "Squad report".
"Corporal Wen here, I've got Privates Val and Jordon with me, but we're going to have to go around to avoid the enemy APC".
"Specialist Ryder here, I ducked into the bar across the street, but I have to wait until that armor moves away before I can leave. Continue with the mission and I'll rejoin you as soon as I can".
"Roger that make your way to the water tower we'll rendezvous two clicks to the south of it. Sergeant Williams out".
Looking over his shoulder the First Sergeant told Jay to take point and stay away from the windows and make sure the upper floors were clear before they moved on.
Readying his rifle Jay silently moved up the stairs with the rifle's sights aimed straight ahead of him, peeking into both of the first rooms Jay said in a low voice "Clear" before moving to the next set of rooms.
Scanning each room on both sides of the hall Jay reached the end and waited for the Sergeant and the PFC to join him before moving on.
"Good work Airman" the Sergeant said to Jay "Follow me, stay frosty".
Moving along the next hall the Sergeant led Jay and the Private through a large room telling them to be careful and check every corner. Jay took the center of the room while the Sergeant took the left side and the Private checked the right side.
"Center clear" Jay whispered loud enough for both of them to hear.
"Left side clear" Sergeant Williams whispered.
"Right side clear" Private Meryl whispered before a loud gunshot cracked through the air and the window next to PFC Meryl shattered.
Both Jay and Sergeant Williams hit the floor with the Sergeant calling Private Meryl's name, but he didn't respond.
"This is Sergeant Williams. Private Meryl is down, it's just me and Airman Masterson now, we've got an enemy sniper on us, but we can't get a fix on his location. Everyone stay behind solid cover and move quickly get to the water tower go go go".
"Masterson let's go" the Sergeant yelled before getting to his feet and bolting for the door at the end of the room.
Following suit Jay sprinted to the door and down the hall to the window leading to the fire escape before exiting the building along side his squad leader.
Now in an alley way the sergeant led Jay into the neighboring restaurant.
Once they entered the restaurant Corporal Wen radioed them informing them that they made contact with an enemy patrol and lost Private Jordon and that Specialist Ryder was taken down by a sniper before he could meet up with them.
"What now Sarge?" Jay asked.
"We need to keep going Airman stay close and don't stray away, we'll meet up with Corporal Wen and Private Val soon enough, for now we have to get to the water tower".
Leading Jay through the restaurant Sergeant Williams opened the door and took a side street around the next couple of buildings with Jay close behind him.
Watching from the Observation post along with the Staff Sergeant, both Kira and Hideki looked on through the course monitors at the progress of both of the teams as they made their way to the tower.
"This is pointless" Hideki sighed "Jay's a pilot not a ground soldier".
Kira didn't answer at first; she was too focused on the monitors showing Jay's progress alongside First Sergeant Williams. After they left the Restaurant and headed down one of the side streets she finally said "I just hope this is all. This is too much to force on someone".
"I know it's the reality of war that eventually you'll lose someone you care about, but why not just put him through some flight simulators instead of making him do all of this" Hideki said.
Sprinting across the street when they heard the sound of gunfire Jay and the Sergeant ran through the opposite alley and found the enemy patrol squad that had Corporal Wen and Private Val pinned down.
Taking one of his stun grenades Jay tossed it as close to the center of the group as he could and waited for them to scatter before it went off.
Once the grenade popped and the sound and light incapacitated the enemy squad Jay and the Sergeant took them down saving Corporal Wen and Private Val.
Running over to Jay and the Sergeant, corporal Wen thanked them for the help before asking what their course of action was from there.
"We're going to keep making our way to the water tower" the Sergeant began "Its just on the other side of that office building so Corporal you're going to take Private Val here and set up and good spot to cover me and Masterson as we make our way across the street and up the tower.
"Roger that sir" the Corporal said before taking Private Val with him down the street and into the office building while Jay and the Sergeant followed from the other side of the street.
Once Corporal Wen and Private Val set up a good cover point they radioed the Sergeant and gave them the go ahead as they began taking out small patrols around the tower with silenced weapons.
"Roger that Corporal" the Sergeant confirmed before looking over to Jay "Let's move Airman, stay close".
Following Sergeant Williams across the street Jay ducked behind a dumpster and waited for the go ahead from Corporal Wen before going around toward the water tower.
Coming to the end of the alley Sergeant Williams peeked around the corner before saying "Clear" and moving out into the open merely 20 yards from the water tower.
"Sarge wait a second" Jay said pulling the Sergeant back into the alley way.
"What is it Airman?" the Sergeant asked.
"There's no one patrolling the staircase leading up the tower" Jay pointed out "If we split up one on the staircase and the other going up the ladder we can take them by surprise on both sides".
"How do you figure Airman?" the Sergeant asked.
Explaining his plan Jay pointed at the ladder leading up the back of the tower "I'll climb up the ladder and wait for you to get into position outside the door. Once you're there I'll toss a stun grenade into the booth and while they're blinded you can breech the door while I climb over".
Sergeant Williams nodded "All right Airman we'll try it your way, just be careful".
Quickly sneaking around the corner Jay ran over to the ladder and started his ascent just as the Sergeant started climbing the stairs.
Once the Sergeant was in place he radioed telling him he was in place and they'd move in on his go.
"All right Sarge" Jay replied quietly as he reached down with his free hand and grabbed his stun grenade "Get ready".
Tossing the grenade up and over the ledge of the open window he heard an enemy soldier inside yell "Grenade" before it went off.
Once the Grenade popped Sergeant Williams kicked the door down just as Jay climbed over the window ledge with his pistol in hand taking out the two guards and the sniper at the other side.
"HQ this is 1st Sergeant Williams, HVI is secured we're ready for extraction".
"Roger that Sergeant" the Staff Sergeant said from the beginning of the course "Great job everyone mission complete. All KIA's wash up and get ready for Pit runs".
Switching the safety on for both of his firearms Jay untied the HVI and removed the bag over her head, to his surprise it was Captain Kavai his former instructor and combat trainer.
"Why am I surprised?" Jay asked himself after helping her to her feet and leaving the water tower along with the Sergeant and the soldiers that acted as the enemy.
Walking back toward the beginning of the course Jay kept a few feet away from everyone else except for Captain Kavai who stayed at his side the entire way back. "How are you feeling Jay?" she asked him as they passed the street the APC was on.
Jay didn't answer; he just turned his head away from her and kept walking.
Captain Kavai lowered her own head before speaking "I know how you feel Jay, I lost my mother as well during a Saris air raid. I was stationed at the other side of the city when the bombers entered our airspace".
"You were on the other side of the city" Jay muttered "I could've saved mine if I didn't turn around".
"You had to make an impossible choice" Kavai told him "A choice that no one could've made easily. All you can do at this point Jay is remember all the good times you had with her and move on".
"You make it sound so easy" Jay mumbled.
"Trust me its not" Kavai admitted "But you can't stay in the state of mind you are now, otherwise that depression will consume you and it will kill you".
"So I'm just supposed to forget about it all together?" Jay asked her in a half angry tone.
Kavai shook her head "No. The only way you can get through a time like this is with the help of those closest to you".
Entering the lift that would take them back up to the deck Kavai looked down at Jay and whispered "There's always a way if you look for it".
Once the lift stopped at its gate opened Kavai placed her hand on his shoulder before walking away.
Leaving the deck alone Jay returned to his room an hour later to find Kira standing outside the door waiting for him.
Seeing her standing there Jay clenched his fists as hard as he could before running over to her and hugging her, something she wasn't expecting.
"I'm sorry Kira. I'm sorry" he cried into her shoulder as she returned his embrace.
Closing her eyes Kira held him close to her as he continued to cry into her shoulder, her dark green hair falling over her shoulder and over her hand that held his head against her.
"It'll be fine Jay" she whispered in a loving voice "I'm right here".
A/N. Unusual...I was actually getting emotional as I wrote this one.
As always. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you'll tune in for the next chapter "Enter the Wyvernns"