AN: Sorry for the long wait...I am hoping to start to get back into writing again...hopefully I can get out more chapters faster then of late...
Chapter 12
It has been 2 weeks since my enlistment into Salamander Army and I more or less have gotten the hang of how things are done here.
I have not learned all that much yet, but I guess that is to be expected from a person like James MacPherson as a commander of an army. He thinks of very little of and for others and only focuses on what will benefit himself.
MacPherson and others like him make terrible leaders. A leader should be kind and caring, so they can gain respect and trust from their peers. They should be honorable and fair to their followers so when they are lead into battle they will stay strong and put trust into their leader. A leader must be all of these things and hold strong or else when opportunity comes they may betray or try for mutiny. An army turned on its self is a defeated one. If there is one thing that I have learned from MacPherson, it is what a leader should not be. Observing him has helped me think about what I would want in a leader, what I think a good leader should be and what I think I should strive to be as a leader.
I have learned very little about Salamander Army's battle formations and what they expect of me. All I know is that I am to keep out of the way. MacPherson has informed me of this in our latest game against Scorpion Army. He would not let me even enter into the battle room to help out our team if need be. He claimed I didn't know any of the formations, so I was to keep out the way. And I did. I did not want to challenge his authority, I wanted my stay in this army to go as smooth as possible. I know though that the colonel will be disappointed and will put pressure on MacPherson so he uses me. There is no way in hell that he will put up with me not participating in the games. That was the reason I was promoted for to begin with.
One week ago
- A short time after the Salamander VS Scorpion game -
Colonel Valda called a meeting with Major Frederic to find out why H.G. was not participating in the games. When he watched in the bubble, the staff can use to watch and collect data from the games, and found that she was not there he was furious. He needed her to get going, they were running out of time. He had only so long he could prepare her for.
"I WANT to know WHY she has NOT been PARTICIPATING in the games!" Colonel Valda exclaimed in a strained voice trying to contain his anger.
Major Frederic was silent for a few moments hoping Valda will calm down enough to for her to respond to him and for them to have a calm discussion regarding the problem. "I do not know. But, what I can tell you is that it is either she can't or she was ordered not to." Major Fredric said calmly and in full confidence.
She knew why the colonel was so pressed to get Helena going, but the girl just got there for one and two she knew that MacPherson was most likely the culprit. He is notorious for his use of others, as well as for taking the upper hand in almost every situation. He is good at playing the long game and it almost always turns out in his favor. By now, the rumors have gotten around the whole school about Helena being the brightest of the Launchies and that the colonel is interested in her. More then likely he feels threatened by H.G.
"We need to get her participating in the games so she can start experiencing battle formations in real life situations and start learning from them as soon as possible! I don't have time for her to dilly dally while she adjusts to a new environment, nor do I have time for a commander of an army to be jealous of another peer!" The colonel expressed in urgency.
"You would like me to interfere?" The colonel's expression told the major all she needed to know without him saying a word. So, she decided to take advantage of it. "If you will permit me, I have a idea that could boost up H.G. to get her confidence up and for her to get comfortable faster. But if not, I can only give MacPherson a few warnings and keep an eye on him as much as I can so he will hopefully not interfere as much. However, if my plan is to work, MacPherson will see H.G. as an asset and use her to the best of her abilities."
"What do you have in mind major?"
Present
Leena and H.G. have been practicing a lot together in their free time within their team allotted time together that was used for training and strategizing. It was not like either one had much to do, they where the bottom seats in the army. Both where mostly to keep out the way, though Leena was one of MacPherson's favorites to use to grab intel and insights on other armies or individuals he thought worthy to take note to. He barely used Leena in the games, she was told to step aside and not to enter the battle room during a game, she was only to watch.
Helena and Leena where in the small dojo that the Salamander army had on their territory so they could do team practices and group trainings when they couldn't have the battle room for them. The Battle Room was open 24 hours, but teams signed up to use it on occasions to train and practice their formations. Helena has been showing Leena how to fight properly, for she didn't seem to know that much about it. Even though she doesn't like fighting, she wanted to learn more on how to fight and defend herself.
The idea that Leena didn't know more made H.G. question why that was if they taught you how to fight here at this school. The only thing she could come up with was that they promoted Leena to Battle School at a relatively young age for a different reason then the rest of us. They must have noticed her ability and thought that she could be useful in other areas. But why they didn't teacher all that much in fighting still made no sense to Helena at all. She wanted to know what made her so special that they would not let her be used to her full potential.
H.G. has been teaching Leena the basics grabs holds and blocks. She is now teaching her how to properly fight not just defend. Leena has been doing pretty good and learning rather quickly. She is like a sponge much like Myka, except that Myka has an advantage for she has a photographic memory. Leena though, is very in tune with everything that goes on around her and doesn't miss much. She practically absorbs information this way, or so it seems, it must be her good attentive listening skills that comes with her ability.
Currently the two are engaged in a spar.
Leena went in to aim a punch at H.G.'s face. Unfortunately using her hips to throw the punch and not her arm. It had little force and power behind it, which also made it slow and unthreatening.
Helena blocked it with ease by grabbing a hold of her wrist. She then proceeded pull Leena's arm down and twisted it in an uncomfortable position.
Leena was happy that they covered how to defend before she started to learn how to fight. She understood and knew more about blocks and holds then anything else. Leena yanked H.G. forward to get the element of surprise and the proceeded for take advantage and use her current disadvantage as an asset. She repositioned H.G's arm towards H.G.'s back at a ninety degree angle and tried to hold her there to get her in a position to concede.
Helena got out of the hold with ease using quick thinking and fast motion for element of surprise. She twirled Leena so that she was behind her and could take advantage of the hold and stance she put Leena in.
Leena was positioned with her back to H.G. bowing forward and her arm straight out to the side. Leena looked back and thought she could hopefully pull off using the same hold she was in currently on H.G. instead. So she decided to go for it, she did a fast motion flip in body positions so that she was currently over H.G. She had her forearm of the arm that was being used to gab hold of Helena over H.G.'s shoulder so that there was more force so she hopefully could not get out of the hold.
Helena smiled at how well Leena was doing, but that didn't mean that she was going to give in. She turned her body into Leena and ducked under her and stood up into a standing position. She took advantage of the arm that was holding her down and put Leena in an arm lock.
Leena laughed and voiced the first thought that came to mind, "You are really good. Where did you learn all of this?"
H.G.'s smile fell to a straight line. She took a moment to respond back, "I had a brother." Helena said it in a soft strained voice like she was trying holding back emotion.
Leena looked at Helena with a cautious, questioning face. "Had?"
Helena twirled Leena out of the hold and replied back a bit more relaxed, "Have."
Leena knew that would be the end of that conversation, at least for now.
They both backed up from each other readying to a fighting stance again.
"Let's go again, but this time use your arms not your hips." Helena said referring to Leena's punching.
Leena made a curt nod in understanding and took the proper fighting stance that H.G. taught her.
After their spar they both hit the showers.
All the while Leena could not stop thinking of what came up during their spar. H.G. talked as if her brother was dead or gone, but then revealed that he is still alive when she asked for clarification of 'had.' Leena could see lots of anger within H.G.'s aura a lot of the time swirling just underneath the surface of her current emotion, but she never has seen it come to the surface before. It was suffocating and heavy. It was so dark and it felt there was so much more deep down that was even darker then what had appeared. Leena wondered what could have happened with her brother to have so much anger and pain at the thought of him. She wanted to know, to understand. She wanted to help if she could, to calm and soothe some of her pain. There was so much pain and anger she could sense coming from H.G. that she didn't know how or if she should approach the subject.
As they were finishing getting dressed Leena built up enough courage to try to approach the subject, but did so as cautiously as possible. She timidly asked, "Helena?"
"Yeah." Helena said back automatically.
"Umm...can I ask you a question?"
"Of course darling, what is it?"
"I-umm...If I am crossing over some line, then you don't have to answer..." Leena paused looking up at H.G. hoping to get permission to continue.
Helena tensed up. She looked over at Leena curiously, but was guarded. She set her face deprived of emotion and waited for Leena to continue.
Leena took H.G.'s silence as her permission to continue. She was nervous and a little afraid that she over stepping. "I... ah... was wandering why you said 'had' instead of 'have' and why you seem so angry and sad at the thought of him?" Leena thought better of stating who they were talking about, she did not want to upset H.G. in anyway possible, but try to understand.
Helena regarded Leena pondering if she wanted to explain or if she just wanted to sweep it under the rug like nothing happened.
Leena saw Helena's inner conflict and waited patiently.
Helena made up her mind. "It's complicated, all you need to know is that my family life has, and always will be complicated."
Leena didn't say anything, only nodded in acceptance of the answer. She waited for a moment to see if that was all the explanation she was going to get. It seemed it was, so she turned away from H.G. gathering up her things and was about to head to the door not expecting anything else from Helena.
Leena walked up to H.G. putting a hand on her arm in a thanks, "Thank you. You didn't have to say anything and you did." she smiled warmly and headed for the door.
Helena heaved a heavy sigh and closed her eyes, raking her hand throw her hair unconsciously. "I grew up being expected to make it into these schools, into the programs of the International Fleet." Helena's voice come in a sad tone.
Leena stopped by the door, yet to look back, not sure if she should go back or not. Was it maybe better that she didn't? H.G. maybe felt more comfortable without her observing her.
"...I was trained by my father and brother, that is what we did. ...My brother and I were educated and trained for this, our entire lives. We were to make the family proud and expected to be the best in the programs." Helena gave a humorless laugh. "My family life is not very pleasant and neither is my family for that matter."
Leena looked back at H.G., who looked like she was crumbling in on herself, but with dignity. She walked slowly back to Helena as to not startle her. She put her hand to H.G. upper arm and began rubbing softly, hoping to give comfort to her. "You didn't have to answer. I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you explain yourself to me, I was just curious is all. I shouldn't have asked you." Leena said in rushed in panic. She felt like she somehow forced H.G. to explain herself to her.
Helena chuckled and sighed. "My dear Leena, you are worrying to much. You didn't do anything wrong and I answered of my own free will. I just felt like I could trust you, I guess." H.G. shrugged.
Leena smiled and hugged H.G. She stepped back and replied, "Thanks"
Helena was startled at first from the hug not expecting it. When Leena let go and stepped back from her hug she looked at her in bemusement and replied back, "Sure."
They both gathered up their things and headed out the door, both feeling a little closer than before.
Major Frederic was going over documents when she heard a knock on her office door. She told them to come in just as she was finishing one of them. When she was done the major looked up to see who had entered and found them standing before her. "Ah, James... Just who I wanted to see." Major Frederic said with a kind smile.
MacPherson tipped his head in greeting. "Major," while he stood at attention awaiting the command to be given to be at ease.
"Come. Sit. We have much to discuss." Major Frederic said offering the chair in front of her desk.
MacPherson walked the rest of the way to her desk and sat down on the chair provided. He awaited patiently trying to figure out what this was about and how to proceed from there.
"Now Mr. MacPherson it has come to our attention that you are not allowing the newly assigned recruit into the games. We would like to know Why. They are the top in their class, so for them not to be playing a week in is not something that goes unnoticed." the major questioned.
"I didn't know I had to clear all my decisions with you." MacPherson said in defiance, not giving away anything.
"Have you even started training her to be apart of your army yet, or are you still being resentful hoping that you might gain something from it."
"Not sure I like your tone..."
Major Frederic ignored his last comment and continued. "I have a proposition for you, if you would like to hear it." she paused waiting to see if MacPherson had anything to say. When she was met only with silence she continued on. "I have another Launchie that is at the top of their class and is ready to be recruited into an army. You are still missing an officer, if I remember correctly, James."
MacPherson gave her a sneer at the last comment, for it was her that kicked out his missing two members for foul play. He knew that she suspected him to behind the whole operation, but had no proof.
The statement was made to get to the point, but also a hit at his ego, to remind him that he is not in control, she was. She wanted him to really pay attention and listen to what she had to offer.
Major Frederic continued despite the glare directed her way without pause. "I propose that you can have them to complete your army, but you must train and use them in the games along with Wells. Do we have an agreement?"
MacPherson just glared at her for awhile longer. He then straightened seeming to debate the proposal in his head, seeing what he could get out of this. "Your proposal does seem sound, however I am not sure I like it all that much."
"How about you try them out first James, then we can revisit this issue you seem to have with Ms. Wells."
"So, you are still letting me have the new recruit despite that I have not agreed to this proposal yet?"
"We will call it a test run. I have a feeling you will stick with both of them if you allow them a chance to show it." the major said with a knowing smile.
"Hmm... Interesting... I find myself intrigued. I will think about it, but no guarantees." MacPherson said with an amused and curious smile. He liked these odds, much more room to play with.
Later that night MacPherson came into the Salamander Army quarters yelling, "Attention!"
All personal stopped doing whatever they were occupying themselves with and lined up in from of their bunks with their arms behind there backs waiting for orders.
MacPherson walked slowly down the row of his lined men until he reached the back of the room were his eyes fell on H.G.
H.G. had no idea what was going on and why MacPherson was looking at her like that. He almost looked pleased to have her here, which is very odd for that fact that he made himself clear that he didn't want her here.
MacPherson looked away as he turned his body and started his walk to the front while giving out information that he has been told. "Today I had a meeting with Major Frederic, that was utmost surprising to say the least. It appears that we will be getting a new member. Soon we will be a full army again. Now, I don't know when they will be coming, but sometime tomorrow is most likely." MacPherson made his way to the front again and turned on his heel to face his officers once again and finished off his speech. He smiled with a cocky, dangerous smile and said with arrogance "As soon as we are a full army again I will see what my new recruits are made of and to see if they are worth keeping."
Helena didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad one. MacPherson seemed to have some scheme going, or something, with the way he is acting. There was a lot more going on that H.G. was not privy to, not only with MacPherson, but with the major and the colonel. The only thing that made sense to Helena was that the colonel or the major bribed him to get him to train her. MacPherson though apparently has other plans of his own that he will not be sharing. It made Helena nervous, not sure what to expect, especially in this much bigger game of power struggle.
After MacPherson dismissed them Helena sat on her bed not really sure what she is feeling. All she knows is that she feels like she is caught in a storm with two different forces about to collide, while she was in the mist of it all, not sure what will befall her.
Leena sees that H.G. took the news quite hard for some unbeknown reason and was lost in her head. To Leena it almost looked like Helena just heard MacPherson was going to unleash the apocalypse and there was nothing she could do.
She walks up to her and sits next to her not sure how to get H.G. back to the present with out her startling her. She just sat there for a while until she come up with something to say that might cheer up her friend. It didn't take long for Leena to think of something, she stated something even Helena didn't think of from MacPherson's speech. "We know now a new recruit is coming, which is good news."
Helena blinked and turned her head to Leena. "Good news?... How is this 'good' news... Why is this even relevant?"
Leena was happy at least she got Helena engaged, but she could see that H.G. was not fully there. She was still worrying and a little irritated at not being left to sulk in her sorrows. She hoped what she had to say will change her way of thinking for at least tonight. "Well, new recruits come from a trade normally-"
H.G. gave her a look that said get to the point. Her aura flaring up more with irritation.
"-but seeing as we didn't trade officers with another team it would mean that a Launchie is being sent here." Leena smiled hoping that gave Helena hope that someone she knew was coming here to join them.
Helena looked at Leena, really looked at her. She calmed down as soon as what she said sank in and smiled. "That is good news, Thank you." She berated herself for not thinking of that sooner and felt a little bit awful for treating Leena in such away. She was only trying to make her feel better. "I am sorry Leena for not being very patient, unfortunately I have a lot on my mind."
Leena gave a wave of her hand in dismissal and smiled back. "I am glad I could cheer you up some. So, who do you think it will be?"
Helena chuckled feeling like she was with Pete for a second. "I would have to say it is either Myka or Pete, we all were the top Launchies, but I am not sure I want to hope." She started out happy only to become sad in realization. "I am not sure if the colonel will be so willing to have us all in the same army."
Leena looked confused, "Why would he care if you guys are on the same team?"
"It's a long story. Lets just say that the colonel has high hopes for me and doesn't like when I have distractions." H.G. said with a frown.
Leena could see lots of anger at the mention of the colonel. She really started to wonder who H.G. was. She has heard the rumors that have been flying around and she knew that is why MacPherson has it out for her. She didn't fully get why the colonel would care or dictate so much for Helena. In some ways it makes sense, but why was he so controlling over what H.G. did and who she was with? She really wanted to know what made Helena so special. Nothing made sense to her.
"Oh. Ok." Leena said a little dejected that her plan has back fired on her.
They sat in silence for a while. Helena was the first to break it on a whim sharing her thoughts that seemed to come to mind after a while.
"You know sometimes, especially during lights out I imagine that I am back in the Launchie dormitories laying on my bunk that I shared with Myka."
Leena perked up at this and just listened.
"We used to talk every night like this, till lights out. I miss those moments the most, I think. We would talk about everything and anything. On other occasions we would just enjoy each others company while doing some trivial activity and even sometimes played games together."
Leena noticed that Helena had a longing smile she has never seen before. She could tell she was smitten with this Myka even without her ability. "You love her don't you?" It was an observation that she hadn't meant to say out loud.
Helena smiled widened a little bit more at the mention of love being associated with Myka. "Yes." She said whimsically, it so softly that Leena almost didn't hear her. After a moment she frowned a bit and continued on, "Yes I do, and that is one of the things that I think the colonel is worried about, or at least that we are really close." Helena seemed to sober up from her thoughts realizing what she just admitted to and started to panic. She looked Leena straight in they eye with a cold hard glare and warned, "I don't believe he knows about us yet, and it hopefully stays that way."
Leena lifted her hands in defense, "Who am I going to tell? So far you are my only friend here." She smiled in reassurance.
H.G. stared down Leena for a few moments more, then softened her features and smiled back hoping she didn't misread Leena at all. She just gave her information that could destroy her. She just had to trust her gut like she did with Myka and Pete. So far it has not lead her astray. "Thank you." She meant it. She was grateful and appreciative. She just had to trust, which still was hard for her.
Leena and H.G. enjoyed each others company for awhile longer until lights out.
I was wondering in the spiky rock structure's cave tunnels again trying to find the creature that was calling me, beckoning me to them.
I followed the sound of it's movements and it's occasional hissing noises. I was having a bit of trouble keeping up as I had to navigate through many different tunnel systems. It sometimes got confusing where the sound of the creature was coming from, but I did my best and kept at it.
I eventually found myself in a opened area that all the tunnels seemed to connect to, but I saw no creature. I looked around hoping to find it, or at the very least hear it. I was hoping I didn't get lost and left behind. I wanted, needed to desperately find this creature that beckoning me here. I needed to know why I was summoned here, what it wanted from me.
I heard movement behind me and I whipped around hoping to see it, but I didn't.
There was a hiss like sound again, it seemed to be coming from around the opening of one of the other tunnels.
I saw movement through parts of the wall of the tunnel that was not solid as it come closer.
I waited in an anticipation as I watched its movements in and out of the shadows coming closer and closer, hoping to get a at least a glimpse of the creature.
When it finally come from the tunnel it was reveled to have a human shape, which confused me, it sounded a lot bigger. As it come closer, more into the light, I froze. Only a few feet away, standing before me was Leena.
I was shocked and confused. Leena seemed to notice that she startled me and paused waiting to see if I would do something. When I continued to do nothing but stare at her in confusion, she continued to approach me.
Now right in front of me she opened her mouth and said, "Helena!" Lifting her arms and wrapped her hands on both of my shoulders and said, "Helena, wake up. Helena." It was in a soft, whispered voice that didn't quite belong to Leena. She began to shake me trying to get me to focus, while still calling for me to walk up, only that I was awake, I was looking right at her. It made me more confused.
Suddenly the surroundings started to fade and Leena was slowly morphing into another form. Just as before everything faded away she was almost positive that Myka stood were Leena once did calling her name to wake up.
"Helena wake up!" a whispered voice called to a sleeping H.G.
They shook her one more time before they heard a grumble come out of Helena's mouth that sounded like Myka. It put a smile on their face to hear it said with a longing and a hint of confusion.
"Yes, it's me. Now get up."
Helena smiled lazily not fully believing Myka was there. "Ok , darling if you say so." she muttered into her pillow. She moved about stretching her limbs and then opened her eyes slowly blinking a couple of times. The first thing she saw was Myka's beautiful face, being that it was not to far from her own. "Myka." Helena said with a warm smile. "Am I still dreaming."
"No, your not dreaming, believe it or not." Myka said with amusement.
"Are you sure, darling?"
"It only took me forever to wake you up, so I think I would know if you were still sleeping."
"Right. Well, is there a particular reason you woke me darling?"
"What no, 'Hi Myka, I missed you,' or 'Myka, what are you doing here in Salamander dormitories?'"
"Well it is a splendid surprise, but not so unexpected. We were informed a new recruit was coming some time today." Helena said trivially. "Sooo, is there a reason I had to be awoken so soon, or not." waiting for an answer.
Myka sighed in irritation and defeat. She should have expected as much, but she hoped their first greeting after being apart would have gone better. For some reason in her head she thought Helena would be over the moon to see her and whisk her off her feet. It was stupid to ever thinking that, they couldn't do that even if they wanted to. "Yes, actually besides me wanting to surprise you, we have class in 15 minutes."
Helena smiled warmly at the fact Myka was here and wanted to surprise greet her and inform her that they will be on the same team. She didn't register that last part of sentence though, she was to busy staring at Myka's lips.
Myka waited for Helena to react, to move, to get up and get ready. When nothing accrued and Helena looking at her in a daze she decided to snap Helena out of whatever she was thinking about. "Helena, did you even here what I said?"
Helena blinked and looked up at Mykay's eyes after realizing her lips turn into a frown. "Sorry, darling. What were you saying?"
"We have class in less then 15 minutes!"
"Bullocks!" H.G. jumped out of bed and went to her locker and grabbed what she needed and flew on her way to get ready for the day.
She apparently forgot to set her alarm last night after talking with Leena. After hearing MacPherson's speech yesterday she has been all over the place. That is one thing she has to make sure that never happens again. She is now even more grateful and pleasingly happy to have Myka here. Without her to have saved her ass, she had no idea what would have become of her.
Myka smiled as she watched her girlfriend zoom around hurrying to get ready. She missed this. She missed being able to see her sleep. She knew Helena was a night person and that if she forgot to set an alarm she would sleep the day away. Myka missed every Helena related thing. She didn't fully understand why she missed Helena so much, it was not like they didn't see each everyday.
When Helena was finished and ready to go, they both set out together to their first class. Myka explained that she was transferred early this morning and that she had to report to MacPherson during the early hours. She mentioned that he had very little patients with her and told her to just head to the dormitory and make herself comfortable at the back of the room. H.G. scuffed, but it didn't surprise her in the least.
I seem to be caught in a power struggle against MacPherson and the colonel, but if I can remember to relax and not worry to much about everything, I should be fine. I now have Myka by my side again, we can team up and help each other out like usual along with Leena.
Hopefully whatever MacPherson is planning is not so worrisome. I could possibly be making it a bigger deal than it actually is, but everything seems to be moving faster here, being in an army, and I am not used to be pushed around so much. I knew what to expect from the colonel, but he was only one, but now I have two people who plan to use me to their advantage.
We will just have to take it a day at a time and hope for some luck. I might be able to turn the tables on MacPherson if I can find some leverage in my time here.
To Be Continued...
