I have less than two weeks before the National Novel Writing Month Challenge. I will be really busy then writing a new 50K word story. I will definitely get Mark holding his baby by the end of this month and then I will put this story on hiatus. I can't say it will be marked as 'Complete', because I may continue it for the Diary Challenge next year. I don't know what the rules are about that.
Anyway, finally Mark gets to be with his wife.
Thanks to all the people who stuck it out and have read this 90K word epic diary. LOL!
~JL~
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Entry 108: Jump School Graduation
I graduated today! The ceremony was fairly impressive. The soon-to-be graduating Jump Troopers loaded up into drop ships which took off and traveled to the school's large parade field before settling into a slow, low altitude circular pattern. My comrades and I were in full battle gear and dressed to impress. Below was a large viewing stand full of dignitaries, friends and family. I was told Kira, Luke and Mara were definitely going to be at the graduation ceremony. I couldn't wait to see Kira again. I missed her. I missed everything about her. And I wanted to see her baby bump. Kira said she knew the sex of the baby, but wanted to tell me in person. I just can't believe that in a few months I'm going to be a daddy. That's better than any jump suit flight any day.
"Listen up," the Jump Master's voice rang out inside my helmet. "We practiced this, so don't screw it up! When you jump, try to come down in some semblance of a formation. Do a three point landing, two feet and left hand on the ground. Wait for the order to stand. Then pop up and do a chest thump with your right hand and an 'oohrah' to the audience. Any questions?"
There were none. "Jump Troopers, stand up!" he called out. "Line up!"
We queued up to the edge of the side exits. "Go! Go! Go!" the Jump Master called out signaling each row of troopers to exit the ship.
I jumped out and activated my thrusters. My platoon managed to stick together in a loose formation. I increased my thruster strength since I always fell faster due to my weight. As the ground came rushing up I really hoped I nailed this landing. I didn't want my pregnant wife having to witness me getting splattered across the parade field.
I heard a beeping in my helmet indicating it was time to activate my thrusters full force for the landing sequence. I felt the ground shudder as my company landed in unison in a perfect three-point landing. We could hear the 'ohhs' and 'awws' of the spectators. "Ready, stand!" the commander's voice echoed in my helmet. I jumped to my feet and brought my right hand to the left side of my chest making an awe inspiring thump—gauntlet against breastplate.
"Ohh Rahh!" we all called out.
The crowd broke out into a wild cheer. I searched the stands for Kira and spotted her with Luke and Mara in the VIP box next to some of the higher-ranking officers. I smiled broadly upon seeing my wife as she searched the crowd looking for me. Luke said something to her and then pointed in my direction. She looked my way and waved ecstatically. I really doubt she can actually identify me with all my gear on, but she was at least waving in the right direction.
I waited patiently as the commandant gave his long-winded graduation speech, droning on about duty, honor and the New Republic. Finally he got around to dismissing us. "Ladies and Gentle beings, I would like to present the newest members of a elite band of soldiers–they are the best of the best—they are Jump Troopers." He stopped and looked over the graduates while smiling like a proud father.
"Each of you gathered here this morning has answered that same call. I want to thank you for stepping forward to serve either the New Republic or your individual planetary security forces. The safety of our citizens and the peace of the galaxy will soon be in your hands - the best of hands. Never falter; do not fail and always know that the New Republic stands behind you." He paused for dramatic effect before saying, "Jump Troopers, dismissed."
There was a loud roar from the men within the ranks. Some of the soldiers stayed around the parade field looking for family while others bounded over to the barracks to turn in their suits and sign out on leave so they can return home to their loved ones.
I looked over to Deke. "Are your parents coming?"
He lifted his hands in a 'who knows' gesture. "I sent them an invite, but I didn't hear from them."
I put my hand on his shoulder. "Come on and meet my family. I saw them in the stands." As we walked toward the seating area I craned my neck trying to locate my wife, but it was difficult while weaving our way through civilians and armored troops. Eventually I heard the most heavenly voice calling out my name. I turned to the right and saw Kira waving her arms while running towards me. I quickly removed my helmet as she drew near. When we came together I hugged her as gently as I could while burdened with armor and jet pack. I bent down and gave her a long, long kiss. It must have been too long because I heard Deke clearing his throat behind me. I broke away from Kira and gave her a broad smile. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," she said all teary-eyed.
I turned to Deke. "Kira this is my Jump buddy Deke Tavik."
Kira smiled brightly as she reached out to shake his hand. "I've heard so much about you. Mark sent me messages daily."
Deke shook Kira's hand and grinned. "All good, I hope," Deke said as released her hand and removed his helmet.
"There were good things," Kira said discreetly. I had to stifle a smile. She must be taking lessons in diplomacy from Leia because half the time I was complaining about him. "I have something for you Deke." She reached into a side satchel and pulled out a small box. She handed it over to my jump buddy and smiled. "Mark said you liked my chocolates."
A wide smile blossomed across his face. "Thank you, Ma'am. They're delicious."
I frowned. "Don't I get some?"
She shook her head. "They were for you until you sent your last message telling me that horrible practical joke you pulled on poor Deke here." She put her hand on her hips and glared at me. "Soul sucking kiss! You're terrible."
Deke gave me a poodoo-eating grin as he started scoffing down the chocolate. "This makes it worth it."
I gave a mental shrug. Deke does deserve it. What I did was mean. I smiled and put a gloved hand over Kira's baby bulge. She is a little over five months along and already she is showing. "The baby is getting big," I said happily.
Kira laughed. "Cilghal said it is going to be a big baby. I wouldn't be surprised if I give birth to an eight-kilogram baby boy seeing how huge his father is."
"A boy?" I said grinning. "We're having a boy!"
"Congratulations," Deke mumbled with his mouth full.
I went to hug and pick her up but my body armor made a tender embrace too difficult. I looked back to the barracks to see if there was a line for turn-in and then turned back to Kira. "Why don't I return my suit, get into my dress uniform and meet you at the reception area?"
Kira gave a mock look of disappointment. "It's too bad you have to turn-in this uniform," she said softly so Deke couldn't hear. "You look incredibly sexy in it."
I leaned down and nuzzled her ear. "It's not practical for bedroom play. You'd get me so turned on it might cause premature ignition of my jet pack and set the bed on fire."
Kira laughed. "Okay, go turn it in. I'll meet you at the reception." She looked around searchingly. "I have to find Mara and Luke anyway. They got side tracked by various dignitaries and visitors."
I gave her another quick kiss and then Deke and I bounded back to the barracks where technicians helped us out of the bulky suits. I made my way to a storage locker and quickly put on my borrowed New Republic Dress uniform. Deke came over to me in a hideous brown-colored Taris Defense Force uniform.
"How do I look?"
I screwed up my face. "Like a brown skid mark," I said then laughed so he knew I was joking.
"Ha, ha," he said then looked me up and down. "Is that even your uniform? Don't you Jedi wear those ugly brown robes?"
My brow furrowed. "Don't remind me. I try to avoid wearing those whenever possible. And no, this is not my real uniform. I'm not officially in the NR Army."
We walked out of the barracks toward a group of large white tents on the parade field where the graduation reception would take place. As we got closer to the tents I could see Kira. She was standing next to Luke and Mara who were talking to an officer I didn't recognize. Both were wearing their Jedi robes with lightsabers. I turned to Deke and said with a smirk, "The rest of my guests are Jedi, but don't worry, they promised no soul sucking."
Deke's gaze raked over Mara. "I don't know, I wouldn't mind if that sexy looking lady Jedi sucked…"
I slapped him on the back of the head, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Watch it, that's my sister you're talking about and she's also Luke Skywalker's wife."
Deke looked over to me in shock. "Your sister? You mean you're related to Skywalker?"
"Yes we're related," I said truthfully. "So be nice."
As we joined the group Luke shook the hand of the officer he was talking to and said his goodbyes. He then turned and gave me a big smile. "Congratulations Mark." He shook my hand enthusiastically.
When I broke free from the Luke's handclasp, Mara took the opportunity to give me a big hug. "I heard you did great."
"Thanks," I said as I turned to introduce Deke to the group. "This is my jump buddy, Deke. Deke this is Luke, Mara and you know Kira."
Deke stared at Luke slack jawed for a moment before he grinned and offered the Jedi his hand. "It's such a pleasure meeting you Commander Skywalker," Deke said with a slight tremor in his voice. I soon realized he wasn't nervous about meeting a Jedi…Deke was star struck by Luke's celebrity. Not Jedi Master Luke, but Luke Skywalker, Rogue pilot and hero of the rebellion. I scoffed internally. All that nonsense about not trusting Luke and Jedi and all this time he was secretly a Skywalker fanboy. "You're the reason I joined the service," Deke continued. "As a kid I had a lunch box with your image on it."
Luke frowned at that comment while Mara bit her lower lip and tried not to laugh. I did the math in my head and realized Deke was seven years old when Luke made that historic shot over Yavin IV.
"Ah…thank you," Luke said politely.
Luckily, that awkward moment was interrupted when we heard somebody call out Deke's name. The young man turned and burst out in a wide smile. "Mom, Dad, Grandma!" he called out as he went to hug his family members.
'Grandma?' I thought nervously.
I was hoping they would wander off to the refreshment table, but Deke turned them towards our group. "I want you to meet my Jump Buddy Mark Tantiss, his sister Mara and her husband, who you probably recognize, Commander Luke Skywalker."
His grandmother was a frail looking woman with gray hair and who leaned on a cane for support. The elderly lady's eyes locked on mine as she walked up to me with a sense of purpose. I just hoped her purpose wasn't to jab that cane in my crotch while calling me a baby snatching Jedi vampire. I was a little shocked when she gave me a warm hug and started crying. "You saved my little Dekey."
'Little Dekey?' I thought while trying not to laugh. I looked over to Deke who appeared mortified that his grandmother used what was probably his childhood nickname.
"No problem. That's what Jump Buddies are for, we watch each other's back. He would do the same for me if he could." I looked up to Deke and said, "Right Dekey?" A deep scowl crossed his face but he didn't respond to my jab.
Deke's grandmother smiled as she pulled away. She gave Luke and Mara the once over. "You trained him well," she said while giving a nod in my direction.
Thankfully that was all that was said about the Jedi. We talked a few minutes but I was getting anxious to say my goodbyes. I have gone four long months without my wife, without a good meal and without much sleep. It was ready to go.
I clasped Deke on the shoulder. "No mission too difficult."
"No task too great," he came back with the remainder of our class motto.
I smiled, "Take care of yourself. You have my contact information, so don't be a stranger."
He nodded as we parted ways. I couldn't help but be a little sad to see him go. Hopefully the next time we meet it wouldn't be on a battlefield.
I pulled Kira into my arms and gave her a proper kiss now that my armor was off. She eyed my New Republic Dress uniform appraisingly. "I like that outfit also," she said flirtatiously.
I put my forehead to hers. "Good, because I can keep this one." I looked over to Mara and Luke. "I'm ready to go home. Can I hitch a ride back with you?"
"I guess there's room in the Shadow for one more," Mara said with a grin. "Let's go home."
I gave Kira another kiss. "I can't wait to get you home."
[Note, I couldn't wait to get home. Hey, we had a private cabin on the Shadow. HA!]
