19. Tears
Role Call: Ty Parsec (with special guest star and original character Simone Caldera)

Although the academy's park was small, it still had its own brand of beauty. A diverse grove of trees stood together and over the grassy area down below. Benches, bushes, flora and a large representation of the Star Command emblem, cast as a large statue in the middle of it all, could be seen next to the paths made by hand and appendage and earth. The grass was adorned in morning dew as it glistened in the early sun. Creatures engaged in conversation through song.

And the best part? No one but Ty Parsec was here to enjoy the solitude during his morning job. He breathed in fresh air as he moved through the park at his own pace, all of his parts coming alive, relaxed and rejuvenated. He had a big day of training with his track team today so he wanted to warm up for whatever the day would bring for him and his crew.

But he didn't expect to hear soft shudder in the middle of the park.

Slightly skidding to a halt, he paused at the new sound. He listened closely to decipher what it was. He squinted, listening as hard as he could before he realized that there was someone else in the park.

And that someone was crying.

He pinpointed that the crier was hiding by the statue. Taking careful steps, he slowly walked over to the statue to not scare them. And when he approached the statue, he found her.

Sitting by the base of the statue and hunched over with her face in her hands was a young woman clad in her uniform, weeping.

Eyebrows creased in concern, he asked, "Are you okay?"

Immediately the woman shot up, freezing when she looked up at him. The tears falling down her face could be seen, but only briefly as she hastily wiped them away with a hand. Clearing her throat she shakily replied in an Outback accent, "Y-yes. Yes, I'm fine." She wiped a strand of her black hair away from her face, trying to recover from her episode.

"Are you sure? I can help you if you need something." He sat down on the grass next to her.

She shook her head. "No, no. That's kind of you to offer, but I'm truly alright. Thank you."

But Ty didn't buy it. He frowned in doubt. "Well then, if you're alright, may I say something?"

Her blue eyes stared into his brown ones. "...I suppose. What is it?"

"Everyone needs backup. Whatever you're upset about, you don't have to go through it alone. You'll pull through whatever you're facing."

She raised a brow. "I just said I was fine."

He nodded, not bothered by her irritated tone. "I know you did. But I also know that you're not the only one here. We're going to be Space Rangers, right? If we're going to help other people, we need to help each other too. Everyone needs backup. And even if I can't help you, which I want to do, you'll make it. We're here at the Academy, and we'll get out of it."

She silently stared at him, her face unreadable.

He stared back, waiting for her response.

But nothing came out of it. She still stared.

Deciding now was a good time to leave, and before things somehow got awkward, Ty got to his feet and brushed his shirt and jogging shorts. He looked down at the still sitting woman. "Anyway, I hope you feel better. See you around."

But just as he was getting ready to jog ahead, he heard her cry out.

"Wait!"

He turned around.

Fiddling with her hair, she shyly asked, "Could you spare a couple of minutes? I... I guess I do need some backup. I need to talk to someone."

Ty smiled. "Sure, I've got time."

And she smiled, her tears completely evaporated. "Great! Thank you so much, er... What is your name?"

"I'm Ty. Ty Parsec. And you?"

"My name is Simone. Simone Caldera."

"Well, Simone, I'm glad to meet you." He sat down next to her again and extended a hand for her to shake.

She took it. "Likewise."