Epilogue: The Old and the New

June 20th, 2024

Camp Hazzard, the Shimoji Islands

The marines, sailors, government personnel and civilians gathered on the parade grounds watched as Second Lieutenant Kourtney Bettz went from parade rest to the position of attention. It was the first time James had seen his CO since Gianshu, and he couldn't think of a better occasion to meet up with his friend. Next to him, Otome held his arm in her embrace while they watched the ceremony, looking the total opposite of her usual self in a more formal dress and with her hair dyed black. Lieutenant General Norton Caseton, commander of the Osean 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, cleared his throat as he laid eyes on the piece of paper set at the podium.

"The Secretary of the Osean Navy is proud to present the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant Kourtney David Bettz of the Osean Marine Corps for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the Osean Federation and her allies while attached to 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 3rd Marine Tank Battalion, in action against aggressor forces on the island of Gianshu in the Shimoji Islands on March 21st, 2024. While engaging enemy forces, Lieutenant Bettz's tank was hit and she and her crew were injured. With disregard for her own safety, she rescued two of the crew and continued to command her unit while leading them to safety. She tended to Corporal James Bradford, who had been most seriously injured, until he was evacuated. Her inspiring leadership and great personal valor reflect the highest credit upon herself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Osean Federation Naval Service."

A round of polite applause surged while The General took the award and pinned it on Kourtney's uniform alongside her other medals and ribbons. The two shook hands and exchanged salutes before the General returned to the podium.

"Thank you all for coming to witness the honoring of Lieutenant Bettz. We are grateful to have such an exemplary Marine among us today whom I hope will inspire those around her. We hope you'll stay for some light refreshments, and to give your personal congratulations to the Lieutenant. I can assure you that Marine Corps chow is not as bad as we grunts make it seem."

Most of the Marines gathered for the occasion were members of 3rd Platoon. James stood up with ease as the team gathered to congratulate their leader. Otome kept close in a way she hadn't before, in a way that both suggested she'd discovered newfound love for her "Devildog" and a fear of letting him go again. James, physically, seemed to walk as if he'd never gotten so much as a scratch. Processing the transition and the tumultuous events he'd been through were still a long, long road to traverse. Especially losing his best buddy; even the thought of Forza seemed to sap the happiness out of him because it wasn't as fun to play it alone. Even with someone else, he was certain all he'd be able to think of would be how the man wasn't there. How several of his fellow tankers in the platoon weren't there. He felt Otome's lips gently grace the side of his face and looked to her.

"Don't drift too far from me, James." She said, seemingly knowing what was in his head. He stopped and nodded softly.

"I won't, I promise." He said.

James had already decided that Otome would come back to Osea with him when his tour here was up. The minute he'd mentioned it, she'd said yes. The two reached Kourtney, who was meeting just about everyone in the platoon and their significant other, and he extended a hand to her.

"It's good to see you again, El-Tee." He smiled. She readily accepted the handshake.

"It's even better to see you, Bradford. We're glad you made it out of that one okay." Kourtney replied as she looked at Otome.

"Ah, this the girl you go on and on and on about being your "waifu for laifu" or some kinda weeb shit I'd expect from Izzy?"

"Hey, I don't use the word "waifu" unironically!" Izzy protested.

The others laughed, Izzy included. James looked at Otome and nodded, and his girlfriend cleared her throat.

"Lieutenant Bettz...thank you for saving James." She said, bowing gratefully to the woman. Kourtney felt unable to properly thank her for that or accept the gratitude, so instead she simply nodded her head.

"Marines look after each other, Otome." She said. James jumped in to help stave off any awkwardness.

"It was an honor to serve under you, El-Tee. Izzy, Jose and I all agree that you're the cool older sis we never got to have." He smiled. She chuckled.

"And you three were the crazy little brothers I never got to have. I look forward to seeing you in the gunner's seat of Gaijin Kaiju II later this month, Bradford."

"I'll be there."

"Good, now who wants some cheap fruit punch and cookies?"

The group set off towards a series of tables to enjoy the warm sun and celebrate the honor their commander had earned. Life was, for the most part, back to normal. It was something none of them had ever thought they'd welcome so much…

Eric's Mustang passed under the highway overpass and slowed to turn into the parking lot of a hotel shortly after. The Tidesman Inn wasn't much to look at, nor was the truck stop she shared a lot with. The place had been built in 1952 as the postwar consumer boom was ramping up. The faded white building with its stucco roofs, neon and palm trees had changed little over the years. Eric and Misaki's destination was its bar and restaurant, which had been the place's breadwinner for decades now. The parking lot was packed full of familiar vehicles, some that came back to Altaria Bay every few years to reunite at this spot. Tonight was a special occasion that warranted ignoring the usual interval of five years. Eric slid the Mustang into place between a red 1993 Camaro convertible and Mark's Ford. They two took each other's hands and hurried inside to join the group packed around one of the long tables in the bar, near the entrance to the patio. The owner of the convertible, still maintaining his long, mullet-esque hair, was the first to embrace the two.

"Eric, Misaki! Glad you two could join us!" Tom Kerner shouted gleefully as he hugged them. The two laughed and returned the hug with just as much enthusiasm.

"Bull, it's great to see you again. I see the Camaro is in great shape." Eric replied.

"In this long-running bachelor's life of mine, such an endeavor is at the top of my list." Tom said as he let them go and beckoned them towards the table.

"I trust that you're taking care of your old man's car as well?" He added.

"I invest my heart and soul into it." Eric promised, holding up a hand as if to swear on it.

"Is he, Misaki?"

"Yes, though a girl has to make sure her man doesn't love his car more than he does her."

"Point well made, and how are you, Miss Kuro?"

"Doing very well, Bull. It's nice to see you again."

"Likewise. Teaching going okay?"

"Yes. It carries the same relationship with me as my boyfriend and his planes."

Misaki patted the side of Eric's head, earning snickers from him and the older man. They joined the rest of the group under the faded green neon lights and gently-playing oldies. It was a proverbial who's who gallery of Eric and Mark's mentors, led by the latter's grandfather. Razor Hinamoto welcomed the two to a spot next to him, asking all the usual questions about how life was and how they were doing. Eric pretended not to notice Mark at first, obstentily to give him crap about how Kat's...needs...had kept him so occupied after the return to Altaria. Mark, despite the presence of his grandfather, discreetly gave his friend the finger.

"Good to see you too, Tex." Eric snorted as the waitress came by to get their drink orders.

"Oh hush, let Kat spend some well-deserved time with her hubby." Misaki replied, batting at his arm.

"Good to see the both of you again. It has been a few weeks since our boys returned, was that the last time we saw each other?" Kat replied.

"Yes, we should get together again soon. I want to know when the wedding is."

"The weddings, you mean. I see there's a ring on your finger too."

Razor leaned forward and looked down at Misaki's hands. He clapped his hands together and laughed when he saw the device.

"Well I'll be! Both our cubs growing up, Skipper." He hooted.

"They are, they are. Glad to have 'em both here." Cody said, lifting his glass to toast the matter.

Despite his growing age, Cody Walker still carried the air of a hard-charging fighter pilot with him. He had a small cup of bourbon in his hand and Anne Walker at his side. The man looked at his grandson and granddaughter-in-law to be, then at his "other son" and his love.

"Glad y'all could join this reunion, both of yah. Good to see both of yah." He told them, sounding very much the part of a proud father.

"And good to see they both made smart choices on their brides to be." Anne smirked, tossing back her raven hair.

Thanks were exchanged as the group drifted deeper into conversation about whatever came to mind. Eric felt very happy, very comfortable with Misaki snuggled up against him as they talked. Everything seemed to come together in a calming feeling. The setting sun off in the distance, the sea breeze and the rustic appeal of the bar and its pink and green neon. Then and there he truly felt lucky. Lucky to be home, lucky to be alive and lucky to have survived the greatest test of his career. He hoped to stay in this paradise for a good, long time.

End

A/N: Thank you for reading.