3 weeks later – Sector 12, Division 6 – 2200 hours
Aki was exhausted as she fell onto her bed. She had been working for 36 hours straight. As a new med tech, she had been stuck with the longest shifts until someone else checked in or died. At this point Aki didn't care which one it was, she just wanted to get out of the shift work she had been doing.
As she rolled over on her bed, she looked down at her uniform. It was blotched with blood. Two dozen DEEP EYES had been brought into the infirmary almost 24 hours ago with wounds from stray Nocturne fire. The armor they wore hadn't completely protected them during the battle. The barrier was continuously being attacked by phantoms. Not a day went by when there wasn't some kind of alert. It usually happened when Aki was off duty and asleep. She would have to get up each time and report to her general quarters station with each alert. It was getting tiresome and Aki was getting aggravated. She would see dozens of young men and women come with wounds, usually fatal, from the wasteland. And each time she thought of Gray. She hadn't had time to try and contact him, and in truth, she didn't know where he was. By now he probably knew she had lied to him, and she hoped he didn't hate for it. Hopefully she would be able to find out where he was and contact him soon. She missed him terribly. Aki didn't have much time to think about him when she was working, but when she went to sleep at night she would dream of him. Her dreams varied from romantic, to sexual, and then to nightmarish. She would dream of Gray and her making passionate love one night, and the next she would be holding his bloodied and battered body in her arms, trying to save him. Aki just wished she could see him, just once.
Aki sat up weakly. She leaned down to take off her shoes. She had to get out of these clothes. She rose slowly, pulling her med tech jacket and t-shirt off at the same time. She walked into the bathroom.
"Water on, 8" Aki spoke softly as she leaned on the rim of the sink. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Aki was almost disgusted with what she saw. Her pants were smeared and stained with blood and gore. She had assisted in an impromptu surgery right in the triage unit. They still lost the soldier. Aki had come face to face with the reality of war, and it scared her. At also renewed her belief that there as a better way to stop the phantoms – there had to be. Aki was convince that they way they were going at it now was no the answer. Aki sighed, knowing that until they found another proven method, this was the only way they could go about stopping the phantoms.
Aki stripped the rest of her clothes off and stepped into the shower. The hot water ran down her back, soothing the sore muscles there. "If only Gray were here with me." Aki thought dreamily. Many of the soldiers had "friends" among the med techs and such. It was "officially" forbidden, but it was common knowledge that it did happen. "No, Gray can't come here, Aki," thought to herself, "He might get hurt or killed." That thought made Aki's frown deepen knowing that she might not see Gray for a long time. She was sure with Gray's good looks he would find someone else, especially after she lied about where she was going. That thought made Aki's throat catch in sadness. She couldn't think of herself anymore, she just had to get through all this.
As Aki exited the bathroom wrapped in a bathrobe, she noticed that she had a few messages on her computer. Dr. Cummings was checking on her progress again. Of course it wasn't Dr. Cummings who checking, it was Dr. Sid. Aki had been glad to hear from Dr. Sid. She had spoken at length, via email, about her experiences at HMA when she reported to Sector 12. Aki did not, however, tell him about Gray. Dr. Sid was concerned about her assignment, but Aki assured him she would be okay. That had been 3 weeks ago. Now Aki struggled to not tell Dr. Sid the truth. Aki hated all the lying she had to do, but she didn't want to worry Dr. Sid.
Email message: Dr. Cummings, Atlanta BioEthrics InstituteFrom: Aki Ross
MESSAGE:
Dr. Cummings:
It is good to hear from you. It has been an interesting week, if not a hectic one. We have had a big loss here in Sector 12. Colonel Jacobs, our commanding officer, was killed during a routine transport from Houston to here. Apparently his ship lost control after a Meta class phantom flew threw the cockpit, killing the pilot. The ship crashed about 20 miles outside the barrier. We sent 12 teams, over 60 soldiers & med techs, to the wreckage. They barely managed to survive. Many of them were killed by "friendly" fire, not phantoms. That's what I have been doing all day. But we are to receive a new CO tomorrow afternoon. No one knows who yet, but there are rumors he is a 'veteran.' There are not too many of those left! It should be interesting to see how things so around here when he/she reports in. I am to go on my first recon mission in 2 days, can't say I'm very excited, judging by what I have seen so far – but I am ready. Have faith!
Aki Ross
Aki pushed the send button. She sat back in the chair and brushed her wet hair back from her face. She didn't worry much about her appearance, since there was no one her to impress. She climbed into her bed, hoping for a pleasant dream to end a terrible day.
The next day – 0500 hours – Sector 12 landing pad
Colonel Hobbs landed his transport ship himself. He liked to keep his skills sharp. He never knew when and where he might need to fly. And he didn't like to wait on other people. Colonel Hobbs was a 'veteran'; a military member who was on active duty when the Leonid meteor hit 34 years ago. He had been an ensign, newly commissioned in the U.S. Marines. He had hoped to become a fighter pilot, but instead he had become just a fighter. Colonel Hobbs had participated, and survived, every major battle against the phantoms. He was a battle scared and hardened soldier. The council sent him where he was needed the most. His last command had just 'cleared' an entire 100-mile radius of Old Kansas City so expansion of the barrier could be built. That's what Colonel Hobbs specialized in. He could come into a unit, rebuild, retrain, and leave a more effective command behind. Or least more effective soldiers behind.
Colonel Hobbs was maverick. He didn't like soldiers who were cocky, political, or non-team oriented. Hobbs could deal with the scared and unsure ones, but not the others. He had no patience for the hot-doggers or show boaters. More than once he had come up against another officer about a mission or directive. Hobbs told it like it was; if you're an idiot – you were an idiot according to Hobbs. And he would tell you too. But he would also tell you when you where using your brain, something he found lacking in a lot of new soldiers. Too many relied on their weapons and armor to protect them, when it was their minds that would help them the most during combat.
Hobbs stepped off the transport, the lit cigar bit between his teeth, without any fanfare. He liked to arrive before anyone knew who he was. It was the best way to assess how efficient a command was being run. He knew Colonel Jacobs; a good soldier, but too cautious. He suspected that the reason they hadn't been able to make any headway in Sector 12 was due to Jacobs's refusal to go to the extra step and disobey a mission directive to achieve a more effective result. The council didn't 'like' his methods, but they grudgingly acknowledged that he had been right every time he had overridden a mission objective. I fact he hadn't been court-martial each time made him unpopular among the politically driven officers, like Major Hein. Hobbs outranked Hien, but Hien always use his political clout to get the upper hand during council meetings. "Plus Hein," Hobbs thought to himself, "is a much better bullshitter than me." That thought brought a smile to the 59-year old colonel's face.
As Hobbs walked through the Division entrance, a sentry stepped in his path.
"State you business, sir." The soldier asked, noting Hobbs' officer designation. The soldier also noticed the cigar in Hobbs' mouth. "Smoking is prohibited in this facility, sir." Not many people smoked in this time, but those that did had to do it in small-designated areas within the barrier. Colonel Hobbs took the cigar from his lips, holding it with his thumb and middle finger.
"Well, soldier, this place just became a smoking facility." Hobbs remarked. The solider seemed shocked, and suspicious.
"On whose authority, sir."
"Mine, corporal. Colonel Hobbs. I'm reporting in as your new commanding officer." Hobbs chuckled as he saw the horror in the corporal's face. He replaced the cigar butt in his mouth, chewing on the end with his teeth. He handed the soldier his ID, who scanned it through the entrance scanner. Colonel Hobb's orders appeared on the screen. The corporal immediately snapped a smart salute.
"Welcome aboard, sir!" the corporal announced at the position of attention.
Hobbs chuckled to himself. "At ease, soldier. Don't go gettin' all excited just for me. And don't tell anyone I'm here yet, is that clear." Hobbs ordered.
"Yes, sir!" the corporal shouted. "Great." Hobbs announced casually, he scanned the hallways, then asked the corporal, "Where's the CO's office?"
"Upstairs, last door at the end of the hall, sir."
Hobbs started down the hall, leaving the shaken corporal behind. He paused at the end of the hallway, looking back.
"Corporal Evans! Excellent job at you post! Keep it up!" Hobbs shouted back, watching at the corporal's back visibly relaxed and then tightened up at the last comment.
Hobbs reached the CO's office without being noticed. Many had curiously stared at him as he passed, but did not stop him. The lit cigar was what most people watched as he continued to chew on it joyously. "Fuck'm if they can't handle it. I'm too old to worry about lung cancer," is what Hobbs thought about the smoking policies of the barrier cities.
As he entered the office Hobbs noticed that no one had bothered to remove Jacobs's personal affects. He walked to the desk, where many unfinished reports sat blinking on the computer screens. Hobbs groaned, "Christ, I hate paperwork," he spoke out loud to himself. He took a seat and began typing on the keyboard. He would finish the reports, then go out and observe his new command.
0745 – Sector 12 Dining Facilities
Aki was still exhausted. With each passing step she drug her feet forward. She hadn't wanted to get up this morning, but she knew she had to. She had to prep her gear for her first recon mission. She couldn't lie to herself; she was scared.
As Aki sat down at the table, she conversations around her drifted within her hearing.
"Did you hear that the new CO has already checked in?"
"Yeah, no formal change of command or anything."
"I heard he was a 'veteran'."
"Do you know what his name is?"
"No one knows. In fact no one knows what he really looks like!"
"He's probably a real hardass."
Aki listened in on the conversations as she began to eat her breakfast. She hadn't had time to make too many friends, and everyone else was so busy in this sector no one had time to get to know her. Aki was very lonely. She liked being independent, but not alone. She enjoyed other people's company as much as anyone else. She constantly reprimanded herself that she was just oversensitive about the whole thing because she missed Gray. She had decided this morning she was going to use her security clearance to search the assignment database to look for where Gray was. She couldn't take it any longer, she had to find him and explain why she lied to him. Aki wasn't sure if she could repair the damage she had already wrought, but she had to try.
10 days later – 1030 hours– Sector 12, division 6
Aki concentrated on the reports she was trying to complete from her latest mission; she didn't notice a group of soldiers as they passed by the glass-paneled walls separating the medical facility to the hallway. All three strode with purpose towards the administrative offices.
As the Gray, Fontaine, and Sutton reached the CO's office, Gray noticed an odor he hadn't smelled in a long time. Cigar smoke, Gray identified, it smelled like the cigars his father used to smoke on occasion. The smell brought back a myriad of memories. Gray paused outside the office, looking towards the assistant's desk that was vacant next to the door. Gray wondered if he should knock.
"Knock already, Edwards. We don't have all day." Fontaine arrogantly replied, moving forward to knock on the door. Gray caught his wrist to stop him, giving him a look that spoke more than words. Fontaine silently acknowledged that Gray was ranking officer, and that he was still a cadet. Fontaine was to be assigned during the intersession period at HMA to Sector 12, Division 6. This irritated Gray more than anything.
Gray released Fontaine's hand, turned and knocked on the door. "Enter!" A deep-roughened male voice called from behind the door. Gray opened the door and each of them filed in one by one. Gray was not prepared for what he saw.
Colonel Hobbs stood on makeshift small balcony, was slightly bent over, his arms extended towards his waist, holding a strange stick with a large bulbous head at the end. He looked at the white ball on the ground and up out into the barrier city. He moved his hips slightly and adjusted his grip. Then he reared back, bringing the strange stick over his right shoulder and swinging with all his might at the white ball at his feet. The strange stick came back over his left shoulder and the tip of his boot had pivoted to a point. He froze in that position of a few seconds, watching the ball fly through the air.
"Lt. Edwards, Lt. Sutton, and Senior Cadet Fontaine reporting as ordered, sir." Gray announced awkwardly, then saluted smartly. Colonel Hobbs turned slightly at Gray's announcement, but continued to look at where the ball had gone.
"Son of a bi…." Hobbs spouted, but did not complete. Gray and the others stood at attention, waiting for Colonel Hobbs. Hobbs slowly unwound himself, propping the stick up with his right hand, scratching his head in wonder. He made a few hand motions, curving in the direction the way the ball went
"Lt. Sutton, Cadet Fontaine please post yourselves outside the office. I will call you in one-by-one." Hobbs stated over his shoulder. Sutton and Fontaine made an about-face and exited the room, closing the door behind them.
Hobbs turned fully towards Gray, using the stick like a walking stick. "You ever play Lt. Edwards?"
"What, sir?"
"Golf? Ever played it?" Hobbs inquired as he took a seat at his desk.
"No, sir."
"The single most aggravating game created by man!" Hobbs shouted as he tossed the golf club in the opposite corner.
"At ease, Lt. Edwards. Got your ID?" Hobbs asked politely. Gray reached into his pocket and retrieved his ID, then replied. "Receiving has my orders, sir."
"That's fine. I just want to see what your all about lieutant." Hobbs remarked as he noted Gray's stance. But Hobbs wasn't the only one noticing things. Gray couldn't believe Colonel Hobbs was the CO here. He had heard a lot of stories about Colonel Hobbs. About his triumphs and failures. Major Hein made him the target of many an example when Hein decide he was going to lecture a class. Gray always sensed that there was more behind Hein's observations of Colonel Hobbs than military objectives. Years of hard fighting had left their toll of Colonel Hobbs' face, but there was a devilish light in his eyes. Gray had glimpsed it for a split second when Edwards had smartly reported each of them in. Colonel Hobbs seemed amused by Gray formality. This was a no-nonsense soldier, Gray thought to himself. Gray knew that he could learn about 'real' soldiering from Colonel Hobbs in 1 year than from 10 years at HMA.
Colonel Hobbs read through Gray's file quickly. He noted Gray's scholastic aptitude scores were very high and his marks at the HMA were strong. Hobbs could see that Edwards had a good foundation to start with. All he had to do was get him to stop thinking like a HMA cadet and start thinking like combat soldier. Hobbs had seen it too many times, new soldiers from the HMA tended to be either too cautious or too careless. He needed Edwards to be both, and Hobbs would show him how it could be done.
Colonel Hobbs turned back towards Gray, who stood at ease with his hands behind his back. He took the cigar from his mouth, laying it in a makeshift ashtray on his desk.
"Oh, for Christ's sake Edwards! Sit down!" Hobbs motioned towards the chair behind Gray. Gray seemed uncertain how to proceed; he glanced down at Hobbs perplexed. Then he looked behind him at the chair, and slowly sat in the chair.
"Judging by your file, you seem to be an elite soldier. But what do you think? Do you think your good?"
"I, huh, I believe I can do my job properly sir." Gray answered stiffly.
"Any what is your job, Lt. Edwards?"
"My job, sir? I haven't received my assignment at this command," Gray answered but was unable to finish because Hobbs interrupted.
"No, no. I mean why do want to be a DEEP EYES?"
"Because there the best."
"Do you think being viewed as the best makes you the best?"
"Not really sir." Gray answered hesitantly. "But the DEEP EYES are the ones who seem to make the most difference in this battle against the phantoms, sir" Gray was nervous about the questions Hobbs was asking, but he answered them truthfully.
"Do you know what the game of golf teach the best?"
"No, sir." Gray answered puzzled.
"Humility; It teaches humility and patience. Something sorely lacking at the HMA. They teach a lot of those soldiers all about winning, but not much about losing. The DEEP EYES are just one part of the BIG picture. Everyone here does make a difference. And in my command, everyone is equally important to the mission objectives this sector has to complete." Hobbs sat back in his chair, reclining casually as he spoke to Gray. "The HMA gave you the foundation, but now it's up to you to build on that foundation, Lt. Being out in the soup is a lot different than simulation." Gray wanted to say that he had been "in the soup" and horribly failed, but decided against it. No doubt the colonel would read his file more thoroughly and see his 'mistake.'
"I know that you lost your last CO during a mission you planned. It happens, it happens to the best of us. Being able to get beyond one mistake, however big or small, is a definition of one's character. Just don't go gettin' killed before you can really learn something and make that difference." Hobbs was impressed that Gray hadn't thrown his HMA escort assignments in his face. Most of the cocky little shits that came out of the HMA thought they knew all about combat, and didn't mind reminding you about it.
"You got family?" Hobbs asked directly as she puffed on his cigar, sending rings of smoke into the air above him.
"No, sir. My father and mother were killed a few years back. My sister died about 2 years ago in a transport crash."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Hobbs seemed genuinely sorry about Gray's loss. "No wife, girlfriend, etc?"
Gray seemed surprised by the question. "You know DEEP EYES are not allowed to have wives, sir."
"Officially. But, I like to know the truth about my soldier's lives. I don't like anything sneaking up on me and biting me in the ass. I personally don't think the policy is correct. But, who the hell am I – I'm just a fucking grunt out here to do the council's bidding." Hobbs chuckled at his own comment. Gray smiled nervously.
"Frankly Lt. Edwards the reason I ask is that I want to know what you really have to loose. I find the more a soldier has to loose the harder they fight to stay alive; and likewise to keep others alive. The soldier that has nothing to live for can be a careless determent to any mission. So basically what I'm trying to say is don't bother lying about anything to me. The truth is much better spoken." Hobbs paused waiting for Gray's response.
Finally Gray responded, "There's nobody, sir." Hobbs nodded his head in acknowledgment. Colonel Hobbs rose from his chair, Gray followed suit. Hobbs extended his hand; Gray took it and shook it strongly.
"Welcome aboard, Lt. Edwards. I'm sure that you will become a great asset to his command and the DEEP EYES. Send in Cadet Fontaine in next. Fuck, I hate when they send me cadets. They just screw things up half the time."
Gray wanted to acknowledge that Fontaine would no doubt screw something up. Gray just hoped he wasn't around to be a victim of it.
Medical Ward – Same day
Aki sat at her terminal in a daze. She had her request for transfer up on the screen. The section labeled, REQUESTED TRANSFER LOCATION, remained blank. Aki had been trying to locate Gray, but her efforts always came up "IN TRANSIT." She had tried to view his orders, but her security clearance had not allowed it. Aki had considered asking Dr. Sid to look into it, but decided it would be too awkward trying to explain her feelings to him. That thought had made her paused. What were her feelings towards Gray? She wasn't quite sure when she left HMA, but now she had a better idea. But Aki was still conflicted in her priorities. She wanted to help stop the phantoms, but since her assignment in the field, it was clear that life was too short and precious to wait. Aki was constantly reminded that she, or Gray, could die without having ever really lived. Aki's whole life had centered on her studies and desires to save the Earth. But why was she doing it all for? She had always thought that she was doing it for Dr. Sid, her dead parents, and all the people lost since the phantoms arrived. But since she had met Gray, Aki had a new, more selfish, reason for trying to save the Earth. Aki wanted a LIFE with Gray; a life without war, death and destruction. She wanted to have a life like the one her parents, and Gray's parents, had before the phantoms. Aki smiled to herself with the idea. She might as well wish for world to stop turning and the stars to fall from the skies. Aki had never considered what she would do with her life after the phantoms were stopped. But now she had a glimpse. Sometimes late at night, when Aki couldn't sleep, she would look out her window and wonder if she would ever get the chance to see Gray again. Sometimes she would wish she had never met him, because you never miss what you've never known.
Aki snapped out of her revelry as the medical ward door opened. Aki had taken to putting her hair up in a ponytail to keep it out of her face. Her back was to the door as it opened, and she didn't bother to turn around because she knew the other med tech was up at the counter. Suddenly she heard throat being cleared behind her. Aki rolled her eyes as she realized the new med tech had left his post. The throat cleared again, obviously trying to gain her attention.
"Okay! I'll be there in a moment." Aki called over her shoulder. As Aki rose from her chair before the computer terminal, she turned towards the person at the counter. Aki stopped dead in her tracks, as she looked straight at Gray Edwards. Aki couldn't believe her eyes. She stood there staring at Gray. Aki didn't know what to say; Obviously Gray didn't either. Aki took in Gray's crisp uniform, his cover tucked smartly under his arm as he stood there. Gray's jaw visibly clenched as he looked at Aki. Aki witnessed this and knew that Gray was not happy. Aki started to walk towards him at the counter, just as the new med tech also reached the counter. The med tech walked right into Aki's line of vision. Aki stopped suddenly at the intrusion.
"ID please, sir."
Gray handed the med tech his ID, who scanned it and handed it back to him. Aki craned her head slightly around the med tech's head to see Gray again. The med tech handed Gray a light pen and asked him to sign his name on an electronic clipboard. Gray's head was bent slightly at the waist, his cover still tucked under his left arm. As Aki peered around the med tech at him, he glanced up, looking straight at Aki. Aki jumped back quickly and blushed at being caught.
"Thanks, Lt. Edwards. Hopefully you won't being spending much time in here." The med tech remarked casually. Gray looked at the med tech then back to Aki, who had turned her back.
"Yeah, hopefully."
With that Gray exited the medical ward. Aki watched through the glass panels of the medical ward as Gray walked straight out. She waited a few moments, then told the med tech she had to go look in on some supplies. Aki walked briskly down the hall, taking the same route as Gray had. As she turned the corner Gray was nowhere to be found. Aki's brow puckered in confusion. She looked down the other hallway. She decided not to follow him. Obviously he didn't want to talk to her. She had seen how he had reacted to seeing her. Aki turned back towards the medical ward, feeling both ecstatic and anxious. She glanced over her shoulder nervously not knowing if she really wanted to know the truth.
Gray charged down the hall. He slammed open the door leading to his private room. Gray closed it forcefully behind him, throwing his cover on the bed along the wall. Gray was fuming, but not because of Aki. Well, it was about Aki, but not because of her. When she had turned towards him in the medical ward, Gray had wanted to yell with joy. But as she had stood there staring at him, he noticed how she looked. She was visibly thinner, probably about 10 lbs., and her face looked pale and gaunt – like she wasn't getting enough sleep or she was going through hell, probably both. The normal sparkle that he had seen in her eyes was diminished, but still there. He had seen it brighten just slightly when she started walking towards him. But the fact that she had been HERE for the last 3 weeks concerned the hell out of him. As Gray started to remove his jacket he thought about Aki.
Gray had been trying to find her ever since he had discovered she wasn't in Sector 1. He had been angry about the fact that she had lied to him. As the days went by he became more and more concerned about why she had lied to him. Gray knew that Aki cared about him, so her lie must have been because she was trying to protect him. Gray had gone crazy the past few weeks worrying about her. The fact that she hadn't tried to contact him made him doubly concerned. But as the days turned to weeks, his concern had turned to anger, his anger to frustration, and finally his frustration into indifference. But that had all faded away when he saw her a few moments ago. As Gray changed his clothes, he started to get angry again. Why, Aki, Why? I've got my pride and I won't go chasing after you. Not now, not ever! If you can't be honest with me, then who the hell can you be? Gray threw his uniform roughly onto the bed, reflecting his inner thoughts. Gray decided that if Aki wanted to talk she would have to make the first move, and then they'd talk. Gray was going to tell her exactly how he felt!