Warning: Rated for language, some violence and adult behavior.

The main characters of this story are based on characters from the cartoon 'Code Lyoko.' I do not own, nor do I claim, any copyright to these characters.


The Friday afternoon Squad Leader meetings were always boring, and required for all Squad Leaders. The Commandant would always cut Ulrich's tutoring session short on Fridays to make sure he would be in attendance.

"And the last item on the agenda today is the duty roster for the weekend," Cadet Major Snow said, "color guard tonight, Alpha Squad, night watch, Zulu Squad, color guard Saturday morning, Lima Squad..."

Alright! We got morning colors again! Ulrich thought to himself. The squad who drew morning color guard generally had no other duties for the day, and Saturday morning color guard had the whole weekend free. Since the duty roster was set up on the basis of performance, getting Saturday morning colors was a singular privilege.

And Lima Squad had earned it six times since Ulrich became squad leader.

"If I may have a word before dismissal," Commandant Krieger said to the assembled squad leaders, "first of all, I want to remind you that worship services for Jewish students begins at 0900 sharp on Saturdays. Rabbi Yurivich has been noticing a significant rise in tardiness among his congregation, so you need to make sure your boytchiks get to temple on time. Next, I've been hearing reports that some of the Islamic cadets are still being harassed by other cadets. It Stops Now. I've already got a good idea who's doing it, but I am willing to give you Squad Leaders the opportunity to shut it down yourselves. If it continues, I will take direct action against the persons involved, and their Squad Leader. Do Not make me revisit this subject. Now, does anyone have anything else to bring up."

Silence.

"Good, Dismissed."


"Micah, Reuben, the Rabbi has been saying something to the Commandant about you two being late to services," Ulrich told the two cadets later on in the squad area, "nothing was said about the consequences of being tardy again, but given that the Commandant mentioned it, there will be consequences. Consider yourselves warned and get to temple on time." The two boys nodded quickly.

"Next, the Commandant also mentioned that the Muslim cadets are still being harassed. Now I don't think that anyone in the squad is doing it, but if you are, stop. The Commandant knows who you are, and if you do it again, you're gonna get hammered, along with me."

"And, I've saved the good news for last. We've got color guard tomorrow morning."

At that announcement, the squad cheered.

"The reason we get honors like this is because we work together, so Good Job, Men. Now, who's got the snacks? It's time to study!"

Dexter and Micah ran into their quarters and came back with arm loads of snacks, while everybody else ran and got their books.

One thing Ulrich did soon after becoming Squad Leader was determine where his cadets were falling behind or having trouble, and where they were excelling. He then set up evening study in the hallway of their section of the dorm, paring up those who had trouble in a subject with another who was doing or had done well in that subject. Add in snacks begged, borrowed or stolen (Ulrich never asked which) and Study Night was born.

Some of the other squads complained about the noise coming from Lima Squad's area, but since no one came back to where they were unless they had business there, Ulrich ignored the complaints. One of the squad leaders did complain to the Commandant at a Squad Leader's meeting, and Ulrich replied that since he started the sessions everybody's grades had improved, and given some of the things he had heard coming out of that squad leader's area and not complained about, Ulrich thought that the Squad Leader should not be complaining. The boy never did again.

Ulrich pulled his shirttail out of his pants, then got his calculus book from his quarters and waited for Dexter to come over. Cadet Pennington was almost as smart as Jeremie Belpois was when it came to math, and just as patient and relentless as the Commandant. Between the Commandant and Dexter, Ulrich just about understood the mysterious realm of the calculus.

"Ready, Squad Leader?" Dexter said as he walked over.

"It's Ulrich, Dex, you should know that by now; I'm out of uniform." Another thing that Ulrich did was to train his squad that when Ulrich wasn't in proper uniform, he was Ulrich Stern, not Squad Leader Stern. That way, he could be more approachable to the guys.

"Hey, Ulrich, do you have a minute?" Dexter asked.

"Sure," was the reply, "do you want to talk to me or the Squad Leader?"

"Squad Leader, I think."

"Well, you got him then. Step into my office." With that, Ulrich got up, tucked his shirt back in, and went to his quarters, Dexter trailing behind him.

"Open or Closed," Ulrich asked when they got inside.

"Closed," Dexter replied. Ulrich shut his door.

"Okay, what's up?"

"I got a call from my mother today," Dexter began, "she told me that my father left her last night."

"Damn, I'm sorry, Dex," Ulrich said.

"I don't know what I'm going to do, Ulrich. It was my dad's idea to send me here, and he's the one with all the money, so I don't know what'll become of me."

"Dexter, I am not the one to counsel you in something like this," Ulrich said, "have you talked to anyone else, the Commandant, the Chaplain?"

"No."

"Well, that would be the first thing I would suggest. If you want, I'll take you over."

"No, that's okay," Dexter quickly said, "I'm not sure they could help."

"And I know I can't help you Dex," Ulrich replied, "I can't imagine what you're going through right now, because if it were happening to me, I would be turning handsprings."

"Huh?"

"Listen, I've never told you this, but my father is an evil asshole. If my mother called and said she left him, I would fall to my knees and thank God Almighty that she finally was free of him. I wouldn't care if we wound up homeless as a result! Now, I think you love both of your parents, or you wouldn't be so worried over this, but I don't think there's anything you, personally, can do about it. It's for them to hash out. That's why I think you need to talk to the Commandant or the Chaplain. They're more capable of helping you out now than I am. Just say the word, and I'll pull either one out of bed right now."

"You don't think they would get mad, would you?" Dexter asked plaintively.

"Tough luck if they do, that's why they get paid the big bucks," Ulrich replied, "who do you want to talk to?"

"Commandant Krieger."

The Commandant was upset when Ulrich pulled him away from his book, but settled down when Ulrich explained the situation. He escorted his cadet over to the Commandant's Residence, and took him to the study. There, the Commandant joined them, and Dexter explained his situation. Ulrich asked to take his leave, and when the Commandant dismissed him, he returned to Study Night.

Dexter didn't return until after Lights Out. Dexter looked a little better for the conversation, though it did look like the boy had been crying. He nodded at Ulrich in passing, mouthing thanks as he went by. Ulrich turned and shut his door, having accounted for all of his cadets, and went to bed.


In his dreams, he looked for her, but couldn't find her. He looked all about for her, but she wasn't there. He looked down at the thin silver chain that could never be broken, except by them. Did she do it? Did she break the chain?

Then her voice came to him, Ulrich! Help Me! I Love You!

He was scared now. What was wrong? Where was she? Why was she calling for help?

He grasped the chain around his neck and concentrated. Suddenly, confusion and pain and heat pulsed into his mind. His Love, his Life, was in trouble, and he was thousands of miles away from her.

"It is Time!" called a voice, the Leader of the Host, "Time to Fight! Gather Yourselves! We Go Into Battle!"

The Leader came up to Ulrich. "You shall be the Focus. We shall Give Power to You, and You will Give It to Her. You Shall Stand With Her, and We Will Stand With You."

He and another then placed their hands on Ulrich's shoulders. "Concentrate, Ulrich. Send all of your Love, all of your Strength to her. Even when it seems like you have no more to give, continue giving, We shall Replenish You."

Ulrich did as he was told. He sent Yumi all of his strength, all of his love, down the bond they shared, down the lifeline that kept them both sane over the months. And soon, it seemed like he had no more to give, that he was spent. Then he felt it. Power. Power like nothing he had ever felt in his life. From each member of the Host, it passed from two to one, from two to one, until finally, it passed to him, and through him, to Yumi. And that power fought against the evil that was inside the girl, forcing it back, killing it off, until finally, it was vanquished.

Ulrich felt the Power diminish, but not abate.

"Do not worry," the Leader told him, "some of the Host are going to guard her until Help arrives."

"What help?"

The Leader of the Host just smiled as Ulrich woke up.