"What's that?" Atin asked.
"Nothing," Fi answered, clasping the datapad to his chest.
"I don't believe you."
"Too bad."
Atin shrugged as Fi walked out of the room. His brother was out of sorts today, and Atin knew better than to pry. After all, how many times had Fi respected Atin's priv-...
"Fi, wait up!"
Fi groaned. "What is it, Ati'ka?"
"Seriously, is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine."
"You sure, vod'ika?"
Exasperated sigh. "Yes, Ati'ka, I'm sure. Trust me, I'll let you know when it isn't."
And then Fi was gone again.
---------------------
Several Hours Later
---------------------
Kal Skirata made the rounds of the barracks, making sure his lads were all tucked into bed. He paused as he noted Fi's empty bunk. He recalled Atin telling him that his Commando-brother was acting strangely. Kal being who he was, it didn't take him long to find his missing lad.
Fi was asleep at a desk in the Admin-Centre, head resting on an outstretched arm, the other tucked under his chin. A datapad hung from his fingers.
Kal fetched a blanket and draped it over Fi's shoulders and plucked the datapad silently from Fi's hand.
The Commando shifted a little, and then raised his head to look at Kal and smile sleepily. The Sergeant smiled back and ushered him back to his room and tucked him in. Once they were settled, Kal headed back to his chair in the common room and got comfy. He turned Fi's datpad over in his hands a few times before accessing the information on it. The old man smiled sadly, and a tear slipped down his cheek. And then he hid the 'pad in a pocket.
He'd give it back to Fi in the morning, but he knew the words would be etched in his mind forever:
Uncertainty marks the life of a Commando. I never know what the
next day brings.
A battle cry across a war-torn field; the sound
of the clash, it sings.
My heart leaps with the joy, as the enemy is slotted.
I'll
drink from his helmet tonight till I'm well besotted.
But off the field a different kind of wine
My brothers drink
of, I wish it were mine.
Perchance I can find it and join my kinsmen,
Perchance I
might kiss a woman...
