Chapter IV: "New Orders"

Over the next few months, Miguel and Cayden spent a lot of time together, working out and preparing for football season. He also helped Cayden with his homework as well as his college applications. Miguel even handled the children's classes when Jason had to go on vacation.

One afternoon, the two went to the high school football field where they worked on Cayden's passing and running skills.

At the same time, Tommy was working in his office. One of his old friends, Wes Collins, the Red Time Force Ranger, arrived.

"Hey, Tommy. How's it going?"

Tommy stood up and embraced his younger friend.

"Going good. Keeping busy."

"Yeah. Same here. How's Cayden doing?"

"He's doing good. Keeping busy himself."

"So, I heard you brought home a Marine."

"Yeah, he moved in with us a couple months ago. He's on an extended leave of absence while the Marines decide his next assignment."

Wes nodded. "Man...I wonder what that's going to be."

"Well, one thing's for sure. It won't be any active duty deployment. I already talked to the Marine's personnel department about it."

"So we're basically talking a desk job?"

Tommy nodded.

Jason walked in. "Hey, Wes. How's it going?"

"Hey Jase, good to see ya."

"You too." he turned to Tommy. "Here's today's mail."

Tommy took the stack.

"Let's see.. bills...applications...a credit card application..." Suddenly his eyes went wide. "Oh, no."

Jason looked at him. "What is it, Tommy?"

He held up the envelope. Wes looked at it.

"That's from the Marines...with Miguel's name on it."

Tommy sighed. "We'd better get him and Cayden back here." he pulled out his phone and dialed Miguel's number.

"Hey, Miguel. I need you and Cayden to come to the dojo immediately. No you're not in trouble, there's just something we need to talk about. Okay. See you soon."

He hung up the phone. "They'll be on their way soon."

Wes nodded. "I'm just worried about how Cayden's going to take it."

Tommy nodded.

"You and me both."

A half hour later, Cayden and Miguel arrived and walked into the office. Miguel looked at Tommy.

"What's up?"

Tommy handed him the envelope. "This was in today's mail."

Cayden saw the Marine logo on the envelope and started to get nervous. Miguel opened the envelope. Cayden grabbed his arm.

"What does it say?"

Miguel started to read.

"Dear Sergeant Ortega. We hope this letter finds you well. After consultation with certain parties involved, we have decided to recall you from your leave of absence and re-instate you to active duty..."

Before he could finish, Cayden darted out of the office and slammed the door. Tommy shook his head.

"Keep going, Miguel."

Miguel resumed reading the letter.

"Under normal circumstances, someone in your physical and mental situation would be honorably discharged from the service. However, because of your standing in the service, as well as input from your fellow soldiers and other interested parties, we have decided that you would be perfect to head up the new US Marine Corps recruiting office in Angel Grove, California. However, to prepare for this role, you must attend a six week training course at Camp Pendelton in San Diego. This course will begin on August 1st. Please report to Camp Pendelton within 2 weeks of receipt of this letter. We look forward to seeing you." Miguel folded up the letter.

"Well, I guess I'd better go pack."

Jason looked around. "What about Cayden?"

Wes stood up. "I'll go talk to him. I know where he likes to go when he's upset."

Tommy nodded, then looked at Miguel. "Well, congratulations, Miguel."

Miguel nodded. "Thanks."

A little while later, Wes walked into Cayden's room.

"Hey, Cayden."

"Hey, Wes."

"I see you're upset."

"Wouldn't you? I mean how would you feel if your best friend was about to get shipped out? I mean what if he gets hurt or even killed?"

Wes put his hand on Cayden's shoulder. "Well you rushed out before Miguel could finish the letter. He's being assigned to head up the new recruitment center here in Angel Grove. But he does have to go to San Diego for about a month and a half for some training. He won't be seeing any combat."

Cayden breathed a sigh of relief. "So when does he leave?"

"This weekend. Come on, I'll take you back to the dojo."

The two arrived back at the dojo. Miguel was sitting in Tommy's office talking to him when Cayden and Wes walked in.

Miguel stood up as Cayden slowly walked over. Wes stood next to Tommy.

Cayden spoke first. "Miguel, I...owe you an apology. I rushed out before I had all the facts. But Wes filled me in on the rest of the details. But I was just afraid. You've become like a big brother to me and I don't want to lose you."

Miguel nodded. "Cayden, it's nothing I haven't seen before, but thank you and I accept. You reacted the same way any military sibling does when they find out their big brother or sister is leaving. They feel a sense of loss and are heartbroken."

Before Miguel could say anything else, Cayden wrapped him up in a hug with one hand behind his bro's head. Miguel returned the embrace as Wes fought back tears of his own.

The two finally separated and Miguel smiled at his little bro. "Tell you what, I've still got a few days before I head out. How about we go out to dinner tonight with the whole family on me." He looked in Tommy's direction. "Wes, you and Jason can come too." He looked back at Cayden. "And then tomorrow you and I can spend the whole day together! Sound good?"

Cayden smiled. "Works for me!"

Finally, departure day arrived. In the airport, Tommy, Katherine, Cayden, JJ, Wes, and even Jason stood outside security as Miguel said his goodbyes. He even gave little JJ a hug. Finally, it was Cayden's turn. The two looked at each other.

Miguel spoke first. "Well, I guess this it."

Cayden nodded. "Yeah... I guess."

"See you in a few weeks."

Cayden nodded, then finally broke down and clutched his bro tight, burying his face into Miguel's uniformed shoulder.

"I love you, bro."

"I love you too, Cayden."

After a few minutes, Tommy walked up.

"Cayden, he's gotta go."

Cayden finally let go and stepped back.

Miguel smiled and headed towards the security checkpoint. Once he disappeared, the group headed outside to the airport observation area. Tommy had tuned the car radio to the Air Traffic Control station. After what seemed like forever, they finally heard the call they had been waiting for.

"Delta 2930, hold short runway 19R."

The group stood next to the fence as the plane taxied along the taxiway, stopping short of the runway. Inside the plane, Miguel looked out the window and saw his family and waved. They saw him and waved back. Finally, the call came.

"Delta 2930, you are clear for takeoff."

"Cleared for take off, Delta 2930."

Katherine put her hand on Cayden's shoulder as the plane roared down the runway. The group watched, with JJ sitting on Jason's shoulders, as the plane lifted off the ground and soared away. The group watched the plane until it was out of sight. Even after it was gone, Cayden stood watching.

Stay safe big bro.

Finally Cayden joined the group and headed home.