The retired Commander-turned-scholar sat in his favorite recliner in the living room of his home. Another day of educating the next generation of commissioned officers to-be in the Republican Guard concluded and in the proverbial books. A simple dinner and chores filled the hours between coming home and now as he sought to relax.
The vid screen remained dark, the only sound to accompany his thoughts were his breathing and the tick of the clock on the wall. An archaic piece of decor, something he found ironic in the similarities between them. Both relics of ages past, left to their own devices as the world around them marched on. The clock, despite its age, never missed a second and remained true. Something Corr could relate to with the mileage on his old bones. Scars a plenty and nagging injuries aside, he remained.
As he sat there, reflecting on recent days and decades-old history alike, his communicator vibrated on the small table next to his chair. Startling him from his thoughts, he picked the device up for inspection.
Have you absolutely lost your mind?!
Corr looked at the text message he received. To say the sender was displeased would be an understatement.
Do you have any sort of idea of the fire you're playing with?!
The man sighed knowingly, shook his head, and began typing up a response. This reaction was expected and the retired soldier was earnestly surprised it had taken this long.
It's fine. I spoke to Tak about it.
Silence, a call came through instead. He picked up and before he could even get as much as a 'Hello' out of his mouth, a female's voice came through.
"The Chancellor?"
She did not sound entirely convinced Corr was telling her the truth. Granted, to have addressed the matter with your peoples' highest office of government personally did sound far-fetched.
"That's right."
"She told you it was fine?"
"Not exactly," he started, "only to exercise caution."
The woman's exasperation could be heard in a long sigh.
"...And dictating your autobiography to three cadets is what you call cautious?"
"I wouldn't be doing it if I couldn't trust these three to keep their mouths shut."
"Be that as it may…" she paused, wary of her tone and word choice alike, "you know where I work and what I do. You made my job so much more difficult, I hope you know that. You're lucky I like you."
Corr chuckled, "I'm sure you'd be singing a very different tune if I forgot a very special day coming up."
"So you didn't forget."
"Of course not. I'd be sleeping on the sofa for a month if I did." He was about to continue but stopped after hearing a knock at the door. "Someone's here. I should call you back."
"Don't bother, I'll be home tonight."
"Looking forward to it, my dear." The call ended as Corr went to the door and answered it. It was Vard, bearing a gift. "Ah, Vard, you bought an anniversary gift for us?"
"Yes, Commander," the short statured scientist responded with a grin.
Corr smiled and took the gift. "We'll have to remember to return the favor for you and Aero."
"You know what we like. Tools and gadgets," The short-statured man laughed off, stepping inside as Corr motioned him in. "Where's your better half at?"
"The office, I assume. She was on-assignment off-world for some time. Was just speaking with her before you arrived. Care for a drink?"
"Would be rude of me not to accept." Vard smiled, closing the front door behind him before following his retired commanding officer.
Corr moved to the kitchen, opening a cabinet and retrieving a bottle of Black Ice. "The Ahkos suggested this years ago. I have to say, it lived up to their hype when I first tried it." He retrieved a couple of glasses before setting them down and pouring some for the two of them. "How has Aero been?"
"The Republic must be paying you pretty well if you can afford top-shelf spirits like that," Vard jested, taking up the poured growler. "She's good. Great, even. She won't admit it, but I think she's glad the kids are all grown and out of the house now. I know I am."
"I couldn't until our own children were out of the home…and only with permission. She'd kill me if I dropped that much money on a bottle without her knowledge." Corr chuckled at the thought, "Though, I have to admit it is quieter around here without them around. One of mine is eerily following in my footsteps it seems…said he even met one of the General's kids recently in his new unit, his commander now that he made special forces."
"Unsurprising. Fairly certain nearly all of us have a child either in the Republican Guard or the Armada," Vard reasoned, sampling his drink. "My eldest was recently promoted to First Sergeant. He's applying for Officer Candidate School. Who knows? He may end up in one of your classes soon."
"I hope you're not asking for special treatment." Corr smirked before taking a swig of his glass. "Granted, I mostly work with those coming from civilian life who are going straight into the officer corps. Only a year ago I had a few Vortian cadets come by, ever since Tak managed to solidify relations again to get such an exchange program." He paused, "Though, speaking of Vortians…you know it's coming up on that time of year with our friends in the Federation. Are you and Aero able to make it? I'm sure our friends would like to see us again before we all die off."
Vard leaned against the counter, swirling the contents of his glass thoughtfully before speaking.
"Wouldn't dare dream of it," he smirked, sighing. "I already have my vacation request approved. Aero doesn't need to ask permission for anything and likes it that way. Short of catastrophe, we should be able to make it. Still waiting to hear back from my kids if they're going to make it or not. You know how orders and obligations can be."
"Yes, I very much know the feeling." Corr paused to take another drink. "I'm planning on heading to Vort to pay my respects. Cadets are going on a field exercise and I'll have no lectures to give. Also see if I can't get to that recluse; ever since the war ended, I haven't seen or heard from him. I only know he's still alive because of Rub."
"Which recluse?" Vard queried, semi-serious. "There's more than one…admittedly, I don't blame them, but you'd think they'd want to stay in touch with those that best understood them. I digress though…everyone has their quirks, me included."
"The sniper," Corr replied as he shook his head. "I know you three were the first in on the conspiracy long ago but, looking back on it, I think he was the most eager to get out from under the Empire and start fighting against it." There was a long pause as Corr thought on the events during the war before taking another swig of his drink. "Do you think I was too hard on him back when we were on Vort the third time?"
Vard did not immediately respond. Rather, he contemplated with his attention focused on the contents of his glass.
"...I can stand here in hindsight and say "yes" but I was there, too." He reasoned. "You did what was necessary. We all did. PAK or no PAK, you rely on the soldiers beside you and are only as strong as your weakest link. Everyone needs a morale boost every now and again."
"This is true…and we needed him at the time more than we didn't." Yet another pause, "That third time was by far the worst."
"...they say third time's the charm…hard to agree with that when your luck runs out." Vard spoke, somewhat pained with a pursed expression before taking a hearty drink, wincing at the burn.
A change of subject was in order.
"...now is as good a time as any to ask," He began, genuinely curious. "...but rumor is there has been unauthorized access to several very sensitive files pertaining to our unit recently. You wouldn't happen to have any knowledge about that, would you?"
"Next thing you're going to tell me that all of Vort knows." Corr responded in jest before turning serious. "I'm the source of it. Three very trustworthy cadets of mine are receiving the story…in fine detail. Tak talked with me about it already." He chuckled, "One of them I know for a fact is extremely so."
The short-statured man huffed with a smile, shaking his head gently.
"I had my suspicions once the rumors started circulating…and only certain parts of Vort know. I would say I never took you for the system-bucking type, but that would be an outright lie, all things considered." He jested, pausing briefly for consideration of words. "...I know it is in the past and ancient history as far as we're all concerned and I trust you with my life…just…exercise caution. What you do or do not tell them can and will affect all of us. I'm sure the Chancellor and your mate have already beaten you over the head about the risks and consequences should the wrong people learn of the wrong information at the wrong time."
"I'm aware of the risks, but I know these three are trustworthy." Corr paused, "Not to mention I know one will certainly keep the other two in line. If you met him, you'd recognize him instantly." He spoke as if the whole crew intimately knew one of the cadets he was speaking to. "Not the first time I've done this. Remember Gis from one of the groups of Irken we trained up? He's a Drill Sergeant at the academy now. He knows…to an extent."
"I vaguely remember Gis," Vard nodded, mulling it all over. "If you think it a good idea to share, so be it. You're your own man using that independent free thought we helped vanquish a tyrannical regime for. No sense in worrying about what has yet to come and never may, I suppose-"
The former soldier's communicator vibrated in his pocket with an incoming call. Furrowing his brow in equal measures mild annoyance at the interruption and morbid curiosity who would be contacting him at this hour, Vard retrieved the device from his pocket.
That expression quickly changed to a softer, more inviting one upon seeing who it was, going to answer. Somewhat apologetic, he held a digit up to Corr briefly as he went to answer. He would understand.
"Hello, beautiful."
"Vardyyy…" Aero's voice came through, feigning annoyance at his sweet nature, but her smile could still be heard. "Are you still at Corr's?"
"I am. Standing in front of me right this moment."
"Oh! Tell him I said hi!"
Vard smiled wistfully, looking to his retired commanding officer.
"Aero says hello."
"No, I said "hi"! Don't try to pretend I'm trying to be formal. He knows better than that."
"Yes, dear."
Corr chuckled at the exchange. "Hi Aero." He paused to think for a brief moment, "Do either of you two want me to look for anything while I'm in Tallum?"
"Oh, oh, oh! Those candies Shika sent everyone last year. If you can bring me back like…a freighter full of them, that'd be awesome."
Vard cupped the receiver, leaning closer to whisper. "I swear she's addicted to chocolate."
"I heard that! Am not! …I can stop whenever I want."
A laugh came from Corr, "I don't know about a freighter but I'll see what I can do about a bulk pack of them. Though trying to procure a freighter of sweets would likely be far easier than trying to get Kazak to see us again."
"Hah! Maybe we should just show up on his front lawn inconveniently and force him to socialize."
"Doubt he'd find it as funny as we would." Vard reluctantly admitted.
"Yeah…jerk…well, nice to hear from you, Sir. You and the missus should come have dinner with us soon. I miss cooking for a small army sometimes."
"I don't. I end up doing a mountain of dishes." Vard scoffed.
"Hey, I cook, everyone else cleans, nobody starves. Everyone wins…seriously though, you are always welcome in our home, Corr…I miss you guys sometimes."
Corr shook his head with a smile thinking back on all the rotations of wash room duty he dished out in their time. "We'd love to, Aero. When I can keep my mate on Irk for a lengthy period of time we'd love to drop by. Looking forward to our unit get together, I take it?"
"You know it. Long overdue…always nice to catch up and see how everyone is since the last time we spoke…just wish some of the no-shows would make an exception, even once."
Vard sighed with a forlorn nod of agreement. "Maybe one day. Can't make them if they don't want to."
"Unfortunately…but I can still pull rank on you, mister." She teased.
"You also put things on top shelves when you're mad at me, too."
Aero laughed. "Yeah…I do…am I still on speaker?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I need to tell you something, but it's a surprise to him. Corr, nice to hear from you, hope you like the gift. Come by and see us sometime…now…Vardy…its a secret…" Aero reasoned, earning her the excused privacy she shought as she heard the subtle auditory change as Vard returned the device to speak between them alone.
"Corr can't hear you now."
"Good…now…I'm sure you want to stay and shoot the dookie for hours with him, but your dinner is getting cold and I'm not gonna sit on the stove to warm it up for you."
It took a few seconds for her confusing words to click into clarity in his mind. His violet eyes widened with masked surprise and a pursed expression, blinking.
"Uhh…right…I'll be home shortly."
"I'll be waiting…." She drew out suggestively before hanging up.
Vard, carefully closing his communicator and placing it back in his pocket looked to Corr.
"I…need to go, Sir. Duty calls. I know you understand." He spoke, draining the last of his poured drink and setting the glass down. "Thanks for the drink."
While Vard spoke with Aero, he took some of the Black Ice and filled a small bottle, enough for several shots between the two of them. He held the bottle out to him. "Of course, you two enjoy yourselves. Hopefully this time I can get one of the no shows to make her happy, hm?" He smiled, but deep down he figured his odds weren't great.
"Stranger things have happened and we are no stranger to strange things." He quipped, accepting the offered bottle. "Well…I wish you safe travels to Tallum. Tell everyone we said hi."
Corr nodded as he watched Vard leave. The Commander then returned to his seat after grabbing a Vortian ale from the refrigerator and sighed before taking a drink…Loners. A part of him always wondered how someone could go through everything they did and then want to become completely detached from everyone, to live alone, unable to even reach him by comlinks. It always seemed strange, foreign even. The results showed but this wasn't the Empire anymore.
The man refuses to come to them, perhaps one of them must go to him.