Chapter 5 The Vega Effect

Rico was up at the crack of dawn like he was ever morning and getting ready to head out for his ritual run around the walls of town when he heard some noise coming from the living room of the small building that he called home. Rico grabbed his weighted vest that he used while out running and went to investigate.

"Morning Uncle Emilio."

Emilio was an older Hispanic, balding man with a goatee. He sat with a cup of coffee and a newspaper "Good morning Rico, Have you got any plans?"

"Just the usual, a quick jog then I was going to look for a job."

Emilio took a gulp from his cup and looked up at Rico "Have you decided on what you're going to do?"

"Not really; Law enforcement, body guard work, Guard duty something like that."

Emilio gave Rico a stern look "Are you sure that's the route you want to take?"

"Well after all those stories you told me about James did you really think that I wouldn't want to enlist?" Rico had been training for as long as he could remember for a military life.

Emilio folded his newspaper and placed it on the table "I brought you here so you wouldn't enlist."

Rico gave his Uncle a confused look "Then why did you tell me about all those stories about James?"

"To inspire you to live your life to the fullest, James has already given his to protect this planet." Emilio took another gulp from his cup of coffee.

Rico was starting to get annoyed; however he managed to stop his temper from getting the better of him "Your being a hypocrite, you were the one that got James to enlist."

Emilio gave Rico a quick look over and noticed that he was clenching his fists; Emilio took his time before calmly responding "What make you think your cut out for service, because your cousin was a hero?"

A blank expression stated spread across Rico's face and he was lost for words.

"Answer me boy, why do you want to enlist? so you can prove that your better James?" Emilio took another swig from his cup and started scratching his goatee.

Rico realised what his uncle was doing, 'He's testing me, he has to be testing me.' Rico started looking Emilio over and started evaluating everything that had been said.

"I'm still waiting for an answer, why do you want to join?"

Rico unclenched his fists "I don't know if I'm better then James, I doubt I'll ever get the chance too." Rico looked his uncle in the eyes "I just want protect my friends and family."

Rico was stood waiting for his uncle to reply for what seemed like an eternity.

"Good answer, I'm happy to see that you've finally got the temper under control."

They shared a smile "Well you are a good teacher."

Emilio picked up his paper "just don't lose your cool which your being interviewed and enjoy your run."

"I always do."