AN: Back again with another chapter. I hope you guys are liking the story so far. I appreciate all the views, follows, Favs and the reviews. If you would like to offer any advice or just want to tell me you like this story that's cool, just hoping for feed back to see how well this is coming along.
Chapter 5
I had no idea how much fun having friends would be. Having friends was more then anything I could have imagined.
We played many different games with each other, sometimes the three of us as a team against computer opponents, other times against one another, sometimes we even teamed up against each other, even though there was only three of us.
I have never laughed or smiled this much that I could ever recall. I wanted this to last forever. I didn't want go back to how things were really in the world. I didn't want to go to being Colonel Valda's savior of the world.
Unfortunately, the real world came crashing back down with a hammer of anger and jealousy.
Colonel Valda was watching Helena and her friends during their free time from a projector in his office quarters.
When they went to the game room and started playing games he noticed that H.G. was having fun and was closer to her classmates.
He was not happy to see that she was not alone, isolated from others and focused like he wanted her to be. He saw that Helena was holding back against them, letting them have a chance at winning. She was having fun and not taking the games seriously like she should be, like she was before. He also observed that H.G. was closer to the other Launchie, Myka Bering.
Colonel Valda knew that Pete Lattimer was best friends with the girl, Myka. He recruited Myka as a hope at making her the commander they were looking for, but noticed that she lacked confidence and was very anti-social. Myka was a loner and had only Pete Lattimer as a friend that would balance her so that she would not tip over the edge. The colonel was not sure if she would be ready in time for what they needed her for, so he kept looking and found H.G.
H.G. was more promising to use as long as they could control her aggressive impulses when pushed to far, other wise she was perfect. Helena was aggressive in her strategies and would take no mercy on any poor soul.
Now it seemed his prodigy, who had the potential to be the commander they needed was being softened by the first potential that Valda had came by.
Valda wanted to call a meeting right away. He went for his communication link on his projector, but stopped just before he got there. He caught a glimpse of scene that was starting unfolding on the feed of the game room.
Helena and Myka were playing a game classic of Holo Chess (Holographic Chess). It was the same as the original board game Chess, just digital and was programmed by thought. You also could change the style of your pieces as you wished, but you could not change how they worked.
Pete was watching them play and called to play winner as long as they played a game where the characters do battle much like what Pokeman is, just with more then one character doing battle. It is setup like chess in that regard and you have to strategize your army into battle. Your characters can be anything you can think of with a few limitations.
Myka and H.G. were halfway into their game when trouble come in a form of their classmates, Ralph Brunsky and his friends.
Brunsky was the one that called Helena 'smart-ass' when they first came to this school. Pete stayed away from these goons as much as possible. They didn't like anyone that hung out with Myka and especially H.G.
"Hey it's 'Miss-Know-It-All' and 'The-Smart-Ass'. Oh look, they have Pete to protect them, we better watch out." Ralph Brunsky said overly sarcastic strutting up to them like he owned the place.
Pete yelled walking up to the boys real quickly and aggressively, "Shut up Brunsky or-"
Brunsky cut Pete off stating, "Or what Lattimer. You don't have your popular friends to protect you right now."
"Who cares. I can take you anytime, any place." Pete spat at the boy.
"Oh really..." Brunsky replied back brushing off Pete's claim.
"Yeah." Pete confirmed.
Before things went further H.G. and Myka came over to stop the confrontation before it got out of hand.
"Pete it's not worth it, ok. Lets go play that game you wanted to play, ok." Myka said reassuringly and calmly as she stood in front of Pete trying to get him to walk away.
"Fine. Who won? I play whoever won." Pete replied not taking his eyes off Brunsky.
"I did" Helena stated from just behind Pete.
"Cool. Lets go then." Pete said to H.G. still looking ahead glaring at Brunsky. He eventually looked away, turning around and started walking way from the Brunsky and is boys.
Brunsky shouts rising his hands in disbelief, "That's it? That's all it takes for you to run away with your tail between you legs. I bet your challenge was bullshit. You are nothing but a pathetic pussy that pretends that they have balls."
Pete stopped and so did Helena and Myka. Pete was clutching his hands into fists. They were shaking with anger. Myka kept urging him to ignore them and to walk away.
Helena to was angry and balling up her fists, but she tried her best to not go over there and beat up the kid. She was getting really sick of the boys antics. She knew that she would disappoint Myka if she did as she desired to do. She didn't even think about how this feeling to protect her friends was new to her. She didn't notice, or ever think when her new friends became influential over her actions.
Brunsky continued on as he saw how they were affected by what he said, "I bet you couldn't even beat me with your stupid whoring girlfriends, that whore themselves to the teachers around here for good grades. I bet-"
Brunsky was cut off by Helena, who went charging at the boy ignoring Myka's cry's of stop. She couldn't stand it any more, this pathetic thing of a man, a Neanderthal.
H.G. grabbed on to the scruff of his collar and growled, "I don't care of what you think of me, but you will pay for what you called my friends. We could do this anyway you like. We could fight now, possibly get kicked out of the program, and you brutally mangled on the floor looking weak and pathetic with your pales, that is if they decide to jump in, of course, or we could make a deal by playing any game you like as a challenge from me to you. If I win you leave me and my friends alone from now on and if you don't I might not guaranty your safety around here."
When Pete and Myka heard what Brunsky said, Myka grabbed Pete's arm so that he didn't go after him. Just as she did that, she saw Helena start to charge at him instead. She tried to grab her but missed in Helena's fast pace movement. She called out to Helena to stop, but Helena ignored her and charged at Brunsky with a purpose, with fire. Helena grabbed onto his scruff and pulled the boy close to her and seemed to growl in the boys ear, threatening him. Myka didn't no what to do. She has never seen Helena so...angry, mad, blood thirsty. She felt a darkness coming off of Helena. It made her wonder what Helena was capable of if they might have been injured.
Pete just stood there watching for a minute and then tugged his arm out free from Myka, not that she had a strong grip anymore in her shock, and started walking fast to catch up to H.G.
Myka let Pete go, she watched for a second or two gathering her wits again, then walked quickly to hopefully stop this stupid fight. She didn't know what to do yet exactly, but she needed to get everyone calmed down and away from each other.
"Helena stop. Let go of him." Myka commanded quickly walking to Helena.
H.G. looked over at Myka as she come up to her and put hands on hers. Her faced softened when her eyes fell on Myka.
"It's ok. You can let go now." Myka said reassuring Helena that she was fine and that she didn't have to hurt this stupid boy for her.
Helena complied and then looked back at Brunsky glaring and asked, "Which do you prefer, git?"
The boy was silent for a moment. He gulped before answering trying to stay calm and not look as scared as he felt, "Fine, I will except your challenge, but if I win you have to quit this program and go home crying to your parents that you were to dumb to make it here."
"Fine." Helena stated before holding up her hand, "We have an accord."
Brunsky shook her hand and said, "Agreed." They dropped hands after that. "I decided I will play you at one of the classic games, since you seemed to be so good at that. It's a game called Checkers. Have you ever played it?" He asked smugly.
"Not really, no. Was raised on Chess, was told it was the best strategy game of the day." Helena pointedly remarked.
"Yes that's true. Checkers is a classic game much like Chess, in fact it uses the same board, but with all the same pieces. They can only move forward one at a time on black and can only move one square at a time. When a piece from the other team is in front of you and a space behind them, you have to jump them and take there piece. There are such occasions that there are two pieces from the enemy team that have spaces between them and other pieces, then you have to double jump them. The goal of the game is to defeat your enemy by jumping them and to get your pieces to the other side so that they can be kings, which in the old classic version is two pieces on top of each other. The kings can move in all directions, but still one space at a time. Do you think you got all of that or do I have to explain it again?"
"No. I am pretty sure I understand the rules."
"Good. Now lets get started, so I can whoop your ass and you can be crying on your way home."
Brunsky decided on this classic game because very little people play it still. It is still in their registry under games, but is a child's game compared to the classic, leading game, Chess.
Chess has a lot more to offer in the game of strategies to make the game challenging. The pieces could all do different things and move different lengths at a time, which made it more challenging. Checkers has pieces that move the same, which made it easier to decided your moves.
Ralph Brunsky thought that since he was pretty good at this game and not many people played it, which made him think it would be his ace in the whole. He thought he could one up H.G. and win this stupid challenge. To tell the truth, he has been looking for a way to show how much better he was compared to H.G. He didn't like that all the teachers and higher ups kept looking only at H.G. like she was some god.
Helena and Brunsky started to play classic Holo Checkers. It looked much like the Chess that Helena and Myka were playing earlier.
Black moves first according to the rules that H.G. read real quick before playing the game, not fully trusting Brunsky's word. She choose that color hoping for a little advantage. She moved one of her pieces forward in a place she was hoping to draw out her opponent.
Brunsky made a move after her and tried to draw her in as well.
It went on like this till Helena had no choice but to get jumped or move one of her back players. She already secured her pieces that she moved forward. She had no choice but to make a sacrifice if she really wanted to protect the last row encase sometime later he broke through her defense, which would be now. She went with a piece that she could sacrifice while setting up a trap for Brunsky.
Brunsky's boys were watching the game seeing that Helena was in a bit of a bind and knew how well Brunsky was good at this game. He always seemed to know how to force the other player into things they didn't want to do.
Myka and Pete were watching as well, knowing that Helena could defeat this punk even if the odds were against her. She beat Myka at Chess, which is amazing feet according to Pete because he always got is ass handed to him by his very intelligent best friend.
Pete was good at making stuff up as he went along for his plans. He liked to feel things out and see where things went. He was ruthless when he countered and figured the enemy out that way.
Myka was all about logic and reason. She played by the rules for the most part, she liked order. She made plans and stuck with them and reinforced her plans with back up plans when things didn't go as smoothly in her plans.
Helena was a little of both of them. She saw her goal and went after it like nothing could stop her. She followed rules but thought outside of the box when she was faced with something that was in her way. She figured out her enemy and then attacked it like a virus at any cost as long as she got to her goal.
Brunsky made his move and seemed to have the upper hand. He took one of her pieces, still having the upper hand. If this continued to go his way, he was going to have a lot of pieces coming into his lap, which he did.
By now there was about half as many pieces on the board as they were before. H.G. had a little less then Brunsky.
Helena found her way to the other side though and got a king and is on her way in making another.
Brunsky is stuck at Helena's side because she will not give up her places for him to move in to make king.
A few moves later Helena has two kings and has jumped most of his pieces.
Brunsky has a king as he got Helena to move one of her pieces that were in his way.
Helena though countered rather quickly and trapped his king and his remaining pieces.
Brunsky had only a few moves he could make. He could end it all or play chicken with Helena till she got tired of it and made a different move.
She eventually tired of this dicking round and after a few moves she had him finished by ensnaring him further till he couldn't move unless to be jumped.
Brunsky was not happy and claimed the girl cheated.
H.G. was annoyed and was getting quite very tired of people always saying she cheated because she beat her opponent.
Myka and Pete yelled at Brunsky at Helena's defense. Brunsky gave up arguing with them and left in a fury.
After that Myka got Helena and Pete to calm down and said that they should head towards to the Cafeteria as dinner was to be ready soon. They did as Myka suggested and proceeded to the Cafeteria.
Colonel Valda has called his meeting after seeing what took place between Pete, H.G. and Myka vs. Brunsky and his boys. He wanted to talk to Major Frederic and Sergeant Nielsen. He wanted to know about how H.G. was progressing. He wanted to know why Helena was not left isolated like he wanted and told Major Frederic. He wanted to put a stop to it before H.G. was to softened by her friendship with Myka Bering.
Valda did not like the way things were going for Helena. He needed her to focus on her studies and stay strong in her strategies. He needed her to be ruthless, to be invincible. He needed to stop this...this...fun time of friendliness. He needed it to end, to end now.
The meeting got started when Major Frederic and Sergeant Nielsen come in.
Valda went off immediately as Frederic come through the door. He was very pissed off. "Why the HELL is Wells not left alone like I asked. I TOLD YOU that she could not part with her isolation, that she needed to believe that no one would help her."
"Calm down, sir." Major Frederic stated calmly. "I have been keeping an eye on her, like I was instructed to. In my observations she needs a friend, Colonel. Ms. Bering keeps her grounded and stable. She has not gone stir crazy like she was headed to, besides you can't keep her from making friends Colonel. They are kids taking classes together and spending time together, they are bound to make a friend here and there."
Sergeant Artie Nielsen stood off to the side and waited to be spoken too. He didn't know what the colonel was up to, but he didn't like it. He may not like Helena all that much because she seemed cocky and defied him with the look in her eyes. She was not a bad kid, but there was something about her he just didn't trust.
"Then what about this?" Colonel Valda showed them the camera feed of today that he was watching that was the beginning of the Launchies' free time to the end of what happened in the Game Room.
"What about it Colonel?" Major Frederic asked annoyed. She was annoyed at Valda's arguments and that Helena didn't keep her temper in check very well. Helena didn't lose it, but was on a thin line with the knew feelings she has toward her friends. She can keep it together with threats against herself, but not others it looks like.
Major Frederic planned on having a small heart to heart with the girl. She needed H.G. to survive this place. She needed Helena to be Helena when Valda was done with her. In her opinion children should not be in war, they should be enjoying their youth. She did not agree with these facilities, she worked for them hoping to give the kids a fighting chance at surviving and leaving with everything intact, not just in body, but the mind. She tried to keep them from going mad.
"She is becoming to soft around Bering and Lattimar. She is heading towards uncontrollable when they are threatened." Colonel Valda explained. "She is becoming unpredictable and out of control. She needs to be separated from them. She has to remain isolated and not distracted by them, going off the deep end."
"That maybe, but taking them away from her is far worse. She will rebel and she will concur. I warned you this could happen. I propose that you let their friendship continue. I will be talking to Helena about keeping her temper and warning her about the consequences when not followed, which will be exemptions of an hour of free time. I will be the one to enforced it." Major Frederic proposed and continued waving her hand at Artie, "Sergeant Nielsen here can help me with keeping Ms. Wells in line."
"Sergeant Nielsen, what is your take on Wells, do you think this suggestion of the Majors is a good idea?"
"Well to be honest sir, I don't trust the girl, but she is a good kid. She follows commands and tries to keep out of others way. She seems to not want to be the center of attention and shies away from it. She tries to let others have a shot at explaining or doing things, letting them have some of the spotlight. She does not wish to be special. She made fast friends with Bering and they help out each other, sir. I have seen them in the dormitory and in training. They talk about things that are bothering them and also talk about books they have read, or games and puzzles. They seem to have a lot in common. Helena seems to be advanced in martial arts and partners up with Bering. She shows off some, but helps show Bering things she is not getting. Over all I think Bering and Lattimer help keep H.G. grounded, she seems less inclined to rebel against orders. She questions me less and does as she is told, sir."
"So you agree then, with Major Frederic?"
"Yes, sir."
"Alright, I will allow it, but in addition, I want her to get extra time working on strategies. I need her focused and have her head in the game. I want her to have extra lessons with Caturanga. She will need to be ready for what is to come and this is the only way it seems that she will be ready in time."
"I foresee no problem with this." the major said knowing that Caturanga was a sweet man that will help Helena not just in strategies, but with mastering her emotions and help her through this horrible ordeal that she is in.
"Sergeant?" Vald asked.
"I have no problem with it, just as long as you can fit it into her schedule that does not interrupt our regular class time schedules."
"Yes. Good. I will get right on this. I will apprise both of you how I plan to schedule them in, dismissed."
Major Frederic nodded and about faced and left. Artie followed not long after.
When Major Fredric and Sergeant Nielsen got far enough away from Valda, she turned to Artie and said for him to come with her to her office quarters.
Artie did as told and followed his superior to her destination. When they arrived she asked the sergeant to shut the door. He did and walked further into the room toward Major Frederic.
"Can I ask what this is about?" Sergeant Nielsen asked not sure why he was there.
"I need you to keep me apprised of Wells, Bering and Lattimer. I fear things are going to get more complicated from here on out. Arthur, you and I both know that war is not good for anyone, especially children. I fear they will not survive what Colonel Valda is planning without our guidance. I can not save them from this path in which they walk, but I must be there for them. You too feel the same, don't try to deny it Arthur. Can you do this for me?"
"I suppose that is not asking much, but what do you plan on doing with Wells? She is already on the end of her rope. Colonel Valda has her on a leash, which I agree with to a point, but I don't think she can cope with what is going to happen. She is already showing signs of rebelling and I can see it not going so well if we don't have her restrained. There is a time and place to make a stand and now is not it. She is implosive and untrustworthy to do as she is told!"
"Calm yourself Arthur. I will be having a talk with her. I will inform her of what she needs to know and the rest we will keep to ourselves for the time being. We have to look out for them till the time comes that we can stop this madness."
"Alright, Alright. I'll keep tabs on them and try to keep them safe as much as I can."
After a few pleasantries Sergeant Arthur Nielsen left and headed to the dormitory that was for the Launchies he was in charge of, where his quarters were.
Major Frederic went to collect Helena from the cafeteria so she can talk to her before she went to the dormitories for the night. She needed Helena to understand and corporate. She had half of a mind to bring in Lattimer and Bering as well. She was not sure if she should get them further involved or not. She knew they were further in the dark then Helena.
As she walked down the corridors she finally made up her mind as she reached her destination.
Dinner was done and Helena, Myka and Pete were on their way back to their dormitory.
Pete and Helena have been in a bad mood since the incident in the game room. Myka was mad, but was trying to cheer up both her friends.
They just made their way out of the cafeteria where Major Frederic was waiting for them.
"Good evening Wells, Bering and Lattimer."
All three of them jumped. They didn't see her approaching, for they just came through the door leaving the cafeteria, nor did they expect to see her, let alone her call to them.
"May I speak with the three of you in my office please." With that Major Frederic turned around and headed to her office.
"Well, that was scary." Pete managed to say.
"You guys, I think we are suppose to follow her." Myka chimed in.
Helena was looking after Major Frederic's disappearing form and said with a sigh, "Unfortunately darling, you would appear to be right."
With that Helena started to follow after Major Frederic.
Myka and Pete gave each other a look not sure what that was about, and followed after Helena.
They all reached Major Frederic's office quarters, and again for the second time this evening Major Frederic asked her guests to shut the door behind them. She offered them a place to sit and she went behind her desk and sat in her chair.
The three took there seats and waited for the major to tell them what this was about.
Helena knew it was something to do with her. She didn't know why Myka and Pete were there though, whatever it was, it was not good.
"Ms. Wells it has come to our attention that you can't keep you temper under control. You do know what we recruited you for and what we expect of you, yes?"
Helena froze for a moment, then looked directly at Major Frederic and asked, "What is this regarding exactly, and what does it have to do with Myka and Pete, Ma'am?"
The major looked long and hard into Helena's eyes and then stated calmly, "This is regarding what happened in the arcade with Mr. Brunsky. It also has come to the colonel's attention your lack of focusing. I have convinced him that Ms. Bering and Mr. Lattimer can be good for you. He thinks you are getting to soft because of them. I however, happen to think other wise. The only problem I have from you is your lack of holding your temper. There is a time and place for things and that was not it, and it will not be tolerated."
Helena was watching and listening intently trying to figure out what to say to that and what was being kept from her still. She was just about to reply to Major Frederic when she heard a yell from the side of her.
"Woah! Hold up there. What do you mean we are good for H.G.? What she can't have friends now? Are we not allowed to have friends or something?" Pete asked not sure what was going on.
Myka looked over at Pete and so did Helena, they then all looked back at Major Frederic expecting a answer.
"Not exactly, Mr. Lattimer. There are things regarding Ms. Wells that are of special circumstance. I have no authority to avert from orders, but I can try to influence how they will be taken out."
"So does that mean you are protecting Helena from whatever the Colonel has planed for her? Specking of that, what plan does he have for Helena?" Myka asked concerned about Helena's safety.
Before the major could answer, Helena answered facing forward towards Major Frederic's desk looking downward with her eyes closed.
"As you have noticed I have been pointed out to be the brightest out of all of the new recruits since we have been launched here. I was recruited because Colonel Valda thinks I have great potential to be our savior in this battle against the Formics." Helena paused, debating about saying the rest of her explanation. She didn't want her new friend to hate her or to think she was some type of monster. "... I was told before coming here that I need to keep my temper under control... because I... Because I beaten someone almost to death after I had my monitor taken out."
Myka and Pete looked at H.G. as she explained with shocked expressions, neither one could think of anything to say to that.
"The fault does not fall fully on yourself, Ms. Wells. We were watching you the whole time and did not intervene. You did it to protect yourself and I would have done the same if in your shoes, if it helped keep me safe." Major Frederic stated in a calming, reassuring manner.
Helena looked up to find the major's warm reassuring gaze upon her. She nodded and then looked over to Pete and Myka. She hoped that they were still friends after admitting to what she was keeping from them.
Myka looked into her eyes with those beautiful, alluring green ones. They seemed to be glassy, probably from tears she was holding in. Helena looked at her with a saddened, apologetic expression. Myka gave her a nodded stating it was alright and that she understood now.
When she looked over to Pete, he just gave her a nodded and a thumbs up informing that they were all good too.
The major watched them interact with each other thinking she made the best choice.
"Getting back to the conversation at hand. Yes, I am trying my best at protecting all of you. I am having Sergeant Nielsen look after you when I can not. If you have legitimate problems report it to him. As for what took place in the arcade, I am to warn you about what will happen if you do not keep your temper under lock down, which will be an hours worth exemption from your free time, Ms. Wells. In addition the colonel has ordered that you have extra lessons with Caturanga regarding strategies. I do not know how it will fit in you scheduling yet, but was told that I will be informed as soon as the colonel has figured it out."
"Yes ma'am." Helena said nodding her head.
"Is there any more questions regarding anything that has been said here?"
Helena was hesitant but made up her mind and asked, "Yes. I know it is speaking out of place..."
"What is it Ms. Wells?"
"I was wondering... what else am I not being told?"
The major sighed and stated as gently as she could, "I need you to do what is asked of you for now and let me worry about things that will be happening in the future. If I were to tell you now it will not end well for any of us, so I need you to do what is instructed and remember there are people on your side, you are not alone."
Helena nodded.
"If that is all then, you are dismissed and may head back to your quarters for the evening."
The three Launchies got up from their seats and left the majors office and headed back to their dormitory.
When we got back to the dormitory we all chatted on Myka's bed in low tones so that know one would here us. We discussed what took place with Major Frederic and discussed how much we could trust her. We agreed that we could play by her rules and see where it goes.
Pete said he didn't get any bad vibes from the major. (Pete had a tendency to get good or bad feelings off of people, or situations.) Myka also thought that Major Frederic was trustable by the way she approached us, but agreed that we still should be cautious. I listened to what they had to say and agreed to comply to the major for now.
After that, Pete said that he was going to play a game on his tablet and then go to bed.
Myka and myself talked for awhile like usual until lights out. Myka wanted to make sure I was ok. She now knew why I averted her question back when we were on the shuttle.
I didn't want her to think I was a monster, because sometimes I felt like one when I did things like that. I also didn't want to bring her and Pete into this position that I was thrown in. At times I wonder if I should have declined Colonel Valda's offer to come here.
Myka eventually changed the topic, I guess her way of trying to distract me from what was really going on, which worked. It always did with her. She could convince me or distract me of anything. She was my treasured person, the one that kept me going, or from doing anything that might get me in deep trouble.
I just hope that whatever is going to be coming our way, will not take this away.
To Be Continued...