Walking Out of The Shadows
Chapter 6
Thank you for the reviews! I do try to proof read, but some do escape me. Thank you for pointing it out so I'll be more careful.
Since they didn't do a whole lot with the academy, I have a bit of a free reign. I do plan to skip some, but I'll give you dates. If anyone can tell me how to do Star Dates, I'd be appreciative.
I had totally had this half written then needed to go do something else, and it didn't seem right. I wanted to get Archer in here, and then Marcus worked himself in here, which works better.
Second week at Academy:
Marcus stood on the second deck of the gymnasium and looked down at the new groups of cadets. He did this four times a year, with each class of cadets. He would pick out the best candidates' and follow there progress. He had his eyes on Pike before she even entered the academy and watching her even made him want her more for Section 31.
"I know what you are doing, Alex, and what you are thinking, and you can get it out of your mind right now," the male's voice said from behind him.
Marcus sighed as he glanced over his shoulder. "Admiral Archer, I wouldn't know what you are talking about."
The older man stepped down beside him. "Don't play stupid with me, Alex. You are here watching security training, and you are picking out possible recruits," Archer told him.
"Recruiting for Section 31 has never concerned you before," Marcus told the other man. Archer was one of the few people to know about Section 31, but considering one of his crew had been early Section 31, there was nothing Marcus could do to deny it from the older man.
"You aren't going to approach Cadet Pike," Archer told him, as he lowered his voice. "You are not going to recruit her, for that matter I want you to stay away from anyone in her training squad."
"Admiral with all due respect, who I plan to keep an eye on isn't any of your business," Marcus hissed.
Jonathan tried not to smile. "Oh, Alex, you really don't want to try me do you? You would love to think that no one would ever fight you on anything, what you say goes, that everyone quakes in there boots when you speak. You should know, that I have always opposed of Section 31, and I have opposed funding at every step of the way," Archer informed him.
Marcus looked at him. "Jonathan, I am quite aware of that," he said.
"Admiral Archer," he told the other man. "You take one step toward Cadet Pike, even say hello to her without at least five other people around, I am going to make sure you're funding gets cut this year. You know I can get enough people on my side. Now you need to turn around, and forget her. Now, Admiral Marcus," the older man said.
Marcus knew better then to argue, even though he wanted to. He turned and went out of the room.
Archer bent down over the barrier and watched the training and waited until everyone had finished but Sydney. He knew she would push herself. He walked down. "That's enough Cadet Pike," he ordered.
Sydney turned. "Yes sir," she answered.
Archer smiled. "Now come give your favorite old man a hug."
Sydney laughed. "I think my father would disagree with you on that," she said as she hugged him.
"Well I'm older," Archer told her. "You're pushing yourself to hard."
Sydney sighed. "I'm fine. What are you doing here anyway? You usually don't come to the Academy except for graduations."
Archer smiled. "Well I wanted to see how my favorite girl is doing. You're still under weight, you've been eating enough?"
Sydney rolled her eyes. "Yes Gramps," she said using the name she used to call him as a kid. "I had to get up to 118 before I could get in here," she said as she sat down on the bleachers. "Saw you talking to Admiral Marcus."
Archer sat down. "I am going to say this once, and I want you to remember it," he told her. "I want you to tell me immediately if Marcus approaches you about anything."
Sydney looked at him. "What aren't you telling me?"
"Marcus isn't to be trusted, I can't say more then that. Promise me," Archer said.
Sydney nodded. "I promise."
"Good," Archer said as he kissed the top of her head. "Go get a shower, I'm cooking dinner for your father and you tonight. Been a while since we hung out."
Sydney nodded. "We haven't since…Max…"
"It's ok to miss him kiddo," Archer told her. "Just remember you're alive," he told the young woman.