Chapter 8: New Leader

"Dr. Peters with all due respect, Crystal is not ready for this," Tamora said standing up. With her gone Crystal could be seriously hurt. She was supposed to protect her family not Crystal, Crystal was her daughter and she wasn't going to lose her. Or any of her children for that matter.

"Sarge, you know for a fact Crystal can handle herself just fine. Look how she took charge of those bugs and she dove in front of a pincher to save you. She puts the soldiers first and trains harder so no one will get hurt. Crystal is smart, has great agility, strong, and a fast thinker. But most of all she is cool under pressure. Hmmm, she reminds me of another young lady who recruited herself into the Space Marines. Now who could that be?" Dr. Peters said rubbing his chin. Tamora narrowed her eyes at him but sighed in defeat. He was right Crystal in most ways was just like her. Tamora knew Crystal could handle it but still she was worried that Crystal could get hurt. But she had to trust Crystal and walked out to tell her men and Crystal the news.

Crystal was looking over her Pla-Ce bugs checking to see if they were all unharmed. So, far the soldiers were uninjured maybe a few bruises but no casualties. Still she was worried about scaring Mom like that and her finger traveled to the spot that the pincher tore a hole through her body. In her mind she could still feel it but the thought of dying never bothered her. After all she faced death on a regular day basis even before she came here. A shadow loomed over her and she hid her annoyance well.

"Well, well it if it isn't the little Pla-Ce Bug Queen. Good job dying rookie, you think that ugly brute or your precious powers could have saved you better. Maybe you will wise up and wear the armor Sarge gave you," said a cruel voice. It belonged to a buff rookie named Randy Brown. Randy was a 23 year old Private that hated Crystal with a passion, ever since she brought more Pla-Ce bugs to the game. He also hated her powers even though she only used them during the Cy-Bug attacks.

"What do you want Private Brown?" Crystal asked trying to avoid a fight.

"Bet you thought you were real slick bringing all those bugs into our game. Trying to show us up huh? Think you are better because those disgusting things like you," Brown hissed.

"No sir, I wasn't showing anyone up I was just bringing in reinforcements to help the soldiers," Crystal said in a calm tone. Specks kept glancing from Brown to Crystal making sure he protected Crystal from Brown if he had too.

"We didn't need your help and I got the medal but all anyone talked about was you and those bugs of yours," Brown hissed.

"I fail to see how this is my problem I was trying to help Sargent Calhoun not win a medal," Crystal said stroking Specks to calm him.

"Just stay out of my way girl this job is for real soldiers and not freak orphans and their disgusting bug pets," Brown hissed and walked away growling to himself. Crystal just looked away hoping Mom was okay hoping she wasn't angry at her for getting injured. She just saw that pincher heading towards Mom and the baby freaked Crystal out. Time just slowed for she didn't make a plan just reacted and she saved Mom and the baby but injured herself.

"Attention everyone Sargent Calhoun requests everyone meet her in the training all in ten minutes," said a voice over the intercom.

"Better go see what is going on. Stay with the others Specks," Crystal said and jogged onto the training hall. The men were already in formation and Crystal stood next to Dr. Peters as her mom stood before the men. Mom looked at all of the men with a firm gaze and Crystal hoped she was satisfied with the victory.

"It has been brought to my attention that I am no longer able to be your commanding officer. My condition has grown extreme that I need to go on vacation so I am appointing a new leader for everyone," Tamora began. Her voice was soft for these were her men and she couldn't imagine not fighting with them. But her voice began firmer as she continued to speak and said, "Now make no mistake I will check in everyone now and then to make sure you all listen and that the game is going well. I have complete confidence in my choice so without further ado I give my position to non-other than my daughter Crystal," Tamora said.

The room went deadly quiet as the men all turned their eyes in the direction of Crystal. Crystal looked around wondering if she was hearing things. Did Mom really say her name? Did her injury affect her hearing? Mom was looking at her and Dr. Peters gave Crystal a nudge and she walked over to her mother. Tamora saw Crystal look worried and she asked, "Crystal do you accept the position?"

Crystal wanted to shout Hell no are you nuts. She was no soldier her job was to train the Pla-Ce bugs and guard the tower, she was no leader. The men began to whisper but one firm gaze from Tamora silenced them. During that time Crystal was about to refuse but remembered Mom chose her which meant that her mom needed her. But the baby did too just because she didn't think she could do didn't excuse her from making Mom continue leading the men. Come on Crystal quit thinking of yourself and help Mom, she needs you, her mind told her. "I accept thank you Sargent Calhoun for your belief in me. I will not fail you," Crystal said saluting her mother. Tamora smiled but saw that the walls in Crystal's eyes were stacked pile high, making her true emotions unreadable. Still she accepted and Tamora was grateful for that.

"I know you will do this unit proud," Tamora said saluting her. The men saluted Crystal but Randy glared at Crystal.

"I am not taking orders from no freak orphan, I'll fix her wagon," he hissed. He shied away from the group thinking of a way to get rid of Crystal once and for all. Tamora walked on home with Crystal who remained silent.

"Does it still hurt?" Tamora asked.

"Does what hurt?" Crystal asked.

"Your wound," Tamora said.

"No, it is fine sorry about scaring you like that. I was trying to use my force field but didn't react quickly enough. I will train harder Mom I promise," Crystal said her walls up even more.

"Crystal I noticed that you, Daniel, and Morgan have been acting odd," Tamora said.

"What do you mean?" Crystal asked.

"I mean that Morgan looks like she hardly sleeps, Daniel is quieter than usual and you call me Sarge instead of Mom when we are alone a few times and you are training with the Pla-Ce bugs and hardly talk to me," Tamora said.

"Morgan is just nervous about racing, Daniel has never been a talker, and I am doing my job and showing you respect while we are in the game," Crystal said keeping her mask on.

"Is it because of the baby? That is when you all started acted distant?" Tamora asked her. "You do know that your Father and I love you all and the baby too right?" Tamora asked. She was worried that might be the problem.

Crystal stopped in her tracks and looked at her mom and said, "We know you love us and we are happy that you are having a baby," Tamora looked as hard as she could but Crystal had her walls up and mask face on. She couldn't read Crystal true emotions at all. But decided to drop it for if Crystal said that all three of them were okay, then they were okay. So, they walked on home on silence.

Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.