16. What's it Like Being Cub's Son

'Hey,' I said nervously.

'Where have you been?' growled Polar Bear.

'Nice to see you too,' I muttered. 'I was talking to Dad.'

'He does care for you,' Bat said.

'I know,' I sighed. 'He was only trying to protect me.'

'What's it like being Cub's son?' asked Bat.

'Dunno,' I admitted. 'I can't believe he never told me.'

'Fathers,' snorted Bat.

'Tell me about it,' I agreed.

'What about your mother?' asked Bat.

I flinched at this, 'to get at Dad. He still blames himself.'

'He would,' Dog agreed with a sigh.

'Cub's lesson is cancelled,' growled Polar Bear.

'We're getting it after dinner,' I said. 'Dad told me after I've stopped shouting.'

'Binned?' asked Polar Bear.

I shook my head, 'Dad said that I shouldn't be binned for this.'

'I hope he doesn't employ favouritism,' growled Polar Bear.

'You obviously don't know my father,' I laughed. 'He certainly doesn't think I'm spy material apparently I'm too emotional.'

Polar Bear snorted at this, 'really?'

'And here I was thinking someone else screamed abuse at their father,' laughed Dog.

'What was it again?' asked Bat with a grin. 'Oh yeah "Calm down? Calm down? You want me to calm down? I've been lied to all my life!"' laughed Bat.

'It sounds worse when you say it like that,' I muttered.

'I don't think there was a good way to make your rant sound good,' Dog told him.

'You're so kind,' I scowled.

'And your emotional,' retorted Dog.

'How would you feel if your whole life turned out to be a lie?' I demanded.

'Stop being so melodramatic,' growled Polar Bear.

'Where did you run off to?' asked Bat.

'The shooting zone,' I replied. 'I wonder how Dad knew to find me there,' I murmured.

'Well he is Cub,' Polar Bear said.

'I wish you lot would stop looking up to my Dad like he's some sort of God,' I said. 'You have no idea how strange that feels.'

'You're as good as him,' Dog said kindly.

'I'm really not,' I shook my head. 'I'm the best fighter in my family but its Ian and Nelly who are the secret keepers. Dad says his bosses are rather keen to get their hands on Ian for his hacking skills.'

'Your brothers a hacker?' asked Bat interested.

'I know how to hack,' I said. 'I'm just not as good as Ian is. Nelly's just manipulative,' I laughed. 'She can make you believe butter wouldn't melt in her mouth whilst beating on you. She never leaves any evidence that she's been up to good. She's the best one to have if you want to get away with stuff. Well it doesn't work on Dad but she's such a Daddy's girl he doesn't care much anyway.'

'I still can't believe that Cub can be both the heartless spy and devoted father,' Polar Bear said.

'I can't believe he's a spy,' I shook my head. 'I thought that he was an assassin before.'

Dog laughed here, 'a bit wrong there.'

'Just a little yeah,' I smiled.

'Let's go to lunch,' Dog said.

I groaned, 'what's everyone going to say.'

'I'm sure they'll be fine,' smiled Dog.

'Probably ask you lot's of questions,' warned Bat.

'That's what worries me,' I muttered.

We arrived at the Mess Hall at the last possible minute that could still be said we were on time. I took a breath and walked in. Wolf, Dad and Eagle saw us in and headed back to the sergeant's cabin. We were being trusted to eat without causing any trouble. There was a silence amongst our comrades as the four us entered. All the soldiers were looking at me obviously bursting to ask me questions about Dad. I got my food and sat down at our usual table and busied myself with food hoping that people would ignore me but to no avail.

'Is he going to treat you specially?' asked Lion. 'I heard he's a right bastard of a teacher.'

'But he was nice to you,' added one of M Unit obviously jealous.

'He had a lot of explaining to do,' I retorted.

'I'll bet,' muttered Stag darkly.

'Don't think we're going to get down on bended knee because of who your father is,' frowned Adder.

'Good,' I retorted. 'I don't want any favouritism for my family.'

'You won't be,' Swan said. 'My Uncle would never allow it.'

'Your Uncle?' asked Bat.

'The sergeant,' replied Swan.

'Good,' growled Polar Bear.

'I think you'll do fine without your father,' added Spider.

'Well Dad did teach me,' I said.

'That explains a lot,' muttered the blonde from R Unit.

'Who cares if his father's Cub,' said one of A Unit. 'He's here for himself. The sergeant didn't even know he was Cub's son.'

'Thank you,' I said.

'He's good,' added one of F Unit.

'That he is,' agreed Lynx.

'Don't we need to be getting to field,' added Lizard.

'I hate the 5 K run,' groaned Bear.

'Doesn't everyone?' asked Rat.

'Too true,' agreed one of M Unit.

'Its stamina building,' growled Polar Bear.

'That's what you say about everything,' muttered Bat.

Then Polar Bear fixed Bat with his infamous glare. Bat, naturally, shut up. I rolled my eyes and decided that with my team mates arguing I'd get up and head off to field. Polar Bear followed me obviously wanting to leave behind Bat. I personally thought that they were both as bad as each other. Not that I'd tell either of them that; Polar Bear would never talk to me again and Bat would tell Polar Bear resulting in Polar Bear never talking to me again. I wondered if they both got through selection would they survive being on the same team?

'Idiot,' growled Polar Bear.

'Mm,' I said.

'Will Cub be there?' growled Polar Bear.

'Dunno,' I shrugged. 'He never said.'

Okay I'm not sure whether I should do some more training until Alex leaves, bring Ben and Tamara in or just go straight to the epilogue.