Summary: Carl takes a major step up

Stories That Must Be Read Before Reading This One-Shot: chapter 18 of Hermes's Struggle

preferrably but can be read as standalone

...

Carl's POV

I've never been more nervous in my life.

Standing by the side of the stage, hidden by a curtain, while Major Monogram talks in front of the whole of OWCA, I take deep breaths in and out to calm myself down.

I've been waiting for this moment to come for so many years but now that it's here, I wish it wasn't. I'm not ready to take over from Major Monogram. He's the leader, not me.

"Hey Carl," says a familiar voice behind me.

I turn and see my two closest friends standing by the hall door. "Guys, I can't do this."

Artemis comes forward and hugs me. Apollo puts his hand on my shoulder and massages it gently. Their combined efforts make me feel more relaxed.

"It's okay to feel nervous," says Artemis. "This is a big step up for you."

"I know. Maybe it's too big." I'm speaking my biggest fear aloud for the first time. "I mean, fifteen years ago, I was an unpaid intern, and now I'm taking the highest job in this division, both in pay and in status. What if it's too big a step?"

"It's not," Apollo reassures me. "Honestly, I know you can do this. You've been handling practically all the day-to-day running of OWCA for the last ten years. We're just making it official."

"But now I won't have a senior officer to report to and ask for help from when things go wrong," I say worriedly. "I'll have to be strong all the time and I can't do that. Have you seen how many stress breakdowns I've had in the last two years alone?"

"Everyone has, thanks to that You've Been Framed spoof we did last year."

Apollo's comment makes the three of us laugh quietly.

"Nobody expects you to be strong all the time," Artemis assures me. "Honestly, do you know how many times Major Monogram has come to me in counselling and just let off a torrent of steam about his problems and fears?"

"Or how many times I've found him in his office having an anxiety attack?" Apollo adds. "Or how many prescriptions for stress pills I've written him?"

"Is that healthy?" I ask.

"Don't worry, it was only twice." Apollo pauses. "A month. For ten years."

That makes me laugh again.

"No matter how hard the job is, you'll always have me and Apollo," Artemis says, putting her arm around me. Apollo does the same on my other side. "The counsellor and the doctor are always on your side."

Just then, Major Monogram calls my name. I give my best friends a weak smile and head out onto the stage. I see pretty much every agent of OWCA out there. In the front row, I see Agent P and his mate. Perry gives me an encouraging thumbs-up. I take a deep breath and stop in front of Major Monogram.

"Carl, you have been committed and dedicated to this organisation for three-quarters of your life. That is why I am proud to hand down the title of leader of this division to you. Do you accept the responsibilities that being the new leader will bring you?"

I swallow and, praying my voice won't give out, say, "I do."

Major Monogram gives me a smile. He takes off the OWCA logo badge off his uniform and pins it to my lapel. "Then I make you Commander Carl. I hope you will serve this organisation well for many years to come, Commander."

He salutes, and I copy him. The OWCA agents all burst into applause.

Tears of joy threatening to come into my eyes, I gently touch the badge on my shirt. It may seem like too big a step for me at first, but I'm sure with Apollo, Artemis, and the support of the agents of OWCA on my side, I will succeed.

I can do this.

I am Commander Carl, leader of OWCA.