Chapter 13: Uniform Code of Conduct
As the day went on, Gary could see that Avocato was making every effort to keep his temper and patience in check. This younger version of his friend was . . . younger. More stiff-necked and prickly, a general used to absolute authority, suddenly thrust into a setting and situation that was completely alien. Poise, perfect manners and bearing, and aloofness were his shields, and they were up full force right now. He had yet to acquire that rangy look and simmering anger and battle damage Gary had seen in the bounty hunter. His Avocato had been defensive, tempered by experience and betrayal, salty but willing to open up a little, if only to Gary (not that Gary, in his lonely desperation, had given him much choice in the matter). This one was more closed and had a decade of hell, death, and battle ahead of him before he reached the point where he'd let those feelings come to the surface.
In this case, Avocato's relative youth did not work against the situation, but supported it, at least where Little Cato was concerned. The marked difference in his father – from highly polished manners to perfect uniform to a total lack of weaponry - set Avocato well apart from the intense, embittered older version presently occupied by Invictus. The outer appearance, at least, was enough to reassure Little Cato, and having ten years of knowledge of what the future was going to bring definitely gave the teen a leg up on his dad. Gary was glad to see the ease with which Little Cato made that distinction.
It was just . . . off.
Maybe it was the uniform. There was a lot to be said for it, that was for sure, and Gary tried his best not to stare. He could not, under any circumstances, imagine this Avocato calling anyone 'baby,' though Gary was fairly certain if the feline in the uniform coat called him 'baby' his head might explode.
Mmmm . . . no, make that his head most definitely would explode. But he'd die happy.
Still, Avocato met the rest of the crew with good graces – an officer and a gentleman to the last – and offered his heartfelt thanks for rescuing him and acknowledgement of the risks taken to do so. It was a tense moment. They were far more anxious about Fox's reaction to Avocato than Avocato's reaction to Fox, including Fox. Gary hardly expected the general to have a go at a teenager, even if they were hereditary enemies and Avocato was almost single-handedly responsible for handing the Tryvuulians their collective asses on a plate. Sure enough, upon introduction, Avocato simply gave Fox the same respectful nod he'd given to everyone else, keeping his hands clasped at the small of his back to discourage any need to touch or be touched. Conversation came far more easily to Avocato, and he clearly put himself out to be as inoffensive as possible, given the situation. Fox had bolted out of the room soon after introductions, followed quickly by Ash. Little Cato would have given chase, but Nightfall interceded.
"Maybe it's the uniform. Give him a chance to cool down."
"But-"
"I can't fault him for hating me," Avocato said softly, neatly summing up what they were all thinking. He looked wryly at his uniform, which, despite his rank and status, was surprisingly plain and utilitarian. Or not surprising – Avocato wasn't one for bragging or adornment, and he was completely unarmed by choice, having refused the offer to return his guns and asking Gary to lock them up instead. That was such a far cry from the walking arsenal that was his Avocato that the only response Gary managed was a full minute of staring in shock.
So maybe that was the difference between this Avocato and the older version. The uniform demanded a very specific code and carried its own set of rules. Maybe that was why his Avocato was looser and more inclined to joke around - as a bounty hunter, he was let off the leash and allowed to simply be himself. Their meal of street meat had been proof enough, really. Avocato managed to down a kebab of hot, greasy, sticky-sauce-coated meat without a trace of food on face, hands, or clothes. By comparison, Gary and Little Cato looked as if they'd been in a food fight by the time they were done.
"Fox doesn't hate you," Little Cato insisted, anxious to be believed. "I don't think he knows what to do or how to act."
Avocato nodded and spoke for them all when he said, "I can appreciate that."
HUE tilted his chunky body to look up at Avocato. "It's quite fascinating to consider that when Gary and I meet you for the first time on the Galaxy 1, you'll already know us."
"I'll pretend like I don't," promised Avocato. "That way you can avoid the confusion I'm enjoying."
"And me!" KVN insisted. "Don't forget to pretend you don't know me!"
Avocato's perfectly bland expression was priceless as he glared at the robot hovering before him. "I'm going to do everything in my power to forget you exist."
"Bet you won't manage it!" KVN spun and whipped his arms about, forcing Avocato to step back. "Hooray! KVN is unforgettable!"
"That's what I'm afraid of," muttered the general.
Gary placed himself between Avocato and KVN, shoving the robot well away. "Don't touch my friend, KVN. Or my friend's stuff. That includes his kid."
Little Cato snickered. "So, Dad, when you get back, you gotta start teaching me to play thimbles."
"You any good?" Avocato asked with the start of a smile.
"You're just talking to the Ventrexian junior champion!"
"Oh, really? What's your best scoring technique?"
Leaving father and son to nerd out over weird sports, Nightfall drew Gary aside. "You're going to have to explain what's happened. That man is about a minute away from imploding."
"I know. I know," Gary replied. "But how much do I tell him? I mean, what if I change . . . stuff?"
"Stop right there." Understanding his meaning, Nightfall put her hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "You know, I've traveled back and forth through time more times than I can count. It took a while, but I finally figured out the big events find a way to happen no matter what you do. It's the little things we can change, and in some cases, should change, even if the only life we make a difference in is our own."
He considered these words with care, glancing over at the Catos. Little Cato was going on dramatically about the full-out thimbles games they'd held on a regular basis (minus the limb-lopping rules). Avocato caught his eye and gave him an expectant look as if to say the vacation was over and he wanted answers. Bolstered by Nightfall's reassurance, Gary nodded in promise to his friend, signaling his understanding and willingness to explain.
"I'll get with him later and tell him. Everything," he added softly, as much to himself as to his friend.
Nightfall nodded, then said, "You provide the answers, I'll provide the alcohol."
"Thanks." He cast her a little smile. "Something tells me we'll need it."