Funny enough, as I'm proofreading this which is a day or so before publishing, my alma mater is shutting down. We're manifesting the wrong things here /s.

Super-Jacin-t: Part Nine

Andromeda Academy, Luna

Hours after sitting in the gymnasium watching military officers report updates and eating endless dried snacks, the cadets finally got approval to go to their rooms and pack. They only have half an hour to fill a backpack of essentials for an unknown destination and they're not sure how long they'll be, in essence, deployed.

Jacin follows the set path from the gymnasium to the dormitories, already hearing cadets either sign in relief that their rooms are acceptable while others are close to shrieking. Who can pack when there's nothing to salvage?

He pauses before opening his door. He doesn't know what to expect when he walks inside.

He inserts his key and turns the knob to see that his dorm is … relatively fine. A lot of stuff from on top of his dresser and desk is on the floor. Some books from his shelf have fallen onto his bed since the shelf toppled. The drawers are open so some stuff has dropped in there. The floor is full of random belongings and some glass shards.

This exercise may as well be a live exam of trekking a war zone.

He steps over piles of stuff, making his way to his desk. Since the earthquake cleared it, he digs a travel backpack out from under his bed, dumping the contents from his school bag into it. He figures that's all he would need regarding stationary, schoolwork, and chargers. Jacin grabs some toiletries and shoves extra clothes and uniforms from his closet and his dresser.

Jacin bends over to grab some shoes when he sees a broken frame on the floor. He carefully picks up the shattered photo of him and Winter and his heart drops.

He knows how worried she is. He can't bear to imagine her state now since he's unable to get a message out to her. Hopefully, Cinder is by her side and his father could react, at least, Levana.

"Oh, Trouble…" Jacin mutters.

He swipes the glass of the photo with his sleeve and ditches the frame on the floor. He puts the photo in his pocket before grabbing his shoes and shoving those in his backpack.

Before he leaves, he grabs a jacket, shaking off any dust and debris before putting it on. He exits his room and sees Iko and Kinney waiting at the end of the hall with their stuff. Kinney has his jacket thrown over his duffel bag and Iko changed into hiking boots and a puffer coat. They start walking back to the gymnasium where his parents were.

"How were your rooms?" Jacin asks. "Mine looks like a tornado swept through and not an earthquake."

"All my candles broke," Iko says.

"Which is good 'cause we're not even supposed to have them," Kinney jokes while Iko rolls her eyes. He looks at Jacin. "Your father got a hold of my parents. Everyone's good on my end."

"Same on my end," Iko adds. "They're using some ancient military landline that can survive nuclear warfare. I think. He got through to Levana, though."

Jacin perks. "And Winter?"

She nods. "Commander Clay says she was panicking and she and Cinder skipped school the moment Commonwealth got the news."

They return to the gymnasium where other cadets are still filtering in from their rooms. One soldier was working on contacting families while Jacin's father was announcing the plan of relocating them all for now. He announced that some cadets could go home first if it's safe to or they're being "stationed" nearby. Due to Andromeda Academy's current condition and their active military/veteran staff being dispersed around the country for humanitarian efforts, some cadets would tag along with them.

Jacin wasn't sure if his parents would send him far if they're even sending him anywhere. For all he knows, they'll keep him at home since, well, his parents are here.

"How's the house?" Jacin asks his mom.

"Ivy, our new neighbour, messaged me saying her house wasn't hit hard but some items on shelves fell over," Clarissa responds before putting her phone away. "Then I lost service before I could text her back, but I'll check out the house later and let you know."

Jacin nods. He isn't sure he wants to bring up the chance of being deployed somewhere. He's either going a semester abroad for military boot camp or helping clean up after an active volcano eruption.

"Do you have everything?" Clarissa asks them.

Jacin, Iko, and Kinney nod. If it didn't come to mind while scrambling through their dorms, chances are that they won't need it.

"I'm sure you'll pick up supplies you'll need along the way," Garrison reassures.

"Where are we being stationed?" Kinney asks.

"American Republic," Garrison responds. "All three of you. I have an old friend there who will take you under his wing."

They nod, saluting while smiling. Jacin's visited the bases there a few times when he was younger with his father. He doesn't remember much except the extreme patriotism compared to Luna. He left with so much memorabilia they'll inevitably give them while he's there. Stars, everyone's going to tell him that he grew so much since they last saw him. That'll be irritating. It's a good thing they're allies.

"You'll leave in an hour," Garrison continues. "I'll be sending out return dates when I get that information. There are a few more of you going there as well, but you won't be flying with them. Between us, I accidentally booked your flight to have a two-day stopover in Commonwealth. Levana will board all of you despite her tone saying she would rather do anything else."

Jacin scoffs. "Accidentally."

Garrison smiles. "Put Winter's mind at ease. Levana says she didn't take the earthquake news well."

"I will."

"You three take care of yourselves."

"We will, sir. And Dad? Thank you."

Jacin hugs his father again as Iko and Kinney high-five. He didn't think he'd get to see Trouble again, but he's never needed her more than ever.