Earth United

Jake quickly raised his sepder for a block. It was a weak blow, and he stopped it easily. The next swing would probably be low, and then one more high swing. His opponent was so predictable. Holding his sepder with only one hand, Jake dropped it low. Another block. Jake ducked, and as anticipated, his opponent’s next swing went over his head. Jake lowered his sepder to his side. He wasn’t a bit fatigued. He could do this all day. He needed a better challenge. Sure, his opponent was an officer with much more battle experience than him, but he could take the guy anytime he wanted. His opponent came up unexpectedly with a backhanded swing, and Jake instinctively jumped backwards. That was close. Time to go on the offensive. Jake countered with four swings: right, left, high, low, moving the officer backwards.

“Pretty good, Private,” the officer said. “You know what you’re doing. The Commander warned me about getting into the ring with you. But now let’s see what you really have.”

The officer came at Jake with his sepder high, striking at Jake’s head. Clang, clang, clang, clang. Jake blocked each blow but was driven backwards on his heels. The officer then did a complicated down-and-up move with his sepder. It was difficult to block, but Jake did so. He wasn’t happy about it, though. He was completely on the defensive.

“That’s what I thought,” the officer said. “You can handle the standard stuff, but get a little tricky with you, and you’re all mine.”

Jake could feel his heart race faster. I’m taking this guy out, he thought. Jake faked a low swing, then turned a one-eighty to block the officer’s counter. A tricky move, but the officer didn’t counter as Jake anticipated. Instead, he kicked Jake in the chest. Jake didn’t see it coming. The blow knocked him backwards into a roll. He’d been outmaneuvered.

Jake hopped up. “That’s it!” He’d had enough of the officer’s tricks and arrogance. He would show the guy what he could really do.

“What’s the matter?” the officer said with a grin. “Can’t handle an old man?”

Jake saw Romalor’s grin in the officer’s face. He could feel the muscles in his face tighten instinctively as his eyes focused on the man’s midsection. That was the kill zone. He really wanted to kill this guy. No, he couldn’t kill him, but he also couldn’t lose to him, not the way the guy was grinning and taunting him. He was going to finish this once and for all. Jake raised his sepder high, holding it in both hands, and began swinging as he moved forward into the officer. First to the left, then to the right. Swing left, swing right, faster, faster, swing harder, harder. The officer blocked each blow while continuing to back up, just as Jake planned. That was more like it. Jake quickly pulled his sepder above his head and put all his strength into a blow coming in high on his opponent. The officer blocked, but was knocked backwards by the force of the blow. With a roll-over move that Jake had never seen before, the officer came up under Jake and, with a backwards thrust of his sepder, knocked Jake’s sepder out of his hands. He stepped into Jake with his sepder pointed at Jake’s chest. Jake stood frozen. He felt his chest heaving as he gasped for air. How did the officer do that move? How could I have lost to him? He’s twice my age.

“Never come high and hard, Private,” the officer said. “Anyone who knows what he’s doing will turn it around on you.” He lowered his sepder and held out his hand.

Jake shook it. “Thank you, sir.”

“Nice fight, Private,” said a deep voice from behind Jake. “Until the end.”

Jake turned around. Captain Alfons Gorski approached them. He was a very large, heavy-set man in his mid-fifties. Jake always thought that Gorski had clearly eaten his share of kielbasa and kishka, two of Gorski’s favorite foods from his native region, formerly Poland.

“Sir.” Jake saluted as Gorski approached them.

“I’m going to hit the showers,” the officer said. Jake and Gorski stood alone at the side of the ring.

The familiar smell of sweat permeated the room. Jake liked it. He liked training. And with sepder training, physical fitness, and one-on-one hand to hand and sepder fights in the ring, the training room was a sweaty place.

“Jake, I’ve been around this gym for longer than I care to remember,” Gorski said. “And I’ve watched and trained more cadets, privates, and even officers than you can count. You’re one of the best I’ve ever seen. That is, when you can control yourself. You would have won that fight if you hadn’t let him get to you. You let the taunting get to you, and then you fight with anger, not with intelligence. At that point, you’ve already lost. Jake, in real battles, if you keep letting your enemies get to you, you’re going to get yourself killed one day.”

“Sir,” Jake replied, “I just do what I need to do to win.” He knew Gorski was probably right, but what else could he do? That’s who he was. The anger gave him strength, and motivation. But for what? For Romalor. That’s what.

“No, Jake,” Gorski said. “You do what your opponents want you to do. They want you to get angry. They use that against you. Think about it.”

Jake nodded, trying to look appreciative and respectful. Part of him knew that Gorski was right, but he wanted the anger. He needed the anger. “Thank you, sir.”

* * * *

Jake sat alone in the front row of the Legion Headquarters meeting room. After a tough day, this was where he liked to go to think, and remember. The hole in the wall was repaired, new doors had been installed, and the other damage cleaned up. The room now looked exactly as it had from the air duct vent that night eight years ago. No memorial. Nothing. They even still used the room for an occasional meeting. Jake felt his pulse quicken and his fists clench. The government wanted to act like nothing had ever happened. They didn’t want people to think about it. They didn’t want people to remember. But he would remember. His Uncle Ben fighting to his last breath. All those Legion soldiers so outnumbered, taken by surprise, massacred. And Romalor’s face as he killed Ben. Yes, he wanted to remember. He would always remember. Why else was he in the Legion? To protect the very government that covered up the events of that night? To protect the government that covered up his uncle’s death? No, he was here to find the truth and make things right. He’d promised Aunt Jane. But did Aunt Jane really want that, or was it Jake that needed it? After all, Aunt Jane always said that all she wanted was to see him happy. He needed to visit Aunt Jane. She was all alone, living out in the country. He didn’t make it out there nearly enough. But the country was a great place to grow up, after what he’d seen. That was Frank’s idea. Frank had taken care of him and Aunt Jane ever since that awful night. His happiest times, after Uncle Ben died, had been the time he spent at Frank’s house.

Cal’s voice broke the silence. “I thought I would find you here. You know, you need to get out more. You spend too much time in this room.”

“It’s good to see you too, Cal,” Jake said with a slight grin.

“Frank wants to see us in his office in fifteen minutes. Until then, I guess I’ll take a load off my feet,” Cal said as he plopped down in the chair beside Jake. “I’m serious. You eat, sleep and live the Legion. You need to get out and have more fun. Why don’t you go to dinner with me tonight? I was going to check out that new restaurant on the top floor of the Awori Tower in Lagos. Their motto is ‘you can’t dine higher anyplace on Earth.’ You probably pay higher than anyplace on Earth too. But hey, I’m buying. What do you say?”

“I don’t know, Cal,” Jake replied. He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees, and clutched his head in his hands. “I just lost in the ring to an officer twice my age. What’s my problem? I know I’m better than he is. Gorski says I have anger management issues.”

“Well,” Cal said, “it’s nothing that a nice juicy steak in the sky can’t fix.” Cal grinned.

Jake knew that Cal was just trying to cheer him up. Cal was good at that. What would he do without Cal? He knew he wasn’t an easy person to be friends with, but that didn’t stop Cal. He was a real trooper. “Cal, it just doesn’t make sense. That night. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Okay, buddy,” Cal said with a sigh. “I see I’m not going to change your mind. You’re in one of those remembering moods. Let’s go through it again.”

Jake leaned back. “How did Romalor penetrate our defense shield and attack a Legion headquarters? And the government inquiry, what about that? An attack on a Legion headquarters, and they investigate for only a week. Nothing was found and nobody was apprehended, and the investigation was signed and sealed by the chief legion advisor, the president’s chief of staff, and by the president himself. For their eyes only. I was the only survivor that saw anything, but they didn’t believe a word I said, or they said they didn’t believe it. They said there was no evidence connecting Romalor or Craton to any of it and I was too young and too scared. That I probably just thought they were Cratonites from all the video games I played.”

“I know, buddy,” Cal said. He put his hand on Jake’s shoulder. “You know that Frank, Diane, dad, and I believe every word you said, but what can we do about it? We’ve been through this over and over.”

Jake stood up and walked to the spot where his Uncle Ben had died. “The government was covering up its own blunders. They were in possession of a hilaetite crystal, and by all accounts, the largest one ever found, and they weren’t supposed to be. If the government found out who stole the crystal, then they would have to explain to the Council why they had the crystal in the first place. Why it wasn’t immediately sent to Pergan. And putting the cover-up aside, where’s the crystal now? Isn’t anybody worried about that? And what about the Legion officers who were used as scapegoats? Captain Williams was dishonorably discharged from the Legion for his failure at the defense station. Where’s he? I tried to find him once. He’s off the grid. The government has him tucked away somewhere, if they haven’t disposed of him. And Commander O’Reilly. The poor guy died trying to defend the headquarters and a crystal that shouldn’t have been there. I saw him die. And it wasn’t a pretty death. And the government runs his name through the mud. Putting the blame on him. What about his wife and kids?”

“Jake,” Cal said, “you know I would do anything to help you, to help lift this burden from you, but we’ve been down every road, and each one leads to a dead end.”

Jake turned toward Cal with a finger on his chin. “Maybe we haven’t gone high enough. I know Aretha Brown fought long and hard in the Senate to try to keep the investigation open. She believed there was more to it than a simple robbery. She pushed for an investigation, independent of the Legion.”

Cal stood up. “Jake, she’s the Senate leader and she still couldn’t make that happen. What can we do?”

Jake shook his head slowly. “I don’t know.”

“Come on, we better get to Frank’s office.” Cal put his hand on Jake’s back. “And did I mention that Diane will be at dinner tonight?”

Jake’s head popped up and he turned to Cal quickly. “She will?” Everything seemed to change inside him when he thought about Diane. He couldn’t let anyone know, though, especially her. His focus was on Romalor, his uncle’s death, and those who had covered it up.

“I thought that would get your attention,” Cal said with a smile. “I’ll take that look as a yes, you’ll be there. Eighteen hundred hours.”

Jake half frowned, half grinned. “What look?”

* * * *

Jake and Cal made their way across and down the street to the new Sector Four command center, construction on which had begun shortly after that night eight years ago. Jake looked down the street. It had changed so much in the past eight years. The buildings were still designed in the traditional style, white dome-shaped structures. However, there were so many new buildings, and the streets were bustling. People and hover cars were everywhere. Sector Four headquarters had truly become a city in and of itself. Jake instinctively ducked his head and winced from the roar as a spacecraft took off over their heads. He could tell a spacecraft from an aircraft just from the sound. He had learned that from his Uncle Ben. A spacecraft made more of a deep roar, as it was heavier and more powerful. The weight and power was needed to enter and leave the atmosphere of planets. Aircraft didn’t need that ability just to travel around Earth.

They entered the building, went through the now standard security clearance checks, and made their way directly to Commander Frank Cantor’s office. Cal knocked on the closed door.

“It’s open,” came a rough voice from inside.

Jake and Cal walked in. No surprise, Frank was seated behind his desk with an unlit cigar in his mouth, chewing on it as he always did. And the picture wouldn’t be complete without Frank’s trademark cowboy hat hanging on top of the coat rack in the corner. How many of those hats did he have, and where did they all come from? Who still made such things? They looked like the military-style hats worn by the cavalry in the old United States western movies of the twentieth century that he and Frank used to watch all the time.

“You wanted to see us, Commander?” Jake asked.

“Yes, yes, have a seat,” Frank said, gesturing toward the chairs without looking up from the work on his desk. “And close the door.”

Jake glanced at the chairs, and was surprised to see Diane sitting there. “Diane, hi. I didn’t know that you were going to be here.” Oh, that was real smooth, he thought as he shut the door. Couldn’t he come up with something a little nicer? But then, did it really matter? After all, they were there on business. But of course it mattered. It mattered to him. He had that warm, somewhat nervous feeling again, like he always did around Diane, like a silly schoolboy.

Jake and Cal sat on either side of Diane.

“Do you two know who the Imperial Majesty is?” Frank asked.

Cal replied, “Yes, that’s the new title that Vernius gave to its leader. They just started using it.”

Jake jumped in. “They didn’t think the title of Vernetion Queen or King was politically correct anymore.”

“Correct on both counts,” Frank said. “And I suppose you know that they recently elected the new Imperial Majesty. She took office a couple of months ago.”

“Yes, sir,” Cal said. Jake and Cal both nodded.

Frank continued, “And I suppose you know that when they elect a new Queen or King, or now a new Imperial Majesty, he or she picks a new ambassador from Earth, from our selected prospects.”

“Yes, sir,” Jake said, “but may I ask, what’s all this have to do with us?”

“I have a new assignment for you two cowboys,” Frank said. “You are to escort Earth’s new Vernetion Ambassador to Vernius. What’s more, you hit the trail at daybreak, so you’ll need to pack up your saddlebags tonight. I don’t have to tell you how important Earth’s relationship with Vernius is. They’re our closest ally. You’ll take a small Legion transport. It’ll have a couple of guns just in case, but it should be a smooth ride, seeing that everyone is at peace in that region. If I give you any more firepower, you could alarm the settlers in the area.”

Jake didn’t necessarily like the idea of going that far from Earth with nothing more than a transport, but he trusted Frank’s judgment one hundred percent. After all, as Commander, Frank was the number one ranking Legion soldier in Sector Four. Some people thought Frank inherited the position as one of the last officers standing after the attack, but Jake knew better. He hated it when he heard someone say that. Jake remembered Frank as a captain in Sector Four prior to the attack. He remembered how much Uncle Ben liked Frank and how hard Frank seemed to work. After the attack, with most of the Sector Four officers killed, Frank was promoted to the new Sector Four Commander, and given the unenviable task of trying to put Sector Four headquarters back together. He was the youngest Legion soldier ever to achieve the rank of Commander. Jake laughed to himself. At almost fifty, Frank hadn’t slowed down a bit, and could probably whip about any soldier in the sector in a fist fight. “Sounds good, Commander.” Jake looked at Diane. “But why is Diane here?”

“You’re looking at the new Vernetion Ambassador,” Frank replied. “On her last visit, the Imperial Majesty interviewed everyone we put in front of her until she met Diane. She stopped right then. Diane was the one.”

It took a minute for it to register with Jake. Then it hit him. Vernetion Ambassador. That’s generally a long-term assignment. Very long term. He looked at Frank. “But is it safe, sir? Are you sure she should go?” As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized that wasn’t a smart comment.

Diane looked at Jake with a raised eyebrow. “Really, Jake?”

“You’re right,” Jake replied. “That was out of line.”

“Jake, this is what I’ve been working for,” Diane said. “I want this. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Frank interjected before she could go on, “And I just said how important an ally Vernius is. If they want Diane and Diane wants to go, then we’ll give them Diane.”

Jake’s day had just gone from bad to worse. He had to find some hope in this. He looked at Diane. “How long is the assignment?” He already knew the answer.

Diane started to answer, but Frank interrupted her. “Indefinitely. You know that the Vernetion Queen, I mean Imperial Majesty, is elected for life, unless she decides to retire. As long as she wants Diane and Diane wants to serve, then the position is Diane’s.”

Jake was speechless. He didn’t know what to say. There would be little chance for him to see Diane. He would likely never have an assignment on Vernius. There was little need for Legion soldiers on such a peaceful planet. And an ambassador had little, if any, leeway or time to return home. Maybe Cal was right. He needed to have more fun. Cal used to always prod him to ask Diane out. Cal was always trying to set them up. Cal would say how he noticed how Jake looked and acted around Diane. Cal told him that Diane did the same thing around Jake. That they were a perfect match. But it always seemed that he, and probably Diane too, never had the time. Lately, Cal had pretty much given up trying, except for an occasional comment here and there. Jake stood up, extended his hand to Diane, and forced a smile. “Congratulations, Ambassador.”

Diane rose, took his hand, and smiled back. “Thank you, Jake.”

Jake stood there for a moment holding her hand. Her touch was soft, and her dark brown eyes always penetrated right through to his heart.

Cal hopped up, put an arm around each of them and smiled. “My big sister. An ambassador!”

“And,” Frank said, also standing, “as an ambassador, she is officially part of the Legion. And ambassador outranks private. So you two better do what she says.” He changed the subject. “Oh, yeah, Jake. Believe it or not, I found a John Wayne movie that we’ve never seen. The Cowboys. I never knew it existed. I’ve been saving it to watch with you. Want to come over and watch it when you guys get back?”

Jake knew how much Frank loved twentieth and twenty-first century western movies. Jake liked them too, but Frank actually walked the walk and talked the talk. Jake often thought back on how watching those movies for hours with Frank had helped him through his teenage years after the attack. Of course, most people didn’t know who Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, or Clay Masterson were. Jake tried to crack a smile. “Sure, sir. Sounds good.”

“Now I’m sure The Cowboys won’t top his role of Marshall Rooster Cogburn, but we can give it a look see,” Frank said.

That was Jake’s favorite of all the John Wayne movies, especially when Marshall Cogburn would call on the services of his sidekick canine, that he appropriately called ‘Dog.’ “Yeah, sounds great.” Jake knew that came out half-heartedly, but he really wasn’t in the mood.

Jake noticed the puzzled look on Frank’s face as Frank spoke. “All right, now you three mosey on out of here. I have work to do.”

“The three of us are still on for tonight, right?” Cal said, looking at Jake and Diane.

Jake and Diane both nodded.

* * * *

Jake sipped his soda. He never drank alcohol. It dulled the senses. The senses needed for combat. He looked at his timepiece. Wow, he had gotten there fast. He would have to wait on Cal and Diane. The host had asked him if he wanted a table by the edge. He agreed, but after being seated, he wasn’t so sure if it was a good idea. Sure, he had been in skyscrapers before, but he had never really just sat near an open edge and looked out. But he knew the technology was safe—and what amazing technology it was. An open-air design two hundred stories above the ground. Gravity beams to keep things—and people—in, and an invisible weather force field to keep inclement weather out. He was on the top floor of the largest building in the largest city in Sector Four, the capital. Jake stared out over the city. Wow, how Lagos had grown just since he was a kid. The lights from the smaller skyscrapers bounced off the white domed buildings nearer the ground, painting an eerie, yet beautiful picture below. If it wasn’t for the movement of the hover cars near the ground, he would have trouble judging just how high up he was. And what a magnificent view. The city lights stretched almost as far as he could see in every direction.

Jake fiddled with the candle in the center of the table. He liked how it flickered softly in the dim light of the restaurant. Diane would be there any minute. He turned slightly and glanced around the restaurant, looking for her. The way the large room was sectioned off made it feel comfortable and private. He liked that as well.

What was he going to say to Diane? Should he try to talk her out of leaving? No, she really wanted this. He couldn’t put that kind of pressure on her. And besides, maybe she didn’t feel the same way about him. Maybe he should just come right out and tell her how he felt about her. How he’d always felt about her. Cal used to tease him about having a crush on her when he was twelve. And Cal was right. So what did he have to lose? She was leaving anyway. No, he couldn’t just come out and dump all that on her the night before she was leaving. That wouldn’t be fair to her. What should he say, then? Anything? If only Uncle Ben were around. He would know what to say. He always had. Never knowing his mom, too young to remember his dad, Uncle Ben had meant the world to Jake. Sure, Aunt Jane was wonderful, and he wouldn’t have made it this far without Frank, but nobody was like Uncle Ben.

“Hey there, want some company?” came a soft voice from behind him. Jake could recognize Diane’s voice anywhere.

“Sure thing,” Jake said, standing up and turning around. His eyes caught hers immediately. Her eyes were always the first thing he noticed. They drew him right in. He pulled out a chair for her. “Where’s Cal?”

“He left me a message that he would be running a little late,” Diane replied, sitting down.

As she brushed by him, he caught the familiar smell of her perfume. He loved how it lingered in the air just long enough for him to recognize it and know that Diane was there. He didn’t know if it was the particular brand of perfume that he liked, or if it was the fact that it came from her. But he loved the smell. “That’s okay. We can wait, since he’s buying,” Jake said with a grin.

A waiter, dressed very neatly in a white suit, came to the table. “Are we still waiting for one more to join your party?”

“Yes,” Jake said.

The waiter looked at Diane. “Madam, can I get you something to drink?”

“I’ll have a frisco,” Diane said.

Jake could have guessed that. Ever since she discovered that drink on Andromeda, she ordered it any chance she got.

“Yes, madam.” The waiter left.

Jake looked across the table at Diane. The glow of the light on her face made her look even more beautiful, if that was possible.

Jake still could not muster up the nerve to say anything more than small talk. “How’s your dad enjoying retirement?”

“Oh, you know how that goes,” Diane replied. “You never really retire from the Legion, especially him. He’s living in the country in Sector Four, but he’s always doing some consulting gig or teaching or one thing or another at the headquarters, mostly with new cadets.”

He decided to say something. He had to. He placed his hands on the table, then on his lap, then back on the table as he tried to think how to start. “Diane, you and I have known each other practically our whole lives. I mean, we grew up together.”

“Yes, I know,” Diane said. “I used to babysit you.”

“Okay, you didn’t need to remind me of that,” Jake replied. “I’m trying to be serious and say something here.”

“I’m sorry,” Diane said with a grin. “Please continue.” She rested her forearms against the table and leaned forward.

Jake adjusted his position in his chair, put both hands on the table, then started fiddling around with his fork, looking at Diane all the while. “Well, what I mean is that we know each other pretty well. Right?”

Diane nodded and Jake continued, “There’s been something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”

“Here is your drink, madam,” came the waiter’s voice from behind Jake, interrupting him. “Would you two care to start looking at a menu?”

“Uh, uh, no, thanks,” Jake answered. He wasn’t the least bit interested in eating at the moment. He wanted to stay focused on what he was trying to say.

“Okay, Jake, you were saying?” Diane asked as the waiter left the table. Her gaze was intently fixed on him.

“Yes, where was I?” Jake put his fork aside and started messing with his spoon. “I was saying that there’s something that I’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time, but I’ve never been able to get up the nerve. And well, today when Frank said that you are going to Vernius, well I felt, well, you know. I didn’t want to see you go.” He knew those weren’t the right words. The right words were that his heart was crushed when he heard she was going. He leaned forward and continued, “Well, I just wanted to say that I…”

Before Jake could say another word, Cal’s voice interrupted him from behind.

“Sorry I’m late. I hope you two haven’t been too bored without me.” Cal quickly pulled out a chair and sat down.

Jake and Diane were silent, staring at each other. Cal looked at Jake, then at Diane, then back at Jake. “Oh,” Cal said. “You two were discussing something. I’m sorry. I think I need to use the restroom anyway.”

“No,” Jake said, slowly pulling his eyes from Diane and looking down at his spoon, now firmly gripped in his hand. “It’s okay. Let’s go ahead and order.” What nerve he had gotten up was gone now. It was probably for the best anyway. He would have to chalk it up to another opportunity lost. Or a final opportunity wasted.