Dayton Scott sat in front of the big picture window that looked out from his study across the sea of lights from the city below. He had sat in this same chair many times over his seventy-two years. He could still remember sitting on his father’s lap, looking out this same window as his father read to him. He remembered how much smaller Vancouver had been back then. It had just started to bloom, like a rose that had opened up just enough to show its true colors. Nothing more than a distant clump of lights in the night back then, but still a beacon of hope for a world just starting to be reborn. Now the lights filled the entire valley below. Now it was a blazing symbol of prosperity, of accomplishment, and of anticipation of things yet to come. He could still hear his father’s voice telling him, “Things are already changing, Dayton. By the time you’re my age, everything will be completely different. It’s a great time to be alive, my boy!”
His father had been right, everything had changed. Things he couldn’t have imagined in his wildest dreams had not only come to be, but were no longer considered wondrous. When he was born, they had just started flying around in propeller-driven aircraft. Now they were building faster-than-light space ships that could take them away from Sol and out to the long lost colonies of Earth. But that sudden, meteoric rise in technology had come at a price. And it was a price he was desperately trying to prevent his world from having to pay.
“Dayton,” his wife beckoned as she entered the room. “We have a house full of guests and you’re hiding in here?” When he failed to offer a response, she became concerned and moved across the study to stand at his side. “What are you doing?”
“Just looking out the window, my dear.”
“Dayton,” she teased, “are you nervous?”
“Maybe just a tad,” he admitted.
“Whatever for? You’ve given a million speeches in your lifetime.”
“But none as important as this one,” he sighed.
She could see the worry on his face. “You’ll do fine, I’m sure,” she promised, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
The senator smiled at her, placing his hand on hers, about to say something when a knock came at the door. “Yes?”
The door opened to reveal a nondescript man in his mid thirties. He was dressed in a plain dark suit and wore a small transceiver in his left ear.
“Senator?” he asked before spotting him in the chair. “It’s almost time, sir.”
“I’ll be there momentarily.” The senator rose from his seat and put on his dress jacket.
Mrs. Scott straightened her husband’s jacket and adjusted his tie. “As handsome as the day I married you,” she attested before giving him a kiss.
“Did he show up?” the senator asked.
“Oh you know Nathan, I’m sure he’s lurking around here somewhere. Hiding in the shadows, checking out all the pretty young girls in their fancy dresses.”
He knew she was lying. She hadn’t seen him, and she was just trying to keep his mind off of the painful subject. He had hoped that the academy would’ve changed his son for the better. But he was beginning to think that his youngest had already become the man he was going to be.
“Come on, honey. Time to dazzle them with your charm,” she teased as she walked him to the door.
It was a beautiful summer night, with clear skies that revealed an ocean of stars overhead. The south lawn of the Senator’s palatial estate was packed full of guests, all dressed in their most fashionable evening attire. Some were still finishing their dinners. But most were milling about, talking in little groups as they tried to see, or be seen. In the background, an orchestra was playing selections from the senator’s youth, inspiring some to ignore the evening’s agenda and start dancing, despite disapproving looks from the older, more conservative guests.
The orchestra suddenly stopped in mid chorus, breaking into the upbeat theme song used in the senator’s last campaign. The attention of the crowd suddenly turned toward the top of the stairs that lead from the south entrance of the main house down into the courtyard. When as if by magic, and in perfect timing with the music, two pale-blue spotlights snapped open at the top of the stairs, revealing the senator and his wife. Again, in time with the music, the senator thrust his right hand up into the air in triumph, a gesture made popular at his last victory party. The crowd broke into cheers and thunderous applause, while the senator took his wife’s hand and began their journey down the staircase. The spotlights captured every step as they descended, waving to the crowd, occasionally making special effort to point at those guests they knew best. It was an absolute frenzy of excitement, albeit a perfectly choreographed one.
As the senator reached the bottom of the stairs, his wife let go of his hand and turned to her left, disappearing into the darkness as her spotlight faded out right on cue. The senator, peeling off to the right, broke into a jog, looking fit and full of life despite his age. He made his way up onto the stage and over to the podium, arriving just as the music reached its climax.
“Thank you!” he said, repeating himself several times while he waited for the applause to die down. “Is everyone having a good Founders Day?!” he yelled, whipping them back up into a thunderous roar. He continued waving at the crowd another full minute before the ovation finally died down enough for him to be heard.
“Good, I’m glad everyone is having a good evening. It’s an important day in the history of our world, and it should be celebrated.” The senator looked around the crowd as the last of the applause fell silent. Finally, he launched into the main body of his prepared speech, his tone changing to one more befitting the topic.
“Long ago, humanity was tossed back into a period of darkness and despair the likes of which was unseen in human history. For over a thousand years, our ancestors struggled to survive in the wake of the most devastating disaster ever to befall humankind. A plague of biblical proportions nearly wiped humanity out of existence, leaving only those blessed with a natural immunity to survive and start over. But the great bio-digital plague did more than reduce our populations. It did more than destroy our civilizations and our infrastructures. And it did more than take away our science, culture and technology. It took away our unity as a people. It took away our common dreams and goals. In fact it took away our very will to carry on…”
The senator paused for dramatic effect, scanning the faces standing on his lawn, until he felt that the moment was right to add one word. “…almost.”
“For despite the hardships and despite the pain and suffering. Despite the thousands of mass graves and the countless suicides in the face of utter despair, humanity found a way to carry on. We joined together, in small groups at first, scratching out a meager existence. And in time, things got better. In time, we forgot. We forgot the horror, the despair, and the tragedy. But with each new generation, we also forgot ourselves, who we were, where we came from, and what we had once been. We even forgot that humans just like us were struggling in much the same way on worlds we had colonized out amongst the stars.”
The senator paused again, making eye contact with a few faces in the crowd. He knew that each person whose eyes he met equaled another vote.
“For centuries on end, we merely existed, making little to no attempt to reclaim that which had been lost. But eventually, as our populations grew, necessity again became the mother of invention. Slowly but surely we began to move forward, to rebuild. But we had to relearn all that had been forgotten. We had to conduct the same experiments, the same research and development, and suffer through the same countless failures as we slowly progressed. Until that fateful day of discovery. The day we learned that everything we once were had not been lost, but had only been misplaced. It was the day that humanity would regain all that had been taken from us. It was the day the Data Ark was discovered!”
“Jeez,” the young man mumbled as he sipped his cocktail. “You’d think he had been there himself.” He finished his drink, setting it back down as he gestured to the bartender for a refill before turning back to face the stage. From his position at the end of the bar, he could see across the sea of supporters-‘his father’s flock’ as he liked to call them-all mesmerized by his oratory.
“There you are.” The young woman leaned against the bar next to him, tucking in close to keep the evening breeze from chilling her bare shoulders. “How long have you been hiding out back here?”
“Since the moment I arrived.” He turned to face her, giving her a small kiss on the cheek. “How have you been, sis?”
“Nice choice of attire there, Nathan,” she said, noticing his dress uniform. “Just couldn’t pass up a chance to stick it to the old man, huh?”
“Yeah, well, you know what Pop always says about missed opportunities…”
“…Are lost advantages,” she finished for him. “Don’t remind me.” She picked up his drink and took a sip, her face puckering at the bitterness of the alcohol. “Since when do you drink the hard stuff?”
“How else am I going to get through this?”
“You talk to Mom yet?”
“I’ve been trying to avoid that.”
Nathan’s sister looked to the right side of the crowd, spotting her mother standing to one side, talking to a small group of people. “There she is.” She started to jump up and down, waving.
“Stop it!” Nathan grabbed her arm, pulling it back down as she giggled. She had always enjoyed pushing his buttons. “Are you nuts? She’ll see us.” He looked toward his mother, trying to determine if she had spotted them. She was speaking to an older gentlemen and a young blonde woman, and as best he could tell, his sister’s wave had gone unnoticed.
“Who’s the blonde she’s talking to?”
“Relax, little brother. She’s not your type. Some scientist or something,” she explained. “So, are you ready for the media circus?”
“For the what?”
“The media circus. You know, the press, the paparazzi?”
“What are you talking about, Miri?”
“Haven’t you talked to Dad yet?” she asked, somewhat surprised.
“Been trying to avoid that even more. Why?”
“Oh, nothing,” she lied. “Never mind,” she added, deciding to let her younger brother be surprised like all the other guests.
“What? Tell me?” he demanded, noticing the sly little smile on her face. He had seen that grin too many times in his life, and knew full well it meant trouble.
“Shush! Your father is giving a speech,” she teased.
Nathan turned back to the bar and picked up his drink. “When isn’t he giving a speech?” he muttered to himself, taking another sip.
“Founders Day is the moment in history when humanity finally took responsibility for its future. As a whole, we made a commitment to ensure that all of the reclaimed technological wonders of our forefathers would be used wisely, for the betterment of all humanity, and not just the few that could afford them. The founding of the Ark Institute and the tenants upon which it was based would one day lead to the creation of the very republic which provides for and protects the entire population of the Earth today! It was that moment, that one perfect moment, that simple clarity of purpose that quickly brought all of the people of Earth together in a way that had never been done before. The knowledge bestowed upon us by the Data Ark has done more to change and improve our lives over the last century than all of the centuries of darkness that came before.”
Senator Scott paused again, this time more so to take a sip of water than for dramatic effect. “But those same improvements can easily lure us back into that very same darkness and despair.”
“Man, he is really laying it on thick tonight. What’s he running for this time?” Nathan looked at Miri. Her smile had grown larger. “You’re kidding me?” He had suddenly realized what she had been smiling about. “Are you serious?”
Miri just laughed at him. “You should see your face.”
Nathan turned to the bartender again, “Bring me the bottle.”
“Oh, come on Nate, it won’t be that bad.”
He took the bottle from the bartender and poured himself a double, tossing the entire contents of the shot glass down his throat before refilling it.
Miri continued laughing. “What are you trying to do, pickle your liver?”
“Haven’t you heard, they can grow new ones now.” He picked up his glass and tossed down another shot. As he grimaced from the burning sensation of the alcohol, he noticed a young woman stepping up to the other end of the bar. “I think I could use a distraction.”
Miri looked past him at the new arrival. “Naw, I don’t think she’s your type either.”
“When are you going to learn, sis? Until proven otherwise, they’re all my type.” Nathan turned to his sister as he straightened his uniform. “Wish me luck.”
Miri reached up and began straightening his tie. “Luck, little brother, is something you’ve always had plenty of.” She spun him around to face the woman and gave him a little push to send him on his way before departing herself.
Nathan strode confidently towards the woman, emboldened by the two double-shots of alcohol he had just consumed. She was a beautiful woman, mid twenties, with long brown hair. Nathan immediately noticed that the fit of her evening gown told of a figure that was well maintained. She was busy ordering a refill of her shot glass as he stepped up to her.
“Evening Miss, may I buy you a drink?” Nathan was trying to muster as much charm as possible, which wasn’t easy considering the amount of alcohol he had already consumed.
“It’s an open bar…” She stopped short as she turned to look at him, her irritated frown suddenly changing into a look of bemusement at his dress uniform. “Sure, soldier boy,” she giggled. “Knock yourself out.”
“Actually, I’m not a ground pounder, ma'am. I’m an ensign.” Nathan pointed at the rank insignia on his uniform’s shoulder boards. “I’m in the fleet. You know, up there?” he added, pointing toward the night sky.
“Oh, of course. Terribly sorry, Ensign.” She picked up her fresh drink and slammed it down in a single gulp.
“You seem a little upset, ma’am,” he commented, noticing the way she was slamming down her drinks. “Something wrong?”
“You see that tall, blonde, jock type over there? The one kissing every fat political ass he can stick his lips to?”
Nathan looked around but failed to see who she was talking about.
“Well, you probably can’t see him right now, 'cause he’s still down on his knees puckering up.”
“I still don’t see…”
“…I mean, he should be over here kissing my ass! I mean look at it!” She stood up and turned so Nathan could see her tightly wrapped behind. “My ass looks great in this dress! Don’t you think?”
“Yes ma’am,” Nathan agreed enthusiastically.
“Damn right! I look hot in this dress!”
“Damned hot!” Nathan decided it was best to play along for now, since it was already going much better than he had hoped.
The woman realized she was ranting and stopped, motioning for another drink. “So, Ensign. What’s your story? No, let me guess. You’re shipping out tomorrow, right?”
“Something like that.”
“And this could be your last night on Earth?” She quickly looked Nathan up and down.
“Possibly.”
“Well Ensign,” she announced as she tossed back another drink. “This is your lucky night. I’ve got a score to settle with mister butt-kisser over there. And you might be just the right guy to help me settle it.” Her expression suddenly turned from one of anger to one of seduction. “Think you can find us some place a little more private?” she cooed as she stepped closer and ran her fingers through his hair.
“Yes ma’am,” he smiled.
“Those that want to build up our fleet in order to better defend the Earth, are only inviting that which they fear most! If the Jung believe us to be a threat, they will undoubtedly respond to that threat before it is too late!” the senator declared, pounding the podium at just the right moment to emphasize his point. “Should we spend on defense? Yes! Should we have warships in space? Of course! But they should not be given the capability of faster-than-light travel! For that is exactly what the Jung fear! An enemy that can reach out and attack them where they live! We need to stop this insane build-up immediately! We need to seek out the Jung leadership and establish a peaceful dialog in order to ensure the safety of not only the Earth, but the entire Solar System! I honestly believe that if the Jung Government sees that our only concern is to rebuild our world and coexist peacefully with the other human inhabited systems in the core, they will see no cause for aggression!”
The senator paused one last time, looking to his wife for that unwavering look of support that she was always there to provide. And he got exactly that look from her on this night.
“What we need is sane, sensible leadership, and not fear-mongering. What we need is someone who will put the needs of the people of this nation and of this world, first. What we need is someone who is more concerned with the rebuilding of this country and this world, right here, right now. And not the building of others…”
In a nearby anteroom, Nathan finished tucking in his shirt and put on his jacket. He paused to gaze at her reflection in the mirrored tile over the mini-bar as she pulled her evening gown back up over her perfect body. She knew he was watching her reflection, but she didn’t seem to mind.
“Zip me up?” she asked playfully.
Nathan turned around and stepped up to her as she turned her back to him. “I’d rather un-zip you again, ma’am,” he admitted as zipped up the back of her dress.
“Now, Ensign,” she teased as she turned to face him. “I think we’ve settled the score with that schmuck enough for one night. Besides, don’t you think we should get back before the senator finishes his speech.”
Nathan was admiring her from behind as she headed for the door, when it suddenly dawned on him. “Wait, I don’t think I ever got your name?” He didn’t really care, it just felt like the polite thing to say.
“Oh, that’s sweet, really,” she giggled. “But I don’t think names are necessary.” She began to walk away, turning back slightly to look at him as she took hold of the door knob. “Let’s just say that I’m doing my part for our boys in uniform, and leave it at that.” She flashed him a sly smile, opened the door and left the room, leaving the door standing open behind her.
From outside, Nathan could hear his father ending his speech.
“And that is why I have decided, that it is time for me to run for the office of President of the North American Union!”
The crowd outside exploded in excitement at the senator’s startling announcement. Nathan just rolled his eyes.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
“Nathan, honey,” his mother called as she approached him at the bar. He had already finished half the bottle, and was bound and determined to finish the rest in short order.
“Hello Mother,” he greeted, trying to sound sincere.
“I knew you’d show up,” she declared, kissing his cheek. “I hope you didn’t miss your father’s speech?”
“No such luck,” he mumbled, picking up the bottle.
“Oh put that bottle away, Nathan,” she scolded. “You know how your father feels about that stuff.” She grabbed a candy from the bar and handed it to him. “Here, sweetie. Have a mint.”
She stepped back and looked at him in his dress uniform. “Oh Nathan, I have to admit you do look handsome in that uniform. But did you have to wear it tonight of all nights? You know how your father feels about the fleet.”
“Founders Day is a patriotic holiday, mother. And as you can see,” he defended as he gestured toward the crowd, “I’m not the only one in uniform.”
“I know, dear. But you are the only member of the Scott family in uniform. Now come on, honey,” she added as she straightened his tie, “let’s go make nice for the cameras.”
Why are the women in this family always straightening my tie?
The journey through the mingling crowd was as painful as Nathan had remembered it to be from his father’s last campaign. A never ending stream of “yes ma’ams” and “yes sirs”, along with stories about sons they all seemed to have that were his age, or daughters they thought he should meet. Only this time, there was a new twist. It seemed that every old fart he greeted felt obligated to tell him a story about their days in the service. Of course, Nathan played it all off masterfully, just as his father had taught him. But it was all so pretentious and pointless. He really wished that he had gotten the chance to finish that bottle before his mother had found him. Instead, he would just have to distract himself as best he could with the image of that sexy little brunette as she slipped her dress back on.
But then, he saw his father up ahead, talking to the other politicians in his party. And he saw the look in his father’s eyes when he spotted Nathan, in his uniform, dutifully following his mother through the crowd. That same look of disappointment that he always seemed to get from his father.
“Nathan! So glad you could make it, son!” the senator exclaimed as Nathan and his mother approached. Nathan knew his father was just putting on a show for the crowd. The man could’ve been a professional actor.
“How are you doing, sir?” he asked in perfect military fashion.
“What’s with the sir crap?” his father exclaimed, holding out his arms. “Give your old man a hug!” He wrapped his arms around Nathan and gave him a warm embrace. As expected, without missing a beat his father turned them both to face the nearest camera for a shot that would surely reach every link on the Earth-Net within seconds. It should have been no surprise to Nathan that his father would take an irritant and turn it into a photo-op. Nathan flashed a toothy smile for the cameras, unnaturally freezing for the customary few seconds to allow all the photographers and video cameras to collect their content. Nathan hated this part of his father’s life. But even more so, he hated how he had become so accustomed to it that he played the part automatically without any forethought. It was something he definitely was not going to miss.
“Senator Scott!” one of the reporters hollered over the barrage of questions already being shouted at them. “How do you feel about your son’s enlistment, considering your position against the EDF?!” Nathan stole a glance at his father, knowing he would be quick to disarm the potentially embarrassing issue.
“Why, I’m as proud as any father could be!” he said. His statement had been made with such conviction that Nathan almost believed it himself. “What father wouldn’t be proud of a son that has the courage and fortitude to take a stand for what he believes in?” The senator turned directly to the man asking the question, and more importantly to the reporter’s camera man. “And just for the record, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not against the Earth Defense Fleet. I simply want to restrict their capabilities to sub-light operations only, so as not to provoke the Jung Dynasty into any undue actions. We still have a long way to go in the rebuilding our own civilization, before we start dreaming of colonizing other worlds again.”
“Perfectly played, as usual,” Nathan thought.
“Ensign Scott,” another reporter shouted, surprising Nathan. “How do you feel about your father’s position on the military?!”
It was an over-simplification of an extremely complicated question. But that didn’t seem to matter to Nathan, as he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “My father serves the people in his way, and I serve them in mine.” Nathan turned away from the cameras to retreat to safer ground, his father following behind him as he placated the press with a few more sound bites on his way out.
“Jesus, Nathan,” his father exclaimed as he followed him into the study, his protection detail closing the doors behind them. “I see you’re still just blurting out whatever is on your mind.”
“They don’t care what’s on my mind.”
“Oh yes they do. They care about every word, every syllable, every action. Hell, they’re even analyzing your body language these days. Anything they can take and twist into something that will swing votes their way.”
“It never seemed to matter much before.” Nathan loosened his tie and took a seat on the sofa.
“You were fifteen during the last campaign. Nobody cared what you thought at that age,” he pointed out as he paced around the room. “Besides, I was only running for the senate back then, not the presidency of the most influential nation on the planet. Hell, the last three North American presidents have been selected to serve as the leader of the United Earth Republic. Someone has to lead this world safely into the next century. If I can win this election, then I’m almost certain to be sitting in Geneva within a year. Then I can really do something to help keep us safe.”
Suddenly, the memory of his anonymous sexual encounter in a room down the hall no longer seemed a pleasant distraction. I really should’ve gotten her name.
Nathan immediately felt the need to defend himself. “Since when did you have aspirations to the presidency? I thought you always said that the real governing was done at the congressional level?”
“I’ve said a lot of things over my lifetime, son. Not all of them have been entirely accurate.”
This came as a surprise to Nathan, not ever remembering his father to admit a mistake so easily.
“But things have changed drastically since we learned about the state of the core systems. The Jung are a real threat, and the population in general doesn’t take it seriously because the enemy is over twenty light years away!” The senator stopped pacing and sat against his desk, facing his son. “We’ve advanced so quickly over the last hundred years, that people aren’t ready to think in terms of light years. It’s still an impossibly distant place to them.”
“But if you do see the Jung as a threat, then why are you so against expanding the Fleet? I would’ve thought that you of all people would support us? Hell, you were all for getting us into space when you were my age.”
“As I said, things have changed,” his father repeated. As usual, Nathan was being short-sighted. It was a failing that his father had recognized in his son at an early age. It wasn’t that he couldn’t see the big picture, he just never bothered.
“What’s changed?” Nathan begged. “What has changed so much that it would cause you to do a complete turnaround in such a short time?”
His father took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he rose from his perch and strolled over to stare out the window again. His son was right, the change in his position on the buildup of the Earth Defense Fleet had completely changed over the last four years. And it had caused a tremendous rift to develop between them. The irony of it was that deep down inside, he knew that his true position had never changed. It was only his public position that he had been forced to change. He only wished that he could find a way to make his son understand without exposing the truth. “It’s complicated,” he finally resigned.
Nathan wanted to press, but he knew that ‘it’s complicated’ meant that his father either didn’t want, or couldn’t talk about it further.
“I have no delusions that you and I are ever going to agree on this,” his father admitted. “Just do me a favor, will you son? No more public shots across my bow until after the election?”
As if on cue, his mother entered the room to end the dispute. “There you are,” she said to her husband as she entered. She suddenly noticed Nathan sitting on the sofa. “Oh, Nathan honey, I didn’t see you.” She kissed her husband on the cheek, noticing the tension in the room. “Am I interrupting?” she asked, knowing full well that she was. Over the last few years, she had developed an uncanny knack of entering the room at just the right moment to break the two of them apart. It seemed impossible, but somehow Nathan was sure that she did it on purpose, and for just that reason.
“Don’t worry, sir,” Nathan assured his father as he rose to leave. “I’ll behave.”
“Nathan,” his mother scolded at his attitude.
“It doesn’t matter anyway. I report for duty on the Reliant tomorrow morning. And she’s scheduled to be underway in a few days for border patrol out in the Oort Cloud.” Nathan kissed his mother’s cheek and gave her a polite hug so as not to mess up her outfit, in case there were more pictures to be taken. “After today the press won’t have access to me for at least a few years. That should get you safely through the election,” he promised his father as he reached out to shake his hand. “Good Luck, sir,” Nathan announced in a show of good faith. The strange thing was, he actually meant it this time.
“Thank you, son.” His father took Nathan’s hand, placing his other hand on Nathan’s shoulder. Despite their differences, the senator dearly loved his youngest child, and was prouder of him than Nathan would ever know. And though he hid it well, the news of his son’s impending departure on a relatively dangerous patrol both shocked and worried him deeply. “Smooth sailing, Ensign.”
Now Nathan too was shocked. For it was the first time his father had called him by his rank. It felt as if he had finally accepted Nathan’s decision to enlist, despite his father’s repeated objections. “I’ll try to keep in touch,” he promised as he turned to leave.
“Yes, please do,” the senator mumbled, more to himself than anyone else in the room.
For a good minute after Nathan had left, the senator and his wife said nothing.
“You have to do something, Dayton,” his wife finally insisted. “You can’t let him go out there. We might never see him again.” There was genuine fear in her voice.
“I’ll try, honey,” the senator promised as he put his arms around her. “I’ll try.”
Nathan stood at the edge of the driveway, waiting for the car that would take him to the airport to catch the next shuttle back to the academy. The party was still in full swing, with the orchestra playing even more lively than before. He could’ve stayed longer, maybe even got lucky again. But after his father’s big announcement, he preferred to lay low until he could get back to safe ground.
He had grown up in a politically active family, and he had tired of it years ago. And that had been one of the reasons he joined the fleet. For it would get him about as far away from all of this as humanly possible.
There had been few options that had appealed to him. His degree in pre-plague history could have landed him a decent career as professor, if he had continued on for his doctorate. But then he still would’ve been subject to the constant scrutiny that resulted from his father’s public service. And he simply couldn’t imagine dealing with that for the rest of his life.
His sisters all had their own careers, and later had all married and started popping out kids in an effort to build the Earth’s population back up to true industrial levels. But he had grown tired of school, tired of family, and certainly tired of politics. And if he had hung around much longer, that’s probably where he too would have ended up.
The fact was, he had needed a change, and a drastic one at that. Military service had never even been a consideration in the past. But the idea of joining the fleet and living out in space, only making it back to Earth every few years? Well that was enticing enough that one slightly drunk night with his buddies was all it had taken to get him to sign ten years of his life away. Even if it had meant another four years of school before getting off the planet.
But the Academy had gone by quickly, and it had been far more interesting than college had ever been. The physical and combat training had been fun as well. Nathan had never considered himself to be athletic, but had discovered he was far more adept at such activities than he would have thought possible. He never considered himself a ‘super-soldier’, but he could hold his own with most of his class.
It had been the simulations that had given him the most trouble. At first, they had been more about hands-on training than anything else. And in that he had excelled. But when they started testing his ability to make command decisions, he felt awkward and unsure of himself. In more than one simulation he had failed to act quick enough to avoid abrupt and catastrophic conclusions.
Nevertheless, he had passed his practical exams in the command simulations. His roommate at the Academy often joked that Nathan’s unusually consistent good luck had gotten him through the sims. And Nathan knew that his friend had been at least partially correct.
So he had graduated the Academy and had been rated as both a navigator and a pilot. He was looking forward to his upcoming duty on the Reliant. She was the fleet’s oldest cruiser, and although she had never fired a shot in anger, she had seen several patrols, having been in service for more than a decade. And with a crew of over 300, Nathan would be just another name on the ship’s roster, probably serving on a backup flight crew on the least favored rotation. And that was fine with him.
“Well, well, well,” his brother’s voice came from behind. “If it isn’t Ensign Scott, the prodigal son, returned home to stir up family dissent one more time.” Eli was a good twelve years older, and he and Nathan had never gotten along.
“Hello, Eli.” Nathan was biting his tongue, trying to remember if there was ever a time the two of them had talked that didn’t end poorly. “What have you been up to?” He was trying to make meaningless small talk, hoping to avoid an argument long enough for his ride to arrive and make his escape.
“Funny you should ask that, Nathan. I should be spending time with my wife and kids, enjoying this wonderful Founders Day celebration. But instead, I spent the better part of an hour bribing a photographer to give up his rather suggestive photos of you and that slut you screwed in the anteroom tonight.”
“Still running image patrol for Dad, huh Eli?” Nathan knew it was the wrong thing to say even as it passed his lips. Eli had always wanted to follow in their father’s footsteps and enter politics himself. But Eli had not been the son blessed with the natural charm required for public life. So the senator’s oldest son had been forced to spend his career chasing their father and putting out his fires. It was a sour pill for Eli to swallow, and Nathan was sure that it had always been the primary cause of their ongoing feud.
“At least I’m not trying to ruin it,” Eli accused. “So, who was she?”
“None of your damned business.”
Eli was obviously exasperated at Nathan’s attitude. “Why did you even show up, Nate?”
“I was invited.” Hmm, sarcasm, another bad choice.
“Still the troublemaker, I see.”
“Better than being a kiss-ass,” Nathan responded in a matter-of-fact tone. He was already on a roll, so he figured there was little use in stopping now.
“I would’ve thought the Academy would break you of that habit.”
“Funny how that habit only seems to surface when I’m around family.”
“Then why don’t you do us all a big favor and just stay away. Or at least keep your attitude under control until after the election. Do you think you can do that much for your family?”
Nathan wanted to say something more, a lot more. In fact, what he really wanted to do was to punch Eli right in his smug mouth. But there were cameras everywhere, and the car that would take him away from this circus once and for all was pulling into the long circular driveway.
Nathan turned around and stepped up to Eli, standing right in his face and giving him a stone cold stare, the same one he had learned to use when standing at attention during inspections at the Academy. It took Eli by surprise, and for a moment he was unsure what to expect. He had never before seen such a stern look in Nathan’s eyes.
Nathan took his brother’s hand firmly and shook it once. “Give my best to your family, Eli.” He let go of Eli’s hand and gave him what appeared to onlookers as a brotherly hug. Eli’s hands dangled at his sides in disbelief as Nathan whispered in his brother’s ear. “So long, asshole.”
Nathan released his still shocked brother and stepped aside to smile and wave at the cameras that were watching from the walkway near the main house. Then he turned and got into the back seat of the car that had just pulled up behind him.
And that, is the last time I’ll have to play that game.