“You know,” Richard said, “I can wait for Liz and Telsa if you want to go back to the hotel.”
Tam shrugged. “What’s the use at this point? The clerk over there said they’d be out in a few minutes anyway.” Tam gestured with her head towards a sleepy-eyed, older gentleman at a nearby desk.
Neither of them said anything for a few seconds. Richard was the first to break the silence. “I’m sorry you missed the Fleet Admiral’s Ball, Tam. I know you had a date.”
“It’s no big deal,” said Tam. “I’m sure my date found plenty of loose women to dance with. Besides, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Still…,” Richard said searching for the right words.
“Still, nothing,” said Tam. “The universe doesn’t revolve around you, Rick. Things happen.”
There were a few more seconds of silence.
“So, what’d you tell them?” said Tam.
“Only what they could find out by reviewing tele-bot videos of the fight,” Richard said noncommittally. “There were bound to be a couple of dozen of them in the area. The spaceport’s a highly-secured area.”
Turning to look better at Tam, Richard said, “What about you?”
“Same,” said Tam. “Anything extra I could’ve told them would be second-hand knowledge. All I know about a magical dimension is what you’ve told me. It’s not like I’ve been there.”
“Well, I have been,” Richard said. “But I didn’t mention it to them. I figured they’d lock me up in a loony-bin if I started spouting off about another dimension where magic is the dominant force.”
“Yeah,” said Tam nodding her head. “I was tempted to recommend you for an article thirty-two mental evaluation myself the first time you told me.”
In spite of his fatigue, Richard snorted a laugh. “You’re joking, right?”
Richard looked closer at Tam. He didn’t see the slightest hint of a smile on her face.
Finally, Tam did smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know, cadet 832?”
Richard rolled his eyes. His long association with his friends had improved his sense of humor dramatically. However, a lot of the finer subtleties still escaped him.
“Well, anyway,” Richard said trying to change the subject. “Our trip to the spaceport turned out to be a waste.”
“Not really,” said Tam. “We obviously stopped some bad guys from doing something. Plus, we finally found out why Jerad applied to be a wizard scout.”
Tam’s last words caught Richard by surprise. He eyed Tam looking for any sign of an attempt at humor. As far as he could tell, she was serious.
“I guess I must have missed that part of the briefing,” Richard said. “I’ll bite. Why did Jerad become a wizard scout?”
“You really are unobservant sometimes, Rick,” said Tam with a shake of her head. She took her feet off the table and turned in her seat until she faced Richard. “Didn’t you see the way Jerad looked at Trinity? Those two are head-over-heels in love, buddy.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” Richard said. “So?”
“What do you mean so?” said Tam as if she’d expected Richard to say something different. “Don’t you get it?”
“Get what?” Richard said growing exasperated. Sometimes he wished people would just say what they meant without having to pull it out of them. “He’s in love. Trinity’s a beautiful woman. I get it. What’s that got to do with Jerad coming to the Academy?”
Tam glanced around before leaning closer to Richard. In a conspiratorial whisper, she said, “Jerad and Trinity met when he was a battalion commander. Trinity’s a wizard scout. She doesn’t age. Jerad’s far too proud to tie her down with an old man.”
Richard leaned back in his seat before answering. “Jerad’s not old. He’s what? Forty-three or so?”
Actually, Richard thought. That is kind of old. But I’m not going to admit that to Tam.
“He’s about that,” agreed Tam. “And Trinity’s physical age is probably around late twenties.”
Richard thought Tam was looking at him as if she’d just given him a great revelation. Well, if she’s expecting a response, she’s going to be severely disappointed.
When Richard said nothing, Tam continued speaking. “Let’s skip ahead another twenty years. Imagine if Jerad hadn’t volunteered for wizard scout training. In another twenty years, his physical age would be in the low sixties. What would Trinity’s physical age be?”
“Still in her twenties,” Richard said. “She’s a wizard scout. She doesn’t age. Everyone knows that. It’s just one of the perks of being a wizard scout.”
“Right,” said Tam as if she’d scored a point. “Add another score of years. The difference between their physical ages would be even larger.”
Richard considered Tam’s remarks. He hadn’t thought about relationships and the aging differences before. Wizard scouts didn’t age. They eventually died when they got older. But they didn’t age.
“So, you’re saying Jerad applied for the Academy so both Trinity and he would be wizard scouts?” Richard said. A thought he refused to recognize began gnawing at the back of his mind.
“That’s how I have it figured,” said Tam with a smile and a wink. “Now that’s what I call true love. A thirty-eight year old man applies for six years of the toughest training the Empire has to offer just to be with the woman he loves.”
Richard inspected a small clump of dirt on the inseam of his boots as he sorted out his thoughts. Tam’s analysis bothered him.
“I’ve just met Trinity,” Richard said without looking at Tam. “But, I don’t think she’s the type to let a difference in physical age stop her from loving Jerad.”
Tam eyed Richard suspiciously before answering. “Maybe, and maybe not. But Jerad’s too good a man to allow her to do that. Besides, what good could come from a relationship between a wizard scout and a normal person? Even without considering the aging difference, a wizard scout is deployed most of the time. It’s just asking for heartache.”
This time it was Richard who eyed Tam suspiciously. Her comments seemed a little too insightful for a spur of the moment conversation.
“Are we still talking about Jerad and Trinity?” Richard said fearing the answer.
Tam looked down at the floor as if she was the one studying her boots this time. Richard didn’t press the subject. He just waited.
After a full thirty seconds had passed, Tam looked up at Richard. “Lieutenant Commander Aldrich. Do you know him?”
Richard shook his head no.
“Well,” said Tam. “We’ve been communicating with each other since my internship mission last year. Mostly through hologram messages, but we’ve been able to get together for a weekend now and then.”
Her comment reminded Richard of several weekend passes where Tam had opted not to go to town with her friends from the Academy. Richard began regretting he’d started asking questions. He was used to Tam being a hard-nosed mercenary. He’d never thought of her as having some of the softer emotions. Richard studied Tam as if seeing her for the first time.
Her eyes are shiny, Richard thought.
Richard had a momentary thought that he hoped she wasn’t going to start crying. He immediately kicked himself mentally for being heartless. Tam was his friend. He suspected it was taking a lot for her to lower her emotional shields in front of him. He had a feeling she was only doing so now because she’d been awake all night. Richard made a mental note not to let her down by saying something stupid.
What should I say? Richard wondered. Sensitivity training was not a subject at the Academy.
After a few seconds of silence, Richard decided to take the direct approach. He was a marine. A direct frontal assault was what he did best.
“Are you in love with this Aldrich character?” Richard said.
Tam didn’t protest his directness. Maybe she was just too tired. Instead of denying it, Tam shrugged her shoulders. “I honestly don’t know, Rick. But it doesn’t really matter.”
&nbs
p; “What do you mean it doesn’t matter?” Richard said. “It makes all the difference in the world. Doesn’t it?”
Richard began to doubt his own words. The sisters at the orphanage where he’d been raised had not been unkind. However, affection had not been one of their strong points either. Richard knew his knowledge of the touchy-feely emotions like love were a little on the weak side.
“I mean it doesn’t matter as far as what I need to do,” said Tam.
“And what it that?” Richard said dreading the answer. He dreaded it because his conversation with Tam was striking a little too close to home.
“I have to end it. Before it goes any further,” said Tam.
Tam’s eyes became even shinier. Richard took the opportunity to look over at the lobby’s clock to give his friend time to get composed.
When Richard heard a couple of sniffles, he concentrated on the clock even harder. After several seconds without another sniffle, Richard looked back at Tam. Her eyes were still shiny, but he didn’t see any trace of tears on her cheeks.
“Have you considered turning in your D.F.R.?” Richard said. “I mean, if it means that much to you.”
“More times than I care to admit,” said Tam. “Since I haven’t, I guess that means I haven’t quite let my heart go all the way yet.” She paused before whispering in a voice so faint Richard had to strain his ears to hear. “That’s why I need to end it now.”
Richard nodded his head in understanding at his friend’s logic. He wasn’t sure he fully agreed, but he felt he needed to do something.
“Which is what you should do as well,” said Tam in a more forceful voice.
Tam’s eyes were no longer shiny as she looked directly into Richard’s eyes. He’d been on the verge of putting his arm around his friend to comfort her, but he quickly drew his arm back.
Richard didn’t immediately grasp what Tam was saying. He’d been awake for over twenty-four hours, and he hadn’t slept well the previous night. His brain felt foggy. Richard stared back at Tam.
“Me?” Richard said. “I don’t understand.”
“I think you do,” said Tam. She tentatively reached out and placed her hand on Richard’s arm. “Don’t drag it out, Rick. You’ll just hurt her.”
Richard wanted to argue. He wanted to protest he didn’t understand. But his words froze in his throat. The thing which had been gnawing at the back of his mind came roaring to the front.
Before Richard could get his thoughts together, the elevator at the far end of the lobby opened. Out walked Telsa and Liz. He noticed their heads swivel as they searched the lobby. While the lobby wasn’t exactly crowded this early in the morning, there were enough people stretched out in their seats to make it difficult to pick someone out quickly. Richard stood up. His friends gave a tired wave and started his way.
Even after a night without sleep, Richard though Liz looked beautiful. Her short-cropped blond hair was rumpled, but in a strange way, it still looked good on her. Even her wrinkled uniform highlighted her figure in ways the military designers probably never intended.
When they got closer, Liz gave Richard a tired smile. “Well, Sergeant Shepard, you certainly know how to show a girl a good time.” A twinkle in her eyes reassured Richard she was just joking.
“Oh, yeah,” said Telsa. “What more could a woman ask for than to spend all night with a dozen people peppering her with questions.”
“Sorry, guys,” Richard said. Despite Tam’s assurances, he still felt responsible for the fiasco at the spaceport. “And your parents spent all those credits thinking you’d be at the Fleet Admiral’s Ball.”
“Well,” said Telsa. “I’ll admit missing the ball wasn’t high on my list of things to do.”
“Sorry,” Richard said again.
“Still,” said Telsa, “that was my first real battle yesterday. My internship last year was basically an administrative assignment.”
“Well, you did well, Telsa,” said Liz. “When I command my own starship, you’re welcome to pull recon for me anytime.”
“Well, I just–” started Telsa before she was interrupted by Tam.
“Enough small talk,” said Tam as she stood up. “Let’s get back to the hotel. I need some sleep.”
“Amen to that, sister,” Richard said. “A hot shower would feel good about now as well.”
“We still have another day and a half remaining on our weekend pass,” said Telsa. “Maybe we can all get together later this evening and make up for last night. I know some nice clubs in town.”
Richard thought Telsa had a good suggestion. But any hopes of a nice evening were quickly dashed.
“Sorry, Telsa,” said Liz. “I’ve been ordered back to the Blaze.”
“What?” Richard said. “What about your room at the hotel?”
Telsa had registered Richard and Liz in adjoining rooms. He’d been anticipating some alone time with Liz before the weekend ended.
“Easy come, easy go,” said Liz. “There’s a war on.” Liz smiled. “I assume you’ve heard about it, cadet.”
Richard was in no mood to be diverted by a joke. “But you had a weekend pass. We both did. I thought…” Richard stopped before finishing his sentence. Tam and Telsa seemed far too interested in what he had to say.
Liz apparently noticed Richard’s concern because she said, “Girls, do you mind giving us a second.”
“Let’s go, Telsa,” said Tam giving Telsa a small tug on the arm. Tam gave a knowing look at Richard before saying, “We’ll wait for you outside, Rick.”
When his friends were out of earshot, Richard said, “It’s not fair, Liz. I thought–”
“You thought what, Rick?” said Liz in a tone harsher than Richard expected. “I’m very fond of you, Rick, but sometimes…”
“Sometimes what?” Richard said. He didn’t understand why Liz wasn’t as upset as he was.
“Sometimes, you can be a little childish,” said Liz.
“What?” Richard said taken aback. “Ah, I–”
“There’s a war on, Rick,” said Liz.
“Don’t you think I know there is, Liz?” Richard said. He had a feeling his voice was becoming a little harsher than he intended as well.
“Yes,” said Liz. “But you live at the Academy. I and millions of others like me are out there fighting every day.”
“I know that, Liz,” Richard protested. “I’ve done my share of fighting too. What are you getting at?”
“What am I getting at?” said Liz. “What I’m saying is that you had a nice weekend all planned out. Well, things happen. Get over it.”
“Liz–” Richard said trying to find some sure footing in the conversation. He didn’t understand why Liz was being so combative.
“Listen, Rick,” said Liz. “I’m fond of you. I always will be.”
“I’m more than fond of you, Liz,” Richard said. He had a feeling it was now or never. He decided to go all out. “I lov–”
“No!” said Liz placing two fingers over Richard’s lips. “Don’t say it. Don’t even think it.”
“But I–” Richard started again.
“No, Rick,” said Liz more forcefully. “We’ve had some good times together, but that’s as far as we can go.”
“Liz,” Richard said almost pleading. “Don’t do this. We can make–”
“No, we can’t,” said Liz. “In a few more months, you’ll have your DNA baseline taken. Then you’ll be a wizard scout. “You’ll never age. While I–”
“I’ll D.F.R.,” Richard said surprising even himself. He’d been thinking about it seriously for the past year. He’d been becoming increasingly convinced it might be his only way to get out from underneath the thumb of ‘the One’. His discussion with Liz was tipping the scales in favor of leaving the Academy.
“Like hell you will, soldier,” said Liz saying it like an order. “In case you haven’t heard, we’re losing the war. We need every wizard scout we can get.”
“To hell with the war,”
Richard said. “I don’t give a flying leap–”
Liz’s shoulders stiffened and her cheeks took on a reddish glow. Her green eyes flashed fire.
“That’s enough, Rick,” said Liz between gritted teeth. “Your problems…, our problems…, are nothing. Winning this war is what matters.”
Richard bit his tongue to stop the retort on his lips. He felt his temper getting ready to slip free from its leash.
“Rick, do you know why I accepted your invitation to the Fleet Admiral’s Ball?”
That caught Richard by surprise. He’d assumed she’d accepted his invitation because she wanted to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her.
“Ah, because…” Richard started.
“Because I wanted to spend some time with you to let you down easy,” said Liz. “I can see there’s no future for us together even if you can’t. Only broken hearts lie down that path.”
“I don’t believe that, Liz,” Richard said frantically. Things were crumbling around him. He was smart, but he didn’t think fast. Things were happening faster at the moment than his tired mind could assimilate.
Richard grasped at a straw. “You could reapply for wizard scout training again, Liz. It was only a fluke that got you terminated from pre-Academy as it was. We could both be wizard scouts. We can make it. I know we can.”
Liz’s eyes softened, and her shoulders relaxed. In a much kinder voice, she said, “See, Rick? You’re just proving my point.”
Richard didn’t see. He didn’t see anything at the moment except crashing dreams.
Liz waited a moment for Richard to say something. When it became obvious he wasn’t going to speak, she said, “I read the report on your internship mission last year, Rick. You’re good. You may even turn out to be the best wizard scout the Empire has ever produced.”
“I don’t ca–” Richard tried to say.
“Well, I do,” said Liz. “You can be a coldblooded killer when the need arises, but you can also be such a child. I’m not sure why you’re the way you are, but it doesn’t matter.”
Before Richard could say anything, Liz said, “Let me finish. One of us has to be the adult, and I see it’s going to have to be me. I had my shot at wizard scout. I’m not going back to try again. I’ve found my place in this war.”
Wizard Scout (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 3) Page 18