Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Present Day
The fighters limped into the large hangar. It was filled with maintenance workers, emergency response crew, stern-looking officers, and nervous cadets.
Nehemiah sighed when he saw the crowd. He hadn’t necessarily done anything wrong. But he could already tell that the rest of his day would be filled with reprimands, questions, and interviews.
Nehemiah opened the cockpit as soon as he touched down. Better to get it over with. The hanger crew rushed over immediately. Some began inspecting the fighter, while others helped him down, and checked him over.
“I’m fine,” Nehemiah said as he began to walk towards the waiting people. Major Atlas stepped forward.
“Cadet Smith,” he said.
Nehemiah saluted.
“Sir.”
“Please follow me.”
The crowd parted to let Nehemiah and the major through. Nehemiah sighed again. He figured this would happen. Although the principal of the flight school was not necessarily the last person he wanted to talk to at the moment.
Out of the corner of his eye, Nehemiah spied Els. She was standing with the other cadets. But while the others gave wide-eyed stares, or awkward gawks, her face was solemn, her eyes hard, her mouth shut.
Why do you believe it if you don’t live it out?
Nehemiah looked back down at the ground in shame. He could face all the stares and finger-pointing. But Els’ words cut deep, deeper than any blade. Nehemiah felt relieved when the elevator door closed, and it was just him and the major. But he knew his break was only temporary
.✵✵✵✵
For the second time in a week, Nehemiah found himself standing before Major Atlas’s desk. This time though, there was no one behind it. The major had led him to the office, and then excused himself for a few minutes.
Now, Nehemiah shifted his weight from one foot to the other. In another circumstance, he might have looked around the office, admired the metals or glanced at the photos. But today, he didn’t want to risk anything.
Finally, the door opened. Atlas walked in and sat down in his office chair. He took a deep breath, and then leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. Nehemiah met his gaze.
“I felt like we just did this,” the major began.
“Yes, sir,” replied Nehemiah.
Atlas raised his eyebrows, but didn’t push the point.
“Smith, you’ve put me in a difficult position,” Atlas said.
“On one hand, you are to blame for this whole mess.”
Nehemiah opened his mouth to protest, but quickly shut it.
“Dodge only entered the atmosphere because you disabled his ship, and then slingshotted him towards Neptune. A risky maneuver, but well executed.”
Nehemiah gave a little half-smile.
“Thank you, sir,” he replied.
“Never use it on another SDI ship again.”
The major’s voice was hard and cold. The grin vanished from Nehemiah’s face.
“Smith, there is no doubt that you are one of the most talented pilots here. But you tend to do your own thing, rarely working with others.”
“Sir, if I may?” Nehemiah asked. Atlas nodded.
“Our plan,” Nehemiah continued. “Was for me to attack from behind.”
“Be that as it may,” replied Atlas. “You then promptly took on the entire opponent fleet. I would call it completely idiotic if it hadn’t worked so well.
“But that is not my point. Son, when you fly an SDI, you are part of the SDI. That means working with the SDI when duty calls. It also means showing restraint, and leaving petty grudges in the hangar.”
“Sir, I–”
“I wasn’t finished, Smith,” Atlas raised his voice. Nehemiah shut his mouth, but his eyes still burned with fire at the unfairness. After all, hadn’t he saved Jonah?
“I can’t let you fly another one of my ships until you promise me that you will obey orders, and not put the lives of any of your fellow cadets at risk.”
Nehemiah looked down at the floor.
“I promise, sir,” he said quietly.
“Good,” Atlas replied. “Which brings me to the second issue. Your rescue of Dodge.”
Nehemiah looked up again, and stood a little straighter.
“It was brave, and reckless, but there is no doubt about it. You saved his life. Well done.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Due to your heroic actions, I’m going to deem the matter settled. I have your word that you will comply with orders and SDI protocol. You fixed your previous mistake. And no one was seriously injured. Overall, a successful day both in my opinion and in the books.”
Nehemiah nodded in response. Maybe things would work out alright.
Atlas stood up. He walked around the desk until he was right in front of Nehemiah.
“However,” he said quietly. “That is not the full story.”
“Sir?” Nehemiah asked.
Atlas opened his e-pad, and clicked on a file.
“It’s his own fault Els. Besides, one of the monitoring crew will get him.”
Inside, Nehemiah shriveled.
“No one is coming, Nehemiah. I don’t know if they know.”
“You were listening?” Nehemiah asked.
“Why should I help him? He’s been rotten to me since I got here.”
“Standard SDI protocol,” Atlas replied.
“Nehemiah Smith!! It doesn’t matter! He needs you. If you don’t go, then I might be rotten to you as well. Maybe you deserve it.”
Nehemiah closed his eyes. Did they really record everything?
“Why do you believe it if you don’t live it out?”
The audio file stopped, and Atlas set down the e-pad.
“What I will not be including in my report is the fact that you were willing to leave Dodge behind. That Cadet Aquilion had to step in. That she was willing to challenge everything you say you believe in.”
Nehemiah met Atlas’ eyes, but didn’t say a word.
“Son, I am not going to say anything. The other officers who know are not going to say anything. Dodge doesn’t know. This is between you and Aquilion. This is your battle now.”
Nehemiah bit his lower lip, trying to stay strong.
“Yes, sir.”
Atlas nodded.
“Very good, soldier.”
Then, Atlas turned and walked to the door.
“You are dismissed. But before you go, there is someone who wants to talk with you.”
Atlas opened the door.
“Alright, Dodge. Come on in.”