Chapter 55

Upon seeing Luke returning, Zep made quick excuses, barking some orders at Igor and others. Luke gave him yet another mission, calling to deal with the helicopter and those who would ask about it very soon.

Of course, many people began to understand this was no work of the Academy, and some of them recognized Luke, or... the problem. That would inevitably reach his superiors, so Luke wanted to leave before they arrived.

Pulling his motorcycle, Luke quickly escaped and heard Zep's shouts.

“I will do it, alright?! For the boi,”

Luke waved and left.

Soon, he found William studying some vehicles, while Anna supervised him with her keen eye and judgment.

“What are you doing?” Luke asked as he walked to the hangar.

“Taking care of your responsibility,” Anna said.

“I never thought machine development went so deep and... to the past? There are many things that I've never seen before. And that is a lot! I read many books. Few things look exactly like that.” Patting the cold plates, William found it impressive.

“That is commendable, but the Federation is different than the past. Our enemies aren't other people but Darks. Well, most of the time.”

“You... battle with people with this shit?” William asked, frowning, and wondering if the Federation had those issues as well. Unfortunately, he was quite unaware of how the broad world worked, how Walker societies accomplished their hopes, or how vast the world was.

Anna held her book, making some sketches, and said a quick witty comment.“The battle is living, for some, or everyone does it.”

“Well,” Luke scratched his chin. “Sometimes people do a lot of things. It is unavoidable when the world isn't on a single page. Some organizations want their piece and Walkers wants it even more, yet we are closer to some page, or desiring other's words, or pages. So...”

Anna clapped, almost dropping her book. “That is the most innovative display of words I've ever heard from you, Captain. Splendid.”

Frowning, Luke took her in by surprise. “I am not your captain, and your little boss can be... captivating. That's why.”

“So we all fight?” William added.

“Nah. The Federation might be great, but it is far from many places. The world is big. Too big with Darks and scattered people. And with Walker's births being so chaotic, what do you think it is for the short or long-term plans, or history?”

“Strives of order or baffling curse,” Anna added even when she knew the answers.

“Sides. People are willing to go to war against others and their resources. It is natural. Walkers do it even more if they have to, or feel like it. Is it unfamiliar to you, William?”

“Why not?” William asked and was shocked that the Federation was dealing with this too. Outside, it was normal to look at wars and lacking resources as critical.

“Don't worry about it, William,” Anna retorted and pointed at Luke. “And you, don't give youths bad ideas. The reality for Walkers is different, but rules and order apply senseless wonders and displays. There is a reason for changes. Those who don't care for it are fugitives who need beating or something worse. They are stupid. Teaching them lessons is part of that process.”

Luke chuckled at her. “Reminding him is fine, yet who gives bad ideas now, eh?”

Anna pouted and no longer talked to him.

“As I was saying,” then, Luke turned back to William, “the Federation has many resources, and building this place took many sacrifices for a better future. Many hope for larger sacrifices to totally crash the Darks. At least... hopefully, further down the road. It is a process as Anna said.”

“Is this place really a couple of decades old?”

“Couple? That doesn't seem that much at first, but there were many blueprints for success even beyond that time frame. For some reason, the old world had a crazy amount of people and ideas, and some dug around to find some answers after the Dawn. They collected the worth of a few generations and progressed until this place became a reality. Then, the rest soon followed because of people flocking for survival. They don't want to struggle. Walkers allowed it when the Federation formed its roots. Before that... well, you can imagine how some things are possible.”

“I think. It is impressive.” William nodded, watching this hangar.

“You can think what you like. This place is here to stay, and you will walk through it as well.”

“I guess. What is it going to be then? Does my life depend on others, or my little gem, or this so-called Examination? Where and when is it exactly?” William asked again, while Luke pulled his bike aside.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

“No idea. You ask too many questions. I came for a simple delivery since it was a mission I had to do. I will do the finish right after dealing with something first.”

“As you should,” Anna added, smiling.

William didn't trust him; he heard him enough and recognized his excuses. Luke was a serious man who could warm up and be different but not when he was on the mission and surrounded by problems.

Around a corner, a burly soldier appeared, chuckling and welcoming Luke. “OY! If it isn't Lukie? What makes you come here again so quickly and in one piece? What a shame!”

“What do you mean, Robbie?” Luke frowned and saw him alone. Good. “I have some stakes in this bike. Will you take care of it again?”

Rob walked forward and fist-bumped Luke so quickly, that he almost hit his face. He was a head taller and quite heavier than Luke. Calling him an absolute unit of a soldier wouldn't be an exaggeration.

“Oh, your bike? No problem. Same thing as usual, ain't it? Though, what about the rest?”

“Rest?”

“That chopper...”

“What do you mean? What chopper?” Luke chuckled and pretended to be stupid.

“You knew that I had no choice but to report it, didn't'chu?” Rob said shamelessly and stepped aside, right when a bunch of footsteps spread.

'Fuck me. Luke cursed, keeping up with a forced fist and smile.

“That...”

A group of people walked behind a corner, looking important and numerous. There were a dozen of them, ranging in rank from normal soldiers to Luke's superiors, to... something bigger. Academy.

At the front were a few middle-aged men wearing blue uniforms, depicting officers in charge of certain hangars of the Yondu Division. Then, there was a black-clothed younger man, who was relaxed and didn't think a lot about anyone.

“Oh, fuck.” Luke cursed and saluted as they arrived.

“Luke Irwin?” a blue-clothed man, the one with a scar and an eye patch, said.

“Yes, Sir Jackson?”

“Twenty-six hours.”

“Eh?”

“That is how long you've taken to get back with NOT your helicopter. You could've taken some others, but no... you've taken something from the Academy and played with very dangerous boundaries. You bastard! You don't know what is good for you.”

Jackson was furious more than Luke thought he would.

“Eh. Was it for that long? Oh, I think I forgot my watch.” Luke said without blinking, still saluting.

Jackson seemed like the one dealing with everything right now, which made others either part of his department or part of something else.

“You have a lot to explain!”

“I don't,” Luke stood his ground and didn't even sweat. “There was a mission, of course. I don't care what you of all people have to say, or what will happen to me or my team. It wasn't my responsibility to take it further or to your eyes. I acted. Rest is here, safe, and returned. What else matters?” Luke heard chatter behind Jackson, coming from some bothered people.

“You!” Jackson walked forward and clutched his fists behind his back. “Walker and soldier, yet jester. You have duties like everyone! Why harm such a reputable position?”

“For a mission that you wouldn't agree with, I guess. I moved. Oh, and it is well above your position, so I don't care what you are even blubbering. Sir.”

Jackson was a regular person and had the military in his blood. All his ancestors were part of the US Army, and each accomplished a lot in their lifetimes. Jackson was almost sixty, so he had seen this world in a great way and how the Federation came along. Many other officers followed suit, living through their experiences and history, thus their positions weren't that small. Anyone old in this world was worth some respect. Allegedly, for some.

Without them, Walkers couldn't make everything work, while regular people wouldn't do much without the rest either. It was a symbiotic relationship at its finest form, though duties and order were there as well. Luke was strong. His position was important, yet Jackson spoke and refuted him like this?

He made either an unfathomable blunder, or this was how the military always worked. Now or before.

Behind Luke, William was silent and kept his interest to himself. He was seriously contemplating Luke's mission, realizing how far this made sense. For an old man to berate a high-rank Walker was rare.

Rob was also aside, feeling a little guilty but it was no betrayal. Luke didn't blame him. If not him, others would report it sooner or later. Especially since he genuinely did something wrong. Alas, Luke was unaware of the usual consequences, oblivious to the terrible timing, or what he even caused and didn't know.

“What?” Jackson shouted. “Have anything to say or do you want to be disciplined by someone else? I will take this to the Assembly If I have to.”

“No need. It is already there.”

“What?!”

“You don't have to shout. I am right before you. Sir.” Luke said coldly as he saluted and no matter what, Jackson couldn't get physical with Walkers. That was one thing he had to tolerate.

So he turned and glanced at the black-clothed man. “Sir, this resolves nothing. I will seek justice for the Academy and the Federation as a whole. The Assembly will hear about it! I am sure High Pillars will listen and...”

“No need. Our helicopter is back, and whatever this is about, it concerns Federation areas also. This issue is strictly flexible; it doesn't have to appease some punishment. Don't forget our relationships are strictly good and symbiotic, and while that helicopter came through our pockets, it is still part of your values. You have great Engineers and Machinists. Academy knows how to tolerate good business.” The black-clothed man spoke calmly and didn't find this problematic at all. His black eyes and hair were pretty and styled, making him young.

“But duties!” Jackson repeated.

“Still!” The black-clothed man recalled something and walked forward. “I am curious why Rank 5 Walker did this sort of thing and went so far as taking an unwarranted team into a mission to god knows where. Was it worth it?”

“I gave it back... sir.”

“Why?”

“A mission.”

“Or so you said. For whom? Missions happen for a reason and you are a soldier. Whose?”

“Ask my superior.”

The man turned to Jackson who shrugged, having no idea what Luke's mission was about. “This isn't my work. Not at all. It's the private business of that fucker.”

“Than who was it?” the black-clothed man asked Luke, giving him a curious glance.

“I...” Luke gave up, let his hand down, turned, and grabbed Anna, who was hiding behind him.

“Who is that lady?” the black-clothed man asked.

Jackson grunted and hoped this Academy representative wouldn't punish him or others. For some people in the military, this sort of stealing was a big deal and some didn't find it problematic if some Walkers were involved. It was a matter of luck how this usually ended.

For Luke, it was Friday.

“G-good evening,” Anna waved at them, held by Luke's single grasp. “Anna Schwarz. Emblem Association's worker and lower researcher, and... assistant.”

Luke pushed her before the black-clothed man.

“Deal with them,” Luke demanded, whispering. “I will pay it back.”

Jackson got a headache, while the black-clothed man smiled at Anna. “Association? Oh, I see. Was it some Head? Who is concerned?”

“Not Head, sir. It was Mi-Yung.”

“Oh.” That explained pretty much everything.