A calm atmosphere filled the infirmary. Unlike the barracks, the air smelled fresh and cool, despite the scorching day outside. Kaia looked outside longingly, then back down at her leg, straightening it. Her face contorted in pain, but she bit her lip to stifle any cries.

“Sorry,” the medic said in a compassionate voice. “We need to make sure it doesn’t stiffen up while the regen-therapy does its work.”

Besides the physio, it had been a relaxing couple of days. Kaia even had time to call home. She spent a small fortune on a live TCT connection, but it had been worth it to see her parents again. It was strange not being able to tell them what all had happened. Even during her time in the Navy, she had always been able to talk about work. Not anymore. She found it surprising how much harder it was to have a conversation when she couldn’t provide any specific details.

She still could not believe that she had made it all the way through. Well, almost. One last test remained. The Commodores Review Board. Her stomach twisted as she thought about it. After all that, her fate was in the hands of a few officers. Normally, she would have dreaded the outcome, convinced that the officers would be bigots who would use her past against her, but not here. Morven had been true to his word. Not once did any of the officers or cadre mention her past. The trials tested the raw talent and endurance of the candidates, regardless of their beliefs. That was a refreshing change, at least. Though it didn’t entirely eliminate her uncertainty at the upcoming review board.

“Ow!” Kaia called out.

“Please bend your leg one more time, focusing on keeping the motion smooth and aligned with your thigh.”

Kaia bit her lip and followed the direction, thanking the Immortal Emperor that she had avoided earlier injuries. If she hadn’t, they would have discharged her, just like all the other injured candidates. Now she at least had time to heal before whatever came next…that was assuming she passed the board. The knot grew.

“Okay, Ma’am.” The medic got up and offered a kind smile. “We are done for today. I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

Kaia couldn’t help but laugh at the similarity to the Cadre dismissal. “More inhumane torture?” she joked.

“I’m afraid so, Ma’am.” The medic chuckled.

With that, Kaia eased herself off the bed, wincing as she put pressure on her knee. She had lunch planned with Rilleta and Rapher. One last hurrah before finding out which of them made it. Just as she was passing the curtained off beds, she heard a voice say her name, freezing her in her tracks.

“Marinoch,” the weak voice repeated.

Kaia turned towards the sound of the voice and ducked past the half open curtain. Laying on the bed, covered with regen-packs, lay Khaazsa. Bruises blackened his face and a neck brace held his head steady. Seeing him like this solidified her conviction that she had made the correct decision. He would have died out there for sure. Had it been anyone else, she might have even felt sorry for them.

Her eyes hardened. “What do you want?” she spat, unable to hide the revulsion in her voice.

Khaazsa shrunk back into the pillow that was propping him up. He looked so weak that Kaia felt a sense of remorse at her tone. “I…I heard what you did for me. I wanted to say thank you.”

“What?” She stood there, eyes wide, just staring at him. Was this the same man that had been tormenting her from day one of Qualification? Had he hit his head in the accident?

A sheepish smile crossed his face, then he looked down at his hands. “I know. I can’t say that I would have done the same had I been in your shoes.” He took a deep breath. “I was wrong. Whatever your past, you do belong here. The Division needs people like you. People with heart and skill. People that will help anyone, even if they don’t deserve it.”

“Thank you,” was all she could say. The whole situation had taken her by surprise. The moment she saw him, her defenses had snapped up. Now she wasn’t sure how to react.

“In any case, I just wanted to let you know that you have one more friend out there. If you ever need anything, let me know.” Khaazsa let his head drop back, resting against the pillow. His eyes closed and Kaia could see the traces of pain on his face.

She stood there a moment longer, unsure if she should say anything, then turned and left. She knew she should have said something, anything, to show she didn’t hate him, but she couldn’t. At least not yet. Right now, she desperately needed that drink.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

***

Later that evening, Kaia sat in the waiting room next to the briefing theatre, tapping her foot. Around her were the remaining candidates, each waiting for their turn to go in front of the Commodore’s Review Board. Of the original one hundred thirty-five, only eight of them remained. Well, seven now.

Rapher exited the review room. His face wore the weight of defeat and his shoulders slouched in a posture of surrender. Kaia avoided his eyes and tried to distance herself from him as he walked by. The last thing she needed was his bad luck to rub off on her. It was stupid, she knew, but she couldn’t help how she felt. That left Rilleta. They were the only two women remaining in Qualification. Kaia was used to being a minority, but it was still nice to know she wasn’t a total anomaly.

The door opened and a young junior lieutenant called in Rilleta. Kaia looked up and gave her an encouraging smile. Then she retreated into herself as the waiting continued. Her mind drifted over memories of the trials. How had it only been two months since she arrived on this dust ball of a planet? The Sewin Hawk felt like a lifetime ago. She still couldn’t believe that she made it this far. So many of the trials had revolved around physical conditioning. Kaia wasn’t weak; she always tried to hit the gym when off duty, but these past weeks had pushed her beyond her limits. Everything in her body ached. But it was supposed to be over now. Or so it seemed. A cynical part of her mind insisted this was just another damned test.

The door opened, startling Kaia, and Rilleta walked out of the review, beaming like a star. Kaia’s heart leapt with joy, then came crashing down as the Lieutenant called her in next. As she passed, Rilleta gave Kaia a nod of encouragement.

It had the feel of being called to the prefect’s office back when she was a child. But this time her future rested in the hands of five old men of various ranks, and a lone woman. The highest rank among them was Commodore Leven. They all looked at her with bored eyes, deflating her last remaining hope.

Deciding to go down with dignity, Kaia marched to the long rectangular table where everyone sat. There she stopped at parade attention. “Lieutenant Kaia Marinoch, reporting.”

“Lieutenant Marinoch, originally from Saint’s Harbour,” the male commander next to Leven said with barely hidden contempt. “I thought the only thing that colony exported was pacifists. Well, besides wheat, that is. I’m surprised to see one of you in the Navy.”

Anger flared up at the mention of one of you. She was so tired of fighting this battle. But hopefully, this was the last time. She was about to snap at the Commander but then forcefully pushed the emotions deep within her. If she was going to stand a chance, she had to remain calm.

“There are a few of us, Sir. Each of us knows the Imperium provides the security that allows the pursuit of such philosophies, and we are determined to maintain that security. No matter the costs.”

“Well said,” the woman, a captain given her rank bars, smirked at the discomfort Kaia’s answer caused the Commander.

Commodore Leven cleared his throat. “Lieutenant Marinoch, you were satisfactory in the Qualification exercises, though not the top candidate. Unfortunately, you broke the cardinal rule. Why did you assist another candidate?”

Kaia’s throat went dry as she swallowed nervously. So this was it. This was how her journey ended. “He needed help. There was no one else around, and his beacon was missing. I’ve been raised to offer assistance to anyone who needs it. Leaving him there would have left him to die.”

Leven made a note on his terminal. “So you took it upon yourself to ignore the rules when they inconvenienced you?”

“No, Sir. I evaluated them and believed that I still followed the spirit of the rules, if not the the exact wording.”

To her surprise, the edge of the Commodore’s mouth twitched up in a smile. “It’s good to know there is a brain behind those eyes, albeit one with a temper, at least according to Dr. Celano.”

Kaia grimaced as she recalled the psychological interview they had done a couple of days ago. It had not been one of her finest moments. It didn’t help that they had pulled her out of bed in the middle of the night to have some Zahex doctor ask her a bunch of extremely personal questions. There had been a few times near the end when Kaia had snapped at the doctor. Though, now that she wasn’t sleep deprived, it just seemed like she was being irrational.

Leven continued, “She raised a valid concern over your motivation at joining Qualification. So I come back to this: why are you here?”

That question had been rattling around in Kaia’s head all day. She tried to come up with a better answer, but they all sounded fake. Now she had run out of time. Her gaze shifted from above the Commodore’s head to him, then to each panel member, and ultimately back to the Commodore.

“You’re not wrong, Sir. I entered the Navy to see the stars and hoped to command a ship one day. However, the main reason I entered the service was to serve the Emperor. I felt His calling and not even my pacifist upbringing could block it out. That same calling drew me to this opportunity and guided me through it. I believe the Emperor wants me to join. Who am I to question His immortal will?”

Silence followed her statement. Two panel members made signs of respect, while a third bowed his head and muttered a prayer. The Commodore looked down at the terminal on the desk and typed something out. Each of the other panel members followed. In the end, the Commodore gave a slight nod. Kaia’s heart leapt into her throat, but by superhuman effort, she kept her emotions from her face.

“Well said, Lieutenant. You will have your chance to serve the Emperor. Welcome to the Vanguard Intelligence Preemptive Enforcement and Reconnaissance Initiative. Perhaps we can make a VIPER operative of you yet.”

~The End~