The elevator doors opened for Juno and Hernandez. The two were headed to the boarding floor of the Canada, where they would then board the space station Luna 1. Luna 1 was the primary docking station for ships nearing Earth, but not entering the atmosphere. It was one of many orbiting the moon, but was, by far, the largest.
“You look good in that uniform, Juno. It suits you,” Hernandez said, as they stepped inside. Juno beamed with pride. She liked the look of the dress uniform, she couldn’t lie.
“Thank you, Captain.” The doors slid shut, and the elevator jolted into life. “It’s gonna look better with another stripe on it.”
“You ever get tired of earning medals?”
“You ever get tired of recommending me for them?” Hernandez smirked.
“Not one bit. Makes me look good to the brass.” Juno smiled.
She was proud of herself, she couldn’t hide it anymore. With an attitude like hers, and a reputation, there were a lot of people hoping for her to slip up. Days like today were good reminders to them that she never would.
She watched the deck numbers rise as the elevator gained speed. “I bet the first lieutenant is seething, right now.” Captain Hernandez looked over, shaking his head.
“Why do you give her such trouble? She does her duty as well as you do. We’re all part of the same team, Juno.” He knew about her shaky relationships with her superior officers.
“There’s no reason beyond the obvious, Captain. I don’t mean to throw shade at her. I just wish I could see the look on her face.” Hernandez sighed and shook his head.
“It’s a risky dance you do with your superiors. I hope one day it doesn’t bite you in the ass.”
“It hasn’t so far.” Hernandez rolled his eyes at her exaggeratedly, the elevator doors opening.
Taking a step out, he responded, “There’s always a first time.”
The procession was held on the space station in a room dedicated to ceremonials. The space was a bit larger than Juno had expected. Usually these proceedings were small, intimate, with some CO’s and a few other marines.
This time, the room was twice the normal size, and was fully decorated with expensive wood paneling. There was a small stage, and five rows of chairs lined in front of it. A little more than half the seats were filled with people. She didn’t look too hard, but Juno didn’t recognize anyone in them.
She leaned over to Capt. Hernandez as they walked and murmured, “Who are all these people? Nobody told me there would be other marines here today.”
“They’re here for you, marine. You’ve garnered quite the reputation back home. Some people have started to take notice.” They were all here for her? Why? She noticed a couple men and women, older, in official uniforms. She didn’t recognize them, but they were highly ranked.
Captain Hernandez pointed at a group of people huddled near the front row. They looked like civilians, about ten of them.
“Those are reporters. A couple of them are from Earth, and that one there is a military journalist for the Military News Network. They’re gonna want a word after.” Hernandez looked Juno in the eyes, catching her surprise. He raised his eyebrows. “What? You thought this was going to be a simple service? This is a taste of the big time. You better get used to it.”
“Why? What is this? I’ve never gotten this much attention before.”
“The war’s over, Juno. People need something to look at to tell em what it was all for. Seeing you gives them pride in the cause, and reassures them that now you’re home, it’s truly over. Plus, people like fawning over heroes. They want to idolize all the glory trodden soldiers who fought the war all this time. What’s better for that than a shiny new marine?” She was not happy about his explanation. Hernandez patted her shoulder, “Enjoy it, Gunny. You’re the princess at the ball, right now. Make sure to take advantage of it.”
With that they walked on the tiny stage, together.
The ceremony started. Hernandez stood with the other fresh uniforms on the left side of the stage, the higher ups. Gunnery Sergeant Juno was on the right with some of her fellow marines. Sergeant Major McKenzie, a long time friend of hers, was the one recognizing her today. He acknowledged her with pride, nodding in her direction. She nodded back with just a slight movement. Then, she stood upright and saluted as the Sergeant Major stepped up to address the crowd.
He spoke the words that made her beam with pride. When the time came, she stepped up in front of the crowd beside him. The Sergeant Major prepared an opened box holding a medal within.
“...for outstanding service to her branch, dedication to humanity’s cause, and for valor in the field of combat, Gunnery Sergeant Junotori Sashino is recognized here today as an outstanding marine, and the best of the best. Her efforts in the Shiza campaign, and in the war longstanding, has been long overdue for award. She is a true marine, and a soldier of humanity.” The medal was pinned to her chest. Then, Juno saluted the crowd.
She was a marine, and a highly valued one at that. Days like today showed that off, and she happily showed it off too.
When the procession was over, she shook the hand of Sgt. Major McKenzie and a few other officers she didn’t know besides name and rank. Her fellow marines, friends from her platoon, met her with kind words, and hand shakes were given all around.
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Everyone else in the room made efforts to mingle with people they’d been eyeing throughout the procession. There was a lot of authority, experience and power in the room. And everyone had agendas they needed fulfilled.
After a few moments, Juno parted from her friends. From the crowd, she’d spotted her old Captain, Captain Miller, and rushed over to meet her. Why was she here, at a marine’s commendation ceremony from a completely different battalion?
Miller met her and Juno saluted. Miller was in her standard military dress.
“Gunny,” Miller nodded.
“Captain.” Juno replied. When she broke salute, they shook hands. “It’s good to see you. How are you?”
“I should be asking you that. How’s service been without anyone shooting at you?”
“It’s been nice. Slow. Easy.”
“Bullshit. I know you too well for that, Gunny. You’ve been hating it.” Juno laughed to herself.
“Did you come all this way for me, Captain? Or were you here already?” It would’ve been unusual if she had come all this way, but Juno was grateful whatever the case. It was good to see her old captain.
“No, I’m on special assignment. Heard you were nearby, and had to come see you. I see you’re still accepting medals. Have enough to build your own ship yet?”
“Not quite. But, only a few more and I’ll have them all.”
“In your case, I’m sure that’s true. Listen, I want you to meet some people. This is Captain Marlon with the 6th marines.” A man with a large scar running up his face stepped forward from behind her.
Juno knew all about him. He was famous. Juno gave him a quick salute and then shook his hand when he offered it.
“Gunny Juno. Nice to finally meet you.”
Capt. Miller continued, introducing a man in a pristine uniform with a sergeant major’s emblem, “This is Sgt. Major Alloy. I think you two have already met.”
Juno recognized him as soon as he stepped out from behind Capt. Miller. He was somebody she didn’t blame but could never forgive. Unknown to her, it was Alloy who pushed most of her recommendations forward and the one who’d helped her transfer battalions a long time ago. She owed him a lot, though she’d never know it.
Juno didn’t react, but instead saluted and shook hands again.
“I remember the Sergeant Major. As for Captain Marlon, what marine hasn’t heard of him? Good to finally meet you.”
“Hello, Gunny Juno. I remember you as well.” The Sgt. Major said, “I wish our first meeting were under better circumstances.” Two captains and a Sergeant Major. Thought Juno. What was this about? Was she being court-martialed, or made president?
“Sorry the timing isn’t ideal, but someone else wants to meet you. Would you accompany us?” Captain Miller asked. Bells went off in Juno’s head.
“Of course.”
“If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’ll catch up.” The sergeant major said, as they made their way off of the main stage. He’d recognized Sgt. Major McKenzie and the surrounding officers.
“Of course, Sgt. Major,” Miller responded. He left the group. Juno breathed a little easier with Alloy gone, both because of their past and his authority. She was still hesitant to leave the room so suddenly. It felt like a firing squad was secretly waiting for her.
“What’s with the royal treatment, Captain? Where are we headed?” She asked, not caring what Capatain Marlon would think about her question.
“You’ve been selected by the higher ups for… an assignment. It’s better if they tell you themselves.” An assignment?
Captain Hernandez separated from the other officers, and met with Juno, sidetracking the group before they could leave the stage.
“A nice short presentation. Just the way I like it,” Hernandez said. On edge, Juno skipped her response to that.
“Captain Hernandez, this is Captain Miller, my captain when I was with the third battalion.”
“Nice to meet you, maam. I’ve heard many things.”
“Likewise.”
“This is Captain Marlon with the sixth marines.”
“Yes. We know each other,” Marlon interjected. Juno raised her brow at Hernandez. She hadn’t known that.
“Yes. We have.” They didn’t shake hands. That was a story for another time it seemed.
Miller broke in, “We’re on our way for a special assignment I need Juno’s help with. If you have time, I’d like you to come along, Captain.”
“Special Assignment?”
“Yes, something we can’t talk about here.”
“Is it urgent?”
“If you mean time sensitive? Not really.”
“Sure, then I’ll join you.” The ball of tension in Juno’s chest relaxed a bit.
Unfortunately, as they turned to leave the stage they were faced with the group of reporters. The reporters had been waiting patiently in their seats since the ceremony ended. Now that Juno had turned towards them, they stood and broke the peace.
“Miss Gunnery Sergeant Junotori. May we have a moment of your time?” Juno met eyes with a young sharp featured woman. She was the strongest of the bunch.
“No. I’m sorry.”
“Just a few words. It’ll help me out.” She tried again.
“I’m just a marine, ma’am. I don’t have much to say.”
Hernandez asked Miller behind Juno’s back, “Can the assignment wait a moment? I want our gunny here to have a taste of the press.”
“Absolutely.”
A nervous wiry man stood away from the rest of the reporters. He and Juno locked eyes, unfortunately for Juno. He looked military.
“Helly, gunny. I’m Pvt. 1st Class Marucs with the Military News Network. Can I ask you just a few questions… Something for the troops?” Juno bit her tongue. She wanted to refuse. Hernandez sensed her hesitation and leaned in suddenly.
“Go ahead, Gunny. Give em something.”
“Come on, Captain. I have better things to do than to quip for reporters.”
“It won’t kill you. And it’ll look good to the brass, if you say the right thing, that is. You better get used to this kind of thing if you plan on continuing as you are. It’s only gonna get worse from here.” He nodded his head at her, “Go on.”
Regretfully, Juno stopped and stood before the reporters. She couldn’t argue with Hernandez. The press thing was happening whether or not she liked it. The assignment would have to wait. The others stepped aside, except for Hernandez.
“Alright, just a couple questions, then.”
The press group was excited, and frantically set up their gear. Nearly biting her tongue off, Juno readied herself for their questions.