—Chapter 7—

Whispers and Morning Skies

I was awoken by someone pounding on my door first thing in the morning. Gruffly I rubbed the exhaustion from my eyes and rolled over to look at my clock reading o500 blinking at me in a soft red glow, the clink of my dog tags ringing out as I started to climb out of bed. I guess I forgot to take my tags off before bed again. I thought to myself as I slipped my pants and socks on then grabbing a random white T-shirt from my drawer, I headed to the door when a female voice rang out.

“Royland, are you awake yet?” The voice called out from the otherside of the door.

“Yeah one sec let me get my shirt on” I answered back to the voice behind the door, as I pulled my shirt on I noticed it fit a bit more snug than I would like, but it still fit. As I opened the door I saw Rebbeca standing in front of me in what I can only guess are her comfy clothes. “Hey Becca, you do realize it's five in the morning right?”

“Yeah sorry I think I'm probably just stressing over the aircraft assignment today, do you think we could go talk for a bit in the common room?”

“Sure, I'm gonna make myself some coffee. I'm guessing you would like a cup as well.”

“Yes please, thanks Marcus or should I say… squad lead.” Rebbecca cracked a faint smile. As we walked to the common room room I heard the voices of Chavez and Lev chatting in the kitchen. Rebbeca took a seat on the couch while I kept walking towards the kitchen. I overheard the quiet conversation taking place.

“Are you sure you don't want to discuss this with the rest of the platoon? Isn’t this kind of a big deal?” Lev's voice spoke out in an urgent yet hushed tone.

“Yeah for just for —” Chavez started to answer before I knocked on the entrance way before entering.

“Royland, You're up early. What's got you up and wandering about.”

“Sorry for interrupting your conversation, I'm just gonna make some coffee then I'll get out of your hair. One of my subordinates is having nerve issues with the assignment ceremony later so I thought it would be a good idea to talk and see what's on their mind.”

“No, it's fine since you're making it. I'll definitely be drinking a cup. I don't think I'll be able to sleep after that conversati- er shit. Just… just forget I said anything.” Lev stammered on worriedly, looking like he was kicking himself mentally for saying something he wasn’t supposed to.

“To be honest sir I overheard a little bit of the conversation before I entered and with all due respect, it sounds like it could be a big deal.”

“Fair enough Royland, I'll tell you if you make me a cup as well extra cream” Chavez answered sternly. “Now this stays between the three of us but there's whispers going around that the leader of one of the neighboring countries was assassinated. Maybe it's a plot of coup or just general domestic terrorism, but either way it looks like their military is ramping up its readiness level. If worse comes to Worse and they start blaming other countries it could bring war back to our continent.”

“How do you even know about this? The news hasn't even reported on this. You would think it's a big deal.”

“ Oh right, I don't think I've shared what my subject of study is. I'm studying cyber warfare and information analysis.”

“So wait what your saying is-” before I could finish my sentence Lev cut me off.

“Yes, our Platoon lead over here has a habit of breaking into other countries' news channels both public and non-public if you catch my drift.” Chavez shot a look at Lev that radiated the idea of whoops, busted…

“Anyways, there's two reasons our news has not reported on it: first it's unconfirmed that it was assassination, they're being pretty tight lipped, and second, it could cause panic if people think war is gonna happen again after this long of peace. Now that I've said my part, where's my coffee?”

“Here sir and thanks, I'll be sure to keep my mouth shut.” I said as I handed them their coffees.

“Good. Now go help your squad mate, we've already kept you for too long.”

Chavez and Lev both got up and left, taking their drinks back to their rooms. Finally making the cups of coffee I headed back out to the common room where I saw Rebecca outside standing on the porch looking up at the sky. Opening the door as I walked out, I overheard Rebecca let out a rather large sigh.

“Hey here's your coffee extra sweet just how you like it Becca, so what's on your mind”

“Oh sorry, I know I said I would wait in the common room but I thought that maybe some fresh air would help clear my mind. Thanks for the coffee by the way.” Taking the coffee I handed to her, she quickly took a sip of her new drink.

“Careful it's still hot but yeah, I get you it's nice out this morning.” I spoke softly, slowly sipping my coffee as well.

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“Sorry again for calling you out so early. I'm just nervous about the selection, like what if I get assigned an aircraft that I'm not good at or I don't even get an assignment. It doesn't help that my family is gonna be there. They weren't exactly the most supportive about going to this academy. I just don–” When Rebecca started to talk about her family the thought of her giving up and leaving the academy caused a weird feeling to stir up in my chest.

“Let me stop you there first off. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone not getting an assignment. Second, I was talking with one of our seniors who was friends with a flight student and it sounds like the type of aircraft is influenced by simulator proficiency, so odds are you'll get assigned to some kind of rotor wing so I wouldn't stress it too much.”

“Oh okay… thanks, that actually makes sense. I feel dumb worrying over nothing like that.” putting down her cup of coffee she started to rub her face in embarrassment.

“I wouldn’t say it's dumb to worry about something out of your control but we are human so we worry when something is completely out of our hands, but what you forget is that you've already passed basic flight training and aced ground school. Not to mention all the extra simulator hours you put in. Now the more important thing is your family, there's not much I can say to help calm you seeing as I've never met them. However, they are going to be shocked when they see the amazing person you've come to and if they still can't come to support your decision of coming here you can just say you found a new family, cause you got me and the rest of platoon x behind you supporting you.” Wrapping up my speech I started to stare up at the sky letting out a deep breath.

“Marcus, you really don't know how much that means to hear you say. I think I'm gonna try to get some rest now.” She smiled as she wiped a tear from her eye.

“Yeah you go do that I think I'm gonna stay up a bit longer and just enjoy the sky” I said finishing my coffee

“Oh yeah one last thing” Rebecca said, turning from the door, surprising me with a hug from behind “Thanks again Marcus” is all I heard as the door closed. Uhhhhh what the hell was that about? I thought to myself as my face flushed red.

“So what was that about lover boy?” Lieutenant Serena questioned as she walked up onto the porch.

“Lieutenant- ma’am I have no idea” I quickly stuttered out, rendering a salute.

“It's fine you can drop the formalities Cadet Royland, it's too early for that anyways.”

“Yes ma’am also if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing up so early especially since it's the last day of summer for everyone.”

“Well Royland, I just decided to get my early morning exercise out of the way since it felt so nice out. Anyways… you really don't know what that was about?”

“Yeah I got nothing, she asked if I was awake and needed someone to talk to and as her squad lead it's my job to be there when they need me.”

“Hmmm I think I understand now. Royland you can be too serious, to the point it makes you dumb you hear me.” Lieutenant Serena gave me a swift but soft chop to the forehead.

“Hey, what was that for?”

“Listen up Cadet I'm gonna say this only once so listen closely, there's no rule stating there can't be relationships between cadets here.” She dropped to a serious tone.

“But what does that have to do with what we were just talking about?”

“I don’t know, you tell me cause frankly you're a blind idiot. Anyways… try not to be so serious all the time, you're gonna drive yourself and those under your leadership insane if you keep it up constantly. Now I'll see you at breakfast.”

“Yes ma’am I'll see you then.” I nodded as she walked inside.

Well now I'm even more confused than before I thought to myself as I sat on one of the porch chairs, trying to digest all that's happened this early morning. As the next couple of hours passed the sky began to fill with color, the sun beginning to rise over the academy.

“Hey Royland whatcha doing out here buddy? We're about to start breakfast.” Carmen, the squad leader of the fourth squad poked his head out of the door as he noticed me sitting by myself.

“Huh? Oh hey Carmen, I'll be there in a minute just trying to clear my thoughts and enjoy the morning air.”

“Ah somethings on your mind then, so what's eating at you or is it so personal you cant even tell your senior platoon mate?”

“I'm not sure, maybe you can help me make sense of what’s happened this morning.”

“Oh boy you make it sound like I need to take a seat for this one” he chuckled, sitting in the chair next to me “Okay so spill the beans.”

“Well Rebecca- sorry, I mean Marin came knocking on my door this morning wanting to talk because she was stressed out from the assignment ceremony later today and her family still don’t approve of her coming to the academy.”

“Great girl problems, so how did you answer her?”

“As her squad leader I did my best to reassure her and told her that we all would have her back if her family shunned her cause we're pretty much family.”

“And how did she react to that if you don't mind me asking?”

“Um, she thanked me and then suddenly hugged me from behind before heading back inside. Then Lieutenant Serena showed up and started talking about how there's nothing in the rules about relationships not being allowed”

“Perfect, this is getting good. Okay. Last question, then things might finally click for you. How do you feel about Marin, or should I say, Rebecca?” Carmen who's always come off as a serious and reserved guy started to crack a smile, one that I've never seen from him before.

“Well I hated seeing Rebecca upset like that and wanted her to smile. Also the idea of her possibly giving up and leaving made me not feel right because I still want her to be around and hang out more,” answering Carmen's last question I started to grab at my Necklace and dog tags again without realizing it.

“Marcus you've never been in love have you? Because right now you're in love and don't even realize it. You really are a funny guy.” Carmen started to laugh, holding his stomach.

“No, but what does that have to do with this? I just don't want to lose my friend. That's what this feeling is right?”

“Buddy I was the same way when I fell for my girlfriend. It's hard to accept at first but you'll slowly start to catch yourself noticing them more and more.”

“So what do I do with these feelings then, oh wise one?” I looked at him sarcastically.

“Well hopefully she reciprocates your feelings, and from what it sounds like you don't have to worry about that, but after that it's up to you two to figure out and if you don't believe me I’ll tell you what. I'm sure you remember today, it’s our going away party for us fourth year cadets. I'll see if my girlfriend can come over and give a womanly opinion on the whole situation. Maybe her thoughts will help you come to a conclusion with your own feelings .”

“Okay thanks I guess, I'm still not sure you're right though Carmen.”

“That's fine let's go get breakfast and while we're eating I want you to think about if she was to leave and focus on that feeling, it'll help steel your resolve.” Implying the conversation has come to an end, Carmen got up and opened the door and ushered me in ah

ead of him then we joined the rest of the platoon for breakfast.