“Not really. I enjoy being around them but it doesn’t touch me where it counts. It may be that there is not a match for me.” There was a moment of silence and Tommy sighed and said, “I have many of years ahead of me before it becomes a problem.”
Wes looked at Tommy and said, “I’m going to miss Linda Kay. I wish they had not started taking gifted students into the academy so early. I really don’t want to leave her next year.”
Tommy shook his head and said, “If the first three classes of young cadets had not done so well, then we would be ok to stay. Unfortunately, they’ve excelled. Most of them are being placed in Graduate studies so that they are far ahead of regular students. Besides, Linda Kay will be joining you at the academy the following year. You should have played dumb and not skipped a grade last year.”
Tommy thought Wes would laugh at the remark but he gave a heavy sigh instead and said, “I didn’t want to be separated from you. I’ve got to say, I almost wish I had played dumb; I’m going to miss that girl. By the way, why are we having a meeting in the School Director’s office in the morning?”
Tommy shrugged and said, “I don’t know; do you think I’m psychic or something?”
Wes laughed out loud and walked out to the floater that Danielle had just landed in front of the center. Life was good.
At least it was good until the following morning; when Tommy and Wes entered the School Director’s office and were greeted by a Captain from the Fleet Academy along with one of the boys that they had fought five years earlier. Wes said under his breath, “Oh, crap!”
Tommy thought to him, “I hate it when you say that. It always means trouble.”
The Captain looked at the two boys and said, “Good morning, my name is Captain Lowery and I’m certain you remember Cadet first class Edward Jones.”
Tommy furrowed his brow and said, “Nooooo. He’s not familiar to me.”
Wes chimed in, “I don’t know him either.”
Captain Lowery looked at the two young boys and said, “Ed why don’t you tell them why you’re here.”
Edward looked at Tommy and Wes and then stood and walked over and shook their hands. Tommy and Wes were confused and Tommy was not willing to violate the privacy of the captain and cadet by looking in their minds to find out what was going on. He had learned early in life that to do that was totally unethical. Edward said, “Five years ago three of my friends and I attacked you in front of the school. This wasn’t something that happened rarely; we did it a lot. You kicked the crap out of us and then you shook our hands and cautioned us not to do it again. After I went home, I thought about what you had done and what you said and I determined that I was going nowhere with my life. Those boys weren’t real friends; they were just bullies with a lot of issues. I decided to do something with my life. I worked hard in school and I was in the first class of accelerated students that entered the academy three years ago. This year I have been selected to be Cadet Commander. In my acceptance speech I told my class mates about the two nine year olds that taught four twelve year old bullies some comeuppance. When I told them that you moved too fast for me to actually see, the Captain decided to bring me here to meet you. I just want to thank you for the lesson you taught me.”
Tommy said, “Don’t mention it.” Then after a pause he said, “Please.”
Wes started snickering, looked at Tommy, and said, “Well, a fine mess you’ve got us into now.”
Captain Lowery said, “Smile while you can but I have a squad of Naval Marines here and we’re placing you under arrest.”
Tommy sat down and said, “Did you call anyone before you came here to get approval for your actions, Captain?”
Captain Lowery said, “No, I have the authority to make an arrest.”
Wes said, “and we are being arrested for…?”
Captain Lowery said, “We’ll determine that after we examine you.”
A large group of students had gathered outside the office to see what was going on. They had never seen this many armed Naval Marines at their school. Linda Kay was outside crying because she knew Wes was inside.
Tommy sighed and said, “Captain, are you sure you want to do this. You don’t know the bag of goomba you’re about to open.”
Lowery looked at Tommy and said, “Just who are you to talk to me that way?”
Tommy looked at Wes and said, “It has been a lot of fun but the Captain’s right. Someone other than us needs to talk to him.”
Wes shrugged and said, “You tried to warn him.”
“Rose,” Tommy thought.
“Yes, Tommy. What’s wrong?”
Tommy quickly filled her in on the situation and Rose said, “Hang on, I’ll be right there.”
“Is that really necessary?” Tommy thought.
“Like Mom said; I need to get out more.”
Tommy looked at Captain Lowery and said, “Sir, you are about to get a call on your com.”
Immediately Lowery’s com buzzed. Lowery looked puzzled and then pressed his com and said, “This is Captain Lowery.” Tommy and Wes watched as Lowery’s face turned white. He couldn’t say a word and remained frozen as he listened. After two minutes he lowered his arm and looked at the two boys and said, “We are to remain here.”
Tommy smiled and said, “It’s not fun being surprised is it Captain?”
Edward watched the proceedings and furrowed his brow. Tommy said, “Don’t go anywhere Edward. The fun is about to start.”
Within two minutes the entire school was surrounded by more than two thousand security floaters that roared in and disgorged five thousand armed agents that immediately lined up facing out keeping anyone from coming near the campus. All of the students and teachers watched what was happening and were scared. Linda Kay wailed, “What have they done now?”
Tommy said, “A credit says she arrives here in less than twenty minutes.”
Wes laughed and said, “You must think I’m crazy to make that kind of bet; you’re watching her right now.”
Edward said, “Watching who?”
Tommy looked at Captain Lowery and asked, “Do you want to tell him?”
Lowery just stood there still in shock.
Suddenly the boys heard a loud commotion outside and Tommy said, “I didn’t think she would get here first.” Wes just shrugged.
Misty Nicole, the Director of Earth’s Government, burst onto the school grounds and started shouting at the School Director, “Where is he?”
The director said, “Who?”
Misty shouted “Tommy Gardner.
The school director said he didn’t know anyone by that name.
Misty looked at him and said, “Then get inside and stay out of the way. Misty turned and walked to the line of security agents to organize security.”
Suddenly the school grew dark. Everyone looked up and there floating over the school was one of the newest Megaships. Fifteen minutes later a huge shuttle left its landing port and settled to the ground, the doors opened and a company of fully armored Naval Marines filed out in full battle armor followed by a company of Cainth Warriors in full ceremonial dress, and a company of Glod Warriors all armed with their swords and blasters. The three companies exited and began an intricate maneuver. They formed a corridor and then everyone saw the most recognized face in the galaxy standing in the shuttle entrance with Misty Nicole coming back from the security lines to meet her. Tommy thought to Wes, “Rose sure knows how to make an entrance.
Tag and Danielle were at work when Tommy sent them a thought and said, “Well, it looks like the gig is up. Rose is coming to remove us from the school. It seems our little fight five years ago has come home to haunt us. You might want to come here and help extricate us from the proceedings.”
Tag looked at Danielle and said, “Let’s go home and gather our things and go meet our children.”
Danielle smiled and said, “You know we never expected it to last this long, they’re leaving anyway in five months to attend the Fleet Academy. They’ll have time to relax until their entrance.”