Military Discharge

<p>&nbsp&nbspThe whooping sound of the two helicopters in the air was starting to leave a scar in the mind of one of its passengers. The hypnotic rhythm, constantly swirling around and around, taunting and dancing like an obnoxious rat, was starting to make the passenger uneasy in his seat. He grit his teeth and fought to keep his eyes open as best as he could. As much as he hated the helicopter and wanted to blow it to pieces, he dealt with it. His destination was finally in sight and the ride was almost over. There was no reason for him to be angry now. The flight had been a long one from the aircraft carrier he was sleeping on not ten minutes prior and it was his fault for not bringing anything to keep him occupied. Although, he didn’t have much in the first place, the duffel bag at the person’s feet was nearly completely empty aside from clothes and basic supplies for standard living conditions (soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, a razor).

<p>&nbsp&nbspStill, it would have been nice for the Lieutenant Colonel to send him off with at least a book or something. Anything would have been better than being forced to listen to the two pilots rattle on about their families, how they hated the weather, and question if they were even on the right path after every few minutes. The only other thing the passenger could do was stare at the sleeping “rescue diver” on his left. The guy was useless both on the helicopter and back on the carrier because of how much he slept. Every five minutes he was slipping away for a nap behind some canisters or something. It made the person sick.

<p>&nbsp&nbspAfter the ten minutes of staring out towards the never ending blue sea, after the ten minutes of wanting to punch both of the pilots in their mouths, and after the ten minutes of wanting to blow off the rotors of the helicopter, the passenger finally had something to entertain himself with; the sight of the place known as the Starlight Academy. This Academy, built on an uncharted island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, was apparently a place for people just like the passenger. Yet, they were born with their abnormalities. He was injected with them. Part of him was afraid of what others would think of him, but the other part didn’t care. He wasn’t going to that academy to make friends. He was going because it was his only form of potential escape.

<p>&nbsp&nbspIn his line of work, the passenger had never actually been called out on his abilities to his face and never felt uncomfortable around his fellow soldiers. There was always a sense of brotherhood between himself and the others, so thinking that they dispised him for what he had was something near impossible. The passenger never thought of himself as any better than the others, followed orders just like the rest, and carried the same amount of weight. He pulled the trigger just the same as his brothers-in-arms, and marched through the same muck they all did. War was war, no matter who was fighting in it. Soldiers were soldiers no matter their rank, no matter their jobs. For the passenger, the abilities he had were just additional tools in his arsenal to use to protect his brothers.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Private, we’re almost at the island. ETA 8 mikes.” The pilot, Captain Seinhouse, spoke up clearly through the internal helicopter radio that each of the occupants wore on their heads.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Understood.” The passenger answered and looked out the window towards the Academy. It was beautiful.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Hey.” A voice from the passengers left caused the boy to look away from the window. Sitting right beside him was a well-dressed military Lieutenant who went by the nickname “Hardhat”, but his real name was Sanders; Lieutenant Sanders.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“We’ll land and I’ll help you get squared away in your dorm room. After that, the rest is on you. Okay?” Lieutenant Sanders had become a kind man once Sergeant Yuri had passed, and the passenger was thankful for it. Without Yuri, he had no one else to look towards for anything. Sanders and the rest of Team Cerberus had all stepped up to provide that backing. They were all like family now.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Yes Sir.” The response was curt, and the Lieutenant smirked as he placed his hand on top of the silver colored mess of hair.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Lighten up, Saber. You’re heading into civie life for a while. You won’t make any friends with that kind of attitude.” Sanders began to laugh a little, and the co-pilot giggled in her seat before raising up a thumb.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“He’s right. It’s tense being a soldier, but you gotta be able to turn that switch off at some point.” The woman, another Captain named Wendy, was one of the toughest women the passenger knew. She was also one of the bravest, as she was always the one who came to pick him up in the dead of night during several nighttime operations.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Woman, you never turn off your angry switch.” Captain Seinhouse spat. Captain Wendy returned his words with a heavy punch to his shoulder. He yelped and glared at her through the polarized black visor over his face.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Shut it, Singer.” Wendy snapped and reached forward towards the helicopter’s dashboard. A switch was flipped and she looked to her left.
<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Pelican One-Two, follow us in.”

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“I wonder what they’re thinkin’ down there.” [/color]Seinhouse muttered over the internal radio.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Thinkin’ about what?” Wendy looked over at him and Seinhouse shrugged.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Thinkin’ about the sight of two U.S military black hawks appearing on the horizon and flying right towards them. I mean, it’s not like we just randomly appear for no reason. Right?” Seinhouse’s words weren’t comical, but Wendy began to laugh at him anyways. Even the Lieutenant was shaking his head.
“What? Did I say something funny?” Seinhouse looked back towards the Lieutenant and then over at his co-pilot.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Not at all, Captain. Not at all.” The response came from the Lieutenant, who turned his head to look out the window on his left. There, just a few meters away and a few feet back, was a second helicopter which carried four other passengers.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“One-Two, I want you to land on the soccer field beside the baseball field. I’d rather not crowd the ground…. Roger that. Set down and shut ‘er off. We’ll need the fuel for the return… I’ll let him know. One-One out.” Wendy reached forward and flicked the switch she had hit earlier before glancing back towards her VIP and the Lieutenant.
<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Lieutenant, your boys say they want to get out too so it looks like we’ll be sticking around a bit longer. Seems like everyone wants to say their goodbyes..” Seinhouse groaned at the words as Wendy spoke them, and the woman quickly retaliated with another hard punch to his shoulder. The pilot flinched again.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Dammit woman, aren’t I your superior? Stop hitting me!” Seinhouse barked, but Wendy didn’t seem to do much but turn to face forward again.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“We’re the same rank. You’re just labeled as the pilot.” The answer made Lieutenant Sanders grin. It was true. Seinhouse may have been the pilot, but to the helicopter’s primary passenger, Wendy seemed to be doing much of the leading and ordering. Yet, the two were a good combination and handled nearly everything together. They may have fought like an unhappy married couple, but they stuck together through it all.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“I hear ya, Captain. I don’t mind it at all. Our little one’s going off to college!” The Lieutenant teased and ruffled the silver haired soldier’s hair with a wide grin on his face. His motion was returned with a growl and a glare.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Take us in, Captain.” Wendy hissed as she turned forward in her seat. Seinhouse only nodded.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Hold on to your belts, ladies.”

<p>&nbsp&nbspThe helicopter lurched forward, its rotors picking up speed as the pilot increased the power flowing into them. With the tail end tipping up, the forward speed of the machine increased and they began to dip down towards the ground. As the altitude of the craft decreased, the speed escalated fiercely. With the additional power, the helicopter began to sprint the last stretch of airspace towards the Starlight Academy’s island. It only took a solid thirty seconds before the craft crested over the first bit of land and its shadow appeared on the courtyard. Though, they didn’t land right away; Seinhouse took the scenic route.

<p>&nbsp&nbspThe black United States military Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flew over the top of the Academy and twisted into a high circular pattern. From his window, the main passenger was able to get a full view of where he’d be staying for the next few years, or possibly longer depending on what the future held for him. Though, he wouldn’t mind it. The place looked even more beautiful up close. He had never lived in anything more extravagant than a heated tent or a metal spring bunk bed, so the Academy below looked like something out of one of those fairy tale things. It was so inviting that he wished he had a parachute to jump with.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“I wish I could live here.” Seinhouse muttered as he circled around the backside of the Academy. He sighed and the Black Hawk adjusted its course.
<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Welp, let’s get this over with. One-One, heading for the designated LZ; baseball diamond.”

<p>&nbsp&nbspThe helicopter flew back across the side of the Academy, avoiding any of the buildings as to ensure that no damage was done to them, and headed straight for the baseball field on the edge of the sports area. The second Black Hawk was already beginning its descent by the time the first reached its destination, and as the first began to lower carefully towards the ground, the second’s passenger doors opened. From inside, three finely dressed United States Marines stepped down onto the ground, followed by a Naval Officer and an Army Officer. Each of them wore a special JSOC patch over their left biceps, designating their special operations label. Unlike their varied Battle-Dress Uniforms, they each had the same patch. That same patch was worn by the silver-haired passenger.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“And…. touch down.” The helicopter shook a little as they landed, but it was a gentle shake due to the snow on the ground. Immediately, the two pilots began to command the craft and started to shut it down, turning off the systems one switch at a time. As the Lieutenant grabbed and pulled the door open, the rotors began to slow.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Let’s go. File out.” The Lieutenant ordered loudly as he pulled the door open. The patient passenger pulled the earphones off his head and hooked it on the back wall of the helicopter. A chilly wind slapped the boy in the face as the passenger-door was slid completely open, exposing the internal compartment to the weather.

<p>&nbsp&nbspGripping his disgustingly green duffel bag, the soldier hefted it up and hopped out of the helicopter. His black boots dug into the snow, crunching the powdery material beneath the soles as he steadied himself. With their heads ducked slightly due to the helicopter’s main rotor still spinning, the Lieutenant and the boy made their way slowly out to meet the five other men as they walked over. Each of them had a grin on their face and they were all fairly excited. For the boy, it seemed almost forced but he wouldn’t say anything. They were all trying to make him comfortable.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Alright, lose the whites.” The Lieutenant barked once the men were close enough. The five all did so and their smiles washed away; it was just another day at work.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Keep the birds secure. I’ll take Saber into the academy and get him settled. I’ll be back in ten.” The Lieutenant nodded towards the five men and they all responded with an immediate…

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Yes, Sir!”.. before nodding towards Saber.

<p>&nbsp&nbspThe silver haired boy, dressed in his own desert Battle-Dress Uniform, straightened up to attention and saluted his fellows. They returned the motion before each extending their hand towards him in a friendly manner. One by one, they shook Saber’s hand for one last time, giving their brethren the best goodbye they could. Two of the Marines actually hugged him and the Naval Officer gave him a pat on the head. It was the most informal they had ever got, so Saber wouldn’t ask for any more. With their mutual farewells done, Saber hefted his bag over his shoulders and marched beside his Lieutenant.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Private.” The Lieutenant’s call of Saber’s rank got the boy’s attention as quickly as it always did. His reactions were natural after so many years of having that rank that Saber would have reacted to anyone saying it.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Sir.” Just as curt as the call was, Saber’s response was quick and clean.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“I told you before and I’ll tell you again… From here on, it’s all on you. We’ve taught you how to be a soldier and how to survive in battle, now it’s up to you to learn how to survive in the real world. This place isn’t full of normal people like we have seen, but don’t be afraid.” As the two reached the edge of the courtyard, the Lieutenant turned towards the Private and smiled at him. He dug into his pocket and pulled a small pocket watch out. Engraved in the front was an insignia; the fleur-de-lis.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“This was Sergeant Yuri’s. He told me to give it to you if something ever happened to him. Keep it close, because I know he did.” The pocket watch passed from the Lieutenant’s hands to the Private’s, and it was quickly hidden away in the boy’s left breast pocket.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Thank you, Sir.” Saber frowned, and his voice shook a little, but the Lieutenant continued to smile. The man nodded towards Saber and led him across the courtyard towards the dormitories.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Now, you’re going to meet some people. My only orders to you are to not kill them. If they cause trouble, take out your hearing senses and report to a teacher. This isn’t a war zone, killing is prohibited unless it’s a part of training or you are designated to do so by a teacher. Make friends, stay safe, stay clean, and stay on top of your studies. I may drop in sometime and check on you, but I can’t say I definitely will or I definitely won’t. Got it, son?” Gripping the front door with a hard hand, the Lieutenant and twisted the knob before pulling it open. As he finished speaking, he turned and looked towards Saber who was hot on his heels. The boy had a stern look on his face, as usual.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Understood, Sir. I won’t let you down.” The response made the Lieutenant chuckle a little. Saber walked into the building first and the Lieutenant watched him walk in.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“I know you won’t.” The Officer muttered, almost to himself, as he followed Saber inside. The look of the interior left Saber speechless, but the Lieutenant seemed unaffected for the most part. A look of awe though, crossed the crystal blue eyes of the Private standing beside him.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Let’s go. You’re on the top floor of the boy’s dorm. This way.” The Lieutenant was forced to grab his underling by the bag strap and had to drag the boy to get him to walk. Saber had never seen something so grand, so he was overwhelmed as he trudged after his superior. Even as he walked up the stairs, the boy stumbled and could barely keep on his feet as his eyes drifted everywhere but in front of himself.

<p>&nbsp&nbspThis lasted even until he reached his room, which wasn’t to far away from the stairs they took up. It was the fifth door on the right, and when the Lieutenant opened it, Saber felt like he might die from happiness. The inside of the room was large, inviting, and looked so… so… warm. The bed was an actual bed, not just a box spring with some cloth sewn over the top of it. There was a desk with a calender on it and a small welcoming card with a box. There was a window, a mirror, a chair, a clothing drawer, a night stand, and even a closet. For the love of God there was carpet on the floor. All of the things Saber had seen when passing through other people’s homes, things he had heard about, seen in pictures, and wanted… all in one room, and they were his. Finally, they were his!

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Damn. My kid’s room isn’t even this big.” The Lieutenant muttered as he walked inside, but his attention was pulled away from the room as his Private walked up beside him; smiling. It had been a long time.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Welcome to your home for the next few years, buddy.” The Lieutenant placed his hand softly on Saber’s shoulder. The boy gleamed with joy and looked up towards the slightly taller man who was grinning just as happily.

<p>&nbsp&nbspHome… A word Saber had never used except to describe some blacksite science facility he had lived at for almost all of his life. Now, he had a new home. One that he could actually, safely say that he was happy to be at. Here, at this Academy, he had a new home, a new place to live. Not some ship in the middle of an ocean somewhere, not a tent pitched in the middle of a rainforest with mud flowing all over his feet, an actual home. Well, it was a dormitory and there were others most likely all around him, but this room was his space. It was Saber’s room.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Since it seems like everything is already taken care of, just make sure you stay organized, alright?” The Lieutenant patted Saber on the shoulder once more and turned back towards the door. Saber began to follow him and dropped his duffel bag on the floor. At the door, the Lieutenant turned back around and whistled. Saber snapped to attention.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Private First Class, Saber, you no longer have any orders from me or from any other United States military personnel. As of this moment, your contract with us is nullified until further notice. Any orders you receive from us from here on do not apply. Understood?”

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Yes, Sir.” Saber answered and the Lieutenant pulled his hand up for a salute. Saber did the same, holding his fingertips against his right brow until the Lieutenant dropped his hand. Then, the two shook hands.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“Saber, it has been a pleasure being your Lieutenant. You were an interesting addition to my team and I am happy to have had your skills. Your powers were frightening at first, but you became a younger brother to me. Your service to me, the others outside, and your nation which betrayed you will forever be remembered. You were a tool to be used by our superiors, but you are a role-model for us all. You may be losing your name in the books, but you’ll always be one of us. Never forget that patch on your shoulder. No matter where you go, all of us apart of Cerberus will be with you.” The Lieutenant smiled as he spoke and slowly pulled on his hand, dragging Saber in close. He hugged the younger man tight and held him.

<p>&nbsp&nbsp“And don’t you let us down, brother. We wish you the best.” The embrace lasted for nearly a minute before the Lieutenant finally released Saber. When he did, he never said goodbye as he stepped back and started to make his way down the hall. Saber stepped out and saluted the Lieutenant for one last time, standing in the middle of the hallway until one of his only true brothers vanished down the staircase.

<p>&nbsp&nbspDropping his arm, Saber moved over to the hallway windows to watch the two helicopters outside. The Lieutenant and his fellow soldiers quickly returned into the black vehicles and slid the doors closed. Within seconds, the choppers turned on their rotors and lifted off the ground. Once they were up, they were gone, floating back over the ocean’s waters towards the distant aircraft carrier that sat like a dot on the faint horizon. Saber stood there at that window for an amount of time that he could not even track before he finally disappeared into his room. It was time to start his school life.