Chapters from the life of John Vero

[Vero]

Chapter 2 Arrival

The armored transport designated Gamma One was nearing the end of the trade lane from Manhattan to West Point Academy.

Cadet recruit number 10679 was seated alone at one end of the row furthest forward in the upper passenger compartment. Vero sat in silence, going over in his mind the events leading up to his entry into the Liberty Security Forces Agent Training Academy.

Man, this is gonna be great! exclaimed a Cadet seated several places to Veros left.

Vero glanced over at the young man. Clean cut black hair, the thinness of youth, an air of impatience about him. Vero read the newly embroidered name above the right breast pocket of the young Cadets uniform, RAVEN.

Probably not even 20 standard years old , Vero thought to himself. He glanced around the passenger compartment and looked at the other Cadets on board.

Four men and one woman. All seemed to be considerably younger than Vero.

He started to wonder again if he had made the right decision in leaving the LPI. He had been close to promotion when he had left. Perhaps even the success on his last case would have brought that promotion.
Now here he was in a position with no rank at all, no seniority at all, about to learn a completely new role, and competing with classmates 10 years, or more, younger than he.
He was starting to think he didnt belong here.

Just then the rear compartment hatch opened and a man perhaps Veros age stepped out onto the deck. All eyes turned to the newcomer as he entered the passenger compartment. He was dressed like the other Cadets, and Vero could see that the name above his pocket read HUGHES.

Cadet Hughes glanced around the passenger compartment and seemed pleased that all eyes where on him. Then he seemed to notice Cadet Storm, the only female cadet, and he strode over and seated himself beside her.

Hey gorgeous , Hughes said with a wide grin.

Almost instantly the Cadet seated in the next row, rose and turned to face Hughes.

Regulation nine of the Cadet Handbook states that all persons shall be addressed as sir, maam, or by their rank if known.

Hughes turned his face to the Cadet standing in the row before him and said. Thanks for the reminder.uh. Hughes looked from the Cadets face down to his name and then back to his face. Cadet Victory. Ill be sure to get it right next time.

Hughes then turned back to Cadet Storm and with a wink he said, So as I was saying; Hey there, Cadet gorgeous.

I will have to report your behavior to the Commandant, stated Cadet Victory.

Hughes bristled and stood up quickly saying, You know what you can do with your report to the Commandant?
Several seconds passed as the two cadets coldly stared at each other. Each cadet present could feel the mood in the room shift. The tension in the room was thick.

Then the transport captains voice broke in over the comm system, All passengers take your seats. Dock in one minute.

The announcement broke the tension between the two men, and a few quiet sighs of relief were expelled around the compartment.
Cadet Victory blinked his eyes once then turned and strode across the center aisle and took a new seat. Cadet Hughes seated himself again next to Cadet Storm and began speaking to her in quieter tones while the transport entered the docking sequence.