—Chapter 10 —

  After a while Lily and Rebecca came back outside to rejoin the small party Platoon x was holding. You could tell Rebbecca cried some more after getting away from everyone and Lily quickly noticed. I was watching the two of them as they walked out of the building and shot a nervous look my way.

  “We need to talk later.” Lily mouthed to me when I felt a hand on my shoulder trying to get my attention.

  “Young Marcus I'm guessing you and your buddies went and got into some trouble huh” Grandpa asked after sneaking up on me.

  “Hey grandpa I guess you noticed, but no not this time our advisor bailed us out but I’m kinda stumped now and not really sure how I should approach this situation as both a friend and a squad leader.”

  “Well I can't really give any advice if I don't know what the situation is, if that's what you're asking for.”

  “I guess what I’m trying to figure out is how to help my friend when their own family is pretty much turning their back on them I’m also worried this could also lead to them quitting the academy.”

  “Ah I see I see so they’re from an anti military family who's threatening to disown them or cut them off. it's definitely not an easy problem to solve especially when you have no way to relate or experience to base your actions on. The only real advice that I can give you is from my time in the military, that might help you and your friend, Just remember this there's no rule book saying what exactly defines family yes you may be related by blood but that doesn't mean your required to be family, take me for an example biologically I have no brothers or sisters but over the years especially when I was serving during the wars I found a lot of people I could call my family- any one you’re willing to sacrifice yourself for or makes you feel loved is someone you could easily call family. Now everyone has different interpretations of that as well so it's best to try and figure out what your definition of family is. I hope that maybe this helps your mind to take flight again.”

  “Thanks grandpa I think I’m starting to understand what you mean”

  “Now don't you have a ceremony to start getting ready for?” Grandpa asked as he took a look at his watch

  “Aww crap I completely forgot about that thanks again.” I quickly jogged into my barracks room and I looked into my mirror to start shaving away my five o’clock shadow. Glancing at the rest of my face I noticed my under eyes looking red from the early morning still lingering on my face. Geez I might just need their makeup to fix me up anyways I thought to myself washing off the rest of the shaving cream on my face. Doing one last look over in my full body mirror I donned my garrison cover and started to head outside to meet up with my family. Locking my room door about to turn to head to the Aircraft assignment ceremony I heard someone walk up behind me.

  “Hey Marcus, do you think you could tell the instructors I'm sick or something? I just want to be by myself for the rest of today.” Rebecca asked quietly.

  “Rebecca I’m gonna be honest, more than anything, I think you should go to the ceremony mostly to stick it to those assholes who pretend to be your family. You've worked so hard to reach today you deserve to be there.”

  “I know but I don't really want to be up there with no one to cheer me on.”

  “Listen just because we're not related by blood I can guarantee everyone in our squad considers you part of their family. When we got here the majority of us were complete strangers. Now there's no one else I'd rather have by my side than you guys here. Besides I can guarantee all of our families and squadmates are gonna be there at the ceremony rooting for you and if not them I guess it’ll just be me rooting for you by myself.”

  “Thanks Marcus you really know how to make a girl feel special you know that?” Rebecca finally started to form a faint smile across her face.

  “Now let's get going, we can't be late to the ceremony ” I said, securing My cover to my head and pulling Rebbeca along by her hand, startled by the sudden movement, Rebecca let out a small yelp.

  “At least let me put my cover back on” She laughed, her mood starting to lift. Letting go of her hand as we walked into the common room the rest of the squad was there waiting for us.

  “Took you long enough to get ready” Lily was the first to speak up, voicing the rest of the squads playful annoyance.

  “Yeah yeah I had to shave again and was debating about having you and Rebecca actually hide the redness around my eyes but looks like im out of time” I joked as I walked outside, the rest of Platoon X was finally gathered with their families, and reuniting with my own we started to weave though the party before running into Lieutenant Serena.

  “Royland, is all of your squad going to the assignment ceremony? Serena asked looking at Ade and Evaldo tagging along

  “Is there any reason we can't?” The two boys answered before I could open my mouth.

  “No, there's no reason you can't. I just was thinking you'd want to spend more time with your family.”

  “My family’s wanting to get to know some of the people I live with now so they’re okay with me slipping away, and I’m pretty sure the hawkins family is coming to support Lily” Ade this time answered quicker than Evaldo

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  “Fair enough then now you all get a move on. Oh and Royland, Marin? Goodluck today. I'm sure you're gonna excel no matter your assignment.” A subtle smile stretched across Serena's face and just as quickly as it appeared it disappeared.

  “Thank you Lieutenant” We both answered as we walked by.

  Walking towards the assembly hall I could start to feel nerves building up inside of me as the weight of my future started to press down on me. At the front door I saw one of my flight instructors helping to split the observers from the students.

  “Sir cadet Royland reporting for the ceremony” I said, rendering a snappy salute. Rebecca proceeded to do the same and then Lily but instead asking where she's supposed to be.

  “Hawkins? You'll be in the main hall with the rest of us”

  “Yes sir” She answered in affirmation.

  “Now you all go ahead to the front two rows everyone else please grab an open seat in whichever row besides the front two.” The instructor explained as he waved us inside. The three of us opted to sit together in the second row while my family and the rest of the squad sat a couple rows back. A couple minutes after settling in, the ceremony started when the lead flight instructor came on stage talking about how hard everyone has worked and what we should expect in the upcoming year. After giving his speech he started to call up cadets one at a time starting alphabetically. Eventually he got to Rebecca's name.

  “Cadet Marin report to the stage.” calling Rebecca to the front stage he shook her hand.

  “Ladies and Gentleman Cadet Marin here might be one of the brightest cadets I had the pleasure to instruct and I have high hopes for her future career now without further ado.” Pressing a button to move the power point the next slide revealed Rebecca's aircraft, the MH-35 Seagull, Esmereldas leading Helicopter.

  “Now I’d like to call one more person up to the stage- Cadet Hawkins report up to the stage as well.” Without a second hesitation Lily jumped up and marched up to the stage.

  “Cadet Hawkins here is part of our medical program but she's decided to pursue a career as flight medic so she will be training as primary flight care specialist and crew chief for Cadet Marins helicopter congratulations ladies he said shaking there hand again.”

  Next a couple more names went by then he called me up.

  “Cadet Royland report up to the stage”

  “Aye sir” I answered as I marched up to the stage. Getting to the stage I could feel his eyes studying my face.

  “Son did you have trouble sleeping last night? Cause your eyes are pretty red” he asked sincerely in a whisper, shaking my hand as I approached.

  “Yes sir, I was a bit nervous.” I answered, lying through my teeth.

  “Well I’ll make sure you remember to get your proper rest” a dangerous smile creeping across his face. “This here is Cadet Royland. When it came to the books you would think he could care less about being here but as soon as you strapped him to the seat he might be the best pilot we have, and every good pilot should have a fitting callsign shouldn't they cadet Royland?”

  “Uh sir I don't understand…” wait aw crap I thought to myself.

  “So, the first callsinge of your batch shall be yours cadet Royland and I will assign you the call sign RED EYES. Effective immediately.” At this announcement there was a cheer from the crowd at the first call sign but I saw the rest of my squad facepalm because they know exactly the reason behind it.

  “Thank you sir I’ll wear it with honor” I sighed as I waited for my aircraft to be revealed.

  “Now if you’d all settle down, Cadet Royland your aircraft assignment is as follows: f-19 multirole fighter also known as the Helios. However, since you're a squad leader you'll be studying to be a wing leader as well. Your wing will consist of four aircraft, three single seater Helios aircraft and a two-seater EA-19 electronic warfare aircraft also known as the Selene. Your Wing members will be told to you at a later time.

  “Yes sir understood thank you” I said as I shook his hand before leaving the stage. As I took my seat there was a couple more people left getting their assignments before the ceremony came to a close. Once it finally wrapped up the three of us met back up with our families outside of the ceremony hall. My mom gave me a big hug once again telling me she's so proud of me then to Rebecca's surprise, wrapped her up in a big hug to tell her congratulations.

  “Uhhhh Marcus?” Rebecca said with a surprised look on her face.

  “Hey I told you earlier didn't I? My family is gonna cheer for you as well” I said with a shrug. Finally Rebecca relented and hugged my mom back, telling her thank you for the support. When we finally started walking back to the barracks the rest of the squad started to tease me about my new call sign.

  “So Captain Red Eyes, how's it feel to be a wing leader?” Ade teased, leading the charge.

  “Yeah you’re gonna have a special wing name like red eye wing” Evaldo perked up seizing the opportunity to crack a joke.

  “Yeah yeah get your jokes out now and you may think you're being funny but that actually not a bad idea” I joked, rolling with punches as we all laughed and cut up on the way back. Upon returning the rest of the platoon was starting the cookout to spend what time was left with their families before the day ended.

  Once we entered the front lawn of our barracks Chavez noticed us and waved us over inviting us to join in the food and festivities. After a little bit he made an announcement.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen I’d like to thank you all for coming and being with all of us today, we as cadet's all appreciate it. Now before you get too tired of my speaking, I’d just like to announce our pilot program cadets have returned with their assignments and if they would please come up here and fill us all in on their future.” With a big smile he waved us over and had us explain our assignments and while I was explaining mine Evaldo spoke up, telling me to tell them about my call sign causing a chuckle as I wrapped up about my assignments. About an hour later the party started to die down and families started to leave, I gave my family one last hug and thank you when Rebecca came over and thanked them again for cheering for her at the ceremony. I shook grandpa's hand one more time as he said he was proud of me and can't wait to hear what stories I write home about. When they turned to walk away it really started to set in that I've been here for a year, still unsure of what the future will hold and unaware what waits around the corner. The next evening as I was crawling into bed I was interrupted by a knock at the door looking out front it was lieutenant Serena holding an envelope.

  “This was just dropped off for you” she said, handing the envelope to me. “Oh and congratulations again.” Then she turned and walked away before I could answer. Opening the envelope, I saw at the top “Wing Members for Training- Wing Four”and under in bold letters “RED EYE WING.”

  Dang it Evaldo I think you jinxed me I thought to myself.

  Reading it from top to bottom it said Wing Leader Cadet second class Royland pilot f-19 then followed by four more names with assignment titles cadet first class Jackson pilot ea-19, cadet first class voit electronic warfare specialist ea-19, cadet first class Douglas pilot f-19 and cadet first class Palmer f-19. Great all guys. I just hope they aren't the rowdy bunch and get along I thought to myself. Crawling back into bed on my last day off before training starts again I doze off mentally preparing myself.