[ WP ] A Sci-Fi Changing of the Guard Story

The office was one he was rather familiar with gaining a sense of pride as he looked around the various photos, decorations, plaques, and awards the old war horse had gained during his illustrious fifty-some-odd year career in the military. Many wars and skirmishes had been fought during his time, and many of them were victories because of him. The old man however was degenerating in mind and body and knew it. He needed someone to take his place. 
 
 Since he was nineteen he had been a soldier and commander. During that time he saw the Federation in its infancy and helped it become something the Empire didn ’ t expect. He was a founding member and a valuable member of the Federation Military Council. For five years he fought in the rebellion that became the Federation. He served another twenty odd years as a commanding officer, strategist and tactician, and even a diplomat for the Federation. In his final thirty years he had assumed a position at the Federation ’ s academy teaching the young minds of the Federation ’ s future officers in everything he knew. One young man and a young woman stood out from their peers in all his years. 
 
 Staring out the window that overlooked the academy ’ s campus he saw his reflection in the window. His thinning, platinum white hair was slicked back and his white goatee neatly trimmed. Dark circles and crow ’ s feet circled his eyes like a dried river delta. The pristine green eyes of his had lost most of their spark that young men had during their prime. His cheeks were sunken in making him appear gaunt and malnourished, but his family had a history for appearing thin and deathly. His thin lips were surrounded by smile lines that were as prominent as the creases on his forehead. The years haven ’ t been too kind to him. 
 
 Checking the time, Fleet Admiral Garret Kane took a deep breath. The two candidates would be coming shortly. He had read and reread both of their records multiple times, glorifying in the fact that these two were his brightest students and he was honored that he could teach them in everything he knew. 
 
 Vick Bastion stood in the main hall his cap tucked gently beneath his arm. He had no clue as to what the meeting with the Fleet Admiral pertained, but it must have been of some importance. It would be he and one other young officer in the meeting – an officer Vick himself had known. 
 
 The calm, collected voice of Oracle Krass broke Vick ’ s train of thought. The petite redhead walked with a smile on her face and a bounce to her step. How she always stayed so optimistic and cheerful was a wonder beyond Vick ’ s blunt and logical thinking. Yet, she was somewhat the same as him. 
 
 The young Oracle Krass was a head shorter than her fellow peer and he was of average height for a young man at twenty-five. The black uniform clung neatly to her small frame and shape. Her copper hair normally framed her sharp featured face when she let it down, but even when pulled into the military standard bun there was always a loose strand that she neatly had tucked behind her ear. At times it seemed as if the Federation standard was not on her agenda; always adding a little detail for herself keeping what individuality she had left. 
 
 The Federation standards showed brightly on Vick ’ s person. His brown hair was short on the back and sides; slicked back with pomade instead of the Federation military ’ s sanctioned gel so with each time he lowered his head his hair would fall to the sides framing his face – which had the angle but were softer than his peer Oracle. The black uniform had the distinguished red trim around the collar signifying his prestige and hugged his slim, yet athletic, physique. He was even honored from the class president with the crimson sash for his immaculate defenses in the war games two years past. During those war games he gained a defining scar along his left cheek and jaw. 
 
 “ Nervous? ” she asked, teasing him. 
 
 “ You were almost late. ” 
 
 “ I ’ m not, though. C ’ mon, let ’ s go. ” 
 
 The two walked down a few hallways until they had reached the Fleet Admiral ’ s office and waited to be called in. There was no need to knock on the door to signal that they had arrived. Timing was a crucial matter in the Federation, and Vick was somebody who believed in timing unlike Oracle who was more promiscuous about it. 
 
 They stood outside his office at the position of attention their caps tucked beneath the left arm. Vick took a deep breath to ease his mind. Oracle peered at him through her peripheral vision and grinned ever so slightly. 
 
 “ Nervous? ” she teased again. 
 
 “ No. ” 
 
 Moments passed and the time finally came. 
 
 “ Enter! ” the voice boomed loud and clear. 
 
 The two turned left sharply and entered the office in unison, stood in front of his desk and gave the Fleet Commander a distinctive salute. Vick being the senior in age and superiority made the introductions. 
 
 “ Cadets Vick Bastion and Oracle Krass reporting as ordered, Grand Fleet Admiral. ” Vick found it appropriate to use the most formal of titles for the host. 
 
 Garret smiled. He enjoyed seeing the life in their eyes. Both were exquisite soldiers and leaders. Often, he saw them working together in the classroom and the field exercises. Is it Fate that they could work together, or the fact that they came from the same area? Garret Kane didn ’ t care. 
 
 Both had hailed from the homeworld of the human race, as did he. Different upbringings between the both. Vick was a juvenile delinquent in his youth but came out as a gentleman and a scholar in the end. Oracle was experienced in the academic field, but wasn ’ t as street smart as Vick. Apparently, from what Garret understood, they were great friends before enlisting and often helped one another in many ways. Garret wondered if they had some form of a personal relationship. The way they spoke to one another brought the thought into his mind. They teased one another in such a way it was obvious they were a couple… Maybe they had tried a relationship at one point in time? 
 
 Regardless, they were the best Garret Kane had seen. 
 
 “ Rest, Cadets. Please, have a seat. ” The Admiral motioned for them to sit in the chairs in front of the desk. As always, Cadet Krass took the offered seat and Bastion stood. “ Please, Bastion, have a seat. ” 
 
 “ Vick, you know you ’ re going to sit down, ” Oracle chimed in looking up at her comrade. 
 
 Reluctantly, Vick took the seat. She was right after all. He just preferred to stand until he needed to sit down. 
 
 “ You ’ re both the most brilliant cadets I have ever seen walk through these halls, ” the admiral started. “ I have never seen anybody as genius as you two. I don ’ t know if it ’ s because of your combined minds or because of the fact that this is in your blood. Regardless, you ’ re more than likely wondering why I have called you two down here. ” 
 
 He paused, waiting for some sort of confirmation. 
 
 Oracle glanced at Vick. He was more suited to speaking to the top brass with his formal way of the silver tongue. 
 
 “ As a matter of fact, Admiral, we were. I assume that it is for recognition? ” 
 
 Another smile appeared on the old man ’ s face. 
 
 “ Recognition? Possibly. ” He took a deep breath. This would be his finest confession. Never would he admit it to anybody, but them. This situation deemed it so. “ I ’ m getting too old for this, Cadets. My time for retirement has been long past, and it seems that I must do so. However, before I can officially sign my retirement and end my contract I must find a suitable successor to this… legacy. ” 
 
 Oracle and Vick looked at each other with side glances. They were both shocked at the news. 
 
 “ Sir, ” Oracle said, “ I don ’ t understand what you ’ re implying. ” 
 
 “ Admiral, forgive me, but could you stop beating around the fucking bush? ” Vick asked bluntly; not to Oracle ’ s surprise. 
 
 Garret grinned. He had chosen wisely with these two. 
 
 “ I ’ m recommending you both for a full commission and promotion. Both of you will be taking my place in the academy and – God help us – on the battlefield. I have literally taught you both everything I know, and both of you have passed with exemplary colors. Nobody has even come close to your scores since I ’ ve been teaching here. ” 
 
 He stopped there letting the news sink in to the two cadets. 
 
 After a moment of silence Garret spoke again. 
 
 “ So, do you accept what I have to offer? ” 
 
 Another tense moment passed and in unison as if some form of telepathy was spoken between them they saluted the Admiral. 
 
 “ We accept, Sir! ” 
 
 Nodding, the admiral said: “ Good. Good. Now, we have a lot of work to do before this all finally takes place. ” 

