Annihilation - Tommy's Tale (Annihilation Series (Book Four)) (3 page)

Tommy said, “I don’t want to spoil your fun, are you sure?”

Wes grunted and said, “I don’t want to deprive you of all this fun, so pick a couple and enjoy yourself.’

The older boys heard the back and forth and they didn’t know what to make of it until Tommy stepped up in front of the leader and hit him right between the eyes. His face glazed over and he dropped like a rock. Tommy then turned and hit the one holding Wes off the ground squarely on the chin. He hit the ground faster than the first one. The two remaining boys were left standing in front of Wes who they could tell had an expression that spelled danger.

Tommy said, “Well, I’ve handled my two. Can I have these or do you want them yourself?”

Wes said through gritted teeth, “Oh no, these are mine.” The two remaining boys didn’t even have time to run. Wes jumped and kicked one of them right under his chin and then spun slamming his elbow against the side of the head of the only one left standing.”

Tommy looked at the boys scattered on the ground in front of them and said, “I’m glad you remembered not to break any bones. We can probably get away with this little incident but sending one of them to the hospital would draw entirely too much attention.”

Wes looked at his best friend and said, “Why did you wait so long?” He rubbed his chin and said, “He hit like a girl but now I have this mark I have to explain.”

Tommy smiled and said, “Colonel Ortiz would be disappointed if I prevented you from handling these four inexperienced lads. He’ll insist that he taught you better.”

Wes smiled back and said, “Are you crazy?” He pointed at the biggest one and said, “This one is almost as big as that lizard you brought in today.”

They both started laughing and then went over and started helping the four failed attackers get up. Wes looked at Tommy and said, “How do we explain this?”

“The ole naval marine uncle,” Tommy replied.

The four boys sat up groggily and Tommy sat down in front of them. When they had their senses Tommy looked the biggest one in the eye and said, “I bet you four are wondering how two little geniuses like us did this.” The big boy nodded and Tommy said, “My father’s older brother is a retired naval marine from the Ross conflict and he has taught us martial arts since we’ve been able to walk. One of the things he impressed on us was that we should never use what he taught us to be aggressive toward others. We promised to only use our training in self-defense.” Tommy slid closer and looked the big boy in the eyes just inches from his face, “I suspect that we are not the first smaller students you have chosen to pick on.” The big boy’s expression gave him away. “We are not going to say anything to anyone about this and I suspect that if you tell your buddies that you were beat up by two fourth levels, well, your reputation might suffer.” Tommy reached forward and grabbed the shirt of the leader and said, “However, if you attack any other students then my brother and I will visit you again. Defend yourself if needed, but we do not like bullies. Nod if you understand.” All four boys started nodding.

“Good,” Wes said. Let us depart company as friends,” and he held out his hand to one of the boys who shook it. Tommy held out his hand and shook hands with the four boys and then he and Wes left to go home.

“Do you think they’ll make an issue of this?” Wes asked.

“Would you?” Tommy responded.

“Well, I hope not. By the way, I want to thank you for that lizard. I almost had Linda Kay kiss me from saving her from that Tyrannosaurus you used to booby trap her desk.”

“Don’t mention it, but it got me a note sent home to Mom and Dad.”

Are you going to tell them about what happened after school?”

Tommy thought for a moment and said, “They know. As soon as I felt danger, Dad sensed it and watched it through my eyes.” Wes looked at Tommy with raised eyebrows and Tommy said, “We’ll probably get a pass on the fight but I’m afraid the reptile adventure is going to get me grounded.”

Tommy finished dressing and looked at himself in the mirror. He knew that he had inherited his mother’s good looks and his father’s body. The tight fitting uniform accented his athletic body and Tommy thought that even the rose color clothes accented by the royal blue sash actually looked good on him. “Atlas, I’m going to take the speeder down to the planet if you don’t mind.”

Atlas said, “I can take you directly if you want.”

“No, I want to take my time and enjoy the trip.”

“It’s waiting on you. Try to enjoy yourself.” Atlas extended a corridor out to the one man ship that had just emerged from Atlas’ hull. Tommy enjoyed using the speeder because it was invisible to detection and was faster than any ship in the fleet. Well, The Alexander Kosiev was faster but it was currently residing in the core of a star so it didn’t count. Tommy boarded and started his trip down to the surface of Ross.

Tommy missed Ross and he looked forward to seeing old friends. Then he thought about all the friends he made on earth during school and then remembered when he was forced, once again, to leave his home.

Fourteen year old Tommy and Wes were sitting in the recreation center several miles from their home. Linda Kay had left fifteen minutes before when her parents came to take her home and Wes had that stupid grin on his face. Tommy looked at his best friend and chuckled to himself. After the great reptile adventure, Linda Kay started noticing Wes. It wasn’t long before Wes was walking her to the floater that took her home each day, sharing lunch time with her, and they started looking at each other as very special friends. Tommy said, “That grin might injure your jaws if you keep it up.”

Wes poked him on the arm and said, “You’re just jealous.” Wes looked at his friend for a moment and said, “Tommy, if I remember correctly, Rose knew who her husband was going to be when she was very young. Do you know?”

Tommy sighed and looked off in the distance at the crystal spires in the central part of the city and said, “She was four when she told my parents and I must admit that Michael has turned out to be a wonderful addition to our family. He is strong psychically and is a great match for Rose.” Tommy then turned and looked directly at Wes and said, “I have not seen or sensed anyone that will fill that role for me.”

“Some of the girls in class think you’re dreamy. They don’t interest you?”

“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.