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Slade Wilson has been the captain of the USS Ravager for the past decade. He runs a tight ship, and only lets the best of the best into his command crew. He certainly doesn't accept newbies straight out of the academy.
But it might be worth it to make an exception just this once, to be able to keep an eye on the son of one of the admirals who has never liked Slade much.
Jonathan Kent is bright-eyed and idealistic, according to the reports from his time at the academy. Not one of the top students, but definitely nowhere close to the worst, and the teachers who had him make it clear that they think his attitude and determination more than make up for his average grades. He did well in the Kobayashi Maru, though. That says more to Slade about the boy’s capabilities than some teachers who are fond of him.
He’s practically bouncing on his heels as he stands in line with the rest of Slade’s crew. His hands are clasped behind his back, his eyes sliding around the bridge like he’s never seen a real one before; Slade considers whether that might be accurate. Slade certainly hasn’t had his children running amuck in his ship. They visited when they were too small to remember, and never again.
Slade ignores Kent for the moment, taking his time speaking to each of his bridgecrew, getting a status report. His first officer Wintergreen gives the most detailed overview, but none of the people who have reached this level on Slade’s ship are idiots—they all are very accomplished at their jobs, and do not disappoint.
When Slade reaches the end of the line, Kent looks up at him with blue eyes that shine with anticipation. He’s clearly trying his best to control himself, but he’s—excitable. Probably can’t believe Slade approved his application to not only come aboard the Ravager but specifically join the birdgecrew.
Frankly, Slade is surprised that he applied at all. Didn’t his daddy warn him off? Didn’t he provide a dire warning about the ‘kind of person’ Slade is? Keep his baby boy from coming anywhere near a place where Slade would have power over him?
Maybe it’s teenage rebellion, just a few years late. Maybe he’s trying to prove himself his own man, out of the shadow of the powerful admiral that is his father. Or maybe it didn’t even cross Clark Kent’s mind that his son would want to join a ship like the Ravager, instead of a safer one, one less likely to tread into dangerous areas of space.
Slade will find out eventually. He has no intention of letting Jon Kent fade into the background of his crew.
“Private Kent,” Slade greets smoothly. “Welcome aboard.”
Kent straightens slightly, mouth twitching like he’s fighting a broad smile, understanding that such a thing is unprofessional. “Captain. It’s good to be here. I—thank you for letting me join. I promise I won’t disappoint.”
“That’s to be seen,” Slade hums, and that bright spark in Kent’s eyes dims for a moment before coming back with a vengeance, determination setting his features.
“Yes, Sir,” Kent agrees with a sharp nod, and Slade nods back before turning away, dismissing his crew with the flick of a hand.
They all immediately break away to their stations, and Kent hesitates for a moment before Wintergreen takes pity on him and directs him towards where he’s stationed.
Kent’s highest scores at the academy were for his language courses. He has a talent for picking them up, a skill that Slade is sure will come in handy. It mainly means that his job involves translating, and general communication when that’s not needed.
Slade observes him for a moment as he settles in his captain’s chair, watching the boy’s hands drift as he tries to adjust to the system in front of him. Probably different from the ones at the academy. But thankfully he seems to get his bearings quickly, fingers moving rapidly over the keyboard and pulling up various programs.
He’s...pretty, is probably the word for it. His features are far softer than those of his father, which Slade has to assume is due to his mother’s influence. Full lips and long eyelashes, a boyish youth that rounds his cheeks that he hasn’t quite shaken off even though he’s into his twenties.
With no one’s eyes on him currently, Slade allows himself a small smirk. Yes, there certainly might be some fun perks to having this power over the admiral’s son.