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"When you're questioning the why of it
Rise up in the light of it
I'll be by your side in it all
I'm cheering you on"
- For King and Country, "Cheering You On"
/
“How come the Klingon gets to keep his hair and I can’t?”
Caleb hates how childish he sounds, but that hair was a part of him. It’s uncanny to walk through a door and have it disappear.
“It’s the locs,” Ake explains. “They’re protective. The way you had yours, it could’ve gotten snagged on something or ripped out before you could say “ouch”. Every rule has a reason, Caleb. If you don’t know, ask.”
“Yeah, well … “ He rubs his bare neck. “You still should’ve asked me first.”
She smiles up at him ruefully. “You can always grow it back.”
/
“I have an idea!” Genesis’ high clear voice cuts sharply through the phaser fire and shouting on the calica court. “When my dad fought the Breen Primarch - ”
“Seriously?” Darem scoffs. “Now’s not the time for a history lesson!”
“Hey, Reymi.” Coach Reno stands behind them, arms crossed. “Question: Is calica a solo game?”
“Uh … no, Coach?”
“Then listen to your teammates. Or find yourself another sport.”
Darem grins sheepishly. “Yes, Coach.”
Genesis narrows her eyes at him. Sam gives her an encouraging shoulder bump.
She tosses her braid and launches into explaining Admiral Lythe’s strategy.
It works.
/
“I’m not programmed for conflict,” Sam squeaks as their classmates file past. “Especially not with Caleb. He’s so cute, he gives me feedback loops. With calica, at least I have my team, but - this?”
Just looking at the debate stage is enough to make her feel glitchy.
“Don’t think of it as conflict, if that helps.” The Doctor’s acerbic voice softens. “Think of it as … sharpening their minds against yours, in a shared search for truth.”
The next time she steps behind the podium, she’s sharper than a scalpel with her facts.
“Cadet Series Acclimation Mil - Sam … advance!”
/
Jay-Den has no desire to shoot a living creature, but it seems a shame to waste his brand-new Hurwi’. Flying drones feel no pain. They challenge his strength, speed, and sharpness of eye to the limit.
“You’re overthinking, Kraag!” The Cadet Master shouts from the other side of the target range. “Get out of your own way! You can do it!”
She is speaking Klingon. Her rough, good-natured voice takes him right back to the campfires of Krios.
He shoots. The drone falls. The scoreboard chimes.
Her roar of triumph on his behalf reverberates through the target range.