2 Weeks Later, Thursday. 18:25 Armstrong Hall, Secure Records Room

The color in John’s face had drained from his face as he read the fully redacted records. John felt surprised that he didn’t want to kill Dr. Norman any more than he already did. He was just incredibly disappointed and disgusted with the Confederacy’s leadership that they moved forward with this program.

The seventeenth child was taken by the mad doctor the Mercantilist Union. A positive DNA match was made when they scanned from Lex’s arm that John had chopped off. She was the mother of the twins. The father was not known but the paternal DNA appeared to be highly modified.

The sixteen other children were monitored until they were eighteen. Six had entered the military, though only two graduated. The other ten either joined the corporate workplace or started their own businesses. But neither the military nor Intelligence performed any further surveillance on those that were born from the program.

The exceptions to that were the four that remained in the military were clearly tracked because of their nature of being in the military. Naval Intelligence truly did not know about John, though his test scores and his age were in their records.

John leaned back in his chair and locked the data sleet he was reading. He picked up the third and final one and began looking at its contents. It continued records on the Alliance eugenics program, which was of interest to John as apparently his grandfather was produced as a result of that. But no active monitoring was completed on the people they incorporated into the Confederacy.

An hour later the last data slate was locked, and John stood up and walked out of the room. An intelligence agent took the data slates and began the process of wiping them clean as John left the department.

John stopped halfway back to the dorms and sat down on a park bench. He needed to process what he had read. He was thankful that there really weren’t any other explosive revelations in the documents. Supposedly this was the lone time that the military overtly took part in an active eugenics program. Excepting the telekinetics that are wards of the state of course.

In the end, John came to the quick determination that not much really had changed. He did finally achieve closure by knowing the truth about who and where his grandparents came from. But as they and his parents were all dead it didn’t really have a big impact on his life.

John’s tablet began vibrating so he pulled it out of his coat pock, “Holy shit John, you will not believe it.”

John rolled his eyes, “Thomas buddy, you need to give me details because honestly, you gave me nothing to work with there.”

“Give me the damn phone,” Andern could be heard yelling in the background.

“No, give it to me, I want to tell him,” Kevin shouted.

“Can one of you idiots please tell me what the fuck is going on?” John asked in an annoyed tone.

Thomas appeared to have won the fight for the phone, “Princess Windsor is on Earth. And wouldn’t you guess it she’s requested a tour of the Naval academy?”

“And?” John looked squarely at the concrete under his feet.

“Guess who she wants as a tour guide?” Andern shouted from the background.

John looked up and shook his head, “Nope, not happening.”

“Alice is literally fuming. And we know the princes wants you because a couple of officers showed up looking for you. They are waiting here for you too.”

“Fucking great. I’m walking back now, should be there in a few.”

John got up and walked back to the dorm a little more quickly than normal. He now had two missions. The first was making sure Alice didn’t commit career suicide. The second was determining how the hell he could out of this request without ending up with too much egg on his face.

19:45 Lounge

“Cadet, First Fleet command is in charge of the Princess's visit to the academy, and she would appreciate a tour,” the lieutenant said.

“Cool, have someone from the fleet show her about.”

“She’s asked for you,” the female lieutenant smiled, “Royalty does get its way.”

Alice nearly looked apocalyptic. The boys were giggling like idiots. John closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Academy regs require me to attend class. Even if you get my professors to sign off on my absences, I’m still duty-bound to attend them.”

Both officers rolled their eyes. John’s statement was clear bullshit to everyone. Cadets, almost universally, will jump at the chance to avoid class. In fact, John had done just that only a year ago.

“Stow the bullshit cadet. You’re at the top of your class and were you given an option you’d likely be able to make the finals and be done with the classes tomorrow.”

“It changes nothing. I want nothing to do with that whack job of a princess.”

The female lieutenant walked forward, “First Fleet would consider you taking care of the tour a great service to us.”

Andern grunted in the background. Kristin was talking with Alice. The rest of the boys were trying, and failing horribly, at not making them look like a gaggle of idiots.

“Oh, I’m sure it would. If I’m not mistaken, I’d say y’all are looking forward to her shitshow as much as I am. The answer is no,” John paused and stood up, “You can’t make me do this as I’m outside of your chain of command. Nor can the commandant. I want nothing to do with that woman. I saved her life once; in some respects, I wish I had failed so I didn’t get roped into this mess.”

“That’s a bit extreme, cadet. Regretting doing your job?”

“I said in some respects. But I did my duty then. I am not honor-bound to fulfill the fanciful wishes of someone with connections that would like an inside peek of military life. If that hurts my career, so be it.”

The lieutenants looked at one another. One of them walked over to the television and activated its communications system. Three individuals appeared on the screen. Captain Salvator, deputy director of communications for First Fleet, was sitting down on the left-hand side of the table. On the right sat Commander Tyler, senior attaché to the core words. In the middle sat a familiar face, Admiral Charles Dickinson, First Fleets commander.

“Good evening gentlemen. The answer is still no.”

Admiral Dickinson began to speak, “Her father said it would look good….”

“No. If y’all want to pull rank and get me assigned to a sanitation scow, by all means, do it. That is preferred over this bullshit assignment.”

“The royal family is not accustomed to that kind of response,” Salvator said.

“Of that, I am painfully aware. They were helpless in the attack because they don’t have people that tell them no,” John turned and walked to the back of the room and leaned against the wall.

“Yes, about that. Your lack of diplomacy is partially why we’re here. We believe if you do this, then relations can be normalized,” Tyler said.

John started to laugh, “The royal family doesn’t have that kind of pull these days. Besides, that kind of sympathy might work on some of the female cadets here, but it won’t work on me.”

The girls, including the visiting lieutenant, began to glare at John. That statement may have been sexist, but their past statements prove accurate. It just hit a bit too close to home.

“What’s your price?” Admiral Dickinson asked.

“You don’t have the kind of pull to case that in sir. Besides, I don’t want a command like that,” John took a deep breath, “Mind if I ask y’all a question? Off the record of course?”

Thomas smirked, stood up, and closed the door. A degree of privacy was required. The group on-screen looked at one another and nodded.

“Y’all don’t want anything to do with this either. She got attacked because of her own idiocy. She offended and embarrassed the First Fleet by ordering her escorts away. The royal family is conveniently overlooking their princess’ own actions got her into that position and now they are trying to use that as leverage for this request? Or is it guilty that the attack happened in Sol?”

The admiral put a finger up to quiet the captain and answered the question, “It’s a little of both. Past dealings with that family have always been contentious.”

“And now, you have an out. You can take credit for a wonderful show while not having to do a God damned thing,” John said, “I’m not playing that game, sir. I don’t care if Manchester revolts as a result of my inaction. It’s not my bag. What happens in the void though, does matter to me. Pass the buck to Central Command’s public relations team. This shit is right up their alley.”

“Central command…” Salvator was about to say before he got interrupted.

“Wants this less than anyone in this room if we’re being open and honest with one another,” Admiral Dickinson said, “Do this for us and I’ll pull some strings and I can get you into the second fleet in an attack wing.”

John took a deep breath and looked over at Alice. The Second fleet was in charge of the oldest five colonies after Alpha Centauri. The worlds had all been settled for nearly two centuries. They were developed well and pirate activity, while noticeably higher than the Sol system, was still very low. Alice shook her head. John shrugged.

“The second fleet assignment, It’s not just for Alice and me. You get everyone in this room assigned to the Second Fleet. And it’s in writing, with the agreement of Admiral Shin and the commandant. Otherwise, we don’t have a deal.”

“Lieutenants, you can head to the communications room. We’ll be in touch.”

The room was quiet and had an awkward tense feeling linger in the air. The group watched as the lieutenants walked out of the room. Kevin thought they looked relieved as they left. Once the intruders had left the room the group began looking at another. No one wanted to say anything, partially out of respect for Alice and also partly because they were curious what she would say.

“WHAT THE ABSOLUTE FUCK JOHN?” Alice did not disappoint with her response.

John shrugged as he leaned back in his chair, “Second Fleet out of the academy. We have the assignments guaranteed and signed off by the commandant, along with the First and Second fleet admirals. Worth the price of admission.”

“But you have to be around her,” Alice responded through grit teeth.

“And if she does anything inappropriate or out of hand, then the tour ends, and we still get our assignments. It’s a win-win scenario honey.”

Theresa was the first to jump into it, “Admittedly we all benefit from the arrangement thanks to John’s wonderful blackmail…”

“Negotiation tactics dear,” Kevin interrupted, “He’s made it clear nothing will happen.”

“Are you going to go full-on serious mode where your dress uniform?” Thomas asked.

John gave his friends a wicked grin that they’ve seen many times, “Mhmm. If y’all thought the girls could perfect resting bitch face, then wait till you see me in my whites. There won’t be any idle chit-chat while the tour goes on. Here’s the location, purpose, and what we do. Then move on.”

“It’s not a bad trade Alice,” Kristin said sheepishly.

“I know, but I can’t stand that fucking bitch,” Alice said as she glared at the room.

Friday. 12:10 Cafeteria

Andern was the last one in the group to sit down at the table. Alice’s face was still stuck in the resting bitch face. She looked like she wanted to say something but kept quiet. No one really wanted to approach or engage her. John didn’t look any different than he had the night before.

“So, you hear back yet?” Andern asked.

“Negative, though I wouldn’t be surprised if nothing is said until our last class.”

“I don’t think it’s worth it,” Alice mumbled.

“Honey, I get it your pissed. But the upside to this deal is huge,” John paused, “We won’t be assigned anywhere near the bitch. That’s First Fleet Territory. The Second Fleet goes all the way out to the Aquari system. Epsilon Eridani or the Lalande systems are where we’d likely be assigned.”

Alice tossed her silverware on her tray, “But I can’t stand you being around her. She’s just…”

Everyone paused and looked at her. Alice only ever got jealous when it involved John. That was literally the only time where she would become irrational. Though in this case her general dislike of the princess was universally shared by everyone at the table. That was somewhat ironic though that prior to them actually meeting and saving her that they were generally interested in the Windsor royal family.

“A royal cunt. I get it. I do,” John said holding Alice’s hand, “I’m going to make the tour as dry and boring as possible.”

“I bet he can do that,” Brian said laughing.

“It’s just that she doesn’t play by the same rules. They can get away with things,” Alice protested.

“Alice, I give you my solemn promise that I will go fully homicidal on the royal family if they try anything,” John said then dug into his sandwich.

“I would seriously give big money for front row seats to that,” Nathan said as he stifled laughter.

“That was the single most un-romantic romantic thing I think I’ve ever heard,” Jessica said with a horrified look on her face.

“You two are seriously messed up sometimes. Like seriously.” Theresa said.

“Fine, do it. But so help me god, if she does anything...”

“Woah there little lady, I will fight back if she does anything, but I’m not getting punished for any bullshit that I didn’t start,” John said as he put his hands in front of him.

The group bounced from topic to topic until the hour was over. They reluctantly cleaned up and took their trays to the drop-off point. Then they split up and headed to their afternoon classes.

16:30 Commandant’s Office

John sat in a chair in front of the commandant. He was grateful for being pulled out of class, but he was bored as hell. The two admirals and the commandant were arguing with each other. Admirals Dickinson and Melnyk both were trying to convince Admiral Deichi Shin to take on the cadets after graduation.

“I will not take on this cadet who stole all of that money from us. I don’t give a damn if it was Naval Intelligence that green-lit the whole damned operation. He is not going to be in the Second Fleet,” Shin looked absolutely livid, “I don’t care what kind of favors you're trying to pull. He and his friends aren’t worth it.”

Melnyk looked over at John, “Are you even going to try and defend yourself?”

John shrugged, “Nah, not really. I mean, my recommendation was to do so much more to you crooked assholes than what we ended up doing.”

"That’s the other thing. How in the hell are we supposed to have that in any of our fleets? We try to discipline him and then he holds this bullshit over our heads.”

“Maybe don’t be a dishonest thief?” John asked, “But you are quite right, I know many things.”

“What does that make you then? How are you any different than us?” Admiral Dickinson spat out.

John smiled, “I’m not out to enrich myself. True it does happen since I take from y’all. But I only take from people that have lied, cheated, and stolen from the very system that employs them and that which actively prevents people like me from moving up in the ranks. I’ll be the sympathetic figure if the truth ever gets out, you and your ilk. Not so much.”

“That’s enough of the sniping. We can’t continue to do this. We need to find a way to come to an agreement regarding this royal problem.”

Shin’s anger didn’t subside, “Fine, I’ll take on his eight friends. That balances out my debt to you Dickinson. But I will not take Lief. His wife is simply a casualty of his past sins.”

“I can’t imagine any of the first five fleets taking him in,” Dickinson said.

“Fifth fleet wasn’t part of their little action last year, were they?” Melnyk asked.

John shook his head. Silence loomed over the room. Dickinson broke the silence.

“Cadet Lief, correct me if I’m wrong but would Petrov react more strongly against you than Shin?

John laughed, “I think he’d rather airlock me or shoot me in the head than take me into the fleet. I’m a choir boy to the two of you.”

Melnyk was shaking his head, “You didn’t do yourself any favors son.”

“No, no I didn’t. But then again that speaks to the character of those who are in charge of our fleets too. Say what you will about me and my tactics, but I didn’t actively try to sabotage a cadet’s career or take bribes from corporate assholes.”

“That’s a bunch of horseshit and you know it, cadet,” an enraged Shin said, “We know without a doubt that you skimmed some money from what you did against us. Not to mention all of that money you are now cleaning and investing yourself.”

“Of course I did, given that y’all were actively trying to destroy my career before I even became a commissioned officer. Think about that real hard for a second. Y’all were scared to death of a fucking cadet,” John took a deep breath, “Now imagine having a young officer with all those capabilities in your employ. Although those abilities aren’t there for your enrichment.”

Melnyk looked at Shin. He was waiting for the Admiral to say anything. Shin had remained agitated at the prospect of taking the cadet. Dickinson also looked at Shin, hoping that he could stomach taking the cadet into his fleet.

“No, I’ll take the others. I’ll even take his wife. But Lief will never be in the Second so long as I’m in charge of it. Or any other fleet or wing I’m in charge of.”

“Damnit Shin, he’s not going to disobey orders,” Dickinson exclaimed.

“No,” Shin said, “That is as far as I go. I’ll take the others. But not him.”

Then there were three. Shin had ended the connection. Dickinson looked at Melnyk, then pressed the mute button, and looked like he swore as he slammed his fist into the console. He then walked over to his terminal and was working on something.

“Charles, what now?” Melnyk asked.

Dickinson unmuted his line, “Give me a moment. I’m checking something.”

“Son, you have a penchant for causing a mess anywhere you go,” Melnyk said.

“Tell me about it. Though in my defense half of the shit wasn’t my fault or even started by me.”

Dickinson looked up and smiled, “Congrats son, I’ll take you into the First Fleet.”

John looked up and didn’t like the look on Dickinson’s face, “What’s the catch here.”

Dickinson flashed an evil grin, “You’ll be assigned to an attack squadron for the seventh or eighth wing. You’ll be based out of St. Mary’s station above Manchester.”

Acting with near superhuman speed, Dickinson ended the call before John could react to the unwelcome news. Melnyk started to laugh. John stood up and slammed his hands on the desk.

“No fucking deal. I am not doing this.”

“Too late cadet. The good admiral got one over on you. Looks like the princess will get a chance to fawn over you for a few years to come. I will make sure to have the signed orders from the admirals to ensure you and your friends will get the assignments that we all agreed to. Modifying yours obviously. You’re dismissed.”

John saluted and walked out of the room. He tried to hold his anger back, but he struggled to do so. The deal, that he swore was going to work and get their friends' cushy assignments just exploded in his face. Now he had to determine whether or not to tell Alice. And then deal with the nuclear fallout from that discussion.