Fall of Icarus (25 page)

           
“
Revolution
Commander!” the guard yelled into the room.
 

As one, the people in the room rose to their feet and stood at the position of attention.
 
They remained that way as the winged Captain Hodge made her way through the crowd.
 
The Avalon Captain exuded an aura of command, something Keryn instantly recognized and yearned to emulate.
 
When she had the time, Keryn would have to sit down with the Captain and learn her secrets.

Climbing the stairs, Captain Hodge called out to the audience in an authoritative tone.
 
“Take your seats.”

As the audience sat, the Captain took her place behind the podium.
 
“I would like to thank you all for taking the time to come to this ceremony during such difficult and trying times.
 
I know that there remains much to be done within the
Revolution
, so it means that much more that you would be willing to be present for this promotion ceremony.

“Magistrate Riddell did not come to the
Revolution
that long ago.
 
Going into the battle against the Empire, she was actually the most junior pilot in the Squadron.
 
But in the face of war, we were all children.
 
We were juvenile and immature to the difficulties that we would all confront.
 
In those moments, when the horrors of war were cast before us, true leaders were forged from the flames of the plasma explosions erupting all around us.”

Captain Hodge looked affectionately toward Keryn, her words no longer directed at the audience.
 
“There is an old phrase that says that leaders are not born, they’re made.
 
Leaders learn from themselves, their superiors, their peers, and their subordinates.
 
From conflict, they learn resolution.
 
From pain, they learn compassion.
 
From loss, love.

“For the first time since the signing of the Taisa Accord, you are taking control of a Squadron full of battle-tested pilots.
 
You were selected because of the incredible accomplishments you have already performed.
 
But I encourage you to never become complacent.
 
Learn both your fortes and liabilities.
 
Without understanding your own strengths and weaknesses, you can never learn of the strengths and weaknesses of your subordinates.”

Looking back at the audience, Captain Hodge continued.
 
“My charge to Squadron Commander Riddell is to learn from all of you, but my charge to all of you is to envision yourself in her place.
 
Understand and learn from her trials and tribulations.
 
Once you realize the hardships that she must endure, you truly begin to appreciate the leaders appointed over you.

“Rarely have I met a more qualified, dedicated, and brave pilot as the one that I am promoting today.
 
For that reason, along with a myriad of others, I am honored to be standing here, before you all, to promote Magistrate Riddell to the rank of Squadron Commander.”

Moving to the position of attention, the Captain’s voice carried through the room.
 
“Publish the orders!”

As everyone rose to their feet once more, a narrator began reading the official orders that would promote Keryn from Magistrate to Squadron Commander.
 
The responsibility felt daunting; she felt detached from her own mind as Captain Hodge walked to her side and pulled off her former rank, replacing it with the glistening wreath and decorations that signified her new one.
 
When the Captain was done, she stepped to the side and the room erupted into clapping and cheers.
 
Blushing slightly, Keryn walked sheepishly to the podium as the clapping died away and everyone took
their
seats.

Keryn cleared her throat as the room fell silent.
 
“I struggled to find the words to express what this promotion meant to me.
 
I thought of all those beside whom I fought during the battle.
 
I thought of all those who sacrificed themselves so that we could be victorious against a determined and deadly enemy.
 
I thought of Squadron Commander Garrix, my predecessor who was among those who died in the war.
 
Somehow, words just didn’t seem to capture the depth of what I wanted to say.”

Scanning the crowd, she searched for the words to say.
 
“I can’t say that I’m going to be the best.
 
I’ve been told that I fought well in the battle and that’s why I’m standing here today.
 
But fighting well when you’re by yourself behind the controls of a ship does not necessarily translate well into being a leader.
 
I researched leadership attributes before coming here today.
 
One of the items on the list said that you should never downplay your potential in front of your subordinates.
 
But the truth is, I don’t know if I’m going to be a good leader.
 
What I can guarantee is that I will do everything in my power to try to become the leader you all deserve.
 
If I learned nothing else from this battle, it’s that I’m willing to sacrifice almost anything to accomplish my goal.
 
Even if it means…”

Keryn paused as she caught Yen’s eye.
 
She hadn’t even intended to look at him as she spoke, but her gaze had fallen on him inadvertently.
 
She felt the swell of her affection for him and knew immediately what she needed to say next.

“I will do whatever it takes, even if it means sacrificing my personal relationships to ensure your safety.
 
My job as Squadron Commander will always be my top priority and I will push aside any other trivial relationship to ensure that the relationship between Commander and pilot takes precedence.”

Looking away from Yen, Keryn addressed the rest of the crowd.
 
“I thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to serving you all.
 
Thank you.”

As she finished, the room once again was filled with cheers.
 
She shook Captain Hodge’s hand as the clapping slackened and people began filing out the back door.
 
Intentionally staying behind, Keryn struck up a conversation with the Captain, though she remembered little of what they said to one another.
 
From the corner of her eye, Keryn watched Yen leave with Adam and the last of the audience departed.
 
When she was sure they were gone, Keryn thanked Captain Hodge for her time and made her way out of the auditorium.

She had only made it a few paces past the door when she heard a voice behind her.
 
“What the hell was that all about?” Yen asked
,
his voice edged with anger.

“You heard what I had to say,” Keryn replied without turning around.
 
“I don’t think I could have made it much clearer.”

“No, it was quite clear.
 
Everyone in the auditorium knew what you were talking about.”

Keryn turned around.
 
Yen’s yellow skin was flushed with frustration.
 
Saddened, Keryn regretted the obvious heartbreak she was putting Yen through, but she knew that she had to remain stoic in her decision.

“I have new priorities, Yen.
 
I have pilots that are depending on me.
 
I can’t keep wasting my time with a sidebar relationship when I have so many people expecting me to lead.”

Yen’s jaw dropped.
 
“Wasting your time?
 
Is that what you think we’ve been doing for the past few months?
 
You think this has all been some big waste of time?”

Keryn kept her voice calm, despite the trembling she felt in her legs.
 
“I’m sorry, but I made my decision.”

“You’re not sorry!” Yen yelled.
 
“I’m looking you in the eyes and I don’t see one bit of remorse!”

Other people looked at the arguing pair.
 
Yen’s temper had drawn the attention of the pilots and Crewmen who had remained behind, mingling in the hallway or waiting to congratulate the new Squadron Commander.

“Keep your voice down, Yen,” Keryn replied sternly.

The red drained from Yen’s cheeks and he took on a cold demeanor.
 
“Is that a direct order, ma’am?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Yen shrugged.
 
“You only put on that rank a couple minutes ago, but you already seem to be wearing your
superior
rank so well.”
 
His choice of words seemed to ooze
a sarcastic
venom.

Keryn stepped closer to him until they were face to face.
 
“Is that what this is about?
 
Are you jealous?
 
Well let me tell you something, Magistrate Xiao.
 
Grow up and get over yourself.
 
Because I know I’ve already gotten over you.”

She turned and stormed off before the startled Yen could manage a stinging retort.
 
She didn’t care who watched as she shoved her way past the gathering crowd and onto the nearby lift.
 
When the doors closed and she was alone, Keryn let the tears spill down her cheeks.
 
She hadn’t meant to be so harsh, but she knew it was for the best.
 
For the next month of travel, she wanted the chance to figure out her life and the best way to do that was to not have Yen around.
 
And after that argument, she was pretty sure that Yen wouldn’t speak to her before they arrived at the Farimas Space Station.

Keryn took a deep breath and wiped away the tears from her eyes.
 
She was a Squadron Commander now and needed to start acting like it.
 
By the time the elevator doors opened on her floor, Keryn emerged with a glowing confidence that betrayed no hint of the emotional woman who had entered the lift.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

           
The view from the lift was both amazing and disheartening as Yen, Adam, and Penchant rode the elevator from the outer ring to the core of the Farimas Space Station.
 
The
Revolution
dominated their view, but numerous other Alliance Cruisers were docked in their berths around the ring.
 
No sooner had they disembarked,
then
repair teams had begun work both on the exterior and interior of the ships.
 
Already, they could see sparks flashing from welding torches as new armored plates were welded over the gaping holes and scars on the hull of the
Revolution
.

           
“We took a real beating,” Adam muttered as they stared through the glass window of the elevator.
 
The trio was crammed into the normally spacious lift along with members of the
Revolution
’s crew, all of
whom
had been granted shore leave during repairs.

           
“Yes, but we won,” Yen added.
 
His mood remained dark, as it had for the past four weeks of transit.

           
Adam frowned at his friend’s tone.
 
Leaning in close to Yen’s ear, Adam whispered so that only the psychic could hear him.
 
“It’s been four weeks.
 
Let it go.”

           
“Screw you,” Yen growled, his gaze never leaving the damaged Cruisers.

           
Adam shrugged, accepting that his friend’s mood was not going to soon improve.
 
Instead, he turned toward the stoic and unemotional Lithid.
 
“What plans do you have during leave, Penchant?”

           
The featureless black, oval face turned toward Adam.
 
Without eyes, Adam wasn’t entirely sure if Penchant was looking at him directly or just in his general direction.
 
Eventually, Penchant’s shoulders shrugged in an unassuming gesture.
 
“I thought I would spend a large portion of my shore leave studying Terran and Pilgrim anatomy.
 
I know so little about your race’s physiology.
 
I need to know what you’re made of if I’m ever required to shift into that form.”