Ja'Vel: Tales From The Athenaverse by Athena Storm

Author:Athena Storm [Storm, Athena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Athenaverse Press
Published: 2019-10-09T16:00:00+00:00

Five

Ja’Vel

“Looks like our trip was cut short, that’s gotta be good for you, right?” Ashley asks me as we watch Syfer City speed by us. We’re on the monorail that will take us to the Trident Alliance Military Complex where Caan will meet us and claim Ashley.

“It’s much shorter than I was expecting,” I reply.

My heart is tearing up inside.

I was looking forward to another two weeks of being around this amazing creature.

To be robbed of this time feels…wrong.

“Ja’Vel…” Ashley begins.

I look at her.

I know what she’s going to say. But to go down that path means that I would give up on my dreams of re-entering the Alliance Military. It means that I would turn my back on what I had worked so hard for.

It would make the sacrifices of my comrades on Horus IV inconsequential.

Why did they die if not for me to return once I was able to and avenge them?

No.

This woman would make me happy.

I would protect her.

We would love each other.

But that is not for me. That cannot be my life. I cannot forget what my companions… my friends… had died for on Horus IV.

“We don’t have to-” she begins, but I cut her off.

“This is our stop.”

Ashley is thrown off balance as I stand up and take her hand. She walks with me as we exit the platform and make our way to the massive structure that houses the Trident Alliance Military structure on Syfer.

I want to stop.

I want to turn around and take Ashley with me.

To say fuck it to Commander Caan. Ashley and I could go anywhere in the galaxy with my ship. We could explore the stars and spend our days exploring new worlds and our nights exploring each other.

I could at least tell her what I feel.

But I don’t.

Instead, I walk to the receptionist desk and say, “Ja’Vel, for Commander Caan.”

She nods, all business, and sends a message to the Commander on his comm.

Ashley’s eyes are watering.

I can’t bear to give her up. I can’t bear to look at her. But I can’t turn away.

This will be the last time that I lay eyes on her most likely.

“Ja’Vel!” I hear my name called and I turn to see Commander Caan walk in my direction. He’s much older than when we served together, but still fit.

“Commander Caan,” I say.

We grasp each other in welcome and I move to salute him, when he shoos me off.

“Easy, friend. Just Caan now. No saluting. You no longer serve in the Military.”

“No, I suppose not,” I say. “But…”

I trail off and Caan sees my thoughts. He knows what I intend to do with my money. I had told him earlier in a desperate attempt to get the rights to his contract. It had worked.

“Ah, you’re going to go under the knife again, aren’t you? To re-enlist.”

“Yes, sir. That is still the plan.”

Commander Caan goes silent for a moment and I realize I haven’t introduced Ashley.

“Commander, please allow me to introduce to you, Ashley Verkeef of the planet Luvon as your future bride.

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