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Homeworld Return - blackjack
:: 05/05/01 ::
Chapter 17
Four years later…
Jakare Ga'alet watched as her sisters played on the shore, splashing in the waves and running across the flat sand, leaving footprints behind them. It was odd to see them playing like small children again, and as she looked on from the green beachfront plaza she felt a wave of nostalgia. There was nothing like this on Yttera, but she and her sisters had often played upon the black-sand beaches of the Great Dark Sea when she was younger.
She heard footsteps behind her and was slightly surprised to see Hjihad Somtaaw approaching her. Then, remembering who she was and who he was, she snapped to attention and saluted, right hand over her left collarbone.
He chuckled and shook his head. "As you were," he said, sounding amused. She relaxed, and he continued. "You always were one for protocol. How are you, Jakare?"
She smiled. "Just fine, sir."
He waved her words away. "Don't call me 'sir'. We're not anywhere near a military zone, and unless we are I don't want to hear that word. You know my name well enough."
"Yes I do. It's just force of habit, you see."
He nodded. "Ah yes." He looked over her shoulder. "Who are those?"
"My sisters."
His eyes widened and he nodded. "I see. Well, I can certainly see the family resemblance." She smiled. "Here on leave, I take it?"
She nodded in reply. "Yes, so I figured that I'd visit my family."
"A wise choice. Always is. Where do they have you assigned now?"
"Onboard the Denetraix. She's one of the new dreadnought carriers. I command the fighter wing onboard."
He looked pleased. "Glad to see that fortune's been treating you right. Although, now that you mention it, I do need a new commander for the Kuun-Lan's wing. The previous one was ganged up on by Beast fragments. Care for the job?"
She nodded solemnly, out of respect for the death of a man, but then smiled again. "Of course."
He grinned too. "Excellent. When does your leave end?"
"A month."
"Perfect. I'll be in touch with you then."
She lowered her voice. "Hjihad?"
"Mmm?"
"You didn't come just to offer me a job, did you?"
He smiled. "Of course not. Friends must remain in touch. And I prefer visitations to communication channels."
She nodded. "As do I."
"Unfortunately, I'm afraid that I have business to do. The Third Diamid is having a session about what to do about the recent Beast attacks, and I have to attend. Now, as a matter of fact."
"I understand."
He reached out and grasped her arm. "Goodbye, Jakare."
She returned the grip. "Goodbye, Somtaaw'sa." With that, they parted, and Jakare resumed watching her sisters play on the beach. And after a moment, she raised her face to the afternoon sun and smiled to herself.
For she was witness to a new age of peace.
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