# The Academy - Remembrance

Author: SrA havenofimage
Tags: Bear, Falcon, Fox, Funeral, Military, Snow Leopard, Story End, Various Species, marten

#12 of The Academy

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We weren't allowed to go back to campus.&nbsp; The story that was being put out was that we had died in a helicopter accident during the training mission and it would raise suspicion if we were seen around the barracks.&nbsp; Instead, we were being confined to a luxurious condominium, usually reserved for visiting heads of state.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We sat in the living room around the large fireplace.&nbsp; Jessica and Tank were in the middle of a heated chess game.&nbsp; I watched passively as they maneuvered pieces across the board.&nbsp; Trestan was playing on a handheld gaming system.&nbsp; Teague was lounging in a recliner, reading the paper.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Hey guys!" he called.&nbsp; "We made the headlines."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I walked over to see what he was talking about.&nbsp; It didn't take long to find out.&nbsp; On the bottom of the front page was an image of smoldering aircraft wreckage accompanied by the title "Five Academy Cadets Die in Training Accident."&nbsp; I read the story quickly.&nbsp; It talked about the weather conditions which caused the pilot to lose visibility.&nbsp; Bla, bla, bla...&nbsp; Finally, at the end of the article, it listed the names of the cadets who had died.&nbsp; They were ours of course.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Well, it's official.&nbsp; We're dead."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"It's kind of strange reading about your own death."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"It's kind of sad thinking of who else is reading about it."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I sat back down.&nbsp; The article had brought home the realization of what I had chosen to undertake more than anything else.&nbsp; I knew my parents had already been notified before the article came out.&nbsp; Who knew what they were thinking right now.&nbsp; Traci however, probably wouldn't know until she read this.&nbsp; Unless my parents had told her.&nbsp; When I had said I wouldn't know what to do if I lost her, I had meant it.&nbsp; Now I had, because as far as she knew, she had lost me.&nbsp; What was she thinking right now?&nbsp; I couldn't bear the thought of Traci believing me to be dead.&nbsp; Somehow, I had to let her know that I wasn't.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"When's the funeral."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Wednesday, why?"

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Wednesday.&nbsp; That was in two days.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Because I'm going."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"But we can't leave the house."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"I don't care.&nbsp; I'm going to my funeral and that's final.&nbsp; I'll wear mourner's robes so no one can recognize me.&nbsp; Feel free to join me if you want."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"How are we going to get passed the guards?"

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Come on, if we can break into a bunker full of armed men, we can sneak out of here past two guards."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Wednesday brought clear skies and the warm dry air that came at the end of summer.&nbsp; It felt good to be outside, the first time in over a week.&nbsp; The heavy black robes were hot and uncomfortable, but a necessary precaution.&nbsp; We would already be getting in trouble for breaking out, even more if we were seen.&nbsp; The folds of the cloth would cover our figures, and the hoods came down to hide our faces in shadow.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; We stood, side by side as the ceremony took place.&nbsp; Unfortunately, our bodies could not be recovered from the wreckage.&nbsp; Instead, five national flags lay folded on a table draped in black.&nbsp; It was a surreal moment standing there amongst people who I had known, listening to a priest talk about my life.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; It broke my heart to see Traci.&nbsp; She stood in the front row, tears silently rolling down her beautiful face.&nbsp; If I had known I would ever see this, I would never have volunteered for the assignment.&nbsp; My parents were there as well, my father's arm around my mom.&nbsp; I spotted Teague's parents standing next to two bears who must be Tank's family.&nbsp; There was also a fearsome looking falcon who shared Trestan's features, but I couldn't find anyone who looked like Jessica's relatives.&nbsp; I'd have to ask her about it sometime.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The sermon drew to an end.&nbsp; An honor guard of seven soldiers dressed in class A uniforms marched out.&nbsp; At the command of the leader, they each fired three shots into the air.&nbsp; I heard a soft rumbling which quickly grew into a loud roar.&nbsp; I looked up to see a formation of jets.&nbsp; As they passed over head, one flew off and the rest continued on their original path.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Some members of the audience shuffled forward to pay their final respects while others drifted off back to their cars.&nbsp; I watched Traci silently as she stared at the table.&nbsp; Finally she moved away.&nbsp; I raised my hood just enough so the sun would reflect off my eyes.&nbsp; I walked towards her and as we passed I brushed against her arm gently.&nbsp; I then quickly disappeared into the dispersing crowd.

\*\*\*

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I can't believe he's dead.&nbsp; How could god do such a thing.&nbsp; I just read a report in the paper about a serial killer getting off on a technicality.&nbsp; How is scum like that allowed to walk free and my Kirian, who wanted nothing more than to protect the people of his country, is taken away?

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I couldn't hold back the tears, and I didn't try.&nbsp; His parents were standing next to me.&nbsp; I didn't even want to try and imagine how they must feel.&nbsp; Eighteen years was too soon to be taken.&nbsp; Parents should never have to go to their children's funerals.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I didn't even know it had ended, but people were leaving, so it must have.&nbsp; I walked up to the table.&nbsp; There were five folded flags sitting on it.&nbsp; One for each of the squad members who had died.&nbsp; I had eyes for only one.&nbsp; There was a small placard below it.

C/PFC Kirian Harper

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;It wasn't fair.&nbsp; It just wasn't fair.&nbsp; I loved him, and now he was gone.&nbsp; Could I ever love again?&nbsp; Probably, but it would never be the same.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Finally, when I could stand the sight no longer, I turned away.&nbsp; I would come back, but right now I had to get away from this place.&nbsp; Someone in heavy black mourner's robes was walking towards me.&nbsp; I looked quickly into the shadowed face to see... two golden eyes.&nbsp; The figure brushed me gently as it passed.&nbsp; It couldn't be.&nbsp; I turned, but they had gone.&nbsp; I hadn't imagined it had I?&nbsp; No, I knew those eyes too well, and the fur on my arm was still on end from where he had touched me.&nbsp; This didn't seem possible.&nbsp; I must have imagined it.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I climbed in my car and started the drive home.&nbsp; I flipped the dial to my favorite radio station.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"We just had a young man call in and request this song.&nbsp; He said he hope it would give a little comfort to those mourning the tragic loss of five academy cadets."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I didn't pay much attention to the song until it reached the chorus.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"And it's breaking my heart, I know what I must do.&nbsp; I hear my country calling but I want to be with you.&nbsp; I'm taking my side, one of us will lose.&nbsp; Don't let go, I want to know that you wait for me until the day..."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;This couldn't be.&nbsp; It was all just a random series of coincidences.&nbsp; Kirian couldn't be the only person with eyes that color.&nbsp; And some random friend of one of the cadets called in because he actually thought the song would help everyone.&nbsp; Kirian couldn't be alive.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I got home and ran to my room.&nbsp; I didn't know what to think.&nbsp; I opened the door and was about t throw myself on to my bed when I saw something on my pillow.&nbsp; There was a single black celestial sitting on it.&nbsp; Only one person could have put that there.

\*\*\*

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"What were you doing?"

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"I had to take care of some unfinished business."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I climbed into the cab with the rest of the squad.&nbsp; The driver, somewhat distraught from the five black clad figures crammed into his car, took off.&nbsp; I felt better now that I had ensured Traci knew I was alive.&nbsp; The brass would be pissed when they found out what we had done but, like Teague had said, "No one's keeping me out of my own god dammed funeral!"

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We reached the condominium.&nbsp; I paid the driver and we extricated ourselves from the cramped interior.&nbsp; Getting out was the hard part.&nbsp; Getting back in was fun.&nbsp; We walked up the two guards and laughed at the expression on their faces as we walked through the front door.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Every entrance and exit to the building had an alarm on it.&nbsp; Quite impressive that you were able to escape without setting a single one off."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I turned to see who was talking.&nbsp; Shit.&nbsp; It was the general.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"We go through all the trouble of this and you nearly blow it by making a public appearance!"

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Sir, respectively speaking, if you're going to kill my squad, I would at least like the privilege of paying my final respects."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"True, that's why I didn't send a team after you.&nbsp; At least you took the precaution of disguising yourselves.&nbsp; But that's not why I'm here.&nbsp; You're all shipping out tomorrow to begin training.&nbsp; A vehicle will meet you out front at 0500.&nbsp; You will then take a jet to a secure facility.&nbsp; I look forward to seeing what you will become."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;He rose from his seat.&nbsp; I snapped a quick salute which he promptly returned.&nbsp; As he walked out the door, I got the strange feeling that I would never see the fox again.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The next morning we were picked up by the same white van which had taken us to the last challenge.&nbsp; It drove us to an airfield on the base where we had been staying.&nbsp; We unloaded and were met by a tall, powerful looking cat.&nbsp; He was a first lieutenant and said that he would be our pilot.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We were led out to the tarmac to find a strange looking aircraft waiting for us.&nbsp; It resembled the Lancer supersonic bomber, crossed with some millionaire's private plane.&nbsp; It had a strange elegance once you got over its shocking appearance.&nbsp; The pilot explained that "his baby" was capable of sustained speeds above mach 2 with a max velocity of mach 3.15.&nbsp; It had the maneuverability of a large fighter and, for the protection of its passengers, was equipped with a 20mm cannon, and two wingtip mounted fire and forget air to air missiles.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I wondered as I climbed aboard why we were traveling in such a heavily armed transport.&nbsp; I donned the provided helmet and mask, and strapped into my seat.&nbsp; Soon we were taxiing out.&nbsp; I heard the engines increase in volume as the pilot pushed the throttle forward.&nbsp; Then, with a lurch, the breaks were released and we shot forward and lifted off the ground at an alarming rate.&nbsp; I could feel the G forces push on by body.&nbsp; Tank's voice came over the line.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Oh, I think I'm going to be sick!"

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Going supersonic."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The cabin shuddered as it was buffeted by the shockwave and we broke the sound barrier.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Yup."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I heard the muffled sound of Tank using the barf bag.&nbsp; Personally, I found the experience to be rather exiting.&nbsp; Never in my life had I dreamed that I would be traveling faster that the speed of sound on my way to be trained at a secret government facility.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Not half an hour later the pilot announced that we would soon be arriving.&nbsp; I looked out my window as the view lightened and I could begin to make out the landscape.&nbsp; We seemed to be over a large dessert.&nbsp; There was a mountain range in the distance that we were heading for.&nbsp; I watched as we descended lower and lower.&nbsp; Then I started to worry.&nbsp; We were extremely close to the ground, the mountains approaching fast, and I couldn't see any sign of a landing strip.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I gasped as the air craft quickly decelerated and we touched down inside of a mountain.&nbsp; The plane came to a halt.&nbsp; Someone opened the side hatch and I climbed out.&nbsp; I looked behind us to see two huge doors closing.&nbsp; I took in the rest of my surroundings.&nbsp; The hanger was massive, there were a few people moving about but for the most part it was empty.&nbsp; A computerized female voice came over the speakers.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Venting exhaust."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The whir of enormous fans silently filled the room.&nbsp; The rest of the squad joined me.&nbsp; Tank handed a bag to the pilot.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Thanks bud."

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I saw someone walk out of a door and make a b line for us.&nbsp; It was a tall female mink wearing civilian cloths and glasses.

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Welcome to training center seventeen."

&nbsp;

[b][url=http://www.sofurry.com/page/127980/user]To be continued...[/url][/b]

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/V1Y6X9re
Part of the series The Academy
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