Astro Corps HQ

May 28, 2506

Vega II- Walter’s Farmhouse

1440 hours GST-Z

Kathleen “Kat” Walters stared at the holograph of her father above the fireplace mantle. The logs crackled and popped, and the heat felt good. For spring, today had been a cold and wet day, and her trip into town had been useless. She had hoped to talk to her JRROTC program leader at DeYoung High School, but Colonel Garcia had left for three weeks of vacation. Kat had earned the highest category rating in the JRROTC program; she hoped Garcia would help her. She had not heard her mother come into the room. 

“He loved to wear that uniform, and he was so attractive in it.” Janet Walters placed a hand on Kat’s shoulder. Kat turned and gave a slight smile to her mother.

“I miss him so much, Mom. It isn’t fair. Daddy was the only fatality on his ship, the universe just sucks.” Kat folded her arms and looked up at the holograph of Daniel Walters.

It was so lifelike as if she could reach into the frame and touch him, and he’d really be there. His brown hair with streaks of gray, his hazel eyes gazing out at her, as if evaluating the girl standing before him now. His blue and gray Astro Corps uniform, the collar with his Chief Specialist pins and the shoulder chevrons making him look larger than he actually was. Mom was right; he looked good in it.

“Mrs. Keppler tells me you went to the school today looking for Colonel Garcia. How come?”

“I wanted to see how I cancel my place at the Academy,” Kat said it with a deadpan expression and a near lifeless voice.

“Kat? Why? Your ambition since you were fourteen was Astro Corps Academy, this and Astro Corps Academy, that. Hell, we even took a family vacation to The Woodlands, Texas, just so you could visit the Academy.”

Janet walked away from Kat and sat down on the sofa. Kat turned and stood defiantly, arms crossed, glowering at her mother.

“My choice, Mom. I don’t have to explain it to you. I am eighteen, and this is between me and the Academy!”

 Kat raised her voice, which made Janet sit back, dumbfounded.

Kat was not usually so emotional. She controlled herself, remaining calm and collected. In fact, Janet often joked she wished she knew what it was like to have a teenager in the house, as Kat was already thirty in maturity. At this moment, her youth was showing.

“I just asked why, Kat? Why are you so angry?”

“Because the whole mother fragging universe is unfair! The damn Zontaerians killed my father, and I am supposed to join the Corps and leave you behind, alone? How can I?”

“Kat, I took care of myself before your father, and I can do it now. Quit being a silly girl and start packing. We leave for the Academy in three days.”

“You’re not hearing me! I am not going, Mom. That’s all there is to it!” Kat stormed down the hallway and to her room.

Kat lay on her bed, clutching her purple comforter, crying. Her father, Chief Specialist Daniel Walters, died saving seventeen of his crew and realigning the shield grid before he died of vacuum exposure. Her mother did not allow Kat to see the body. Kat harbored resentment towards her mother for that, and this might have contributed to her anger. What she knew was that she didn’t feel right running off to the Academy and leaving her mother here alone.

After a few minutes, there was a knock on Kat’s door. Her mother entered, holding a datapad. She sat down on the bed next to Kat. Kat leaned up against the headboard, scooting away from her mother. A petty gesture, but one she knew her mother would understand.

“I want you to watch this before you make your final decision. Will you at least do that for me?” Her mother’s eyes pleaded.

“I can do that.” Kat took the datapad. Janet quietly left the room. 

The image on the datapad surprised her. It was the man called the hero of the battle for Earth. Captain John Harrigan. Dressed in the fleet’s black dress uniform trimmed in silver, his chest pins with all his merits earned gleaming in the Texas sun, on the Academy parade grounds.

The speech was ready. Kat sat back, using a few pillows to prop herself against the headboard. Making herself comfortable, she pressed play. Harrigan paused as people applauded. He continued. 

“There is honor in endurance. We teach that here. My mother showed me that. She endured. On Mars during the colonial wars. She kept the oath that day. A grenade from an IB infantry drone mistook me for a soldier and fried a plasma grenade. Remembering her oath from her cadet days, she dived with no hesitation. If she hadn’t, history might have changed a few months ago. Mary Harrigan is the genuine hero of the Battle of Earth. She endured so that I could rise. You cadets are the pioneers on the frontier of greatness. Someone endures so that you will rise. Who will you endure for so that they can rise? Honor to those who endure.” Harrigan paused, and all assembled cadets answered.

“So others will rise, sir.” 

Kat paused the recording and went out to her mother. Tears streamed down her face. She understood. Her mother met her in the living room with an embrace.

“I was scared, Mom.”

“I know Kat.”

“But I’m leaving you alone.”

“No, you’re growing up, and that requires a change of location. Besides, I’m enduring.”

“So I can rise.” Kat finished for her mother.

“Now let’s go get you packed.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m proud of you, and so is he.”

Kat blew a kiss at her father’s holograph. 

“He endured, Mom. I will rise.”

Daniel’s holograph smiled, keeping silent vigil.