intro (jay)

I thought I'd get used to it. Thought things might start to get better now that I'm actually learning to fight. Thought that after thwarting a couple of kidnappers, helping rescue a bunch of kids, one of which was the commander's own daughter (though I didn't really do it for him. Thia was also my best friend) and proving myself in battle I might actually start being treated like I'm more than just a little kid. That was half a year ago now and things have carried on much the same. Every day after school, I head to the training courtyard to practise with James but no matter how much I train, they never let me out on the battlefield. It was all just a little frustrating. I came here to be with my friends. I left my family behind for them. I have two nieces I've never met, two nephews, 3 sisters, a brother and my dad…all of them I'd left behind so that I could come here. O.K, I hadn't known there was gonna be a war back then but even though there was…it still didn't particularly scare me. I wanted in on the action. I wanted to help. I'm ten years old now, double digits but all they tell me is 'I'm not ready'. It seemed so slow going. The best moments are actually when Thia, Sam and Noaba came to join. Sometimes they watched me, sometimes we'd just practise together but that was more like a game then actual training. Then again, all this didn't leave a lot of time for fun and games.

We were all sent gifts over Christmas from family overseas: four Star trek figures; a Data doll, an Odo Teddy, a stuffed Spock and an action figure of the Dr from voyager; one for each of us to pick amongst ourselves. And my dad sent something especially for me…the complete collection of the Lego Hobbit video game, including battle of five armies, which made me smile when I opened it. you know me so well, dad. The others had also taken to watching Thia play strategy arena on the hollo-screen in the lounge. Some of them even got the game too so they could play as well. (I thought I should start playing the hobbit there too when I got round to it.)

But still, juggling school work and training did not leave a lot of free time. The only bright light on the horizon was that the summer holidays were almost here, but even that might not provide as much comfort as I'd hoped.

One day after training, we were hanging around the courtyard, Thia was doing her favourite thing—jumping across the bars and beams—when I spotted Sky and Sid stood together looking over some sort of keyboarded. I wasn't particularly paying attention but some words did stick out and peak my interest. Something about "not being necessary" and "just making sure they behave. Thia must've heard those parts too.

"What for?" she showed up suddenly dangling up-side-down from a bar just above them.

They jumped in mild surprise. "Oi!" Sky exclaimed. "Keep your ears out." He said, poking one of them and making it twitch.

"We're getting inspected." I stated, from across the courtyard.

"You keep your ears out."

Sid only laughed, her long, wavey, silver-blond hair shifting as she turned to look at me. "It's not until the summer holidays so you've nothing to worry about just yet. We're just making a few preparations."

Ya know, for someone who comes from a rich family, Sid is actually kinda nice. I thought to myself.

I didn't really think much about the inspection. Would it really change much? What was the point of it even? Perhaps they'd finally taken notice of the war over at S.P.H.Q. It didn't really worry me. None of this worried me. The only thing that worried me was the possibility of my friends getting hurt.