The Spy

Ethan felt an unsettling sensation wash over him as he observed Admiral Levine. He noticed a faint yet distinct dark aura surrounding the man—barely visible to Ethan, but clear enough. To Gabe, however, it was unmistakable.

"Look down, eat your food, and don't draw any attention to us," Gabe urgently whispered to Ethan, who promptly obeyed. Gabe continued softly, "Do you see it? That's pure evil."

A chill ran down Ethan's spine, sweat beginning to bead along his forehead. Admiral Levine's voice echoed sharply through the silent room, "Young man, come with me." He firmly but gently grasped Jimmy's arm, guiding him upright. Jimmy's face paled with obvious fear.

"You're not in trouble," Admiral Levine reassured him in a smooth, authoritative tone. "I simply have some questions for you in private."

As they walked away, Ethan exhaled a shaky breath. Gabe leaned in closer, his voice barely audible. "That," he murmured darkly, "is definitely going to be a problem."

The chatter in the mess hall swiftly resumed, buzzing louder than ever with speculation about Jimmy's mysterious encounter and the Admiral's sudden interest.

Meanwhile, Jimmy found himself escorted into Admiral Levine's imposing office, the atmosphere heavy with authority.

"Would you like a soda, young man?" Admiral Levine offered unexpectedly.

Jimmy's eyes lit up immediately. Soda was a rare indulgence—sugar being expensive meant such treats were off-limits for most. He eagerly nodded, unable to hide his excitement as he heard the familiar pop and fizz of the tab opening. Even at eighteen, something about being handed a soda made him feel like a kid again.

Leaning forward, Admiral Levine fixed Jimmy with an intense stare, clearly skeptical but intrigued. "Tell me again exactly what happened out there," he demanded firmly.

Jimmy hesitated, nervously glancing around the room before recounting his experience. His voice trembled slightly as he described the celestial being, its shimmering halo, and the powerful energy that had surged through him. He spoke vividly, his eyes wide with remembered fear.

The Admiral's gaze remained sharp and unreadable. "And you're absolutely certain it was an angel?" he asked pointedly.

"Yes, sir," Jimmy responded, gathering courage to steady his voice. "I've never experienced anything like it—it was terrifying."

Levine leaned back, his fingers steepled thoughtfully beneath his chin, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "And this angel attacked you without provocation?" he probed further.

Jimmy swallowed nervously, his gaze dropping momentarily. "It said I needed to change. That I hurt people and had to make things right," he admitted softly.

The Admiral's eyes sharpened, a piercing intensity behind them. His voice dropped to a dangerously calm level. "And do you believe that, Jimmy? Do you think you need to change?"

Jimmy's throat tightened, feeling dry and scratchy. He hesitated briefly before quietly confessing, "I... I guess so, sir. I mean, I've done some things I'm definitely not proud of."

Admiral Levine leaned forward, eyes glittering with a sinister curiosity. "And what about the angel, Jimmy? Do you think it will return?" he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.

Jimmy's heart raced, palms growing clammy with anxiety. "I… I'm not sure, sir," he stammered nervously. "I hope not."

Levine's expression softened deceptively, his voice smooth but unsettling. "Jimmy, I have a proposition for you—a chance to redeem yourself and secure your own safety."

Jimmy's interest sparked despite his lingering fear. "What kind of proposition, sir?" he asked cautiously.

Admiral Levine leaned back thoughtfully, steepling his fingers beneath his chin once more. "I need you to keep an eye on a certain recruit. Someone who poses a potential risk to EarthCorp's stability."

Jimmy leaned forward, intrigued yet wary. "Who, sir?"

"His name is Ethan Blade," Levine replied coolly. "Watch him closely. Report any unusual behavior directly to me. Understood?"

Jimmy swallowed, eagerness and apprehension warring openly on his face. "Yes, sir. You can count on me."

The Admiral smiled thinly, his eyes cold and calculating. "Good. And Jimmy—this conversation never happened."

Jimmy nodded vigorously, the full weight of his new responsibility pressing heavily upon him as he left the office.

As Jimmy made his way back to the mess hall, he noticed cadets beginning to exit. Spotting Tim's familiar figure, guilt and opportunism surged through him simultaneously. Recalling Admiral Levine's instructions, he quickly devised a plan. "Hey… Tim! Hey!" Jimmy called urgently, pushing through the dispersing crowd.

Tim didn't initially hear him, but Gabe and Ethan turned immediately. Ethan firmly grasped Tim's arm, halting him mid-step.

"What's wrong?" Tim asked, confused.

"It's Jimmy," Ethan replied cautiously, exchanging a concerned glance with Gabe. Ethan turned briefly toward Steph. "You and the girls head back; we'll catch up tomorrow."

Ethan, Gabe, and Tim stepped aside in the corridor, watching warily as Jimmy approached, signaling urgently with a raised finger. "Hey, Tim," Jimmy began, his tone unusually gentle and apologetic. "I just wanted to apologize—to you, and to all of you."

Ethan, Gabe, and Tim exchanged uncertain glances, skepticism clear in their expressions.

"Why now?" Tim asked cautiously, his voice trembling slightly.

Ethan echoed sharply, "Yeah, Jimmy. What's behind the sudden change?"

Jimmy hesitated, genuine remorse mixing with a trace of fear in his voice. "I… I realized what a jerk I've been. I'm really sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you—all of you."

Another tense glance passed among the three boys. Gabe finally gave a subtle nod to Tim, who cautiously spoke up. "Alright, Jimmy. I'll give you another chance."

Jimmy visibly relaxed, smiling nervously. "Thanks—you won't regret it." He turned abruptly, quickly disappearing down the corridor.

Ethan, Gabe, and Tim walked quietly back to their dorm, fatigue evident in their slow, heavy footsteps. Once inside, they quickly changed into comfortable shorts, the familiar routine helping to ease some of the lingering tension from earlier. They sat in silence, each lost in thought as the day's events weighed heavily upon them. The dim lighting cast long, uneasy shadows across the walls, amplifying the sense of unease. The room, usually comforting, now felt strangely oppressive—as if even the walls were quietly listening.

Ethan finally broke the uneasy silence, shaking his head slowly with a troubled expression. "Something isn't right," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, filled with quiet dread. "Jimmy's sudden change, Admiral Levine showing up—it's all really strange."

Gabe leaned forward, his emerald eyes reflecting the dim light with intense seriousness. "I agree. Nothing about Jimmy's apology felt genuine. He seemed... off. Like he was rehearsing lines rather than speaking from the heart."

Tim nodded slowly, a visible shiver running through him. "And did you see how nervous he was? Jimmy never looks nervous. I think he's hiding something big."

Ethan's eyes darkened with concern. "What if he's working with Admiral Levine? What if all of this is just a trap to lure us into a false sense of security?"

Gabe ran a frustrated hand through his hair, exhaling heavily. "We can't rule that out. Levine wouldn't show up for nothing. There's definitely more going on behind the scenes. We need to be careful—really careful."

Tim leaned forward, his voice shaking slightly as he spoke. "But how are we supposed to trust anyone right now? Jimmy could betray us at any moment. And if Admiral Levine has eyes on us..." He trailed off, anxiety evident in his expression.

Ethan's jaw tightened with resolve, determination overriding his uncertainty. "We can't afford to trust blindly. From now on, we stick together, watch each other's backs, and keep an eye out for anything suspicious."

Gabe nodded firmly, his expression resolute. "Agreed. Whatever's going on, we're in this together."

They fell into a heavy silence as they climbed into bed, each lost in thought as the reality of their situation pressed down upon them.