Raising Avon

  ****

  Two days later, General Jax Zadoorian contacted Jeremy. Jeremy went to the General's office to take the intergalactic transmission. "How is the training going?" Zadoorian asked.

  "She's still at an eight-minute mile in half pack, sir," Jeremy replied succinctly.

  Zadoorian frowned. "She needs to do better. I can't have her washing out of the program. I can't protect her for another year. She needs to be combat ready and soon."

  "I'll start combat training and weapons training next week. It will be helpful if we could bivouac for a week. It would be a great introduction for the survival course next session."

  Zadoorian smiled. "That's a good idea. I know the perfect place. I'll send you the coordinates. Send me an outline of your ideas for the week; what you would like to accomplish. I know I gave you an impossible task but I am counting on you to succeed. Some day her life will depend on it."

  "Yes sir."

  Avon walked into the room and saw her father on the screen. "Daddy!" she called out gleefully. It had been weeks since she had seen or spoken to him. And the last interaction had not been pleasant. She had stolen a bottle of wine and faced possible expulsion from the Academy.

  "How is the training going?" He wanted to hear Avon's opinion; her side of the story.

  "Captain Hanson is relentless. I hurt all over. And I'm tired all the time."

  "I talked to Dr. Booth last night. He said you stopped by for a visit. He said you were doing well. I have to say you look well. You look stronger and healthier. You look like you've been eating."

  "Yes sir. Captain Hanson is quite persuasive when it comes to eating."

  "Good. His proposal to be your superior officer was a good plan. Finally, you are listening and obeying. You actually look like a young woman and not a little girl."

  "When will you be home?" Avon asked.

  "It's going to be at least another month, probably longer. There is unrest in the Zarog Galaxy." The General paused. "We are sure there will be a battle for the throne on Zarcon soon." The General paused again seeing Iramy standing in the background. He saw fear and panic overcome her face. But it was the only way to let Iramy know more than he could overtly reveal. "But I'm sure we will be able to stop the insurrection," he quickly added. "In the meantime, I need you to train as if your life depended on it. We could be headed for a war."

  "Yes, Daddy," Avon replied, a bit fearful. Not for herself but for her father.

  The General turned his head back to Jeremy. "Captain Hanson, train her hard. I'm counting on you."

  "Yes Sir," Jeremy replied standing at attention.

  Zadoorian then addressed his daughter. "Are you up to the task Cadet?"

  "Yes, Daddy."

  "Cadet?"

  "Yes sir," Avon replied snapping to attention and blinking rapidly to stave her tears. It broke her heart her father no longer treated her like his little girl but like another ICE cadet; another subordinate.