Clone Earth : MELVIN

They parked the two-seater machine outside the main gates of the campus. Amidst all the new sights, sounds, and experiences, Ari felt that the majestic grounds were lost on her. She simply accepted that everything was remarkable, but her ability to marvel was tapped out. Following Russ across the dry walkway that led to a building constructed of earth-toned materials, she found herself standing before a structure unlike anything she had ever seen before. Its intricate designs, their significance lost on her, were carefully crafted in each building they had passed.

Climbing the stone steps to the massive wooden doors, polished to a shine, they seemed to beckon her forward with an air of mystery and promise. Despite her lack of understanding of architecture, Ari couldn’t deny that they should provoke an unmistakable feeling of importance and prestige. She searched for that feeling inside her, only to come up exhausted. Numbly, she followed Russ, while Robie fell into step beside her. “You’re being strangely quiet,” he remarked.

“You knew my full name when we met,” she said, keeping her gaze forward but tightening her hold on her personal duffel.

“And you want to ask me how?” Robie said, but he was met with a head shake instead.

“Not you,” she said, and he replied with silence. Ari’s boots squeaked across the stone tile, the pattern purposefully looking random. They walked beneath the grand staircase through another pillared archway into a hall twice the size of anything she’d grown up with. At the end, where a second hall connected, the numb feeling vanished the moment she saw his face.

The sound of his voice as he called her name melted something inside her; she dropped her duffel, which crashed loudly on the ground, and she ran. “Trevon!” The two siblings collided in the middle, and only then did she accept the reality.

“Trevon?” Her voice cracked as she said his name, and something else broke. Water seeped from her eyes, which made her tighten her grip, burying her face deeper into his shoulder.

“Where have you been?” He tried to pull away to look at her, but Ari shook her head, more tears streaming down her face.

“I don’t know. I’m so tired. What is wrong with me, I can’t stop.” She pulled away to angrily wipe the tears from her cheek. “What’s wrong with me? I haven’t cried this whole time.”

Trevon’s hands gripped her shoulders, and he leaned down to look her in the eyes. “I’ve been crying this whole time. But it’s worth it because you’re safe.” His eyes glistened with tears as well, but he looked good, healthy, and happy. Ari returned his smile, until she glanced past him.

The distinctive blue and gray uniforms, tailored to fit snugly, emphasized her command posture, adding to the aura of authority she exuded. The shoulder patch, signifying her authority across the galaxy, featured a prominent emblem depicting a stylized galaxy with stars twinkling against a deep blue backdrop. Meticulously embroidered in silver and gold thread, the patch added a touch of elegance and prestige to the uniform, a sight that Ari never tired of seeing her guardian adorned in.

The woman’s dusty blue eyes pierced with an imposing stare, complemented by her striking red hair and light tan complexion devoid of freckles. Beside her, dressed similarly, stood her Uncle Clint.

Ari immediately sensed that neither was present as her guardian. The woman before her exuded unwavering strength, every movement reflecting the power she held. Clint whispered briefly to her, and after receiving a nod from his superior, he came to stand in front of Ari.

Her heart tightened with conflicting emotions. She knew she was supposed to be mad at him—after all, he had abandoned her, tried to exile her. She wanted answers, needed to know why he had done what he did. But something in his face, a flicker of vulnerability perhaps, prompted her to stay still and listen, to give him a chance to explain himself.

“You should be angry with me, but first,” He opened his arms, and to Ari’s surprise, she threw herself into them for a long, tight hug. The warmth was familiar, and her body craved that familiarity. “Thank you,” he whispered softly, “Thank you so much for coming back to us.”

The memory of fear caused her to tighten her hold around his broad frame, seeking solace in his presence. When he finally pulled away, Ari could see traces of tears glistening in the General’s eyes. She succeeded in blinking back her own tears, determined to maintain her composure despite the flood of emotions swirling within her.

A soft voice cut through the emotion, as a beautiful woman with spirals for hair appeared among them. “The president is ready for you, Commander. General.”

Uncle Clint nodded in understanding, then turned back to his two kids. “This is going to take a while,” He looked at Trevon, “Stick together tonight, and I’ll come to you both when I’m able.”

Ari stepped back beside her brother as Uncle Clint straightened his uniform.

“You better because I have a lot of yelling to do,” Ari scolded.

Returning to his official bearing, Clint nodded curtly, then turned sharply to lead his commanding officer through the adjacent office doors.

“Wow,” Trevon breathed a genuine sigh of admiration, “I’m surprised you didn’t tear into him right there.”

Ari’s eyes were still fixed on the closed, polished door as she answered. “I might have learned some patience these last few weeks.”

Trevon shook his head, knowing his sister well. “Commander Mackay scared you.”

Ari shuddered. “She’s so serious.” The two of them finally laughed, her smile reflecting his. “You don’t think that meeting’s about me, do you?”

He lovingly draped his arm over her shoulders. “It’s always about you.” Ari playfully elbowed him in the side. “But if you haven’t noticed, we’re not at the academy, so it could be about me.”

“You have a few details you want to share?” Ari quipped.

OFFICER INSERT

President Warrington’s voice echoed in the solemn chamber, breaking the tense silence. “Your proposal will be presented to the Clan Council. If any Clan willingly volunteers, we’ll contact you. But recognizing the taboo of Mages in Military advancement on both sides, I wouldn’t hold your breath on receiving any support.”

Commander Mackay nodded respectfully. “We understand. It will take a brave clan to stand against such a controversial task. But we appreciate the cooperation with the Council. And yours as well, Pres. Warrington.”

Her words shifted to a more personal tone. “On a less formal topic, the fact that you saw the potential in Trevon regardless of his Military connections. I am grateful.”

President Warrington’s voice held a note of admiration as he remarked, “He made it difficult to ignore him. He also has a remarkable skill of deescalating tense situations. It seems there has been more peace in the Gambit House since his arrival.”

The General’s smile spoke volumes, while the Commander simply nodded in agreement as their long Military stamped wool Overcoats were handed to them by the Secretary.

“Thank you. We’ll see ourselves out,” Mackay said, prompting their departure from the President’s office.

As they made their way down the hallway and into the main lobby, a heavy silence hung between them.

“That could have gone better,” Mackay finally broke the silence.

Bishop offered a wry smile. “You didn’t expect him to hand over random students to take with us, did you?”

Mackay shook her head. “No, but that would have been better.”

Bishop nodded in agreement. “He willingly offered to take our proposal to the Clan Council. That was huge.”

“Not to be more pessimistic than you,” Mackay continued, “but the Clan that sends kids to join this Military experiment risks becoming a pariah among the rest, correct?” Bishop nodded in confirmation. “Are there any of these old leaders willing to risk a decline in social status?”

As Mackay and Bishop stepped out into the snow-covered campus, the sky was painted with hues of orange and purple as dusk settled in. The fading light cast long shadows across the clear paved path, where students hurried across access points to adjacent buildings. Whispers and side glances followed in their wake as they made their way towards the waiting VIP transport.

“They may be stubborn but they’re human. I’m sure there are a few willing to stand up against the others, if only to spite them,” Bishop remarked.

The Sergeant opened the door to the small sports transporter for Mackay, and she smiled as she climbed in. “Good to see you coming around, Bish,” she said, causing Clint to laugh.

“I see what you did there,” Bishop replied with a grin.

Mackay leaned back in her seat. “Tell the kids I’m proud of them. I’ll see you and Ari in a week.”

Clint raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”

Mackay shrugged. “You have a lot of groveling to do. That’s all there’s time for.”