2030 hours

I reached my room with a freaky smile on my face.
Before I could step in for shower, my daily dose of love called up.

"Hey J."
Uh! I go weak in my knees when he calls me that.

"Yes mr. Martins?"
"Someone is in a nice mood today."

"Yeah. Guess what?"
"Killer didn't bash on you today."
He replied promptly.

"How do you know that!?!"
"Because you didn't start the call with 'I'm gonna kill that son of a'. And even your second dialogue didn't include his name with a curse, despite you spending good hours with his stinky shadow."

I laughed so hard I fell on my bed.
"Either you know me too deeply, or I have a life boring enough to talk only about Killer, so much so that when I'm not talking about him, it looks abnormal."

"Probably both. Hehe. But I'm really surprised. After my dare, I expected him to go extra angry on you. Instead, he's being calm. What's going on there?"
"I have no clue! After his ordeal he almost stopped practicing with me. Yesterday after meeting with Uncle, he told me that we'll start again. And he said things which clearly meant - I can't afford to be rude to you. So don't force me. And guess what? He left without asking me to do the daily Fifty Pushups. Something is definitely wrong or his heart is melting looking at poor me?"

"Looks more like Colonel's order than his heart melting realisation. Pretty sure he gave him a 'suck it up' call."
"Haha Martins! Why didn't I find you earlier? I love to have such conversations with you!"

"Me too honey. Never thought I'll enjoy talking to someone this way. So, ready to go out with me again?"
"Take your clearances first."
I said sternly. I can't let him to dare again.

"I'll see to it. You just be ready. And I'll ensure Ren is busy within the Academy this time."
I covered my red face remembering last time.

"She's the ultimate saviour!"
I defended my pretty girl.

"Oh she definitely is. Mother of all."
"Trust me. It requires immense patience and guts to live with these boys and handle them the way she does."

"Yeah. She's talented. Alright see you soon."
"See you Martins."
He cut the call and I smiled at the phone.

************************************

2200 hours

My pager rings and my guts twist. I was planning to have a peaceful slumber after the heavy dinner. I can't face him right now.

'Mess. 10 minutes.'
His tone was unfaltering straight.

Fuck you!
I screamed at him in my mind and got ready.

As soon as I entered, I saw him sitting at one table. Ren was sitting opposite to him, with her back to me.
And was I hallucinating?
He was smiling.
And not the normal smile, the devilish one. One that meant - Tricked you!

He nodded at me and Ren turned around.
"Hey! Come join us. Nick will be calling us now."

Bitch!
He could have told me that on the call itself. But no. He had to be the heartless bitch he is. I hate this son of a-.

I clenched my jaw and looked him into the eyes while I walked forward.

"Sit."
He said in the softest tone I've heard from him.

Oh ya, he can't say sorry.
And that's his way of apologising for pulling that prank on me.

My anger faded and was replaced by excitement.
"He was supposed to ring us by 2210 hours." Killer said with the age old constipated look on his face.

"Shut up you pumpkin. He must be busy there. Stop-"
Before her lecture could finish, Ren's phone rang up.

She didn't waste a single second and immediately hit the pick button and put the call on speaker.

"All set to hear my voice, Daisy Paisy?"
Nick didn't miss that Ren picked up without letting it ring even once.

"Yea you're a lucky bun. Now start speaking."
"Atleast let me know who all do I have as the audience. Your phone on speaker doesn't assure me that Dad is not around."

"I'm here."
Killer marked his attendance.

"And me too, bff!"
I chirped, glad to hear his happy voice again.

"And...?"
"And no one else. Start spilling!"
Killer was losing his patience as much as us.

"Alright alright. So you already know what state I was living in for past two weeks."
"Yes."
"And I wish I could undo whatever I did because it was supposed to be me and not you, there."

Killer was apologising. Again.

"If I knew that, I'd have cursed you every day, Wills. Glad you didn't tell me before."
Nick said angrily.

"Don't be angry now, Nick. Things are fine, right?"
I tried to calm him down.

"Yes. So I'm gonna let this slide. Now coming to what happened this morning-"

*****

I was in the middle of my pullups when my pager rang.

Damn this man is gonna tear my ass apart.

I knocked on his door, and his 'Get in' came almost instantly.
Okay, that's different. Usually he makes me wait like a dog.

I entered and stood dead in my tracks.
This other man was sitting there, with his back towards me, but oh I can recognise you anywhere, dad!
I hate you so much right now, but I still want to hug you so tight and tell you how much I missed you.

"You forgot the law of the land, boy."
Ah that tone.
I know it too well, dad.

Without wasting a second, I went to the corner and dropped.
"If you don't mind, can I pass him a small order?" he asked Dan sarcastically.

He must have nodded since I heard dad's voice again.
"Go on till you are asked to stop."
Thanks for reminding me why I hate you so much.

"Yes sir." I say with a clenched jaw.

"What brings you here, James?"
Dan asked him amused, expecting a reply like 'to watch on my son.'

Instead what he said made me want to die.
"I was just going to discuss something with Beta. Thought I'll see how hard my son is riding your ego."
Why dad? Just Why?

I heard Dan growl.
"Major Nick?"

"Yes sir." I said, still pushing.
"Did you call your father here to meet you?"

"He is Colonel James, Commander of KMA, sir. And no, I didn't call him."
I swear I could imagine that victory smile on my dad's face.

"Oh? Then who is he to you?"
"He was the trainer in-charge during my training. Also, he is my present commander, sir."
That smile must still be there.

I will not call him dad in front of you, bitch.

"James don't you want to know how long your officer is going to stay here?"

"Nah. Beta is responsible for him. He knows what to do with him. And I know he is here till your class-2 mission starts. If somebody delays it, that's a different matter."
He answered confidently.

Thanks dad for that indirect threat.

"And what if I find a better agent for this mission?"
"Well, in that case, I'll have a few more things to discuss with Beta." Dad didn't lose his calm.

Dan started laughing.
But before he could fire something at him, Dad gave him a good one.
"May be you can keep Nick on reserve for next mission. I have Wills to take care of the cadets. I don't mind sparing this one officer for some important mission."

That wiped off the laugh and the room fell silent.

Celebrating his victory, Dad stood up "Nice meeting you, Dan."
He nodded at the red face, turned around and started walking away.

"That's it? You enter my office, make fun of me and walk away? Why do you think I'll leave him after all this?"
He asked getting angry and dad stopped in his track.

He turned around to face him again.
"First - give me one good reason why I would even think of asking you to leave him. Second - he's been here for two weeks and you haven't changed or hurt him to a hair's breadth. So I'm pretty sure there's nothing more left in your powers to indirectly try to humiliate me. And lastly, I made fun because I'm a good father. I don't humiliate or insult my own batchmates in front of my sons. You should be glad."
Dad was still calm.

"I'll show you -"
"When is your posting due, Dan?"
Dad was in no mood for bullshit.

"Why? You're scared he is stuck here?"
"No. Because I'm tired of meaningless threats, stupid grade-1 calls and shitty letters coming from this office. I hope things will change when someone will replace you. So, when are you leaving?"

Dad, you HAVE TO take me back with you. After hearing this, he's going to shred my skin in layers.

"Mind your words, James. This is the HQ. You-"
"Yeah I know what place is this, because I'm here to meet General Reese. You can try to fill more shit in his head before I meet him, but we both know what's going to happen in the end."

"Just like last time?"
Bastard!

"No, Dan. Oh I forgot to thank you for that incidence. Wills and this guy -" he pointed at me and I sucked a breath "-will never repeat what happened that day. And I've made sure of it. So thanks for giving me a chance to teach them this important lesson and engraving it in their bones."

"I knew Wills is having an ordeal because of this."
"But could you do anything?"

Dan sat with his lips pressed tight.

"Look Dan, I really don't care what you do with him. I've made my cadets strong and I keep my training officers stronger. This man, for that matter, is the senior trainer. So I have no doubt on his capabilities. However, I'll give you more time to appreciate my artwork and see how much more can he face."
What are you saying Dad!
I'm crying tears of pride and fear.

"But remember one thing. If he is held here without a reason, I'll extend the passing out of final year cadets by six months due to absence of their senor trainer and you know who is going to answer all the questions that will follow. That being said, I've spent triple the amount of time I had expected in this office. See you later, someday."
Dad turned around and left.

"Does he hate both of you?"
Dan asked me still surprised.

"Not sure about hating. But he hates to see us at any level of comfort."
This one came right from my heart.

"I guess..." he told himself.
"Halt. Up." came the words I was dying to hear.
I stood up in the puddle of my sweat.

He looked at me from top to bottom, then picked up the phone.
"What's the progress?"

"Alright" he said after minutes of listening, and then kept the receiver down.

"Go back and rest. You can use all the out-of-bond facilities now. Be ready to take off anytime. Get your ass out. I've never lost to anyone this bad without even lifting a finger."
He whispered that last part to himself, trust me.

I saluted and turned around.
As soon as I came out, and took the turn, I saw him standing there.
"Dad!"
I couldn't control and rushed towards him.

He raised one eyebrow and pointed towards the floor.
I didn't hide my snort and dropped and pushed a twenty.
Before I could get up, he said "May be we should increase the count to fifty."

"Sure, if you have found someone else who calls you Dad that too with as much love as me."
He laughed loudly.
"Fine. Up."

I was smiling looking at him.
Then I felt the need to say things that were piling up inside me.
"I will never even enter your office without your permission, will never try to dig out things you ask me to stay away from, and never even in my dreams talk to you in that tone again."
I gave him a big ass sorry.

And he smirked in response.
"They don't call him terror for no reason, son. You got repaired by the most elite. I don't doubt that you'll keep these words in your brain and bones."

"You knew he was waiting for you to make the move. You took two weeks?"
I almost cried.

"I wanted you to have a taste of new spices. The ones at KMA had become too bland for you." he said.
"I can't believe you think that way." my eyes were still bulging out.

"I'm giving him time to follow up on this mission and give the report to Beta, before I storm in his office."

"I have three questions."
"Shoot"

"How do you know he'll do it? He called someone right after you left!"
Dad laughed that 'I know everything'.

"I'll pass that one. You know the answer. Next?"

"Why Beta?"
"General Reese was a senior instructor when we were at KMA. Long story cut short, he never climbed up to the position of commander and stayed second senior most, making me win the bet 'he will never be alpha' everytime. So, the name Beta. Though in our final term, he was promoted, we continued to call him Beta. Losers of the bet included your dear Daniel. You must have seen that he never calls General with that nickname. Stupid rat can never gulp down his defeats." he laughed again and I was amused.

"Why is Beta-" he gave me a glare "I mean General Reese, so cool with you? I mean you are giving Daniel sir time before you storm in General's office?"
This time a mischievous smile crossed his lips.

"That's a story for another day. For now, Dan has got enough time. I gotta go. Bye, son." he pulled me in a hug, soon realising that I'm all sweaty.

Before he pushed me away, I hugged him tighter.
Take it, old man. This one is for sending me to this hell.

He struggled for a moment then said calmly "Don't you think there's too less sweat in your clothes?"
Fuck!

I rushed three steps back and stood in attention - I'm a good boy.

"Out"
Phew! I ran away before his mood changes.

Finally I'll get out of this Jail.
But first, I need a shower, in my own fucking room!

************

"Told you not to call General with that name in front of him!"
Killer scolded him.

"Ya ya. I've learned it now."
Killer scoffed while me and Ren controlled our laughs.

"Uncle really pushed you to hell, Nick."
"Told you!"

"Hey Nick.. Me and Ren were feeling very low the other day. And they were the worst ever vibes I've got since I've come here."
"Yeah, chicken wings.Stay careful. I was really scared of you."

"Aww my babies!"
Nick fake laughed.

"Oh god! Get a tiara each, you three!"
Killer said disgustingly making us laugh loudly.

"Alright I gotta go. See you girls soon."
"I'll see you first, fucker!"
Killer just can't tolerate anyone making fun of him.

Nick whistled and cut the call.

We were talking about him when Killer's phone rang. He looked at the number and sucked in a breath.

Picking up, he came directly to the point. "Superboss, he came - "
"to know about it. When?"

I'm glad to have learnt this new skill of eavesdropping on calls.

"Last night."
"And your sleeping ass didn't think even once to inform me that?"

Killer was silent.
"And here I called you as soon as I get my ass cleared from Chief for a few seconds. Clearly you are not behaving like a dog at all."

If the look on Killer's face was anything to go by, he was just bad mouthed on his face.

"I'm sorry, boss. I really mean it. He came to know and so did instructor Kelly and now both of them are after my life."
"Well after what happened an hour ago, your life will look like a small thing to you."

"What happened an hour ago?"
Killer's ears were standing in attention and there was fear in his eyes.

"He called me up. Chief picked up and made fun of him. He got grandly pissed and as a payback, pissed Chief too. So my life is on the track, you better get buckled up for the same."

Killer moved the phone away and cursed "Shit! Fucking hell!"

He then moved the phone back to his ear and said with pressed lips "As much as I hate to ask you, but can I know the full conversation to judge just how deep a grave I dug this time?"

'********

The ring of my phone interrupts Chief and I can feel my ass tightening. One, he got interrupted at this time. Fuck! I'm gone. Two, it is his ringtone and it won't be good either.

Chief looks at the name and laughs. Fan-fucking-tastic! I can't ignore it and I can't pick it up either. If I pick it up and Chief says something, I'm doomed. For eternity.

"Pick it up. On speaker" My head feels dizzy despite sitting on a chair and heartbeat is out of control.

I pick it up and before I can warn Colonel, Chief speaks, "Spot jog" he says towards my two officers. "Good morning, Colonel" he says at fucking 10.30 in the night! Even a deaf man won't miss the mocking tone and extra stress on the word 'morning'.

Oh man! There couldn't have been a better roast!

"Morning, Chief" Oh damn! That tone! He took a few moments before answering and I'm sure he pressed his lips and gulped that insult down in those moments.

"Kadner?" I can hear your laser glare too sir.

I look at Chief for permission to speak. If I took one wrong step, my poor guys will be destroyed.

"He can hear you Colonel"

"

Good thing you ran away in time, Kadner

"

I open my mouth but Chief beats me to it, "He has no permission to speak until he is stuck in a chair"

"Chair?" So he did not know that! Shit!

"Oh, so he said the truth." You had to add fuel, didn't you, Chief. Nobody knew about my ribs before you Chief. And yes, he always finds out.

" He has bruised ribs" He continues as if he is giving a weather update.

"My birds failed to find that" Oops! Collateral damage!

I look at Chief again begging. Not speaking will have consequences on my other juniors at KMA. Come on, Chief! I'm burning too many people.

"Give me 10 seconds, Colonel" With a grunted acknowledgment, Chief mutes the call and I send a quick prayer to the fucker who is supposed to be saving me.

"Shall I ask him who won the fight?"

"Chief, please no. He won't get a single breath and he has too much on his plate already."

"Not good a reason. He probably knows it already."

"Just once, Chief please."

When he says nothing and I can feel the ten second slipping away, I blurt out, against my wish, "I'll do on his behalf, Chief. Just please don't milk it on his face and make it worse for Wills. He's in big trouble already."

He unmutes it and I can only hope that my prayers are reaching.

"Here, Prescott" Did he just permit me to speak? How?

"Sir, I apologize-"

"No need. You boys haven't learned anything to respect your trainers" A burn back! Colonel don't. I just handed him rights to me as a substitute for your boy. The pile is getting too big.

"I'll teach him some lessons, Colonel"

"As you see fit, Chief. But, my one punishment rule won't apply here" WHAT? Normally, when you make a mistake, if somebody has screwed you for it, you can tell the other trainers about it and they won't punish you again. Colonel just took that away. Damn it!

"Kadner, you will come back after this is over. I own you hair to nail so don't you dare lose anything out there before I'm done with you" He is pissed!

"Y-yes, sir. I'll try my best, sir. I don't-"

"Chief, if you can, teach him one thing- when to keep his mouth shut. That lesson is required on his kids too." Uh-oh! Mayday mayday! This plane is crashing at super duper speed.

1. If he can- Wow!

2. My kids- Awesome!

Two birds in one stone. Colonel, I'll be losing some skin, dignity and weight - right about now.

And my officers are breathing heavy from spot jog.

"What did they do?" It is Chief's turn to be pissed now.

"Oh, they haven't told you yet? Looks like they should also learn when to speak up."

Chief glares at me before I can open my mouth.

"I'll make sure that that doesn't happen ever again, Colonel."

"Haha. Good luck with that, Chief."

I'm gone. It's bad when two of your trainers unite to screw you. But it's worst when two of your trainers challenge each other as to who can screw worse. The second scenario is playing right in front of my eyes and I'm sitting here like a paralysed old man unable to speak, stop them or at least cut the damn call!

"Kadner, next time you visit me, get a long leave. You will need the before and after time. And Chief, it is now a very good morning to you too."
Great! Now I have two angry instructors unleashed on everybody. Damn damn damn! 1 sentence and this is the domino effect.

Once that call is cut, I do not dare breath with that glare on me.

**********

""You owe me for this call and for saving your ass for losing"
Kadner said and Killer gulped.
I am sure his pile of payback is higher than Mount Everest by now.

"Yes Superboss."
Killer shuts his eyes. Well there's nothing else he could do. Chief had done enough damage already.

************************************

Oh!
So many calls in one chapter!

************************************

I thought I'll shower you guys with one more chapter. 😉

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