The Edge of Epiphany

1330 Hours, 08 January 2519 (Military Calendar)/

Sol System, Planet Earth,

University of South Florida

Student Union

Alvin walked briskly across the main hall of the student union. Nestled right in the middle of campus, it was spacious and accommodating. The structure was built more than 500 years ago to serve as a meeting place for all students. There was a food court, a media room, and a gigantic leisure area. It was the place to go in between classes. But Alvin had little time to socialize or relax. He was in such a hurry that he didn't even look around for a familiar face. He located an empty table at the edge of the food court and sat down.

He dropped his backpack to ground and opened it up, pulled from it his latest assignments and went to work, willing the background noise out of his cognizance. The lessons of the day were pH scales and acids. He became so focused he didn't see or hear what was on television: more headlines of the CMA's military buildup. It was getting rather serious out there, but it didn't concern him. He was light-years away, earning his education so he could be a productive member of society and live a long, happy life with his love—Venessa.

He was stressed now that he had a part-time job. All his uncertainty of majors early on depleted the college money his parents had set up for him so long ago. He paused for a moment, thanking the Almighty for such a good mother and father. They only wanted the best for him—their only son. He thought to the days when he was a young boy. His father would always find a way to get Alvin motivated and wondering about the world and how it worked. Science and electronics and motorsports and fun. The way his dad always made things seem so interesting. There was always an explanation for things. The world always made sense.

Alvin Shaw descended from a family of scientists. His great grandfather built the first translight engine back in 2291, in collaboration with his colleague Yoshi Fujikawa. It allowed faster-than-light travel, consequently solving the overcrowding epidemic on Earth. It brought peace of immeasurable magnitude. Because of his family's endeavors, humans could now travel the stars to new reaches of the galaxy. And so dubbed was the first colony world ever founded beyond the Solar System, Reach. Practically on Earth's doorstep, it recently became the CMA's mightiest military staging area and a gateway to the rest of the habitable cosmos. Now, more than 200 years had past since that historic point in human history. And many new worlds were claimed. And many of them were unfortunately claimed by bloody rebellion.

Al went back to work at the thought of this. He literally had zero time to waste wondering…about anything. He had a timetable that dictated his very life, at least for the next year or so. He had to complete his degree. From then on, it would be smooth sailing. A steady job, food on the table, clothes on his back, a roof over his head, and a loving wife to share it with. He smiled at his future, not knowing he did until a passerby smiled back. He shook his head, leaned forward, and forced himself to read his textbook.

He had a good train of thought going now, learning the importance of hydrogen in acids and the equilibrium that bases provided in solutions. As if one cue, one of his friends strolled up to Al's table and broke him of his concentration.

"Al, my boy! What's going on?"

Al looked up and held back his frown. "Jimmy, what's up?" He laid a pencil in his book to mark the place, then closed it as Jim took a seat next to him.

"You see all this military?"

"No, what do you mean…the TV?"

"Dude, you need to take a break from pencil-whipping and look around every once in a while." Jim extended his hand out into the ambiance. "Look."

Al took a look around: Jim was right. There were men and women all around the student union in military service dress. Some stood and greeted passing students while others sat behind makeshift tables. "Recruiters."

"That's right," Jim said. "CMA, up close and personal."

Al's frown became palpable this time. "In your face, rather."

"Call it what you will. I'm thinking about joining."

"Why would you do that? You're about to graduate."

"Then what? Sit behind a desk, shoveling papers? Carpel tunnel and gallons of coffee everyday?"

"…I guess."

"Screw that," Jim exclaimed. "I want to go places. I want to make a difference."

"So…what? You're going to kill people? People you don't even know?"

"I wouldn't put it quite that bluntly…but more or less. Yeah."

"Not for me," Al said looking down to the assignments that plagued him. "My only beef is with myself."

"Still upset about your academic situation? Wait…the more important question I should be asking you: have you settled on a major yet?"

"Yeah, I finally did."

"So how come I never see you around? You used to hang out and party with us. What happened?"

"I ran out of money is what happened. Had to get a part-time."

"Shit. Well…that sucks. No time for play?"

"Never, it seems."

"How's your girl?"

"Great as ever. She's the best."

"That she is, my friend. That she is. If it wasn't you with her I might take a shot."

Al threw Jim a soft jab across the table. "Don't get too wise about it."

"Care to join me as I go over there?"

"What, with those jarheads in uniform?"

"Sure."

Al shook his head and glared for a moment. "…I guess." They walked across the spacious interior and made their way towards the closest recruiter—one with a lot of stripes on his sleeves, a stout chest inflated with pride and a stern, straight-ahead gaze. "Let's just make it quick," Al said. "I've got to get back to work."

"Hey chill. Stand by your friend for a minute."

The two approached the table dotted with informational pamphlets and posters and a single clipboard to take down contact information from prospective soldiers. The sergeant spoke first. "Welcome, gentlemen."

Jim extended his hand to shake with the soldier while Al kept his distance, giving a polite nod.

"Hello, sir," Jim said.

Great, Al thought. Already paying his respects for something he wasn't a part of yet.

"Are you interested in learning more about the Marines?" the man asked.

"Yes sir, I am," Jim answered.

"Well, let me first start by saying that we are a proud service rich with honor and tradition."

Al could barely contain his sneer. He had the feeling that the Marine knew it too.

But the Marine didn't take his eyes of Jim, his prospective recruit, as he spoke again. "If you believe that you are a man of character, of strength and honor, then you have come to the right place."

Jim thought for a moment, his gaze off into space. Al knew that Jim wasn't a big thinker and certainly no philosopher, but this was the most captivated he'd ever seen him.

"I think I could be that man," Jim said resolutely.

"That's great to hear," the Marine said. "I'm Sergeant Reese. I'd like to give you some more information about who we are and what we do. Take these," he said, handing pamphlets to Jim. "And fill out this sheet so I can keep in contact with you."

"Sergeant Reese," Jim said, "What would I be doing in the Marines besides firing a gun?"

"Well there are lots of occupations you could test for, depending on physical ability and aptitude."

"It's just that I'm not sure at this point if I want to go career. So if I decide not to reenlist, can I pick up civilian life again with training in a skill?"

"Absolutely. In these pamphlets are jobs you might find particularly interesting. We're not the Marines you usually see in movies or cartoons. Like I said, we are proud of what we do."

"So I pick a job I like, sign the contract and I'm in?"

"We don't take contracts, only commitments."

Al had to look the other way at the Sergeant's last words. They were laughable at best, but he held back his feelings for the sake of Jim. And speaking of Jim, Al once again noticed him deep in thought, contemplating the Sergeant's words with great mind.

"I'd be honored…" Jim began "…to enlist in the Marines. Call me anytime, Sarge."

They once again shook hands, but never once did Sergeant Reese smile. Maybe he didn't need to. There was some connection between Jim and the Marine, one that Al couldn't fathom at the moment.

Jim led the way back to where Al was sitting. They both sat down, and Al watched Jim ponder about his own future. He was really going to do it. He was going to become a Marine—traveling from world to world—getting the mission done and whatever else goes along with being in the Corps. There was definitely no conflict about it in Jim's eyes. This was for him. It's what he wanted—to make a difference. Al could see the excitement brewing inside him. Al caught himself squinting as a sliver of jealousy pulled at his side.

"So…" Al said, breaking the silence. "…What's up?"

Jim smiled as he looked to Al. "I think I'm gonna do it."

Al smiled back. "That's great," he lied.

"I guess there's no persuading you though, eh?"

"Joining the Marines would be the last thing I would ever do. I still don't even know why you are considering this. I always thought it was the poor, the criminals, and the unlucky that joined."

The noise of the student union became apparent as Jim thought about his answer to that.

"Maybe it's because it's historic, you know? I could be a part of all of it. Think about all of history—how it was recorded and how it was made. War has basically defined human existence. The making and breaking of empires is the backbone of our species. It determines the course of life."

"And death."

Jim hung his head. "It's just another part of life."

"The part that I plan on postponing as long as possible."

"Maybe you will, maybe you won't. But I want to know that I've lived my life to the fullest, never ear marking and never spectating as the world passes me by. I need to be a part of things."

"You'll certainly get your wish," Al said with a caution. "You know it's going to be rough, don't you?"

"I'm well aware of the dangers, yes."

"You know…it's funny you mention war and history—"

"—Why's that?"

"Because nearly every contender in every war fought for what they believed in, not because they worked for the betterment of life and prosperity. They weren't defending against some great evil; they were just in search of conquest. Is that what you are doing?"

"No."

"No?"

"No. I want to quell the violence, to be among the people that help settle the matter so we can all move on. By force if necessary. This is my calling. Have you found yours?"

"You already know the answer to that."

"Right. Her."

Author's Note: I have given this entire story a face lift. I'm excited because I know exactly where it's going and it's gonna be great! So expect regular updates.

-EmF