The moment the two marines arrived at the head they were immediately able to deduce why the captain was in such a rush, and they spotted a family frame. After all, it isn't hard to recognize that Vanguard, even without his armor.

  "What's the matter, you scared?" A man with deep brown hair yelled at Henry.

  "What in the hell is going on in here?" Captain Boros yelled as he looked at the naked men in front of him.

  The Marines both snapped a salute to the Captain, one slipping on the wet floor in the process. "He failed to salute Captain. We were trying to give him wall-to-wall counseling, to which he has just ignored us," the Marines explained to an increasingly angry CO.

  "Well, do you two know why he didn't salute?" The captain asked as the marines shook their heads. "It's because he is a DMI project," The captain yelled, spit flying out and hitting the marines in the face. For their part, the Marines didn't dare move to wipe the spit off of their face.

  "Sorry sir, it was our fault," One of the marines said as they hung their heads low.

  "You're damn right. Now get dressed and get out of my face," The captain ordered. He watched the two marines get dressed and jog out of the heads. "And you," He yelled as he turned to Henry. "You could have diffused the situation before it even started, why didn't you?" The captain asked.

  "They didn't let me. They were looking for a fight and were desperate to find one," Henry explained.

  "Ah, I see, Lt. Valshavik it seems like those two have plenty of energy. Go and tell them to meet me on the bridge with a water source," The captain said as he started to walk away.

  "Yes sir," Valshavik said with a salute. He was glad that Vanguard 001 ignored those marines. If he gave them what they wanted, the captain would have two dead marines on his ship.

  Henry shrugged as the commotion died down. He finished his shower and went back to the cargo bay the Captain was letting him stay in. Henry looked around the empty cargo bay. It was small as far as most cargo bays go. It was 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide. On one side was his armor and bunk, and on the other side was a desk. It is odd to Henry, that his bunk on Aries was just as empty, but felt more like his home than this place ever could.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "Henry you feel that way because Aries is your home, and it always has been. I keep telling you that the other life you remember having was just a dream, and that is why you can barely remember any of it," Albert told Henry.

  "I know Albert. It felt so real though," Henry told Albert while he stared up at the ceiling.

  "Some dreams do, we call them vivid dreams. As far as my database shows, however, you have only been on Aries," Albert said. Albert knew it was a lie, but only partially.

  "You're right Albert," Henry said with a sigh.

  "Get some rest, we will be going over some of your lessons that you got to skip," Albert said as Henry groaned.

  "Albert, do we have to?" Henry asked.

  "Yes, we do. A strong mind is needed just as much as a strong body." Albert said, cutting Henry's hope. Henry huffed in annoyance and went to sleep.

  09 Oct 2359 Alpha, Alpha Centauri 0900

  The clanking noise of metal boots rang down the long hallway as Henry walked towards Admiral Williams's office. Henry looked around but only saw wooden doors, symmetrical concrete walls, and long fluorescent lights. Henry walked up to the door that had Williams written above it on a plaque, knocked, and waited for permission to enter.

  "Enter," Was the Admiral's one-word order.

  Henry walked through the door, ducking and turning slightly just to fit through. "I was told by Captain Boros to report to you immediately ma'am," Henry said while taking off his helmet.

  "That is correct. You're not in trouble. I just need a debrief and to draw the footage off of your helmet," The Admiral said. Henry gave the black helmet to the Admiral as he started the debrief. She hooked the helmet up and started to play the footage as she listened to Henry. The admiral's face went from composed and always in control to horror when she saw and heard what the Thahiem AI had to say. "We need to get a team there and retrieve that AI," the Admiral muttered to herself as she continued to watch the raw unadulterated footage, having to pause it multiple times, sickened by the brutality that Henry employed.

  "Vanguard 001 it is clear to see that you are effective in combat. As of today, you are finished with Vanguard training. You are now a Warrant officer and will only answer to the Admiralty. I am giving you two days R and R, then I need you to report to the New Dawn at 0600. It will be your new home," The Admiral said as she turned back to the computer to finish downloading the footage caught by Henry's helmet.

  "Yes ma'am. May I still see Valasquez?" Henry asked. He saw worry in her face, but only for the briefest of moments.

  "No, he is indisposed at the moment. We have him helping the other Drill instructors train the remaining Vanguards from this class," The Admiral said before she looked up at Henry. One more thing Warrant, I don't want you accessing the network. It could possibly mess with Albert," The Admiral finished as she turned back to her monitor.

  "Yes Ma'am," Henry said as he saluted and walked out of the office. He couldn't say why, but his gut told him something else was going on besides what the Admiral said, but orders are orders.