Lance's Boys: Part Two
"What do you mean they went camping?"
Link looked incredulously at Keith's image. She was busy working in her office but took the time to take a call from the King only to be asked where her husband was.
"Exactly what it sounds like, Keith. They went camping."
"All three of them?"
"Yeees."
"Lance hates camping."
"I know, but he wanted time alone with the boys. Did you need him for something?"
"Yeah, I've got some shaky paperwork that a contractor submitted that I need him to look at. When will they be back?"
"Tomorrow night."
They exchanged a look full of understanding.
"Just give me a call if they're late," Keith said.
"Will do."
Between the three of them, they managed to make a decent campfire. The fragrant wood that Jason had the foresight to pick up in the forest crackled satisfyingly as the sun set over the horizon and the boys understood then what their father meant when he said it would be worth it. They sat on a plateau with a perfect view of the sunset falling behind the gleaming Castle of Lions. Voltronia was a sprawling metropolis at its feet, a far cry from the small village it had been when Link had first come into the Mayor's office. They sat, Lance and Jack drinking ale in silence and Jason with a cup of juice, as night crept up on them.
"I'd sleep outside for that," Jason said, satisfied.
"Hey, I wasn't gonna let my boys down," Lance said.
"This was a good idea, Dad," Jack said.
"Remember that when you get eaten alive by mosquitos."
"You've been spending too much time with Mom. Quit nagging me."
Lance chuckled.
"I knew her influence would come up one day. How'd I do?"
"It was sneaky but there was no creativity in the wording," Jack said as if he were scoring an olympic event. "I'd say you need a little work."
"I'm gonna have no one to practice on."
"You can try to nag Mom," Jason suggested.
"Do you want to come home to divorced parents?"
"The man has a point, Jay," Jack said, stretching out his long legs and leaning back against his pack. "Did the transport pick up your stuff already, by the way?"
"Nah. They're coming when we get back home. Good thing I finished packing."
"I hope you packed light. I remember when I went to the Academy and Mom packed all my stuff. I thought I got a good deal out of it until I showed up with five boxes and everyone else had two suitcases...even the girls. I didn't hear the end of it my entire first year--and some until my fourth. I wouldn't be surprised if I heard something about it on the ship."
Lance laughed but Jason didn't. Jack gave him a pitying look, made a clucking sound with his tongue.
"You let her pack, didn't you?" he said.
"Yeah...I better repack when we get home," Jason said worriedly. "What was your first day like, Dad?"
"Gwen and I fought in the shuttle the entire ride over because she wanted me to pretend like I didn't know her and then I lost one of my bags and we had to hunt it down. Of course we didn't find it because it was already at the room and I met my dorky new roommate."
"When did you meet Uncle Keith and Uncle Sven?" Jason asked, frowning. "Did you ever tell us?"
"Detention. I was usually there and Keith and Sven got into some trouble for...I can't even remember what. It was probably Sven getting in trouble and Keith trying to take the fall for him, getting them both in the slammer. Anyway, we could barely understand a word that came out of Sven's mouth because his accent was so thick then. But we got everything straightened out by dinnertime and we decided to scope out the female cadets--well me and Sven anyway. Keith always wasn't much of a ladies man...course you couldn't tell that by the line of ladies that usually followed him around everywhere he went."
"You didn't find your own Keith and Sven, Jack," Jason pointed out.
"That's cause I already had them," Jack retorted. "I made plenty of friends, Jay. You're gonna have some big shoes to fill when you get there."
"He's got his own shoes," Lance said.
"I was talking about yours, Dad."
"Yeah...I did get into a lot of trouble, didn't I?"
Jack shook his head.
"No, I mean you're just as legendary as Uncle Keith. Everyone knew that you were kind of a screw up at the Academy but you came out with this great career and you're an integral part to Arusian political life. At least that's what they're saying. Anyway, you're a big part of Arusian history and they know that. You piloted the Red Lion for godsakes! You're like the slacker's hero."
"Wow," Jason said, a new respect for his father in his eyes.
"Yeah, so brace yourself for Lance Branegan stories," Jack said.
"I guess you heard plenty, huh?" Lance said apologetically.
"Don't get me wrong. I'm proud to be your kid and I'm definitely not going through the identity crisis that Ethan is, but when your professors keep holding you after class to tell you some funny story that I'm sure they punished you for, pretending that they were your good buddy...it wears on you. Especially since I know it's just a giant crock of shit."
Lance frowned.
"They did that?" he asked.
"Yeah...I thought I told you," Jack answered, confused.
"No, you didn't. That's....alright lemme tell you how my Academy days were. I spent most of it in detention and getting yelled at for being a poor student, when all I wanted to do was fly and shoot. If Keith and Sven hadn't been there, I think I might have quit before the end and neither of you would be sitting here listening to me. What I did after I left the Academy, I did for me, for my friends, and then for your Mom. I'm not a huge fan of that place or the IAF--obviously since I retired pretty early--but it did open doors for me and I want the same for you. Just don't let the guilded halls and big talk cloud your judgment. You'll know whether or not you can use what you learn there, whether that life is the one you want."
"That's the smartest thing I've ever heard you say, Dad," Jack said with a teasing smile.
"I've been saving up for today. So, you understand what I'm saying?"
The boys looked as if they were pondering his words and Lance watched them carefully, trying to gauge what they thought. Jack had already been through the Academy and by taking his first assignment, Lance was sure that his eldest son wasn't chafing under IAF authority like he had which was a good sign. Jason still had to discover things on his own but Lance had just as much hope for him. He didn't like it much, but they would both make good officers. He just hoped that the IAF didn't turn them into automatons...but then Jack hadn't lost the quirk to his lips that said a smart remark wasn't far off so maybe there was hope yet. If there was ever a spirit breaker, it was four years at the competitive, dog-eat-dog world of the Academy.
"I understand what you mean," Jack said.
"Me, too," Jason said. "But, I'm kinda nervous."
"You'd be inhuman if you weren't," Lance said. "You'll be alright, Jay. You get along well with people and plus you're pretty good-looking so you'll at least be a hit with the female cadets."
"He's right there," Jack said. "I was a HUGE hit, so you'll be able to be a mediocre one since you're not nearly as good-looking as me."
"Or as modest," Lance added wryly.
"I bet I'd be a bigger hit," Jason challenged. "I dunno what cracked mirror you looked at last, Jack, but I'd kick your ass in the looks deparment any day. Plus, I'm smarter and my voice is much easier on the ears. That honk you call a laugh must have had them running away screaming."
Lance nearly fell over laughing at Jack's open-mouthed stare. Jason grinned cheekily and ducked his head as Jack reached over to give him a noogie.
"Aren't you nervous about going out into space?" Jason asked him as he smoothed his hair down.
"Nah. I'm excited. Maybe I'll crash land on a planet and find myself a pretty wife like Dad did," Jack replied.
"No need to kiss ass, kid," Lance snorted. "Your Mom isn't here to hear you."
"Alright, then maybe a beautiful princess like Uncle Keith did," Jack amended, something hard in his eyes that Lance had noticed before and wondered about.
"I might tell her about that comment," Lance said. "Ship duty isn't all it's cracked up to be. I'm just warning you. I was on ship duty during wartime and I was bored out of my mind so I can only imagine what they'll have you doing now."
Doubt flitted across Jack's face.
"Really? You were bored?"
"Yeah, so I had to make my own fun and that's how I ended up on Arus. So maybe yeah, you'll find your own princess."
Jack only shrugged and stared down at his empty mug. He poured himself another and refilled Lance's mug as well. He jokingly offered some to Jason but the boy declined. Lance took a drink of his ale, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He looked at his boys.
"So..." Lance started.
"So," Jack sighed.
"So," Jason said thoughtfully. "You're not gonna get mushy on us, are you, Dad? Cause I don't want to get any tears in my juice so just let me know so I can get ready."
"He does look a little teary eyed, Jay," Jack added, gray eyes dancing. "He might have brought us out here so that he can cry about us leaving and then kill us so that there won't be any witnesses."
Lance wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh with them or knock their heads together.
"Don't tempt me. I wasn't gonna get mushy...I just wanted to tell you both that I'm proud of you. Whether or not the IAF is gonna be your future is up to you but you did real good up until now. I'm proud."
Jack and Jason glanced at each other and they both smiled.
"Thanks," Jack said.
"Yeah," Jason said.
"No problem. Jack, you might want to kill that mosquito that's trying to bleed you dry."
Jack slapped at his neck, made a face when he saw the huge bug now squashed on his palm.
"This is gonna be an interesting night," he said.
"It already is," Jason said smiling cheekily for Lance.
