Welcome back to the Lady Lex. The burning questions are, can Ben and Douglas make up and get their relationship off the ground? Are Nipper and Andrew ever going to quit being horn dogs? How far can Jesse drift from his father? Thanks to all of you who read and those of you who take the time to write us. This is a Douglas chapter, since it's even numbered. Enjoy -Ben and Douglas
The Boys of the Lady Lex Chapter 16 "What's In a Name?" Written By Douglas DD and Benjamin TC
Andrew shook off the sleep in his head as his alarm went off. He untangled himself from Nipper, got out of the bed and walked the few feet to his own bed and shut off the alarm. His trumpet was ready to play. He warmed up a little and was amazed Nipper was sleeping through everything. Neither of them had had watch last night and they were up long after lights out making each other cum. Twice each. Andrew was in love with blow jobs, both receiving and giving. He knew Nipper felt the same way.
As he got ready to turn on the ship's intercom a thought flashed through his head, and not for the first time. Would Nipper be interested in trying butt sex. He'd heard about it. He knew about it. He never really wanted to try it. But now he wasn't so sure. He was sure he was in love with Nipper, and if he did try it, Nipper would be the one he wanted to do it with. Maybe some day, but for now he was afraid to ask, both because he wasn't sure he wanted to try it and because he didn't know if Nipper would want to do it. After all, he thought, Nipper isn't a "criminal" like me.
Andrew flicked on the intercom and started playing his morning rendition of Reveille. The full blast of his trumpet finally got to Nipper, who almost launched himself into the air. Andrew was disappointed Nipper didn't wake up right away. He had enjoyed waking up the boys of the ship as Nipper sucked him off to a pretty awesome cum. Still dry, unfortunately, but nevertheless, awesome.
"I need a new roommate!" Nipper said once Andrew ended his playing. "One who wakes me up normal."
"I think you need some of my spit dumped on your head again," Andrew replied as he took care of cleaning his trumpet and putting it back into its case.
Nipper jumped out of bed, turned is back to Andrew, bent over and displayed his beautiful rear end. "Lick this, pervert!"
Andrew got off his bed, bent down behind Nipper and licked off his pucker.
"Whoa! I didn't think you'd do it. You ARE a pervert," Nipper said, giggling.
Andrew stopped his licking, and ran his finger along the inside of Nipper's smooth butt crack. "After the pee thing in the shower you know I'll do anything, and I mean anything you want." Andrew was hoping that would include going up Nipper's firm white ass with his dick.
Nipper ignored the comment, asking him instead if his butt tasted good.
"Not as good as your dick, but I'll do it again if you shower first."
"Well, it felt real good. And what you're doing right now feels real good too." Andrew kept rubbing inside Nipper's crack with his index finger, stopping to rub along his rose, even pushing his finger in a little ways. After a couple of minutes, he stopped and pulled his hand away.
"Don't stop, Andrew."
"Sorry, I gotta. We have to shower and get breakfast and be ready for morning inspection and for class. Not to mention having our room ready for any kind of surprise inspection. I sure don't want to stop, but living in this dumb place makes me."
"Yeah, I know." Nipper turned around and gave Andrew a full kiss on the lips, quickly letting his tongue play with the tongue that just moments ago had been licking his butt.
Douglas looked at the empty bed across from him. He had been so looking forward to seeing that filled tonight. While he doubted Ben could get a change of cabin quickly, if at all, he knew he wasn't looking forward to seeing Ben in the bed. It would just remind him how much pain he was in. He hated Tina for costing him so much. Why were girls so amazingly stupid. He was in love with her cousin, and he would never want her. After all he was gay.
Maybe I should just tell her so she'll leave me alone, though it's probably too late for that now. He had been so proud of Ben piloting the shuttle. He knew Ben would be a great pilot, but now it looked like it wouldn't be for his shuttle.
He pulled himself out of bed and got the things he would need for his shower. He was getting tired of showering at the ship's gym, waiting for his turn to take a quick morning shower, or giving up half his free time to take one in the evening. He almost was willing to just slap on a dash of deodorant and forget showering altogether. However, he also liked to scope out the naked boys who were showering at the time.
He looked at the calendar on his cork board to see if this was a class day or a duty day. Yesterday's impromptu flight had thrown his day out of whack. The calendar read Saturday, and the red X by the date meant it was a class day. Douglas didn't know whether to be happy or upset. A class day meant he would be running into Ben for sure.
He put some sweats on and headed down the corridor to the shower. He was feeling a little horny. He hadn't masturbated yesterday because of the problems with Ben, and his 14 year old teen hormones were starting to kick in. His mind drifted to Ben, and he quickly worked to concentrate on something else; something non-sexual so he wouldn't end up stepping into the shower with a boner. He semi-succeeded and ended up in the shower with a semi -hardon. Well, he wasn't the only one in that condition. Jesse and Scottie were busy showering across from him, and Scottie's was a little beyond a semi. Jesse's was flaccid. In fact Jesse had seemed somewhat quiet and withdrawn when Douglas had greeted him.
Scottie smiled at Douglas and Douglas smiled back. He busily washed himself as two other boys whose names he didn't know came in. The boy who had morning shower duty (Damn, wouldn't I love having THAT job, Douglas thought) told Douglas his time was up, along with Jesse and Scottie. Douglas quickly rinsed off and went into the locker room, where he dried off and dressed.
"Hey, Jesse, anything wrong?" he asked. "You seem a little glum this morning."
"Nothing."
Douglas put his arm around Jesse and took him aside. "Walk with me back to your cabin." Jesse's cabin was on the way to Douglas's.
"Why?"
"Because I want you to. Please."
"I need to put my pants on first."
"Says who?" Douglas said with a leer.
Jesse smiled for the first time all morning. "You're funny."
"I try. Now come on, take a little walk with me." He turned and looked at Scottie who winked and shook his head yes.
Jesse finished drying his hair and pulling his sweats on. Douglas put his arm around Jesse's shoulder and they headed out of the shower room and into the main corridor.
"Come on, Jesse. We're both here for the same reason. We both wanted to prove ourselves and not be stuck living in the officer's quarters just being kids who come to class. We both are here to earn respect from our parents. To earn the respect of the kids we're gonna be in class with. And maybe to earn respect for ourselves. So you can be honest with me. Whatever you say stays here. What's eating at you?"
Jesse remained silent, but Douglas remained persistent. "Are you getting a lot of shit because you're the captain's son?"
"No, it's not that."
"Then what is it?" Douglas had his arm around Jesse again, and squeezed him hard.
Tears started dripping down Jesse's cheeks.
"I can't say," he sniffled.
"It won't get better if you don't get it out. Whatever it is, you can't keep it bottled up."
"This is something I can't tell anybody. Anybody at all."
They entered Jesse's cabin. The tears were flowing freely now. Jesse suddenly turned and buried his face in Douglas's chest and let go, his body being wracked by hard sobs. Douglas held Jesse tightly to him, rubbing his back and cooing to him that everything was okay. "What can be that bad, Jesse?"
"Can I trust you? Trust you totally? Trust you not to tell this to anybody?"
"Yes, you can Jesse. Like I told you before, whatever you tell me stays here."
"You know how my dad thinks Mark is his only son right? That he can do nothing and I'm just some boy who he just happens to buy food and clothes for, right?"
"It's not that bad, Jesse. Your dad loves you, but I think it's like he has blinders on. He doesn't see how awesome you are."
"He sees how awesome Mark is. Mark is the cadet. He's the hockey player and the stud. I like to sing and dance and act in plays, and I'm....I'm...," the tears stared to flow again, and Douglas gave Jesse an extra hard squeeze.
"Go on," he whispered assuredly, "it's okay. I'm here for you."
"..I'm gay," he squeaked out quietly.
Douglas raised Jesse's head and looked straight into his eyes. "You're sure?"
"I think I have these feeling for Scottie."
Douglas pulled Jesse in tighter. "Well, so am I, Jesse. And it isn't the end of the world."
"You're gay too?"
"I am."
"It's the end of the world for me. It's one more thing dad would have against me. And Mark would laugh me out of the family."
"It's not that bad. And you don't have to come out to anybody right now."
"Like they don't know. I bet dad thinks I'm just the faggot actor in the family. And then I gotta figure out what to do about how I feel about Scott...."
Scottie came into the room and Jesse quickly ducked into the head so Scottie wouldn't see his tear streaked face. Scottie was sure he knew what the conversation was about. He was sure he knew exactly what Jessie had said to Douglas. Now he needed to be patient until Jesse could admit the same thing to him. "Is everything all right?"
"Yeah, it's cool I think."
"Acting like our commander?"
I'm trying. I want us to have the best crew. And we are all having breakfast at the same table. I better go get my uniform on so I won't be late.
Douglas's mind was racing at the same time he was racing down the corridor to his cabin. As Jesse's commander he felt he needed to find out what was bugging Jesse. What he found out wasn't what he expected. Now Jesse had a crush, but Scottie not knowing it, and he wasn't sure how Scottie would react to it. He had his problems with Ben, who he was more and more sure he was in love with. And his little brother was in love with Ben's little brother. All this and they hadn't even been officially in space yet.
He wondered if any of the other shuttle crews were like that. But he was glad he was picked to be on one of the shuttles, and even more glad he was a commander, even though he was only a freshman. He knew his inexperience could work against him, but he had confidence in his ability to lead his crew.
He quickly put his uniform on, made sure he was looking good for inspection and headed for the dining room.
Ben finished packing his overnight bag. He had spent his last night in sickbay, and would be in his own cabin tonight. He was positive it would be a different cabin than the one he was currently assigned to. There was no way he was spending a night with Douglas. He was finished with Douglas. How could he lead him on like that and then go kissing his cousin? And a girl cousin. He would rather he caught him kissing Jesse than kiss HER.
The other thing he would do is get changed to a different shuttle. He thought about not being assigned to one at all, but after his adventure of the day before he was hooked. He knew he needed to be on a shuttle crew. It just couldn't be one that Douglas commanded.
He had heard a tradition was being started that the shuttle crews would each eat breakfast at the same table. Since he was sure he would be on a new shuttle by tomorrow he wasn't going to be a part of that "tradition". He might even not be assigned to a shuttle at all. Remembering the thrill of piloting the shuttle yesterday with Kalon and Douglas he tried not thinking about that. It was too bad Douglas was on the shuttle. His presence had kept the experience from being perfect.
He took his overnight bag and left his room. He passed Dr. Daniel's office. The doctor looked up.
"Take care, Ben. I'll see you for our appointment, Monday. Remember what I said about what you can and cannot do."
"Yes, sir. Thanks for everything." Ben liked Dr. Daniels. It was too bad he was Douglas's father.
Ben took his gear to his cabin, happy that Douglas wasn't there. He left the bag on his bed and headed for breakfast. When he got to the dining hall he saw that the boys who had been assigned to shuttles were sitting as crews. Douglas, Scottie, Nipper, Andrew, and Jesse were sitting at a table. There was one empty chair there. Andrew saw him first and waved. Ben waved back. He saw Douglas smile and point to the chair. He gave Douglas as mean a glare as he could conjure up and went to a table filled with boys who weren't assigned to a shuttle. He didn't know any of them, and didn't want to. Nobody talked to him. He didn't care. He never saw the hurt look on Douglas's face.
The "Honey of the Stars" was ripping through warp space. Jake Masters sat comfortably in an overstuffed chair in the lounge, smoking a big cigar, the air filter system straining to clear the smoke out of the lounge. After he had explained to Admiral Whitaker how things were and what his plan was the poor bastard had no choice to agree. They were now on course for Kriton, with nobody suspecting a thing. After all what was unusual for the business yacht of one the largest intergalactic trading companies to make a call on Kriton, a planet the SFA was just now trying to negotiate trade treaties with.
Across from Jake, draped across a couch, looking comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time, was Matt. The smoke he had just enjoyed was already cleared out.
"Did ya enjoy smoking that joint lad?"
Matt nodded, lost in the jumbled thoughts created by the powerful marijuana he had just smoked.
"I thought ya would. I heard you was quite a partier."
"Ya."
There was a long pause, and then Matt said, "Your name's not Sam is it?"
"Nope. I'm Jake Masters himself."
"And your accent is fake."
"No, that it isn't lad. It's the words of my home planet, which will go unnamed, but with a little research ya could figure it out."
"You got any more weed?"
I do lad, but for later."
"I'm hungry."
"Food I can get ya."
"You're gonna rape me now aren't you."
"No, lad, I'm not gonna rape you. Jake Masters is no rapist."
"You wanted to that one time in my cabin on that awful ship."
"That was Sam, lad."
"But you're Sam."
"No lad, I'm Jake Masters."
Matt's buzzing brain could make no sense of it, so he decided to enjoy the notes of the music that was being played on the lounge's stereo system.
"That's not to say I wouldn't enjoy a romp in the bed with ya though, lad. You're a cute sexy one, you are."
Matt looked over at Jake Masters. He had thick gray hair, black and gray chest hairs showing through his half open shirt, and the build of somebody twenty years younger. Matt found himself strangely turned on by the man, but he didn't know if it was the weed working on his mind, or the fact he suddenly saw him in a different way. Maybe it was the weed making him see him in a different way. Matt shook his head. It was all too complicated. He wanted a donut and he wanted to hit more weed.
After another long pause he asked, "Where are we going?"
"Well, laddy, we're going someplace where we're gonna make one man become nothing, and another man become important. And by doing that you become a very important young man to us."
"Can I have more weed?"
"Later, lad later."
"I'm hungry."
"Call for a waiter for some food."
Matt couldn't remember how to use the intercom. His mind was too fuzzy. "Can you come show me how?"
Jake got up from the overstuffed chair and sat next to Matt on the couch. Matt dropped his head onto Jake's lap.
"You won't rape me will you?" he asked sleepily.
"Never, lad. Never. Sam is gone. This is Jake Masters."
Matt looked at the gray hair, the thick gray chest hairs, and felt the heat coming from the man's crotch as his head lay there. He put his hand on his own crotch and watched as strands of gray danced in front of his eyes.
"Don't rape me."
"I won't lad." Jake stroked the boy's head. "And that's a promise." A promise Jake Masters truly intended to fulfill. But he also was determined to have the boy share his bed and taste his wares. This wasn't the time, but it would be coming. He wouldn't be the first boy to share a bed with Jake Master, not by a long shot. The boys head on his lap made him fully erect. Jake Masters stroked Matt's hair as Matt drifted down lanes he couldn't understand, dreams created by the powerful marijuana of Lucifer. Aye, lad, Jake thought, the time isn't now, but it will be soon lad, it will be soon.
The boys all stood at attention in full uniform in the hanger one. It was time for weekly uniform inspection. Colonel Stone himself was doing this week's inspection. He was pleased with what he saw, but he also found a lot to criticize. One boy was put on report for not having his shoes properly shined and another for wearing his class tunic instead of his dress tunic. They had all looked the same to him, and he hadn't realized until too late he was wearing the wrong one. But overall, it had been a good inspection considering the rag tag group the crew had been not long ago.
After the inspection Captain Hatcher addressed the boys. "I have picked the two boys to man the cadet command positions on this ship. I have given them a lot of responsibility, and as they work into their positions they will receive even more. One of their first assignments will be to pick command positions for each grade. Those will be announced in the next day or so.
"I have picked two of our most senior boys. They have worked together before, though not on something quite this positive. I have given them the responsibility of leading you as a team, just like they led their, um, group not so long ago.
"The cadet CO is going to be Johnny Cooper."
An audible groan could be heard from the group. Captain Hatcher held up his hand for silence but said nothing. "His XO will be Mike Wakeman." This brought a yes, and some cheering. Once again the captain held up his hand.
"You will treat these two as you would officers of the crew. I have every confidence in them. They will do an excellent job for this ship."
After inspection the boy took a detour before heading to his assignment for the hour. He entered the shuttle bay. He looked at the instructions on the screen of his hand computer one last time. He opened up the bag he had been given for his books and papers, and took some things out of it that had nothing to do with papers. He opened the air lock to the shuttle. In spite of what had happened with Ben and Andrew on the "Lady Hawke", the shuttles bays and shuttles still weren't locked, at least not the ones assigned to cadets. He went to the pilot's seat and crawled under the instrument panel. He used a screw driver to take off the panel. Checking the chip number, he unplugged a chip from a board and plugged in a replacement. He rechecked his instructions. Satisfied he had done everything correctly, he screwed the panel back on, picked up his bag, and rushed out before the corridors became crowded with boys going to their classes and duty assignments.
Richard "Rich" Zimmer sat in the command chair of the "Orion." As the cadet CO he was in charge of the bridge, and in essence the ship for this two hour watch. Only the actual Captain could overrule his orders. Even the ship's officers had to obey him. Rich had a lot of the qualities Johnny Cooper had, only they hadn't led him into a life of crime. He had an arrogant confidence. He was quick to belittle his subordinates. He could be difficult to get along with. However, unlike Johnny, he had the ability to kiss the right asses and make the right good impression on the right people. That ability, more than any other, had propelled him to the position of cadet CO.
Todd Brown, his XO, entered the bridge. He looked at Rich sitting arrogantly in the command chair. He and Rich had once been lovers. In fact they'd been lovers since the day they met as 7th graders on the "Oriskanee", their first day as 12 year old SFA cadets when they were assigned to the same cabin. That had ended at the end of their sophomore year, when both of them realized they had the same ambition, to be cadet CO. The difference between them was, Rich thought he could gain his position by kissing ass, and Todd thought he could do so by showing the command crew his superior leadership skills. Unfortunately for Todd, ass kissing won.
During their junior year their relationship quickly went from lovers, to friends, to rivals. Todd knew of Rich's arrogant side, but he had always found ways to help him keep it in check. Now ambition had taken over, and he and Rich tolerated each other. They both worked together to do their jobs. They managed to hide their dislike for each other in public, but it often manifested itself in private. Todd often longed to have his Richie back, the vulnerable boy who was so needy and who fulfilled him so much. Todd had a position of power, which he coveted, as did Richie, but he wondered if attaining it was worth the price.
Mark Hatcher was the helmsman on duty. As a late starting student, he was inexperience, but he had potential. He was also arrogant, but in different ways from Rich. Rich was arrogant to cover up his own inner doubts and his vulnerability. Mark was arrogant because he had been spoiled and led to believe his shit didn't stink by his father. What Rich needed was a good ass fucking, but what Mark needed was a good ass kicking.
His roommate, Tim Whitaker, was standing the same watch. He had heard rumors of some sexual play between Tim and a younger cadet. He figured Tim would bear watching for bigger and better things, as did the younger cadet. Because of his position, Todd wasn't supposed to get involved with the cadets, but he found that rule was one that was made to be broken. He made it clear to the few boys he had played around with that they would receive no special favors, yet he also knew that he had built himself a cadre of loyal underclassmen by simply giving them something they wanted.
Todd had a swimmer's build. He worked out daily in the ship's pool, and had won gold medals in the Academy Olympic swim competition every year since 7th grade.
He took another look at Tim. The son of the Chief of Staff of the SFA, Todd thought. I like his style. It would be nice to have him on my side. I would like his loyalty too.
He looked back to Mark Hatcher. That boy, even though the son of a respected starship captain, he didn't like. There was something superficial about him. It was as if his cocky attitude was a cover for a person with no sense of direction and no ethics. He gave the impression of being the kind of boy who look out for himself at the expense of crew mates or teammates. Todd had heard he was a hell of a hockey player, but he wondered if that talent translated into winning.
He looked back at Tim. Well, I will find out more about Mark Hatcher, because I plan on winning over his roommate, and his roommates little lover.
"I have read all your papers," Harrison Wolfe told his third period class. "You showed a good understanding of how to relate a character in literature to real life. Too bad you all have led a life of crime," he said with a knowing smile, "because there are some good brains in this class, not to mention some good writers." Douglas didn't bother taking exception to the "life of crime" comment.
"Since this class is made up of cadets who have been assigned to shuttles, you all had the same assignment to do. Not all of my classes are this way. I am going to give your paper to your shuttle captain, who will then go over them with you when you meet in your shuttle class. Today will be shuttle naming day. Time to end the numbers game. I am pleased to say that all of you picked appropriate names for your shuttles, so every paper is eligible. I expect to have the name of each shuttle and a short paper written by somebody in your crew explaining why you picked name you did over the rest of them by our next class on Tuesday. Good luck, gentlemen."
After class ended, Douglas headed of shuttle training with Wing Group 1. The talk all morning had been about Johnny, whom everyone despised, being the CO. Douglas knew he would've much rather seen Mike as CO, then Johnny. Now he was stuck with the arrogant bastard for shuttle training, since Johnny was in his wing group.
Johnny had just asked Trevor if he had accomplished his mission. He sheepishly said no, that somebody had been in the storage area and he couldn't get in. He didn't mention his encounter with Harrison Wolfe.
Johnny didn't have much of a chance to lord his new position over them, since Kalon greeted the three crews as they entered the shuttle bay, went over some issues regarding shuttle safety, and the difference between the simulator wired into a shuttle and the main simulator in the hangar, but made no mention of Ben's unscheduled flight of the day before.
"The shuttle simulators are fine for routine things. They have a few emergencies, like power loss or loss of thruster control, but nothing major. And they are programmed not to exceed the limits the designers say the shuttles have. Well, we all know the builders built these babies better than the designers designed them. The hangar simulators have some interesting programs on operating a shuttle beyond its design limits. Remember, these things aren't the fighters you would find a an Excalibur Class or better starship, but they can do a hell of a lot more than they are given credit for. And once we get the basics down, we'll be in that simulator learning some new stuff. Oh, and men, let it be known, none of the SFA academy pussies have a simulator like the one in that hangar." Kalon grinned his huge infectious grin.
"Okay, now comes the pussy time of class," Kalon said. "I have been ordered to now give you time to name your shuttle after..after...," Kalon couldn't hold back his laughter, "after something in literature? While I think the name of your ship is as important as anything, this is one girlie assignment. Just be sure to give it a man's name. You need to have your name by Tuesday, and this is the only class time I will give your crew. If you can get it today, all the better. I have the letters and the name boards set up in the shuttle bay for your shuttle. If you get them completed today, your shuttle will be flown into hangar three as soon as possible and the name board attached to the shuttle." Kalon then showed them how to put letters on the name board, as well as how to create an icon if they wanted one. "Now get to work."
The class had met in the bay that had Johnny's shuttle attached to it outside. Douglas gathered up his crew and started out for his own bay, which was next to this one. He paused when he realized Ben wasn't following him.
"Are you coming?"
"No. I need to talk to Kalon."
Douglas frowned. "Well join us as soon as you can. This is important."
"Whatever."
Ben ignored the pained look on Douglas's face, then walked up to Kalon. "Sir, I would like to either be transferred to a different shuttle or removed from the shuttle crews."
"For what reason, Ben? And ignore the sir shit, I'm Kalon."
"I don't feel like I'm part of that crew and I don't respect the commander."
"On the first issue, you've been sick and haven't had a chance to bond, and that takes some effort." Kalon had walked through the dining area and noticed Ben wasn't sitting with his crew at breakfast. "On the second issue, could it be because he's not a fellow criminal?" Ben blanched at that, since he didn't consider himself to be a criminal. "He was right there supporting you yesterday. Well, if it was my decision, I'd deny it, but it's not. The XO makes the assignments."
"Then I want to see the XO."
"Sorry. You're going to that hangar bay and joining your crew. Because they are your crew until somebody says differently. I might set you up with her after classes are over for the day."
"I respectfully refuse to join the crew, sir."
"Kalon, not sir."
"Like I said, I respectfully refuse, sir."
"So I'm going to have to assign you to something like cleaning toilets with a toothbrush?"
"If that's what it takes, sir." Ben could feel the temper he hated so much and lost control of all too often taking control of him.
Without warning Kalon grabbed Ben's arm and yanked him toward the door of the shuttle bay.
"Get your fucking hands off me!" Ben screamed. Kalon kept dragging him. They got to the door and TJ opened it. He was too happy to get that little drama out of the shuttle bay. He had enough problems with the crew he was assigned to. "My uncle is the captain of this ship!"
"You know what? I don't give a shit if he's President of the SFA. Right now the only boss around here is me!"
Kalon dragged Ben to the next shuttle bay and opened the door with his free hand..
Douglas and his crew were setting something up in the bay when they heard the commotion outside. Andrew looked at the opening door, stunned to see his big brother struggling against the burly ensign. Kalon threw Ben into the bay, causing him to fall against Andrew, knocking them both to the floor.
"Have fun, Ben," Kalon said. "And don't try to leave, because I will be standing right outside this door." He shut the door and left the crew alone in the bay. It was not up to them to figure out how to pick up the pieces. One thing Kalon was sure of from the little journey of the day before, Ben was a talented pilot, and he was not about to let him off the hook.
Ben got up off his brother, his temper still boiling. When Andrew didn't move, his emotions shifted gear from anger to concern. "Otter, are you okay?"
Andrew shook a leg, an arm, and then rolled over and sat up. "Wow, I didn't know they had trucks on this ship." The other boys laughed as Andrew slowly got up.
"Are you going to join us in naming the shuttle?"
"No. I don't care what the name is, because I'm quitting. I'd be gone already but for him!" Ben pointed to the door, indicating Kalon's presence on the other side.
"Fine, be that way. It's actually too late, anyway. The shuttle has been named. We already named it at our breakfast meeting yesterday, even before we got out papers back."
I was right, Ben thought. He doesn't give a shit about me. He rejected my name, probably for his own, even when he was rejecting me for my cousin. Well, I wrote a stupid paper and picked a stupid name anyway. I picked it because I thought Douglas would like it. Well fuck him, I'll wash toilets every day before I ever do a thing with him again, or his fucking crew. Then he took a deep breath and thought, Andrew excepted.
Douglas could see the emotions building up in Ben again. He thought about how the five of them had gone over and over the names during their meals, wondering if they should include Ben in the process. But every time they talked about a name, they would always come back to the same name, and decided Ben's presence wasn't needed.
Douglas had picked "Ender Wiggins" from one of his all-time favorite books, "Ender's Game." Andrew had picked "Nimbus 2000" from the ancient Harry Potter Series. Nipper had picked "Fantasma" the young dragon from the currently popular Dragons of Emeron series. Ben had picked "Wonder Boy" from the 20th century baseball book, "The Natural." Scottie had gone back to the 20th Century as well as he picked "Frightful" the falcon in the book "My Side of the Mountain." Jesse picked a character from the world of drama. His choice was "Harvey", the invisible six foot tall rabbit who knew everything, from the play by the same name. They were all good names, but only one had the power, real or imagined, to take it's owner to greater heights. That was the kind of power they wanted to have invested in their shuttle.
Ben wanted to scream, I don't give a fuck what you named the shuttle! I don't give a fuck that you left me out of it! I don't give a fuck that you kissed my cousin and that all the things you said to me when I was sick meant nothing, were only things you said because you felt sorry for me!
Instead he said, "Whatever. You can name it the Outhouse for all I care, I'm not flying in it."
"Why not, Benjie? Andrew asked. "Don't you want to fly with me?"
"Because of him!" This time Ben pointed to Douglas.
"What did he do? I thought you liked him. I thought he was going to be your boyfriend."
Ben flushed again and said nothing, because he knew whatever it was he said he would regret. He tired taking deep breaths, but he could feel his temper rising again.
Douglas was moving the name board into a position where Ben could see the name. The board was big and heavy and it took some tugging to get it moved.
Ben looked at the name lettered on it. He took another deep breath. And then another. He looked at Douglas. Then he glared at Douglas. No way you're getting to me by doing that, he thought. He wanted to walk out, but he thought of Kalon on the other side of the door and rubbed his bruised arm. He just stood there looking at the letter board.
"Do you like it, Benjie?" Andrew asked.
Ben said nothing. We walked to the letter board and rubbed his hand on the W. His fingers then slid form slot to slot, to the O, the N, the D, the E, and across the BOY. He wanted so much to like it. But he knew liking it would mean staying on as a member of the shuttle's crew.
He could feel Douglas's presence close to him. He could feel his breath, smell his nearness. The two boys were a foot apart and yet at the same time they were miles apart.
Douglas repeated Andrew's unanswered question. "Well, do you like it?"
Ben took two more deep breaths, and reluctantly removed his hand from the name board. He refused to look at Douglas as he said, "No. No I don't."
Douglas felt deflated. It was like somebody had punched him in the stomach and let the air out of him. The name had been decided before Ben had gotten upset about the kiss. The crew had loved it, he had loved it. It was going to be a present to the boy he was in love with. Now he hoped it would heal the rift between them. Instead it meant nothing. He fought back the tears, knowing he didn't want his crew to see their commander crying.
He just stood, staring at the name plate, with "Wonder Boy" proudly written on it. He didn't even notice Ben walking to the computer and sitting in front of the monitor. He didn't notice Ben typing instructions into it. He didn't notice a name plate go into the stamper or come out the other side. He didn't notice the silence of the crew as they watched the tense scene between the two most senior boys on the shuttle.
Ben picked up the newly stamped name plate and carried it over to the name board. He slid it into the slot on the second row under the name, the place the shuttle's icon went.
"Now, I like it he said." Douglas looked up at what Ben had slid it. Under the name "Wonder Boy" was a lightning bolt. Douglas remembered the story, of how the main character, baseball player Roy Hobbs, had named Wonder Boy had come from a tree that had been felled by lightning. The bat had almost supernatural powers. Ben's icon was perfect.
Douglas looked at Ben. Ben looked at Douglas. Silent words of apology darted between them. This time Douglas couldn't fight back the tears, and neither could Ben. They stepped toward each other and hugged hard, tears dripping down their faces. At this point Douglas didn't care whether his crew saw him crying or not. It really didn't matter. Andrew knew what was between the two of them, as did Nipper. Jesse was sure of what was going on and Scottie petty much got a clue from the scene. All of those boys knew that what had just unfolded in front of them was going to make them the best shuttle crew on the Lady Lex.
To Be Continued..........