A Time to Blossom

Valediction

Will glanced up from where he was working on his laptop at the admin desk as he heard the fire door at the far end of the corridor squeak open and then clang shut. The guys in Bensinger squad, whose dorm was at the far end of the corridor, had long appreciated the door’s usefulness as an early warning system, alerting them to the potential of visitors a good ten seconds or so before they arrived.

“That might be Hawke or Kier now,” Will said. “Just about on time.”

“I’ve never figured out how Nat gets through that door without making a noise,” grinned Travis. “More proof I guess that he’s a vampire or something supernatural like that.”

“It won’t be Nat anyway, even if it is someone coming here and not going to one of the other dorms,” said Shane. “Nat will be gone at least an hour to his water polo team meeting.”

Travis was the fastest to respond as there was, unusually, a knock at the dorm door before it opened and not the expected Hawke or Kier stepped in but Jackson. “Room, ‘shun! Officer present.”

As Noah, Will and Shane all leapt to their feet, Jackson smiled and waved them down as he walked across the room towards the admin desk and dorm notice board. “Stay easy guys, this is an informal visit.”

Shane glanced furtively at Travis, silently mouthing his thoughts. Informal visit? Jackson didn’t do informal visits. And if he wanted to see someone, he sent for them. Jackson didn’t go making calls, social or otherwise.

“Nat, err, Sergeant Bauer, isn’t here,” began Will as Jackson sat down in the empty armchair beside him. “He’s at his water polo team meeting. He’s likely not back for about an hour.”

“I know, “ said Jackson. “It was the four of you I wanted to see.

* * *

An hour later, over in the ante-room prior to dinner, the guys huddled conspiratorially around Nat in an alcove and recounted their visit from Jackson.

“He was quite friendly about it,” said Shane. “Just asked us to confirm that we had been getting help from Craig on our military skills and stuff like that. He said Craig wouldn’t be in any trouble over it.”

“Craig can’t be in trouble about it,” said Will. “He’s not here anymore. The College has no control over him.”

“He said we weren’t in trouble either,” added Travis. “Just that he needed to know for definite.”

“We had to tell the truth,” said Noah.

Nat sat back in his chair, his mind turning things over as the guys looked at him expectantly. “That’s okay, Noah, you always have to tell the truth. And no, no-one can be in trouble for getting help from Craig. No-one would have any issues if you went to the library and looked something up in a book. Or if Will checked something out on the internet. Or if we went and got some advice from Sergeant Anders about Mil-Skills. It’s the same with Craig. He knows stuff we don’t. Using any knowledge he can pass to us is a good thing. It’s using our initiative. Making full use of all assets available to us. What else did he ask?”

“That was all, about Craig,” said Will. “Once we said we had been getting help from Craig, he changed the subject.”

“Said he was visiting several of the dorms in his last week , saying goodbye to people he might not get a chance to see officially before the end of the semester. Thanking them for all the effort people have put in this year,” said Shane.

“He complimented us on our work in the Snow Emergency,” added Travis. “And the running of the golf tournaments. Said all the background work making it go smoothly was just as important as the two wins and the tie that the players delivered.”

“He said he had total confidence in us to pull off the display of Mil Skills on Prizegiving Day on Saturday,” said Noah.

“Well,” smiled Nat, rising to his feet and signalling that it was time to go in for dinner.  “There’s nothing to worry about is there?”

* * *

As Craig reached the bottom of the stairs and walked into the dining room of their house, his mum smiled. “See, you can walk downstairs rather than jump, Craig.” She paused for a moment to take in the sight of the handsome young man stood before her, from the tips of his highly polished Loake shoes to the top of his freshly trimmed hair, and then said. “You’ll make a wonderful partner for Mandy tonight. I still can’t understand why you took so long to agree to invite her to the Leavers’ Ball.”

Craig straightened his bow tie and smiled. “Mom, I’ve told you a thousand times. It’s not my party. I don’t leave school until another couple of years. Mandy has to invite me.”

“Well, yes, if you’re going to be awkward about it, Craig. But once she’d asked you to invite her, you shouldn’t have taken so long to agree. Boys were queuing up to invite her.”

Craig chose to say nothing, just gave his mum a smile.

“Come on, I’ll walk across to Mandy’s with you. I’ve got my camera, we can take a picture of the two of you and email it to your dad later, he’ll be so proud of you. Mandy doesn’t know it yet, but her mum told me they have arranged to hire a Rolls-Royce to take you to school tonight.”

“Yes, mom…”

As his mum led the way over to Mandy’s house, Craig reached into the pocket of his dinner jacket, ran his fingers over the small leather jewellery box hidden there. The Rolls-Royce wasn’t the only surprise in store for Mandy. For several days, ever since collecting it from the jeweller’s in town, Craig had been hiding the box in the side pocket of his rucksack, a place he knew no-one would discover it. Far safer than his sock drawer.

Before they had a chance to knock, the door of Mandy’s house opened and they were ushered inside by Anna, Mandy’s mom. Standing behind her was Mandy’s dad, Major Scott.

“Evenin’ Paddy,” grinned Craig. “Where’s Her Royal Highness?”

Major Scott rolled his eyeballs and smirked. “Upstairs still, pretending she’s not ready yet. Probably planning on making you wait at least another ten minutes before she deigns to put in an appearance. I guess that’s one advantage you have over most guys: I’ll bet your boyfriend doesn’t make you wait ages like girls do when you are going out somewhere.”

Craig smiled. “No, he knows to be ready five minutes ahead of schedule. I’ve got him trained. Runs on army time…”

As Craig and Major Scott laughed at their private joke, there came the sound of a large truck pulling up outside. A very large, olive drab, eight-wheel, MAN Heavy Support army truck, completely blocking the end of their drive. “It’s going to send her nuts,” laughed Major Scott as he leaned over towards the staircase and shouted. “Mandy, there’s someone here for you. A Mr Bond, Craig Bond. And your ride too. Just pulled up outside.”

There was a sound of footsteps up above and then Mandy came gliding serenely down the stairs, her black silk taffeta evening gown billowing around her svelte figure. Craig let out a quiet gasp.

“Wow, Mandy, you look awesome.”

“Thanks, Brat,” smiled Mandy. “You don’t look bad yourself. Scrubs up well, doesn’t he, Mrs Wright?”

“Yes,” smiled Craig’s mum. “He can certainly look impressive when he puts his mind to it. You should see him in his Royal Marine Cadet Band Uniform. Much better than when he’s just slumped on the sofa playing computer games in his boxer shorts.”

“Mom!” began Craig.

Major Scott leapt to Craig’s aid. “Look out the window, Mandy. Your transport to the Ball is waiting.”

Mandy glanced up, saw the truck parked outside

“Dad, what the…” Mandy glared at her father.

Craig grinned as Major Scott signalled to the driver and the truck began to pull away, revealing the black and burgundy 1933 Rolls-Royce Continental hidden behind it.

Craig sniggered. “That’s the first time I’ve seen you lost for words, Mandy.”

Mandy stood for a moment then almost ran across to her dad, hugged him tightly, whispered in his ear. “I love you, dad.”

Mandy stepped back from her dad and regained her composure. Craig stepped forward, reached into his pocket and took out the small jewellery box. Surprised, everyone fell silent.

“Mandy, I’d like to say something. We’ve been friends for years now, longer than I can remember. In fact, you’ve been more like a sister to me. So…”

Before Craig could open the box and finish, Major Scott grinned and tried to look sternly at Craig. “Young man,” he said, “If you’re planning on proposing to my daughter, shouldn’t you ask my permission first?”

Craig turned. “Bloody hell, NO, Scotters! Propose to Mandy? I’m not frikkin’ mad! She’d eat me for breakfast and not even spit out the pips.”

Everyone burst out laughing as Craig turned back to Mandy. “Like I was saying, Mandy, or trying to, you’ll always be a big sister to me, even if I won’t see you as much now you are heading off to university after summer. I know how much you liked the vintage brooches you used to look at in the jeweller’s window in town when you used to drag me off shopping, so I bought you this. I hope you like it. I checked with your mum that there was enough space on your dress to pin it on. I mean, some dresses are pretty low cut, not much space for pinning stuff on…”

As everyone laughed again, Craig took the small silver and emerald brooch from the box and carefully pinned it to Mandy’s dress. For a moment Mandy was speechless and then leaned forward and kissed Craig on both cheeks, whispered quietly in his ear. “The second kiss was for Foxy Boy. He’s found a real keeper in you.”

Craig smiled, stepped to Mandy’s side, offered her his arm. “Mandy, will you accompany me to the Leavers’ Ball?”

* * *

As the cadets began to drift slowly from the ante-room into the dining room, Kyle left his fellow officer cadets and wandered casually over to Shane and placed his arm around Shane’s shoulder. Shane looked up at him and smiled.

“Our parents, well, my parents, Ed and Mary, have just arrived in Pittsburgh. They’re staying overnight at the deputy Governor’s place, with Nat’s folks. They want you to know that they will be so proud of you tomorrow.”

Shane nodded. Kyle didn’t miss the slight look of disappointment in Shane’s eyes.

“I know it’s tough, Shane. We did try really hard to have your real parents given a day’s parole to come and see you tomorrow. We know how much it would mean to you. It just couldn’t happen.”

Shane nodded again, aware of the sway Kye’s parents had over such things. “I know, Kyle. Ed and Mary have been so good to me. I understand. If my parents can’t come…”

Kyle stepped closer, held Shane tight, hugged him. He knew that Shane’s parents had been granted a day release from prison to attend Prizegiving Day, but that they had turned it down. That they didn’t want to see Shane.

Shane knew too.

* * *

“Okay, that’s our cue. Everybody ready? Shane, you okay? Just slowly mount the horse like Travis taught you, she’ll follow us up the hill. No need to worry.”

Shane nodded. “I’m okay, Nat. I’ve got this.”

Nat, Travis and Shane mounted their horses, all three loaned from Nat’s father’s stables, turned to salute Jackson, himself seated on Nat’s sister’s horse, and then spurred their mounts up the hill towards the chapel. The scene was relayed to the grandstand by a camera linked by wi-fi to a series of large screens strategically placed and controlled by Will.

Prizegiving Day. The end of the semester. The end of a year. Maybe a Golden Year.

When they reached the top of the hill, Nat and Travis reined in their horses, turned back to face the gathered parents down in the grandstand. Shane’s horse stopped too and Shane turned around. Saluted towards the crowd far below.

“Okay guys, just trot on down a few yards, over the brow, out of sight,” said Nat. “Give Will time to change the camera angles, then we’ll rush back over the hill to Jackson and report that we can see the Confederates advancing. Shane…”

“I’m okay, Nat, my horse has got this...”

* * *

The artillery detachment’s cannon roared as the ranks of advancing cadets lead by Kyle marched down the hill towards it. Noah held his stopwatch, checked the timings, gave orders to the gun crew to swab the barrel, load new powder, ram in a new polystyrene cannon ball.

Behind the sports centre, away from the line of sight of the parents in the grandstand, Nat, Travis and Shane handed their horses over to several cadets who had been tasked with moving them over to waiting trailers that would whisk them quickly away from the noise of the simulated battlefield and back to Nat’s house.

“Okay guys?” asked Nat. “Now we need to change into modern uniform, move back out onto the sports field and mix in with the Union troops, get into our position. Should be easy, all eyes will be on the cannon, not us. Noah and Will have arranged for the final few rounds to be really smokey.”

* * *

“Ladies and gentlemen,” said Connor over the PA system, “Please give a round of applause for Captain of Cadets Jackson Davis and all our cadets re-enacting an encounter between Union and Confederate troops back in the Civil War. As they form up and leave the field of conflict, we now invite you to travel forwards in time over a century and watch as we bring you a modern-day demonstration of the might of American firepower, with especial thanks to Lieutenant Governor Bauer and the Pennsylvania National Guard…”

With perfect timing, Connor’s announcement tailed away as the “Wok Wok Wok” sound of a Chinook helicopter’s rotors filled the air. It grew from a speck in the distance, quickly approaching the field, a large gun slung beneath it.

“Okay guys,” said Nathan as he and the guys from Bensinger squad took up their positions behind the freshmen detachment preparing to leave the field. “Noah, you and Will slip into the Forward Control Post whilst we take position in the Humvee. Nobody’s looking at us, they are all concentrating on the helicopter.”

Connor’s voice boomed out over the PA system again as the Chinook helicopter swooped down and the college Humvee burst out of cover, brushing aside the foliage that had been hiding it from view during the earlier Civil War re-enactment. “Ladies and gentlemen, Cadet Sergeant Bauer now leads a daring group of Recon Troops up over the hill and out into hostile territory, searching for the enemy and preparing to relay their position back to a forward deployed M777 howitzer about to be marshalled into place by Artillerymen First Class Brookes and Mason.

The crowd watched, enthralled, as Noah and Will emerged from their hidden dug-out and began to marshal the Chinook into place. Noah raised his arms, signalling “Obey this Marshaller” and began to direct the Chinook and its underslung load towards a clear space on the sports field. Will spoke urgently into the radio set on his back, providing fire control data, relayed from Nat, to the gun crew who began to abseil down ropes at the Chinook’s rear loading ramp and take up their positions around the gun. In under five minutes, the gun was emplaced, its crew in position and the Chinook heading away into the distance.  The speakers around the grandstand crackled.

“Forward Battery, Forward Battery, this is Recon Seven, Fire Mission, over,” came Travis’s voice.

“Recon Seven, Forward battery, send Fire Mission, over,” replied Will.

“Forward Battery, enemy troops in open ground, Grid nine two Alpha, five seven Golf. Five rounds Hotel Echo, airburst, fire for effect, over.”

“Copy that, Recon Seven. Five rounds airburst for effect, incoming,” replied Will. Behind him the National Guardsmen loaded the M777 howitzer and commenced a five round burst. The gun crashed out, rattling windows in the dining room overlooking the sports field.

As the breech of the howitzer swung open, ejecting the last smoking remnants of the final round, Noah stood up and dashed forward, raising his arms once more in signal to the returning Chinook helicopter. The gun crew swung the howitzer’s barrel around, secured it over the trail, attached the haul cables, knelt down beside it as the Chinook swept in, came to the hover and lowered its load hook.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” came Connor’s voice over the speakers, “A round of applause please for Cadet Sergeant Nathan Bauer, his Recon squad, and the Artillery detachment of Cadets Brookes and Mason. Thanks once again too to Lieutenant Governor Bauer and the Pennsylvania National Guard.”

With a roar from its engines, the Chinook and its underslung gun lifted up and flew away. Nat drew to a halt in the returning Humvee and smiled at Noah and Will. “Well done guys, you absolutely nailed that. Awesome marshalling, Noah.”

* * *

“That concludes the prize-giving for the Arts and Academic awards,” said the Commandant as the last ripples of applause died away, “And I am sure you will agree with me that it has been an exceptional year. I can’t recall a year when the standards have been so high, and yet also one where so many prizes were won. That truly speaks volumes about the quality of the students we have been fortunate to have pass through the college, and the immense effort they have dedicated to their studies.”

“It also reflects upon the quality of the teaching here, and the dedication of your staff, Commandant, though I know you won’t claim the credit,” said Elena Dawson, Chair of the Board of Governors, from the second podium arranged facing the assembled parents. “Now after the prizes for Sporting Prowess, the Arts and Academic achievement, I’d like to call upon General Armstrong to step forward and award prizes for the final category, Military Skills. General, the floor is yours…”

General Armstrong rose from his front row seat in the VIP section and strode purposefully forward to the podium just vacated by Elena Dawson. He placed a few sheets of paper before him on the lectern and waited for quiet. He didn’t need to ask for it: the assembled parents and students fell silent as his imposing figure towered over them.

“Commandant, it gives me a real pleasure to be back here again so soon, and with such an honour as being invited to award prizes to this year’s outstanding students in the field of Military Skills. We have seen already how there is no dearth of talent in the fields of science and engineering, literature and the arts, how students have exhibited some of the finest achievements in the sporting arena in the entire history of the school...” General Armstrong paused, glanced for effect at the array of trophies, medals and cups arranged on the table facing the grandstand, smiled towards where Jayden was seated with his parents, “Jayden, I felt every blow of your boxing matches with you when the finals of the New England Schools’ league was televised by our good friends at KWT-TV : it’s unprecedented for a student to take two titles on the same day at different weight categories…”

The general let a fresh ripple of applause die away and then continued, “So it’s also a great pleasure for me to begin the Military Skills Awards by inviting you to step forward and present you with an additional medal to add to your boxing trophies, the Willis Augustus Lee Commemorative Gold Medal for Marksmanship, presented annually to the cadet with the highest aggregate score attained over the monthly shooting competitions. Jayden stood and made his way down from the grandstand, marched smartly forward to shake the General’s hand and receive his medal, the crowd buzzing with excitement.

“I saw that fight too. Absolutely amazing. He took all four rounds on points in a brutal slogging match with his opponent at his own weight, then went head to head against a guy from the next weight up just an hour later. Won that on points too. The College took seven out of nine possible titles that day…”

 “Set a new scoring record in the shooting. Not a walk-over either: that freshman kid from out Dakota way, the wrestler, was snapping at his heels all year, spurring him on. He’s another one to watch for the future, mark my words…”

For the next forty-five minutes, General Armstrong busily presented awards to numerous students, working his way along the row of waiting medals and plaques arrayed before him on a table, each handed to him by Captain of Cadets Jackson Davis as the Commandant read out the title of the award and the name of its winner.  

General Armstrong paused to allow the final medallist to return to his seat, then smiled towards Captain Davis and the Commandant before speaking again. “Ladies and Gentlemen, there now remains one last award for me to make, and it is one which combines the whole competitive ethos shown by the College this year and epitomises its dedication to instilling a sense of pride, duty and leadership in our students. I am sure almost all of you will be aware of the outstanding performance of the school earlier this year when Mother Nature threw almost nine feet of snow at Pittsburgh in just a few hours. The school’s response to that emergency was enabled and indeed led in no small part by Captain of Cadets Jackson Davis.”

The general waited for a ripple of applause to die away and continued again. “Cadet Captain Davis, far from claiming credit for himself, has highlighted the extraordinary teamwork that went into every aspect of that operation to support the local community and has requested that I grant his recommendation for a special ‘Captain’s Promotion’ for four students whose efforts within that operation were truly outstanding even when considered amongst those of their compatriots. It thus gives me enormous pride to ask four of our youngest students, Privates First Class Larson and Lundgren, and Artillerymen First Class Brookes and Mason, to step forward now and receive from me their Corporal’s Stripes in recognition of their exceptional achievements.

“Here we go guys,” whispered Nathan from where he and Bensinger Squad were waiting in their designated seats alongside the VIP area. “Stand tall, march proud. Follow me out to receive your stripes. I’m not going to give any words of command. You all know the silent drill, we practiced it enough last night in the dorm. Let’s continue to make an impression.”

Now changed into his grey ceremonial uniform, Nathan led the way forward towards the stage. Travis, Shane, Noah and Will, still dressed in their combat uniforms, stepped out smartly, fell in behind Nathan, paused momentarily and marked time as Nathan reached the steps, allowed him to begin ascending to the stage one pace ahead of them, then, two by two, followed suit. The crowd suddenly realised no commands had been given, fell silent in expectation.

At the top of the steps, Nathan paused, stepped forward again, wheeled to his right, took three paces, about turned to face the audience, stepped smartly back two paces and halted with a resounding crash of his boot into the stage. As Nathan’s arm snapped up in salute to the general, Travis, Shane, Noah and Will completed their similar drill, about turning to form a line facing the audience, froze solidly to attention.

“Bensinger Squad awaiting your instructions, Sir!” barked Nathan as the general returned his salute, then stepped one further pace backwards. Bensinger Squad immediately dressed two paces right, centring themselves in front of Nathan. The audience sat in amazed silence. Jackson and the Commandant swapped a smile. Nathan remained impassively at attention behind his squad.

“I think,” said General Armstrong after pausing for effect, “That display of precision Silent Drill only adds weight to what a remarkable year this has been, and what a remarkable squad this has been too.” Followed by Jackson Davis carrying a tray with on which were sets of Corporal’s chevrons, General Armstrong stepped forward towards the start of the line where Travis was waiting. The audience laughed with him when he held out a hand to Travis and smiled. “You’ll notice that Cadet Larsen couldn’t wait for me to award him his stripes and went ahead and got himself an early promotion ahead of schedule anyway.  Corporal Larsen, perhaps you’d like to add this set of stripes to your collection…”

As the General moved along the line, shaking the hands of Shane, Noah and Will in turn, handing them their stripes, Jackson, following once pace behind the General, nodded to Noah. Noah gave him the slightest nod of his head in acknowledgement, seen only by Travis, Shane and Will. All four began counting silently.

General Armstrong stepped over to the podium, followed by Jackson. The moment he cleared the end of their line, Bensinger Squad broke into action once more. Noah and Will dressed one pace left each as Shane and Travis moved one pace to their right, forming a gap in their centre through which Nathan was now fully visible to the audience. Nathan’s face remained impassive as he tried to figure out what was going on. This hadn’t been in the drill they had practiced!

Shane, Noah and Will stood to attention again as Travis stepped one pace forward, inward turned to face the general, came smartly to attention and saluted. “Sir! Bensinger Squad request the general to hear Captain Davis’s second recommendation.”

Jackson suppressed a smirk as he glanced at Nathan, then passed a citation to the Commandant. They were clearly privy to the extra drill, along with the General Armstrong, even if Nathan wasn’t.

“Sergeant Bauer, two paces forward,” ordered Jackson. Surprised or not, Nathan responded instantly.

“Sergeant Bauer, Inward, Face!”

Sergeant Bauer, Salute.”

Nat’s arm snapped up in salute as the General stepped forward towards him, returned the salute, held out his hand to Nathan.  Nathan dropped his hand from the salute, held it out, shook hands with the General. Jackson stepped forward with the General, passed him a set of stripes as the Commandant began to read the citation.

“For displaying exemplary leadership and dedication to his duties as a Dorm Senior, as Vice President of the Water Polo team, and Captain of the Golf Club, in which roles he nurtured, encouraged and inspired all those he had the privilege to lead and serve, Captain of Cadets Jackson Davis recommends that Sergeant Nathan Bauer be hereby immediately promoted to the rank of Cadet Sergeant Major. On behalf the College, I approve and endorse this recommendation.”

General Armstrong smiled as he shook Nathan’s hand, passed him his new rank badges. “That’s a first for the College, Bauer. It means you’re now the most senior non-commissioned officer the College has ever had. The highest rank outside the officer cadre. It’s going to put a lot of responsibility on your shoulders next year. I don’t doubt for one moment that you’ll rise to the challenge.”

As General Armstrong moved away and Jackson stepped forward to congratulate him too, Nathan’s eyes sought out Kyle in the VIP section of the grandstand before him, spotted him standing with his parents, Ed and Mary, looking directly at him. Alongside them were Jackson’s parents, Senator and Mrs Davis. His own parents. Everyone was rising to their feet, clapping. Kyle smiled as their eyes locked and he mouthed the words. “You did it.”

* * *

It took some time for the hubbub to die down and when it did, Elena Dawson returned to her podium.

“Commandant, distinguished guests, students; that concludes the prize-giving ceremonies today. It has been a long day but an immensely enjoyable and satisfying one, one in which we have seen the breadth and depth of talent that this college has nurtured and, in the case of the Senior Year, is about to send out to glory and undoubted benefit of this great nation of ours. As Chair of the Board Of Governors of Allegheny River Military College, it is now my great honour to perform two last duties on this momentous day. For truly, it is a momentous day.”

A palpable air of expectation settled over the audience.

“As part of his duties here, the Commandant is required to provide the Governors with a concise letter each month noting the achievements and challenges faced by the college in addition to the usual administrative report on matters regarding finance, staffing and the general wellbeing of the students. At the start and end of each semester, the Commandant is required to brief us in person on those very same. At the start of this academic year, the Commandant suggested that we were to expect an extra-ordinary level of achievement. As the year progressed, that extended to a feeling, borne out by the monthly reports, that it was not just in academic excellence alone that this would be a memorable year. An outstanding year.”

Murmurs broke out amongst the audience. Elena, smiled, waited, then when she had the full attention of the audience once more, continued.

“I know what the unspoken question is. As we Governors met with the Commandant on Monday afternoon last for his final yearly briefing, we shared the anticipation that you too now feel. Barely dared look at the synopsis of achievements that had been reduced to a single, admittedly double-sided, sheet of paper in the envelopes handed to each one of us. It thus gives me great pleasure to tell you all now, following long discussions between the Board’s members, that we unanimously and without reservation declare this year to be a Golden Year…”

It took some time for the reaction of the assembled crowd to die down sufficiently for Elana Dawson to resume her speech. There wasn’t exactly a “whoopin’ and a hollerin’” that would later see Nathan accede to Craig’s opinion of such as being  ‘unseemly’, but it came close. Eventually, Elena spoke again.

“My closing task, and a very pleasant one at that, is to invite the Commandant to say a few words to all of you. Without his leadership, his determination and drive over the last few years, and the remarkable example he himself has set, today would not have been possible. Commandant…”

To a huge round of applause, the Commandant rose from his seat and stepped to the podium. As he did so, Senator Davis made his way over from the VIP area and ascended to the stage, sat in the empty chair that had been brought to the podium.

“Ladies and gentlemen, and above all, students,” began the Commandant, “It has been a great privilege for me to preside over the return of this college to the glory days of many decades ago when it was the pre-eminent source of future leaders for our country. In my tenure here, it has been evident that our alumni have agreed with and unstintingly supported my vision to enhance the quality of our teaching and the facilities we require to pursue excellence in all fields of endeavour. They have provided generous financial support to ensure that we have able to provide our staff with the teaching facilities they require, from state of the art classrooms and science laboratories to cutting edge IT equipment. To them, I say, “Thank you: I trust you see your faith in us amply rewarded today. You made it possible.” In the sporting arena, the sports centre, the Olympic class pool, the many and varied sporting facilities, indeed the very grandstand you are sitting in now, have all been built or refurbished by generous donations from the ARMC Alumni Society.  We have seen today that generosity repaid by the sporting prowess of our cadets. The support of General Armstrong and his colleagues at West Point, of the Pennsylvania State Governor and Deputy Governor, have been equally invaluable in supporting the third leg of our educational triad, the military skills and leadership syllabus. I believe their faith in us has been rewarded by the fact that this year more of our students than ever before have been offered places at West Point and Annapolis for entry into the Army and Marine Corps. As we watch with pride our Seniors leave here today and enter into their chosen careers, be those in the services, in politics, in commerce, or to begin anew their studies in our country’s finest universities, we must also reflect on what we require next of this College.” The Commandant paused to take a sip of water, then smiled at the audience. “To comment on what the future may hold, I’d like to call upon Senator Davis to say a few words. Senator…”

The Commandant stepped back and allowed Senator Davis to take the platform.

“Ladies and gentlemen, students, fellow alumni, it is with immense pride that I speak to you all today. It is almost impossible to express that pride adequately, and I certainly couldn’t achieve it with the same brevity as the Commandant’s legendary monthly one-page synopses to the Board of Governors…”

The audience burst out laughing, well aware of the Senator’s reputation for passionate but long, very long, speeches in the House. Senator Davis looked fondly over at his son. He didn’t need to express in words what he was thinking, but he spoke anyway, uncharacteristically succinctly. “My son, Jackson Davis. Captain of Cadets in a Golden Year. Please, no-one wake me up…”

Senator Davis allowed time for the audience to settle again, then spoke.

“Last night, the Commandant and I had dinner with the Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, Secretary of State Masters and her husband, and with Elena, representing the Board of Governors. Together, we asked the Commandant what he would like to see laid down as the plan for the development of the College over the next five years. The blueprint as it were, for his successor to build upon. He laid out before us a goal of such vision that we were all, quite uncommonly I might add, in agreement: that only one person could possibly deliver that plan. I am delighted to tell you that the Board of Governors has offered the Commandant an extension of 5 years to his tenure here, and that he has accepted their offer.”

As the audience broke into loud applause, Senator Davis, deliberately leaving his microphone open, turned and quipped to the Commandant, “Well, that went easier than expected, and I haven’t even told them what the plan is…”

Returning to the audience, Senator Davis held up a hand to quieten the audience and then began to speak once more. “Foremost in our minds at diner last night was to ask the Commandant what he would need to deliver on his aims. And yes, you can all expect the usual exhortations from me later to put your hands on your pocket books and give generously: I’m a politician after all…”

Jackson smiled at Nathan as they watched his father expertly working the audience.

“As we have heard from the Commandant, the school has some of the best classrooms and laboratories there are. The finest sporting facilities. And as we all know each year, the fees we pay certainly ensure that our children are taught by the finest educators that money can buy….”

Waiting for the intended ripple of laughter to die down, Senator Jackson continued.

“So, we enquired, what remains to be provided? Maybe we should finally get around to upgrading the dormitories, indeed even dispense with them entirely? Allegheny is just about the only remaining college of any note where students don’t enjoy the luxury of their own rooms. The Commandant wouldn’t hear of it. Why?”

The audience waited upon his answer.

“Because the Commandant, like the good general and the army more widely,” he nodded towards General Armstrong, “Knows the value of comradeship, of the support our students can give to each other, especially in those first weeks of their time here. Plucked from the heart of their families, thrust into a new and foreign environment, enduring conditions and a regime very different from that they are used to. That can be very intimidating for a young man away from home for the first time. Other colleges, well meaning in every way, have done away with the dormitory system, provided for their students excellent single rooms with the most modern facilities. Sadly, it has not always turned out well. Alone, students have time to brood, do not build the same trust and forge everlasting friendships, cannot easily support each other. Cannot look out for each other. That sometimes has terrible consequences for a young man, alone and feeling his world turned upside down, a young man who feels he has no-one to talk to, to confide in, to trust…”

Senator Davis paused, let the point sink in.

“No, that will not happen here. The dormitory system works just fine. We may pamper our children at home, indulge their every desire, but here at College, the downside of a little rough living is far outweighed by the benefits of the camaraderie  and support of their peers that the status quo provides.”

The audience murmured in agreement.

“So, I hear you wondering, why are we going to be asked for yet more money? Well, instead of asking the Commandant to answer that particular thorny question, I propose to have two of the students here address it. We have already seen that this has been an exceptional year, one which began with the unusual decision not to award the traditional Honor Sword to the newly appointed Captain of Cadets but to create a new position, Honor Student. At the behest of my son, Jackson, that position went to Lieutenant Kyle Masters. So, please welcome to the podium my son, Jackson, Captain of Cadets, and Lieutenant Kyle Masters. Gentlemen, explain yourselves: I understand you have been collaborating with the Commandant…”

The Commandant smiled as Jackson and Kyle confidently stepped up onto the stage, approached the podium, waited for the audience to fall silent again.

“Err, thanks, pop,” said Jackson with a smile. “Remind me of today when it’s time to choose what nursing home I put you in…”

The tension broken, the audience laughed heartily, sat back in their seats.

“As my pop said,” began Jackson, “The facilities here at Allegheny really are first rate, though if it were down to me, and probably Jayden too, we’d suggest a sauna might make a welcome addition to the boxing suite. Ease away all the aches and pains that go with winning two titles. How about it, Jayden?” Not waiting for the audience to cease laughing, Jackson continued. “Though seriously, we couldn’t desire more in terms of facilities. It’s the people that matter here. We have the finest academic staff of any school in the country. The best sports coaches. Superbly dedicated administrators and technicians, support staff like the …”

“Chefs…” said Travis from his front row seat.

Kyle smiled at the comment as he stepped forward to the microphone as Jackson gave way to him. “The staff are the beating heart of this college, and through the college, year upon year, flows its lifeblood. The students. Those lucky, privileged few like myself and Captain Davis, whose parents can afford the not inconsiderable fees that are charged to give us the opportunity to dine at what our colleague in the front row might call the top table of education.” The audience laughed. “The Commandant’s plan is to extend that opportunity. Indeed, it’s already underway. Last year, when applications for studentship were being considered, the Commandant quietly chose to accept applications for admission from a small number of students who didn’t exactly fit the rigorous selection criteria normally employed. Their places could have been filled by any number of anodyne students that would have blended in, paid their dues and gone on to sit with us today. The Commandant decided differently. Saw something in a small number of potential students that he believed, though different from the norm, had some quality about them, some aspect to their character, students who deserved to be given a chance.”

Jackson stepped forward once more. “As you know, the students here have a great deal of say in the way the college is run. On such an important matter, the Commandant discussed his intentions with the select group of us who he considered to be the likely candidates for the senior officer cadet positions this year. Some of us, myself included, were against taking the risk. Most were, at best, lukewarm to the idea. Sergeant, as we all were then, Kyle Masters alone was in favour. Seized upon it, went so far as to put himself on the line and offered to champion it. Rarely have I heard such impassioned support for an idea. Thankfully, the Commandant listened to his arguments, chose to go ahead with the plan.  Over this last year Kyle has proven that I was wrong. We don’t plan to embarrass anyone, won’t identify them, but I think it is fair to say that the students the Commandant saw potential in, that he accepted for places here when ordinarily they would have been turned away, have been instrumental in helping us deliver the achievements we have celebrated today.”

As Jackson stepped back from the microphone to stand alongside Kyle, Senator Davis rose to his feet and resumed his place at the podium. “Last evening, after dinner, myself, Governor Bauer, Secretary of State Masters and Mr Masters made an offer to the Board of Governors. An offer which has been accepted. We want to extend the Commandant’s idea further: to potential students who wouldn’t be able to afford a place here. For the next five years, we collectively will create a Foundation, the Captain’s Foundation, and imbue it with sufficient funds to cover the fees of four students each year, for the duration of their four year stay at Allegheny College.”

A gasp swept through the grandstand. “That’s like, what, eighty sets of fees?”

The Senator heard the comment, smiled. “That’s right, the equivalent of eighty annual fees. All to be provided for students from the Pittsburgh area who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to study here. The only criterion we have given the Commandant for their selection is that he can see something in them that be believes worthy of nurturing.”

Kyle and Jackson stepped forward, stood beside Senator Jackson. Jackson grinned and spoke. “So there you have it. The five-year plan. And now we give you a challenge. There are eight student places in a dormitory. We want you, the parents and alumni, to match our parents’, and the Governor’s, offer. Provide the funds to fill those extra four places for the next five years. Sufficient funds to enable the Foundation to continue after that five-year period, sponsoring Commandant’s Scholars, for as long as the school itself continues.

* * *

A few weeks later.

“Wrighty! Where the heck have you been hiding? I’ve been looking for you everywhere. The CSM’s looking for you. Wants you upstairs in his office instantly, like 15 minutes ago.”

“I’ve not been hiding anywhere, Lance Corporal. I’ve been here in the map room all night, studying the exercise area for this summer’s Cadet Camp, working out what aerial photos I want to ask for to help plan the Patrol Ex. What’s the CSM want me for anyway? We’ve only got half an hour left before Final Parade and home time.”

“How should I know, Corporal? I’m not the Chief of the General Staff am I?”

“Okay, I’m on my way. Get these maps tidied away. In to their proper drawers, mind, in order. And take that list of grid references up to the Admin Office and ask the clerk to type it up into an AirPhot Request for me.”

* * *

Half an hour later, at the CSM’s instruction, Craig took position for the evening’s Final Parade as right marker. The thirty cadets in the RM cadet detachment gathered in their Drill Hall then fell in around him for the Parade and Company Commander’s dismissal.

After covering off a few admin points with the cadets ‘stood easy’, the Company Commander nodded to the CSM who called the cadets to attention. Craig noticed that the door to the side of the Drill Hall that led into the corridor connecting it with the car park had opened and few officers from the adjacent Royal Marine barracks had slipped in. At their front was Major ‘Paddy’ Scott.

“Finally, for this evening,” said the Company Commander, “I have an unusual presentation to make.”

“Corporal Wright, two paces forward. March!” barked the CSM. “Lefffft, TURN!”

Craig stepped smartly forward, pivoted around to face the Company Commander, saluted.

“Parade, Stand at… EASE! Stand, easy.”

Returning the salute, the Company Commander smiled and stepped towards Craig. Out of sight behind him, but clearly audible, Craig heard a camera click several times. “I’m bloody going to bloody ram that camera up your arse, Scotters,” thought Craig to himself. “You of all people ought to know better than to take pictures on parade.”

“As many of you may know, cadet Corporal Wright spent a couple of months last year over in America with his father, Colonel Wright, and attended a military school there for a while. The Allegheny River Military College. That’s right, isn’t it, Corporal?”

“Yes, Sir,” replied Craig.

“We subsequently received a letter from the College just a few weeks ago, signed by the college’s Commandant and their Captain of Cadets,” continued the Company Commander. “A letter accompanying a small set of collar insignia and requesting that cadet Corporal Wright be authorised to wear them on his formal uniform. That is, of course, most unusual.”

“Not to mention bloody impossible,” thought Craig silently. “For a start, that space is taken up by my Globe & Laurel insignia and that doesn’t get moved for anything.”

“After reading the letter, and discovering there was no precedent for such a thing, we decided we should refer it up the chain of command. It went all the way to the very top. To the Commandant General himself. After reading the letter, the Commandant General issued an instruction. Cadet Corporal Wright, it is my duty and honour to inform you that you are hereby authorised to wear, on the epaulettes of your No.1 and Cadet Band uniforms, these golden ARMC insignia.”

The Company Commander held out his hand and turned to face Major Scott and the Royal Marine officers as they applauded and took photos. In his hand was a small padded box containing the gleaming insignia and the letter from Allegheny College. Over the Commandant’s and Jackson’s signatures was a simple handwritten annotation and large, bold, signature.

“Approved.  Philip”