Revenge of the Heir

Graduation

Eric had never grown close to the other Cadets, as they had never understood why he didn't have a proper year insignia. When he was 6 years old it wasn't an issue because they knew he was young. It however had become an issue the last few years, especially when he joined the freshman rank at 17 and was more experienced than the upper classmen.

It hadn't taken them long to realize he was in all advanced courses, and could help almost any of them with their coursework. Here at Graduation, they knew he would be the highest ever ranked cadet to Graduate from the academy since it was changed from 2nd Lieutenant was the highest rank received for graduates.

He had been summoned to the Commandants Office nearly every day during a time when they should have been celebrating results. He was not surprised when he passed his courses with an overall 96 percent score over the course.

It was difficult for him to choose a project to work on, as a few of them seemed more than interesting when he decided to join the weapons development team. It required the use of some of his degrees, and ensured he would most definitely be assisting the Empire in the best way possible. Since WW3, the Nations that survived did so be developing technology faster than the others.

He prepared for Graduation with the rest of the Graduating Seniors, and joined the Marches and drills that they had spent 4 long years working to learn. Eric however had been studying them far longer, and knew most of them by heart at this point.

The morning of Commencement, Eric saw that all of the parents and family of the graduating cadets had arrived. Eric only had a few friends, most of the Cadets hating that he was THE best Cadet on the entire campus. None of them cared he had been in the University for 15 years, and should be the best.

"Where are your parents?" Cadet Holly Winters asked him.

He turned to look at her, and smiled as he saw her parents with her. "Good morning Cadet Winters, how are you this morning?" Eric asked her as he looked at her.

"I am fine, I was hoping to meet them today." she said as she saw the flash of pain for the briefest of moments before he smiled.

"I wish that were possible, however it has not been for a number of years." he said as they saluted each other.

"How old were you?" her mother asked.

"They died in an explosion when I was 6, a few days after my arrival here actually." he said as he shook her hand. "Eric Christensen." he said introducing himself.

"Hellen Winters, my husband Devon." she said introducing themselves as Holly Winters blushed. "Our condolences on the loss of your parents. Holly has told us so much about you, we had hoped she would bring you home one vacation. She said you declined her invitations, may I ask why?" Hellen asked making Holly blush more.

"My apologies Mrs. Winters, my attention has been on my studies. Some of my experiments required they be run when there were less potential injuries should they go wrong. As such vacations were the only time they could be conducted. Your daughter has become a good friend over the last four years, and I am glad to have met you." he said as the trumpet summoning them to form up sounded.

"Would you care to join us for dinner this evening?" Devon Winters asked him. Eric didn't know that she had told them she would love to Marry him.

"I would love to Mr. Winters, thank you sir." he said as Holly slid her arm into his.

"We have to go mom and dad, see you after." she said dragging him away as she was now scarlet because of how badly they had embarrassed her.

"What was that about?" he asked as she drug him away.

"Can we do this later?" she asked still blushing scarlet.

"Would this be before or after dinner with your parents?" he asked as they stepped into their places in the front of the first formation.

"s**t, I may have told them we were dating so they would stop introducing me to people." she said blushing even darker red that it made him laugh a little.

"So our first date is going to be chaperoned by your parents, not the way I would have wanted to do it." he mused as the other Cadets began forming up.

"Not helping." she said making him laugh as he could tell she hadn't expected this.

"Would it help if I said I had wanted to ask you out for awhile and was actually planning to today?" he asked as she looked at him.

"Really? I thought it was just me." she admitted blushing again.

"Yes, really." he said knowing she was a few months older than he was. "What if I have another question?" he said with a devilish grin.

"Why do I feel like this question is loaded?" she asked knowing his looks as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Am I proposing anytime soon?" he asked whispering in her ear as they were all called to attention by the drill sergeant. She turned beet red, making him chuckle as the Commencement Ceremony began.

Their drills were executed perfectly, and they finally took their seats in front of more than the usual officers who attended these ceremonies.

For two hours they listened to speeches, and they began the ceremony.

"To begin the Ceremony today, we must recognize two very special Cadets. First is Cadet Holly Winters, who has graduated at the top of her 4 year class. To accept her commission and issue her rank, let us welcome to the stage Brigadier General Robert Knight." he said as Holly stood and walked crisply up the stage as the General stepped up to the microphone.

He looked at her as he took out the first letter, and read from it while a Captain held the microphone for him. "By order of President Demitrius Tycho, you are hereby granted the rank of Lt. Colonel, and ordered to report to Research and Development station Freebird for further assignment." he read before he folded the paper and pinned the silver oak cluster to each of her shoulders before he saluted her.

"Thank you sir." she said as she had no idea what her rank would be before that.

"Cadet Eric Christensen is the second Cadet today that will receive special honors. He has been here the longest if any Cadet, and has taken nearly every course this fine institution has to offer. He graduates with the Highest Honors ever achieved, and Brigadier General Knight will perform his promotion." Commandant Greene said as the Captain again took the microphone and held it to him.

"Attention to Promotion." General Knight called as all of the Cadets and staff all stood at attention. "By order of President Demitrius Tycho, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Colonel, and shall report to Research and Development Station Freebird for further orders." General Knight said before there was a cheer through the Cadets before the rest of Commencement continued as it usually did.

That evening Eric found himself escorting Holly to dinner, and he knew his plans would be destroyed if they were in the same command.

"Well there goes dating." Holly said seeming to have read his mind.

"Not necessarily, there are several commands in research and development. It would be easy to get assigned to separate projects." Eric replied as they got out of her car.

Holly looked at him as she stepped out on her side, and smiled. "I forgot about that. Each Division is it's own command. What project are you hoping for?" she asked as they walked into the restaurant her parents had picked for the celebratory dinner.

"Haven't decided yet, there are so many to choose from." he said with a smile. "Which one are you hoping for?" he asked her as they walked to the table her parents had reserved.

"Biotech." she said as she was a medical engineer. It was than her entire family stood and surprised her at the dinner.

Eric was very surprised that her family was so large, as her father began introducing him to all of them.

Holly was embarrassed, as she had most definitely not told him everything she had said. "Well this is most definitely a surprise. I didn't think everyone could come?" she asked them all.

"We had to come up with something in order to surprise you." her little brother Jon said.

"Thanks bro, so when you going to West Point?" she asked him knowing that it was his dream.

"I'm just a Sophmore, they won't even start looking at me until I am a Junior." he said sulking.

"I wouldn't be so sure." Eric told him as they ordered drinks.

"Yeah, why do you say that?" Jon asked him.

"I was 6 when I got my first scholarship to West Point and began classes." Eric told him seriously as most of them were astonished.

"How long have you studied here?" Aunt Jessica asked.

"15 years now, and I can finally join as an officer." Eric answered as it was his 21st birthday.

"To the two highest ranking graduates in the history of West Point Military Academy." Devon Winters said raising his glass to both of them. The rest of her brothers, sisters, aunt's and cousins joined them in toasting the two graduates.