The room was spacious.
The bed dominated the center. Massive. Soft. The kind that swallowed you whole. A private bathroom connected to the side. Clean. Modern. Room service buttons lined the wall panel. Food. Drinks. Entertainment. Whatever a cadet could want.
The lighting was adjustable. Juli had set it to soft orange. Relaxing.
He lay on the bed. Not tired. Not exhausted. The day had been fun. Running around with Kade. Exploring. Playing. Good times.
But now. Quiet. Alone. Just him and his thoughts.
He relaxed completely. Like a baby. Innocent. Content.
His hand moved. Reached for his wrist watch. He tapped the screen. Found the contact.
Mom.
His grin appeared. Warm. Real.
He pressed call.
The watch projected a small hologram. Flickering. Then clear.
A woman appeared. Beautiful. Stunning.
Long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders. Voluminous. It caught the light. Made it glow like spun gold. Her red eyes were bright. Gorgeous. Warm like summer sunsets. They sparkled with life. With love.
Her figure was attractive but her clothing was modest. Simple. Practical. A farmer's outfit. Work clothes.
She looked young. Early thirties. But something about her felt timeless. Like a character from fairy tales. A princess who became a mother.
Her smile appeared. Radiant. The kind that made everything better.
"Juli." Her voice was gentle. Musical. "How are you, my boy?"
Juli's grin widened. "Never been better! Hehe." He shifted on the bed. Got more comfortable. "How's things going at home?"
His mother's eyes lit up. Energy flooded her expression. "Oh! The garden is flourishing. The new hydroponic system is working perfectly. We've expanded the greenhouse. And the business! We've secured contracts with five new distributors. The yields are up thirty percent. And I've been experimenting with cross-pollination techniques that..."
Juli's head spun. Words became soup.
He grinned anyway. Gave a thumbs up. "Don't know what mumbo jumbo you're talking about, Mom. But nice nice!"
His mother's expression shifted. Mouth opened. Closed. Her eyebrows furrowed. She looked offended. Adorably offended.
"Mumbo jumbo?!" She pointed at the hologram camera. Lectured. Finger wagging. "Julian Weiper! That is not mumbo jumbo! That is agricultural science! Economic sustainability! Our livelihood!" Her pout was visible. Cute. "You should pay more attention to these things! One day you'll need to know how..."
"Mom. Mom. I get it." Juli laughed. Couldn't help it. She was too cute when she got like this. "I'm sorry. It's all very important, right?"
"Hmph." She crossed her arms. Still pouting. But her smile crept back. She couldn't stay mad. Not at him.
Then her expression shifted. Remembered something. Her eyes brightened. "Oh! Juli. Look who wants to see you!"
Movement in the hologram. Someone small climbed onto her lap. A little girl. Tiny. Adorable. First grader age. Maybe six. Maybe seven.
Long red hair fell past her shoulders. Shiny. Bright red eyes looked at the camera. They sparkled.
"Big brother!" Her voice was high. Sweet.
Juli's grin exploded. "Little Red!"
"Hi hi hi!" Juno bounced on her mother's lap. "I learned my ABCs today! And I made a friend named Lily! She has purple hair!"
"That's awesome! You're so smart!"
They chatted. Brief. Sweet. Simple things. Important things.
Their mother watched. Smiled. Let them have their moment.
Then she spoke softly. Gently. "Juno, sweetheart. Time to get ready for school."
"Aww. Already?" Juno's face fell. Just slightly.
"Yes, dear. You don't want to be late."
"Okay." Juno turned to the camera. To Juli. Waved. "Bye bye, big brother!"
"Bye, Little Red." Juli waved back.
Juno slid off her mother's lap. But paused. Turned back. Grinned wide. "Go crush the tournament, big bro! Hehe!"
Then she was gone. Running off. Footsteps fading.
Juli's mother watched her go. Affection in her eyes. Then turned back to the camera. To Juli.
Juli's expression shifted. Became mischievous. His grin turned playful. "So. How's HE doing, Mom?"
His mother froze.
Her face went red. Immediately. Completely. No gradual build. Just instant. Full crimson. From neck to forehead.
"I..." She stammered. Cleared her throat. Once. Twice. Three times. Her hands fidgeted. "He's. He's doing fine, dear."
She tried to compose herself. Failed mostly. But pushed through. "In fact. I heard. He got a promotion recently. Yes. A promotion." Her smile was wobbly. Unstable. But happy. Genuinely happy.
"And." She continued. Still red. Still flustered. "Don't worry too much about us. He's handling most of the expenses. Everything here. We're fine. Really." Her grin stabilized. Became more genuine. "We're doing well."
Juli's grin matched hers. "Oh yeah. I forgot. He's the man of the house. Hehe. He's so cool."
His mother's expression shifted again. The blush faded. Replaced by a pout. A different pout. Motherly. Concerned. "Juliiiii." She drew out his name. Whining almost. "Why are you not answering his calls?"
Juli blinked. "What?"
"He calls us regularly!" She gestured. Emphasized. "But he says he can't reach you! He's tried! Multiple times!"
Juli smiled. Sheepish. His hand went to the back of his head. Rubbed. Embarrassed. "Ah. Yeah. About that."
He looked at her. Direct. Honest. "Just wait, Mom. I'll stand beside him directly. As an equal." His voice was certain. Sure. "Then we can have all the talk we want. Hehe."
His expression grew more serious. Just slightly. "I don't want him to see me as that same frail kid. Weak. Helpless." His grin returned. Determined now. "I want to surprise the old man."
He paused. Let that sink in. Then continued. Voice softer. More vulnerable. "And. I want to surpass him. So he can retire. In peace. Live together with you and Little Red. Forever."
His mother's eyes widened. Then softened. Her expression melted. Affection. Love. Understanding.
She laughed. Gentle. Musical. "What are you saying, silly boy?" Her smile was warm. Amused. "He's still young! In his prime! He's not going to retire anytime soon!" She shook her head. "Hahaha. Juli. You're so silly."
Her expression became more serious. More motherly. "Why not talk to him now? He misses you. Dearly."
Juli's grin widened. Cheerful. Stubborn. "Nuh uh. Just wait and watch, Mom. I'll do it."
His mother looked at him. Really looked. Saw the determination. The resolve. The love behind it all.
Her smile softened. Became gentle. Tender. "Just don't take it too far, my boy." Her voice carried warmth. Acceptance. "Know that he and I will love you. No matter what." She emphasized the words. Made sure he heard. "Even if you fail. Even if you stumble. We'll love you. Always. So don't worry too much. Hehe."
Juli's thumb shot up. Classic gesture. "Cool. But I won't fail. Ever."
His confidence was absolute. Unshakeable. Pure.
His mother smiled. Knew better than to argue. "I know, sweetheart. I know."
They said their goodbyes. I love yous. Take cares. Be safes. The normal family things. The important things.
The hologram flickered. Faded. Disappeared.
Juli lay back on his bed. Alone again. But not lonely.
He smiled. Stared at the ceiling.
Just you wait. Just a little while longer.
His thoughts aimed at one person. The mysterious man. The legend.
I'm coming. I'll reach you. I'll surpass you.
And then. We'll all be together. Forever.
His smile remained. Warm. Determined.