Finnegan's Wait
“So this is the way you want it, eh Dick?”
Richard Allen Cleary said nothing. He stood rock still, hands clasped tightly behind his back, eyes narrowed, staring into the broad face of the upperclassman hovering millimeters away from his own.
“What now, Dickie boy?” He could feel the man’s hot breath on his cheeks and did his best to stifle the anger and disgust that were rising up inside him.
“It’s so sweet that you’ve made a new friend.” The upperclassman—whose name was Finnegan—gestured with his chin toward the first-year cadet, still on the ground behind Cleary.
Cleary had been watching Finnegan torment the poor plebe for weeks now, subjecting him to pranks, humiliating him in public. His latest stunt had involved a metal bucket full of ice water, balanced on top of one of the few old-style swinging doors left in the Academy. He’d heard the sickening thud when it fell and couldn’t stand by any longer.
Finnegan smiled sweetly. “You and Jimmy make such a cute couple.” Then his expression was serious again. “So what now?”
That was the question. Cleary felt his fists tighten behind his back. He’d seen plenty like Finnegan over the years, and there was only one way to put bullies like him in their place. He imagined himself swinging at the moon-shaped face that eclipsed his vision, felt his knuckles connect with the soft flesh and the bone underneath, shaking out the clean pain in his hand that signaled a solid hit.
“Are you thinkin’ of hitting me? Really? Go ahead then, Dick. Take your best shot.”
Of course, Cleary knew he couldn’t. There were serious repercussions for striking a senior officer. He’d been tempted before but had never given in. And he wouldn’t now. Even if Finnegan threw the first punch. Cleary had never disobeyed a Starfleet regulation and he wouldn’t start now.
Plus, he’d worked too had to get here. Cleary had joined Starfleet at 17, rising through the enlisted ranks. He was already a decorated veteran of the Battle of Donatu 5 and of Orias 7. It was his behavior during the latter, and the Citation for Conspicuous Gallantry he received, that got him into the Enlisted to Officer Program and the Academy.
He wasn’t going to throw all that away for someone like Finnegan.
“Aw, you’re just like your girlfriend, Dickie. Hardly worth my time, the two of you.” Finnegan gave Cleary a wide, toothy grin and stepped back, finally. “I’ll be seein’ you around.” He turned and walked casually away.
Cleary only now saw the group that had gathered around to watch the unfolding drama. With nothing more to see, they began to drift off in twos and threes. He ignored them, turning to the young cadet behind him, his silver tunic dark with water. There was a trickle of blood running down the side of his forehead where the edge of the bucket had caught him.
“Are you…” Cleary began, trying to remember the cadet’s name.
“Alright? Yea, I’m wonderful.” Cleary offered a hand to help him up, but he pushed it away. “I’m just wonderful.”
“I was just trying to…”
The cadet gathered the books that were scattered around him and brushed the wet hair out of eyes. “Make things worse? Well, you did a great job. He'll be back, you know.”
Cleary blinked at the young man’s anger.
“I can handle myself. I don’t need your help. Or your pity.”
Cleary sighed. “Suit yourself,” he said, watching the cadet stand and turn to leave. What was his name? Jimmy something. Jim…James…a short last name.
The cadet stopped. He turned his head slightly. “Thanks,” was all he said, then he walked briskly away, wiping his forehead and trying to act like nothing had happened.
Cleary shook his head. He wished the young man the best. Then his memory clicked. Jim Kirk, that was it. He seemed like a nice enough kid, though maybe not the toughest or the most promising officer material. But Cleary still liked him. And, with a little direction, he might amount to something someday.
He’d keep an eye on the young man, just in case.
by Dan (mygod_itsfullofstars) on 2011-09-05 04:31:29
