Author's note
Hope you are all doing well at the moment, I Know we have all been affected by the Corona virus pandemic whether directly or indirectly but we shall overcome it together as humanity. Special regards to all of our health experts who are at the forefront in this fight.
***
Since the fleet admiral's speech earlier, Tom could clearly see that something was bothering Jason as he was unusually silent as they made their way out of the pub. "So what's up man?" Tom asked as he used his armcomm to request for a hover-taxi .
"Just worried about what will happen now that we are war" replied Jason as he kicked a can while moving towards the street.
"Want some advice?" Tom asked as he walked alongside him.
"Sure." Jason replied as they both stopped and waited for their transportation to come and pick them.
"A wise man once told me to never concern myself with what I couldn't do but rather what I could." Replied Tom as he glanced at the descending hover-taxi that landed with a small thud in front of them. He walked at the other side and let himself in while taking a final glance at the pub. As he settled himself inside, he activated the chest guard which slid from the back of the seat and immediately the hover-taxi ascended.
"Hello gentlemen, what is your destination rear admiral Jeffries?" asked a computerised voice as the ho-xi continued to rise.
"Take us to the King's height estate please." Replied Tom as he glanced at Jason who had remained silent throughout.
"That will cost you 20 credits, the payment shall be confirmed by your armcomm" it informed him while he confirmed the transfer of the amount. "I have received your payment and arrival time is 2 minutes 13 seconds. Should I turn on the radio for entertainment before you arrive?" It asked as Tom folded his arms in front of the chest guard as he felt being pushed back due to the acceleration.
"I shall take a pass on the entertainment part" he replied while shutting down both the audio and video recorder so as to have a serious conversation with Jason.
"Ok then, enjoy your flight" the on-board computer replied as it went off.
"Now we are in the dark Jason, so what's really bothering you?" asked Tom as he shifted his seat to face him.
"I don't know if I can do this." Jason replied as he stared out of his window.
"Do what?" asked Tom as he guessed what he was referring to but he wanted to hear it for himself.
"This whole thing about being captain stuff." Jason replied while shifting his gaze from the window to face Tom.
"Are you keeping the old crew of the Hercules?" Tom asked him.
"Yep" Jason replied while smirking.
"Good coz I won't lie to you Jason, it's never going to be easy sometimes but trust in them and they will make you proud."
"Okay, I get that" replied Jason while nodding in agreement.
"Honestly Jason I think they respect you a hell lot more than I" Tom replied in sombre tone.
"I think that's probably something to do with you fucking any lady that comes into sight" replied Jason which earned him a shoulder punch.
The ho-xi stopped when they reached the estate's security parameter for confirmation of who they were and where they were going. Tom just waited patiently while they were being scanned for any contraband they might posses while also being identified through the facial recognition database.
"Yeah well am not selfish to just limit myself to one lady like you man" Jason could only chuckle to that as he knew that one thing he knew for sure was that Tom would always be a ladies man.
Suddenly Tom felt the ho-xi begin its descent signifying that they had reached their destination and they alighted after it had landed.
"I've always found it strange that you decided to live in the same place as your folks man" noted Tom while keeping a straight face while walking on the street.
"Yeah well coz you bought the place as my wedding gift." Muttered Jason which drew chuckles from Tom.
"Look at the bright side man, at least I didn't get you the one next to theirs." Jason just shivered at the very thought, In as much as he loved his parents he didn't want them to be his next door neighbours.
"I might not say thank you as much but I really appreciate you for getting me this house" Jason told him while glancing at the house in question.
Tom just scoffed at him, "Who told you I got it for you dumbass?, I bought it for Miriam and when she decides to divorce your ugly ass I will just move in with her." Tom replied with an evil gr while stopping at Jason's house.
"Hey aren't you coming in?" Jason asked Tom who had stopped while also ignoring his last comment.
"Sorry man, I'm gonna meet your folks and then head back to the station, I've an appointment there I can't miss" replied Tom as he began walking away. "and tell Miriam I said hi!" Jason just shook his head and laughed at that, the appointment his friend was going to definitely involved the waitress who had served them.
Tom picked up the pace and was soon arriving at Jason's parents house where he rang the doorbell and waited to be welcomed. Normally he would place his hand on the hand scanner and enter the house but by how he was asked to be here, he wanted to do things in a right way because he guessed it was something important. The door was suddenly opened by Frank, Jason's dad who stood at exactly 6ft tall with dark skin and he seemed out of breath but managed to compose himself.
"Why the hell are you ringing the door son?, You are always welcomed here you Know?" asked Frank while getting back to the house leaving Tom to close the door.