I couldn’t rely on anyone else, I decided, to get the word out about what was happening. My only hope was to keep my head down, play along, and wait for my chance when I get to go home for a week. That’s exactly what I did. I got so good at playing soldier that I was given some leadership opportunities, being left in charge of my squad whenever the sergeant was absent. That was something usually only Specialists would do but I was the highest ranking member of my squad so the sergeant let it fall to me.

After three months of training, we were officially ready to be sent out on deployments. I stood in my room, looking at myself in the full length mirror I’d acquired, and admitting to myself that I did look good in uniform. The fact that I was doing this against my will soured the moment. Graduation was today, and a fair number of friends and family had come to see us all. They were being kept in the non-super housing facility and were probably on their way now to come here. We had been drilling various exercises the last few weeks in preparation for this. It was a bit of a show, really, for them, and an opportunity to show off some of the things we’d been learning.

I picked up a small notepad and slid it into my sleeve where it was all but impossible to see. I rotated my arm around to make sure it didn’t create any obvious bulge. I pushed down the worry that I’d need it, knowing it was only a failsafe. Satisfied that I was ready, I left my room and marched downstairs to join the rest of my platoon. They were all ready as well and soon our sergeant marched in and began inspecting us, making sure everything was perfect. A few were scolded for not shining their shoes enough or having a wrinkle in their uniform but for the most part we passed.

He marched us out of the barrack and out to the field where we’d be doing our display. A series of bleachers had been set up for our audience. We stood at attention, facing them, but not allowed to let our eyes wander. I wanted to find where my dad was in the crowd but knew better than to look around for him yet. The sergeants were all on alert for anyone not properly comporting themselves.

When the full brigade had assembled, Colonel Trenton stood up and addressed us. I didn’t hear any of what he said because I’d just realized my dad was sitting right in front of me, just a few rows back. He was smiling a bit uncomfortably. We both knew I didn’t want to be here but he only knew half the story. I felt tears trying to start and it took all my concentration to hold it together. Before I knew it, we were marching again and instinct kicked in, allowing me to stay with my platoon and not get out of place.

The speedsters were first, racing across the field, followed by the fliers. They were the easiest powers to show off safely. The rest of the display was marching, jumping out of tanks, and other stuff I assume is normal for most military graduations. No shooting, no explosions, nothing that might accidentally injure someone. Considering what we’d been trained to do, this was all rather tame. Still, it made for a good enough show. It was at least a decent distraction and I stopped having to suppress tears.

As quickly as it had started, it was over and we were dismissed to find our friends and family. I wanted to run to where I knew my dad was at but knew better than to do it. Plowing through a crowd was a good way to injure a lot of people. Instead I walked slowly and carefully towards him, pushing people as gently as I could to make room when needed.

“Congratulations, Misha,” my dad beamed at me when I finally reached him.

“Thanks dad,” I said, giving him a very gentle hug.

He tensed at first but soon relaxed and hugged me back fiercely. In the press of the crowd I slid the small notepad from inside my sleeve and tucked it into his pocket.

“What–?

“Later,” I muttered and he let it drop.

“So, you ready to spend a week at Disneyland?” he asked as we broke apart.

“You have no idea,” I said.

“You sure you’ll be up for the rides?” he asked.

“Training’s really paid off,” I assured him. “I haven’t broken anything in over a month.”

“That’s wonderful,” he patted me on the shoulder, paused, and his smile slipped a bit. “You know your mother wanted to be here.”

“Dad, you don’t need to lie for her,” I said at once.

“No, she really did,” he insisted. “She couldn’t get work off and the flight was so expensive.”

“I told you I could cover the cost,” I pointed out. “She could have come if she wanted to. I only invited her because you insisted and I’m not sad she didn’t come. I only wanted to see you here.”

For the first time he let it drop and I began to wonder if he, too, was finally coming to accept what I’d known this entire time. My mom didn’t love me. Even before my parent’s divorced I had had my suspicions. It wasn’t hard to notice how often only my dad would show up for events, or how little interest she showed in me, but at least she was around.

I shook my head and forced those memories away.

“So, are you all packed?” my dad asked.

“Yup,” I replied. “All ready for the flight and a week away.”

“Nayak,” my sergeant’s voice cut through the noise of the crowd.

I pivoted, found myself face to face with him, and saluted.

“Yes Sergeant?” I asked, still at attention.

“Leave is canceled,” he said. “Report to the main hall for your assignment details.”

The worry that I’d been suppressing all day came flooding back. My thoughts went immediately to the notepad I’d already passed on to my dad and only that knowledge allowed me to keep calm as the sergeant dismissed me and left us to say our good byes.

“I have to go,” I said to my dad who was looking incredibly confused and upset.

“Can they do that?” he asked. “We have reservations. You bought tickets for Disneyland.”

“I love you dad,” I said and patted his suit pocket where I’d placed the notepad.

He glanced down at it and then nodded before walking off into the crowd. I in turn left the crowd and made my way to the main hall. I wondered how many other supers would also be in the main hall, if any. I didn’t see anyone else leaving the crowd or making their way over to the main hall. When I walked in, there wasn’t anyone else in the seats. I walked up to the front and sat down. As far as I could tell I was all alone in here.

In the days leading up to graduation I’d wondered if they’d actually let me have my week of leave with my dad. Hence the notepad. I’d written down everything I wanted him to know in there, the threats against my freedom, being forced to stay here, even the bit about them trying to trick me into breaking into the detention facility. At the end I asked him to make my situation public, go to the media or whatever he needed to do.

I knew there was a risk that he’d be searched before leaving or that someone had seen me putting it into his pocket, but I was fairly confident that my good behavior had put them off their guard. Not enough to let me go for a week, obviously, but hopefully enough that they wouldn’t suspect anything.

“Nayak,” a familiar voice said from behind.

Colonel Trenton was walking down the hall. I stood and saluted.

“Sir.”

“Sit,” he said with a wave and then took his spot at the front of the room.

I sat, glancing briefly behind to see if anyone else was here. We were alone.

“Good news,” Colonel Trenton grinned as though he hadn’t just ordered me to cancel a week long vacation that he’d promised I would get. “We found your old friends from the Cain Center and you get to be on the team we’re sending to get them back.”

I nodded.

“You’ll be flying out right away, so it works out that you’re already packed,” he beamed. “Sorry about your dad but there’s be another time. This couldn’t wait and I knew you’d want to be part of it.”

I nodded again.

“The full details of the mission will be briefed once you link up with the rest of the team,” he went on. “It’s a relatively elite squad so you’ll be quite the junior member but I’m sure you’ll mesh together well enough. You’ve really impressed me these past few months and I’m proud of the soldier you’ve become. I expect great things from you, Nayak. Report to the airstrip, there’s a helicopter already waiting for you. Dismissed.”

I stood, saluted, and left. What were the chances that they really had just found the kidnapped students from the Cain Center? It seemed a bit too good to be true, and why include me in the team? I had no real experience. There was a lot about this that didn’t sit right with me but my dad had my message and that was what I focused on.