Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 03:22:52 +0000
From: Jacob Latson <jacob_latson@hotmail.com>
Subject: Washington Academy16

Disclaimer:

This story will describe the life of Robert David Mathews from his time as a
teenager, through prep school, and into military service.  If stories
involving sex between consenting teenagers, including both straight sex and
gay sex, offends you, go back to the Archives and pick a different story for
your reading pleasure.
There has been minimal research for this story therefore, names, places,
dates are mostly fictitious and similarities to real life are coincidental.
Some companies and organizations mentioned actually exist, but references to
the activities, policies, programs and procedures are fictitious. I was not
a SEAL and have limited knowledge of the force.  I am writing this story
from imagination and a little research, not from personal experience.

My editor, Bill, is a dedicated friend.  His improvements in my writing
style are greatly appreciated.

Feedback is appreciated to Jacob_latson@hotmail.com

Author's Notes:  I apologize for the delay in posting a new chapter to my
story.  Even Nifty authors get to take a vacation once in a while!!!  I was
very happy to read over 30 email messages from readers who are enjoying my
story (and asking for a new chapter).

We're going to jump ahead in time, so hang on to your ass (or other prime
body parts) and learn how life has treated the cadets at the Academy.

Washington Academy Chapter 16

Time Passes

The Eagles of the George Washington Academy had taken 2nd Place in their
league in basketball and finished 3rd in baseball.  Graduation ceremonies
were scheduled for the 3rd week of May 1993, along with the Grad Ball where
the first and second-class cadets would be allowed to bring dates to the
campus.

Robbie had won varsity letters in three sports:  football, basketball and
baseball, along with being crowned as the Martial Arts Champion.  He had
volunteered to decorate for the Grad Ball, and was back in his dorm room
with his buddies when they heard the announcement over the Public Address
System.  "All cadets from the Jefferson Dormitory are asked to report to the
Amphitheatre immediately" the system announced.

242 cadets of all ranks streamed into the Amphitheatre and immediately took
seats in the front rows of the meeting area.  They all wondered why they
were the only cadets asked to appear, but quickly stopped talking and stood
at attention when Chancellor Brown walked out onto the stage.

"Gentlemen, be seated!" Vincent Brown said after saluting the handsome
cadets.  "Before I introduce a special visitor, I want to put your fears to
rest.  You are NOT in trouble!  Alger County Sheriff Richard Denehey is here
to ask your help in a very important mission.  None of you are obligated in
any way to volunteer for this important task, but please give Sheriff
Denehey a warm welcome and your undivided attention to his request."

Richard Denehey was impressed by the reputation of the George Washington
Academy, and hoped that the selected cadets would be receptive to helping
him with a very serious situation.  He was surprised when the cadets clapped
and cheered when he was introduced, and decided to be very direct in
describing his need for help.

"Yesterday, we received an emergency call from the Fish Point campground
about a missing child," Richard Denehey began.  "A frantic parent pleaded
for help in finding a lost child named Toby Wilson.  The Wilson family was
camping and their eight-year-old daughter, Julie had fallen off a swing and
broke her right arm.  During the confusion that happens when a child's
injured, their son, Toby walked away from the campground and was missing.
Toby's a special 10-year-old child, because he's autistic.  For those of you
that don't know about autism, I'll describe the general symptoms.  Toby can
speak, but most of the time he's silent and doesn't even acknowledge that
someone is talking to him.  He rarely interacts with other children and
often just sits and looks at his surroundings or gets occupied with a simple
toy and seems oblivious to everything else.  Autism is a disorder that has
been difficult to understand and even more difficult to treat.  It's like
Toby's in his own world, and he has wandered away from his home in the past.
  With all of the confusion because of the injury to Julie, Toby was able to
wander away from the campgrounds and has been missing for almost 24 hours."

Vincent Brown listened to the sheriff and watched the reaction of the
cadets.  When he was first contacted for help in finding Toby Wilson, he
knew that nearly every cadet on the campus would volunteer.  He had called
an emergency meeting of his staff and followed the recommendations of Guy
Stephens and Derrick Harmon in asking only the cadets housed in the
Jefferson Dormitory for help.

"Right after the 9-1-1 call came in, it started to rain," Sheriff Denehey
continued.  "Tracking dogs were unable to pick up a scent trail, and the
ground search by my deputies and local firefighters turned up nothing.
Because of the time that has elapsed since Toby disappeared, we need to
search several square miles of wooded areas along with a large lake and
several small streams.  I asked Vincent Brown for help, and he suggested
that I talk to you today."

Vincent Brown interrupted the sheriff to say, "None of you is obligated in
any way to volunteer for this search.  It's still raining, and the
temperature's dropping.  It will be a wet, cold and muddy search for this
young boy, and the best I can offer is that you will be sleeping in tents
with sleeping bags.  I already alerted our Food Services Department, and
they'll be providing beverages and sandwiches to all of the searchers, but
don't expect any hot meals.  I'd like a show of hands for any cadet who will
volunteer for what will surely be a difficult mission."

Richard Denehey was thrilled when 242 hands flew into the air.  Every single
cadet from the Jefferson Dormitory had volunteered to join the search for
the lost boy, and he was excited about getting the search started.

"I'm overwhelmed by your response!" Sheriff Denehey said to the cadets.
"You'll be organized into groups of ten with a deputy, firefighter or staff
member from this fine Academy in charge of your group.  My deputies have
already obtained maps of the search area and will coordinate all activities
from the Fish Point Campground.  Thank you very much for volunteering for
this vital community service!"

"Gentlemen, you have 15 minutes to return to your dorm and pack only the
barest essentials," Vince Brown announced.  "I suggest you wear your 'grubs'
and pack a spare set along with a change of underwear.  We'll try to provide
laundry services, but that might be impossible for the number of cadets
needed for this search.  You're dismissed!"

Robbie was excited about helping to find Toby Wilson and wanted to be in the
same search group with Drew, Keith, Tracker and Trip.  He joined the other
cadets in running towards their dormitory, and saw the confused looks on the
other cadets who hadn't been asked for their help.

Buses were used to transport the cadets to the Fish Point Campground, and
the cadets were relieved that the rain had stopped so they could erect their
tents and arrange the other camping equipment.  After getting their
campground established, the cadets headed for the main tent where they were
organized into groups of 10 with an adult designated as their leader.

Robbie was excited about helping in the search for Toby Wilson, and was
pleased that he got his wish to be in a group with Drew, Keith, Tracker,
Trip and five other cadets with Guy Stephens in charge.  When it was time
for their group to get their assigned search area, they went inside a large
tent to listen to the search instructions.

"You're Team #14, and your search area is outlined in red on this map,"
Sheriff Denehey announced.  "Toby likes to play 'Hide and Seek' and might
think that this is a game.  He probably won't respond if you call his name,
and might already be exhausted and too weak to reveal his hiding place.
Each Team Leader has a portable GPS (Global Positioning System) unit and a
two-way radio to contact the Command Center with status reports.  We have
about three hours of daylight left, so let's get started!"

Team #14 searched their assigned area, but didn't find any traces of Toby
Wilson.  The young boy had been wearing jeans, tennis shoes, and a yellow
T-Shirt when he left the campground, and the cool evenings and rain caused
everyone to be concerned that the boy might have died from exposure to the
elements.  On the second day of the search, the weather turned bad, and rain
poured down on the entire area.  Sheriff Denehey reluctantly called off the
search to wait for the rain to subside, and feared that the rescue efforts
would turn into a search for the body of the young boy.

All of the cadets were soaked from the rain when they returned to the
campground to change into dry clothes and have lunch.

"We won't go back out until this rain lets up," Guy Stephens said to Team
#14.  "I need to be honest with you guys.  The chances of Toby being alive
are very slim.  With the rain and the cold nights, his body's too frail to
survive being exposed this long."

"What if we're searching the wrong areas?" Robbie asked.  "We were over two
miles from the campground where he disappeared."

"Sheriff Denehey and his deputies searched the areas around the campgrounds
on the first day of the search," Guy Stephens replied.  "They would have
found him quickly if he was close."

"What if he was playing 'Hide and Seek' with them?" Tracker asked.  "I know
they told us to stay inside our tents until the rain stops, but I'm getting
weird sensations that Toby's close right now!"

"HOLY SHIT!" Robbie blurted out.  "Remember when Cataline was stalking us
near the Snake Pit?  You could sense the danger, and even knew when he was
climbing that tree to shoot at us.  Let's go outside so you can use your
powers!"

"We were ordered to stay inside until the rain stops!" Guy Stephens stated
emphatically.

"Tell us the truth!" Robbie said.  "Haven't you disobeyed a direct order
before?"

"Don't be a smart ass!" Guy replied.

"He's always been a smart ass, and won't change in the future!" Drew
offered.  "What's the harm in giving Tracker a chance to see if he can find
Toby?"

"It's pouring buckets out there," Guy said.  "We won't be able to see 10
feet in front of us."

"What's the harm in trying?" Trip asked.  "Instead of sitting here in this
fucking tent, we can search near the campgrounds and head back here if the
rain lets up."

"I'll be right back," Guy Stephens said to the group of cadets.

"I say we go without Mr. Stephens," Robbie offered.  "He never believed that
Tracker knew that Cataline was a danger to us without actually seeing the
jerk.  I'll go by myself if you guys don't have the balls to join me!"

"I heard what you just said!" Guy Stephens said when he returned to the
tent.  "I don't tolerate insubordination from anyone, especially from a
smart ass who calls me an old man when my back is turned!"

Robbie was pissed, but could see that there was no "SEAL Look" in the eyes
of his coach and friend.  He was confused until Mr. Stephens told everyone
to sit down.

"I told the Dispatcher that we're gonna take a little walk," Guy Stephens
began.  "He said that we must be insane to go out in this rain, but contrary
to what Robbie said about me, I do believe that Tracker has some special
powers.  I brought something for Tracker to use to help locate Toby.  This
is the sweatshirt that Toby was wearing on the day that he disappeared.  The
bloodhounds used this to get the boy's scent, and we have to keep it dry in
case they need it again."

"I apologize, Sir," Robbie said to his coach.  "I'm just frustrated from
thinking about Toby out in this damn rain, and no one searching for him."

"Will you stop calling me an old fart?" Guy Stephens teased.

"I promise to be more discrete so you don't hear me!" Robbie promised.  His
honest response caused everyone to laugh, and that broke the tension in the
tent.

"I need to be outside near the woods to meditate," Tracker said.  "Can we
put the sweatshirt in a plastic bag so it stays dry?  I'll reach inside the
bag to touch Toby's clothes and try to connect.  I've never done this
before, but I have the feeling that he's not far away."

Guy Stephens had heard about the meditation exercises that Tracker led
during Hell Week the previous summer, and wondered if the Native American
actually had special powers or was a fake.  He decided to cooperate with the
group of anxious cadets, primarily because he was frustrated at the thought
of a 10-year old boy dying in the woods.  He thought about his own son,
Eric, and couldn't imagine the anxiety of the Wilson family with their son
missing and possibly dead.

The rain was pouring down, but Tracker led Team#14 to the edge of the woods
that surrounded the campgrounds.  Ignoring the torrential rain and saturated
ground, Tracker sat down and asked his buddies to form a circle and hold
hands.  He was pleased when Guy Stephens pushed his way into the circle and
sat down on the wet ground with the ten cadets.

Everyone knew to be quiet and try to help Tracker focus.  The rain was
beating down on the small group, and everyone was soaked to the skin.

"Everyone close your eyes and help me meditate," Tracker asked.  "Picture
Toby in your minds.  Think about the picture of Toby that we all saw and
visualize him wearing jeans, tennis shoes and a yellow T-Shirt."

The rain continued to pour down on the circle of Team #14 volunteers for
several minutes before Tracker pulled his hands away and said, "Don't move
or say anything.  Let me focus!"  He reached into the center of the circle
and put both of his hands inside the plastic bag to make contact with Toby's
sweatshirt.  He felt a warm glow radiating from his hands, up his arms, and
through his body before breaking contact with the sweatshirt and grabbing
the hands of the person next to him.  The only sounds from the circle were
the sounds of the rain pouring down to hit the leaves on the ground or the
bodies of the group.

"HE'S CLOSE!" Tracker yelled over the sounds of the pelting rain.  "FOLLOW
ME!"

Guy Stephens jumped up and ran to the main tent to return the sweatshirt
before running back to the group of cadets heading into the woods away from
the campgrounds.

Robbie was trying to keep up with Tracker, but slipped and fell in the
combination of wet leaves and mud.  He was surprised when Guy Stephens
helped him up, but wondered how the coach could move so fast through the
slippery woods.

"Not bad for an old man, right?" Guy teased Robbie.  "Get your ass moving or
we'll lose Tracker!"

Robbie wasn't the only one having trouble moving through the woods to follow
Tracker.  All of his cadet buddies were stumbling and falling trying to
follow Tracker up a ridge and down the other side.  The pounding rain kept
them from being able to see tree roots or fallen branches that caused them
to trip and fall, but Tracker and Guy Stephens moved through the woods with
little effort and never fell.  To Robbie it was like the two leaders were
deer in their natural habitat, and he and the other cadets were bouncing off
the trees and ground like tennis balls.

"WE'RE CLOSE!" Tracker yelled over the sounds of the pounding rain.  "SPREAD
OUT AND SEARCH.  HE'S UNDER A TREE!"

The group was almost a half mile from the campgrounds when Tracker sounded
the alert, and they moved about 10 feet apart and began searching the
downward slope of the ridge.  Some sort of tornado must have hit the area in
the past, because downed trees covered the side of the ridge.  Everywhere
they looked, they found broken trees covering the ground, and searching was
very difficult with the constant rain clouding their vision.

Robbie was staying near Tracker and saw his friend slide down the side of a
washout and disappear beneath a downed pine tree.  He could see water
pouring down the ridge into the washout and feared that Tracker was hurt.

"HELP ME!" Tracker screamed.  "HE'S HERE!"

Robbie slid down the slope and ducked under the pine tree branches where he
struggled to find Tracker.  The gully was filled with water, and he could
barely pull his feet out of the sucking mud to follow the sounds of
Tracker's voice.

"TOBY, MY NAME'S TRACKER!" Robbie heard his buddy yell.  When he struggled
through the branches, he found Tracker holding the boy's head up and out of
the water, and he quickly realized that the boy would drown if they didn't
get him out quickly.  He tried to help Tracker lift a pine tree that had
Toby pinned to the ground, but they couldn't get a grip on the tree trunk
without slipping in the mud.

"I'll hold his head up!  You get help!" Tracker pleaded with Robbie.  "His
eyes were open, so I know that he's alive!"

Robbie could see that the area where Tracker was holding Toby was so small
that only one other person could get in position to try and lift the pine
tree trunk.  He struggled out of the gully and screamed for help.

Guy Stephens and the other cadets tried to find Robbie and Tracker, but
couldn't see where they were until Robbie struggled out of the gully.

"TRACKER FOUND HIM!" Robbie screamed to his coach.  "HE'S ALIVE, BUT HE'S
PINNED UNDER A BIG TREE!"

Guy Stephens saw that a torrent of water was flowing into the gully, and
knew the gully was filling up fast and would soon be flooded.  He took
charge when Robbie said that only one other person could fit in the tight
area and try to lift the tree.

"ALL OF YOU!  START PULLING THOSE BRANCHES AND TREES OFF THE PILE!" Guy
Stephens ordered before jumping into the flooding gully.

Tracker was still under the pile of trees and trying to hold Toby's head
above the rising water when he saw the coach push his way through the
branches.  He knew he wasn't strong enough to lift the tree to free Toby,
and continued praying for help while the water continued to rise.

"I'M GOING TO TRY TO LIFT THE TREE!" Guy Stephens yelled to Tracker.  "IF I
CAN LIFT IT, YOU TRY AND PULL HIM FREE!  GET HIM OUT OF HERE FAST!  DON'T
WAIT FOR ME!"

Guy Stephens had to duck under the surface of the water to get in a position
to try and lift the large tree.  For him, it was a flashback to his SEAL
days, and he calmly moved around to gain the best footing and grip on the
tree.

Trackers was alarmed when he saw his coach disappear under the muddy water,
and feared that Mr. Stephens would become tangled in the branches and drown.
  After what seemed like an eternity, he felt the tree move, and used all of
his strength to pull Toby free from the tangled mass of branches.  He was
floating Toby through the muddy water, just like he'd learned in the life
saving classes at the Academy, and feared that Mr. Stephens would be tangled
in the branches and unable to get to safety.

Drew and Keith had jumped down into the gully and were frantically waiting
for any sign of Tracker, Toby and Mr. Stephens.  Just as they saw Tracker
struggling through the muddy water with the small boy, they heard a crash
and saw branches falling into the gully.  They quickly helped Tracker out of
the gully and handed Toby to Robbie and Trip.

"WHERE'S STEPHENS?" Drew yelled over the pounding rain.  His fears that his
favorite coach had become trapped or had drowned were quickly extinguished
when he heard a familiar voice.

"IT'S MR. STEPHENS TO YOU!" Coach Stephens yelled.  LET'S GET THE FUCK OUT
OF HERE!"

Everyone had trouble getting out of the slippery gully, and they all shook
with fear when another tree came crashing down on top of the large pile of
tangled branches.  Before they were able to get organized to leave the area,
the gully was filled with water.

"Trip, you're the fastest runner!" Guy said.  "I lost the radio under that
water, so run back to the campground and get the paramedics ready with an
ambulance!  We'll have to go slower to keep from hurting Toby!"

Robbie and Drew took off their sweatshirts and offered them to Mr. Stephens
to wrap around Toby.  The sweatshirts were covered in mud and were soaked,
but they would still provide some protection from the cold rain that was
still pounding down on everyone.

Sheriff Denehey was in the main tent and talking to his office for an update
on the weather forecast.  His heart sank when he heard that the rain would
continue all night, and the temperature would drop into the high 30's.  He
could see the looks of despair on the faces of the Wilson family and the
rest of the volunteers, and didn't know what to say to them, when he heard
some screaming.

"WE FOUND HIM!" Trip screamed when he skidded inside the large tent.  "HE'S
ALIVE!"

Everyone ran to the center of the tent where Trip was struggling for his
breath, and it was pure bedlam when everyone heard the good news repeated by
the small cadet.

"GET THE PARAMEDICS READY!" Trip screamed when he was finally able to talk
again.  "THEY'RE RIGHT BEHIND ME WITH TOBY, AND HE'S ALIVE!"

Guy Stephens was carrying Toby down the hill and into the campground when he
saw the crowd of volunteers waiting for him.  He saw Tom and Judy Wilson
running towards him, and he called out to Tracker.

"You found him, and I want you to be the one to take him to his parents,"
Guy Stephens said while handing the small boy to Tracker.

"Thanks," Tracker said to his coach.  He quickly took Toby and ran towards
the rush of concerned people streaming out of the tents.

Words can't describe the emotions that flooded through the campgrounds when
Tom and Judy Wilson saw their son again.  They had tried to remain positive,
but after hearing the weather forecast, they feared that their son was
already dead.

Toby was quickly placed in the ambulance, and the paramedics took over his
care and treatment.  Only after the ambulance left the campgrounds, reality
hit Guy Stephens and the cadets in his rescue team.

Tracker broke down sobbing and was being comforted by Guy Stephens when
Sheriff Denehey approached them.  The Sheriff hugged both men and joined
them in shedding tears of relief and exhaustion over the stressful ordeal.
All the other cadets from Team #14 were exhausted and didn't care who saw
all of them crying from the tension and fear.

"I don't know what to say to you and your team of cadets," Richard Denehey
said to Guy Stephens.  "I thought you were insane for even thinking about
going out in this damn rain, but we never would have found Toby alive
without your bravery.  Let's get you guys out of those wet clothes and near
the heaters to warm up."

"You guys are a fucking mess!" Derrick Harmon teased his boss and the cadets
from his rescue team.  "Head for the campground showers, and we'll round up
some dry clothes for you.  The showers will get rid of all of that mud and
get your body temperatures back up.  I called Vince with the good news, and
he's planning a special celebration for everyone tomorrow."

"You're a hero, and I'm proud of what you did for Toby and his family!" Guy
Stephens said when Tracker finally calmed down.  "I probably won't ever
understand what I witnessed, but I'll never doubt you again!  This could
have been a disaster, but you performed a miracle!"

Before morning the rain stopped and the cadets worked hard to take down
their tents and pack the buses for their return to the Campus.  When they
arrived at the front gates, they saw the road lined with cadets in their
dress white uniforms.  The cadets were cheering and holding banners that
showed their appreciation for the successful rescue of the little boy.

Tracker was overwhelmed when he read the makeshift signs and banners that
identified him as a hero.  He moved to the back of the bus and tried to
hide, but Guy Stephens found him and told him to read the signs and banners
and accept the praise of his cadet buddies.

"This is your day in the spotlight!" Guy said to Tracker.  "You've earned a
place in history, and I want you to be recognized by the entire world for
what you did!"

When the buses stopped in front of the Jefferson Dormitory, the occupants
saw the entire staff of the George Washington Academy waiting for them.
Everyone was wearing their dress uniforms, and a multitude of radio and
television reporters were anxiously waiting for a chance to interview
Tracker Whitestone.

Guy Stephens made sure that Tracker was the first cadet to exit the bus, and
was pleased to see that microphones had been placed on the front steps of
the dormitory.  The crowd cheered wildly when Tracker stepped off the bus,
and the reporters pushed and shoved to get their microphones in his face.
Tracker waved to the screaming crowd, but wasn't prepared for the crush of
reporters.  He was relieved when Guy Stephens and Derrick Harmon guided him
through the crowd to approach the collection of microphones.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention?" Vincent Brown announced
through the large speakers on the steps.  "We know that you all want to
interview Tracker Whitestone about the heroic rescue of Toby Wilson, but
please understand that you need to respect his personal wishes to make this
press conference very brief.  Mr. Michael Edwards, Personnel Director here
at the George Washington Academy has a few words before we allow any
questions."

Mike Edwards briefly described how Sheriff Denehey had come to the Academy
to ask for help in finding Toby Wilson.  He expertly summarized the rescue
plans and how the search was organized, before describing how Tracker found
the missing boy.

"For those of you that don't know it, Tracker Whitestone is a Native
American," Mike Edwards said.  "He's pure Cherokee and fully embraces the
beliefs of the George Washington Academy of Honor, Dignity and Service.
Please show Tracker your respect in your questions, and I'm sure that he'll
do his best to answer them.  It's my privilege to introduce to you, Cadet
Fourth Class Tracker Whitestone!"

The huge crowd of cadets, staff members and reporters cheered and applauded
when Tracker walked in front of the microphones and television cameras.
Mike Edwards controlled the excited crowd in identifying who would be
allowed to ask the first question.

"We heard that you used your Indian background to find Toby Wilson," Martha
Jenkins from WTCM television began.  "What powers do you have, and how did
you use them?"

"First of all, I'd appreciate it if you referred to my heritage as Native
American, and not Indian," Tracker said.  "My great-grandfather was a
Medicine Man in the Oklahoma branch of the Cherokee Nation, and I was told
that he could connect spiritually with Nature.  I don't know if that's where
my insight came from, but I've only been able to connect twice in my entire
life.  Once was last summer when a terrorist threatened the lives of my
friends and me, and I was able to recognize the danger.  The second time was
when I had the feelings that Toby Wilson was close to the campgrounds in an
area that had already been searched.  Finding Toby trapped under a tree in a
gully that was filling with water was only the start of the rescue.  Without
the leadership, determination and sheer physical strength of Mr. Guy
Stephens, Athletic Director here at the Academy, Toby would be dead right
now.  I don't know of another man on earth who could have gone underwater
and lifted that huge tree to free Toby from those tangled branches, but I
want all of you to recognize Mr. Stephens for his bravery and leadership in
the rescue."

The crowd erupted with cheers when Michael Edwards pulled Guy Stephens in
front of the microphones.  The two heroes stood together and answered
questions for over 20 minutes before Vincent Brown interrupted and ended the
press conference.  At first the crowd was upset when the Chancellor stated
that no more questions would be allowed, but the crowd cheered when Vince
announced that pizza, Greek salad, breadsticks and soft drinks were now
being served in Grant Hall.

The reporters laughed when they taped their closing statements for their
broadcasts over the shouts of hungry teenagers running for a special
celebration.  They packed up their equipment and happily accepted the offer
to join in the celebration and food in Grant Hall.

For the remainder of the week leading up to the Grad Ball and Graduation
Ceremonies, Tracker was constantly flooded with fame and the accolades of
everyone on the George Washington Academy Campus.

Robbie was manning the refreshment table when Drew walked up with a
beautiful blonde haired girl.  He knew that Drew had been dating a girl
named Allison Smith, but he'd never met her.

"Ally, this is my Little Brother, Robbie Mathews," Drew said while
introducing his date to Robbie.

Robbie was impressed by the beauty of the young girl, and politely offered
her a choice of bottled water or fruit juice.  He made sure that Allison saw
that the seal hadn't been broken on the bottle of apple juice before opening
the plastic bottle, pouring the contents into a plastic cup, and handing the
cup to Drew.  It was the standard way for a cadet to dispel any concerns
that the beverages had been "spiked" with alcohol or any form of drugs.

"Drew's been talking about you, and I'm happy to finally meet you," Robbie
said to Allison.  "You're a beautiful girl and you two make a handsome
couple!"

Robbie was happy to be working during the fancy dance, but wished that he
had a date of his own.  He'd met several girls from Traverse City, and
enjoyed the passionate times in the back of his Blazer when his date was
receptive to sexual activity.  He was still enjoying trips to the Storage
Room with his cadet buddies, but had noticed that Drew joined him less
often.

On Graduation Day, the cadets celebrated the changes in their status.  It
was a bittersweet day for many cadets when they realized that the First
Class cadets would be leaving for new challenges in their lives.  They would
miss the graduating cadets, but celebrated their own promotions to the next
higher ranking.

Robbie, Trip and Tracker were sewing the new stripes on their uniforms to
show that they were Cadets Third Class when Drew walked into their dorm
room.

"The new room lists just got posted," Drew said.  He had to back away to
keep from being trampled when all of the guys ran out of their room.  He
laughed and followed the former plebes to the bulletin board to read the new
room assignments.

Robbie, Trip and Tracker were thrilled to learn that they had been assigned
to a four-man room with Pat Leahy.

"You guys must have blown the entire staff to get a four man room!" Drew
teased.  He knew that the Third Class Cadets were normally housed in eight
man rooms, but also knew that there were only 230 cadets in the new Second
Class, and that made some four man rooms available.

"Holy Crap!" Robbie exclaimed when he looked at the room assignments.  "You
and Keith got the room that David Benson and Tyler Mason used to have!
That's the same room that you and I shared after I got shot!"

"I was wondering if you would recognize that," Drew replied.  He leaned over
and whispered in Robbie's ear, "You got 'shot' in that room too!"

"The biggest surprise is on the other bulletin board," Keith said to the
three cadets.

"WE'RE GONNA GET LITTLE BROTHERS!" Trip screamed when he read the meeting
announcement.  "We have to attend a meeting tomorrow after we move our junk!
  This is awesome!"

"GOD HELP THIS ACADEMY!" Drew teased.  "The three biggest pranksters in the
history of the Academy will be polluting the minds of three innocent plebes!
  Chancellor Brown must be smoking crack!"

"I heard that!" Vincent Brown yelled.  "Maybe I should revise the room list
and put you in the basement!"

"I'm sorry, Sir!" Drew said after standing at attention and saluting the top
administrator of the Academy.  He couldn't take back the nasty comment so he
just hoped he wouldn't be put on detention.

"I was a sweet innocent boy when I started the Academy, but Drew poisoned my
mind!" Robbie teased.  "I never made any wise guy comments to anyone until I
met him!"

Drew glared at Robbie and wondered if the Chancellor was going to punish him
in front of the group of cadets who were listening to every word that was
being spoken.

"Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?" Chancellor Brown shot back at
Robbie.  "You've been in more trouble than any plebe in the history of the
Academy, and if anything, you poisoned your Big Brother!"

All of the cadets laughed at how the Chancellor had put Robbie in his place,
and were relieved when Vincent Brown turned and walked out of the Jefferson
Dormitory without punishing anyone.

"You fucking jerk!" Drew said to Robbie after Mr. Brown left.  "You could
have landed both of us in detention!"

"I thought if I made a smart ass comment, he might forget about you saying
he was smoking crack!" Robbie replied.

"You have to admit that it worked," Keith said to Drew.  "The squirt always
cracks jokes, and this time it saved your ass!"

The next day, Chancellor Brown walked into the Amphitheatre to meet with a
group of cadets.  He loved the Academy, and was always thrilled to talk to
the handsome cadets in formal or informal situations.

"Gentlemen, be seated!" Vincent Brown announced.  "There have been some
changes in our Operating Principles that affect each of you.  The Board of
Directors has authorized us to increase the size of the incoming Plebe Class
from the normal number of 250 young men to 325.  There have also been some
major changes to the activities during Summer Training and Hell Week that we
feel will reduce the 'ringers' and result in approximately 300 new cadets.
We are NOT lowering the standards of this fine Academy!  Our selection
process is the most stringent of any High School in the nation, and we will
NEVER compromise our integrity."

Robbie thought back to the vigorous physical demands of Summer Training, and
how he was ready to "Ring Out" several times during Hell Week.  Only the
leadership of Tracker Whitestone had given him and his buddies the strength
to persevere.  He welcomed the changes and hoped that he and his buddies
would have some input to the Hell Week activities.

"There are only 230 Second Class Cadets on our campus, and that leaves us
short 95 cadets to mentor the new plebes," Vincent Brown stated.  "95 cadets
have been selected from the Third Class based on academics and
Administration Evaluations to give every new plebe a mentor during the
Summer Training.  Mr. Michael Edwards, our Personnel Director, will now
distribute and discuss the guidelines for your new roles as Big Brothers."

A new chapter in Robbie's life was beginning.

Comments are appreciated to Jacob_latson@hotmail.com