Earth. The Pale Blue Dot. Terra Firma. Mother Earth. The planet went by different names, but humanity always called it consistently by its most well used name. Earth. The birthplace of humanity and a model for what planets in the universe could possibly contain life. By its very nature, the hubris proposed by such an assumption warrants humanity’s superiority complex.

Flexing his fingers, Shay Kisaragi placed down the letter had been reading. He had been staring at the thick piece of parchment for about an hour. Reading and rereading it fervently as though the words on it were a mistake. Sighing, he looked at the photograph on his desktop. On it, him and his girlfriend, Lily Hawthorne are smiling, locked in a tight embrace.

The room shook with a gentle rumble, caused by the recent arrival of several planes from the Earth Federation. The entire academy was a hotbed of Federation activity, but with the Ball coming up, it had gotten a lot busier. In fact, the academy is a duel enrollment school, offering two set of program paths. The Academic Program and the Cadet Training Program.

Shay scoffed at the notion that combining soldiers and regular students would produce any viable results, yet the school is still in operation. Even with the war looming over its head, the students and cadets went on with their daily lives as much as possible. He was in no place to complain, everyday he tried living to the fullest, determined to fulfill his own obligations until the time came.

With a loud beep, the clock on the desk suddenly came to life. With a swift blow to its top, Shay shut it off before the louder, more annoying screeching sound played. Stuck frozen, the hour hand pointed to the six, and the minute to the thirty. 6:30 PM.

With the war kicking into high gear, students like Shay were regularly conscripted into the army. No, more like pulled into the army. The days of conscription were long past, and the lottery system was put into play to curb any unfair advantage the rich had when told to leave for war. But he didn’t have to worry. He had already failed basic training as a cadet. That was the whole reason why he was even at the academy.

“It’s almost seven. I should hurry before I’m late.”

Shay had decided on a dinner date with his girlfriend at the local campus café. Less a café and more like a student owned restaurant, it had plenty of student chiefs trying to make a name for themselves. When it came to the life of an aspiring Master Chef, nothing was more gratifying than having someone taste your cooking and saying it was the best they ever had. Plus, they had student discounts.

Getting up, Shay hid the letter between two heavy stacks of textbooks. Sealed it by placing his laptop in the exposed center and walked away. If anyone came to inspect his dorm room casually, they wouldn’t find it.

On his coat rack, he picked the light blue jacket that hung limply from its post. It was an easy to recognize jacket, more so because it was an oddity in this era. A discount brand, it had belonged to some famous movie star from the last century. Since they made so many, it was only natural that it’d end up in a thrift shop selling old never worn clothing. Shay had a nicer black jacket, with a sort of clampable choker as part of the collar. It wasn’t needed however. He swore that he would only wear it once he finished with the academy.

#

“Welcome!”

The evening night had played its role. With a giant shine, the moon revealed itself in all its glory, illuminating the world. With a smile, the Maître gave a courteous bow, his well-groomed hair shining. Arm in arm, Shay had arrived with Lily, sporting a nice sleeveless red dress. He in turn had been forced to redress in something slightly nicer.

“Table for two. I have a reservation. Name is Shay Kisaragi.”

The Maître checked his listing on the stand next to him. Polished to a shine, it glowed underneath the yellow lights radiating from the light fixtures on the ceiling. With a nod, the Maître motioned for both to follow.

The table they had been seated at is located near the window on the northern side of the café. They had a nice clear view of the outside, which had been decorated with a great number of rose bushes and a fountain of an angel gazing at the sky.

Shay thought that the view was romantic. He had reserved this exact table several weeks ago, when the talk of the Ball raged at an all time high. Having classes full of girls did have its advantages after all. Picking up his menu, he cast a quick glance at Lily directly across from him. Her long blonde hair had been put up in a neat bun. Catching his eye, she gave him a wink as she perused her own menu.

Gulping, Shay tried to think of non-arousing thoughts as he looked at the main course section of the menu. Honestly, he never had much interaction with girls, and certainly didn’t expect himself to be dating someone from a well-off family. Then again, he also didn’t expect to not be able to look at his own girlfriend. He didn’t even know where to look when she’s in that dress!

Lily had practically forced him into one of her father’s old suits. It was an old style Ermenegildo Zegna, one that had been made during the last century. Perfectly preserved, Shay knew it must have an extremely high price tag and value among high society. He doubted ordinary people back then could casually afford it.

“I’m ready to order. How about you?”

“Same here.”

Everything went smoothly, much to Shay’s relief. In record speed, their dinner had been prepared and then served. In the span of that timeframe, Shay and Lily had spoken about trivial matters. Not long enough to engage into a deep conversation, but the sort that occurs when wanting to entertain one another while waiting.

“Ah, there it is. I can practically smell it from all the way over here.”

Their waiter slowly glided though the cramped closed quarters. Deftly evading other waiters moving to either deliver their load or to fetch more. Shay didn’t envy their job. They worked long hard hours, had to possibly put up with large numbers of entitled people, but they still walked away with decent tips.

“Your meals, sir and madam.”

“Thank you.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

When the plate had been placed in front of Shay, he nearly had a heart attack. The medium rare steak he had ordered, smelled of a thick, rich aroma. One that he had never experienced before. The steak topped with butter and a fine coating of honey made the steaks before in his life seem like counterfeits. As he gingerly cut into it, the melted butter and the juices mixed together, forming a thick gravy that overflowed and merged with the red lobster meat on the side.

Lily on the other hand had ordered something extravagant. Certified Kobe Beef. It was the real deal. Real Kobe Beef, and not just any regular Kobe.

“That’s……”

Shay couldn’t believe his eyes.

“What’s wrong? I thought I would choose something from your home country.

Shay shook his head. The Kobe Beef…. “It’s almost entirely white! That could only mean one thing!” Gulping, Shay returned to his own plate. His own steak paled in comparison with the legendary Kobe Beef on Lily’s plate. However, the steak had to be just as good as well. Taking a bite of his own food, he felt his doubts go away. “Now this is heaven.” The lobster was great as well, certainly not your average meal by any accounts.

And just like that, the rest of the evening melted away. By the time dinner ended, the café had become mostly vacant. A few stragglers sat at their tables, talking about the recent advances Bardone had made on the North American continent. Shay and Lily had taken a seat on the outside veranda, the cool wind blowing from the east.

Walking into the café, General Hawthorne is in full uniform. From head to toe, he looked like the stereotypical general one might see in an army movie. On his chest, several medals hung, shining proudly as the light struck them. He looked over the room, the still present guests shying away as they realized who had just entered.

“May I help you sir?”

The Maître scurried over, not sure whether to bow or shake the General’s hand.

“I’m looking for my daughter. Blonde hair, wearing a red dress.”

“We get a lot of guests that match that description sir.”

“Her boyfriend is of Japanese descent. I’m sure there’s not a lot of Japanese on this base.”

“…… They’re out on the veranda. Shall I show you the way?”

“I can find my way there.”

Stein Kreuger watched as the esteemed general marched away. He could feel the cold sweat rolling down his back as he straightened up. The way the military handled themselves made him like them less and less. With the war going on, a single order from a commanding officer could land a civilian into some big trouble.

However, he had to admit he would rather have the Federation in charge than Bardone. Adjusting his silver rimmed glasses, he left the front to Emilia Lockheart, the only other waitress there. He had enough of serving self-entitled snobs.

General Hawthorne stepped through onto the Veranda. He immediately spotted the two he was looking for. It was quite easy, they were the only ones around after all. As he walked, the wooden boards beneath his shoes creaked, as though protesting his arrival. The couple had their backs turned, facing the fountain and speaking about some utter nonsense about being in love.

“I see you’re having fun there with my daughter, boy.”

With his big burly hands, he placed them on Lily and Shay. One on each shoulder.

Shay’s breath caught in his lungs as the General’s voice boomed throughout the courtyard.

“Let’s have a talk. Shall we?”