Monday I met with the Elder Marines again. I jumped right into it.

  “While you researchers are studying powerhouses of cells or whatever, I want go to Navy school and become Corpsman for my Marines.”

  “You understand the schooling for that is what, three years? Almost all of “your” Marines will have moved on in their careers or lives by then.”

  “They will remember me, and pass word to new Devil Dogs that cat coming back!” This got a laugh.

  “Alright, We can’t get you into that program unless you get a GED and score well enough on the asvab and we can get you a security clearance. The process for that is hard when we can’t contact anyone who has known you longer than a year.”

  “I read little on clearance. It where you make sure I not tell secrets to people who not OK to know, yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “Only people I know are Marines? Who I tell?”

  “While that is a compelling argument, it will be up to the folks who do the reviews for this kind of thing. We can pull some strings, but the powers that be hate it when we do that. If you can get the necessary documents done first then you can go to the school, with some concessions to having access to you for further information. And protection nearby. We’ll work on it.”

  “Also know after serve one year take test for citizen.”

  “Yes, that would need to be part of the process. While we figure out how to dot the I’s and cross the T’s you keep improving your language skills. A large part of serving in the modern military is communicating effectively. You are still having challenges there, I think.”

  “I have a confession to make in that regard.” I sighed. “All our lives, Murenyans who spend time among humans risk their safety or lives to do so. I have continued to speak the way I do because people find it disarming. But I have spent 15 of your years straight in intense and focused learning and also done brain modifications to support those studies. And that was before starting another 10 of your years of combat training, along with the body modifications that went with that. Picking up your language isn’t that hard.”

  All the Marines in the room tensed up.

  “See? This why talk like brain injury. You walk in room with best trained fighter you ever see who carry more weapons than can hold, and go scared when talk right.”

  “What?” asked the Eldest of the Marines.

  I started putting weapons on the table. Knives, swords, a spear, my best shield, bow, staff, scepter, throwing knives, a pair of chakra, Meteor Hammer, and a bladed whip. I had more but I think I proved my point. About halfway through everyone at the table had stood and backed up.

  “God Kos, why you gotta be so extra?” asked Ashley, breaking the mood. “What even is that one?”

  “Whip sword?” I started putting the weapons away. “Not want use that one with no magic. Cut self too much. It much break morale if get squad use right. Very situational.”

  The Marines started sitting back down when I had most of the weapons back in storage.

  “You are not going to be able to take those with you through the training.” said one of the other Marines.

  “So I get to do training!” I clapped my hands.

  “We are getting ahead of ourselves.” admonished the Eldest Marine. “Have you been deceiving everyone these last weeks since we picked you up in Guam?”

  “No, Elder. Ashley knew, and wrote report to her bosses. I ask her not speak of it. Mia know. Givens know, and probably tell commander.”

  “It’s Colonel, not Elder.”

  “Respectul only.” I assured him.

  “Are you talking about the language or the weapons?” asked another Marine.

  “Both?”

  “Kos-Api is actually storing a good amount of my extra weapons and equipment.” Ashley added. “And if we have to call in the Marines, she has a crate of ammunition for them to replenish if they have to shoot their way to us. First time I saw her do it, I thought she had just snuck a very large knife into her clothes, which didn't make sense because the nurses had put her in scrubs and grippy socks.”

  “Most Marines live in barracks see me do it.”

  “Oh God.” exclaimed the youngest of the Elder Marines.

  “I’m going to have words with the Captain.” said the Marine on the other side of the table.

  “No one tell me I no have weapons brought with from Other world. I tell all I am combat doctor.” I shrugged. “Everyone forget that combat mean weapons.”

  “What else do you have secreted away wherever it is you keep this stuff?” asked the Colonel.

  “Living supplies, clothes, books, some food. More weapons, armor. Am Murenyan nomad. Carry everything.”

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  “And do all Murenyan have this secret magic hiding place?”

  “No. Take learned skills and resources to do special carry. Am trained, licenced free-sword and militia auxiliary. Typical Nomad carry less things, old fashioned way. Typical free-sword have resources to have storage.”

  “Alright. As a show of good faith, if you give me your word that you will go into training with empty ah, storage and get your tests done, I will process the paperwork to get you into Navy boot camp.”

  “Compromise. Only have medical supply in storage for camp. Emergency use pack.”

  “And an armor vest.” insisted Ashley.

  “And uniform that fit. Human clothes not account for foot shape, tail, or ears.”

  “Nothing that can be used as a weapon.” pitched the Marine across the table.

  “You go ask Earth Doctor if medical supply can be used for harm.” I scoffed. “If trust, trust. If no trust, no trust. Act good faith.”

  I turned to look at Ashley.

  “That right phrase?”

  “If you do send Kos to boot camp there will still need to be security arrangements. I will be there, and I imagine that the Raiders will fall all over themselves to request whatever that detail ends up becoming.”

  “Ugh, what a clusterfuck.” said the Colonel. “You will need to work out the details with the Navy training command. Not my problem.”

  “I’ll talk to my boss and see if he can make that happen.” Ashley affirmed as she made some notes.

  “I keep study for testing.”

  “Now we need to discuss what you can do for us in the time we have while you get all the foundational things done.” said the Colonel.

  “Am listening.”

  “We have a few theoretical physicists that would like to interview you. We want you to give them a complete breakdown of your understanding of how magic works. If you have any documentation about it, we would like you to start working on translations.”

  “Will give over magic structure tome. Early instructional text. Has lots edge notes. Will record self reading if give better recorder than cell phone. Actual magic learning must be oversee. If get magic work then ability to kill self not on purpose very good. Very.”

  With that we broke up the meeting. During the next week as I studied for the first of the tests I needed to take, several elderly men and women were permitted by the Marines to talk with me about how I perceived the power I used as well as how I used it. I put away the nonsense speech issues during the discussions, but the Marines loved it so I couldn’t bring myself to deny them their fun.

  Over the weekend I took a break and Givens let me sit in on his group session with his storytelling game.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to play?” asked the Marine from the other barracks who was introduced to me as Jordan. He waved a paper at me that looked like he had completed it in advance. “I made a character for you and everything.”

  “You made a Tabaxi Sorcerer Cleric multi class.” Huffed Givens. “I told you that was in poor taste and not to bring it up. But since you did, you get to roll at disadvantage for the rest of the session.”

  “Fuck.”

  “..around and find out.” completed Givens.

  “I would play if things not like they are, but too much to do to be Doc. Next test ass-fab the Eld… er, senior Marines told me take."

  “No, Asvab.” corrected Roberts from the other side of the table that Givens had set up in the middle of his room. “Armed Services Vo… Oh, you are putting us on again, aren’t you?

  I just grinned.

  “She learned everything she needed to take the GED over the course of a week, dork.” reminded Givens. “Where is Tucker? We are burning daylight.”

  “He was picking up pizza.” stated the other new person named Chris as he returned from his car with bags full of potato snacks. “Did they evolve pizza in your world?” he asked me.

  “Evolve pizza?” I teased.

  “You know what I meant.”

  “Never hear of. Not eat anyway.” I made a face.

  “Could you do a gluten free pizza crust?” asked Givens.

  “Not want try. Next always ask “Is bread no gluten?” like some whiney kingdom noble. Blegh. Just not eat bread.”

  Ashley looked up from her book where she was reading with her feet propped up on Givens’s desk. “At least you can still do nachos. I would die without nachos.”

  “Speak of Nachos, gym day tomorrow.” I reminded Ashley.

  “Oh god. OK, fine. I deserve it. I just have to keep reminding myself that I have never looked better.”

  “Are you psychology yourself?”

  “Well, I am going to have to have the Marines spot me tomorrow. I’m going to be in no condition to aim a pistol. Or walk back to the barracks. You really are brutal on the exercise program, Kos.”

  “You lucky you not have old combat instructor I use. He chase with weapon when want you run. He catch, you get beat. Also, I mean say before, please use whole name. Was name after two moon on Other world. Kos and Api. Captivating in night sky.”

  “Wait, wait. You mean to tell us that you were named “Moon Moon”? Asked Jordan with a wicked grin on his face.

  “Why you think that funny?”

  “No. Stop. Jordan, you are going to apologize right now and explain or Kos-Api is going to take you outside. If she does that we aren’t gaming today because you’ll be going to medical.” Givens demanded.

  Jordan did explain the meme.

  “Back in Other home, you mock like that then we punish. One open hand slap with claws bare. You maybe get scars. Carry scars openly so all see you punished. If I do and not regular Murenyan nomad you maybe break jaw, maybe break neck. Now you say “I accept correction from respectable Elder.”, and maybe I not do.”

  “For real?”

  “Are you not remorseful of mocking Elder?” I stood up.

  “Nope nope nope, not doing this. Jordan, last chance before things go super-fubar for you. No cap.” Givens warned with a panicked look on his face.

  “Alright, alright, sorry.”

  “Why you sorry?”

  “I, uh, said something I shouldn’t.”

  “No. You not think respectful thoughts. Words follow mind, are symptom not cause.”

  “I accept correction from respected Elder.” Jordan acceded.

  Gym day was great. I really pushed myself and I got to scare all of the “Gym bros” as Ashley called them. Ashley really pushed herself and was rewarded by being carried out to the car. The Marines in full battle gear at the exits were rewarded by getting to laugh at Ashley. Everyone won.

  Monday Ashley took me to take the first test. The proctor was a little upset about her being in the room, but she agreed to stay by the door and not talk to me during the test after showing him her badge. By the time I had my test results, I was also informed of another impending meeting, and not with the physicists this time.