Jeffery trailed behind. “So, um… Are you going to Basic Training, too?”

Don sighed. Basic Training. Of course. He should have guessed. “Nope,” he finally answered, “Commander’s.” He heard a low whistle from the other boy. “It’s not that big a deal. I don’t even want to go.”

“Really? Why not?” Jeffery looked up at him; he seemed confused by Don’s answer.

“Because I’d rather go to Basic Training. I want to be a Space Jumper, but my da...” Don shook his head. He couldn’t believe he was explaining himself to a perfect stranger.

“That’s weird,” said Jeffery. “I hate the prospect of fighting. I’d never want to be a Space Jumper. After Basic, my mom says she’s gonna sign me up for future service so I can get into a better school. I mean, I get where she’s coming from. My school is pretty much in the armpit of space. I’d just rather not have to throw myself at the angry hordes of Zarweans to get a good education.”

Don shook his head again. This kid could talk. He could already see the gate ahead. He started to point it out, when Jeffery’s words penetrated. He stopped abruptly, causing Jeffery to run into him.

"You okay?”

“Yeah,” Don affirmed distractedly, a plan was slowly starting to form in his head. It was an incredibly stupid plan, but it was a plan. It was also, just barely, possible that it could work. He stopped and turned to the younger boy. “If there was a chance that you could get out of Basic Training, would you take it?”

“Heck, yeah!”

“Even if it was totally absurd?”

Jeffery thought a minute, then shrugged. “Sure. I mean, what have I got to lose?”

-----

This series is an illustrated, abridged telling of The Young Soldier:  Pursuing Dreams, written by MK Clark.

You can buy the full novel on Amazon www.amazon.com/Pursuing-Dreams-Young-Soldier-Book-ebook/dp/B072516QKC or find out not information at https://mkclarkbooks.com.