Hello, my name is Jack.\u00a0 I\u2019ve met a lot of people in my life.\u00a0 Usually, if I don\u2019t like them right away, I never will.\u00a0 If I like them off the bat, I usually always do.\u00a0 Most people are quick to read.\u00a0 The interesting ones are those who I can\u2019t figure out right off the bat.\u00a0 Sometimes I\u2019ll engage them just because I want to know who they are.\u00a0 Sometimes the person I end up meeting improves my faith in the human races.\u00a0 Sometimes they don\u2019t.<\/p>\n
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Jack leaned against a wall, arms and legs crossed, scanning the studio and the studio audience waiting for the show to start.\u00a0 Jasmine and Betty leaned against the wall on either side of him, while Charles and Dorothy did the same on the other side of the small offstage run.\u00a0 Their Dress Whites shown bright in the light spilling off the stage, even though they weren\u2019t all planning to be on the show.\u00a0 They made an impressive sight walking down the halls.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt won\u2019t be much longer,\u201d Charles intoned in a careful manner, keeping his voice low.\u00a0 \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re ready?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI was born<\/em> ready.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles raised a single eyebrow at Jack.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m serious.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t feel comfortable, we can cancel right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo need.\u00a0 The network agreed to the conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles grumped.\u00a0 \u201cAnd then picked her<\/em> for the interview?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cBacking out would look bad for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean I like it.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cMe neither.\u00a0 But seriously, Sir, Betty and Jasmine have prepped me well.\u00a0 I can end the interview whenever I need to without making it look like I\u2019m ending the interview.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles aimed a raised eyebrow in his general direction.\u00a0 \u201cNo holographic monsters I hope?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack returned with an innocent expression.\u00a0 \u201cI have no idea what you mean, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles chuckled again and rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cRight.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure.\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou know base security is still trying to track down whoever did that, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Jasmine emitted a derisive snort.<\/p>\n Jack smiled at his superior officer.\u00a0 \u201cI wish them luck in finding the hacker.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles grunted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll bet you do.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack raised a hand.\u00a0 \u201cScout\u2019s honor, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles raised another eyebrow at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHonest, Chief,\u201d he said with a beaming smile.\u00a0 \u201cWe take Scouting real seriously back home.\u00a0 I\u2019d never<\/em> blaspheme it.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles sighed and rubbed his forehead with one hand.\u00a0 \u201cJust\u2026don\u2019t do anything that would get me woken up,\u201d he finally whispered and aimed a rueful smile at Jack.<\/p>\n \u201cSir!\u00a0 Yes, Sir!\u201d Jack answered with gusto.<\/p>\n The opening music of the Landing Report, the oldest and most prestigious newscast on New Earth, filled the studio, and they turned to the stage.\u00a0 Jack still didn\u2019t know why they wanted to interview a Cowboy.\u00a0 He knew what they said.\u00a0 They wanted to interview one of the Americans who saved New Earth, to get to know who would leave their home to fight out here.\u00a0 They wanted him on the prime time newscast, for everyone in the system to see.<\/p>\n And then they handed the interview to their religion<\/em> consultant rather than one of their main anchors.\u00a0 That<\/em> was what had him confused.\u00a0 And that was why he\u2019d asked Betty and Jasmine to scan the nets for anything he could use on her if he had to.\u00a0 They\u2019d come back with proof that she wasn\u2019t near as holier than thou as she acted.\u00a0 He would keep that in his back pocket, just in case he needed it.\u00a0 But he would work with her as long as she was willing to work with him.\u00a0 He would find how willing she was soon.<\/p>\n The religion consultant, a former contestant in the Miss Universe competitions, walked onto the stage wearing a smile and a suit that accentuated all of her curves while still looking business-like.\u00a0 She had the reputation of a good, clean, Christian girl to maintain after all.\u00a0 She waved at the studio audience and they cheered back as she sat down behind the news desk.\u00a0 She looked at the cameras and the applause faded away with the music, leaving the most prestigious stage on New Earth to her.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for tuning in tonight,\u201d she said in a clear soprano tone that carried through the studio without any need of amplification.\u00a0 It was a beautiful voice actually, one that had done well in the competitions in the past.\u00a0 \u201cI am Faith Hendriks, speaking to you for\u2026the Landing Report, and it is a pleasure to be here, on today of all days.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack had to hand it to her.\u00a0 She did sound real sincere.\u00a0 He wondered if she was putting on an act or not, but couldn\u2019t tell yet.<\/p>\n \u201cOne month ago,\u201d Faith continued, \u201ctwo major war fleets attacked New Earth.\u00a0 Our brave navy destroyed both fleets, with the help of the Peloran,\u201d she said through lusty cheering and applause from the studio audience.\u00a0 \u201cToday we have a guest you will not soon forget!\u00a0 He is a fighter pilot who has faced down the Shang and the Chinese in multiple star systems, and come back looking for more to kill,\u201d she announced and the cheering erupted again.\u00a0 \u201cHe is\u2026a real American Cowboy!\u201d<\/p>\n Jasmine and Betty rolled their eyes.\u00a0 Jack just chuckled at the campy introduction, tipped his cowboy hat towards them, and walked out onto the stage with a jaunty gait, a beaming smile, and a waving hand.\u00a0 The studio audience ate it up and their applause followed him all the way to the desk.\u00a0 He placed a hand on the chair and smiled at Faith.\u00a0 \u201cMay I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d she returned in a whisper and waved for him to take the chair.\u00a0 As he sat down, she returned her focus to the cameras and the studio audience.\u00a0 \u201cIt is my pleasure to introduce you to Captain Jack\u2026\u201d she paused as she squinted at the teleprompter and blushed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026how do<\/em> you pronounce your last name?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled at her, wondering why she\u2019d not taken the time to learn that behind his mask.\u00a0 \u201cThe way it\u2019s spelt, Ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0 He turned his smile on the audience.\u00a0 \u201cMy momma always taught me to help people sound it out.\u201d\u00a0 His smile turned humorous.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if I learned one thing, it\u2019s to listen to my momma,\u201d he finished with a chuckle.\u00a0 The studio audience laughed and applauded him and he could see he had captured them.\u00a0 They liked him.\u00a0 That would be worth a lot if he needed it.<\/p>\n Faith looked at the prompter again for nearly second before looking back to him.\u00a0 \u201cCan I just call you Jack?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack\u2019s smile grew and he rubbed his chin with a thumb.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if we\u2019re going for Christian<\/em> names, can I call you Faith<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n Faith chuckled and shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI wish I could tell you that you\u2019re the first to ask me that question.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack winked at her.\u00a0 \u201cOld joke?\u201d<\/p>\n Faith sighed in response.\u00a0 \u201cAs old as I am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d he whispered, emoting the perfect slice of surprise for the audience.\u00a0 \u201cA very young<\/em> joke then,\u201d Jack said with another wink and the audience laughed again.<\/p>\n Faith just shook her head and gave him a demure smile.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack spread his hands out wide and shrugged as if he spoke nothing but the truth.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, enough about me,\u201d she said with a self-effacing smile towards the audience.\u00a0 \u201cI would love<\/em> to know what you think of New Earth.\u00a0 Is this your first time here?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack laughed.\u00a0 \u201cOh yes.\u00a0 First time.\u00a0 And let me tell you, my muscles ache every night what with this crazy gravity,\u201d he said towards the audience with a wink and an affected old-man slump.\u00a0 They laughed back as he knew they would.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019m still<\/em> learning how to drink your air here,\u201d he added and feigned an attempt to catch his breath.\u00a0 The audience\u2019s laughter redoubled at his antics.\u00a0 \u201cSeriously, you are real supermen here,\u201d he finished and the audience applauded his appreciation.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, New Earth is no place for the weak of heart,\u201d Faith said, trying to bring the interview back under control.\u00a0 Then her smile grew.\u00a0 \u201cAnd speaking of hearts, I understand you\u2019ve found someone special<\/em> here on New Earth.\u00a0 I would love<\/em> to know who this mystery girl is,\u201d Faith gushed.<\/p>\n Jack held his smile in place, but the urge to do something very ungentlemanly filled him for an instant.\u00a0 He had no intention of bringing Samantha into this, especially considering their last date.\u00a0 And it wasn\u2019t like she was really a mystery either.\u00a0 Everybody on the campus knew them.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m very sorry,\u201d he said to Faith before turning to the audience again with a large smile.\u00a0 \u201cBut I can not<\/em> comment on that rumor.\u00a0 I learned long ago to never<\/em> kiss and tell,\u201d he added and waggled his eyebrows towards them.\u00a0 They laughed and he turned back to Faith with a smile on his face, inviting her to move on to her next question.<\/p>\n \u201cHow very gentlemanly of you,\u201d she answered his smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure she appreciates that.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack answered with a simple shrug and a wave of one hand just to keep things moving.<\/p>\n Faith took in a deep breath and filled the silence quickly.\u00a0 \u201cWell, as I said, it truly is<\/em> an honor to have you here, especially as it is one of the last days you can be here.\u00a0 I understand that your squadron is shipping out to War again.\u00a0 What can you tell me about what you\u2019ve been doing to get ready?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack kept his eyes wide and friendly by force of will alone.\u00a0 She\u2019d just broken the agreements wide open.\u00a0 He wondered what the network was thinking with this, but he held his smile and answered gamely.\u00a0 \u201cWell, as to that, Ma\u2019am, I can not speak.\u00a0 What with The War and all, I can\u2019t really discuss military maneuvers.\u00a0 \u2018Loose lips sink ships,\u2019 right?\u201d he asked the audience and they gave him a round of approving claps.<\/p>\n She seemed chastened by that comment.\u00a0 \u201cOf course.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 Can you tell us how you got here?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled, back on ground he was willing to answer.\u00a0 \u201cWell, it\u2019s no secret that we were chasing that Chinese fleet that hit you back before New Years.\u00a0 Your navy was doing a real good job of holding them off.\u00a0 It was our pleasure to give all those brave sailors a helping hand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you\u2019re being too modest.\u00a0 The way I hear it, your fleet broke the back of the Chinese navy.\u00a0 I understand the Cowboys destroyed a naval squadron on your own in hyperspace, an impressive feet I must say.\u201d<\/p>\n And just like that, she dove back into detailed military information.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Ma\u2019am, I of course can\u2019t comment on that.\u00a0 Military maneuvers during Wartime and all that,\u201d he said with a glance towards the audience.\u00a0 They mumbled in support, aiming uncomfortable looks her way.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, of course,\u201d Faith said, mollifying the audience with her practiced smile.\u00a0 \u201cBut isn\u2019t that how you got your second cyber?\u00a0 Her pilot died in that battle, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled and decided it was time to redirect her with a half-answer.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Ma\u2019am, as to that, no pilot ever gets<\/em> a cyber.\u00a0 Fighter pilots are lucky enough to be chosen<\/em> by a cyber who wants to be our partner.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith smiled and pounced on his answer.\u00a0 \u201cAnd here you are, lucky enough to have been chosen by two<\/em> cybers,\u201d she said with a wave of her hand towards where Jasmine and Betty stood on the wings.\u00a0 \u201cHow do<\/em> you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack leaned back into his chair and aimed a smile at the audience.\u00a0 \u201cClean living and a healthy conscience,\u201d he announced with a self-deprecating wave of a hand.<\/p>\n The studio audience laughed at him.<\/p>\n He turned back to Faith to see a faint glare on her face.\u00a0 She hid it well, but he could see the signs.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t like how he continued to avoid her questions.\u00a0 He smiled back at her, showing that he was perfectly happy to answer any question that didn\u2019t cross the lines.<\/p>\n She responded quickly.\u00a0 \u201cSo what\u2019s it like having two cybers?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sighed and turned to look at Betty and Jasmine on the wings.\u00a0 They cocked their heads to the side, intensely interested in his response.\u00a0 He smiled, sucked in a deep breath, and turned back to Faith.\u00a0 \u201cHave you ever had a friend who you could talk to about anything or anybody on all the worlds?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A friend you can trust without hesitation, who will stand with you no matter what?\u00a0 Someone who will join you in a ridicules practical joke on another friend right here, or a damn fool idealistic crusade on the other side of the known galaxy?\u00a0 One who will never lie to you, who sees who you really are, all your strengths and your weaknesses, and who still has your back no matter what?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack cleared his throat, realizing he\u2019d gone on a bit more than he planned.\u00a0 He scanned the studio audience, sitting in utter silence, and realized he\u2019d hit a chord with them.\u00a0 He looked at Faith and saw in her eyes that she would never answer his question.\u00a0 Her smile held, and most people would just see her waiting for him to continue, but he could see he\u2019d hit her.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t have a friend like that.\u00a0 In that moment, he pitied her.<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s who a cyber is.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to the audience with a mischievous wink.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve heard it said that a friend smiles and tries to talk us out of getting into dangerous situations.\u00a0 A best<\/em> friend skips along beside us with a baseball bat, singing \u2018someone\u2019s gonna get it,\u2019\u201d he finished in a sing-song child\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n Jack paused for the audience\u2019s laughter and turned to look at Jasmine and Betty again.\u00a0 They smiled back and he knew he\u2019d calculated correctly.\u00a0 He looked at the audience again and shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cAnd that\u2019s what they are.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith aimed a pleased smile at him, but he caught the glint of something in her eyes that suggested\u2026a hunter.\u00a0 \u201cIt sounds like you\u2019re saying they\u2019re the best thing that ever happened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack paused a moment, wondering where she was going with that question.\u00a0 It seemed\u2026aimed at something.\u00a0 A part of him wanted to stop right there and then, end the interview and get out, but he had to keep playing to the studio audience while he figured out what her game was.\u00a0 \u201cWell, it\u2019s the people we connect with that make our lives amazing, that make us the best we can be.\u201d\u00a0 Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAssuming they\u2019ve got our best interests at heart of course.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith nodded in approval.\u00a0 \u201cThat is the important question.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack saw the shift behind her eyes and knew she\u2019d gotten wherever she wanted to be.<\/p>\n Faith turned to the audience with a calm smile.\u00a0 \u201cTo those of you who watch my show, you know that whenever I interview someone, I always like to ask what faith they follow.\u00a0 Our faiths motivate us after all.\u201d\u00a0 She turned back to Jack and he believed he understood what an antelope felt when a lion licked its lips in his general direction.\u00a0 \u201cWho do you believe has your best interests at heart, Jack?\u00a0 What faith motivates you to do what you do?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack licked his lips at the question.\u00a0 He tried not to think about that kind of stuff.\u00a0 But he\u2019d expected that question from here so had come mostly prepared.\u00a0 \u201cWell, my parents were holy rollers.\u00a0 They believed that God did miracles and talked to us and everything.\u00a0 We went to all those churches where people dance in the aisles and shout alleluias and all that.\u00a0 I met a lot of nice people in those places.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith cocked her head in interest.\u00a0 \u201cAnd is that what you<\/em> believe?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 You see, I believe that a lot of the people were more interested in the \u2018Thou shalt not\u2019 parts of the Bible than they were in the \u2018Thou shalt do\u2019 bits.\u201d\u00a0 Jack shook his head and winked at her.\u00a0 \u201cHonestly, I like doin\u2019 a lot more than not.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith frowned and considered his words for a few seconds before asking her next question\u00a0 \u201cSo, have you walked away from your parents\u2019 faith?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shook his head again.\u00a0 \u201cNot really.\u00a0 We just had a disagreement in priorities.\u00a0 My<\/em> priority was doin\u2019 to others as I\u2019d want them doin\u2019 to me.\u00a0 For too many people, religion is about what not<\/em> to do.\u00a0 I never did react well to being told what not to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cHowever did you survive your first drill sergeant?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, as to that, me and the Gunny came to a mutually beneficial arrangement.\u201d\u00a0 At her surprised looked he waggled his eyebrows.\u00a0 \u201cI<\/em> accepted that the Gunny was always right, and he<\/em> let me live.\u201d<\/p>\n They laughed together, and the audience joined in.\u00a0 He noticed the loudest laughter coming from a group of military men in one corner.\u00a0 It was good to have someone on his side here.<\/p>\n Faith sighed and leaned in towards him.\u00a0 \u201cAnd from those humble beginnings, you became a Cowboy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe did good with those of us willing to listen.\u201d\u00a0 Jack spread both arms out wide and cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cWhich I suppose even I<\/em> can be once you wack me enough times.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith looked at him as if she was actually interested in him for once.\u00a0 \u201cWould you mind telling us how you became a Cowboy?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack leaned back and considered the question for a moment before answering.\u00a0 \u201cWell, after the Gunny proclaimed me capable of pulling my own boots on without adult supervision, I got sent down to Texas, one of the main locations where we were being trained up to military levels.\u201d<\/p>\n There was that look of genuine interest again.\u00a0 \u201cBy \u2018we\u2019 you mean the Ageless that were just volunteering after Yosemite?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 Most of us had never really fought for real.\u00a0 We had everything from accountants to tour<\/em> guides in my class.\u201d\u00a0 Jack spread his arms out wide again and winked again.\u00a0 \u201cAnd some partiers too.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith shook her head with a rueful smile.\u00a0 \u201cNever underestimate the partiers, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThey can be real scary when you spill their beers.\u201d<\/p>\n She paused again, considering him for a moment before asking.\u00a0 \u201cDid you expect to be in a famous fighter squadron?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack rubbed his chin in thought for a few moments.\u00a0 \u201cYes and no.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith looked confused.\u00a0 \u201cWhy both?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cOn the one side, we\u2019re Ageless.\u00a0 Better reflexes go with the territory.\u00a0 But loath as I am to admit it, fighting is a lot more about knowing<\/em> how to fight than it is just about speed.\u00a0 A bunch of us just couldn\u2019t make the shift from whatever we were before to being a marine.\u00a0 But those of us who could<\/em> learn got a chance to fly, though most of us got sent to reactivating reserve squadrons.\u00a0 The military in general didn\u2019t think we were really up to a real War.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith actually looked outraged at the statement.\u00a0 \u201cBut you\u2019re one of the best squadrons!\u201d<\/p>\n Jack laughed again.\u00a0 \u201cMost of us were on our second month since we volunteered.\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cOh, we\u2019d done boot camp and we\u2019d been through an insanely fast class on basic space fighting and how to work with cybers and stuff.\u00a0 But you have to understand that before The War the military spent two years<\/em> training pilots, at least<\/em>.\u00a0 Only two<\/em> of us were combat veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith looked down at the notes on her desk.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean Colonel Johanson and Major Randalf?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n She returned her gaze to him, really curious again.\u00a0 \u201cThey weren\u2019t Ageless, were they?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 They knew how to fight, and fight well, and they knew how to train us well.\u00a0 They drilled us hard, and we learned how to fly the rivets off those Avengers under them.\u00a0 They got us into shape and when it came time they got us into position to do amazing<\/em> things.\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded as she began to understand something that had passed her by before.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re referring to Fort Wichita.\u00a0 They died leading you into battle to save the Peloran squadron, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re the heroes.\u00a0 We just did what they taught us and we survived.\u00a0 The rest was\u2026well it was an impressive battle.\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced down at her notes again.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I hear that the Constellation<\/em> is still undergoing repairs after that one.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack cleared his throat, working hard to keep his eyes from flashing in anger.\u00a0 Once again she was talking about military deployments.\u00a0 Looking her in the eyes, he knew she understood.\u00a0 She was doing it on purpose, but this time she had the presence of mind to look regretful.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Ma\u2019am, I can\u2019t really say anything about that of course.\u00a0 What with The War going on and all.\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded in understanding.\u00a0 \u201cOf course.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 What can<\/em> you say about the carrier you served on for\u2026how many months was it again?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled and decided to avoid the question with grace.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Ma\u2019am, Connie\u2019s a real amazing lady.\u00a0 She\u2019s a beautiful ship and I love her.\u00a0 She always made me feel welcome on her decks.\u00a0 It was a pleasure to serve on her, and I hope when she sees this that she knows how much I miss her.\u00a0 She was the first place that ever felt like home to me after Yosemite.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith smiled in understanding and he thought he caught a part of her sense changing.\u00a0 \u201cHow many homes have you had in your life?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack returned her smile.\u00a0 \u201cFew enough that I treasure each one.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith laughed with good grace, accepting that she wasn\u2019t going to get an answer there either.\u00a0 \u201cOK.\u00a0 So what\u2019s it like growing up Ageless?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shrugged and rubbed his chin.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we don\u2019t actually grow up Ageless.\u00a0 There\u2019s no way that we\u2019ve found to tell if someone is going to stop aging or not.\u00a0 We grow up like anybody else, go to school like anybody else, and get jobs like anybody else.\u00a0 Though we have<\/em> found some traits that most<\/em> Ageless share.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith paused for a moment, and Jack could tell he\u2019d derailed her from what she\u2019d been planning to ask.\u00a0 \u201cWhat traits?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we\u2019re kinda special, in ways that parents really hoped we wouldn\u2019t be in the past.\u00a0 We often see things other people can\u2019t see, or do things other people don\u2019t do.\u00a0 Sometimes we\u2019re just a bit hyper, sometimes we\u2019re the kid who has a compulsion to turn left the same number of times they turn right, and sometimes we see the things that go bump in the night.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith frowned.\u00a0 \u201cThings that go bump in the night?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThe monster under the bed, or in the closet.\u00a0 The spirit that keeps opening and shutting the doors in the house.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith cocked her head to the side.\u00a0 \u201cSo you believe in ghosts?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d\u00a0 Jack glanced over at one of the speakers on the stage and pointed at it.\u00a0 He blinked, focused, and clicked his tongue a few times.\u00a0 He saw the particles in the air shift as the sound waves coming from the speakers hammered them, and for just a moment he saw the actual waves themselves.\u00a0 Then he blinked and they were gone again.\u00a0 He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know<\/em> what I believe,\u201d he said in a soft tone.\u00a0 \u201cBut I know this.\u00a0 Back in the old days, the people in charge pumped us full of drugs so we could be \u2018normal\u2019 and not see the things they couldn\u2019t see.\u00a0 But then we couldn\u2019t think anymore.\u00a0 They would send us off to asylums if we didn\u2019t stop seeing or hearing things they couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 Now we get treatments and training to help us handle the stuff we don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith stared at him, looking like she was afraid to ask the next question.\u00a0 \u201cDo you still see or hear things that we don\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled and gave her a wide smile.\u00a0 \u201cEvery time I get into a fighter, I see something most people never see.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and turned to the studio audience, seeing that they were breathless, waiting for his answer.\u00a0 \u201cSpace.\u00a0 Freedom,\u201d he finished and saw amusement run through it.\u00a0 And agreement.\u00a0 And some disappointment.\u00a0 Some had wanted him to stick to his guns.<\/p>\n Faith stared at him and in her eyes he saw a question that she thought would hurt him badly.\u00a0 She blinked, pushed the question away, and shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cAre you going to answer my question?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack scanned her, interested by what he saw in her stance.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t feel as assured of her position as she had when the interview started.\u00a0 But he didn\u2019t know what she wanted.\u00a0 She met his gaze with eyes that looked uncertain for the first time.\u00a0 He let out a short breath, pushed his chair back, and rose to his feet in a fluid motion.\u00a0 He stepped over towards her and held a hand out.<\/p>\n She gave him a confused look, but raised a hand to his.\u00a0 He pulled her up, raised a hand to cover his lips, and whispered into one ear as she came to her feet.\u00a0 \u201cDo you really want to know the answer to that question, or are you just looking for ammunition to use against me for whoever pulled the strings to get you this interview?\u201d<\/p>\n He stepped back with a grand gallant gesture for the crowd, grabbing their attention and giving her a second to respond.\u00a0 He kept an eye on her, watching shock and worry running through her eyes.\u00a0 Her face kept her perfect smile and she moved with him naturally, the perfect actor that kept anyone else from seeing that it wasn\u2019t real.\u00a0 But he could tell he\u2019d hit a nerve, he\u2019d found something close to the truth.<\/p>\n Finally, she answered his question in a whisper so low even he<\/em> almost missed it.\u00a0 \u201cI want to know,\u201d she said out of unmoving lips.\u00a0 Her eyes met his gaze and for the first time in the entire interview, he truly and completely believed what she said.\u00a0 He breathed in, breathed out, and decided that he didn\u2019t need to destroy her career after all.<\/p>\n He smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cMa\u2019am, I will never answer that question on a first date.\u00a0 Or interview,\u201d he added as the studio audience laughed at her shocked expression.<\/p>\n \u201cWell played,\u201d she whispered under her breath, her eyes looking at him in approval.\u00a0 Then she turned to the studio audience with her blazing smile.\u00a0 \u201cThen we\u2019re just going to have to bring him back for another interview, don\u2019t you think?\u201d she asked and the audience applauded and cheered.<\/p>\n Jack smiled back at them and tipped his hat, acknowledging their approval.\u00a0 He\u2019d been expecting to win the audience and maybe have to destroy the interviewer.\u00a0 He looked down at Faith with a smile.\u00a0 He\u2019d never expected this<\/em> outcome.\u00a0 There was more to her than just what met the eye.\u00a0 That would be a very good thing in the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hello, my name is Jack.\u00a0 I\u2019ve met a lot of people in my life.\u00a0 Usually, if I don\u2019t like them right away, I never will.\u00a0 If I like them off the bat, I usually always do.\u00a0 Most people are quick[…]↓ Read the rest of this 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