From Boys to Men

[Israeli Toa]

Author's Note: Hello, dear friends!  This is a bit of a throwback...indeed, this is an epic that was first written and posted 2002-2004.  That's...quite some time ago.  Well, as BZP has gone through many changes, one of them being the loss of all old topics and stories from back in the day, this story no longer exists on the current site.  I thought it might be fun to re-post this, even though I do have some hesitations, namely that it was written oh so long ago!  I cringe a bit at some of my writing from back then, but I do feel this is a good story and one I still enjoy reading back over.  I do ask that if you decide to read this, be aware it takes some five to six chapters before my writing style smooths out a bit!  I deliberately am not re-writing this, or even editing it from its original state.  If I committed to that task, this would most likely never see the light of day.  Hence - enjoy this for what it is - an epic written by a fifteen-year-old boy yearning to be a man.  Be aware also that this epic is unfinished, although I hope the 20 or so chapters I post here make it worth your while!  Any comments appreciated in the review topic as always.  And...thanks for reading this.  The only reason this epic progressed as far as it did is because of the readers and friends I had back in the day here on BZP.  They are no longer here(most of them!), but I want to give a special thanks to Nova Nuhvok, Schizo Kaita, Hahli Husky, Kirilin Toa of Trees, xccj, Matanuihero and GaliGee.  To all others that I've not named, my thanks are to you as well, although my memory is not what it once was!!  And now to end this rather overlong introduction...without further ado...

 

 

FROM BOYS TO MEN

The Story of a Ta-Matoran Guard

 

 

CHAPTER 1

 

Tahpuka was tired.  After running a 10 bio dash, repeatedly throwing discs in the target range, and doing 200 push-ups, he was ready for a nap.  But no, Jala had still MORE for them to do.

"Ok, cadets, each of you are going to take a station at a guard post and stay there, alert, for 2 hours."

Everybody groaned as they took that in.

"WHAT!" said Tahpuka's best friend Ruha.  "Two HOURS!"

"Shh!" said Tahpuka, "You don't want Jala to hear you do, you?"

"No, but sheesh, that's too much!  Doesn't he know what we've already done?"

"QUIET!" barked Jala, "Now, I will assign posts, when I say your name, go to your post and stay there until I come to you to relieve you.  Here are your assignments: Post #1: Talihu, Post #2: Ruha..."

"Man!  I don't want Post #2!  Dumb Jala!" mumbled Ruha as he walked to his post.

"Post #5: Vaku, Post #6: Tenihua, Post #7: Tahpuka..."

Well, at least I get a fun post; the Ko-Koro cable car posts are easy, and I'll get to be with someone else.

 

Tahpuka went out the main gate, went up the steep stairs and stepped onto the plateau with the cable-car.  He stepped right up to the cable car and started marching back and forth.  I just hope I don't fall asleep.  That would be bad.  Wonder who else is assigned here...His thoughts trailed off as he saw a Matoran wearing a red Miru step up onto the cable car plateau.

"Hey, TahPUKa," smirked Lhiti, the grandson of the famous Ta-Koronan lava surfer, Lhii.

"Oh, hi, Lhiti."

"Isn't this awesome?  We get to be TOGETHER!  We'll have lots of fun, won't we?"

"C'mon, Lhiti, you know we can't talk, we have to remain in guarding position!"

"Aw, don't be a goody-two-shoes.  It doesn't matter."

Tahpuka firmly shut his mouth and continued to walk back and forth.

"You're just trying to kiss up to Jala, aren't you?  We're just cadets.  It doesn't matter if we break the rules.  Aw be that way!  I won't talk to you either."

This is harder than I thought.  I thought guarding was easy.  Well, I'll show that snobby Lhiti that I can be just as good as he is.  I just hope Ruha isn't getting into trouble with that big mouth of his.

 

 

"So, Jala, what do you think?  Does this new batch look promising?"

"Well, Turaga, I think this may be the best I've ever trained.  I have three in particular I'm keeping my eye on.  One called Kapura, he may be the most trainable I've ever seen.  I'm already getting a special program ready for him."

"Just for him?" said Vakama, Turaga of Ta-Koro, "Are you sure that's wise?  Some of the other Ta-Matoran may grudge him that."

"He's VERY good.  I don't think he can be bothered by anything.  I would like if you can teach him a little of what you know.  It's possible for him to be your successor."

"I trust your judgment, Jala; I'll try to help him.  What about the other two?"

"There's one called Tahpuka, he doesn't look very good, physically, but he has a strong heart.  He will go far."

"Ah, yes, I know his mother.  His father was under me when I was Captain; he was a brave man."

Jala continued, "And the other is Lhiti-"

"The grandson of Lhii?"

"Yes, Turaga.  He is very able in all he does, disc-throwing, running, etc., but he has a bit of an attitude problem.  I will see if I can cure him of that, because he may be the best warrior I have."

"Good, Jala.  I know you, you will make men of these boys."

"Yes, Turaga.  When I am done with them, they will make Ta-Koro proud."

 

Review here!

Edited October 10, 2016 by Israeli Toa

[Israeli Toa]

CHAPTER 2

 

Marching back and forth, Tahpuka watched out of the corner of his eye as the golden fire of the sun descended on the faraway peak of Mount Ihu.  Only a little longer, and I'll be done.  At least Lhiti finally shut up...

"Cadets Tahpuka and Lhiti!  You are relieved!  Go to the barracks and wait for further instructions!" Jala turned around and marched back down the stairs as another Tohunga, one wearing a red Miru, stepped up to them.

"Hello, father," said Lhiti, walking past him to the stairs.  Tahpuka followed him, and as soon as they were out of earshot of Lhiti's father, Lhiti said, "You know, I bet Jala thinks I'm the best prospect in the Guard, don't you?"

"Maybe, Lhiti, because you sure did look impressive today, but physical condition isn't the only thing Jala looks for."

They walked past the guard at the main gate and started over the bridge.

"Yeah, yeah," muttered Lhiti, "You're probably going to tell me that all he cares about is the inside.  Awww..."

"Shut up."

"Oh, yeah?  Make me!" Lhiti said, leering at Tahpuka.  "Make me!" Lhiti said again.  "Oh, c'mon, you aren't going to give me the silent treatment again, are you?  Forget you!"  Lhiti stalked off towards the barracks.

Why does Lhiti always have to be that way, Tahpuka thought, if he would just be nicer, I think we'd be great friends...Oh, there's my hut!  Never mind...I forgot already...I wonder if I'll see Mother as I go by...

As he turned left and walked by what had been his hut that morning, Tahpuka craned his neck to look inside.  There's Mother, making dinner as always.  Chili, I bet.  Talu will probably get home from school soon...What's the matter with me?  I can't be getting homesick already!

Tahpuka sighed and then walked past the rest of the gray huts into the barrack compound - the heart of the Guard.

 

Before he went inside, he stared up at the hut looming over him, the Guard Assembly Hut.  He'd dreamed of being in that building since he...since his father had...a long time ago.  And now, he was actually going to be in it; he would be included in the ranks of the heroes he'd emulated for as long as he could remember.

 

Tahpuka squared his black shoulders and marched inside.

"Tahpuka!  Hey, over here!"  That's Ruha!!  Where is he?  Oh, there.

Tahpuka squeezed past some of his other friends, trying to get to Ruha.

"Hey, Ruha!  How are you?"

"Oh, better than I should be," Ruha said, rolling his eyes.  "Just yesterday, if I'd known what I was going to do today, I probably would have fainted just from thinking about it!"

"Sure...Ruha, you are the fainting type, aren't you?"

"Yep, that's me, all right!" Ruha said, trying to keep a straight face.

"So," Tahpuka said, "You had the perimeter post, right?"

"Yeah, it was SO boring," said Ruha, rolling his eyes.  "I barely saw a soul!  Just staring at all the huts over and over and over...Oh man, you're definitely lucky you didn't have my post."

"Oh, yeah?  I had to guard at the cable car to Ko-Koro...with Lhiti."  At that, Ruha burst out laughing.  "C'mon, Ruha, it isn't funny!"

"Oh, I know, it's just the way you said it, you really crack me up!  Boy, you're right though, I think I would have fainted if I was with Lhiti for TWO hours!  Actually, I wouldn't have...I would've punched him right in the middle of his shining little Miru."

"You know, I bet he would love it if I did that, Ruha.  He was practically begging me to fight him.  It was tempting, but..."

"YOU?  Shy little Tahpuka start a fight?  You've got to be kidding me!" Ruha cracked up again.

"Ok, that's enough, Ruha.  Let's just not talk about Lhiti, ok?"

"Sure, buddy.  Hey, do you know what we're even waiting here for?"

"No, but I bet Jala wants to talk to us or something."

"Boring.  Hey, Tahpuka, what about dinner?  I am SO starved!"

"Yeah, me too.  I could really go for some chili right now.  Since there aren't any tables here or anything, we're probably not eating here.  Maybe we get to eat in our huts."

"Grrr...I want to eat now!  We better get to eat soon or I-"

 

"ATTENTION, CADETS!" Jala stood at the back of the hut, looking over the rows of young faces.  As he started walking forward, a path cleared in front of him, and he made his way to the front of the room.  He turned around and began to speak, "Cadets, I know you're all hungry, so I'll be brief.  I just want to say that I'm proud of your performance today.  I saw that every one of you was putting his all into everything we did, whether marching at guard posts, doing push-ups, or throwing discs.  I know you won't be used to the way we do things here, but you will learn, trust me, you'll learn.  And if you don't, then I have failed.  I've never had a Tohunga drop out in my whole career, so I don't expect you to either.  So, now to business.  I just posted up your hut assignments in the back of the hut.  Now, don't start running over there to see.  You will stay in your position until I dismiss you.  After I do, check out your hut assignment, and then go immediately to that hut.  Dinner will be served to you tonight, but after tonight, you will be making your own dinner.  Sleep well, because you will need it.  Dismissed!"

 

Everybody immediately got up and rushed over to the back of the hut to see the rooming assignments.  Ruha got ahead of Tahpuka and pushed to the front. "Hey, Tahpuka!  I'm in Hut number 2!  Let's see...you're in...Hut number 8...oooo...you're with Lhiti!"

Tahpuka grimaced.  "You're kidding...right?"

"Sorry, buddy...but you're stuck with him," Ruha said mournfully.  

Tahpuka saw Lhiti making his way over to him.  "HEY!  TAHPUKA!  We're together!  Isn't that so COOL?"  Lhiti stood next to Tahpuka and said, "Now we'll be best buddies.  I can teach you all my cool surfing moves and everything!  We'll have lots of fun!"

 

As everybody started to drift out of the Guard Assembly Hut, Tahpuka saw Ruha walking with Tenihua, a Tohunga Tahpuka didn't know very well.  Ruha met Tahpuka's gaze and rolled his eyes and mouthed, "Good luck!"

 

Good luck all right.  I'll need it.

 

Then he followed Lhiti out into the blackness of the warm Ta-Koronan night.

 

Review

Edited October 10, 2016 by Israeli Toa

[Israeli Toa]

CHAPTER 3

 

Tahpuka awoke to a loud clanging noise, still half-asleep.  Huh?  What's that?

"TahPUKa!  Rise and shine!" Lhiti yelled, right in Tahpuka's ear.  "Jala's going to be MAD!  You'd better get up right now or you'll be in BIG trouble!"

Tahpuka groaned.  "Lhiti, be quiet will you?  I'm getting up, ok?"

"You'd better be.  I'm making breakfast, and it'll be done soon!"

"Why did you wake up so early, anyway?  The wake-up call just sounded."

"Oh," Lhiti said, "I just felt like it.  I knew someone had to make breakfast and it might as well be me!  And you obviously weren't getting up."

 

Tahpuka slowly raised his head from the bed and looked around.  Next to his bed was a small table and oven, and across the hut was Lhiti's bed.  Tahpuka grabbed his Kanohi from the table and put it on.

 

"So, Lhiti, what's for breakfast?"

Lhiti looked up from the oven, "What?" he said in mock surprise, "You can't smell it?  I'm so hurt!"

"Lhiti, really.  Just tell me."

"Oh, ok, I'm making Husi eggs and Mukau sausage.  I'm a REALLY good cook, too, just in case you don't know!"

"Yeah?  I never would have guessed," Tahpuka said sarcastically.  He stepped over to the table, and Lhiti slapped a plate in front of him.  "Thanks, Lhiti."

"Oh, no problem; I do LOVE to cook," Lhiti said, winking at Tahpuka.  He moved away from the stove and sat down across from Tahpuka.

 

Tahpuka chewed slowly, thinking, Hey, he actually is a pretty good cook.  Not that I'm going to tell him that!  Heh, heh; his ego would probably explode if I gave him a compliment!  But, I should try to make friends with him.  Like Mother always says, "The more friends you have, the less enemies."  Well, here goes nothing.

 

"Hey, Lhiti, these eggs are good!  What else can you make?"

Lhiti gave Tahpuka a surprised smile, "Well, thanks, I can make lots of things, but my favorite is chili.  I can make a REALLY awesome chili!  I'll make it for you sometime!"

"Yeah, that'd be cool; I love chili to-"

 

He was cut off by the bell, "CLANG, CLING, CLANG, CLING, CLANG, CLING, CLANG!"

Tahpuka shot Lhiti a questioning glance.  "What does that mean?  Are we supposed to do something?"

"Probably.  Maybe we're supposed to go to the Assembly Hut!"

Tahpuka felt relieved.  "Yeah, that must be it.  C'mon, we don't want to be late!"

 

They rushed out of the compound, got their bearings, and then made straight for the Guard Assembly Hut, in the middle of the compound.  Lhiti walked in first, followed by Tahpuka.  Tahpuka looked around and saw that it was already full, but he didn't see Ruha or any of his other friends in there.

"Hey, Lhiti, I don't see anybody we know."

"Aw, that doesn't matter.  They're here somewhere."  Lhiti grabbed Tahpuka by the arm and pulled him to a couple empty spaces.

The Ta-Koronan standing next to them, wearing a yellow Kakama, stared at them.  "Hey, kids, this is the third year class.  Get out of here."

Tahpuka glared at Lhiti, "I told you so."  

Lhiti, looking sheepish, got up, followed by Tahpuka, and walked out the door.  "Whoops, my mistake!  Sorry!  C'mon, you don't have to get mad!  It's not my fault!"

Tahpuka shook his head.  "Sure, sure..."

"Whatever!  Really, we need to find out where to go.  Maybe...oh I don't know!  Help me out here, Tahpuka!"

"Well," said Tahpuka thoughtfully, "Probably, if we're not meeting in the Guard Assembly Hut, maybe we're in another assembly hut."

"But we don't know where another one IS!" said Lhiti frantically.

"Think logically, Lhiti, assembly huts would have to be big, so let's find the next biggest hut..."

"Gotcha!"

 

Together, they dashed across the square, looking all around them.  "THERE!" shouted Lhiti, "I see a big one right there!"

"Ok, let's check it out!," Tahpuka said calmly.

"Well, hurry up, then, Tahpuka!  We don't want to be late!"  Lhiti broke into a run toward the hut.  

Tahpuka shook his head and followed him.  By the time Tahpuka arrived at the hut entrance, Lhiti was gone.  Man, why does he have to be that way?  Why couldn't he have just waited for me?

 

Tahpuka slowly walked into the hut and looked around.

"Finally!" said a familiar voice.

"Lhiti?" questioned Tahpuka, turning to his right.

Standing there was Lhiti, a frown on his face.  "C'mon, Tahpuka, I was waiting FOREVER for you!  You are SO slow!  You were right, this is where we're supposed to meet.  Let's sit here, in the back.  At least we're not late.  Probably any minute the bell is going to sound, you know?"

"Yeah, I guess s-"

"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"

"Yep," grinned Lhiti, "We just made it, thanks to you!  Ooooo!  Look!  Someone's late!  Hey, isn't that your stupid friend?"

"What?  Ruha?  He wouldn't be late!" Tahpuka swiveled his head toward the door and saw Ruha walking sheepishly through the entrance.

 

"ATTENTION, CADETS!"  Immediately, all heads turned toward the front of the room where Nika, one of the pillars of the Guard, was standing.

"Cadet Ruha!  Come to the front of the hut!  NOW!"

Ruha hurried up the aisle, the other Tohunga making room for him.

"Cadet, this is unacceptable!  No one is allowed to arrive late...EVER!"

"Um, well, how was I supposed to know where to go, Commander Nika?"

"NEVER interrupt me, cadet!  You had plenty of time to get here and you know it!  You were just being a lazy, indolent, stupid, first year CADET!  If you think you didn't have enough time, why didn't you get a Vahi?"

Laughter rippled through the room.

"SILENCE, cadets!  I was SPEAKING!  Now, get on your toes and do 500 push-ups!"

"Sir?"

"You heard me!  NOW!" 

 

Tahpuka watched in sympathy as his friend started doing push-ups.  "ONE...TWO...THREE...FOUR...FIVE..." Nika counted, with a stern expression on his face.  Oh, great, Ruha, why did you have to come in late?  I just hope you do 500, if not, that'll be SO embarrassing for you.  

 

"FIFTY-THREE...FIFTY-FOUR...FIFTY-FIVE..."  Tahpuka watched painfully as sweat began to drop from Ruha's face and as he began to come up slower and slower.  "SIXTY-TWO...SIXTY-THREE...SIXTY-FOUR...SIXTY-FIVE..."

 

Lhiti whispered to Tahpuka, "Is he gonna make it?"

Tahpuka shrugged and put a finger to his lips.

"EIGHTY-ONE...EIGHTY-TWO...EIGH-"  Ruha collapsed on the floor and lay there.

"CADET RUHA!  THAT IS PATHETIC!  COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!  WHAT KIND OF A WEAK, PUNY, FEEBLE SOFTIE ARE YOU?  You are going to stay right here in this room until you finish 500 push-ups!  Do you understand?"

Ruha tried to lift his head but couldn't.

"CADET!  ANSWER ME!  DO...YOU...UNDERSTAND?"

Ruha slowly lifted his head and said, "Yes...sir."

 

Nika turned to the rest of the cadets and said, "Cadets, observe what you've seen here.  Don't ever forget it.  Now, follow me out to the disc range.  Rahuha, stay here and make sure Cadet Ruha does his push-ups."

 

Nika marched to the back of the room, with the cadets trailing behind him.  Before he went out the door, Tahpuka turned to look at Ruha and gave him a sympathetic look.  Ruha tried to smile, then slowly rose to do more push-ups.

 

Review

Edited October 11, 2016 by Israeli Toa

[Israeli Toa]

CHAPTER 4

 

SSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW-DUUDD

 

Tahpuka winced.  "Lhiti, I pity the Rahi that opposes you."

"Liked that one, didn't you, 'puka?  But I barely tossed that one, watch this."

 

Tahpuka watched as Lhiti grabbed another disc, pulled it back over his shoulder and fired it at the target over 100 bio away.

 

SSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW-DUUDD

 

"OH, YEAH!  That one RULED!  It hit the target HEAD-ON!  Wonder if Nika saw that?  Maybe I should tell him..."

Tahpuka shook his head.  "C'mon, Lhiti, it's my turn now.  Move over."

"Aw, Tahpuka, just give me another minute.  I've barely practice at all and this is my FAVORITE thing to do in Mata-Nui!"

 

"CADETS!  ATTENTION!"  All heads turned to Nika as he continued, "I've watched every one of you and I know who has the best throwing style..."

Lhiti grinned widely.

"...and who is throwing discs just to get the practice over with.  I've also seen how some of you haven't let your partnet practice, and I'll be speaking to each of you after the last drill today."  

Lhiti rolled his eyes.

 

"Now, your strength, your endurance and your willpower will be tested in our next exercise.  On my signal, you will all run through Ta-Koro, down to the beach, and upon reaching the water, you will immediately swim to Ga-Koro.  If I see any of you stopping, I will send you back to have fellowship with cadet Ruha, while you perform 500 push-ups!  NOW, CADETS!  RUN!"

 

Tahpuka started running.  As he came to the barracks, he thought, I wonder if Ruha has done 500 push-ups yet?  Probably not.  I don't get why Nika is so mean!  He should know how hard it is the first day, trying to get settled in and finding your way around and everything, and then he goes and makes it even harder!  Dumb Nika!  I sure hope I have enough strength to run all the way to Ta-Wahi.  I probably can make it, but then I'll have to SWIM!  I hate swimming.  Dumb Nika!  Well, I guess it's for our own good...heh, heh, that serves Lhiti right, now that Nika's going to talk to him.  Maybe I'll actually get a turn next time!

 

Tahpuka looked up to see everyone passing through the main gate of Ta-Koro.  He saw Lhiti at the front, right behind Nika.  Show-off!  I almost hope he doesn't make it!  

 

The pack of cadets traveled down the gently sloping hill to see the water breaking on the shore below.  They now ran on level ground, but the sand hampered their running.

 

"KEEP RUNNING, CADETS!" Nika yelled.  "AS SOON AS WE GET TO THE WATER, SWIM TO GA-KORO!  NO STOPPING!"

 

Tahpuka reached the water and dove in.  COLD!  Cold, cold, cold, ahhhh...cold, cold, cold...have...to...concentrate...keep my head above water...at least I'm not tired yet...COLD...cold, cold...aw, man...Lhiti must be 50 bios ahead of me by now...still so far away...have to breathe...at least I'm not last...must be at least three or four cadets behind me, at least I'm not last...COLD...cold...cold...have to swim faster...then I'll warm up...getting tired...must breathe...have to breathe...swim, Tahpuka, swim...one arm over, other arm, first arm, other arm...kick, Tahpuka, kick, swim faster!  You'll never get to Ga-Koro at this rate...too tired...must swimmmmm...swim...swimmmmmm...

 

Tahpuka's head dropped below the waves, and as it did, he revived.  AHHHHHHH...cold...COLD, COLD, COLD!  Ahhh, my eyes!  My face....everything's cold...still too far...can't swim much further...can't let myself falter again...must be getting closer...closer...NO, TAHPUKA...have to swim...go, go go!  I'm last now...I'm sure of it...I'm going to die...I'm going to die...AH!  I bumped into someone!  Is someone else dying, too?  No, it's green and I can grab it...it's GA-KORO!

 

Tahpuka grabbed onto the edge of the one part of the floating village and, with his last bit of strength, he pulled himself onto it and then collapsed.

"Excellent, Cadet."  Tahpuka looked up to see Nika hovering above his head.  "I was watching you and I can tell that you have great promise.  You can rest now."

 

Tahpuka turned his head to see the other cadets lying around him in various positions.  Only Lhiti was standing, right by one of his other friends.  Still breathing hard, Tahpuka closed his eyes...and slept.

 

*****

 

Tahpuka woke up, hearing raucous laughter and loud talking.  He slowly sat up, seeing all the other cadets bunched around Lhiti, roaring with laughter.  He walked unsteadily over to them, with the rocking motion of Ga-Koro under his feet.

 

"...and then Guka said to the Ta-Koronan, 'Bye, I have to go now.'  She got on her boat, sped to Po-Koro and met a Po-Koronan.  But after she was bored of him, she told him, 'Bye, I have to go home and cook dinner.'  She walked out of his hut and got on the road to Onu-Koro!"

The cadets roared, as Tahpuka winced.  "Aw man, Lhiti, that's great!"

"Tell us another!"

"Yeah, tell us!"

Tahpuka frowned, "You guys aren't very funny.  Cut it out, Lhiti."

"What, 'puka?  Didn't you just LOVE that joke?"

"No, I didn't.  You ought to be more respectful of Ga-Koronans; stop lying about them."

"Me?" Lhiti put on his most innocent look.  "Lying?  I'm telling the absolute truth!  Everyone knows that the Ga-Koronans are the most perverse, sneaky, sly, sche-ahhhhh!"

 

The cadets watched in amazement as a blue fist came out of nowhere and connected with Lhiti's Kanohi.  He sailed into the water, with the Miru dropping to the surface, as the blue Ga-Koronan smirked.  She held up the red Miru and said, "Now listen to me, Ta-Koronans.  We Ga-Koronans may be smarter than the Ta-Koronans, stronger than the Ta-Koronans, faster than the Ta-Koronans, but, we definitely aren't more nefarious than the Ta-Koronans!"

"Huh?"
"What's that word mean?"

"Who are you?"

The Ga-Koronan laughed.  "Oh, yes, I forget that you're dumber than us.  Nefarious means rotten, depraved, corrupt, perverse, degenerate, villainous and a few other words.  Well, well, look who's back."

 

Lhiti slowly climbed up onto the surface, with hate showing in his mask-less face.  "Give me my Miru."

"Oh, you want your Miru back?  Go get it!"  She tossed the Miru far out into the aqua waves.  

Lhiti watched in amazement as his Miru disappeared from sight.  "Why, you..."  He turned to face the Ga-Koronan.  "Go get my Miru or I'll rip that Huna off your face and you'll NEVER see it again!"

The Ga-Koronan laughed and gently pushed Lhiti into the water.  "Have fun...swimming with the fishies!"  She turned and started walking back to the huts in the distance.

"Hey, girl!" a cadet yelled.  "What's your name?"

"The name's Maku.  Nice to meet you all and don't forget what I said.  But knowing Ta-Koronans, you probably will."

 

She turned her head and smiled once more and then she was out of view.

 

Review

Edited October 15, 2016 by Israeli Toa