Chapter 129

　　Micah stood in front of the tall mirror in his apartment, adjusting the high collar of his Caledonian House Guard uniform. Seeing it was perfect, he combed his hair back from his face with his fingers and studied his appearance carefully.

　　It would be an important day, and he wanted to be flawless.

　　Micah and his companions had moved to Caledon, along with their families, after the attack on Terra. The instability throughout the galaxy had shown that war would affect everything, and they took Kal`s offer to join his House Guard seriously.

　　It had been a miracle for them to receive this opportunity, as Caledon was now one of the safest places in the galaxy.

　　It was unbelievable to think that such a place had been neglected and considered a backwater a few short years ago. Caledonia, the city where he now lived, had low crime rates, beautiful buildings, shopping areas and universities.

　　Micah couldn`t see a single trace of neglect anywhere in the metropolis. His parents had resisted the idea of moving until their planet came under attack by Naice soldiers. Things escalated quickly after that.

　　With a deep breath, he ran his hands over his Uniform`s blazer before turning away from the mirror. He left his apartment and was greeted by the Caledonian sun shining above in a bright blue sky.

　　Breathing in the cool morning air, he went to a nearby coffee shop where the others would await him.

　　Cid and John were already there, wearing similar black and red uniforms. The young, pink-haired woman was the first to notice him, smiling wide and waving at him eagerly. John saw her movements immediately, spotting his friend`s approach. More conservative, he merely nodded and raised his hand.

　　"You`re finally here! It feels like we have been waiting forever! This is the first time in months that we`ve all been off duty together, and I don`t want to waste our day sitting." Cid shouted, getting up from her chair and throwing her arms around him.

　　They had patrolled Caledonian Sector`s new borders since joining the House Guard. Generally, for only a few weeks at a time, their schedules hadn`t overlapped much in the past few months. It was Cid`s idea for them to get together and do something on their day off.

　　Like Micah, all his companions had taken Kal up on his offer. They relocated to Caledon with their families. John brought his wife and children while Cid was alone.

　　"Where`s Ty?" Micah asked, looking around for his blond-haired friend.

　　"He`s going to be a few minutes late. He missed sending a report, and our commander is a stickler. He`ll join us when he`s done." Cid replied.

　　"Should we wait here for him?" John asked.

　　"No! He`ll catch up! I want to do something fun. For the first time in years, I`m on a civilized planet with actual money to spend!" Cid shouted with enthusiasm.

　　"You have something in mind?" Micah asked. He needed to do something today, but it would only take a few minutes. He was nervous about it and wanted the time to prepare.

　　"We`re going shopping in New Antioch!" Cid declared, standing from her seat and dragging her two friends to a nearby hovercar she had rented for the day.

　　New Antioch had transformed in the years since its previous ruler had been deposed. It was no longer a Free City of Sin.` The rule of law had returned, and its residents could live their lives free from the whims of the rich and powerful.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

　　What had replaced it was the entertainment and shopping capital of Caledon. Theatre shows, plays, museums, art galleries, concerts and sports arenas. Everything that a person needed to have fun, legally, could be found in New Antioch.

　　Commercial districts offered goods from across the galaxy. The prices of some items increased drastically as a result of the war, but were still available. No longer were Caledonians forced only to consume local goods and cheaply manufactured products. Their rising status in the Empire was reflected in the opportunities available to them.

　　But New Antioch wasn`t completely free of sin, it was just well-regulated. There were rows of bars and restaurants running through the city`s main street. Bar hopping was an encouraged activity for tourists, and many establishments offered discounts and other incentives to patrons.

　　An entire section of the city was designated the Red Light District,` where there were looser regulations on drugs and alcohol. Most importantly, brothels and other houses of ill repute. It had been under Governor Sylla`s advice that Kal designate the area, rather than drive it underground. Better to regulate, tax and set healthy requirements and controls than ignore the problem.

　　Micah and the others landed their rented hovercar on a landing pad for public parking. Disembarking, they marvelled at the light and music of the city. Despite it being daytime, there was a festive air over New Antioch, with advertising banners and holograms stretching across the skyline.

　　"Shopping! Shopping! Shopping!" Cid chanted, emphasizing the distinct syllables of the word Shop` and a sharp ping,` she would pump her fist into the air in time to each syllable. John took in the view without comment, while Micah was amazed at the sights.

　　He had seen much of the Galaxy over the past few years he had served in mercenary companies, but this was the first time he had been to such an extravagant location.

　　"How will Ty find us in all of this?" Micah asked, gesturing to the crowds of tourists and visitors walking along the road with them. There were shops and stores on both sides, selling items he had never heard of before.

　　"He has a tracker linked to my datapad. He`ll be here. Don`t worry, and enjoy yourself!" Cid shouted over the din of the crowd. Her attention was soon caught by a street vendor selling ice cream, and she ran to the cart, already ordering three chocolate Sundas for the trio.

　　"Where do you want to go first?" Cid asked, digging her spoon into her ice cream and lifting a heaping pile of ice cream and thick fudge into her mouth. She nearly moaned at the taste. It was better than any of the rations they served onboard Starships.

　　"Um&I have to get someone a present, but I`m not sure what they`ll like." Micah stammered. He had his head down as he said it, staring at the ice cream in his hand as it melted in the daytime heat.

　　"Alright, this is the perfect place to do that. What are they interested in?" Cid asked.

　　"I`m not sure." He muttered, second-guessing his decision.

　　"Is it for a boy or girl?" Cid asked, pressing him for information. Micah didn`t answer for a moment, weighing the consequences of admitting it, before taking the plunge.

　　"A woman." Micah uttered, and Cid broke out into a wide grin. Gripping his arm, she pushed her face close to his.

　　"OOHHHH! Who is it!?" Cid explained, and Micah blushed a bright red. People around them looked at the pair for a moment before looking away.

　　"It`s just for a friend! A friend! Ugh! I shouldn`t have said anything!" Micah shouted, trying to push Cid away, but she clung tightly to him.

　　"It`s Talha." John said from beside them, causing Micah to spin around at stare at the large man with his mouth agape.

　　"How&How did you know!?" Micah stammered.

　　"It`s obvious." John responded with a shrug. Cid giggled at the revelation, poking Micah in the cheek with her finger to gain his attention.

　　"Well, if you want to give Commander Talha something, we will have to go to some of the better shops. Not clothing or cosmetics. Maybe&" Cid chattered on about options while Micah hung his head.

　　He had already regretted this trip, and it only got worse when Ty arrived an hour later. Buried under a mound of different gift options that Cid provided, he looked for John to help, only to see the large man had disappeared.

　　In the end, he selected a pair of earrings with bright red stones in a beautiful spiral pattern.

　　"Good, now that`s over with, let`s get something to eat. I`m starving!" Ty exclaimed, dragging his companions to a nearby restaurant. He was weighed down with Cid`s shopping bags, his hands full.

　　They spent the rest of the day together, watching a show and live band at a bar once the sun went down. They returned to Caledonia late in the evening, where Micah worked up his courage to visit Talha the next day. It was her birthday and he wanted to give her the present he bought, and ask an important question.