Saying Goodbye

"Supreme Commander"

A middle aged man who sat before a glass desk in a room looked up to see the sliding glass doors of the room make way. This indicated that someone was arriving and indeed someone had entered and was in the room already.

"Norton. How good of you to come see you superior again." the middle aged man suddenly spoke up. The individual who was in the room already, turned to look at the other two who entered the room, obviously his body guards. He waved his hand signaling for them for them to leave the room.

"Supreme Commander" the individual who had entered the room hailed again.

"Don't forget you are also a Commander. I will also appreciate it if the assistant Supreme Commander would stop being so very formal."

"Have a seat"

The one addressed, Norton, sat on the chair facing the Supreme Commander directly. There was a large sized table between the both of them. He picked up the briefcase he brought along with him which already had been laid on the floor and dropped it on the table.

"Nice renovation" he commented as he looked around. The look of wonder clearly visible in his eyes.

"What inspired you for this, Supreme" he asked his superior with a tone of respect.

The Supreme Commander let out a chortle and replied back. "Just thought it good to see everything around me. Just the way nothing escapes my eyes. It depicts and defines my position, authority and supremacy. The lord of all" he stated with a hint of pride in his voice. As he said this, the look of pride on his face became so very visible and his mouth curled up into an evil grin.

"What did you think Norton?" he asked back.

"Interesting" Norton replied. He took some time look around the room in admiration. The room which in actuality was an office was made entirely of glass. The walls were glass, finely arranged to look like it was an infinite image. However, what was outside could be completely seen, as it was transparent. The floor itself was also made of glass. Underneath it was an aquarium. This was a peculiar wonder as this office in particular was located on the top floor of an ultra modern building which was fourteen storey high. This was the office of the Supreme Commander situated in a large expanse of land circled by several mighty buildings. Best of all, this mighty architectural design was covered by an electro magnetic dome. All these were visible through the walls and roof of this office made of glass.

The Supreme Commander looked at the roof and the back to Norton. "Very good of you he commended. However, it's quite unusual of you to be this amazed just because you saw a room in glass And this look if admiration..."

Norton laughed until he almost choked. Then he said. "Forgive me Supreme, but I am not amazed because of the building, but how you still care about beauty and expensive renovations and design when there is much on ground to do. Incredibly much." He paused for a while then continued. "As for my admiration sir, it's still for you. I admire you a lot. As for why, it's because you know my coming here to you as the second Supreme Commander is because there is trouble. Yet, you still have the time to wallow in the pride of your renovations." The Supreme Commander's face scrunched up into a frown. On seeing this, Norton tried to pacify him.

" As of the moment, there are pressing issues to address." Opening the briefcase on the table, he pulled out a small box, small in size in comparison to the briefcase. After pulling out the small case, he laid it in front of the Supreme Commander.

The eyes of the Supreme Commander narrowed almost immediately as he opened the briefcase.

"There is no trouble" Norton said. "But there is much work to be done." "And it needs to be done before next month." he added.

The Supreme Commander just gave a nod as a reply without saying anything.

"First off" Norton continued, "Thousands of immigrants in all the Academies. Most of them of the age of sixteen and under. Production of the Acatech was going just fine, that was until the rebels began getting involved in our operations. In all six sectors, production has been disrupted as a result of the rebels interference. To make things worse, our superior, your superior " Norton emphasized. " Our superior knows about it still refuses to act like as if it does not bother him a bit. However, it won't be a problem for you to deal with it. That's for you to handle.

The Supreme Commander stared at the box in front of him. This time, a holographic image appeared from the box displaying a video. The video was the only thing all this time that affected the Supreme Commander. His face scrunched up the more immediately after seeing the video.

Norton continued talking with regards to the the Supreme Commander was viewing.

"They are good in terms of number, but the highest power recorded so far has been there point four. Many others are nothing compared to that level. The Supreme Commander closed the box, his proud look completely absent from his face, and turned to the one in front of him.

"You can leave now." the Commander commanded.

Norton stood up immediately after scrutinizung his Commander and knowing his words had struck, left the room. The worried look on the commander's face seemed to worsen the more he thought about the video. He tapped the right side of the table twice and a disay screen appeared on the table, at the right side. After which, he placed a call using the screen to someone. After a while of ringing, the receiver answered the call.

"Call a meeting tomorrow. Academic citadel."

Not waiting for any response, he hung up.

"Why does he seem so unconcerned about everything else. But when it comes to this, he's more interested than I think. I aho deal with the rebels." The Supreme Commander thought massaging his face with his palm.

"More immigrants the greater our chances of success."

_____

Jim had put on his fighting uniform which was dark red in color. The sleeveless shirt with a wide neck space and pajamas like trouser were both tied across the waist with a red belt. Jim had arrived in his personal dojo to meet an already waiting butler. According to his butler, this was going to be different. Jim did some warm up push ups to impress the unimpressed butler and got into a fighting stance.

"I see. Very impatient" the butler commented. He finished what he was doing and joined Jim in the center of the dojo which was circular and inches deep into the ground.

"This time around" said butler Han said chewing something, "seeing how you're eager to fight me, just execute your punches, kicks, any routine you can think of. When you're tired of that, feel free to pick any weapon of your choice." referring to the stack of woods at a corner of the dojo.

"I will not attack you" he said, "only defend against your punches. But when I'm tired of blocking, I'll hit."

"What's the aim of this routine?" Jim asked.

"You'll find out later" was the reply.

Jim nodded to indicate the butler was understood. He started off by throwing a solid punch at the butler's chest which met with a solid palm. Jim expected this and had prepared his other arm immediately after his first attempt. After throwing the second one, he executed jabs to both sides of the butler's chest and threw both arms out with a one second interval between both punches executing a combo. However all his punches only met with the butler's outstretched arm. "Wonderful work of art" the butler commented. "but useless" he added. Obviously, it was futile. But Jim had not given up. He released an axe kick making sure to add more power at the last stage of his attack, following it up with a side punch. After which, he released his hand targeting his palm at the right rib of the butler. Again, his attacks were all blocked with a single palm by his butler who had held Jim's fingers going for his ribs and twisted it.

Jim grunted in pain and decided to use a move he had learned. Butler Han usually taught him moves which were combinations of attack routines. These moves were harder to deal with than simple attacks. The move he decided to execute was the Jump spin combo. Where one had to jump and execute complex punching routine and kicks. Or just simple multiple punches and kicks depending on how long you can stay in the air. A spin could be integrated between a punch and kick to gain the required effect. Pain. Jim decided to do it in a different way. He jumped off the ground releasing his legs going for the butler's groin, hoping to follow up with several jabs, a spin and a final whack to the face. However, it didn't even pass the first stage. The butler on seeing Jim's leg, jammed it back to the floor with a strong tap which sent Jim stumbling and falling forwards.

Jim looked up to see his butler's leg inches away from his face before connecting. Jim grunted badly and executed the skill again.

"How is this different from the past routines? " Jim shouted.

"This time, you hit me" the butler replied. To Jim's amazement, the butler remained still and his hand jammed Han's chest. He felt like he had just hit tons of bricks for a chest. Jim retracted his hands and wondered.

'This was the first time in two years butler Yao Han had been hit.' While he was still wondering, the butler had hit Jim's chin with the base of his palm as always causing his teeth to jam and bite his tongue. The butler did not stop there, but drew Jim closer to himself and jammed his shoulder with his elbow. Jim was thrown backwards while his shoulder ached. He got up to see the butler's palm coming towards him. Using another of his moves, he balanced himself, stepped to the side and grabbed the butler's arm, pushing it with hopes to redirect it away from him so he could counter attack. The butler moved his leg large distances and pushed his arm sideways causing Jim who had grabbed on to his arm to quicken his speed. The butler suddenly twisted his foot and halted. This caused Jim to stumble and he fell forwards again. He could not halt in time. While on the ground, his blood began to boil uncontrollably.

"What did you gain" his butler asked, standing over him.

Jim didn't reply as he couldn't understand Han.

"You just hit me, what you always wished for. But what changed? What did you gain? "the butler asked again." There can be a more better purpose to what you do than just petty pride, anger or revenge. And, only you can create your purpose. "The butler concluded.

" Get some rest. You will be leaving tomorrow." the butler advised and walked out of the dojo.

The next day, butler Yao Han knocked on the Jim's room door only to receive a positive response from the already awake person inside.

" I'm ready" Jim stated. All his things were packed by his side on the bed. He was also fully dressed. The butler was about to say something, but Jim interrupted him.

"I need to see my parents" Jim requested. He left the room leaving his things for the butler to take care of. His parents were already waiting for him in the hallway. His mother was the first to rush and hug him. Soon after, his father joined them.

"Goodbye Jim" his father said.

Jim smiled at his father and made way down the stairs outside the house to his butler who already was waiting for him with his things carefully kept in the car trunk. His parents did not want to extend his stay, and so did Jim. He did not want to feel the pain of leaving his parents worsen by staying with them too much. He waved at them a last time and got in the car ready to go.

"Goodbye. We love you." That was all he heard before the revving of the car engine.