Chapter Six - part two

    Sunday was a down day for cadets. Oh there were still certain duties that were required if you were on the grounds just as it had been during the rest of training, but nothing that amounted to much. James got himself ready and taking his Bible in hand headed to the Chapel for services. He had gone there before the march out to Jack's Valley, but it was immediately clear that going now was going to be much different. He was well aware of the looks he got when he stopped by the desk to sign out. Just having his Bible in hand as he walked down the hallway had raised eyebrows and forced frowns. He saw much the same reaction as he walked across the grounds to the Chapel. He had been shocked to learn when he had first arrived at the Academy that there were no permanent chaplains at the Academy. There were still chaplains in some active duty units, but they were no longer stationed to serve as chaplains at any of the military academies. Anyone stationed there who wasn't an ordained minister could handle the services without any issues, but Chaplains were prohibited from performing any sort of official religious services at any of the Academies if attached to a unit at the Academy. They weren't allowed to minister at all at any educational or training facility on the base where they were stationed, but it was even more difficult at the Academy. The military men who were ordained ministers had to be active duty members of the military to handle services at the academies, but they couldn't be directly attached to the Academy itself. That made it difficult for any ordained ministers in the military to handle services at the Academy, but some did try each week. If they couldn't manage it then ministers from the community would always step forward to handle the non-denominational services.

    James was surprised to be greeted at the door by not one, but two ministers when he arrived. One it turned out was a visiting Army chaplain. The other was one of the local ministers who came Sunday's on an alternating basis. The local ministers could do the sermon and they usually brought one written out and ready. They were there after the service to talk to anyone that wanted to talk with a real minister too. Apparently these two were going to share the service today. At least that hadn't been banned yet. James took a seat near the front among some of the other Doolies he recognized from the services at Jack's Valley. All of them wanted to know how he was doing and what it was like being the lone Christian in Mighty Mach One. As it turned out though he wasn't as alone as he had believed. While they were talking a two degree walked up and came directly to James. It was a moment before he recognized her and when he did he wasn't sure what to say or do.

    Her name was Baker. At least that was her last name. The other Doolies managed to snap to attention when she arrived. James was too shocked. She was one of the members of the staff in Mach One. He couldn't for the life of him remember anything more than that at the moment, even though she was, as was required at Chapel services, in her dress blue uniform. He hadn't recognized her, because he had never actually seen her in her dress blues. He had only seen her in her workout clothes during training sessions. She returned the other salutes while giving him a stern look. When she spoke he was finally able to react. "At ease, this is the Chapel and in here we are all equals. We have no rank before the Lord." James had been trying to come to attention and about to salute as she spoke. Now she began to laugh as she watched him hesitate and turn red from embarrassment. "You seem surprised to see me here Cooper. Did you think you were the only Christian ever to set foot in Mach One?" He just turned redder. Still smiling and clearly trying not to burst out laughing she continued. "Well, I hate to disappoint you, but there are a few of us that have dared to enter the lion's den before you arrived. Now, if that seat isn't taken, I think they are about to begin."

    James managed not to act like a total idiot when he stepped aside, so she could take a seat. It put her right beside him. He still felt like a total idiot though, as the service began in earnest. The visiting minister must have preached a very good sermon, but in all honesty, James couldn't have repeated a word of it. His mind had been occupied with Cadet Baker. She had brought a Bible with her. It was almost as large as his and well worn from use, but it was in a green carry cover that looked more like a small purse than a book cover. Songs were allowed at the Chapel only on certain occasions now, so even though the minister was a bit long winded the services were over in about an hour. As they started out after services, Baker smiled at him. She spoke quickly and softly, before stepping away to talk with some of the other upper classmen that had attended.  "Meet me out front. We need to talk." James didn't even have time to reply before she was gone. Not that it would have mattered. She was his superior and they were still on the Academy grounds, so he stepped out front to wait.

    A few of the other Doolies stopped by to speak with him, but none of them mentioned Baker. Finally he saw her walking out. She was walking with a couple of the other upperclassmen. James knew only one of them from Jack's Valley. They didn't stay with her though when she moved in his direction. James used this chance to study her openly. She was a very pretty young woman. She was also very unusual in appearance. Her hair was cut short, but it was easy to see that it was thick and probably curly when it grew out much at all. It was almost jet black too and very shiny. She appeared to have a slightly lighter complexion than normal with black hair, but she had a dark tan that many women would have paid anything to have. He had also noticed, while still inside, that her eyes were the brightest, emerald green he had ever seen. Her black hair with green eyes was totally unexpected. They were even brighter out in the sunlight. He tried not to be too obvious about looking at her figure, but she definitely had one that would be noticed, even in her dress blues. As she stopped just in front of him he noticed for the first time that the top of her head just barely reached his shoulder.

    When she stopped she smiled and laughed at him again. "Well Cooper, do you like what you see?" That did it. He went bright red and dropped his head. She just laughed very softly and taking his arm started to walk down cadet drive. They had gone a few steps before he managed to find the courage to look over at her. She was watching him, and trying not to grin too much. He shook his head, grinning back at her as he spoke. "Yes ma'am, I liked what I saw very much, Ma'am. Respectfully Ma'am, are you enjoying making a fool out of me?" Baker laughed again, more softly this time. "Yes Cooper, yes I am enjoying it. I am actually enjoying it very much, but that wasn't my first intention. I just wanted to talk with you. I needed to talk with you alone too. There are a few things you need to know about. I would like to know a few things about you too. Just walk with me and when we are alone then we can talk." She paused for a long minute before she added, "Until then, just let me enjoy watching you act foolish." He almost stumbled when she added that last comment. There was a very obvious sparkle in those green eyes. She wouldn't look directly at him and she wasn't laughing. But it was easy to see that she was having fun with him.

    James managed to not make a foolish retort. He wasn't sure it was appropriate for them to be walking together like this, but she was the one holding his arm, so there was little he could do. He tried to concentrate on what she might need to tell him. He also wondered what it was she wanted to know too. As they walked he became very much aware of her. She was so close, right under his nose. He couldn't keep from thinking about how good she smelled and wondering what she was wearing that smelled so good to him. In spite of all he could do he turned red again. He wasn't normally like this. Why was she able to fluster him so much? He couldn't seem to get his mind to focus on anything. Well, not anything except for her. He couldn't seem to stop thinking about her. What was wrong with him? If he didn't get his head on straight, and soon, she was going to hand it to him on a platter. He just knew it.

    Sarah Baker walked along holding the arm of the Doolie beside her. She was two years his senior and she was also a Cadet Senior Master Sergeant. She might look calm and collected to him, but she wasn't. It had all been so simple. She would find him at the Chapel, and walk back with him, so they could talk. So simple, so easy, that is until she looked into his eyes. She wasn't sure if they were green or blue. She hadn't dared keep looking long enough to be certain. She had heard all the tales about him. He was 'The Ironman', the guy who had finished the Ironman run packing nearly three hundred pounds. He was also a Christian and not afraid of being one. All she had planned to do was warn him about who to watch out for and who he could trust. She had never been very open about her faith, but she hadn't hidden it either. She knew how tough it had been for her. She couldn't begin to imagine how tough it was going to be for him. Just a friendly warning to a fellow Christian and she would go her own way. Yeah right! He could probably hear her heart pounding. She wanted to let go of his arm. She wanted to get away from him, but that wasn't possible now. Lord, what had she been thinking? She had seen him around the squadron. Why was she suddenly going all weak in the knees, just because he was walking with her on his arm? She had to get her head on straight or he would figure out how rattled she was around him. If he figured that out she was as good as lost, just one of his smiles, and he would own her.

     The pair walked a long way down the drive together before she found the courage to let go of his arm and do what she had originally planned to do. Once she released his arm they both moved apart just a bit. She didn't hesitate to start talking, for fear she might not be able to say what she wanted to say if she did. "There are a few things you need to know. Now that you are back on full duty, you won't have it so easy. There are a few in the staff who absolutely hate you. There is only one that will be a real problem for you in Mach One. That is our Squadron Superintendent, Peter Kemp. He wants your head and he will have it, unless you watch everything that you do. The Squadron Commander, Susan Holt won't be actively involved, but she won't interfere either. She will try to 'not see' what is going on. They are the two big players that you need to be aware of. Susan won't help you unless she has to do it to save herself, but she won't try to hurt you either. There are several others among the rest of the squadron that will be a problem too, but nothing like Peter will be. Outside the squadron you should be good, as long as you don't do something totally stupid." She stopped talking for a moment and looked over at him.

    He didn't look back, but he knew she was looking at him. She looked away as she started to talk again. "There are only a handful of Christians in Mach One. I am the highest ranking cadet. Except for Sergeant Maxwell the rest are just cadets. It is very difficult to get advanced in rank inside Mach One if you are a Christian. It isn't easy for any type of religious belief, but Christianity is the worst. If you want to advance in rank there are only three choices you can make. One, give up your faith and follow the rest." James did give her a hard look and would have spoken if not for her raised hand. "I am well aware that isn't an option for you. That is wonderful, but it changes nothing about your advancements. The second option is to just go silent and let them think you have turned away from your faith." She smiled at him this time. "That won't work for you either, so that leaves only the last choice and it isn't any easier." She reached up and tapped the insignia on her uniform. "Look closely and you may get a hint at what that third choice is."

    James did look, though not too closely. He was still trying to keep his mind on what she was saying, not what she looked or smelled like. That quick look had been enough though. He had seen the Superintendents List insignia pinned on her uniform. That meant that she had excelled militarily, academically, and athletically. It was very hard to get all three and harder still to keep them. She shrugged as she spoke. "I figure you will nail the academics and you shouldn't have any issue with the athletic, but the military part may get you. And unless you can nail all of them, the odds of advancing much in rank are slim to none for you. You may not care, but that is another thing you need to understand and change. You need to care. Rank is everything here. If you have rank, you have power. The power of rank will give you some protection. Without it you will have nothing. You are vulnerable to even the lowest of cadets. You need to advance in rank, or with what you have done... I doubt that you will make it past the first year, much less to graduation. Cooper, you painted a giant target on yourself when you made that run. There are a lot of people who want your head. You may think you’re an Ironman, but trust me they will melt you down if you don't watch every step you make."

   She actually smiled for a moment as she looked at him. "Look, you have what it takes to become a great officer. You don't have to stop being a Christian to do it. You just need to learn how to be both. It isn't easy, but if I can do it; well you can do it too. I can see that you care more about how God looks at you than you do about how people look at you. That is great, but it matters to God what people see when they look at you too. I am not trying to preach a sermon at you, but you need to become less of a Christian and more of a testimony." She stopped and turned to look up into his eyes. The smile was gone and she had a very serious look on her face. James tried not to tense up, but it was very hard. Then she spoke. "Cadet Cooper, you will be a living, breathing, walking, and talking testimony for our Lord at the Academy. You need to remember that; every second of every day that you are here. What you did out there, well that started a lot of things in motion. You need to understand that at this very moment, you and you alone are now the official representative of every Christian at the Academy."

    She smiled. "I know you didn't ask for or want that, but want it or not... you have it! We are all counting on you. I am counting on you to be constantly aware of what people see when they see you. The world has changed and it is changing more each day. People think of Christians as superstitious fools, who are too weak, and frightened to stand up to life alone. They see God as a crutch, as a lie, that we use to hide our weakness. Cooper, you have to show them they are wrong. You have to show them strength and courage, but even more importantly they must see knowledge and wisdom. Your belief has to be so strong that it will make them believe, or at least make them question what they do believe." Still smiling she reached up and placed a hand on his shoulder before continuing. "Cooper, I believe. I believe that God put you here and is using you to make a statement. I have put a lot of time and effort into trying to make people at this Academy and in this Air Force see that being a Christian, isn't a weakness, it is strength. It is a strength that can't be denied or destroyed. But in spite of all my time and effort I haven't been seen, not the way you have been seen. You will continue to be seen, no matter what you do now. So do something great here, be a true testimony. Don't let them cover up the power that is inside you. Don't let them spoil the image of God. We are all created in His image. Show them that. Let them see God inside you. Let them see His power shining from inside of you."

   She blushed and quickly removed her hand. After a brief hesitation she started walking again. They had reached the area below the cadet housing, between the gym and the housing above them. James continued to walk beside her and tried to soak in and digest all that she had said. He knew he needed to say something, but what could he say? How did he reply to that? The thing was, in the back of his mind he knew she was right. They were almost to the bottom of the hill, where the gate was that separated the secure area from the public area on the Academy grounds. The steps that started there would take them back up the hill directly to the cadet housing. James needed time to think, time to sort out all that she had said. He wasn't sure what to think about it. He wasn't sure how he felt about it. Right now everything was just a massive jumble in his mind.

    As they reached the steps he stopped short. She had taken a couple of steps up towards housing before she stopped and turned to look back at him. He tried to smile as he looked up at her face. She was now standing above him. He had no problem smiling at her now, the questioning look on her face and her looking down at him, made him want to smile. He could finally speak to her without the words sticking in his throat too. "Ma'am, if you don't mind... I would like to walk by myself for a while. I think I will walk back to the Chapel and just sit and think inside it for awhile. I need time alone to think; to just sort it all out." He hesitated a moment before continuing. "I appreciate what you have said. I just need some time alone to think about it." Then he blushed, as he added the honest, truthful reason. "I just can't think while I am with you, ma'am. I can't seem to focus on anything except you. I just need to get away from you... so that I can think clearly about everything else, Ma'am."

    Sarah turned a bright red, but she still smiled and didn't look away. She stepped down until she was standing level with him. Looking directly in his eyes, she nodded as she spoke. "I think I understand how you feel Cooper. You have my head and my heart all messed up too. There is just something about you, I can't explain it. I just feel it. You go do some thinking about what I have said. I think maybe some time at the Chapel would help, but remember that you aren't alone. The Lord is with you, Cooper. I know that and you know that. I want you to know something else too. If you just need a friend, someone to talk with. Someone you can hear talking back... well you know where I am. You can come to talk anytime. That is allowed and even expected, since I am on the squadron staff." She turned and started up the steps without giving him a chance to say anything.