Captain EO fanfic.-Ch. 2

~**EO's Point of View**~

I sprinted around another corner as fast as my feet could carry me.  The Initiation ceremony had started 5 minutes ago, and I was probably the only Captain not there yet.  I kept glancing down at my watch; as if looking at it would make the hands turn backwards.  Time has no mercy. 
  It wasn't entirely my fault.  Captains were supposed to show up in uniform, but Hooter ate my last vest and I had to go get a new one from the dry cleaners at the last minute.  I clenched my fists as I ran.  Doggon'it Hooter! I thought, If I get demoted because of this......-

Not paying attention, I ran head-on into another Cor pilot walking in the opposite direction, sending us both flying onto the cold metal floor of the busy corridor.  Bystanding military personnel stopped and stared at the mess, but no one attempted to help.  After exchanging odd glances and whispering cynical remarks to one another, they would just continue walking without saying a word.  I stood up quickly and helped the other pilot to his feet breathlessly.
"I am so sorry I didn't see-I was-I-I'm sorry I really have to go-Sorry!"  My apology came out horribly rushed and awkward.  I wished I could say more, but manners were the least of my concerns at the moment.  I took off running again, leaving the confused pilot behind me and silently hoping he wasn't anybody who could get me fired.  Just ahead, I could see the terminal door that lead into the meeting hall where the ceremony was being held.  I skidded to a halt in front of it and pressed the 'release lock' button, looking up at the door anxiously as I waited for it to open.
"Identification Please."  The loudspeaker above the door announced.  I groaned, pulling off one of my gloves and pressing my hand to the security scanner.  
"Come on, come on, come on!!"  I didn't have time for this!  
After confirming my identity the door slid open and I rushed inside, trying hard not to be noticed as I took my spot at the end of the line.  
Oh, who was I kidding.  I could almost feel the hundreds of eyes burning into my skin with each step I took.  My face grew hot, and what was supposed to be a "low-profile" entrance turned into the most embarrassing moment of my life.
  
"Captain EO...you're late."-A scornful voice droned.  I bit my lip and looked up at the announcer who was reading off names- he looked kinda like a cross between a kangaroo and a swordfish....(Now I know why those two species should never mate. *shivers*) What was I supposed to say?  
"I, well, y-you see I...there was this...My-I mean, he...." I stuttered for a moment, trying to find something to say that wouldn't make me sound rookie. "I'm so sorry, I tried to get here on time, but-"  
He cut me off- "Captains' don't make excuses."
My stomach turned over guiltily; he was right.  I shut my mouth and I looked down at the floor, wishing I could just disappear.  The Command already considered my crew and I a bunch of losers, and even after our last mission-(which was a complete success!) we were still considered the underdogs. (Funny how life works.)

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I barely noticed when someone stepped up beside me in line.  I looked over into the bright, silvery blue eyes of a girl, who quickly looked away.  I lost myself momentarily in her unique appearance. She could have passed for human at first glance, but by closer inspection, (the pointed ears and odd irises gave her away) I knew she had to be of some other race...Vulcan maybe? (live long and prosper trekies)  Her wavy black hair was partially pulled back into a messy braid and draped over one shoulder casually.  In contrast to her hair, her skin was very pale and almost glass-like in texture, like a doll.  I hadn't realized that I had been staring until she glanced over at me again briefly. It was I who looked away this time, biting my lip anxiously.  I gazed across the room where the last graduating trainee was crossing over to join his new Captain.  My eyes widened and I got a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.  This girl was my new apprentice.      
Oh geez, what a first impression, she probably thinks I have no Idea what the hell I'm doing! - I thought miserably.  That's what she's thinking right now, I bet she-No, no.... come on Eo, don't be negative, that never got anyone anywhere...


~**Ryder's Point of View**~

Dear mother of God, he has no idea what the hell he's doing!- I thought, annoyed out of my mind.  Two decades of nothing but paperwork and sarcasm from grumpy professors, only to be stuck with the amateur Captain of the year!  I glanced down the line where all the other graduates and their captains' stood.  A few of them caught my nervous eyes, and their thoughts were written out on their faces clear as day. "I'm sorry.", their eyes said.  I was screwed.  The Cor Military Association would NEVER promote a pilot apprenticed to some University dropout.  Heaven knows how he became a Captain in the first place.
Eventually the Ceremony came to a conclusion, and after being congratulated once again  for our successful graduation, we were dismissed from the meeting hall.  I watched my friends and fellow classmates file out behind their captains-all probably just dreaming of what their first assignments would be.  The marble floor was freshly waxed, the walls were lit with robotic lights, cameras, and other new technologies as usual, but I knew that this was the last time I would see these halls for a very long time.  The other apprenticed Co-pilots cheered and buzzed about me, and I wished that I could have been as enthusiastic about the ceremony's conclusion, but the only emotion that flooded through my hollow limbs was regret. I was almost absolutely certain now that I wanted nothing to do with "Captain Eo", or anyone who worked with him for that matter.
He kept on glancing over to me, waiting for me to say something to break the ice, but I kept my mouth closed.  Ya, thats right, you just keep on walkin', "Captain", I don't have ANYTHING to say to you.-  I thought, smirking to myself.  Then, as if he had heard my thoughts, Captain Eo spoke up.
"Uhm, it's nice to meet your acquaintance, Miss....Miss....umm....-I'm sorry, I'm afraid I never got your name...?"
"Maybe if you had been at the ceremony on-time, you would know it, sir." I snapped, walking faster so that I didn't have to look at him.
"I would..." He ran up beside me again confidently, "but... if you don't mind telling it to me now, I would love to know who I'm apologizing to."
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to face him. "Listen, 'Eo', you and I both know you screwed up, so quit trying to sugar-coat it by acting like some sort of Saint, Okay?" That struck a nerve. He flinched and his brow furrowed slightly.
"I know this hasn't been the best day for you, and I'm sorry that I was late to the ceremony. I know you must have been embarra-"
"Oh, I was."
His face flushed a bright red color.
"I'm sorry Miss."
"Ugh, It's Ryder, Ok? Just quit calling me 'Miss'."
"Ryder..." He repeated, and I saw a bit of relief in his eyes as if learning my name were some big accomplishment. "Well, Ryder it's nice to meet you." He said, his voice empty of sarcasm or anything else that I could use against him.
"The pleasure is all mine." I replied, and then we were silent.


~**Eo's Point of View**~

I didn't know what to do.  This girl was supposed to be my apprentice, and so far I had only established two things.  One: that her name was Ryder, and Two: that she completely hated my guts.  My throat was knotted up, and I felt this overwhelming feeling of grief boiling in my brain.  This was my chance to prove to the Cor and all the other Captains' that I could not only take care of myself and my crew, but also train and manage an apprentice.
I tried to clear my mind, shutting everything out and focusing on the steady beat of my footsteps.  Immediately my mind took that beat and began to create a symphony around it, like a grand musical conductor.  I always felt at ease when the music was with me, and I used it now, as I often did, to calm my nerves and set myself aright.  I didn't speak another word to my new apprentice as we walked on, but there was never silence.