Molly's - Chapter 14 [Tankiverse Fanfic]

[Hippin_in_Hawaii 639]

Molly’s - Chapter 14

Fanfic in the Tankiverse by Hippin_in_Hawaii

 

And so it went, for three years. During the school year, I spent weekends and holidays at Molly’s. During the summer, I was either in a scholastic program or at Molly’s. Once a year, Olaf would show up, and they would be around for six to eight weeks, depending on how many people were with him and what Molly had lined up.

 

I suppose it’s cheating, in a way, to say “and three years passed” as if there were no notable stories. Of course there were notable stories! I could tell you about the time that we received a tank which still had a live incendiary round jammed in the loading mechanism.We ended up losing a perfectly good cannon after being forced to detonate it in place.

 

I could tell you about the time I was taking a summer calculus class. We were presented with a formula that described a curve. We were to take a segment of that curve and rotate it about a set of coordinates, using the math to describe the resulting solid. I was looking at those equations, and suddenly realized it was a perfect shape for a turret. For someone facing a splatter-effect weapon, it would deflect most of the incoming energy regardless of the direction it came from. You can bet that went into my notebook of good tank ideas!

 

It’s also a shame to skip over the various relationships that grew over those years. Twee and I, in particular, bonded. Nancy never warmed up to me. Molly, Maurine, Gran, Conrad, Glorinda, Matt; with a cast like that, you know there were dramas. Heartfelt moments. Sorrows. Spats. Laughter.

 

Oh! The first time I got to drive a tank! It was highly unusual for Molly’s to receive a tank that was operational. The first time it happened, Molly had us leave the drive train intact for a few weeks. This was significant because the turret was smashed and much of the hull was messed up as well, so the only notable salvage was the drive train. She used the crane to set up an obstacle course of sorts, and each person was allowed half an hour per day to “practice.” Heck, I could probably come up with ten good stories just from that month!

 

And there was my secret crush. Somehow, despite having so much to keep me occupied, I accidentally fell in love with someone who never knew I existed. Then there was the bottomless heartache when I finally gathered the courage to talk to her, only to learn that I “wasn’t her type.” As if gender were really that important.

 

With three years of living, of course there were stories, but I don’t want to get too bogged down in the day-to-day. I mean, really, it all comes down to “there are circumstances, Tadpole either adapts or fails to adapt, and life moves on.” But, despite those three years being amazing and awful and fulfilling and frustrating and rewarding and disappointing, they really paled in comparison to what happened next.

 

I turned 15.

 

Do you feel cheated? Was that an anti-climax? Of course I turned 15. Everyone turns 15. It’s a pretty common event for most people. And, honestly, it was a pretty common event for me, for a while. I mean, there was a party. There were presents. I got my favorite meal. Maurine started me on welding lessons. And life went on for a couple of months.

 

Then Olaf came into town.

 

The first Saturday, my parents drove me out to Molly’s. I’d lost most of my dread about that; they did it every so often, usually when there was something a little special going on. Olaf coming to town certainly qualified as “special” in my book!

 

I ran into the garage as soon as the car stopped, hugging my once-a-year friends. There were laughs and greetings and back-slapping and such. I made the rounds quickly, knowing they all had work to do, and wanting to make myself useful as soon as possible, but I couldn’t find Olaf. He was usually in the middle of everything, but today, he was nowhere to be seen.

 

I wandered into the showroom. There, Olaf and Molly were talking with my parents.

 

“Tadpole! Come on over,” he called. “We’re talking about you.”

 

Oh, crap. The dread came rushing back.

 

He saw my face and laughed. “Honestly, Tadpole, you have got to stop assuming the worst. Trust me, when the worst finally does happen, it isn’t going to start with a friendly meeting.”

 

My mom put her hands on my shoulders and turned me to face her. “Honey,” (Oh gods! Don’t call me that here!) “Olaf and Molly tell us that you really have an aptitude for this work. And we know how much you like it. So we’ve decided to let him make you an offer.” Was she crying?

 

“Tadpole,” said Olaf, “you’re 15 now. You can, with your parents’ permission, withdraw from school to pursue other routes of education, such as an apprenticeship.”

 

He stopped speaking and watched me. I waited a moment for him to continue, then realized what he’d just said. My mouth fell open. I closed it. It fell open again. I closed it again. It fell open a third time. Fine. Leaving my mouth hanging open, I turned to look at Molly, who was also watching me intently, smiling. I turned to my parents. Mom was clearly crying now, holding close to Dad, who was beaming at me. Beaming! I completed the circle to look at Olaf again.

 

“Hnmabuwa….” I said.

 

He nodded. “Yes, it would mean traveling with us until we return here, for a year. It would mean you would need to continue your classes remotely. It will probably mean you’ll be delayed a year in graduating, but it will also mean you’ll be eligible to apply for a Journeyman’s slot with the mechanics guild when you return. Assuming you do well, of course.”

 

“Imanumanuma?” I asked.

 

“Don’t expect it to be easy,” he cautioned. “You’ve seen how we work. The days are long and the work is hard. If we’re not working, we’re on the road to the next job. It’s brutal, and not everywhere we visit is as much fun as Molly’s. You’re going to spend the year tired, and sore, and probably earn a few scars. But I guarantee, if you stick it out, it will be the most effective learning experience of your young life.”

 

I looked at Molly. “Budwhadabowd?”

 

“We’ll be fine, Tadpole. And your locker will still be here when you return, I promise.”

 

“Mom? Dad? Whadamigaschool?”

 

“We’ve already spoken to your teachers and to the principal. They all support this, if you want to go. Your maths teachers, in particular, are keen that you continue your classes online, Professor Highlins in particular.”

 

“You don’t need to answer us today,” said Olaf, gently spinning me around with his huge hand. “We’re here for seven weeks. If you decide to come, just have a bag packed by then. If not, we’ll see you in another year.” He smiled at me, then turned and headed into the garage. Molly patted me on the head then followed him out.

 

“Honey? What do you think?” Mom put her hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “I know it’s a lot to…”

 

“Yes!” Finally I found my tongue. “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!” I was jumping up and down to punctuate each word. “YES!”

 

Me, an actual apprentice! Can you imagine it?

 

 

Mahalo (thank you) for reading; I hope you enjoyed! This story is part of a series. Information on the series, and links to the other stories, can be found here.

 

[Pythor 1,354]

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Where are you Flex  :ph34r:

Good Chapter Hippin

Edited November 3, 2018 by pythor20000

[cryptor 589]

Nice article!  :lol:  ;)

[P.4.R.K.O.U.R 329]

Nice article.

You approved it yourself?

[Hippin_in_Hawaii 639]

Nice article.

You approved it yourself?

Nope. That would be bad form.

[TankiNoob2000 231]

Yeahhhh! Can you make a Halloween special like a spin off please?

[Hippin_in_Hawaii 639]

Yeahhhh! Can you make a Halloween special like a spin off please?

 

I do have a Halloween story in the same edition. Is this something like what you wanted?

http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=377344

[TankiNoob2000 231]

I do have a Halloween story in the same edition. Is this something like what you wanted?

http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=377344

Oh yes!;)