You both stop at your cabin door. You smile at Karim and give him a light punch on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Mounir, for taking good care of me since I arrived. I really appreciate it. I hope that we can hang out more like this and just shoot the breeze."
"You're a good kid, .," he says, returning your smile warmly. "I've seen a lot of young officers come through in my time and you're really a cut above."
"Well, I've had a good mentor."
"I'm just a dumb ape," he laughs. "I think I'll be a better wingman than a mentor, but let's stick close and get our mission done."
"Sounds good, my friend."
He nods and turns away to head for his cabin. You glance around the corridor for a moment, reveling in the sense of belonging. You are a Hoplite officer, you think, and this is your home. Folks like Karim are now your family, and you couldn't do better.
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