Stealing My Spot: I Chose State Secrets

At the ceremony announcing this year's graduate fellowship, my dad, the dean of the college, steps up to announce Aldenbury University's only fully funded spot at one of the country's most prestigious graduate schools. Everyone expects it to go to me. I'm his son, after all. Besides, I've ranked first in my program for three consecutive years, and I already have two papers published in major scientific journals. But when he says the name Ian Sullivan, the entire auditorium falls silent. Ian is a student Dad has been supporting financially for years. His grades barely meet the cutoff. I stare at Dad, my jaw tight. "How can you just hand over the fellowship I've earned after countless all-nighters in the lab?" "Ian didn't have the advantages you had growing up," Dad replies, sounding completely matter-of-fact. "The fact that he managed to meet the academic cutoff despite everything he's been through shows how much more resilient he is. "You've had access to the best education your entire life. Even without this fellowship, you can get into a good graduate program on your own. "I'm the dean, so I have to avoid the slightest show of favoritism. I can't give anyone a reason to accuse me of using my position to benefit my own son." My heart sinks. He wants to have the reputation of being a selfless, impartial dean while also using my achievements to pad his own record. If he's going to take everything I've worked for and use it to pave someone else's path, then fine. I don't need this fellowship. I turn around, tear up my application, and accept an offer from Svardia's National Institute for Strategic Research, a government-run research facility working on classified projects. There, I can work directly on the country's most sensitive strategic programs—a position far beyond what an ordinary master's or PhD could offer. Dad wants two achievements he can put on his resume, but he's not getting either one from me. Chapter 1 I stared at the man standing onstage, putting on a show of impartiality and righteousness, and felt nothing but disgust. When I was ten, I came down with a dangerously high fever and curled up on the couch, barely conscious. Dad was already grabbing his leg, rushing to lock the front door behind him. "Dad, I don't feel well…" I cried, begging him to take me to the hospital. He pulled his hand away. "Ian had just transferred schools and isn't adjusting well. He's having an emotional breakdown, and I need to go help him. "You've only got a fever. Sleep it off, and you'll be fine. Stop being so dramatic." That night, my fever spiked so badly that I started having seizures. I nearly died alone in the house. When Dad finally came home in the middle of the night and saw vomit covering the floor, there wasn't a trace of concern on his face. If anything, he looked annoyed. "Some people don't even have enough to eat, and you were born into a family that can give you everything. How can you not even take care of yourself?" Back then, I thought I simply wasn't good enough, so I worked myself to the bone. I studied harder than anyone else, desperate to become someone Dad could be proud of. For the core data behind my two research papers, I'd spent months pulling all-nighters in the lab. I'd ended up in the emergency room twice with stomach bleeding, and even the doctor warned me that if I kept pushing myself like that, I could end up dead. Ian, on the other hand, was living off the financial support Dad gave him. Most days, he did nothing but sleep and play video games with his roommates. He barely scraped through his final exams. And now, the results I'd nearly killed myself to achieve were being handed to him—someone who had done nothing to earn them—with a casual excuse about "avoiding favoritism". "I object." I looked straight at Dad. "This fellowship is supposed to be based on academic performance and research achievements, not on who has the saddest story. "If you think Ian is qualified, fine. Then I want his full academic record reviewed here, in front of everyone." Dad's expression darkened instantly. "Karl! Are you questioning the college's decision?" "You're the one I'm questioning!" I shot back, my eyes burning as I stared him down. "You say you're avoiding favoritism. What you're really avoiding is being accused of using your position to benefit your own family. "I have the highest GPA in the entire college. My research has passed every independent review. So, what gives you the right to block me?" "Enough!" A sharp voice came from beside me. My girlfriend of two years, Megan Campbell, stood up and grabbed my wrist. "Karl," she hissed, her tone full of reproach. "Will you stop making a scene?" I stared at her in disbelief. Megan frowned, disappointment written all over her face. "Prof. Ludwig has always been strict with you precisely because he doesn't want to be biased. And now you're challenging him in front of the entire college? Do you have any idea what you're doing to him? "And besides, Ian has it so hard. He doesn't even have a decent computer. "You have everything you need. Even if you apply on your own, you'll still get into a good graduate program. So, what's the big deal about giving Ian this opportunity? Do you really have to be this selfish?" I froze. Her fingers were digging painfully into my wrist, but the pain throbbing in my chest was worse. I looked at the woman I'd loved for two years—the woman I'd once imagined building a future with—and watched her defend another man. Then I looked at my own father, who was staring at me with a warning in his eyes. So, this was how they saw me. Everything I'd worked for was worthless. And the better I became, the more they thought I deserved to be sacrificed. I looked at Megan and slowly pried her fingers from my wrist. A tear fell onto the back of my hand, leaving a wet spot. "Fine. Good for you for being so noble." I picked up the fellowship application from the table and tore it to pieces without hesitation. With Dad staring at me in shock, I turned around and walked out of the auditorium without looking back. Chapter 2 After the ceremony, the entire campus of Aldenbury University was buzzing with stories about what I'd done. They said I was pulling rank, jealous of a student from a disadvantaged background, and trying to pressure his own father into abusing his position. Ian became everyone's inspirational success story, while I was painted as some spoiled rich kid who couldn't stand to see someone less privileged get ahead. Megan didn't even bother pretending anymore. She stopped bringing me breakfast and discussing research data with me. Instead, she poured all her energy into celebrating Ian's fellowship. I saw the photo she posted on social media. Ian was holding a birthday cake while she smiled at him with obvious affection. The caption read, "We've made it through the hardest part. Congratulations to our little hometown genius." I scrolled past it without expression, then blocked her. … That afternoon, I was summoned to the dean's office. When I pushed open the door, Dad was sitting behind his desk. I thought he might at least feel a little guilty. Maybe he'd even pretend to care and offer me a few words of comfort. But he didn't even look up. "Give me the core data from your national research project. Make a copy for Ian." I froze, convinced I'd misheard him. "What did you say?" Dad finally looked up, his brow furrowing. "Ian may have secured the fellowship, but his thesis still needs work," he said. "The data from your project is exactly what he needs. If he uses it, he'll have a much better chance of graduating with honors." I stared at him, a chill settling over me. Suddenly, I remembered the year I graduated from high school. I'd worked myself to the bone to make Dad proud and ended up ranking first in the science track across the entire Aldenbury. When I received my prize money, I didn't spend a cent on myself. I saved up and bought him an expensive silk tie instead. I'd been so excited when I handed it to him, but he didn't praise me. He didn't even try it on. The next day, I saw that same tie around Ian's neck. I confronted Dad about it, and he had the nerve to act as though he'd done nothing wrong. "The color is too flashy for me," he said matter-of-factly. "It doesn't suit me. Besides, Ian's never had nice things. It'll be much more useful to him. "You're the top student in Aldenbury. Surely you can live without one tie." He was right. He assumed I didn't need it, so that was why he felt justified in taking my graduate fellowship too. And now, Dad wanted the research data I'd nearly destroyed my health to obtain—the data I'd earned after months of sleepless nights and two trips to the emergency room for stomach bleeding. All so he could pave someone else's path with it. "Dad," I choked out, my eyes stinging. "I'm your son too. From the day I was born until now, have you ever—just once—felt sorry for me?" Dad froze for a moment, then his expression hardened. "Karl, what the hell is wrong with you?" he bellowed, slamming his palm against the desk. "You've always had the best of everything. Ian can't even afford a decent computer, and you're seriously going to begrudge him a little help? "I'm the dean. I have a responsibility to look after every student who's struggling. As my son, you should understand that better than anyone! "If you're going to keep being this selfish and narrow-minded, then don't call me Dad when you leave this university." I stared at him, and realization finally dawned on me. Despite all that talk about being a loving father and being fair and selfless, I was nothing more than a prop in the image he wanted everyone else to see. My eyes filled with tears, but I forced them back. I took a deep breath and wiped the corner of my eye. "Fine, Prof. Ludwig." I finally relented. "I'll give you the data." Chapter 3 When I got back to the lab, Ian was already waiting for me. He walked over to my desk holding a cup of cheap instant coffee, wearing the same timid, harmless expression he always had. Still, there was a hint of triumph in his eyes. "Thanks for the data, Karl," he said in a meek voice, setting the drink on my desk. "Megan said I probably wouldn't understand some of the programs, so she's going to walk me through them herself. "Don't be mad at her. She's just too kind. She only agreed to help because she felt sorry for me." I kept my eyes on my computer screen and ignored him. "Take your drink and get out." Ian's expression stiffened. "Karl, I know you're upset," he said, biting his lip. "But Prof. Ludwig is only doing what's best for everyone." As he spoke, he leaned one hand against my desk, deliberately knocking over the cup. Brown liquid spilled across the desk, soaking the corner of a picture frame. It was the only photo I had of Dad and me. I was seven years old then, and Ian hadn't entered our lives yet. Dad didn't have to worry about showing favoritism toward me. He'd taken me to an amusement park that day. He was smiling at me, warm and carefree. I watched the liquid seep through the edges of the frame, slowly blurring Dad's face in the photograph. All those happy memories had been buried beneath years of favoritism and humiliation, until the only thing I could remember clearly was the coldness with which he'd pushed me aside for someone else. As I stared at the ruined photograph, I suddenly felt that maybe it was better this way. Maybe it was time to stop holding on to the fantasy that we were ever going to be the family I'd wanted. "I'm sorry, Karl," Ian cried out, hurrying to grab some tissues. "I didn't mean to." But as he wiped the mess, he deliberately knocked the frame off the desk. It hit the floor, and the glass shattered. "What happened?" Megan had just walked through the door. The moment she saw Ian standing amid the broken glass, his eyes red with tears, her expression changed. She immediately stepped in front of Ian protectively and shoved me in the shoulder. "Karl, are you ever going to stop? Ian came here to thank you, yet you had to take your anger out on him!" The shove sent me stumbling backward, my hip slamming against the corner of the desk. A sharp pain shot through my side, but I ignored it and pointed toward the door. "Get out." Megan opened her mouth to argue, but one look at my cold expression made her stop. "You're unbelievable," she gritted out. "Ian, come on. Let's get out of here. Don't waste another second on this lunatic." … Late that night, the lab was completely empty. I sat alone at my desk, clearing out the files on my computer when an email suddenly appeared. It was from SNICR, Svardia National Institute for Classified Research. "Karl Ludwig, your security clearance and background investigation have been completed successfully," the email read. "Given the critical role you play in our classified research program, please let us know when you are available to report to the facility." I stared at the message for a moment before typing my reply without hesitation. "Tomorrow morning." I closed my email and began packing the files on my computer. Ian wanted the data, and Dad wanted to take everything I'd worked for and use it to pave Ian's way. "Fine," I thought. "I'll give them exactly what they want." I clicked "Send" and transferred the files to Ian. Chapter 4 Early the next morning, I arrived at a discreet meeting point on the outskirts of Aldenbury. I sat inside a black military-style SUV and signed the confidentiality agreement. One of the agents handed me a metal case. "Mr. Ludwig, regulations require you to surrender all personal communication devices before entering the facility. "From this point on, your identity records will be placed under the highest level of classification. Your name will be locked out of all public and government databases. "Until the project is declassified, you will effectively cease to exist to the outside world. Are you ready?" I nodded and took out my phone. "Can I make one last call?" The agent nodded. I dialed Dad's number. It rang for a long time before he finally answered. "What is it now?" he asked, his voice cold. "You already gave Ian the data. What else do you want?" "Dad, I'm not going to graduate school anymore," I said, staring out at the barren landscape beyond the window. "I'm leaving." There was a brief silence on the other end. Then Dad let out a mocking laugh. "Karl, how long are you going to keep playing this little game? You think threatening to give up your future is going to make me hand the fellowship back to you? "Let me make this clear. It's never going to happen. If you have that much pride, then don't ever come crawling back to me." He sounded so certain, but I didn't bother to argue. "As you wish," I simply said. Then I hung up and dropped the phone into the metal case. The car door closed, and the SUV sped toward the endless desert of Svardia, leaving Aldenbury behind. … Aldenbury University was glowing with lights. Dad had just been named one of Aldenbury's outstanding educators of the year for giving up his own son's graduate fellowship to help a disadvantaged student reach one of the country's most prestigious universities. That night, Aldenbury University had a celebration in his honor. Dad stood in the banquet hall, beaming as he raised his glass and accepted congratulations from university officials and members of the press. Ian wore an expensive designer suit—one Dad had bought for him with his own money. Megan stood beside him, her arm linked through his, pride written all over her face. "Prof. Ludwig is truly selfless. To give up his own son's fellowship like that—what an incredible role model for the rest of us!" "Not at all," Dad said, smiling as he was surrounded by praise. "Educators are supposed to treat every student equally. Ian worked hard for this opportunity, so he deserves it." Just then, one of the associate deans, a longtime rival of Dad's, approached with a drink in his hand. There was a knowing look in Hans Zoeller's eyes as he asked, "Prof. Ludwig, on a night this important, where is your son, Karl? "I heard he's barely been attending classes lately. Don't tell me he's holding a grudge over your decision." Awkwardness hung in the air. "Maybe Karl is still angry with me," Ian said quietly, his eyes reddening. "It's all my fault." "It's not your fault." Megan squeezed his hand. "He's just being petty and narrow-minded." Dad's expression darkened. The next second, he connected his tablet to the large screen at the front of the banquet hall. "Karl has been skipping classes for half a month because he can't accept that Ian got the fellowship," he boomed. "As dean, I've always put fairness before family. I have never abused my position for personal gain. "And since my son has chosen to disregard the university's rules, I am officially dismissing him from the university effective immediately." The room erupted, and Ian nearly jumped with joy. Once I was gone, all the research I'd left behind would belong to him. Dad quickly logged into Aldenbury University's central student records system and entered my student ID. Without hesitation, he clicked "Confirm Withdrawal". But the moment he did, the screen flickered. A shrill system alarm suddenly rang through the banquet hall. The student records system vanished from the screen. In its place, several lines of bold red text appeared. "This individual's records have been sealed under the highest national security classification. "Unauthorized access, modification, or cancellation is strictly prohibited. Any attempt to override these restrictions may constitute the unlawful access or theft of classified national information."