To Riga, Latvia

Saturday, February 11, 2012.

Zachary, his teammates, and the academy coaches rose early before 5:00 A.M that morning. They boarded a Scandinavian Airlines flight from Trondheim-Vaernes Airport via Oslo and headed to Riga, Latvia. They were on their way to participate in the Riga Winter Cup, set to begin the following day.

"Captain," Paul Otterson intoned, turning back to face Zachary. The Swede had chosen a window seat positioned in the row just in front of Zachary. "Do you know which big teams will be participating?" He queried.

"I already told you not to keep calling me captain." Zachary scowled at his flatmate. "Just use my real name," he said, smiling wryly.

Coach Johansen had named him the NF academy captain for the duration of the tournament in Riga. Paul and Kasongo had changed how they addressed him to captain right away, irritating him to no end.