Friendly Fire

Lieutenant Willow - (33) Reality Check

I had left with Colonel Hitchen after the interrogation with Rin and the leader of The Resistance.

Just as we entered the debriefing room, Lieutenant Davis was already there filling out paperwork followed by a stack of envelopes. His face was plastered with worry and stress, it didn't take a fool to see the gears turning in his head.

"Lieutenant?" Colonel Hitchen started.

Lieutenant Davis flinched slightly upon being addressed but he eased up when he saw me and Colonel Hitchen. "Is... everything alright? What's all this?"

He only looked down and rubbed his thumb along the black ink. "Sir, 4 men were killed on base grounds... 6 more scouts unknowingly disappeared... I'm sending the news to their families... but... seeing these names written in ink... I-... I can't help but feel responsible for it- I don't know how you and Sergeant Collins do this. Deal with the grief and guilt of sending men and women out there knowing they may not return... maybe the role of a Sergeant isn't for me."

I gently took his hands and brushed my thumbs over his knuckles. "It's not your fault... if you want someone to blame... blame Rin... blame The Resistance. You didn't kill nor injure anyone. I've seen you train the cadets and young privates... you are fit for this... don't quit... not now when we have the culprits in custody... this war will all be avoided when we kill them."

He held my hands back and completely put on a mask as his whole expression just dropped before my eyes. In the blink of an eye, he became numb, but I know that he's mentally battling with himself over the guilt and not being good enough to lead us to victory.

Colonel Hitchen sighed and sat opposite Lieutenant Davis. "Kid... It's not easy dealing with the guilt or the loss. But if you give up like this, you're showing these men that we are fighting a losing war."

"We are fighting a losing war! Look around! Our resources and supplies are limited! Squadrons and scouts are MIA or KIA on the regular! Don't tell me that you are so fucking oblivious to what's going on around you! I refuse to lose more men and women!" He rose from his seat, slamming a fist on the table. "Punish me all you like. But I will continue training and recruiting. I will not dispatch anyone until I know we won't lose to any forces that we will intercept with. Now please excuse me."

Just like that, he stormed out with all the papers and envelopes in hand.

"Cole..." I turned to Colonel Hitchen who didn't know what else to say or do. I think he's starting to realize that we are all slowly beginning to see the truth. That he does see us as pawns.

That's why I want Lieutenant Davis to become a Sergeant and continue to climb the ranks to even be a Colonel. Lieutenant Davis' mindset and way of thinking are exactly what we need here.

Pawns... what if Rin was right about all this?
No. Snap out of it Lily, Rin is a traitor. Don't you ever forget that.

But what if...

"I'll go talk to him, why don't you go check in on the traitor and rebel scumbag. I'm sure our... guests are in dire need of replenishments."

I nodded and set myself out to the cafeteria to grab a cup of water and whatever slop was left from lunch earlier today.

I swear each spoonful moved on its own. Poor Private Riley couldn't keep his down and became incredibly sick.

Once I gathered refreshments, I set foot into the interrogation room and instantly dropped the trays of food as I saw the chains piled up onto the floor and empty cells.

Shit. Colonel Hitchen isn't going to like this.