The Link 3 - The Huntress

Chapter 8 - Captain Garcia

"What do you mean you couldn't move, Captain?" Colonel Righthouse asked.

"All of us were forced to our knees, sir," I replied. "We couldn't move. My muscles refused to listen to my mind. I can honestly say that I feared for my life."

"You think she could have killed you?" Righthouse asked.

"Her?" I said, "I think she saved me. It was McGuire that was tearing up Corporal Rodriguez. Blood was flowing from his nose and eyes and I had a sense he wasn't going to stop with the Corporal."

"There's two of them?"

"I didn't know there was one of them, sir," I said, with a tone that was meant to broadcast my dislike of being left in the dark. Being at the mercy of another human being had a way of making a person reconsider his loyalties.

"Need to know, Captain," Righthouse said. "I'm sorry you were put into that position, but we were strapped for time, and you were the closest unit. We had no idea she would be running and certainly not back to Portland."

"She wanted to join with me," I told him. It was wrong to enjoy the shock on his face, but I took pleasure in it.

"You didn't!' Righthouse demanded.

"No, sir," I replied, "though I believed she meant it as a way of cooperation. Before the Corporal attacked, she was trying to solve our needs on her own terms." I sighed too loudly. "Had I known what was going on, I could have negotiated something that would have satisfied her and us."

"I'm ordering a review of your unit. Every one of them needs to be cleared again." Righthouse ordered, "We can't afford another Rodriguez." I nodded as the the colonel stood from his desk and began to pace. "Do you think she would meet with you again?"

"I suspect she'll shield herself behind lawyers, sir" I replied. "I would prefer she and her boyfriend cool down a bit before I even attempt to re-engage. They're not a couple you want to anger."

"We have another contact," Righthouse said, pointing at a chair. I sat and watched him pace as he spoke. "A scientist who has befriended her and understands all that's going on. He hasn't been as upfront with us as we would like, but I don't think she'll deny his visit."

"Are you asking my opinion, sir?"

"Who the hell else is here, Captain?" Righthouse said.

"I can't give a good opinion without all the information, sir," I said. Righthouse stopped his pacing and looked out the window. I waited as he considered whether to fill me in, or send me on my way. At that moment, I would have preferred to be sent away. The drooling image of a mindless Corporal Rodriguez was foremost in my mind.

"This stays in this room," Righthouse said.

"Yes, sir," I said. What followed shook my faith in government. To find out that we had willingly participated in DNA manipulation for strategic advantage was beyond anything I had expected. A desire to create super soldiers was on the edge of my mind as Righthouse explained that the knowledge was necessary for future planning. I began to understand Ms. Fuller's desire to mend fences. Her statements now made sense, and we ruined it all by being a robotic organization instead of human. Righthouse thought of her as an asset, no different than any other weapon in our arsenal.

"Do you have an opinion now, Captain?" Righthouse asked, once the briefing was complete.

"Send her your apology, sir," I said. "Give her the recognition she desires and let her control the situation."

"After all that you've seen," Righthouse said, "the power that both of them possess, and the only thing you can offer is an apology?"

"She's didn't sign up for this, sir," I responded. "You have to ask her. Politely."

"She's our god damn creation!" Righthouse shouted, slamming his fist on the table.

"Maybe, but she's holding all the cards, sir," I said. I should have taken her hand in the car when she asked. There was a kindness in her.

"If she's a threat," Righthouse said, "there're other ways it can be dealt with." I cringed inside at how he said it. "National security can be invoked."

"We are the threat, sir," I said. "One of our own tried to kill her." Righthouse waved away my words and began pacing again. I was beginning to wonder if this whole conversation was leaving the realm of legality.

"Maybe you're right," Righthouse said, slowing his movements. "Do you think she'd accept an apology, a verbal one? It's not something that can be put in writing."

"That depends, sir," I said, "is it sincere?"

"I'll issue an apology for Corporal Rodriguez's actions," Righthouse said, his tone brightening as a new plan formed, "Do you think they'll agree to come on base for an interview, maybe a demonstration?"

"They don't trust us, sir," I said. "And I don't think Ms. Fuller has any desire to be an asset of the US military."

"It's her country too," Righthouse countered, "does she love it or not?"

"Right now, she thinks her country is out to kill her," I replied. "We'll be lucky to interview her on her own terms." Righthouse began pacing again, his hand stroking his chin. I began to wonder how he got to be a Colonel. There was a strong streak of patriotism in his every decision, but the lack of common sense weakened it.

"Would she offer to join with you again?" Righthouse asked quietly. He was looking away from me when he asked. A hundred things went through my mind, and I saw my officer bars falling from my shoulders.

"If she said yes and I did," I questioned him, "would you, or the army, ever trust me again, sir?" He was asking me to compromise myself. Righthouse began pacing again, his eyes looking everywhere but at me. His lack of an answer was answer enough.

"If I ordered you to?" Righthouse asked.

"It would finish me," I said.

"I could create a new position," Righthouse said, "permanent liaison to Ms. Fuller. We would learn what we need, and you could press our position if her...skills were required."

"I'll never get a command," I said, realizing it would destroy my dreams. Memories of John Wayne in The Longest Day still haunted me from my childhood. I dreamed of leading men on a battlefield. The honor of victory and now Righthouse was asking me to throw it all away so he had a chance at a new weapon.

"We either control the threat, or we eliminate it," Righthouse said, turning to me. His statement had a finality to it. For the first time in my career, I questioned the wisdom of joining the army. She wasn't going to be controlled, the best we could hope for is a little cooperation.

"She's an American citizen," I said.

"They dropped a squad to its knees," Righthouse said, "and turned Rodriguez into a simpleton. Do you really think I can let that kind of power run loose in this country, the same country I'm sworn to protect?" I could see the determination on his face.

"You're asking me to fuck my career," I said bluntly.

"I'll fuck it if you don't do it," Righthouse said.

"You're a bastard, sir," I said, knowing I had lost all control. I was screwed either way.

"I'll make sure combat pay is added to your salary," Righthouse continued, "you'll report directly to me and to no one else. Civilian clothes, no uniforms when you're off post."

"Shit!" I said, watching my life being changed by some asshole's mere thoughts.

"I'll give you some leeway today, Captain," Righthouse said, "but in the future, there will be a 'sir' after every 'shit'. For now, return to your unit and prepare for the review. First, we'll make sure there are no more Rodriguezes."

"Yes, sir," I said, trying to make the sir sound like asshole.

"This conversation doesn't leave this room, Captain," Righthouse said, "I'll initiate our apology through the third party I mentioned. If I can get you an audience, you'll take it. I must know their full capabilities."

"Yes, sir," I said robotically. I was committed to two more years in the armed forces. There would be no re-up for me. I smiled to myself as I walked out of Righthouse's office, wondering if Corbett Industries could use an ex-officer.