The Woman

8. Memories

**John's flashback**

I walk in the testing lab, ready for a new day. The previous night was rough on everyone because we just lost a test subject. Everyone avoided getting to know them because they knew this was bound to happen. I am in charge of keeping them alive. "Captian, we have found a perfect new subject." A new lieutenant says as he brings me a cup of coffee. "Give me details, Simms." I take the coffee from him, waiting for the new report. He opens a file before he started reading. "U.S Navy sailor who recently joined the Seals as a sniper making history, was a firefighter before joining, which means they are powerful and hard willed, use to be a Boatswain's Mate, they have no family, they died in a car crash, and she rarely has any friends."

"Why did this person make history for becoming a SEAL?" I question, rolling my eyes. There are men becoming SEALS every day.

"Because she's a FEMALE." He tells me impressed as if he was saving that last bit.

"A female did all of that?" I question with a raised brow, quite impressive if you ask me. She has broken boundaries in a man's world.

"What's the name of this sailor?" I walk with him down the bright white halls.

"Annie Lockaruba." He struggles to read the last name. As soon as that name came off of his lips, I could no longer function. I felt the coffee drop out of my hands as I heard it crash on the floor. My little Annie, not my little girl. "Captain? Is there something wrong?" Simms asks curiously as he noticed my sudden behavior. "Picture?"

"I beg your pardon?" He asks, puzzled.

"IS THERE A PICTURE OF HER!?!" I raise my voice feeling the anger rage inside of me.

"Oh..yes, sir." He fumbles around in the file before handing me photos of her. I look at them to see it was my Annie. She has grown up so much and has accomplished plenty. She was beautiful in every way. I kept the photos of her not wanting anyone to see them. "Is everything alright, sir?" He asks, noticing my demeanor.

"No, I'm talking to the board about this. " I change my sudden direction heading down into the commander's office. ***

I forget all military manner and just barge in. "THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!! I REFUSE TO LET IT HAPPEN!! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO HER!!" I scream at my boss in charge. He was in a meeting I was supposed to be at in ten minutes, all of the funders and top people are present. "What are you going on about?" He asks me with a calm voice, trying not to embarrass himself. "ANNIE LOCKARUBA!! I WILL NOT LET YOU TEST ON HER!!" I throw the file down on the table. "Explain the meaning behind all of this." He starts to go testy.

"SHE HAS FAMILY!! I'M HER FAMILY!!" I try to keep a steady voice struggling in the process. His mouth was agape as his eyes went wide. "You are related to the subject?" He asked, so confused.

"Yes."

"Very well, I will put you in another division."

"NO, YOU WILL FIND SOMEONE ELSE!"

"I'm afraid I can't, she already belongs to us. She is downstairs as we speak. You can either be her doctor, or I can transfer you and get someone else."

"I'll stay, now where downstairs is she?" I ask with gritted teeth. I could tell I made the room feel very uneasy.

"Holding room." Was all he said.

I turn towards the door, making my way down to her, pushing my way through anyone who got in my way. I had this very uneasy feeling in my stomach. I finally made it down to the holding room to see her from the other side of the window. She grew up to be such a gorgeous young woman, and she had so many tattoos now, her hair was pulled into a tight military-style Bun, she was a woman, no more pigtails, cute little buck teeth. She was fully grown. I watched as she turned her head to look at me. Her face lite up with a massive grin from ear to ear. I knew she recognized me from her smile. I open the door and walk-in standing in front of her. She saluted me, even though we were inside and didn't have our covers on. Her face was plain with no emotion, her warface. "Captain." she does that with me no matter where we are. It's our little way of saying hello, and I'm proud of you. I salute back. "SO2." I smile. I was the one to pin her when she made rank. I drop my salute then pull her in for a hug. "I've missed you," I whispered in her ear.