22. The Battle 2
The Defense Academy
The Commandant was partially relieved after speaking with the Head of State some minutes ago. Nevertheless, his heart sank when he saw his call again. He wished that he could wake up from the bad dream and discover that all the problems had vanished. All the same, he picked up the call, cheered up, and greeted, “Hello, Your Excellency.”
He held his breath and waited for the worst but was mistaken.
“Don't worry yourself, Commandant. The boys are safe.”
He wished he could say 'It is not true' or ask 'How do you know' but his next request indicated that there was a fire on the mountain.
“Share the social media post about the students with me.”
Without hesitation, he answered, “I will do that right away, Your Excellency.”
The Headquarters
The Head of State cut the call at once and began to wait. The Commandant quickly shared the post with him and he gave himself a treat by having a sumptuous breakfast.
Likewise, he sent for his Second in Command and he arrived at once.
He looked at his face and said, “You sent for me, Your Excellency.”
“Yes. Kindly take your seat,” he said, and inquired, “Did you see any social media posts about The Canterbury Defense Academy?”
“Not at all. Is anything the matter?”
At that point, he looked at his device.
“Take a look at this,” he said, and displayed his device before him.
The Second in Command studied the post and asked, “This is our gate. Who are the students?”
“My concern is, who dares to publish such a post? I considered it a sabotage of my administration.”
The Deputy looked critically at the post and stated, “Deliberate damage to the government. From the picture, we can see that the photographer was driving into the premises, that was why they were blurry.”
The Head of State collected the device from him and looked at it again. After a careful observation, he pointed out, “The person must be one of us?”
“There is no doubt about it. Michael should be able to trace the person.”
“You are right. Call him for me.”
The Clinic
Dr. Morgan was surprised at the patients' sudden recovery. Tim was surprised as well but had seen such a thing before. When he lifted a lifeless Laura that day and tried to take her to the hospital, he noticed that she regained consciousness in a short while.
To be on the safer side, the doctor administered fluid via an intravenous while they chatted freely about school with Tim and kept the story of his death away for the moment. In a short while, the medication took a toll on them and they fell asleep. Tim suddenly became a nursing father and he loved it. He sat on a single chair and monitored his office.
Nevertheless, he was proud of George for comporting himself before the Brigadier.
The Auxiliary Armory PLC
George walked back to the reception and spoke with his driver and the security team.
“We will work until the closing hour today. So prepare yourselves?”
“Wow! We didn't prepare for it. What do we do about lunch?” Collins inquired.
George could not answer the question but one of the security officers, Sgt. Jerry Stafford, proposed, “Let's find out how they feed. We can do the same.”
“You are right. I will find out from the General Manager,” he agreed with him and returned to his office.
Laura was disappointed when he walked in because she thought that he had closed for the day, as he had for the two days he had worked with her. Despite the memo, she wished to leave as soon as George closed with her entourage and go to search for her missing brothers. From the look of things, it would not be possible.
“Pervert. What is he still doing in the office?” She murmured.
Nevertheless, George inquired about lunch from the General Manager, and he explained, “We eat in the staff canteen, but your secretary can arrange for yours to be served in the office if you wish.”
The thought of Laura touching his food irritated him and he declined at once, “I would rather go to the canteen with you and see things for myself.”
“That is better. I will pick you up when I am ready.”
“Thank you for that,” he appreciated him and kept himself busy with the gun.
At that time, he was dismantling and coupling effortlessly.
The Head of State's Office.
Maj. Horton arrived a few minutes after he got a call from the Second in Command. He was calmer and more coordinated than he was in the morning. Nevertheless, his legs wobbled when he saw their disgruntled faces.
“Good morning, Your Excellencies,” he greeted.
“Sit down, Michael,” the Head of State commanded him and he obeyed.
He focused a questioning look on him and waited patiently.
“Did you see any posts about our Academy on social media?”
“Not at all, Your Excellency.”
“Take a look at this picture,” he said, and pushed his device toward him.
Maj. Horton looked at the picture and squinted his eyes. Then, His Excellency asked further, “Where do you think the picture was taken?”
“This is our gate. The photographer was driving into the premises when he captured the boys.”
“That is good. Check the footage beginning from the day the boys arrived. I want to know the saboteur.”
“Consider it done, Your Excellency,” he answered and got up dutifully.
Then, he recalled himself and requested, “I beg to leave if you don't have any other thing for me.”
“You can leave.”
“If you need any assistance, do let me know,” the Second in Command informed him.
“I got it, Your Excellency,” he responded and left.
“I'm thinking, Your Excellency, " the Second in Command declared.
The Head of State gave him a perplexed look and asked, “What are you thinking about?”
“Could this be the work of Gen. McDonald (Retd.)?”
He looked intently at him and a grimace spread over his face before he stated, “I doubt. He has not recovered from the fear that gripped him when he thought that Tim would kill him.”
“You are right. I could not imagine who would do this.”
“Michael will report to us.”
“Okay.”
The Clinic
Tim was watching television when he glanced at his device and saw George and the General Manager in the Senior Staff Canteen. Incidentally, he was worried.
“What is troubling him?” Tim asked himself.
Meanwhile, Laura was there too and waiting to be served. It had been her way since she joined the company. Nobody was disturbed by that since it did not affect them but George was disturbed and did not hide his resentment. It gave him concern because he would soon teach her how to be a secretary. Therefore, he walked up to her and asked, “Are you a senior staff member, Miss Dickson?”
His question captured the interest of everyone, and they waited anxiously for her response. Just like the other female staff members, Stephanie hid her face and laughed. Tim was left spellbound and waited for her response.
“No. I am not a senior staff,” she answered tersely while everyone waited for George's reaction.
“Do you realize that this is a Senior Staff canteen?”
“Yes, Sgt. Young.”
“Then, why are you eating here?”
“I am here to eat on behalf of my President," she answered.