34. Misunderstanding 4
The Canterbury Defense Academy
The Commandant's question was as though he was asking his friends, and Gerald began with apologies, “We apologize, Lt. Colonel, for not returning to school as we promised.”
“Why?” He asked with concern.
“We were sick and the Head of State took us to the hospital and insisted that we must return with our food.”
The Commandant's eyes widened in astonishment. He looked at them again and asked, “Were you the boys at the Headquarters' gate?”
“Yes, Commandant,” Gerald answered shyly.
The Commandant was astounded and he looked into their eyes and asked, “How are you?”
“We are fine, Commandant.”
“I'm delighted to hear that. What are your names?”
“My name is Gerald Dickson and my brother's is Samuel Dickson.”
“I see. I'm glad to have you back, Gerald and Samuel.”
“Thank you, Commandant,” they responded simultaneously.
“It's all right. Run along so that you will not be late for lessons.”
“Thank you, Commandant,” they responded gladly and carried their stuff.
“Tell your Housemasters to see me. Is that okay?”
“We got it, Commandant,” they accepted and walked out. They got to their hostels and walked to the Housemaster's office at once and informed him of the Commandant's approval.
“Did you say that the Commandant permitted this?”
“Yes, Housemaster. That is why he asked you to see him.”
“It is all right. You will leave your stuff in my office. Otherwise, you will distract your colleagues.”
“I got it, Sir,” Samuel answered quickly.
He was conscious of his brother-in-law who was waiting for them. As soon as he was through with him, he walked to his room, picked up his school bag, and joined Tim at the car park.
“How did it go, Samuel?” He asked him.
“It went well. The Commandant is not angry with us for coming back late.”
“That's good to hear. What about your food? Did he permit it?”
“Yes, Brother-in-law. The Housemaster said I should keep it with him to avoid distracting my colleagues.”
“That is good. Quickly write your 'Thank You' message.”
“Okay.”
Just like Laura, they were skillful in calligraphy. He began to write his thoughts on the paper while Gerald joined them at that point with his paper.
“He will be happy to read your appreciation,” Tim informed them after collecting the papers.
“It's okay. We will apologize to the men at the gate when we visit again.”
“That is a good idea. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any need.”
“We got it, Brother-in-law.”
“Good. Take care of yourselves and remember that I am dead,” he said, and turned on his ignition. The boys laughed softly at the information.
“We will. Goodbye,” they said one after the other and watched as he drove off.
At Tim's House
He was happy that the traffic in the city had truly reduced. He saw the bus drivers taking the staff members to work. He was lucky that no driver recognized the clunker. Otherwise, he would have been unable to monitor them the way he did.
While driving, he listened to the news and was interested in the latest update on the war. To his disturbance, the comments were on how to fish out the suppliers of the weapons to Savannah.
“Why are they bothered about the suppliers? What are they up to?” He murmured and drove on.
Soon, he was at home. The few days he had spent with the boys were exciting and he felt their absence.
“I wish their parents would permit them to spend the holidays with me,” he thought.
On a second thought, he smiled and asked himself, “Do people spend the holidays with a dead man?”
He mulled over the maltreatment from Laura and her parents.
“I must get justice,” he resolved, and sent for the Chief Judge.
While waiting for him, he checked on the office and sent a message to George (All the Secretary's team members, especially the Lance Corporal who vexed you on Friday should be in the guardroom until closing. No food for them).
George smiled and replied (I got it, Boss).
At The Auxiliary Armory PLC
The General Manager walked into the Secretary's office and she greeted him coldly, “Good morning, Capt. Bolton.”
She had cried wolf in the past, and it was difficult to know when she needed help.
“Good morning, Secretary,” he ignored her mood and responded.
Likewise, he walked into the President's office. At that point, the janitor arrived and walked in with him.
“Good morning, Capt. Bolton,” he greeted and faced George.
“I have come to inform you that I am here, Sgt. Young,” he stated.
“It's okay, Gilbert. Take your seat in the Secretary's office. I will let you know when I need you."
“It's okay.”
Afterward, he faced Capt. Bolton and informed him, “The President said he wants his office refurbished.”
“I expected that. I propose that we do it this coming weekend.”
“It is all right. But we can inform the Maintenance Department and order the furniture at once.”
“You are right. Concerning the new staff movement method, I have my observation.”
“Let's hear it.”
“I propose that we buy a few more buses so that the staff members can come to work and leave at the same time.”
“That is thoughtful of you. That is one of the reasons for this meeting. The President has the same opinion as you. He said that all the official cars should be sold and the income from the sales should be used for the purchase of more buses.”
“I got it. That means the sales would be by auction. Am I right?”
“Certainly. Can we invite the Head of the Transport Department?”
“It's okay. I propose that all the managers should be present too. We can put our heads together and come up with excellent modalities.”
“I agree with you. Let the other managers know that we will meet at 1000 hours. Is that okay by you?”
“Perfect,” the General Manager said and stood up. George got up too and they walked towards the door.
Meanwhile, when the janitor sat on the visitors' seat as George instructed him, Laura frowned at him and asked, “Why are you here? Is that the waiting room?”
Though he was a calm and respectful person he would fight anyone who would deny him the opportunity to be close to the young President.
“The President said I will work with him for the week,” he confidently informed her.
She was surprised to hear that and gave him a perplexed look. When she noticed that he was unfazed, she let him be.
At Tim's House
The comments about the suppliers of the weapons were getting him irritated and presenting his country as a coward. At that point, he called on His Excellency and he did not pick up.
“He may be getting ready for work,” he said and walked to the basement. He looked at the raw materials and smiled softly. He was about to sit down when his phone rang and it was a call from the Chief Judge, Justice Ignatius Vancouver.
“Hello, Your Justiceship," he greeted after he picked up the call.
“Hello, General. I'm at your gate?”
“It's all right. I will be with you shortly.”