37. Different Idea 1
At The Canterbury Defense Academy
After the Commandant sent Gerald and Samuel to their Housemaster, Sgt. Thomas Dotson pondered over the story surrounding them.
“Who would want to post a picture of the Cadets who visited their parents on social media? What does the person wish to achieve?”
He was deep in thought when the Housemaster walked in and greeted him, “Good morning, Lt. Cornel.”
The Commandant jolted back to reality and responded, “Good morning, Housemaster. Did you see the boys I sent to you?” He asked.
“Yes, Commandant. They showed me the stuff they returned with and said that you permitted it.”
“Yes. They have been ill, and they needed the stuff to recuperate fast.”
“I got it. I asked them to leave them in my office to avoid being distracted and the envy of the other students.”
“Your decision is apt. By the way, whose children are they?”
“I don't know. I have never met their parents. I only interact with one Tim."
“One Tim?”
“Yes, Commandant. I guess he is their aide.”
“That is just what I need to hear. Apart from their aid, don't permit anyone to see them. Not even to speak with them. Is that understood?”
“I got it, Commandant.”
“It is all right. You can leave.”
The Housemaster left and the Commandant was relieved.
“I will call His Excellency later and inform him that they are back,” he told himself.
Since the day was likely to be a busy one, he decided to speak with his friend, Lt. Col. Smirnoff first. He called his number and waited for him to pick up the call.
“What is happening? This is quite unlike Ben,” he told himself after he failed to answer him and stared at the wall.
“I may visit his office later,” he resolved and began his work for the day.
At The Army Headquarters
After the broadcast, His Excellency became busy with calls and meetings with the Heads of State of other countries. Some were friendly and happy with him for supporting the Savannah while others were not.
“What is our offense? They ordered arms and we supplied them,” he asked Gen. Sabastine Hanklin, the President of the defeated South Coast, when he called him.
“That is sabotaging our efforts. We almost won until you came to their aid. Why?”
“What do you mean? Why did you not order arms from us? Why did you patronize other countries? Isn't that sabotaging our efforts too?” His Excellency stated angrily, and Gen. Hanklin was dumbfounded and ashamed to argue further.
He ignored other callers to put his house in order by inviting the two Lieutenant Colonels. Instantly, he called the Commandant and he picked up his call forthwith.
“Good morning, Your Excellency,” he greeted him.
“Good morning, Commandant. How is work?”
“Work is fine, Your Excellency. I planned to call later to let you know that the boys are back.”
“That is good. Kindly keep an eye on them until they recover fully.”
“I got it, Your Excellency.”
“If you won't be too busy, I would like to see you at noon,” he requested.
The Commandant's heart skipped a beat and he answered in trepidation, “I will be with you, Your Excellency.”
“It is all right. See you later.”
Afterward, he informed the Second in Command about the meeting and he promised to inform Lt. Col. Smirnoff.
At Lt. Col. Ben Smirnoff's Office.
After the lugubrious weekend, he dragged himself to work and waited for the worst. He worked coldly and his staff members noticed it. When his phone rang, he looked out for the caller and ignored it when he noticed that it was a call from the Commandant.
“He had been calling to ask me why I made the disparaging post about his school. What will I tell him if I pick up his call?” He asked himself sorrowfully."
He ignored the call and continued his work. Likewise, he was relieved when he did not call again until 1100 hours when his phone rang and he was disturbed. Likewise, he furrowed his brow before he looked at the caller. Not only that, he felt as though his head would explode and his eyeballs would pop out of their sockets when he saw the caller.
"Oh, my goodness! He exclaimed. Nervously, he got up from his seat and picked up the call.
“Good morning, Your Excellency,” he greeted with a quivering voice.
The Second in Command calmly responded and informed him, “Good morning, Ben. His Excellency wished to see you at noon.”
He held his breath for what seemed like sixty seconds before he answered, “I got it, Your Excellency. Thank you for informing me.”
After the call, he felt dizzy and sat down forlornly, staring at the wall.
The Commandant put himself together after the call between him and the Head of State. Without delay, he left the school. His reason was simple - to see his friend before the meeting. He got to the Headquarters, drove to his office, and parked in the vestibule hoping to be brief with him.
He quickly got to his office, without knocking, opened his door, and showed his cheerful face. At that moment, Ben was overwhelmed with guilt. When he saw his face, he lost consciousness.
“Oh, my God! Ben,” he called out and rushed to him.
However, his voice attracted the other staff and they rushed into his office.
“What happened?” They asked at the same time.
“Somebody help me, please. He needed to see the doctor,” he requested, and tried to lift him. His colleagues stopped asking questions, helped him, and got him into the car.
“Come with me. We are taking him to the clinic,” he informed one of those who carried Ben to his car.
Without hesitation, the colleague got into the car and drove to the clinic where the doctor received him. After admitting him to the clinic, the Commandant excused himself.
“I will be back, Dr. Morgan,” he said and the doctor granted his request, “It's okay. There's no cause for alarm. He will be fine.”
“That is good to hear,” he said.
Likewise, he looked at the time and was glad that he would still be punctual and drove to the Head of State's office.
The Head Of State's Office
The Commandant arrived a few minutes before noon and informed his Secretary that he had a meeting with him.
“It is all right,” she said and he waited at her office.
When it was time, he got up and the Secretary advised him to wait.
“The Second in Command is with him. He may be out any moment from now.”
The advice did not go down well with the Commandant for fear that the Head of State might assume that he was late for the appointment.
“Kindly, let him know that I am here. He may assume that I did not keep to the time.”
The Secretary smiled softly and informed him, “The security camera is there. He saw you the moment you walked in.”
The Commandant was uncomfortable and the Secretary noticed it. To alleviate his stress, she got up and promised, “I will inform him that you are here.”