The buzzer sounded as the gate before me opened. A year and a half of boredom while the Judge Advocate General argued during a trumped up court martial for insubordination. My duffel was slung over my shoulder as I marched out of the gate to find my JAG lawyer waiting along with my sister. I didn’t suppress the salute for the Major that had done all she could to help me.

Major Kathryn Reynolds shook her head and said, “Part of the terms of your release is you don’t have to salute me anymore.”

I gave her a crooked grin and said, “Yes ma’am, I am aware. Call it a sign of respect for all your efforts.”

My sister’s indelicate snort told us both her opinion before she said, “One of you needs to explain what happened now, because Nicole is about ready to string me up for this shit storm.”

I gave Reynolds the nod to let her know that I was okay with sharing information. I could pass the information along myself, but her statement would be more official. The major answered, “I’ll have the official documentation sent to AT’s legal team. The official story is that Adept Technologies did not gift a prototype to the United States Military. Officers outside of Michael’s chain of command had no legal justification to order him to turn the gear over. General Thomas could have ordered him to not bring the gear onto the base, but seizing personal items without probable cause is theft. As the general authorized the use of his personal gear for a mission any attempts to seize it could be considered theft. The most they legally should have ordered was for the gear to be sent home as it was no threat to the soldiers stationed at that base. Because of the miscarrage of justice First Lieutenant Shepard was given an honorable discharge and a prorated early pension. It won’t be much, but the only officer that was willing to have him back was General Thomas, and even then he would have to deal with officers observing him with a fine tooth comb. Now Michael, you can still be recalled to active duty in the special circumstances listed in your discharge papers.”

I grunted an acknowledgement, and then explained it to Rhiannon, “Basically if a situation arises within the next eight years where the government calls up the draft I can be recalled at my retirement rank.”

At Rhi’s nod I turned back to the Major and asked, “So does this mean I can take you out for a drink now?”

Kathryn’s laugh sent a tingle down my spine as she said, “Sorry soldier, you're not my type.”

“Well that’s too bad, I guess the gift I asked Rhi to send to the JAG office for your team will have to do,” I said with a chuckle.

“That could be considered inappropriate,” she replied.

Rhiannon shook her head and said, “I checked before I did anything. It’s just a nice meal for you and the team that helped out my brother, and since the case is closed you all can enjoy it.”

“Then on behalf of my team, thank you,” Reynolds replied, “I need to get back to the office. I hope you stay out of trouble Mr. Shepard.”

I shook her hand after Rhiannon and said, “No promises.”

Rhiannon tucked her arm in mine and started leading the way to the parking lot as she asked, “So anything in particular I need to know that wasn’t in her explanation?”

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

“Only that there was a bit of nepotism involved in getting me clear. One of the girls that I pulled out of there turns out to be a Senator’s niece. He’s on one of the appropriation committees and had been quietly trying to locate her so he could get her rescued. I don’t know all the politics of it, but he applied some pressure to make sure that everything was by the book,” I said.

As we got into her car she asked, “What is the plan for you now. You kept telling me that research and development was too boring for you, even though you would enjoy testing the gear we can make.”

“Do you think Ash would let me work for the company for a short time while I get my affairs in order for a new job? I have an idea, but I need to get my ducks in a row for it first.”

“Tell me what this idea is and I’ll consider asking,” she said warily.

“Those kids, getting them out reminded me why I put the uniform on. There are people out there that need someone to get them out of danger, and I have the skillset to do it. I’m thinking that I might be able to make a job of it,” I said.

“What, like law enforcement?” she asked.

I shook my head and said, “More along the line of mercenary work. An extraction specialist, getting civilians out of a target zone so that those who still wear the uniform can do their job.”

“Explain, because that still sounds like you would be stepping on the toes of the military,” she said.

“Maybe a little bit. That’s what I mean by getting it organized. I wouldn’t be able to do it alone. Sure I can handle the wet work aspect of it, but I would need at least a small team to help me out. Communications and Target Acquisition for the most part. That and I’ll need to pay for the appropriate gear,” I replied.

“Gear won’t be an issue, at least not operations gear. I can probably get you a line on anything else you need with the business contacts. That would get you started, and since you won’t be military anymore it won’t have to be set up as a personal gift,” Rhiannon pointed out.

“Fair enough. For communications I would need someone that could liaison with the customer and with the rest of the team. They would also need to be able to source transportation and other travel arrangements,” I said, ticking off a finger, “The target acquisition person; that I would prefer a white hat hacker. They would need to be able to help me locate where the operation area was, and cover digital security for the business. Eventually I would want a quartermaster, but that would be down the line.”

“So a Face and a Tracker,” she clarified.

“Pretty much. What do you think?” I asked.

“I think you are crazy for wanting to get out there and get shot at. That being said, I think I can help. One of my R&D team is bored sitting in the lab, and he’s a Linguist. He’s got enough of a moral code to have been a security specialist for law enforcement, but he made some mistakes as a teenager. When we showed him that his coding knowledge could be applied to array’s he was ecstatic. Now though he’s been getting bored, so he might be willing to use his skills for you. The face though, I need to make a call on that one. If she’s willing she would be perfect, but she’s got a bit of an attitude that you will just have to deal with,” she answered.

“What kind of attitude?” I asked.

“Abrasive, antagonistic, and absolutely contrary; all except for when she’s putting forth the effort. She can convince a vegan to try a steak when she puts her mind to it, and can organize events like an opera conductor, if she thinks it is worth it,” Rhiannon said.

“I see no reason not to give them a chance. When I have the team on standby and my gear set up I figured I would reach out to that Senator to spread the word. But before I even bother there is one important thing I need,” I said with a grin.

“If it’s what most boys want after they get out of prison I’m just going to dump you on the side of the road,” Rhiannon replied in a sharp voice.

“No, of course not. What I need you would agree to,” I said.

“I’m probably going to regret this. What do you need?” she asked.

I poked at the car’s navigation system to enter an address and said, “Sushi.”

She joined me in laughing as she took the exit that would take us to a little hidden sushi restaurant. Who says you can’t find good sushi in farming country.