They hurried off.
'And you?' Trevor addressed the third.
'Um. Actually, I, um, just went off duty.'
Trevor let go of the officer who fell to the ground and tried to catch his breath.
'Well don’t hang around here. Go get some rest.' Trevor considered then pointed at the guy on the floor. 'Take him to the infirmary first.'
The technician nodded nervously. Trevor joined Nina and they continued on.
– While Trevor Stone went to meet with The Committee, Reverend Johnny decided on a walk around the city to study their defenses and to learn more about their hosts.
He exited the main entrance of the dormitory skyscraper out into an overcast day.
A supply truck with six big wheels drove by spewing noxious exhaust and a Skipper whirred overhead. Otherwise, the neighborhood felt deserted.
To his left, the street continued toward a series of smaller buildings that looked commercial in nature, perhaps shops. He also saw a small park with a cluster of trees and benches. At some point it must have been an area for recreation. If those trees were in bloom-if it were the summer months-then the little park might have looked cozy. Instead, it looked sad.
To his right, far in the distance, the start of the industrial district including some kind of power sub-station and a big garage. He spied streams of smoke drifting into the sky.
He walked to his left.
The sound of his footsteps clicked off the concrete walkway and echoed among the buildings. The occasional beep or bell joined the sound of those footsteps, but otherwise the day felt heavy with silence.
That silence broke as he passed the small, sad park. 'They say your name is Johnny.'
A person stood next to one of the thin, barren trees wearing a gray jacket with a dark hood over technician’s garb.
'Why yes. You may call me Reverend Johnny.'
'You are a friend of Trevor Stone’s? You came here with him?'
'That is correct. Now may I ask who are you?'
She removed the hood revealing a lovely face marred by a scarred cheek and hair cut short to match her military appearance. Nonetheless, he recognized the woman.
'My name is Ashley Trump.'
– Trevor took one step closer toward The Committee, purposely setting himself apart from Nina. Director Snowe stood off to the side, waiting for the confrontation to unfold. However, as usual, the three Committeemen whispered amongst themselves as they sat at their elevated table, not yet acknowledging Trevor or Major Forest's presence.
Trevor fidgeted, clenching and unclenching his fists with growing impatience.
Finally, he blurted, 'Did you want to see me or can I get back to trying to save all your asses?'
That drew their attention, but only long enough to shoot him down.
'You will be addressed.'
'We are still formulating our position.'
'Despite your unique situation, interruptions will not be tolerated.'
Trevor grunted. The men returned to their whispers for a bit longer, no doubt a punishment for his brashness.
At long last, The Committee spoke.
'We have analyzed the after-action reports from special mission number forty-two seventy-six. After reviewing these reports we realized we had made an error.'
'Yes. A procedural error. You should know that we do not hold you responsible for this error. It was our mistake.'
Trevor cocked his head, 'Error? What error?'
'We received reports from all involved including Corporal Brewer and Major Forest.'
'This is, of course, standard procedure.'
'Then we realized that we had not requested a written report from you.'
'You hold an honorary position with the Third Legion therefore we did not feel that a written report from you would hold enough legitimacy to be a part of our official findings.'
'However, after discussing the matter we have concluded that we should grant you the opportunity to provide a detailed account of forty-two seventy-six.'
'We believe this to be the most equitable course. Taking disciplinary actions against you for negligence would be unfair until after we have received your report.'
'This is true. You should know that both Director Snowe and Major Forest face sanctions as a result of their role in the poor judgment displayed in the authorization and execution of mission number forty-two seventy- six.'
It took Trevor a moment to process what he heard.
'Huh? Did you just say…wait a second, you consider this mission a failure? You think we did something wrong?'
One of the Committeemen referenced a sheet of paper.
'One AATC willfully destroyed-'
Trevor looked at Nina who translated, 'Air Assault and Transport Craft. A Skipper.'
'— unacceptable fatalities and casualties. Expenditure of excess ammunition and willful destruction of several crates of ordnance stored on the destroyed AATC.'
'Wasted fuel for initial transportation plus the follow-up extraction team not to mention fuel onboard the purposely destroyed AATC.
'Wait one damn second,' Trevor failed to muster a full head of steam because he was so flabbergasted at The Committee's reaction. He tried, 'We knocked out a Battleship and brought back a shit load of parts from the Steel Guard’s Golems. This mission-'
'Oh, yes,' a Committeeman interrupted. 'We must also consider that the decision to engage the Geryon Reich has destabilized our eastern border.'
'The Geryons have not pushed west for nearly two years. It is possible that your actions will encourage reprisals against us. This has increased our peril.'
Major Forest tried to intervene, 'I remind The Committee of this man's special disposition as we discussed in the past.'
But Trevor did not let her go on. He did not even hear her. His jaw practically unhinged as he gasped, 'Destabilized? Peril? Do you hear yourselves? You’re the last human beings on Earth and you think I could possibly increase your peril?'
Major Forest raised her voice louder this time and pointed out, 'His people have fought and won many victories like this. That is why on his Earth, humanity is the dominant force.'
He heard her that time, but she only added to his momentum.
'Damn right. Since I’ve been here I’ve seen nothing but half-assed soldiers. I honestly have no friggin’ idea how your city is still around. You’ve been living lucky.'
Director Snowe stepped forward, apparently deciding the time had come to join the fray.
'With respect, I remind The Committee of our prior discussions regarding this Trevor Stone. I must re- emphasize the assistance we are receiving as a result of his presence here.'
Trevor glanced at Snowe. He did not like the man. His first instinct suggested that this Director Snowe shared more in common with the bureaucrats sitting on The Committee than with the soldiers of Thebes. However, regardless of his politician-like words, it became clear that Snowe aimed to help.
The Director continued, 'If it pleases The Committee, I recommend you review the readiness reports for Third Legion. You will notice a significant improvement in efficiency and tactics. This is due in no small part to Mr. Stone’s efforts.'
'Yes, this is true,' The Committee admitted. 'We have taken this into consideration as we evaluate Trevor Stone's usefulness to our defense and we will continue to honor the parameters regarding his position here.'
'We are willing to give you the benefit of the doubt that you were doing what you thought was best.'
