“We can wait our turn,” the Major stammered, not meaning it a bit.
“No, you guys go ahead,” Desi said. “These stinking boys can wait.”
“Hey!” a nearby group of outraged boys chorused.
The shower was heaven. Ten minutes went by too fast, but while it lasted, it was wonderful. Back in their rooms, Major Collins stared at the Lieutenant in stunned amazement.
“They have hot showers,” Collins stated reverently.
“Uh, you know, Major, my term of enlistment is almost over. I was thinking of asking Tyler to recommend me for a job here,” Lieutenant Kennedy said.
“El, oh, el,” was the sarcastic reply from the Major.
The surprised Lieutenant’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think that you even knew what that meant, Sir,” he said.
“I use the internet,” protested the Major with a frown. “Or at least I used to.”
There was a knock on the door, and when the Major opened it, Tyler said, “The Chief wants to see you, if you’re ready.”
The officers went down to Chief’s Headquarters and found Mike inside, seated at his desk.
“Good morning,” Mike said. “Our Council meeting will start in a few minutes, but before that I want to explain a few rules we have here in Petersburg.”
Mike mentioned several rules of Petersburg including those concerning sex. Lieutenant Kennedy was outraged.
“I can’t believe you think we need a lecture from you on sexual protocol. Especially, since the rules apparently don’t apply to you.”
“Lieutenant,” the Major said sternly.
Mike held up a hand. “Wait, please,” he said to the Major, and then to the Lieutenant he asked. “What do you mean?”
“I know that even though you are not sixteen yet, the girl named ‘Yuie’ is your ‘Special Friend’,” the Lieutenant sneered.
Mike gaped at him in astonishment, and then he burst out laughing. A moment later Yuie knocked and entered the room.
“Hey, Yuie,” Mike said, collecting himself.
“Hey, Chief,” said Yuie wondering, what’s so funny?
“Yuie, guess what? Lieutenant Kennedy, here, says that someone told him you’re doing it with me,” Mike said.
“What?” Yuie exclaimed. She turned to Kennedy. “Who told you that bullshit?”
“Conned again,” murmured Major Collins.
“Oh, boy,” Kennedy muttered.
“I’m sorry,” he added hastily. “I must have misheard or maybe I misunderstood.”
Yuie glared at him. “Military pig,” she mumbled, just loud enough for him to hear.
“Now that’s settled,” said Mike. “I want you to understand, that I tell these rules to everyone. It’s not just you.”
“Understood,” the Major replied. “And those are good rules. I have similar rules at our post.” Kennedy nodded, and he gave Mike and Yuie an apologetic smile.
The rest of the Council arrived, and Mike allowed the officers to witness the Council meeting. Hector talked about his plan to build a sawmill. John reported on the status of the patrols. Yuie, with a sniff in Kennedy’s direction, reported that Diana and Imee were settling in nicely, and that Diego was healthy. Diana had suggested that she give a physical examination to everyone in the village, and the Council agreed to accept her offer.
“We’re getting refugees from the Retreat,” Mike noted. “Does anyone have any ideas on that?”
They discussed the Retreat for a few minutes, but there was no consensus on what to do. When asked, Major Collins agreed that the situation at the Retreat was serious, and he said that he would consult with his people when he got back to his base. Lieutenant Kennedy explained that much of the Ranger’s munitions had been expended during the rescue of the children. There were other reports before the Council meeting came to an end.
Then Mike suggested that the officers observe a disciplinary hearing. A boy and two girls were brought into Chief’s Headquarters. The boy was accused of deliberately urinating on a toilet seat. The two girls had reported him.
“I went in first, Chief,” the first girl said. “And when I left, I made sure that everything was clean. Then he went in.”
“And after he left, I went in,” said the second girl. “There was piss all over the toilet seat. It was deliberate.”
The boy smothered a laugh. “It was an accident,” he said.
Mike asked the girls to leave, and then he turned to the boy.
“This is the second time you’ve been in here for this offense,” he said. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“There’s nothing wrong with me,” the boy said insolently. “The girls just like to complain.”
Silently, Mike stared at him for a long time. Gradually, the boy’s indifferent smile left his face. He grew nervous. He glanced at the unsmiling officers.
“I wonder, Major, if you can find a place for this person at your post?” Mike asked.
The Major exploded. He slammed his hand down on the desk. The boy gasped and jumped back.
“Yeah, I’ve got a place for this shithead,” the Major stated loudly. “In the bottom of a shithole. Let me have him. I’ll teach him what it’s like to clean a latrine from the bottom, up.”
“No!” the alarmed boy squeaked. “Don’t let him have me, Chief. Please! I’ll be good. I’ll never do it again, I swear, Chief, I swear.” He cringed away from the still growling Major.
“Give ’em to me, Chief!” the Major begged, practically slavering. The terrified boy thought he saw drool dripping from the Major’s red mouth. “Give ’em to me!”
“No, Chief. Please, don’t let him have me!” the boy pleaded, his eyes moistening.
Mike put up a hand. The Major sat back with a last growl.
“I’m going to give you one last chance,” Mike said. “You are going to clean toilets for one month. But if this happens again, I’m shipping you off to the Major. Understand.”
“Yes, sir. Yes, sir,” the boy said eagerly, hoping to get away from the crazy man.
“Now get out,” Mike ordered.
“Yes, sir.” With one last terrified glance at the Major, the boy fled.
Mike and the Lieutenant looked at the Major.
“Damn,” said the Lieutenant. “When I grow up, I want to be just like you, Major.”
“Me, too,” Mike said, grinning at the senior officer.
“It was nothing,” the Major replied modestly.
Chapter Fourteen
THE ARMY AND THE LODGE
That night, Major Collins and Lieutenant Kennedy talked about what they had witnessed in the village of Petersburg.
“I was going to demand to be allowed to speak to these people,” the Major reflected. “I was going to offer to move them to our post, where we could protect them. But the truth is, they are better off here, aren’t they?”
His eyes met those of the lieutenant, who looked uncomfortable and did not answer.
As they ate breakfast the next morning, Gabby passed by and gave them a gloating smile. Lieutenant Kennedy scowled at her. She stuck her tongue out at him. Mike, Jacob, Lily, and Howard were sitting with the officers. Yuie came in and saw them. Reluctantly, she sat down across from Lieutenant Kennedy. He smiled at her, and she frowned at him.
“Good morning,” he said. Yuie glanced at Mike and decided that she had to be polite.
“Good morning,” she muttered.
“I hope you’ve forgiven me for thinking that you were romantically involved with your leader,” he said winningly.
“You mean, have I forgiven you for thinking that I was screwing the Chief? Sure, I forgive you,” she answered sweetly.
He winced and tried again. “I hope your boyfriend was not too upset about it?”