Roach was sitting in the mess hall next to his teammates eating his lunch calmly. He was the newest addition to Task Force 141 and he was always mocked by other members except for the older and more mature soldiers. That was the reason he usually stayed silent but there was this thing he couldn't keep of his mind. He kept hearing a piano being played somewhere in the base and it drove him mad since no one else seemed to notice it. Two months he was there and he couldn't understand what was happening.
"Hey Meat, do you know where is the piano sound is coming from?" Roach asked looking at his meal.
Meat almost choked on his food when he heard Roaches question. He was coughing uncontrollably so instead of him Royce answered. "Dude, never ask about the piano. Especially if General Shepherd is in 2 kilometre radius." he whispered.
Roach looked up from his food surprised. Everyone sitting at the table looked really tense. Young Brit didn't get what could possibly be there to make such soldier reaction. "Why can't I ask about it?"
"It's a personal matter. General never speaks about it. He completely ignores every question though you can see he gets mad when someone discusses it. " Ghost explained. "Better keep away from it."
Despite the fact that he will get in a lot of trouble Roach decided to check out the place where the sound was coming from. He left the mess hall earlier just to know that General will stay there for another half an hour or so. Roach walked up to Shepherds barracks from the back so no one could spot him breaking in. Young Sergeant tried to open the door and surprisingly it was unlocked.
The sound of music was really loud and Gary followed to another door. 'This is it' he thought 'I will know Generals biggest secret'. Roach tried to open that door but it was locked. He stood there for a couple of minutes thinking of what he should do. Break in or leave it be. Minutes later he came up with a great plan. He took one of the pins he carries around and picked the lock. Gary gently pushed the door just to see a young female sitting next to the piano.
Girl gasped at the sight of a soldier entering the room. She hasn't seen anyone but Shepherd for last two months and the sight of another person was really surprising. Roach walked in the room and closed the door behind him. Lady stood up and took a step closer. Both of them were staring one at another for a few minutes in an awkward silence until she broke the silence.
"Hi" she said and forced a little smile.
"Hello" said Roach. He wasn't sure what to do anymore. He wasn't expecting to see a beautiful girl in a military base. She was pretty beyond words. Long dark brown hair falling down her shoulders, bright skin and athletic figure. She looked like she just stepped out from the cover of a magazine.
"I'm Catherine but you can call me Cathy."
"Gary Sanderson. Call me 'Roach'. It's nice to meet you." Roach looked around the room. It was small and cramped with no windows for the light to enter. There was a bed with a nightstand next to it. A small wardrobe filled with bunch of clothes and books. She nodded and asked "How did you get here?"
Gary chuckled nervously. "Well, I've heard you playing and got really curious. And as you can see I broke in the General's barracks."
"That's cute." She giggled at his answer and sat down on a couch that was beside the wall next to the piano. Cathy moved her hand offering him a seat next to her. He sat down with a little hesitation and asked "Would you mind if I ask why he is keeping you locked in here?"
"You see, I am his daughter." Roach looked a little shocked at her. Cathy noticed his reaction but continued explaining. "I am youngest from the three. This year I turned 21 and finished my studies in military college. I was supposed to be like my father. Soldier fighting for his country. I never liked this idea. Both of my sisters got to choose what they wanted to be and I was forced to be a soldier. I always knew I am capable to be one but never stopped fighting my father's decision."
Cathy sighed making a little pause before continuing "After my college I started serving here. Did some patrolling, casual position holding while other squads move up the battle - nothing too dangerous. And then my father decides I have to join the most powerful force in the States. I refused to join and he locked me up here until I change my mind."
Roach sat there amazed. This girl sitting next to him is a soldier. And she's not just a simple soldier. She is Generals daughter. He couldn't come up with anything to say so he just sat there speechless.
Catherine noticed how Gary looked at her with fear but also with sympathy. "I did a lot of testing in college and depending on my results I was first on the list to join Task Force 141." she finished her story.
Roach shook his head. "This is absurd. I always knew that Shepherd is nuts but not on this level…"
Cathy shrugged and said "What can I do? He's my father, he's more powerful and I have nowhere to go even if I run away."
"What about your sisters?"
She smiled "One lives in Europe. Other one hates me more than she hates our father."
Roach was very confused about this whole situation and shook his head again. Suddenly he jumped from his seat and looked at his hand watch. Lunch break was almost over. "Look, I gotta go. Break is over and your father might catch me here."
She smiled and nodded "You can come over and visit me whenever. It's not like I am going anywhere."
Sergeant walked up to door and smiled at her "It was nice meeting you, Cathy."