Someone To Watch His Back
Garrison was a misfit, perfect for this program and Catron knew it, he just had to convince the others who sat ranged around the table.
"He's a loner." Edgars complained. "You'll never get him to work with a team."
"We're looking for loners Colonel, the men we send in will be working on their own." Major Catron had been through the young mans record's and found it easy to understand why Cadet Garrison found it difficult to blend into a team, trust others to watch out for his welfare. The boy, and at nineteen he was still just a boy, hadn't experienced much that would lead him to believe there was any other way to survive.
"I don't trust him. Have you taken a good look at his background?"
"Yes, sir." He studied the square built officer that sat across the table from him. Colonel Patrick's son was part of the reason they were gathered around the table having this discussion. He and a band of his followers had taken it upon themselves to ferret out and harass cadets they deemed 'unworthy' of being at the military academy. It didn't take a very close look at the list of boys they targeted to know they were after the ones who weren't 'connected', who came from poor or foreign backgrounds. Garrison certainly fit their criteria. He didn't have a penny to his name and no family to speak of, unless someone wanted to count that officer out in the islands and he'd already contacted them and spoken to the wife. The youngster had been dropped in their laps 18 months before entering the academy, she hadn't had much to say about him other than she had arranged tutors for him at her husband's instructions and expense, but she'd given him an earful about having to change her plans to accommodate him while he studied. Apparently she hadn't heard from him since he wrote to tell her the last of their crates were being shipped to them at Hickam…and Catron could certainly understand the young man's reluctance to have much to do with her. He'd only been on the phone with her for twenty minutes and that had been enough, eighteen months must have been a nightmare. But he knew Patrick wasn't worried about that side of the family…
"I still don't see how we can trust him. I didn't want to accept his application in the first place and I haven't changed my opinion about him."
"Oh I don't know, Wooly." Brigadier General Jackman smiled as Colonel Patrick scowled down at the pen he'd been tapping on the table top… he'd hated that nickname from the time he'd picked it up here as a cadet, and Jackman, having bestowed it upon him, had used it to irritate him ever since then. "I know you have an obsession about the boys who have direct connections to Germany, but Cadet Garrison never tried to hide that. And you'll have to agree that his academic record here has been exemplary." Leaning back in his chair he continued. "It's true he has ties to the country, but I hardly think he'd go back there after living under the draconian conditions his grandfather imposed on him when he was a child. That may actually work to his advantage if we agree to hand him over to Major Catron here. He's certainly proved his ability to survive in difficult circumstances"
"I'm sorry, sir but I have to agree with Colonel Patrick." Arthur Connelly had been the head of the academy for the last five years and didn't think he'd come across a youngster more tightlipped. "Cadet Garrison has been uncooperative and refuses to give us any information about just what happened. The doctors couldn't get anything out of him, and he's even refused a direct order to divulge the circumstances surrounding his injuries."
Catron leaned forward to speak but Jackman cut him off and as he sat back the general made his point. It looked like Garrison had at least one other supporter at the table, he thought, even if he'd never know it. "And Cadet Captain Patrick has Garrison's stubbornness to thank for his continued career in the service. Wolford, what your boy and that crowd of his did to that kid was criminal, and the only thing that has stopped him from being bounced out of here on his ass is your rank and standing, and that goes for the rest of them. But let me put everyone at this table on notice, the time for turning a blind eye to the hazing and abuse that goes on here is at an end. One of these days the public is going to find out about it and shut this fine old institution down and that would be a damn shame. I'd much rather see an end to some of its baser traditions."
General Jackman turned his attention on the head of the academy next. "Just why would you expect him to tell you about what had happened to him and who'd done it Arthur? None of the other boys got any support when they tried it, none of them are still here, are they? And do you really think you want a man who would inform on his own side working undercover over there. I think the fact that you 'couldn't get anything out of him,' as you put it, is the very thing that commends him for this program." Turning he addressed himself directly to Major Catron. "Just what will this extra training consist of Major?"
"It's an intensive course, sir. They will be trained in lethal hand to hand combat with the emphasis on silent kill. The men will also get extra training in languages, advanced recon. Geography and the political conditions in the countries in which they'll be operating. Flight training, diving, free fall parachute techniques, costal navigation, winter survival skills, evasion, resistance…"
Interrupting Catron, the general turned to Colonel Patrick and brought up a warning finger. "Wooly you'd best tell Virgil it's a good thing this program wasn't authorized last year because if that kid had had all this training their little interview under that tree might have had a very different outcome." After a moment an indignant Patrick finally dropped his gaze and the general returned his attention to Major Catron. "I understand this will be in addition to the regular class load and duty assignments."
"Yes, sir. With close to another year's concentrated instruction after they leave the academy."
"How will you explain the extra work while they're here?"
"It's been suggested that the instructors and cadets not directly involved in this be told that the participants are doing 'remedial' work with the instructors and drawing extra duty as punishment." Catron hadn't been pleased with that idea and his opinion was clearly evident in his voice.
Jackman rocked back in his chair, he didn't like the sound of that either. "That's not going to improve this particular young man's situation here at all."
Catron sat silently waiting. The suggestion had been a bad one, made by a man with the power to push it through, but the officer sitting across the table from him now could put an end to that, if he was perceptive enough… and from the look in his eye, the Major had no doubt about the conclusion the general would reach.
"Major, I suggest you let each cadet decide how they will explain the extra work they are doing… might be a good way to see how well they'll be able to cover themselves once they're on the job. As to the specialized training… the summer duty assignments should cover them. The boys will be ground into dust by the time they get back to the academy in the fall, but at least they won't have to deal with the stigma of being labeled 'underachievers'."
"Yes, sir." Satisfaction with that edict was evident when Major Catron looked up from his files. "Thank you, sir."
"Have you seen the medical reports? Are you sure he'll recover sufficiently to participate in this extra training of yours?"
Sorting through the reports Catron had in front of him he moved the medical department record on Cadet Garrison to the top of his stack and opened it. "Yes, sir. The doctors have approved him for this program, baring any unforeseen set backs of course. He should be ready when the new term begins."
"How many other cadets to you propose for this program, Major?" Colonel Patrick sat forward, a subtle air of eagerness about him.
The Major placed his hand on the stack of folders in front of him "We have our eye on several young men here at the academy, Colonel." Catron could see what was going on in the Colonel's mind… If this was a project the General was in favor of it wouldn't do the participant's careers any harm to be involved in it. He knew what the next thing out of that man's mouth was going to be.
"Sir, I might suggest that.."
"Forget it Wooly. I don't think Virgil has the right qualifications for something like this."
"But, sir…"
Turning on the head of the academy Jackman asked. "Arthur, can you tell us a little about Cadet Captain Patrick's standing at the academy?"
Connelly hesitated a moment before he answered. "Virgil Patrick is ranked in the middle of his class, sir. His work is,,, adequate."
"And has he had any particular trouble with any work assigned to him?" Jackman continued as he watched the father of the young man in question redden with anger and embarrassment.
"Languages, sir. And, ah,,," Connelly threw a look at Colonel Patrick. "I'm sorry Wolford… Sir, Cadet Patrick has been counseled on three separate occasions for his command methods."
"I think we'll just leave Virg out of this one Wooly." And after a moment Jackman softened, he had sons of his own. "Besides, I don't think the life expectancy of anyone of these young men is exactly what you are looking for, for your own boy."
ggg
"Garrison, you up for a visitor?" Major Catron waited patiently at the foot of the cadet's hospital bed for permission to move up and sit down. The eyes that considered him were wary but the face had quickly been schooled into a mask of neutrality.
'Here it comes,' he thought, 'This is where they tell me I'm no longer felt to be officer material and they kick me out of here.' Shoving himself up against the metal frame at the top of the bed he did his best to appear at attention while still remaining on his backsides. "Yes, sir."
Catron had gone over the medical reports with the doctor and knew that the 'mock interrogation' carried out by Patrick's group had stopped short of breaking anything, but he was certain every bone the young man possessed probably was loudly protesting his movement. He gave fleeting thought to ordering the boy to lie at ease but rejected it in favor of allowing him the dignity of his action. He settled on the chair and laid the file on his knees where it could easily be seen. "I understand you spent quite a bit of time over in Germany."
"Yes, sir. I would assume you'd understand that if you've read the file you're holding."
The Major smiled to himself and looked down at the folder in his lap. 'Very politely stated,' he thought. "Actually I've gone over this quite carefully. It's why I'm here."
There wasn't any point to explaining his family again to this man. He'd done it when he'd applied, he'd done it when he'd been accepted for testing, and again when he'd won the scholarship. He'd explained over and over again to every senior officer he'd come across at the academy, all of his instructors, and then found that there was a high percentage of the other cadets that constantly required an explanation of his background… He hadn't felt obligated to provide them with that information and had paid a price for it over the last almost two years. If they were going to kick him out they'd just have to do it without further explanation from him.
Catron waited to see if the young man had anything to say for himself, when he didn't take advantage of the opportunity he continued. "Garrison, I have a proposition for you."
g
Major Catron waited while the young man thought it over. Of all the cadets he'd offered this to Garrison seemed to be the only one who needed time to consider his answer, the others had either said yes, or no, on the spot. His immediate response to the delay had been to doubt his decision to make the position available to this youngster, but as he watched the possibilities light the hazel eyes, and then the smile that finally spread across the young man's face, he put aside his doubts and was ready when he got his answer.
"Yes, sir! When do I start?"
ggg
It was the hardest work he'd ever done, and the most satisfying. At least he was finally working towards something he was sure would make a difference. The last regular term of the year was busy with standard class work and the extra assignments the new project demanded. His time in hospital easily explained the need for tutors to 'help him catch up'. And no one questioned his requests for additional time in the gym or on the obstacle courses as he improved his physical condition that had 'deteriorated' during his enforced time in bed. As he stood at attention he breathed a silent prayer of thanks when Patrick's name was called during the graduation ceremony. He wouldn't always have to be looking over his shoulder now.
As soon as the ceremony ended Garrison headed for his quarters to pick up his gear. Summer duty assignment had him taking eight weeks basic flight training first. Catron told him that would continue through the rest of his time at the academy, during the free weekends, time the other cadets were allowed to visit with friends or family, or just relax off the academy grounds. He'd continue flying during the several months they'd be in Georgia and they'd get him qualified in as many planes as they could. They'd ship him up to Alaska for the last few weeks of summer and start the more intensive mountaineering and winter survival training. When he got back to the Point in the fall he'd work diving into his schedule as an 'extracurricular' activity. He wouldn't have any need of German language classes so they were going to set him up as a tutor for another cadet in the program. Collin Jamieson was fluent in Italian but spoke no German, they'd trade knowledge and support on this, and the advanced hand to hand combat training they'd be getting from Captain Bowles, one of the few instructors who were participants in the program. Catron would be there at the beginning of every term to review their progress and decide on the next assignment, his presence explained as a career advisor.
ggg
Jackman had been right. The cadets attached to the program were ground to dust when they returned from their summer duty assignments. All of them were thinner, more intense and Garrison was, if possible, quieter. He'd spent the last two weeks in Alaska making his way back to base from where they'd dropped him in the wilderness, alone. Connelly still wasn't sure about having this cadet in the program. He had him brought to his office so they could discuss his future together. The young man didn't seem disturbed by the length of time he'd been kept standing at attention in front of the academy director's desk.
"You do realize that you can take yourself out of this program whenever you wish?"
"Yes, sir. Major Catron explained that." He held his gaze straight ahead, his voice level.
"Are you still determined to do this?"
"Sir, may I ask a question?"
Connelly leaned back in his chair and studied the cadet in front of him a moment before he answered. "Go ahead, Cadet Garrison, you have my permission."
Why don't you want me in this project?
"I'm not sure your background…."
"Sir, my 'background' is what makes me perfect for it. I've been there. I can tell you what's coming." The eyes that lowered to meet his own held him by their intensity as the quiet voice continued. "Sir, I can get in and out and get what they need done. And, as has been explained to me in the past, I'm not connected. I'm not going to be missed when I go undercover. No one's going to have to come up with any story to explain why I don't show up at 'mom's' Christmas table, or stop sending 'sis' birthday cards."
"Major Catron prep you with that argument, Cadet Garrison?"
"No, sir. I came up with it all by myself. Is that all, sir?"
Connelly raised an eyebrow at the dismissal he'd just received from the underclassman. He supposed he deserved that, but he kept the cadet at attention several more minutes before waving him out of the office. Stubborn son of bitch, he thought with a laugh, it was going to be interesting to keep an eye on his progress.
ggg
"Garrison we're going to lose people. Men are going to get killed, I thought you understood that when you signed on to this project."
"I accept that Colonel, and so did Lieutenant Jamieson." Garrison stopped his pacing and came to rest in front of the Colonel's desk. "What I don't accept is that it could have been prevented with a little more ground work and no one took the time to do it. Collin was a good man, Colonel Catron, he shouldn't have been wasted."
"And he was a friend of yours." The colonel understood and he knew it was eating at the young man that he wouldn't even be allowed to contact his friend's family to explain what had happened to him.
"Yes, sir. He was." All of them were, Garrison thought, and he'd lost too many of them already.