Major Hein descended from the Cooperhead with all the authority of a Nazi general. A smug look had permanently affixed itself on his face since he became commander of all the DEEP EYES squadrons. His first priority was to shove it in everyone's face that had ever circumvented his authority in the past. He finally was going to show Colonel Hobbs that he was truly the better solider. For years he had to listen to the Council spew about Hobbs' accomplishments. He always got the impression that everything he had tried to do was being compared to what Hobbs had already achieved. "Well, thank god I got out of that military academy!" Hein thought to himself as he crossed the tarmac.
As he proceeded he was very amused that Hobbs was not on the tarmac to greet him. Hein knew it was Hobbs' way of saying, "Fuck you;" although that had never stopped Hobbs from saying directly to Hein's face on several occasions. Now Hein would have the last laugh. He was going to hand Hobbs his walking papers today, in front of all his troops. This trip was doubly rewarding for other reasons as well.
After Hein became commander of the DEEP EYES, he began reviewing all the assignments of its soldiers at each sector. He was surprised to see that Lt. Edwards had continued to show impressive skills as a DEEP EYES, including being promoted to team leader within Sector 1. Hein also reviewed its medical corps. Dr. Ross's name immediately jumped off the screen and caught Hein's attention. He surmised that Edwards and Ross were still "at it." As he began to review Dr. Ross's personal file, something he had not felt important at the HMA, he saw that she had links to the Atlanta Bioethics Institute, specifically Dr. Sid. After some routine clandestine inquiries, Hein had discovered that Dr. Sid was very close to Dr. Ross, both professionally and personally. Hein now knew that Dr. Ross joined HMA under false pretenses, and he intended to expose her and demand her expulsion from the medical corps. It would be her word against his, and the Council would believe him.
LATER THAT DAY…..
Gray marched towards Aki as she worked on some medical equipment. He was furious. But he wasn't quite sure at whom. He had just come from Colonel Hobbs' office, and been interrogated by Major Hein. Hein knew all about his and Aki's relationship, and just how far it had gone. Gray wanted to punch the major's lights out for his insulations about Aki. But then he whipped out dozens and dozens of clandestine e-mail messages from Aki to Dr. Sid.
"Apparently after several months here, Dr. Ross let her guard down. Thinking it okay to write her mentor directly. Read them, Edwards. They're quite interesting. No mention of you however. I wonder why? Maybe she was just using you. That's what scientists do, they use things to experiment on, you know." Hein glared up at Gray's due to their 3-inch height difference. Gray stared straight ahead, unmoving. Colonel Hobbs stood next to Gray as Hein circled around them both.
"And you, Colonel Hobbs. You allowed this 'relationship' to continue right under your nose. How do you think that would look to the council?"
"Frankly, Hein, I don't give a shit." Hobbs spoke as he looked directly, challengingly, into Hein's eyes.
"That's Major Hein, Colonel." Hein retorted with equal ferocity. Hobbs did not reply or correct his "mistake."
"Lt. Edwards, you will end your relationship with Dr. Ross immediately. You will be put on probationary status for one year. If you screw up just once, I'll have you expelled from the military permanently."
Gray stood still as stone, not wanting to move in fear of his actions towards Major Hein.
"What about Dr. Ross, sir?" Gray asked tentatively.
Hein turned towards Gray, a smile flitting over his face. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about her. She'll be returned to her mentor. Possibly brought up on charges. But, nothing really 'bad' will happen to her Lt. Edwards. Besides, I think you should be worrying about your own neck, not her pretty one. You're both dismissed."
Gray snapped a smart salute, pivoted on his heal, and exited the room. Hobbs remained where he was standing, glaring at Hein's back. Without turning, Hein called over his shoulder.
"What is it, Hobbs?"
"Nothing sir, I was just imagining what the world would be like if it had anymore men like you."
Hein turned in interest, a file in his hand. "Really. A world safe from the phantoms; A world full of order and discipline, I hope."
"Oh yeah, it's all that and more. But who the hell wants to be safe from the phantoms, if they're not safe from men like you." With that Hobbs casually turned and left the room, not bothering to salute.
"Hobbs!! Get back here! That's a order!" Hein roared down the hall, Hobbs just keep walking, smiling.
Aki was bend over a piece of equipment as Gray walked in. She was alone. She turned as the door slide closed. Seeing whom it was she smiled, but it faded as she saw Gray's face. Aki decided to approach Gray cautiously.
"What is it? You get 2nd place in the battle simulator today?" Aki teased over hr shoulder as she continued to work on the equipment in front of her. Gray walked up silently behind her. Aki stopped and waited for his response, not knowing what was going on. Suddenly, a dozen or so papers came down next to Aki's hand on the table. Gray stood there silently, waiting.
"What's this?" Aki looked at Gray, then to the papers he and flung on the table.
Gray 'smiled' "Read 'em." Aki cautiously picked up the first paper, gazing nervously at Gray. As she started to read, her eyes widened and closed as she realized what they were.
"Gray, listen it was…." Aki stopped as Gray's hand came up to halt her explanation.
"Don't! Don't lie again, Aki. I already know the truth. You've been lying to me all along, haven't you?"
"No! I just didn't know if I could trust you."Aki stopped abruptly realizing her bad choice in words.
"Couldn't trust me!!! Jesus, Aki!"
"What I meant was, in the beginning, I couldn't trust anyone. I was going to tell you, I swear!"
"When? When were you going to tell me? Let me see, when we were married? When I was on my deathbed? When, Aki, when?!!"
"You don't understand, you'll never understand! You're so blinded you can't see the forest through the trees. You couldn't see the truth."
"The TRUTH! What the hell do you know about the truth."?
"What good would telling you the truth have been? You wouldn't have believed me anyway."
"Yes I would." Gray spoke softly.
"How did you find out?"
"Hein knows. He knows everything. About us, you, this Dr. Sid guy, everything. He's also the new commander of the DEEP EYES."
"My God. What is going to happen?"
"I don't know. I've been put on probation for a year. I don't know what they're going to do to you."
Aki slumped against Gray's chest; Gray wrapped his arms around Aki. At this point Gray didn't care who saw them. They held each other for a few more moments, when the doors opened. Both looked up at it closed.
"Nothing is going to happen to you."
Aki gasped as Dr. Sid stood there in the entranceway. Aki smiled as Dr. Side who walked towards them. Aki rushed into Dr. Sid's arms, hugging him tightly.
"It's okay, my girl. You've been very brave." Sid whispered to Aki as he held her. Sid's eyes met Gray's over Aki's shoulder. Gray seemed to know that Sid was more a father to Aki than anything else. Dr. Sid eased out of Aki's embrace.
"We have to go. The council wants to speak with you and me. It's time, Aki. This is our chance to get their help with our research. You can show them." Aki nodded in weak agreement. She glanced back at Gray, who stood silently waiting. Sid seemed to understand that it was time for him to leave.
"I will meet you in 15 minutes on the tarmac."
Aki walked towards Gray, not knowing what to say. Gray couldn't look her in the eyes. Aki laid her hand on Gray's chest, feeling the dog taps underneath his shirt. Aki fisted her hand around them; Gray wrapped his hand around hers. There were on words to be said. Both knew it was the end; but also a beginning. They stared into each other's eyes, both knowing they would see each other again. They could make it work. Aki knew it her heart that Gray would be there for her….. always.