Chapter 19 - El Hombre Blanco Gigante

Price and Samson, from some distances away, stared at the trembling girl who was wrapped up tightly in a warm blanket. She sat atop a cot with Lydia and Shawn nearby; the girl had just received a check-up from the medics to confirm the competence of her health. Her eyes were sunken in with fatigue, and deep within her dark irises was a very sad and broken soul. It had been a solid twelve hours since they came across her back in an alleyway in Merida, and the girl had only opened her mouth once to tell them all her name and where she was from.

Samson sighed. "Well...how do we handle this one? We've never taken in any civilians before. Never had to."

Price nodded slowly. "I've already sent Echo a message. Camilla should be getting back with us shortly."

Samson bit the inside of his cheek before glancing back at the rest of the camp. A few others peered over with curious stares. "We need to find out where her family is and have Talon get her back somehow."

"Not too fast. We can't have her going around discussing with others about her conundrum. The last thing we need is for her to go alerting the locals by informing other civilians of our presence here. The girl is shaken up. She may want to eventually talk and pour her heart out." Price cleared his throat. "Our three men shouldn't have brought her back."

"In fairness, what else were they supposed to do?"

"Leave her."

Samson had to lower his brow. "Then that pretty much will be going against our policies and what we stand for."

Price's stare was stern as he nodded his head in understanding, but he remained silent. He was a man of observation and a master at comprehending situations and how to best go about handling the obstacle.

Suddenly, Trent, the Darkhorse radio operator, appeared and waved for them.

"Price, Dresden, Bernadette is on the line. She's awaiting your attention." He said.

The two men bobbed their heads and strided towards him. They made it to the communications tent and were greeted by Camilla Bernadette's serious scowl plastered onto a flat-screen monitor.

"Gentlemen." She spoke. She paused briefly before flattening her brow. "What the hell is going on?"

"Three of our men came across a distressed teenage girl last night. They were in the process of gathering information from the Gomez informant." Samson replied. "She hasn't said much. Won't tell us anything personal, other than her name where her family is from."

"Hm. Well, let's not make it too complicated. We need her out of that camp of yours." Camilla stated firmly.

Price lowered his chin and stared through greying eyebrows. "What's the news on the family. Did you run the name?"

Camilla peered down at some papers on the desk before her, which was out of the two men's line of sight. "Araceli Rodriguez. Age 15, daughter of Maria and Alfonso Rodriguez. Maria and Alfonso are from Oaxaca, along with Araceli and six other siblings." She peered back up. "We can have her transported back to her family by tomorrow."

"Good." Price commented.

Camilla sighed through her nose. "But I must ask, has she said anything about who those two men were?"

"No. She has not." Samson replied.

"I highly advise getting her to tell you. It's obvious what fashion of business she was unfortunately a part of."

Both the men could only stare back with profound eyes.

Camilla read their faces closely before continuing. "The girl was reported missing 8 months ago. But not by her parents. It was her aunt that had filed the report. And...I'm coming back with some other interesting findings from these digital files we've obtained."

"Elaborate, Bernadette." Price said with a raspy voice.

"Two other siblings had been reported missing. All two months apart. And the most interesting part is Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez's bank account activity. A deposit of a little over 4000 pesos three times in a seven month period." Camilla's eyes glistened with an intellectual light. "Gentlemen. You need to get that girl talking. You may have just stumbled into a conflict with human traffickers."

Price straightened up and crossed his arms. "We're focusing on Vasquez right now. Once we get this Rodriguez girl transported back to her family-and preferably the ones that aren't going to turn around and sell her off-we will be back to targeting Vasquez's shipping plants."

"Price. Vasquez are distributors. Their trade doesn't just revolve around cocaine."

"I know this, Bernadette. But our informant just pointed us southeast near the northern coast of Tulum. We've already have plans underway to take control of the copper mine. There's only six of us capable of operating on the field. We don't have the proficient number of field members to accommodate more than one ordeal at a time." Price affirmed.

Camilla nodded coolly. "I'm not saying you all need to change course and hone in on a new task. Simply see if the girl knows of any locations she had been deported in and out of. The smallest leads can still prove to be very beneficial for solving this puzzle."

"No doubt about that."

Samson's green eyes flashed up. "We'll get on that. I'll see if one of our women can talk to her. The girl is very skittish around men...and it's probably justified."

"Good." Camilla began. "Also, we're still working on these invoices and documentations your men had recovered from the informant. Verification and checks on names is crucial. Our team is working an algorithm to try and find any shipping and receiving patterns. So far, nothing has came up worth reporting."

"Thank you, Bernadette." Price replied. "Keep in touch. We need this Rodriguez girl out as soon as possible."

"Of course, old man. Stay patient and don't get your panties in a bundle." She leaned back in her chair and waved the men off. "Good luck, gentlemen."

With that, the call ended. Samson and Price both shot each other strong stares. The stress level was beginning to rise. Immediately, Samson pushed out his chair.

"Price. I'm going to let the women know of what it is they need to assist us with. We're going to need their help with this one." He spoke as he brought himself up.

"Right." Price replied. "I'd start with Lydia. So far she's been with the girl the most."

Samson nodded in agreement and brought himself outside. The old man had to sigh and relax back into his chair.

Off in another tent was Shorty and Trevor sitting and discussing the night before. She wanted to be filled in on the recent events and how and why the young teenage girl had ended up in camp with them. Shorty listened closely and nodded in understanding.

She suddenly narrowed her eyes and glanced at the corner. "That girl is broken. Poor thing hardly knows how to interact with people. I tried talking to her. Just to give her the impression that we're here to help her...she just stared back."

Trevor leaned forward. "Can't blame her. God knows where she's been and what she's been through." He stared into her face and had to sigh. "It's good you keep trying to talk to her. She wants nothing to do with any of us guys."

"Probably because she's been raped and tormented. I like to think she's lucky for still being alive, but I doubt she wants to live a life where those memories haunt her." Shorty let her face relax before it tensed up again. She had to peer down at her hands in contempt.

He saw the sudden sadness that came over her, and he was quick to reach out and grab her hand. "We'll do what we can with what power we have. Samson said Echo has already figured out where her family resides. Then Talon can take her home."

"That's good." She replied quickly before falling quiet.

He eyed her and eventually flashed a brilliant smile. "Everything will work out. We're going to get her home."

"I know. It's not that. It's just her in general. I don't think she wants to go back. Then to top it off, the way she stares, especially at all of you guys, it's...it's disturbing."

"How so?" He cocked his head slightly.

"Like she wants to murder you in your sleep."

"Well shit, that's harsh."

Shorty sat back and sighed. "Let's just get her home. All I'm saying is we need to keep a close eye on her."

"Oh, for sure."

Her burnt-sienna eyes shot up. "She was staring blankly at a pair of scissors in the medical tent. It was when I was in there with Shawn."

Trevor had to wave her off. "You're worrying too much. Relax, babe."

She had to smile and chuckle. "Babe? So charming…"

A smirk pulled at his mouth as he stood and brought himself over to her. He began to rub on her shoulders. "You're tight through your shoulders. You need to release some tension."

"Thanks for the diagnosis, doctor."

He smiled and leaned in to sniff her hair. "You're smelling lovely today."

She sat forward and moved his hands off with a wide grin. "Knock it off."

"Am I pulling at your heart strings?"

"I can hardly contain my orgasms."

He laughed lightly again and returned to rubbing her shoulders with strong hands.

Off in the corner, was Shawn with an expression that was mixed with distraught and awe.

"Um...so did you two forget I was in here with you?" He asked. It immediately caused the two of them to flinch and peer up. "Yeah...so...well, this is weird." He brought himself out of a chair and shook his head. "I'll be excusing myself. Please, don't let me hinder your...personal moment."

"Jesus, Shawn…" Trevor stated with mild panic.

"What?" Shawn asked with slight annoyance.

"Scared the shit out of me."

Shawn shrugged. "Please continue." Then he was gone.

Shorty suddenly laughed. "He's so nimble and quiet. I had no idea he was in here with me."

"Let's hope he keeps his mouth shut…"

"Well, it wasn't Reggie. So we're fine." She commented with a smile. "Oh hey, just remembered something."

"Yeah?"

She sat forward and looked up with a fading smile. "Me and Tatiana need some fuel injectors. The 2500 is acting up. But we need someone to accompany us because we're sad and defenseless."

He smiled and had to snicker. "You have a scrappy personality and Tatiana is a giant, Russian lesbian. I think you two will do just fine scaring off the locals." His smile disappeared and flattened. "I unfortunately can't accompany you two."

"Aww. Why?"

"Samson needs my help with some things. Pretty much with filing a report on that Rodriguez girl...since I was a witness and all. He's already spoken to Shawn and Soap. Which means you may need to be asking one of them."

She sighed. "Ugh. I can't possibly ask Soap for help. And I know Shawn needs to stay here because he's a dumb medic."

"I don't think he'd appreciate you calling him 'dumb'."

She smiled. "I don't mean it. He's adorable."

"Hey...that's my brother we're talking about here."

"Getting jealous?" She raised a brow.

"No. Just don't want you going off and getting any ideas." He sent a wink in her direction.

She smirked and looked away with expressive features. "He's too cute to do anything more to than hug. He's like that precious younger brother and everyone wants to just pat the top of his head."

"Like a dog?"

"But an adorable dog!"

He laughed and looked off towards the entrance to the tent. "Looks like Soap is your only choice then. That is if you're aiming to have someone who can provide protection."

She immediately had to sigh. "Ugh...how is he going to even want to help me. There's no way."

He shrugged. "Just genuinely ask him for the help. He'll do it...I think."

She bit the inside of her cheek before rising out of her chair. "Fine. Maybe he'll provide me with a show and leave someone in a bloody heap."

"Yeah. That totally would not be overkill and dramatic."

She punched him in the shoulder and stridded off, waving her hand through the air. "Wish me luck."

"I can't promise anything. It all comes down to attitude."

She jokingly gave him the bird and vanished out of sight.

Once outside, she merely stuck her lower lip out in thought and tucked her hands away into her cargo pants pockets. She had to begin her search for the giant Scotsman whom she loathed but rather enjoyed at the same time. He had a way of teasing and sending random spiteful stares in her direction that had her giggling evilly at his expense. She had managed to steal off another pen of his, immediately causing him to mumble derogatory terms. They had a ping-pong match of hate and teasing stirred up between them that had no end in sight.

She suddenly spotted him off some distance near a tent he had just ambled out of. His eyes were glued onto some papers, which were probably covered in vital and important information. His brow furrowed in thought. Crunching up her nose, she welled up some dignity and began to walk for the man.

Once she neared, he was quick to speak. "Where's my other pen at, Shorty?" His eyes remained on the paper.

"Don't know what you're talking about."

His eyes flashed up; very little amusement was hidden within. "The one you stole from my end table. Then proceeded to throw at my face, right before running over to it to pick it up."

She bit her lip and looked up towards the sky as she pondered. "I think it's starting to come back to me…"

"Uh huh…" He muttered before beginning his stride. He towered over her and moved past, but she caught his attention again.

"Wait!"

He turned on his heels and peered over at her. "What."

"I...I have a favor to ask."

He blinked at her with a frown. Gradually, intrigue began to sparkle in his grey eyes. "Oh, you don't say?"

She crossed her arms. "Yes. I do say."

He turned completely facing her; she only coming up to the center of his breastbone. A large hand came up to his chin as he rubbed the scruff in thought. "And what may that be? Enlighten me."

Huffing hair from her face, she responded. "We need fuel injectors for the truck. Me and Tatiana were going to head down to town. I asked Trevor, but he can't go. So...that leaves you."

"Glad I'm the last resort."

"Yeah, yeah. So can you lend us a hand or not?"

"And why do you need someone heading down to town with you two?"

"Gee, I don't! Maybe because me and Rico were sexually harassed!"

He sighed and looked off towards the visible portion of the vehicles. "Alright, I'll go." His eyes found her. "Under one condition."

"I knew this wouldn't be easy…"

"Tell me you like my chin."

She stared blankly for a moment. "Seriously?"

"Yep."

"Oh my God…"

"Come on, now."

Suddenly she glared at him. "That goes against my policies."

"Of being a cunt?"

"YOU ASSHOLE."

He threw his hands up. "Have fun finding someone else! I got things to do."

He quickly turned and continued with his walk, but was stopped in his tracks by Shorty's hand that came slamming down and grasped his sleeve.

"Wait." She began. "I-I really do need your help."

He faced her again and returned his arms back before his broad chest. "I'll help. Just tell me you like my chin."

"I can't do that."

"Well, then...I guess I'll be on my way-"

"Can we work a deal?"

"A deal?" He raised an eyebrow with intrigue. "What kind of deal?"

"Just pick something. Something OTHER than making me tell you your chin is anything other than horrendous...or returning your pens back to you."

He smiled. "Fine. Just pay me a compliment."

Her brow flattened. "You're a very large man."

"What the fuck kind of compliment is that?"

Her hands went up. "I don't know!"

"Won't cut it."

She sighed. "Fine. You have ghetto lips."

His brows furrowed. "I have black man lips?"

"Kind of."

"Still not much of a compliment. I think 'sensual' was the word you were going for; not 'ghetto'."

"Jesus Christ, you're picky." She mumbled. "Your teeth are straight."

He motioned for her to continue. "These aren't even compliments. They're statements about my physical appearance."

"You have guybrows."

Soap's hands fell to his sides and he shook his head with a sigh. "You're the most stubborn and impeccably ignorant woman I have ever had the displeasure of knowing."

"Guybrows are better than girlbrows! You're a guy! You want guybrows!"

"And you're shaped like a fruit that fell from a tree."

"Is that supposed to be an insult, or…?"

"Neither. It's simply me just commenting on your physical features you unfortunately possess."

"I will stab you in the neck with your own pen!"

"Do it. Try it. Give me a reason to break your wrists." He replied was a stern tone.

She blew hair from her face again, and eventually flashed an entertained smile. "Alright...alright. Want a compliment?"

"Not really. But receiving one from you will seal the deal, meaning I will be offering you my services. I should honestly be charging you an hourly fee, but I'm feeling nice."

"What? Did you rub one out? Feeling a little bit better after releasing some stress?"

"Out of all of the people who would want to know something like that, you're the last person I would assume to ever wanting to learn of that information."

Her hand went up. "You're right. Don't fucking tell me ANYTHING that pertains to your bodily functions." She peered up and observed his face with a faint scowl. She finally released a long exhale. "The only thing I could possibly compliment you on is your eyes. You have pleasant eyes."

"Aww…"

"Shut up. Now come help me."

He cleared his throat. "Right. Let me wrap up what I started then I'll come find you or Tatiana. Sound good?"

"Sure."

He nodded and ambled off in the opposite direction, papers still in hand.

After some time had passed, Soap had finished with making hard and digital copies of the Vasquez and Hernandez documents, and filed them away. He walked over towards where the large canopy sat that cast a shadow over the Jeeps and the 2500. It wasn't long before he spotted Tatiana having a smoke break with Shorty; they sat atop metal stools and near a set of toolboxes.

Tatiana raised her chin up with a shocked expression. "You did it. You actually did it."

Shorty glanced at her in mild confusion. "Did what?"

"You managed to convince that sexy Scot to come drive us down to town."

Shorty rolled her eyes. "He didn't make it easy."

Soap approached them and brought a hand up to catch a set of keys Shorty had tossed at him.

"You lassies ready?" He asked them.

"We were ready 30 minutes ago." Shorty stated as she stood and tossed her cigarette to the side.

"Now be nice…" Tatiana claimed as she brought herself up to follow Shorty towards one of the Wranglers.

"Chin has already received his compliment. He has to hold his end of the deal." Shorty opened up the passenger seat door and motioned for them. "Chop chop!"

Tatiana chuckled. "She's so pleasant."

"About as pleasant as stray mutt with mange and a gimp leg." Soap commented back.

They all reached their designated doors and hopped inside. Soap's light eyes found Shorty's profile as she stared straight ahead nonchalantly. He fumbled with the seatbelt before strapping in and starting up the engine. His mouth slanted as he lowered his brow.

"Christ, who sat in this seat last?" He grumbled. His knees were crunched up and pushing against the console. Letting the chair slide back on its tracks, he sighed with content. "Much better."

"I drove it last." Shorty scoffed.

"Never would have guessed that."

Tatiana giggled softly from the back seat.

"Alright, where to?" He asked promptly.

Shorty looked out the window deep in thought as Tatiana's arms outstretched forward with a tablet in her hands.

"Check it out!" She said with a smile.

He peered at it quickly as his eyes burned a permanent image of the map into his head. "Corner of 63rd and 56th. Got it."

Tatiana nodded. "That'd be it! Little mom and pop store."

Putting the gear shift in drive, he drove the three of them out of camp and for Merida. The sun was still high in the sky and clouds were near nonexistent; a scarce few clouds stretched like thin cotton balls across the blue canvas. Shorty watched the landscape pass by her window and Tatiana chewed on her lip in the backseat with her eyes on the screen of the tablet.

The drive lasted twenty minutes. Soap parked the Jeep and they brought themselves outside. A quick breeze blew into their faces and rustled their hair. Shorty gestured her head for Tatiana to follow her.

Soap glanced over in Shorty's direction with narrowed eyes. "So...did you just use me as a chauffeur? Or is there some underlying reason behind all of this?"

Both of the women craned their necks to look back at the Scotsman.

"No. We just needed help." Shorty responded and resumed to walking.

"Shorty said she didn't want to be harassed this time around, and she wanted a big, strong man at her side in case something went down." Tatiana commented with a grin.

Shorty had to flip her loose hair from her face. "Right...I really was just hoping he'd beat the shit out of some losers again. That was enjoyable to watch."

"Oh yeah...I heard about that…" Tatiana replied matter-of-factly.

"Seriously, Shorty? You just brought me down here in attempts to get me to get into a fist-fight again?" He demanded deeply.

She waved him off. "No...no...not at all. However, you are a killing machine that is very enjoyable to observe." She suddenly spotted something. "TAKE A PICTURE IT'LL LAST LONGER, YOU FUCK-FACE." She glared daggers into a nearby man who was waiting for the bus. The man sent her a glare back.

The man gesticulated with anger. "Estás loco, chica!"

"Oh yeah? Wanna fight about it?" She opened her arms up in a confrontational fashion.

Soap immediately stepped up to her with a disapproving stare. "No. Stop it. Right now."

She grinned and paced away. "My bad."

Tatiana walked in the feisty woman's footsteps. Soap could only shake his head in mild distraught. The two women found their way inside the mechanic's shop while his back found a brick wall to rest against. He sighed with indifference and began to people watch. His relaxed eyes observed passerbys as he lit up a cigar. He could hear the women conversing with some men inside.

After a short interval of time had passed, a soccer ball (football) came bouncing up towards him. His foot landed on the top of the ball, stopping it in its tracks. Taking the cigar from his mouth and exhaling, he peered up to see several young, local children run up. They froze when they saw him until one waved for him to pass back the ball.

"Hey, hombre blanco! Pasar el balón! (Hey, white man! Pass the ball!)" The young boy shouted.

Soap let a faint smile appear on his face as he tossed the cigar to the side and brought himself forward. The kids watched closely as he approached. Dropping the ball and letting it fall to his feet, he passed the ball back and joined them in their little game. They all suddenly smiled and began to dribble.

Back at the garage, Shorty and Tatiana found what they needed and began to check-out, but not without gaining some attention. Shorty sighed and peered off towards the open garage door and saw no sign of Soap. Her brow lowered in irritation as one of the apprentices continued to chat her up. Tatiana had to giggle at it all as she paid-out.

Once the task was done, the two women removed themselves outside where Shorty immediately threw out the numbers she had received from some of the men inside.

"Bunch of wolves in there…" She grumbled.

Tatiana smirked. "You're just such a gem."

"Yeah, yeah…" She began to look around. "Now where the hell did that oversized Scotsman get to? He was supposed to stay nearby."

Tatiana had to shrug. "Probably got bored with waiting on us."

"Well the asshats inside were taking their sweet time." Shorty shielded the sun from her eyes and scanned the area. "He sticks out like a sore thumb and he has the keys. Otherwise I'd leave him and his chin here."

"I like how you refer to his chin as if it is its own person."

"It is! Here," Shorty began, "help me find him."

They began with their walk and kept a sharp eye out for him. Passing up the Jeep, they headed down a side-street at the sound of kids hooting and hollering. As they rounded the corner they finally spotted the Scotsman. He passed and kicked ball with the young children with a smile on his face. The kids laughed and giggled as they overcame him to take control of the ball. Soap acted disappointed as he allowed for the multitude of children to take back their ball.

"Hombre blanco grande! Obtén abierta! (Big, white man! Get open!)" One of the kids shouted as he passed the ball in between two kids. Soap stopped the ball with the inside of his foot before lightly kicking it in the direction of a wall. The ball smacked against the inside of a drawn-on chalk rectangle. A few of the children cheered before running to retrieve the ball.

Both of the women couldn't help but feel warm inside from watching Soap playing ball, like some kind of big brother, with children a fourth of his size. The a set of kids took the ball and dribbled it between his legs. He let them pass him up; a radiant smile still on his face. His eyes finally caught the image of the two women standing at the mouth of the street. He promptly shot a wide-palmed hand up to wave.

Tatiana waved back as Shorty crossed her arms.

"Hey Chin! Let's get heading back!" Shorty hollered down at him.

He nodded in understanding before turning around to give the children a proper farewell. "Adiós, pequeña gente! (Goodbye, small people!)" His voice echoed down the narrow street.

The kids all sighed with discontent and huffed with displeasure before they all finally threw up their hands to wave back. "Adiós, hombre blanco gigante!"

He smirked as he jogged back to meet up with the women. They both stared up at him with diverse expressions.

"That was adorable!" Tatiana spoke out immediately.

"Giant, white man, eh?" Shorty questioned. "Could be worse I suppose."

"Ready?" He asked them with life glistening in his eyes.

They both gestured their heads in agreement as they all ambled back for the Jeep. The sun was still high in the sky but was starting its descend for the horizon.

Once back at the camp, the three of them had noticed the rescued girl standing off by the corner of a tent, gawking blankly at the distant horizon. They had to let their faces flash with confusion and concern. Suddenly, Price grabbed their attention from the opposite side.

"Soap. Come here. You need to get filled in." He ordered with his typical stern tone.

Soap nodded and paced over towards the old man. "Sir?"

Price cleared his throat and gestured his head towards the girl by the tent. "See her over there?"

Soap's eyes shot over in the Rodriguez girl's direction. "Aye. What's wrong with her?"

The old man shook his head. "Not sure. We just had Lydia inform her of the whereabouts of her family. Bernadette got back. They're able to get her home tomorrow morning. Her aunt is taking her in."

"Well, that's good news."

"You'd think that. But ever since Lydia filled her in she's just been swaying and gazing at the hills." Price narrowed his eyes. "Help keep an eye on her...everyone else is."

"Copy that."

"Also," Price peered up at Soap, "we're heading out to the copper mine tomorrow evening. This will be my last rodeo on the field with you all."

"Oh?"

"They're taking Lemann off life-support tomorrow."

"That's a shame."

Price nodded. "It is. But such is life in its cruel ways. So report to the briefing tent in ten minutes."

"Alright, sir."

It wasn't long before Soap met up with the others within the tent to discuss the upcoming mission and plans. Price waited patiently for everyone to file inside before he straightened up and sent them all a solid stare.

"We got clearance on the copper mine. We're heading there tomorrow at 2300 hours. Talon is driving us as close as possible to Tulum. It's an old Mayan ruin. Tourists love it. So we all need to keep a low profile and stay on high alert." Price stated firmly. "Every field unit member will play an important role for this one. So I need you all you listen carefully."

Everyone perked up.

On cue, Samson picked up where Pric left off. "We're staying in a tight formation. Entering from the southern end and working our way north. There's a watch tower near the southwestern end. We need to clear it, and take control. Rico."

Rico eyes flashed up towards him.

"That's where you come in. You have overwatch. We need your eyes on the whole area for us. You're going to clear that tower for us so that we can breach it then access their databases and surveillance. We'll power all of that down, then from there, we'll make our way into the mine through their exterior mine-shaft elevator." Samson's green eyes flicked up. "If anyone sees us, shoot them dead. And Rico, you watch from your vantage point and report any movement."

"Got it." She replied.

"From what we've collected," Samson let his hands out, "the supplies are being kept on the second basement level. Talon will be on standby. Just like in Italy, they're going in to pick up any evidence we find. We're simply the cleaning crew. So, any questions?"

"Layouts?" Soap was quick to ask.

"Everything will be loaded up onto your personal GPS's. But I know how you get." Price stated as he took up some papers from the table to hand off to Soap. Soap accepted it eagerly with observant eyes. "There's 5 of us heading inside. We have to clear that entire wing out and stand guard while Talon comes in disguised as a delivery truck. Any more inquires?"

Everyone stared back with intelligent eyes.

Price nodded in approval. "Good. You're all dismissed."