The Major Incident
Chapter 4.
Outside Dobey's office, Hutch found Starsky leaning his back against the wall. The dark hared detective's head rested back and his eyes were closed, his breathing deep and measured.
'You OK partner?'
'What do you think Hutch?' Starsky spat. He took another steadying breath. 'Look, it seems Uncle Sam has called the shots on this an' I have to go back. You don't. So just walk away from this Hutch. It's a different world in there. Unless you've experienced it, you wouldn't understand. We wouldn't be partners; in fact I'd probably end up being your commanding officer. I…..' he stopped, seeming to run out of words.
Hutch stared at his partner of seven years. 'You honestly believe that I'd let you go into this on your own? I thought you knew me better then that. How could I let you go back to a world that obviously screwed you up so badly without me to watch your back? Fine, so you'd be my CO. The situations were reversed when I made Detective before you. Does it matter?'
'Hey, buddy' Hutch put his hand out and gently touched Starsky's arm. 'We go in, we do the job, whatever it is, an' we get out – simple as that' he smiled.
Starsky looked at his partner. 'You have no idea what you're letting yourself in for, an' I'm not going to allow this to happen. It's bad enough me being a head case, without you having to go through it too. Sharpe is one evil son of a bitch. There'll be no protection from him, so whatever is goin' down in his unit, we'd be completely on our own'.
Hutch interrupted 'And that's just why we need to do this together. To watch each others backs even if it's at a distance. Jeez Starsk, I'm a big boy an' I can make my own decisions. And my decision is that either we do this together, or we find a good lawyer to argue your reactivation before a Judge'.
Starsky sighed, pushing himself up from the wall and walking back towards the main office. The strut had gone from his walk, to be replaced by a defeated gait. Inside he walked over to the coffee machine, poured a mug full and downed it in one.
'Fine, have it your way. I'll do everything I can to make sure we get out in one piece. Just hope it doesn't damage our friendship, coz that'd tip me clean over the edge'.
'Aw Starsk, nothing could do that buddy. C'mon, let's go see what the big bad General has to say'.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
They walked back into Dobey's office. Hutch sat himself down on the chair, but Starsky remained standing. Looking towards the General, he smiled a thin smile.
'I know I have no choice in this, but my partner here has decided that he'll take the job. There are, however some stipulations, Sir. One; I have command of the unit and can vet any of the men beneath me for suitability. How you tell the current incumbent is your responsibility. Two; I take complete control of the medical facility and its staff, which I know is not strictly correct, but take it or leave it. I need to have some measure of protection for Hutch. Three; the minute I get the feeling it's getting too much for Hutch, or he's in danger, I pull the plug'.
Hutch felt like he was looking at and hearing a complete stranger. The partner he had known for seven years was replaced by someone who looked familiar, but seemed so at ease with giving orders, and, it seemed, having them obeyed. Gone were the wisecracks, and the goofy grin. Gone was the little boy who seemed to see wonder in almost everything around him. Instead was a steely military man, willing to take command of a set of men who he had never met. Hutch wasn't sure about this sudden personality change. Was this the real David Michael Starsky, or was this a pretence, and soon he'd have his friend and partner back. Or perhaps his partner had spent the past seven years living a lie, and this was his real persona. And would he ever really know?
General Sharpe, however, took it all in his stride. He listened carefully to all Starsky's commands, nodding and making notes. 'Well, you seem to have the situation covered, Major. Your requests are not unreasonable. Leave them with me, and I'll make the necessary arrangements. The unit is now based near a small village on the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. I'll expect you there in three days time. Mr Hutchinson will join the unit ten days later as a civilian doctor attached to the unit to conduct research. Both your travel papers will be sent to you tomorrow'. He made to leave.
'Just one more stipulation, General, perhaps the most important of all'.
The General turned with a sigh. 'Yes, Major, what else?'
With a serious face, Starsky stared at the Senior Officer.' The hair stays – I'll have a trim, but no more buzz cuts for me'.
And Starsky flipped a cursory salute, turned on his heal, and winked at Hutch as he made his exit from the room.