An Ending
Chapter 01 of "A Different West"
Tom walked into the captain's office. One foot then the other--his spine locks, arm rising in a salute.
The officer behind the desk waved at him.
”Sit.” He states, motioning to the chair in front of him.
Tom strides across the not-small office and sits down as instructed. Back straight. Eyes forward. He locks onto a spot on the wall over the officer’s left shoulder.
The officer taps the screen on his desk, looks up at Tom, and leans back in his chair.
Tom remains. His focus will not be broken. His goal is clear; he will not cave now.
”Staff Sergeant Thomas John Kerr. My last discharge of the day. I was warned about you. Made a little extra time.” the officer says.
”Thank you, Sir”, Tom states. No emotion, just fact.
”Leaving us so soon huh? How long were you in?”, the officer asks.
”It’s all my file sir.”, Tom states.
He prepares himself. Another officer to try to talk him out of this decision. It was so easy to join, but so hard to leave. Tom’s resolve hardens. This is the last one, he can do this.
“Says here in this file you’re an Auggie.”, the officer says as sits back up and looks at the screen built into his desk.
“Not just any Auggie--a BoneFrame, and by all accounts a damn successful one.”, the officer says, scrolling through a screen; a pause.
He looks up at Tom and raises an eyebrow. He sits up a bit.
”I think we got off on the wrong foot.”, he says.
“I’m Captain Steve Carlisle. I do all final discharge paperwork for Auggie’s. But to be honest, we don’t get many Tom. They just don’t want to leave. I mean, why would they? I am certain you’ve had higher-ranking officers than myself try to talk you out of this decision, but it’s still a free country, mostly, so I won’t waste your time, or mine.” Steve says.
”Thank you Sir.”, tom states
Steve makes a slight frowning gesture with his face. Tom can tell he’s contemplating something. Here it comes. He braces.
”I’ve got one last box to check here, so let’s be about it.” He says.
Steve looks Tom directly in the eyes. Tom can’t help it, his eyes shift and they lock with the Captain’s. Steve smiles.
”Are you sure you wish you leave the United States Armed Forces?”, Steve asks. He says it slowly, ominously.
Tom almost caves, he almost changes his mind, but a memory flashes a sound in his head, his body vibrates. His bones tense the nano fibers of his augmentation contracting preparing for sudden explosive movement, his muscles respond and he’s a column under too much load--trembling, barely holding. He feels the heat of skin under his dress uniform. He hasn’t eaten enough today, his augment is drawing on reserves. He breathes: in through the nose, out through the mouth. Controlled. Trained. He forces calm, never taking his eyes from the Captain.
To his credit, Captain Steve does not flinch. He’s an average size man, fit by army standards. Must have some experience in his past not to flinch in the presence of BoneFrame who’s augment has triggered. Very few humans remain that calm especially at this range.
“Yes. Sir.” Tom states flatly.
All at once Steve leans back in his chair raises his left hand and proclaims “Great! All done. Tom.” He then leans back, almost as an after thought, and taps the screen.
Tom exhales. The sudden movement almost got him. He realizes it was bait. He sees a bead of sweat on the captains brow. Tom feels how close he came to ruining the whole thing. His bones release and he exhales.
“I’m sure they told you all about your debt. Leaving with your augments fully intact. Although, to be honest, removing a BoneFrame is a 4-6 month process and gods damn painful, I don’t blame you. So, you’ll owe the United States government about $3.4 million dollars plus interest. You hit the 8 year mark so that interest rate will be a whole point below prime, well done. Looks like that debt has automatically transferred to a 30 year note. That’s a big mortgage on your body Tom, hope you took care of it. Looks like you’ve lived with the army since the day you joined and, wow, that’s a chunk of change you’ve saved up. Army takes half toward the debt. The other half is your’s. If you leave it in the bank account set up, we’ll automatically deduct the monthly payment. Touch nothing, and you’ve got about 6 months there. Got any lines on jobs?” Steve says all this like a salesman, smooth and buttery.
”No sir.” Tom says.
Steve looks at Tom.
“Tom, let’s cut the shit, you’re a flesh debtor now. That’s serious business. You default on this and you’ll find yourself back uniform, or worse. The first missed payment flags your location in the system. They start tracking you. No plans at all?”, Steve asks.
Steve’s tone of voice had completely changed, it was both curious and concerned. A strange urge overcame Tom. He wanted to tell Steve everything, his whole plan, let it all out right there.
Skip the debt and disappear. Connect with my sister. Track down our dead brother. Burn this whole thing to the ground. He opens his mouth to speak, but a gleam in Steve’s eye catches him. He closes his mouth and swallows it all down.
“I will figure something out, sir.”
Steve looks at Tom for a moment.
“I am sure you will Tom.”, he says as he leans forward in his chair and opens a drawer. He takes out something and places it on the desk, sliding it to the edge closest to Tom. It’s a data stick. Tom looks at it. He knows what it is. He doesn’t want that life.
“Look Tom, a man of your skills and experience could find a good job. Maybe one that pays enough to clear that debt in a few years. You’ve got options, that’s all I’m saying. The military has done a lot for you, don’t let that go to waste. Embrace it.”
”Thank you sir”, Tom states.
”Permission to leave sir?” Tom asks.
”You’re no longer a soldier, call me Steve.”
”Permission to leave, Steve.” Tom states.
Steve leans back in his chair and motions toward the door.
Tom stands. He looks across the desk, locks eyes with Steve and leaned into the space.
“Thank you. Sir.” He states.
His hand takes the data stick.
He didn’t want it, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to leave it.