“You told me that you’d be here 20 minutes ago, Aunyaunca.” Aun had called Sergeant Smith, her army recruiter, late that last night after she had gone home to schedule a meeting with him. Of course, she was late. “I had some rookies that were looking forward to some training this morning.” He crossed his buff arms over his broad chest, puffing up his already large stature. He peered down at her through hard, blue eyes. “No one ever looks forward to your training.” She laughed, trying to lighten his mood. His tough expression didn’t change. “Look,” Aun lowered her voice. “I’d kind of like to talk to you about something in private.” Smith dropped his arms and waved for Aun to follow him into his office. They entered a small tent that he was using as his temporary office while he was running the ROTC. He stepped behind a small wood desk and sat in a sturdy wood chair. He leaned forward and folding his arms on the desk. “What can I do for you?” his voice was more pleasant. Aun took a seat in the chair opposite of him. “We’ve got a big project on our hands that’s going to require more manufacturing that Hayden can do. You see-” Sergeant Smith raised his hand, signaling for her silence. “Don’t tell me anything about it in such an open area. Just tell me what you need.” “You know those bullets Hayden made, with the wooden splinters-” “You need more?” “A lot more.” “Are you just using handguns?” “They’ll be our back ups. We need something bigger and preferably at least a semi-automatic.” “You need guns too?” “Hayden only has so many of one model, and he’s tweaked each one to his own liking. Therefore he has to make specialized bullets for each one.” “You’re asking for a lot, Aunyaunca.” “This is for a lot.” The sergeant picked up a pencil and began jotting down information on a notepad. “A lot to save?” “Just one.” He stopped writing and slowly lifted his dark eyes up to look at her. “If there is only one, why do you need so much?” “We don’t know what we’re up against.” “So you want me to waste mine and my men’s time on making special bullets for something that you don’t even know you’ll need them for?” His voice grew stern, almost angry. “This is for one person. There are plenty of other cases you can go after that can serve a much better purpose.” Aun’s face turned just as cold as his. “This is a teenage girl that-” “That should’ve learned to stay inside at night like her parents told her!” “It’s not always that simple!” Aun yelled back, jumping up and slamming her hands down on the desk. Sergeant Smith didn’t say anything to her, but anger was visible in his facial expression. He remained in his chair, just staring back at Aun. “McHannah.” Aun said, frustration draining from her tone. “What?” he tilted his head in puzzlement at her. “General Joseph McHannah.” She said. “Ring a bell?” “General McHannah was my commanding officer.. What about him?” “Sandra Jo McHannah is the girl we are looking for; General McHannah’s daughter.” Aun made her way behind his desk, leaning over him so she could type on his computer. He moved to the side so she could get in better. After a couple minutes of typing, Aun brought up a page that had a Student ID card with the picture of a teenage girl with long blonde locks, fine skin, bright blue eyes, and perfect teeth. The name was Sandra’s. Sgt. Smith cocked an eyebrow. “So this means more because she’s a General’s daughter?” he asked her, his voice sounding disgusted. “The mother is so hysterical that she’ll make it more public than she should. The father is irate due to the fact that his wife called us. He thinks that it’s all bullshit. And this is a young girl with not a lot of time left.” He stared at her for a moment, studying her concerned features. He said nothing for what seemed like an eternity. He just kept his steel eyes on her face. Aun got out of the chair and stood up perfectly straight. Her face turned just as cold as his. “Whether you give us those supplies or not, we will go in one way or another. This is just a plea for your help.” Smith’s posture relaxed and the cold expression left his face. It took him a minute to find his words. “The crates have been moved to a new storage.” He leaned over his desk and began jotting down notes on a piece of scrap paper. “You’re going to have to suit up in order to get them. Take the jeep out front and load them into that. Take them to wherever it is you store them and get that jeep back immediately.” He handed the paper to her hesitantly. “Do not get caught with them at all, and if you do, my name does not slip out.” Aun took the paper and skimmed over it before folding it up and tucking it in her back pocket. Her eyes returned to his. “Thank you, Sir.”