Free Thicker Than Blood by Matthew Newhall

dared best him in athletics, so the whole thing was a giant waste of time for the larger men like Nathan. After the usual awkward shower experience, the men would silently reflect on the egotism that ruined their lives six days a week. Scott Conner, the menace, insisted on being naked in the locker room as long as possible. Strutting around and standing, in a pose that seemed almost meant to jut his flopping member further forward than anything attached to his body could be. The other men in MI Robotics seemed to suspect homosexuality, but Nathan knew better. Scott did this to intimidate and unnerve the other men. Surprise, shock and deprivation presented the best opportunities to instill fear and loyalty in other men. Nathan wouldn't have needed his time in the service to recognize the singular virtue of surprise. Yet, while continually unnerved, nobody was caught off guard any more. Nathan and the other men followed Scott to the checkout counter at the base gym. Scott bragged to the young woman soldier manning the desk. "Two hundred and sixty pounds. That's how much I could bench in the service days," he said in a southern drawl. "If I didn't spend so much time in pointless meetings I'd be bettering that right now." "Yes sir," the woman stated coldly. "You know my company is very important to the service. We have brokered over twelve major contracts and earned the Marines fourteen billion in patent revenue alone." "Of course sir," The unengaged woman replied. Scott continued as the men dropped their towels in the desk mounted hamper. "That uniform you're wearing was paid for by one of MIR's carbon catalyst patents. You'd be naked without us." Nathan scowled. Only a civilian could get away with such talk. "Thank you sir." The beleaguered woman remained resolve. "Well I have to go chat with the joint chiefs," Scott said with a twang. "I hope we can talk again soon." Scott quickly walked away. Nathan missed his daughters and longed to be home. After a sleepy morning of Saturday cartoons, they would be playing outside with the neighbors or their mother. If he was back home in Chicago, they would be throwing snowballs or making snow angels. Nathan was lost in thought as he walked. "Cicely, you and Laurence go to the shop and payroll the new design from DCR. Give Michaels a call and get his ass over here. Jones you're with me for the chiefs." "Yes sir, we're on it." Cicely sounded relieved. They immediately walked toward the parking lot. "Jones, go change. Meet me at thirteen hundred and forty five hours at the conference room." "Yes sir," Nathan stated weakly. Nathan walked toward his temporary quarters. When he arrived he changed into formal business wear. Nathan looked at his watch and decided that he had time to call his wife. He walked to the nightstand and dialed the phone. Nathan stared out the window at the base as it rang. The machine picked up and four voices sequentially answered. "Hi you have reached Luise, Emily, Malinda, and Nathan. Were not here right now, but please say whatever you like at the beep." "Hi everybody, I miss you. I'll call you again tonight. Something came up at work and I won't be home tonight. I'm going to try for tomorrow. Hope you're having fun." Nathan did his best not to sound as disappointed as he was. He was mostly successful. Nathan hurried out of the apartment to meet Scott at the chiefs meeting room. Scott was waiting. He was standing in the back of the room reading a legal sized paper. The spacious waiting room was empty other than the two men. Scott looked angry. He walked to Nathan's side and talked to him quietly as they waited. Scott moved his face as close to Nathan's as he could without touching it.
    "This breach is your responsibility. This is by far our most ambitious project and your security framework sucks. If the chiefs realize how poor your contingency plan is there will be hell to pay." "But sir I had advised you of that initially," Nathan responded weakly. "When I want to