Free Ultimate Warrior (The Fight for Creation (Book Three)) by Saxon Andrew

in command.”
    Dinter looked at Mitch and said, “You had a higher ranking in this class, Bender; why didn’t you command this exercise?”
    Dinter wasn’t smiling and Derek knew his willingness to command was being questioned. “Sir, there is a difference between being smart and being wise. I recognized that Callaway possessed the wisdom to make the best decisions for this exercise. My teammates agreed with me. I turned down the command of this exercise so we could have a chance at winning it.”
    Dinter smiled and looked at Mitch, “Would you care to explain why you ordered the camouflage jumpsuits two week ago?”
    “I assumed you were going to teach us humility and the only way to do that was to kick the crap out of us in an exercise. I didn’t know if we’d need them, but I wanted every tool possible for our toolbox in the event an exercise did happen.”
    Dinter said, “Are you aware that the suits are not standard issue? With the armor’s camouflage capabilities, they have been deemed useless.”
    “Yes Sir.”
    “You knew that?”
    “Yes sir.”
    “And what do you think about that?”
    “I’m going to insist that any warrior I command must wear it under their armor. What happens if an enemy is able to detect the energy emissions our armor puts out? The suits have no emissions.”
    Dinter thought a moment and said, “I’ve seen that.” The entire class laughed. “Well, I guess it was only a matter of time until someone was able to win. Did any of you learn humility?”
    Callaway said, “I did, Sir.”
    “Is that so?”
    “Yes Sir, I’m humbled by the trust my fellow trainees gave me and followed my plan even though they felt naked without their armor. They responded marvelously.”
    Dinter smiled and said, “That they did. Now you’ve completed your training and are going to be assigned your units. Bender and Bander, you are ranked number one and two so you will be given the command of a company of Life Warriors, congratulations.”
    Derek looked at Olivia and saw her nod, “Sir, we don’t feel it’s the right thing to accept that rank ahead of Mitchell Callaway.” Dinter’s smile disappeared and he frowned at the two trainees. Olivia said, “Sir, Mitch spent hours of his personal study time teaching us what he had learned. If he had not assisted us, he would have cleaned the floor with all of us. He is the one that deserves the recognition.”
    Derek said, “I respectfully decline the honor and only ask that I be assigned a platoon in Callaway’s Company.”
    “Why would you want that?”
    “I know that my platoon will be safer with him commanding us. How many trainees did we lose in this exercise, Sir?”
    Dinter stared at Derek and said in an emotionless voice, “Two.”
    “What’s the best number of survivors of all the classes that went through that exercise?”
    Dinter smiled, “None.”
    Dinter looked at the two and said, “Your request is denied. You will take command of a company.”
    Derek looked at Olivia and sighed, “Yes sir.”
    Diner looked at the trainees and saw their displeasure. He waited for a long moment and then pressed his wrist unit. The class heard Dinter say, “Attenteshuuun.” They were shocked when Fleet Admiral Mirabal walked into the room.
    He looked at the class and said, “Take your seats.” The class sat down and Jason looked at them, “I know you think we’re not rewarding the right person but these two trainees were wise enough to step aside and make a good decision without using this exercise to further their careers. That is the kind of officers we need commanding our Warriors. You deserve what you’ve been given.” Jason paused and said, “When Major Dinter told me that a class of trainees wiped out the officers, I thought he was kidding. This exercise has been designed to be unwinnable and you went out and proved us wrong.” Jason looked at Mitch, “Mitchell Callaway, Colonel Dorg says you have the best tactical mind she has