Free Zombie Theorem: The End Game by James Wallace Page A

way. I never expected you could get me that much info.”
    “Sir, yes, sir. Do you have a preference in time for the meeting? And thank you, sir, for the compliment.” I looked over at her and witnessed her blushing from the praise.
    I winked at her and tipped my cup back, draining the last of the coffee. “Eight pm, and make sure to order food from the cafeteria and have it delivered.” I unlocked my chair’s wheels and pushed back from the table. “Alright team, let’s get to the office. We have a lot of preparation to do before our meeting tonight.”
    As one, they turned and asked, “What meeting?”
    I smiled back. “You guys need to learn to read my mind like Amanda here.” Gunny Sergeant Neal Mauseth gave me an irritated look and sighed out loud. Brian’s eyes flashed in anger and he almost jumped from his seat. “Brian, relax, there is no reason to rip his head off just yet. Let’s give him a chance to speak” I motioned for the Gunny to speak.
    He stood slowly and leaned on one of his crutches. “I apologize if I upset the Major or the First Sergeant. I find your lack of military bearing unprofessional, sir. The people around this table worked hard to attain their level of rank. I feel that when you speak to them in the manner that you do, you disrespect that. You fraternize with us enlisted, you never use proper chain of command and again, your refusal to use rank when speaking to someone.”
    I tipped my head in his direction and considered his point. “As you pointed out Gunny, I did not come up in the service like all of you did. I was handed my position. But mister I’ve been through a harder time in my short career in this mess, than you have your entire life. I’ve been kidnapped by the enemy, I’ve been tortured, I’ve been shot in the chest and abdomen, I’ve lost a little girl who depended on me, and I’ve been trapped in a tower in San Francisco, fighting the God Damn dead since the very beginning.” Somehow the anger in me blossomed, and I found myself on my feet, holding onto the edge of the table. “I do not deal with ranks and titles cause to me, we are a family. We work together every day to help the people of this base and the country as a whole. I do not have time to worry about your feelings toward me or my way of leading. You came and asked to work for me, I didn’t come and ask you. You can leave any time you feel like it.” Julie appeared behind me and took my arm helping me down into the chair. The pain finally made an appearance and made sure to tamper my anger.
    The Gunny stood there for a full minute, his face neutral, showing no emotion. Then, like he’d shrugged off a chip off his shoulder, he frowned. “Major, I apologize for my actions and words. If you would like to reassign me or confine me to my quarters, I would understand. I spoke without understanding the situation.” He then snapped to attention and stood there as if made of granite.
    “Brian?” I asked, never taking my eyes off the Gunny.
    “Sir?”
    “Is the Gunny a dedicated man to his work?”
    “Sir, utmost. I never worry about giving him a task and finding it undone or done in a poor way. He’s a valuable commodity to our team.”
    “I will leave his future to you and your best judgement. But I do not want anyone to discipline him or treat him in an ill way for his actions today.” I turned my attention to Amanda and Julie. “Would you ladies please escort me to the office?”
    Julie took the chair handles and with Amanda in tow, we left the cafeteria. We made it to the office and entered, then made our way to our stations. Once there, I took control of the wheel chair and pulled myself up to my desk. I looked over the room and came eye to eye with Kuppers. He frowned at first then nodded. I had thought he was about to come up here and rip me to pieces for coming to work while still injured. But he knew I had work to do.
    I threw myself into the reports fighting for my attention and drew