The Minus Faction, Episode One: Breakout Read Online Free PDF Page A

sessions, reading her notes and electronic communications. The latter at least seemed to be true. "I wish we could keep this up. I'd like to be able to say I got you to open up, to have that feather in my cap, but here the world's come knocking. We're out of time, Captain. Whether I like it or not, whether it's fair or not, I have to make a tough call."
    "I already made it. Give the woman what she wants. I'll call my pops and tell him to stay home."
    "They're going to commit you."
    John nodded.
    "As a ward of the state, despite whatever it says on paper, effectively you'll have no legal rights."
    John nodded again.
    "I'm offering to help you. You do understand that, right?"
    "There's nothing I can tell you that doesn't put you at risk."
    Amarta sat forward. "Now who's being noble? You don't get to make that choice for me."
    "You think I don't want to talk about it?" Regent stayed calm. "You think I'm not sitting here squirming with a big lump of truth in the back of my throat? They have to believe that you know nothing . If they think you know something—anything—they'll assume you know more. And then they'll get their hooks into you.
    "Why do you think they rushed me back? They could've just put a bullet in my brain and buried me in a part of the world no one ever woulda looked. But instead I got a flight home and first-class medical treatment courtesy of Uncle Sam." He motioned to Dr. Zabora. He meant it as a compliment. "They want to know what they don't know. Right now that's my only protection. I'm not being coy, Doc. Or noble. I'm just doing the best I can with the hand I've been dealt." There was never much he could do from the arms of his electric chair. He could only run as fast as it could carry him.
    Amarta saw John's shriveled hand twitch as if stung or stabbed. She tried not to think about how much he was hurting. If she did, she would cry. "There has to be something we can do. There's a way. That's what you told me. The Special Forces mantra or whatever. If you commit to the objective over everything else, then there's always a way. Your words."
    "I know what I said."
    "If I file that report, they'll be able to use it in any court proceeding. Ever. It will follow you around for the rest of your life, like a scarlet letter tattooed on your forehead. 'Captain Regent is dangerous.' But if I don't say that, if I say you're just fine, then they have to get someone else to say it, and that gets you out of here and away from them, gives you time to fight. You'll have to get a lawyer, but--"
    "No lawyers."
    "Jesus, Captain!" Dr. Zabora clenched her fists and told herself to calm down. "You know, after everything, it would be so easy to just let go and turn into a cynical bitch, put in my time and collect a government pension. I think I was halfway there." Amarta looked at the TV hanging in the corner. Smoke billowed in huge plumes from the center of a ravaged city. "Believe it or not Captain, you are not my most pressing problem. I did not come in on a Sunday to process your discharge request. I came in because Gabriel Gonzales called this morning and asked to be readmitted, and if not for the queen bitch of hell breaking into my office, I would be talking to him instead of you."
    "That's good news."
    Amarta shrugged. "He was gone. Out the door. Almost certainly in a free fall to suicide. Something brought him back."
    John gave a single nod. He looked lost in thought.
    "So how did you do it?"
    "What do you mean?"
    Dr. Zabora dropped her head. She sighed. The man wasn't going to budge.
    "I got a headache, Doc." Regent squinted in the light from the windows. "Can we take a walk?"
    Amarta stood and walked to the end of the bed. John was dodging, but he wasn't lying. He looked miserable. He was always hiding his pain, sweeping it under the burned and twisted mask of his face. "Okay."
    Regent grabbed the bar and dragged himself to the edge of the bed. Sheets and blankets dropped to the floor. He leaned and slid into the