Chapter Two

Chase

“I don’t know what you’re complaining about. You took a bit of shrapnel in your knee. The doctors are optimistic you will get the full mobility of your leg back. You’re better off than I am.” Mason Dane stood from his desk and lifted his pant leg to show me the composite steel of his left leg. He started the security company immediately after he left the army.

“I know it could have been worse, but you have to understand I hate having to be relegated to desk duty. Being the support for those in the field is for somebody else. I need to have my boots on the ground.” I was kicking myself for not grabbing the crutches on the way out of my office.

I found they were an unnecessary reminder of how I wasn’t bulletproof. I was hitting my stride at 42. I was able to keep up with the young bucks who thought I was too old to make a difference. I had proven myself to be a leader amongst little boys trying to be men.

“I know exactly how you feel and I live with my shortcomings every day. You’re lucky to be alive.” His words were harsh, but I could count on him for the unvarnished truth.

“I have to thank you for giving me a chance.” I was getting older, but with age came wisdom.

“We recruited you after your last tour of duty overseas because of your record. I’m a little biased. You are my best friend.” We had enlisted together at the ripe age of 18 and stationed in Guam for the first 4 years.

“I sometimes think my time has come and gone.” I was understandably depressed, but I was able to hide it with a stoic expression.

“If you weren’t in the trenches there would have been more casualties. There were no fatalities.” I had recognized the danger and acted accordingly with the rank of colonel following me into battle.

I had to put in double the effort, but it was worth it to give the next generation a look at a real hero. I was down to 190 pounds perfectly proportioned with my 6-foot frame. I might have been part of civil life, but my hairstyle was still trapped in the Marines. The buzz cut made me feel like I was still doing something important. Soldiers still looked to me to have the answers.

“We were lucky this time. I almost missed it.” I remembered the day like it was yesterday and it still haunted my nightmares with the sounds of screaming in my head. It reminded me of the one time I lost anybody on my watch. His memory wasn’t the only face I saw.

“Chase, nobody could have done any better under the circumstances. We will always second guess ourselves. This is not the time to show weakness in front of the others. They need a steady hand at the helm.”

“You’ve always been there for me. You’re the brother I never had growing up. My parents did their best, but they were always busy putting out one fire after another. I never had a grounded childhood. I kept moving around from one base to another with my father. I didn’t even know what civilian life was.” I was born to serve and to wave the flag of independence with a gun in one hand and a knife in the other.

“Chase, you can’t pick your family, but you can pick your friends.” I didn’t feel I had anything to be upset about, not after everything Mason had gone through.

He was my benchmark, the one I measured myself against. He was the total package. He was not only fearless, but he could think outside the box. Mason was never one to tow the line. Where most of us were duty bound to follow orders, he would always question whether or not we were doing the right thing. It wasn’t long before he realized his place wasn’t in the military. He still wanted to serve his country, but doing it with restrictions had left him with a bad taste in his mouth.

Unfortunately, he lost his leg the last day before he was set to ship out back home. Most people would have lost a part of their soul, but he managed to stand on the one good leg he had. I was amazed by how resilient he could be.

His company had grown to a major success and I had seen several of his recruits while on active duty in the military.

“Family comes with it many pitfalls and hurdles to overcome. I’m old enough to have my own family and yet I still feel I need to make my father proud.” I grunted standing on my feet. I moved to where I could see the landscape unfolding in front of me.

“I’ve always said Washington is beautiful this time of year. The changing colors take a moment to get used to. I know this isn’t the position you wanted, but it’s not forever. Keep doing your physiotherapy on schedule. This is your chance to show those young ones how you bounce back from adversity.” His encouragement helped me to realize life was about changes and nothing stayed the same.

“I came here to make a difference and to use my unique skill set. If I can’t be in the field, then you should at least give me a license to train. I can adapt by showing them some of my expertise to keep them from getting killed.” I’d seen too many die as a result of their ignorance and inexperience.

The training in the military was extensive, but it wasn’t enough. Conditioning was the key and finding that muscle memory to follow your gut instinct was paramount.

“Do you have any idea why I decided Washington, DC was going to be my base of operations? People thought I was crazy, but I wanted to be near where I could look them in the eye. I need to be up close and personal with those who make the big decisions. We both know some behind the lines have never seen active duty.” He was always a little strange and most people were shocked by his stark white hair at the age of 18.

“I had a feeling it was something like that. You’ve never been one to hide unless it was in plain sight. Then again, how can you hide when your mane of white hair follows you wherever you go? A lot of the other recruits called you father time until they saw you in action.” He was my age, but he looked a little grizzled and weathered around the eyes.

He wore those scars he had received in battle physically and emotionally like badges of honor. The things that didn’t kill us made us stronger. It was all a matter of perspective and how quickly you could get back up on your feet after being knocked down.

“I’ve never shied away from doing what wasn’t expected. I can be unpredictable and that usually works in my favor. Procedures are necessary, but you have to know when to do what comes naturally. I only recruit those that show the potential of a true warrior. It’s always in their eyes.” In the years preceding our first meeting when we were 18, life continued to move forward and there was no point in looking back.

“Mason, I’ve always had an eye for talent and you know that better than anyone. I like to think of myself as someone that flies by the seat of their pants when necessary.” There was a silent respect. We only had to look at each other to know the reality of war.

“I’m inclined to give the recruits a few hours of your undivided time in the classroom, to begin with. If things go well, then I will certainly consider moving you up to a more on hands approach. I’m fair and hard when I need to be. They will be lucky to have your tutelage.” It was better than pushing papers and I wouldn’t have to frustratingly watch people do what I couldn’t for the time being.

“I thought I was going to have to twist your arm a little bit more. I should have known better than to think you would pass on a good thing when it’s right in front of you. I can’t promise to go easy on them.” Boot camp had nothing on how I was going to psychologically torture them.

Mason was wearing camouflage fatigues and was never comfortable in a tailored suit molded to his body like a second skin. He could certainly clean-up well when dignitaries were coming to see the dog and pony show. Black Net was the last line of defense for those who didn’t want to get their hands dirty.

“Chase, I wouldn’t expect anything less from a man of your character and honor. You still have the rank of colonel. I expect you will have that permanently tattooed on your skin somewhere. It wouldn’t even surprise me if you have it on your lower back as a tramp stamp.” I cocked my eyebrow and with lightning speed punched him in the shoulder hard enough to make him spin around in a circle.

“I’ve never been comfortable marking my body with ink. I have enough scars with stories for every one of them to last me a lifetime. There was never a need to jump on that macho train when everybody was too drunk to realize what they were doing.” I had a few lesson plans in mothballs which I was going to dust off.

“Your eye for detail is going to pay off in big time around here. We have some lucrative contracts with several high paying dignitaries to give them the security they are looking for. We want more of the same but we also want to tap into the market of the military.” Mason had big dreams and was willing to talk the talk with those still on the fence about using his company.

“Mason, our numbers are wearing thin. It’s not easy to poach the military for established talent. We give the next generation an alternative to signing their life away. It’s far more rewarding. I wish there was something like this before we decided to make our mark on the world. It’s better late than never.” I had a fleeting thought of the woman I was going to be having drinks with for her birthday.

“It’s time for you to get your feet wet and start recruiting. There are a couple of colleges in the area having a career week. I want you to be center stage. We can’t give them the same song and dance as everybody else. It’s necessary for us to stand out from the crowd.” I had seen some of the new recruits and they needed some fine tuning.

There were many seasoned professionals who had been left with their minds shattered from what they had seen and they were going to leave them in a fetal position rocking back and forth muttering nonsense to a bunch of kids.

“I think you might be overestimating my talents to encourage young minds to take a leap of faith. But, I appreciate the high praise and I will do everything in my power not to let you down.” Mason was underneath my command in the marines, but he was always a leader when it counted the most.

“Chase, you’ve always been a blunt instrument. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I had, however, done things I wasn’t proud of.

I never had thoughts of taking my life. It was the coward’s way out in my opinion.

“I’m deadly and decisive. I was at the top of my class through boot camp. I excelled in hand to hand combat. I learned to use my environment and not depend on conventional weapons. This is what is missing from the lazy generation. I’m going to test them until they hate me.” Feelings didn’t matter when a gun was up against your head.

“We can’t condemn the entire generation over a few bad apples. I look forward to seeing how they exceed your expectations. Cynthia has mentioned having you come over for Sunday dinner. I know how you feel about home cooked meals, but maybe you can make an exception.” I knew if I didn’t come he would never hear the end of it from his wife. I had become something of a surrogate brother and thankfully, not some kind of charity case.