Home » The Archives » Chapter 5 » Learning to Live in Paradise
| Re: Learning to Live in Paradise [message #1337 is a reply to message #1336] |
Thu, 26 July 2012 19:54   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
|
Field Commander
Switzerland |
|
|
April 10, 2068, 5:30 p.m.
Now that the debriefing was over, the majority of the rescue crew was off to shower and get a bite to eat before doing post-rescue maintenance.
Christopher, however, remained in the lounge waiting for Jeff to speak. He stood there, face impassive. Inside, though, he was shaking like a leaf. He thought back to the last time this happened. Flight Commander Harris had hauled him over the coals for going against his orders.
Jeff looked at Christopher, studying his face. His blue eyes stared at the man for long moments, assessing his first reaction and what it should be. He remembered times when he had been in a similar situation, and the few times when his sons stood before him like this, at strict attention and trying very hard to hide their anxiety. He took a deep breath and huffed it out through his nose. "What is the one thing that makes us capable of carrying on our work without hinderance from governmental intervention?" he snapped.
"Secrecy... Sir!" Christopher groaned inwardly as old habits kicked in. "I'm sorry, Mr. Tracy. I made a serious mistake," he continued, "and I accept any punishments you see fit."
Jeff ignored his apology... for the moment. "What allows us to be personally safe, and to keep our tech out of unfriendly hands?"
"Discretion." Christopher paused. "And not opening our mouths to all and sundry." He licked his lips, his mouth was dry. And Jeff Tracy's eyes were boring into him.
"If you understand this," Jeff said calmly. Then he raised his voice and slammed a fist on the desk, shouting, "Then just what the HELL were you doing talking to a damned reporter?!" Having said that, he sat back, scowling and waiting for Christopher's answer.
"I made a mistake." Christopher did not show any emotion. "An inexcusable mistake, which no amount of apology can change. It will not happen again." He looked at Jeff, his eyes bright. "I have been given a great privilege to be working with you, and I will not make this mistake again."
"You'd better damn well see to it that it doesn't," Jeff replied hotly. "But you haven't answered my question. What made you talk to the reporter instead of calling security and having her hauled away?!"
"The lure of a pretty face, Mr. Tracy. Plain and simple," Christopher replied.
"Are you going to be spilling your guts to every pretty face that comes along? Because if you are, I can't use you!"
"I will not, Mr Tracy." A flash of anger appeared in Christopher's eyes and voice.
Jeff sat back in his chair and said in a less bellowing tone, "See to it that you don't." He steepled his fingers, and continued to glare at the former RAF pilot. "As for 'punishment', it's time to recalibrate the communications masts. Then Mobile Control needs a thorough cleaning, as does Thunderbird One's cargo bay. After that, I'm sure Scott can find some other chores for you to do. You may continue your simulator training, but you are not allowed to work Mobile Control or pilot any of the Thunderbirds for the next three months. You will be assigned to rescues at my discretion." He paused, then stood up and leaned over his desk. "Oh, and if this ever happens again?" he said. "You will find yourself back in England... and unemployed... so fast your head will swim. Is that understood?"
"It is, Mr Tracy." Christopher nodded, his face still blank. "Thank you." He stood there at attention and held his breath for any other pronouncements.
Jeff waved a hand irritably. "Get showered and eat. Dismissed."
Christopher nodded then left. Once he got out of the area, he let out a long held breath.
Post by The_Wrong_Trousers1 and Tikatu on 08/05/2005
  
|
|
|
|
Current Time: Wed May 15 07:30:06 EDT 2024
Total time taken to generate the page: 0.02214 seconds
|
International Rescue: The Next Phase
Search
Help
Members
Login
Home
