Chapter 10 - Mason Said Vale Had Been Right About One Thing
Mason's review removed him from direct training duty pending final action.
He was still on base.
Still a sergeant.
Still walking around in uniform.
Consequences rarely arrive with cinematic timing.
He asked Brooks for permission to speak to me.
She asked me.
I said ten minutes.
We met outside.
Mason looked tired.
“Assignment?”
“Gone.”
He winced.
“Because of the review?”
“Because I can't certify in time.”
He looked down.
“I'm sorry.”
I waited.
“For what part?”
He looked up.
“All of mine.”
That was better than saying the assignment.
“Okay.”
He rubbed his jaw.
“I've been thinking about Alden.”
“I haven't had that luxury.”
He almost smiled.
Then:
“Vale was right about one thing.”
“Only one?”
Mason ignored it.
“I needed somebody in the room to be below me.”
I looked at him.
He continued.
“I don't mean rank.”
I knew.
“If everyone was equal, I didn't know how to run the room.”
“That sounds like a you problem.”
“Yes.”
No defense.
He continued.
“At Alden, Vale called it out in front of staff.”
“You hated him.”
“Yes.”
“Then spent eleven years proving him right.”
His jaw tightened.
“That sentence is going to bother me.”
“Good.”
Mason almost laughed.
Then looked toward the parking lot.
“I wasn't like this every day for eleven years.”
“I didn't say you were.”
“I had good units.”
“I believe you.”
“Good soldiers.”
“Probably.”
“People who liked working for me.”
“I can believe that too.”
He looked surprised.
I continued.
“People are not one setting.”
Mason nodded slowly.
“Then I came back into training.”
“When?”
“Two years ago.”
“And?”
“I was good at getting immediate results.”
That I believed.
“People tightened up when you walked in.”
“Yes.”
“Command liked it.”
“Sometimes.”
“And you liked it.”
He looked down.
“Yes.”
No elaborate childhood explanation.
Better.
Then Mason said:
“At Alden, Vale had a blind spot too.”
“I know.”
“He liked rescuing people who responded to him.”
“I know.”
“You were his favorite.”
“Stop.”
He did.
I stepped closer.
“I am not giving you Vale as a weapon anymore.”
Mason nodded.
“Fair.”
“And I’m not giving him you.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means neither of you gets to turn me into evidence for your version of the other.”
Mason looked at me for a long moment.
Then:
“Okay.”
He started to leave.
I stopped him.
“Why did you throw my duffel?”
His face tightened.
“Because you didn't move.”
“What?”
“First thing I said. Wrong room.”
“Yes.”
“You just stood there.”
“So?”
He looked ashamed.
“I wanted the room to see you move.”
There it was.
Not strategy.
Not history.
A man wanted obedience.
I nodded.
“That’s enough.”
He turned to leave.
Then:
“Carter.”
“What?”
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”
“Good.”
“I am asking one thing.”
I stared.
“Was the kick really necessary?”
I almost laughed.
“Go away, Mason.”
He smiled despite himself.
May you like
Then left.
I didn't smile until he was gone.
