Annihilation Prequel - Psychic Beginnings by Saxon Andrew Page B

and now I had a soldier that was superior to everyone I’ve ever enlisted. I just couldn’t make myself do it.”
    “I imagine the boy fought tooth and nail not to go?”
    “I was surprised by his reaction. It was almost as if he expected it. He did not put up a fight.” Green paused and said, “There’s something about that young man that is different. I don’t know what it is but I can sense it.”
    “I’ll keep an eye on him, Sir.”
    “I’m not worried about him, Sargent. I just want you to make sure that you notify me on the completion of his training so I can make sure he is assigned to my company. Will you do that for me?”
    Frank shook his head. This was the first time this had ever happened. “I will, Captain.”
    “Thanks; if I’m going to be punished for not releasing him, I should get the benefit of having him assigned to me. Thank you, Sargent.”
    “Good night, Sir.” Frank looked at the document and saw that there were no corrections to the charges that were filed against Gardner. The soldier would not be slated for advancement unless this document was corrected. Frank saw that Captain Green was trying hard to prevent this recruit from being noticed…or wanted by any other officer. He put the file aside and decided to watch Gardner closely and see what was going on. He leaned back in his chair and tried to visualize the man and couldn’t. That was unusual. He was always able to store the faces of the new soldiers in his mind. He could not remember ever seeing this Gardner. Somehow he had avoided being seen. Now that was not easily done. He would have to check that out the next morning.
    • • •
    Frank stood in front of the platoon the next morning before he took them out on a five mile run. He looked down the ranks of his four squads and looked for Gardner. He didn’t see him. He looked at the current corporal and said, “Has roll been called?”
    “Sir, yes Sir; all present and accounted for, Sir.”
    He looked and saw that all the squads were equal length so all forty were present; but he could not pick Gardner out. What’s wrong with this? Where was he? He just couldn’t find him. “Lead em out corporal.”
    “Sir, yes Sir. Right face. At double time, forwaarrrd, march.”
    The platoon moved out and Frank followed them out. He searched the faces of the running soldiers but could not find Gardner. The platoon sang out their cadence in various verses and wondered why Sarge wasn’t yelling at them in his normal fashion. Frank finally decided to solve this mystery. He shouted, “Platooooooon, Halt.”
    The Platoon halted and stood in ranks. He looked at the troops and said, “Gardner, front and center.”
    “Oh crap. What have I done?” AG ran out of ranks and to the front of the platoon. Frank saw him leave his place in the third squad and could not understand how he had not seen him. “Corporal Clarke, take his position.”
    Clarke looked disappointed and gave AG a stare as he moved into ranks that would have melted an iceberg. Frank stared at Gardner and saw that he was about six feet tall and well built. “Finish the run, Gardner.”
    Frank watched the other members and saw they appeared to have more energy when Clarke was replaced. Gardner said, “Platoooon, at double time, forwaaarrrrddddd, march.” The platoon actually ran faster and sang louder with Gardner leading. They recognized him as a leader. Clarke did not command the same respect.
    Frank knew that Clarke was going to confront this new leader shortly and he thought about heading it off but decided to wait and see what happened. He would keep the curtains slightly open and watch what happened from his office at the front of the barracks. He’d step in if it got out of hand but his curiosity was up. He was curious to see if Clarke had any more success at finding Gardner than he did.
    • • •
    AG avoided Clarke easily. He just went where he wasn’t looking. The big Scotsman had a mean temper and was the