Page 34 of Red Rooster

“Had,” Jake said. “I was discharged.”

Agent West’s mouth stretched a little wider. “A minor hurdle.”

His pulse kicked up a notch, and he knew it wasn’t the result of the adrenaline rush that usually followed an injection. “Hurdle to what?”

“Perhaps I should explain,” Dr. Talbot said with a little sigh, and a falling-away of his bright and open smile. He looked older, then, small and tired. He adopted a serious expression, more in keeping with his status as a doctor, and somehow it eased some of the mounting dread in Jake’s gut.

“Here at the Institute,” the doctor said, “we’ve been working for decades on medical technology that is only just now enabling us to make incredible breakthroughs in the healing of combat trauma – as you of course know.” Yes, he knew. “For me, personally, I’d like to see this technology integrated into civilian medicine, but the work has attracted many curious eyes – including those at the Pentagon. They have a valid interest. It’s our belief that, with prompt and proper application of our VT-1431 serum, the men and women of the armed forces could not only be saved and healed, but allowed to return to combat.”

Return…

Return to…

Combat.

Oh.

Jake opened his mouth to speak, and made a tiny, undignified gasping sound instead. “Are…are you serious?”

“Quite,” the doctor said, hint of a warm smile returning.

“In the future,” Agent West interjected, “there would be no reason for an officer in your position to be discharged. But seeing as how that’s already happened, there will of course be all sorts of red tape to cut through.”

“There’s no precedent for this sort of thing, you understand,” Dr. Talbot said. “It will take time.”

“In the meantime,” West said. “We think a show of tactical and physical competence could really help your case.”

“Yeah.” Jake’s voice came out a strangled, hope-choked whisper. “I mean, yes, sir, absolutely.”

Dr. Talbot brought out the beaming smile again. “It just so happens,” he said, “that we’ve got a mission in need of a man like you.”