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Rick was lost in thought as the fighter touchdown on the administration building. As he got out security was standing by to escort him into the building. He thought it strange how everyone was trying to protect him when a week ago no one cared if he lived or died.
Security left Rick at the door of the reception area of Hobbs new office. The receptionist told him to go right in.
Rick went in and was surprised that Hobbs new office looked much like the old one. “Rick,” said Hobbs with the excitement of someone meeting an old friend. “I imagine you’re tired?”
“A little. I have no idea what time it is.”
“Do you want some coffee?”
“I think I could use some coffee.” Rick was trying to remember his manners and keep from going straight to business.
Hobbs hit a button on his desk. “Matty would you get some coffee for Director Thompson.” He hit the button again. “It’s 9:30 in the morning. So, tell me about your trip?”
“Well Sir, the conversation with Ridges was...”
“Wow, you actually got to talk to Ridges?” Hobbs seemed impressed.
Almost at once Matty came in and handed Rick a cup of coffee with cream and sugar just the way he liked it. He wondered how she knew. When she left Rick continued. “Yes Sir. Why?”
“Because no one has seen him in the last six months. He’s had health issues. We weren’t even sure if he was still alive.”
“Yeah, he was laid up in bed when I talked to him. Still, he wanted to see me.”
“What about?” Hobbs seemed truly interested in Rick account of the event.
“He wanted to thank me personally for proving Nash and not Rossom was responsible for the bombing of Pacifica.”
“Yeah,” said Hobbs. “I can see that. It solved a lot of problems for him with all corporations. What else did two talk about?”
“I was able to convince him that we are not the Nash administration. As a result, he agreed to a cease fire.”
Hobbs held up his hand and pressed a button on his desk. “Get me the secretary of defense.” A moment later a male voice came on the line. “Yes Sir.”
“Hand down orders under top priority, we have a cease fire.”
“Yes Sir, anything else?”
“Not at this time Hobbs out.” He hit the button again and turned back to Rick. “What else did you talk about.”
“Well, He is willing to open negotiations for a peace treaty as long as we can prove that Collier is responsible for the attacks. Or find out who is responsible.”
“You got farther with Ridges than I did, but I wish you hadn’t told him about Collier.” Hobbs seemed caught up in his own thoughts.
“Why is that Sir?” said Rick.
“Because Collier is a member of the Board of Directors for the Wilson Corporation. We can be held accountable for his actions.”
“I don’t think that is likely.”
“What makes you say that?” Hobbs seemed like Rick had already pulled him out of the fire.
“First, he already knew of Collier’s activities. He thought he was doing it on behalf of Nash. When I told him that I needed his help finding Collier, he was willing to believe me. He knows Collier is wanted for treason by us. He won’t hold us responsible if we go after Collier. Because of Nash, Ridges knows that I would prosecute Collier.”
“So, Ridges knows that Collier is not doing this for Wilson, that he has gone rouge?”
“Yes he does. Ridges has independent information showing Collier’s movements. He will give us some time to find Collier, but not much. We need to find Collier as fast as we can to handle this situation.”
Hobbs nodded and said, “We’ve already put out a criminal alert on him. But we believe that he has already left the system and possibly Wilson space all together.”
“Yeah about that, I have an idea on how to find Collier.”
“What’s your idea,” Hobbs looked more than interested. He looked like a kid in a candy store.
“I think we need to enlist the help of Bannic.”
“Is that wise?”
Rick smiled. “I honestly don’t know if it is wise, but Bannic can sniff out a paper trail like a bloodhound. And if Collier is in Rossom territory or that of their allies, Bannic has contacts that can help us find him. I’m sure that disk he gave us for Nash also has information on Collier. I know Bannic can get the job done.”
“Very well. Talk to Tim he handled Bannic’s relocation. He is the one man that knows where Bannic is. Is there anything else?”
“I think that covers it. I’m going to go see the boys in the tech lab have received the debris from the attacks yet.”
“Yes they have,” said Hobbs. “Why don’t you go home and get some sleep and give them a chance to analyze it?”
“Yes sir.” Rick got up and left the office.
He headed for the roof parking lot. He was certain that Tim would have brought his car here as this is where Rick was. It seemed like everyone was anticipating his needs. He stepped off the lift, and his car was parked in one of the visitor’s spots. “Thank you Tim,” he said under his breath.
Once in the car he tilted the seat and laid his head back and said, “Home.”
The next thing he knew someone was tapping at the window. Disorientated Rick saw the car was parked in front of a huge house. Still in the fog of sleep he didn’t know where he was. The first thought was that someone wanted Rick to move his car away from some place he shouldn’t be. He looked out the window to see who was trying to get his attention. At first he didn’t recognize who it was. As his mind climbed out of the murkiness of sleep, Rick realized that it was Benson.
As he got out of the car Benson said, “Sorry to disturb you Sir, but you have been in the car for over a half an hour. I wanted to check and see if anything was wrong.”
“No. Nothing wrong. I’ve just had a long trip and I fell asleep on the way home.”
“I see Sir. Would you like to continue to get some rest or do you have something to do?”
Rick felt like he could sleep for another week. “I could really use more sleep.”
“I see Sir. First I would like to say that I have your office set up. Would you like to see it?”
Rick wanted to sleep; he didn’t want to work. Yet he wanted to be polite to Benson. “Sure let’s take a look.”
They walked up the stairs and went inside. Benson opened the door to Rick’s office.
Now he remembered the instructions he gave Benson. His office looked like his old apartment with just a little more space. Everything was arranged like it was before the move.
“Benson, you have done an absolutely beautiful job here. Thank you.”
“You are welcome Sir.” Benson seemed delighted with the praise. was
“How did you know where everything went?”
“Well Sir, before we moved you, pictures were taken of all your belongings and were cataloged. I used those pictures to replace everything as you had them. I realized after you gave me the instructions that you were very fond of your old place. So, I took great care to recreate it for you Sir.”
“That means a lot to me Benson, Thank you.”
“Sir, you do not thank a subordinate for doing their job.”
Rick hung his head and laughed. When he looked up he said, “Everyone keeps telling me that, but it’s not going to happen. It’s who I am. I refuse to let all this change who I am. At least I’m no longer kicking and screaming.”
“Sir?” The questioning look on Benson’s face told Rick he didn’t understand.
“What was the first question you asked me?”
It took Benson a moment to remember, then he smiled and said, “Yes Sir.”
“And call me Rick.”
“Yes Sir,” Benson smiled. “You see, I can’t change who I am.”
“Fair enough. So we have come to an understanding. Now, I don’t mean to be rude, but I see my bed and it’s calling to me.”
“Understood Sir, would you like me to wake you for the evening meal?”
“Yes please do that.” Rick went to his bed and fell into it without even bothering to remove his clothes. He was asleep right after he heard Benson close the door.