Chapter 83

Matthew looked panicked. "I don't have working tans anymore, or shoes for that matter. I'm fucked."

David shook his head as he took a sip of the iced tea Brie had brought him while the Commandant was there. "No, you’re not. One of us can put in a call to the gophers and have them start working on that. Those kids can find anything, Matt. They even found the records of the real Major Leavenstein and, had you not escaped, we were going to try to use that to get you off on those charges."

"Really?" Matt looked shocked.

"Yeah, I saw the papers with my own eyes. They were originals."

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Late on the evening before Matt had to leave for the Agency to begin working for the Commandant, the gophers arrived with the supplies.. "Here you go. Five sets of Marine Corps working tans, two pairs of chloroform shoes- be careful not to scuff those- and one name tag."

Matt took the clothes as David gave the three of them each a hundred dollars for their trouble. "Good work, you guys", he said.

"Thanks, Mr. David. Believe me, they were a bitch to find, especially five sets of tans. Not the easiest of tasks, but we live to make your lives easier", said the one called Rex. His real name was Trevor.

"Well, Rex, I have no doubt that whatever challenge we throw at you, you'll accomplish it."

"That's what you pay us for. Oh, by the way, we'll have the groceries here for you tomorrow. We had a little trouble finding some of the stuff, but we managed to hunt it all down."

"Good job. Standard fee?"

"Yes, sir."

"Can do. See you kids tomorrow."

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Matt left bright and early the next morning. He didn't bother to say good- bye to anyone. He'd be back. The Commandant had made sure that he'd get to see his sister and his nieces and nephews.

When everyone got up, they discovered Matt's note. "Everyone, thank you for the support you've all shown me the past few months. You've all been so kind to me, especially David and the guys. You all made me feel like I was a part of the family, and for that you have my eternal gratitude. In the words of David, 'Remember the cause, stay strong, and don't give up hope.' Matthew."

The words in this note touched everyone. Brie sighed. "He's gone again, but at least he's not in prison this time", she said.

"Very true. If he were going to prison, he wouldn't have been allowed to leave the house", Dan said.

"And he'll be a desk jockey. No combat for him", Mike said.

David nodded. "Yeah, no combat. Always nice to see things come together like that."

"What do you mean?" asked Tina.

"He's been wanting to join the Resistance Army now that his leg is healed and he's walking again. This gives him what he wanted, kind of.