Now, the Cadets had completed their punishment and were kneeling in the vestibule. The General Manager and Capt. Jaja addressed them. The orientation spelled out all the dos and don'ts that they must adhere to for the period of their stay.“Do you have any questions?” He asked afterward and they were too scared to speak.He expected nothing less than that. Likewise, he stepped backward and looked at the Personnel Manager. Likewise, he stepped forward, looked at his secretary who had joined them and she walked up to him. They called out their names and handed their engagement letters to them.Afterward, Capt. Jaja said, “Do not hesitate to ask questions if you encounter any issues.”“We got it, Captain,” they responded simultaneously.At Tim's HouseElla was stable with her job as a dietician to an old gardener and it was not tasking. Nevertheless, Collins had brought the arms to the complex and was free to take her to attend to the old man.“Thank you, Ella, for your concern. I truly
He walked to the pantry while they continued with their discussions.“What is your name, Cadet?”“My name is Samuel, Your Excellency.”“Fine name. What about your brother?”“His name is Gerald.”“Good. How old are you?”“I'm sixteen years old.”“Ha! Sixteen years? And you were on a suicide mission because of your brother-in-law?”Samuel looked down and he encouraged him, “Don't be shy. That is one of the attributes of a soldier. Dying for a good course.”“Thank you for the compliment.”“You are welcome. Keep it up.”“I will.”While they were discussing, Gerald returned with four cups of tea and His Excellency studied his service.“Have you worked before, Gerald?”“Not at all, Your Excellency,” he answered and took his seat.“That is interesting. How do you intend to spend your months' holidays?”“I would not mind a part-time job if I see one.”“That is good,” he said and faced Tim.“What are your plans for him?” He asked.“I have not given it a thought,” he declared at once.“It's OK.
George was emotionally moved. Tim noticed it but waited for his input.Afterward, he spoke, “We are lucky not to be in his shoes. Anyone can be a victim of a misguided decision.”“You are right. What do you think? It may be difficult to get a buyer for a car that must have been stolen.”“You are right. Otherwise, I would have asked the Accountant to auction it.”“That may take long. He needs the money urgently.”“Urgently? Why?”“He wished to donate it to the orphanage to support the upcoming anniversary.”“That is a big one. Can we buy it? I think we are the only ones who can buy it within a short notice.”“You are right. I will ask Richard to inform him tomorrow.”While they were discussing, the war news came up and they paused. They saw the Field Marshal giving a real fire and brimstone threat.“When Kings Land sneezes, the world catches cold and Oregany goes into hiding. We have come to occupy your land and there is no going back. You signed a treaty with our ancestors and the tre
At The Mining FieldsTim decided to work from home. For that, Richard and another soldier went to the complex and picked Valentine up. He was disillusioned with the arrangement and did not believe that the Major had not planned to kill him on the way. If only he was aware that Tim, whom he believed was on his side was more dangerous than Richard, he would have calmed down.“What of the driver?” He asked after a long silence.Richard just realized the impact that Tim's absence had on him and allayed his fears.“He is busy with other things. You will meet the Boss for the payment of your car today.”He cheered up a bit and asked, “So soon? Who is the buyer?”“The company.”“Ha. Does Sgt. Young approve of it?”“Who else would have done that?”“Oh, my God. Does he like me? I mean has he forgiven me?”Richard ignored him and drove on. Nevertheless, Valentine decided to maintain his limit. Shortly, they were at the field.With the lunch, they would work until the close of work.At Tim's Hou
At Tim's HouseHe was discussing with the Second in Command on the Anniversary which will come up a few weeks from then. They agreed that he would visit the orphanage and put a finishing touch to the preparation. “I got you, Your Excellency. There is another development,” he informed him.“Really? Let's hear it please.”“My boy had an encounter with a criminal and ….”The Second in Command was listening attentively and was glad that the story ended in repentance.“His repentance is the best that would happen to him otherwise, he would have been in for it.”“You are right. He is with the miners at the field and happy to do a legitimate job for the first time in his life.”“That is good to hear. We can fish out other criminals through him.”“That is my plan. Meanwhile, he planned to sell his car and donate the money to the orphanage.”“Wow! I hope he is not trying to deceive you with this gesture.”“Well. He will only have himself to blame. I have my eyes on him.”“It is all right,” he
The phone's speaker was not on but Samuel heard enough to know that George was controlling the affairs of the organization with military precision.“I want to be like George when I grow up, Brother-in-law,” he declared confidently and Tim was flabbergasted.“Why did you say that?” He looked into his eyes and asked.“He is intrepid - not afraid of anything.”“I like that. You will be the bravest soldier of your time.”“Thank you, Brother-in-law. I will not let you down.”At that moment, his phone beeped, and he looked at it. He smiled softly when he noticed that it was a message from George. He punched on it immediately and was wowed by the pictures.At The ComplexGeorge did not know that the few seconds of discussion he had with Gen. Awe was a potion of courage - an overdose at that. It had opened a canworm and complicated things for the Field Marshal. He was searching the television channels to see the General's broadcast when the General Manager and the Sales Manager walked in with
Tim was engrossed in watching the lovebirds in the garden. Although he could not hear them he could see the dreamy state of their eyes. He was distraught when the janitor walked in through the slightly ajar door and distracted them.“I am back, Boss,” he announced dutifully and stretched out the acknowledgment copy.Tim searched his countenance for any clues on Mr. Dickson's reaction when he got the letter but got none.“I see. Who did you give the letter?” He asked and collected the copy.“One of the soldiers said he was sleeping and collected it on behalf of his boss.”He quickly looked at the name and signature of the receiver and recognized him as one of the security guards.“It's okay. You can leave,” he said and the janitor paid obeisance and left.Tim looked at the surveillance again and saw the lovebirds laughing happily and was infested. He laughed too and asked himself, “When did they realize that they love each other?”Now, it was time to leave and the old man walked her t
He opened the door for them and they got out one after the other without appreciation. Nevertheless, they were unaware that he was Sgt. Young until that time.“Good afternoon, Sgt. Young,” the Corporal at the door saluted him, and their eyes beamed in excitement.“Good afternoon,” he returned the salute and walked towards the automatic glass door and his officers followed him.To his surprise, the guests were transfixed.“Kindly come in, Field Marshal,” he turned back and pleaded.Whether they were aware that he slapped Sgt. Young or not, it was late. They feigned boldness, smiled weakly, and followed him. He led them into the hotel lobby and offered them seats.They sat down, appreciated him for the first time but could not take their eyes off him.“How can I slap Sgt. Young who ended Gen. Hanklin's career?” He asked with a low tone and looked at Jerry and his men who were standing aside.“I thought he was the Sales Manager. How come he is not reacting?” the minister asked him and go
“Thank you, Mark,” they responded one after the other.“Kindly take us to the pavilion,” George requested.“It is all right, President,” he answered and led the way. They moved with him and George was surprised to see Tim walking with the General Manager.'When did he arrive?' He asked himself.Some days are heavy but Tim had to grin and bear it. They checked the pavilion and took notes of the minor work they needed to do before Sunday. George did not have the chance to speak with Tim. However, he was confused when he got on the bus with them.When he looked around and did not see his clunker, he asked himself, 'Did he come with us?'Tim was obediently sitting beside the GM like a wimp and he had forgotten about him. They returned to the complex afterward and got out of the bus. To avoid missing out completely that day, he decided to take the plunge.He followed the General Manager back to his office. When they got to the door, he asked him, “What brings you, Driver?”Now, he had ope
At The Complex.A slave may also have slaves. Tim wished to see Stephanie and would not want to explain his purpose of visiting her to the General Manager. Instantly, he came up with a reason for him to leave the complex and called George.He picked up the call immediately and greeted him, “Hello, Boss. How may I assist you?”“Hello, George. Kindly get your managers to find out if the borough is ready for His Excellency to use it on Sunday.”“Huh! Sunday?”“Yes. It is urgent. We just got off an emergency meeting.”“It is all right, Boss. We will be there right away.”“Thank you for that,” he appreciated him and cut the call.George informed the General Manager of the development and he was on his toes. However, he was happy to hear that. He recalled the line of wisdom that said, to whom much is given, much will be required and attributed it to the recent promotion.He informed the other managers and they converged in the vestibule.Shortly, Tim drove in and arrived at George's office
At Tim's House They met the old man waiting for them in the parlor and felt bad.“We apologize for keeping you waiting, Old man,” Tim apologized when they walked in.He smiled and accepted, “Never mind, Young man. How was your outing?” He looked at the two boys and inquired.“It was fine, Old man,” they answered immediately.“Welcome back,” Francis who began to set the table when they returned, greeted them.“Thank you, Francis,” they responded immediately.Afterward, they settled down to eat. “Was she surprised to see the gifts?” The old man asked curiously.“Yes, Old man. She almost fainted,” Samuel answered.“I recorded everything," Gerald said and the old man requested to see it.He turned on his device and passed it to him. He began to watch the video and Tim studied his countenance.“Oh! She appreciated it,” he said when she hugged Samuel.“Yes, Old man. She is a nice person,” Samuel pointed out.“You are right. It is obvious.”Tim was happy to hear that and asked further, “Is
At The Lobby After Laura's father upset her the previous day, she had not fed well. She was hoping to do that at the canteen during lunch. Now, Barbara wished to impede that.“I can't wait for her anymore. It is my right to go for lunch and I won't miss it because she chose to be away from work for no good reasons,” she concluded. Although troublesome, she was justified in being upset. When she saw some workers returning from lunch with their bottles of sweet drinks and neatly packaged cake, her desire to be at the canteen increased.“She can explain her truancy to Capt. Jaja,” she said picked up her phone and walked out of the cubicle.She was walking briskly and bypassed George who was walking back leisurely with Jerry and his colleagues. He smiled inwardly and said, “You came too late.”Nevertheless, she got to the junior staff canteen and ordered her food before she sat down. While she was waiting, she saw the gigantic cake in the senior staff canteen and wished to have a taste
At The Canteen After the clerk left to get Stephanie, Tim walked back to his car which he parked at a vantage point so that he could see through the canteen's transparent glass window. He smiled heartily when he saw her walking with the two.“Oh, my God! She is pretty,” he said to himself.Meanwhile, George and the other managers had recovered from the shock of the decorations and were sitting on their seats. Samuel was with Bright and taking instructions from him. On the other hand, Bright had informed Barbara that she must work closely with him and return to her office after the celebration.“Ha! Miss Dickson will be mad at me if I fail to return on time,” she made clear.“Tell her that I delayed you,” he undertook for her, and she was calm.Meanwhile, the General Manager and clerk walked Stephanie to the door like a father who walked her daughter through the aisle on her wedding day. Stephanie glared at Bright and said, “You have done your worst. Right?”The GM overlooked her bic
“I'm here, Secretary,” he said when he got to the office.“That's good. I called you because …,” he explained.The clerk smiled happily and asked him, “What do you want me to do?”“Let's go. The cake will arrive soon.”“It is all right.”They got to the lobby and Bright gave Laura a hateful look. He smiled at Barbara and requested, “Kindly come with me, Barbara.”“Oh!” She exclaimed, got up from her seat, and adjusted her wears. Laura could not look at them but kept herself busy with her phone. When Barbara was set, she joined them and they moved. Nobody was surprised when she looked at them with an unreadable expression until they walked out of the door.Within her, she wished to be like Barbara who could relate freely with everyone.“Where are we going, Secretary?” Barbara asked.“To the canteen,” he explained and moved on.Instantly, his phone rang and it was the attendant. He stopped in his tracks and picked up the call. The two stopped, too, and waited for him.“Hello.”“Hello,
“My goodness. Mine was in October. I should have informed him so that he would return the gesture,” Bright teased.“Too bad. That will be in the coming year. I called you to plan it out. How will he surprise her?”“Does he have any gift for her?”“Yes. One of them is a cake. I will give you the contact of an attendant in the mall. You can ask her to deliver it.”“I see. Leave the planning for me. I will inform the General Manager and he will keep her busy until we are set.”“That is good. One more thing. I don't want the former secretary to be part of the celebration. You know the feud between them.”Bright smiled slyly and said, “I got it, Boss. I know what to do to her.”“I trust you. I want a seamless job.”“You can count on me, Boss. Congratulations once again on your well-deserved promotion,” he said sincerely.“Thank you for the compliment. Kindly share the pictures and videos with me.”“I will do that after editing them.”“That is good to hear. Thank you for always covering my
“Oh! I did not see it that way. We should do something different from Oliver's regime. I will invite the Head of State or his representative to the celebration,” the fake Duke said.“Yes. Then you will collect the certificate of recognition,” another elder said.“Also remind him of our allocation. We will use part of it for the celebration,” Elder Kefas stated.They wallowed in fools' paradise and they were happy to arrive at a consensus.At Tim's House They returned home happily and the old man was emotional. He looked at Tim and poured out his mind, “I would have been dead by now if not for you, Young man.”George, who was about to walk to his room, was touched and stopped in his tracks. He faced Tim and waited for his response.“Think nothing about it, Old man. We would all have been dead,” he said and faced Samuel.Samuel was emotional, too, but he smiled dryly and rested his head on Tim's chest. He crossed his left hand on his shoulders and the old man said, “I'm hearing this fo
The old man was beautifully dressed for the celebration, and people like Ella would not recognize him because he looked younger and healthier.He got up and they walked to the podium while the audience looked on in awe. The Head of State smiled and said, “Welcome to the podium again Mr. Young.”“Thank you, Your Excellency,” he looked into his eyes and said.George furrowed his brow and looked on in wonderment while the Head of State continued, “Canterbury wished to recognize you for a specific deed. In less than a year, the brave son you gave to us has served Canterbury gallantly. Through him, we conquered nations. He administered justice where necessary. We can also say that he shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword. His youth, which would have been his weakness, was turned to strength. He became powerful in battle and destroyed foreign armies and enemies.”He stopped when the clapping ovation was louder than his Mic. Therefore,