Identity Zero novel · Chapter 25 of 32
Chapter 25: Drying Room
"You can't stand up," Jesse said.
"Then I'll do it sitting down."
Gideon tried to prove it and stood, and the room went sideways on him, and Jesse caught him against his chest.
Gideon didn't let go when he got his balance back.
"Graduation," Jesse said into his shoulder. "In front of everyone."
"In front of everyone."
"Then you stay in this room till then. You eat what I bring. You don't play hero."
"Says the dead cadet."
"Says the dead cadet's crew."
At five the yard door rattled.
Jesse had his knife out before the latch lifted.
Ollie backed in pushing a laundry cart with his hip, a key on a lanyard around his neck.
He turned around and saw Gideon sitting on the blankets under the lamps.
He stopped dead.
"Commander," he said. "Sir. Hi. Sorry, I know, don't call you sir."
"Nineteen."
"You're on the news, sir. For killing him." Ollie pointed at Jesse. "He looks pretty good for it."
Gideon looked at Jesse.
Then he started laughing, low and helpless, with his head in his hands.
Ollie took that as a yes and started unpacking the cart.
Powdered eggs. Six bananas. A sweatshirt, a pair of grey cadet sweatpants and wool socks.
"Drying room's my detail now," he said. "Nobody opens a door with a laundry tag on it. It's like garlic for vampires."
On Friday the wind lay down and the line held.
Gorham sent a case of beer down to the crew's camp on the lower field with a card in his own hand.
GUESTS OF HONOR. GRADUATION, SUNDAY, 0900. WITH THE GRATITUDE OF BLACKWOOD.
The squad boss used the card as a coaster.
On Saturday morning a black SUV came through the gate too fast.
The whole class was in formation on the parade ground for the graduation rehearsal.
The crew was on the fence line rolling hose, close enough to hear everything.
The SUV stopped in front of the flagpole.
The man in the camel coat got out with his gloves on.
His driver came around the back and pulled out a sandbag.
He carried it across the parade ground and dropped it at Gorham's polished shoes.
It burst a little at the seam.
Forty cadets watched sand run out onto the asphalt.
"Four of these, Colonel," the man in the gloves said in his soft, dry voice. "Very well packed. Nailed in."
Gorham's smile stayed exactly where it was.
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–16 of Identity Zero are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
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