The Last Review By Captain Anonymous Townsend sat behind his desk, clearing the last of the papers into his briefcase. He opened each drawer, one at a time, taking out the sheets of papers, small items, looking at each, before deciding what he would do with them. He would take some with him, to remind him. Others that were just meaningless forms and orders, would end up in the metal trash can, with the empty brandy bottles. Everything, looking at it all, it seemed all so empty to him. It was just before as the last few minutes of sunlight burned. It had been hot that day. Unusually warm for this time of year. He opened another drawer, pulling out some old papers, some were original, others were carbon copies. A copy Trowa Barton’s resignation papers. The report he filed after the ill fated Mission 506. Townsend’s eyes scanned the sheet, down to the part he read so many times. Sgt. Course, KIA. Maj. R. Ordway, WIA. In red pen after the letters “WIA,” was written “KIA.” Townsend took a deep breathe. The red letters burned in his eyes, as he looked at them. He took the papers and placed them into his briefcase, in between the folders. This was it. He never thought that it would all come to this. He rubbed his eyes. He finished taking the last of the papers out of his desk, looking over the last of them. This was it, this was the end. There was nothing more than this. In one drawer, he pulled out the last item. The pistol. The same one he carried through the Eve Wars. The same one that had destroyed Ralph Kurt’s shoulder. There was still clip in the weapon, still loaded with the high explosive ammunition. He looked at it, there was one round missing from the clip. Maybe by morning, or maybe the next day, there would be a second missing. A second shot fired. The pistol, maybe it would still have one last job. One more thing to do, before it would fall silent forever. Townsend put the pistol into shoulder holster, as he stood up from his desk. He picked up his Preventer jacket, that had been draped on the back of his desk chair. He put the jacket on, leaving it open. He picked up his briefcase, walked to the door, and took one last at his empty office, before turning off the light. He opened the door. There was a familiar crackly voice. “Attention.” Captain Harrow’s voice echoed through the hall, as the enlisted members of Townsend’s command clicked their heels together. The Preventer Agents lined both sides of the narrow hall. The last review of his command. Down at the end of the hall, he could see the officers, waiting for him by the elevator. Townsend walked down the hall, passing by his command. He stood at the end, stopping in front of the officers. They stood silently, watching him as he came over to them. Captain Harrow was the first in the line, Townsend looked at him. Harrow clicked his heels together, saluting Townsend “Your command sir.” Townsend returned the salute, taking a deep a breathe. “Thank you, Captain.” Townsend walked over to Norton. Norton stood at attention, he said, “Colonel sir.” “Take care of yourself Vic. Your a good soldier, I know you’ll do fine.” Norton looked at Townsend, “Thank you sir.” Townsend turned and looked at the last officer, the only one not from his command. Sally Po. Townsend walked slowly, his legs felt like stone. He clicked his heels together. “I turn over my command to you.” Townsend looked back over the Preventers behind him. He knew that Sally would take care of them. She was an excellent leader, there was no one Townsend would have rather seen take command of his unit. “Thank you Colonel.” Townsend looked back at Sally. “I know that you’ll take care of them.” Townsend fell silent. There was nothing else to say. Nothing else left for him to do. He looked at Sally, and took a deep breathe. She said, “Good luck Colonel.” Townsend nodded, “Thank you. Its been an honor serving with you.” Townsend turned to take one last look at his former unit. He stood and attention, and saluted the small unit of agents. His hand fell to his side. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything else. He turned and walked alone towards the elevator. Pressing the button, and waiting for a moment. The metal door opened. Townsend stepped onto the elevator, the metal door closing behind him. He closed his eyes and leaned back against the cold metal. ------------------- Trowa turned over in bed, moving his hand along the bedstand, feeling for the clock. He looked at the clock, at the glowing red numbers that broke the darkness. He couldn’t sleep. For so long, he felt so cold, alone there was nothing that would be move him. Now he felt different, feeling the emotions burning inside of him. The love and pain melted his ice cold mask. Trowa moved his hand along the warm sheets, touching Midii’s soft skin. She was asleep. Midii hadn’t slept well the past few days, she always sat up, worried. The same thoughts that she had, the same questions, he had thought them in his mind for so long. Where was Johnnie? Where did he go? What was he going to do? Trowa cared about Midii’s brother, but still, he couldn’t shake the memories he had of him. He remembered the mission, the one that had taken the life of his friend. Major Ordway. Johnnie had pulled the trigger. Trowa had forgiven him, but still......those habits........they died hard for people. Johnnie had done all he could to protect his family then. What would he do now? Would he go to those same extremes? Trowa didn’t want to think that, but he couldn’t dismiss it. He had seen it all happen before. He had seen how those feels could force people back. People like Ralph. He hoped that deep down inside that he would do the right thing. That he had really changed, and had left the bloody past that behind. He didn’t want to see him hurt. He didn’t want to see Midii get hurt. Trowa would do everything he could to protect Midii. No matter the cost. The thoughts just seem to go through his mind. He turned and laid his head back on his pillow. To be continued.