Chapter 7 : Crisis in Haven II

INSIDE THE HALL AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME THAT SERGEANT GRANGER REACHED THE ENTRANCE

A group of seven individuals are seated across a long table with three on both sides and one seated at the helm.

Three out of the seven are dressed in military uniform while the others spotted corporate wears. On the table a bottle of water, a few files and a name tag with their individual names as well as positions written boldly on it.

The name tags read...

General H. Mulligan, Commander in chief of the Armed Forces ( seated at the helm of the table).

Commander R. Stanton, High commander of the Armed Forces ( seated at General Mulligan's left).

General E. Keller, Second in command of the Armed Forces ( seated at General Mulligan's right).

Dr A. Allan, Head of medical services ( seated beside Keller).

Mrs. B. Beatrice, Head of Public administration ( seated beside Stanton).

Ms. J. Janet, Head of finance and resource distribution ( seated beside Allan).

Advocate R. Dickson, Head of law enforcement and human rights activist ( seated beside Beatrice).

They were not the only ones in the room as behind them stood a few uniformed agents numbering a total of sixteen.

Their faces were covered with a black mask with their attire also spotting a thick black tome they seemed to be special operatives as they stood on alert.

The seated individuals are discussing with serious looks on their face when a loud sound is heard outside causing the chatter amongst them to stop abruptly.

All seven individuals turn their attention to the entrance of the hall with three agents already moving towards the door with caution in a bid to find out the cause of the sound.

One of the agents is about to reach for the door knob when the doors are burst open with force pushing all three agents to the ground, the other agents immediately pull out their guns and face it towards the entrance but are shocked when they see a man dressed in military uniform covered in blood and dust standing at the entrance breathing heavily with a tired look.

They look further to find one of the guards laying on the ground writhing in pains with two others attending to him while the others stared at the uniformed man with surprised looks.

The seated individuals are perplexed by the audacity of this stranger and are not trying to hide it as they stare at him with a mixture of annoyance and shock on their faces.

"What is the meaning of this nonsense, soldier??...how dare you burst in here in such an unruly manner, Speak now."

General Mulligan orders in a loud voice with an annoyed look on his face as the soldier immediately bent over to catch his breath.

The general was wearing a military uniform decorated with quite a few medals which helped to express the number of exploits he had enjoyed on the battlefield.

His face reflected of one whom had seen several battles as an eye patch covered up his left eye with a deep scar running across it while his right eye spoke volumes about a man whom had seen a lot of horrors in his life.

His hair was colored a light grey and his body physique looked to be well built.

"Forgive the unruly manner in which I came in here general but the guards were stopping me from coming in and I have an important news which absolutely could not wait."

Granger replies in an apologetic tone with the general still staring at him with anger visible on his face.

"What you have said now does not help your case soldier.

The reason the guards did not allow you in is because I ordered that no-one be let in until this meeting was over but you went ahead to do what you liked and barge in here, making a whole lot of noise with your entry, I should punish you for this.

Take him away."

Commander Stanton remarks with a tone of finality and he gestures to the agent behind him to whisk the soldier away.

Stanton spotted a military uniform same as Mulligan but with less medals but his uniform was of a much brighter color.

He looked younger than General Mulligan as he looked to be a man in his early forties.

His eyes resonated like that of a man whom had a precise goal in mind and was determined to do whatever it took to make it happen.

His hair was colored a deep black and was bent to a side with a bit of swagger to it and his body physique was well built.

"Commander please understand, if the news I carried was not one of great importance I would not have dared to barge in like this, please I would like an audience. Please, we are all in danger."

Granger responds in an ominous tone with frustration written all over his face as he struggled to free himself from the agents that held onto him.

"Leave him be."

Commander Keller orders the agents with a calm but firm voice)

"Keller!!"

Stanton calls out in an annoyed tone.

"It will not be good if we just kick him out without hearing what he has to say.

He has already done so much and placed his badge on the line for whatever piece of information he carries.

I'm sure that he already knows the consequences of what he just did and yet he decided to risk it to pass across the news he carries so I think it best that we listen to him first and judge if the reason he barged in here is a reasonable one.

Don't you agree general??"

Keller remarks in a calm voice as she turned her attention to Mulligan awaiting his reply.

She wore a military attire almost as many badges as Stanton with her attire possessing a feminine touch.

She looked younger than both Mulligan and Stanton as she looked to be a lady in her late thirties, tying her hair in a bun.

Her hair was a golden color and her eyes were a deep green showing the doorway into a calm but firm spirit.

"Keller does have a point."

Mulligan remarks while stroking his chin gently.…

"Alright then, let him speak. If it turns out that he has no valid reason for barging in here then I will have you stripped of all your rights and locked away for good."

Mulligan orders in a firm voice after which the agents holding the soldier let go of Granger and he adjusts himself.

"Tch…"

Stanton clicks his tongue.

"Thank you, general…"

Granger says trying to gather his thoughts.

"Give him some water. He looks dehydrated and seems to be quite exhausted."

Keller orders the agents behind her who promptly takes a glass of water to the soldier.

Granger accepts it with thanks and downed it's contents in one gulp after which he breaths a sigh of relief and calms his nerves.

"Thank you commander, I really needed that."

Granger remarks with a calm voice as he then adjusted himself and saluted the individuals seated.

"Do not thank me just yet.

If it turns out that the news you carry is of no consequence to us then I do not guarantee that you will walk out of this with only the loss of your position so I suggest you speak fast and explain yourself.

So firstly, what is your name and what regiment do you belong to??"

Keller asks in a firm voice as the other six individuals seated kept mute and awaited his response.