The director blew out a sigh. The day was a lot longer than planned. Only one more item on the agenda and it would be time for home. The director looked across the room to the windows. It was dark outside and the view was still spectacular. Washington DC at night. The Potomac. The monuments. The traffic. The clock next to the window said 4 minutes until 9pm. The general was 11 minutes late. Not a normal occurrence. 4 more minutes and he would have to wait until tomorrow.

At 1 minute until 9, there was a tap on the door, then it opened. "Director?" Shit. "Come in General." General Peter Austin entered the room with military precision and walked across the room to stand in front of the desk. Under his arm was a sizeable set of files. The director looked at the files, then at the general. Their eyes met. The general inclined his head and said "Mission Section Downtime completed. All operatives are back in country. They are being treated and debriefed at Bethesda. "

"Good." The director looked down. The general didn't move. The director looked back up. The general looked nervous. Anxious.

Interesting.

"General?"

The general opened his mouth, closed it, swallowed. Open his mouth again, closed it. He was sweating slightly. Very interesting.

"Out with it general."

The general took a deep breath, straightened to attention, then said "Striker force resigned today. Refused to renew their contracts."

The director stared. "The whole unit? Why?"

"Too difficult to leave family and business obligations. Concern for loved ones interfering with their ability to perform. Homesickness doing the same. Too many responsibilities at home making them worry. And more."

"All of them?"

"Yes."

"Including Striker One?"

"Yes."

The director looked down at the desk. For 2 minutes the only sound in the room was the old clock on the wall ticking. "Director?"

The director looked up, then gestured at the files under the generals' arm. "Are those their dossiers? Un-redacted?"

"Yes"

The director raised a hand. The general didn't move. "Hand them over." The general didn't move. The director looked square into the general's eyes with a look that would cause most to wet themselves. "General?"

"These men are all US citizens – born here. They deserve the highest honors this country can possibly offer. They have risked their lives over and over and lost colleagues. They should…"

The director raised a hand. "General, I promise you, these men will be protected and honored. I give you my word that they will be allowed to live in peace if that is their choice. Section 31 takes care of its own. I intend to make sure these mean are allowed to live as they choose."

The general looked deep into the directors' eyes and saw the absolute conviction of the words.

"Peter, I promise you, they will be protected."

The general handed the files to the director. "Thank you."

"Go home Peter. It's been a long week and you need to recharge your batteries with your family."

The general exhaled. "Thanks. I think I will. Good night."

"Good night." The general turned and walked to the door, opened it and went thru with a final "G'night."

The director sat for a moment after the door clicked shut, head down, trying to breathe slowly. Finally! A whole team, intact, at its peak. Exultation flowed, followed by relief. Now, the plan could finally be put in motion. The director looked down at the top folder. The label said "Striker One". Might as well begin with the leader. The folder flipped open and the picture of a handsome man came into view. The director began reading the personnel profile…"Ricardo Carlos Manoso. Age 31. Standing rank: Colonel. Current residence: Trenton NJ, Street name of Ranger…" The director stared, paled, then cursed. "Oh fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK!". The folder flipped shut and the director grabbed the pile and shoved it into a leather bag, snatched that and a leather brief case up, went to the wall across from the windows and touched a spot on the wall. The wood panel slid open, the director went thru and the panel closed. A moment later all the lights in the opulent office shut off and it was as though no one had ever been present.