Watching the guard leave, Jack shoved Jill into the office and locked the door behind him. Quickly scanning the room, he saw the general sitting at his desk, with his hands folded patiently in front of him. “Now what is all this fuss about?”

“Fuss, what fuss?’ Jack demanded.

“All of this,” the General replied, expanding his hands in front of him. “I thought we were all friends here. Is there really a need for the gun?”

“I will say what there is a need for,” Jack barked. “I’m in charge, not you.”

“Yes, you are in charge,” the General replied. “I do however have one question?”

“And that would be?” Jack asked.

“I’m glad you brought Jill back, but what is your purpose for being here? You were free, why did you return?”

“To prove my innocence,” Jack snapped. “I personally went and retrieved Jill, at the risk of my own life, to show you guys that this has been all a big misunderstanding.”

“So, this was all a misunderstanding, huh? Well, if what you say were true, then Jill is under your protection and not your prisoner?”

“Yes, that correct.” Jack replied. “I was keeping her close to ensure that neither one of us got shot.”

“And you did a god job,” the General replied. “But now it’s just us three and we’re all friends here, right?”

“Are we?”

“Well, I’m your friend Jack, and Jill is obviously your close friend, why else would you rescue her?”

“What are you asking me?”

The General sighed, “Look, I’ll admit I was wrong earlier when I asked you to give up the gun. That apparently is a no- starter. However, if Jill is under your protection as you claimed, then you will have no problems with letting her go now, right?”

“Right,” Jack grinned. “Go over there now, nice and slow. We don’t any accidents happening here, do we?”

“No, we don’t,” Jill replied, as she walked over to stand next to the General. “Thank you, Jack, for making sure I got back here safely. I know that what happened was an accident, and if anyone was at fault it was me, for being a little to clumsy.”

Jack couldn’t believe what he was hearing, it was like how he had dreamed this conversation to go, was happening word for word….”

“Now that, that is all cleared up,” the General said, “Why don’t we move on to the next phase of the plan…Incidentally Jack, would you like to take a seat?”

Jack, who was still trying to wrap his head around what was going on, started to pull out the chair in front of him, then he stopped. Something about this whole situation didn’t seem right… “No, I believe that I’ll stand,” he replied.

“Suit yourself,” the General replied. “Now Jill, what can you tell me about Moxie?