Chapter One #2
His jaw tightened, a flicker of irritation quickly smoothed away.
“It’s not personal, Calder. The dogs take resources better used elsewhere. I can write you a glowing recommendation to any clinic you’d like to join, just let me know where to send it.”
My lip curled and my fingers dug into the arms of the chair. I had no interest in giving someone’s spoiled, high-maintenance, untrained purse puppy its yearly checkup.
“When a dog I cared for just died on my table because her handler ignored protocol, it feels pretty personal,” I said.
“When I spend six hours trying to save an animal trained to run into gunfire for people who won’t even learn her name, only to be informed by email that the entire program is being shut down in less than two weeks, that’s—”
“That soldier will be punished for failing his duties, and email is the most efficient way to communicate. It reduces the risk of escalation.”
I scoffed before I could stop myself. The soldier would be punished for failing his duties, not for Freyja’s death. And I was let go by email because it was more efficient so I wouldn’t escalate the issue.
“The dogs are no longer useful assets. With the United Earth Alliance, we haven’t fought a ground war in a generation, and dogs have no place in space warfare. The money—”
“They aren’t equipment. They’re living beings that shouldn’t be thrown away because someone decided they’d rather spend money on a new toy instead.”
He sucked in a breath and straightened in his seat, lips pressed in a hard line.
“That may be true, but sentiment doesn’t win wars. We can’t keep them around and dedicate time and money that would be better used keeping soldiers alive.”
Silence stretched between us. I understood, even if I didn’t like it, and I could feel the unspoken warning hanging in the air.
“I’m not here to argue about the dissolution. I want to know what’s happening to the dogs.”
He leaned back in his chair, the hard angles of his face softening. The dogs were under his command because he’d been a handler at one time, and I knew somewhere under his hardened exterior, he did care.
“They’ll be evaluated.”
My stomach twisted. It was better than being euthanized without consideration, but I also knew the likelihood of the dogs passing an evaluation for adoptability.
“By who?”
“A contracted assessor.”
It had been too much to hope that they might allow me or one of the trainers to evaluate them. I could already list which dogs would fail before they even began.
“And if they aren’t considered adoptable?”
None would make good pets. Not for people who didn’t understand their breed and the training they’d gone through.
He sighed and looked away before answering.
“You know the answer, Doctor Calder. We can’t take the risk of something happening to some fool’s kid who doesn’t understand the dogs.”
I shook my head, refusing to believe that was the only option.
“Some of them are stable. They could be trained for use in the civilian world. Private security, search and rescue, sport—”
“We are not a rehoming agency, Calder, and we are not in the business of releasing liabilities to civilians.”
“They have given enough. They don’t need to die for convenience.”
His expression hardened again and the look in his eyes was cold and final.
“It’s not something we can do.”
I stood, fighting the swirling emotions inside me. I had a purpose again, even if only for a short time.
“You’re right. It isn’t. But I can.”
He leaned forward, bracing his arms on his desk.
“Doctor Calder, your contract ends at the close of the month. I advise you not to jeopardize your professional future over animals that don’t have one.”
A laugh ripped from my throat. It was short and sharp, and I couldn’t hold it back.
“What future? I’m obsolete, just like the dogs you want to throw away.”
He stiffened, his brows furrowing as he frowned.
“That’s not true. Your knowledge can be applied—”
“To a Pomeranian with a toothache? Or a Chihuahua with allergies? I’m a trauma surgeon, General, and you’re telling me to get a job as a family doctor writing prescriptions for earaches.”
His frown deepened.
“It doesn’t have to be—”
“It does.”
The conviction in my voice stopped him.
“Who else is blowing up animals? Shooting them? Would you go be a security guard for a mall?”
He blinked at me and I could see I’d made my point. Switching to being a civilian vet just wasn’t an option, but I could at least do my best for the dogs under my care while I had the chance.
“I’ll find them placements. People who know the risks and can handle them.”
He sighed, shaking his head.
“You have less than two weeks until you’re done here...”
Hope fluttered in my chest.
“I know, but I’m not leaving them behind.”
I turned for the door before he could deny me. My hands were shaking, the adrenaline finally breaking through the shell I’d kept it locked in. I didn’t know how to save myself, but I wouldn’t give up on my charges until there was no other choice.
“I want full transfer details. The dog, where they’re going, and who will take responsibility for them. We need liability wavers—”
The door closing between us muffled his voice. He could email me the stipulations. Even if loyalty and competence didn’t matter, usefulness did, and I could be useful one last time.
If this was the end of my career, I would end it on my terms.
And I would not let them kill the dogs quietly.