Chapter 24
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS MILLER WALKED farther down the parade ground to give himself firing distance as his fellow Rangers worked to get everyone to back away from the target. General Morgan and Captain Pickman turned and started toward Miller’s position.
Ignoring Corporal Powell’s admonishments to move out of range, Brodie and Taylor instead approached Bucky. They stopped near the bot, which remained motionless. Brodie said to General Morgan, “Sir, we cannot allow this.”
Morgan stopped walking and turned to them. “With what authority, Mr. Brodie? I am eliminating a threat to the men and women under my command by disposing of a piece of faulty equipment that has caused the death of two members of the United States Army.”
Taylor said, “This unit—and the other fifty-nine at this facility—constitute material evidence in our investigation of the deaths of Major Ames and now SPC Kemp. Destroying, or attempting to destroy, this equipment puts you in direct violation of Article One-Thirty-One-b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.”
General Morgan looked her in the eyes. “Then arrest me, Ms. Taylor.” He turned his back on them and continued toward Miller. “Sergeant Miller, prepare to fire.”
“Yes, sir.” Miller raised his M4 and clicked a switch to engage the underbarrel launcher. Then he flipped up the sight and adjusted his grip toward the forward trigger.
“General Morgan,” said Brodie, “I advise you under the provisions of Article One-Thirty-One—”
“Can it, Brodie,” said Captain Pickman. “You are speaking to a brigadier general and the camp commander.”
“That’s right, prick. And I wasn’t speaking to you.”
Brodie walked past Captain Pickman as he unholstered his SIG Sauer and held it at his side. Taylor did the same, both of them following Morgan. Brodie said, “Halt and face me, sir. Now.”
Brodie was aware of disturbances all around him, people talking, getting agitated, unsure what to do. Morgan halted and turned back to him, then eyed Brodie’s pistol. “Are you going to shoot me, Mr. Brodie?”
Brodie said to Sergeant Mendez, “Sergeant, disarm the general and place him under home confinement.”
Mendez did not move.
Taylor said to Mendez, “Sergeant Mendez, you were just issued a direct order by a chief warrant officer of the Criminal Investigation Division.”
Then Colonel Howe spoke up: “Sergeant Mendez, do as the agents instruct. General Morgan is hereby relieved of command under Relief for Cause.”
Morgan darted his eyes to Colonel Howe. “Unless you have that in writing from my commanding officer—and I know you don’t have shit—you are attempting a mutiny.” He said to Sergeant Mendez, “Stand down, Hector.”
Mendez hesitated, unsure of what to do.
Brodie stole a glance at Sergeant Miller, who lowered his M4 as he tried to read the situation.
Brodie looked back at Bucky, standing motionless beneath the desert sun, like a high-noon gunslinger in some perverted Western, without a weapon or arms or even, apparently, the will to live.
Sergeant Mendez then walked slowly to the general. “I am sorry, sir.”
“Don’t be sorry,” said Morgan. “Commit to this mutiny or stand your ground beside me. Either way, own your goddamn choice, Hector.”
Mendez appeared pained by that. He nodded slowly, then said, “I am disarming you now, sir.” Mendez then recited the Article 31 rights as he removed the general’s pistol from his holster and handed it to another MP. He gestured toward his car. “Let’s go, General.”
Morgan did not move. He locked his large brown eyes on Scott Brodie. Then he said, “Sergeant Miller, what is the injury radius of your munition?”
“A hundred and thirty meters, sir.”
“Then do your goddamn duty.”
Miller raised his M4 and aimed at Bucky, who remained still.
Colonel Howe strode toward Miller. “Stand down, Sergeant!”
Miller hesitated a moment, then said, “Fuck it,” and pulled the trigger.
Brodie whipped his head around in time to catch sight of Bucky for an instant before the grenade hit it center mass and blew the robot to pieces.