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“You do realize General no one has ever been able to cover that distance in that short of time and accomplish securing the first objective without loss?” Colonel Talbot asked.
“Colonel tell me just how good is this Lieutenant of yours? Do you really think he will be able to keep those men at that pace and level of precision?” The General asked.
“General, Lieutenant Waters is one of the best I have ever seen. He's been here half as long as most trainees and as you can see from this first leg he is able to command at a level higher than most other officers with ten times the experience,” Colonel Talbot replied.
“If your Lieutenant can keep those men at the current pace throughout this mission I'll personally see to it he has his Captains bars and a place on one of our best units,” The General said.
“That would be much appreciated General,” Colonel Talbot said.
“Colonel, one last thing before we hear from this team of trainees again. Just how long has that Lieutenant been in the Air Force?” The General asked.
“Sir, Lieutenant Waters enlisted about eighteen months ago. After basic training he was sent to OCS for a year and then here for the last six months,” Colonel Talbot answered.
“You told me he's a First Lieutenant, Colonel. Just how is it he has already received that grade if he started as an enlisted man?” the General asked.
“He enlisted for six years to start so came out of basic training as an Airman First Class. He graduated top of his class at the academy and came out a First Lieutenant. If you give him a promotion when he graduates here he will be a Captain within two years of having enlisted, making him the fastest in gaining rank in over one hundred years,” Colonel Talbot said.
The Hidden Rose Page 6