Chapter 440 - Forgive me? (6)

12 May, Military base hospital, City K

Conscious that Phillip and Chester were still in the room Matthew, shocked spat out "What!"

"General, General Li expected your response and he told me you can call him to clarify, but in his words, it is a direct order."

Without thinking, Matthew quickly took out his mobile, and immediately called Head Honcho, who answered within three rings, before saying "What is it?"

"You issued a direct order. I do not need that assessment."

"Straight to the point, I see. No respect for my rank."

"Respect, how about respecting me…"

Angrily Head Honcho snapped "I give you more leeway than anyone Athos. I would already be formulating charges against anyone else if they just did what you did. Despite what the public, politicians and even some other members of the military think of those of us in the Special Forces, we are humans first and foremost. Your life dramatically changed over the last six months…"

"How…"

"I know what has happened to you up to the last few days. That is in your record, and then I spoke to your other brother-in-law. Yes, he wants to kill you for how you treated his sister, and after hearing what he had to say I do not blame him. But that combined with what has happened in less than the last day has pushed you to the point you are ready to snap. Colonel Zhang, correctly pointed out your problems to me, but even without that medical opinion I could see that you are troubled."

"So, what, my wife is more important at the moment."

"Shut up," came the angry retort from the other end of the line. "That comment says it all about your mental state. Yes, your wife is important, but you need to get yourself together because if you are right on your analysis, there is more to come, and I need you for that."

"See, I can do what is needed."

"That I do not doubt, but I do not have the time to debate you about this. There is too much here to be dealt with. This is the only choice you have. Agree, and be admitted to a general ward remaining there before being cleared to return to duty by the psychiatrists and psychologists, which I suspect will not take long. That will allow you to spend time with your wife while she is in hospital. Your other choice is to fight, and Major Yu already has orders to see you locked in the secure unit there. You will remain there until cleared for release, and your whole career will then be considered."

Before Matthew could respond, the call was ended and he looked directly at Major Yu, who said "General, I have my orders and based on not only my medical opinion but that of Colonel Zhang, I agree with the assessment. You can have say twenty minutes to consider what you want to do, but the hospital guards have orders to prevent you from leaving the hospital and that will see you immediately placed in the secure unit."

Matthew knew that he had little option and said, "Fine but ensure that I am near my wife."

"That is a given General, but it will not be the same ward. At the same time, given what has happened today I want to check your shoulder. That includes taking scans, my re-evaluation and the physiotherapist re-evaluating you as well."

Looking at Matthew further, Major Yu paused and eventually added "While to the military I will not lie as to your admission, I am happy to maintain the fiction at the moment that the admission is for that reason, but at the same time say that we have brought forward your psychological review given the fact that your wife was involved in this incident. Your records told me when you were shot that your next review psychological review was due next month."

Matthew nodded and resignedly responded "Fine, but…"

"No but's general. Let me get you admitted, and I will see to getting the scans I need for my re-evaluation done today."

"Your priority should be my wife," came an agitated reply from Matthew.

"General be reassured that that is the case, but we are a couple of hours before the surgery can happen for your wife. Now, please follow me."

Matthew gently shook his head, before saying "I need to speak to my brother."

With that he turned and walked towards where Phillip and Chester were standing, sensing the hostility from Chester as he got closer. Chester shot out "Get away b*stard. Dominic is coming but stay the hell away from him. What in the world did the doctor have to tell you about my sister who you should have nothing to do with as of your treatment of her."

Angrily Matthew spat out "Grow the f*ck up Chester. The world does not revolve around you. Those discussions were not about you, it was about me."

Ignoring his brother-in-law, Matthew turned facing Phillip directly, saying "Phillip, given everything that has happened in the last day, Major Yu is worried that I may have re-damaged my shoulder from the gunshot injury. He wants to personally, and to have the physiotherapist, re-evaluate the injury. Normally that would only take a few hours, but there are more demands on their services like most major locations over the country in dealing with treatment of those injured in the attack given the limited resources in City F. General Li, and our superiors have made it clear that until I am fully cleared from no further damage I am not allowed back on site."

A worried look passed across Phillip's face before he said, "You are alright?"

After giving Phillip a brief hug before Chester pushed him away Matthew said "I feel fine, but we both know that it is not that long ago since I was shot in the shoulder. Major Yu has made it clear that I was extremely lucky and was allowed back on duty quickly. Given everything in City F, after a discussion with everyone, I can get their desire to have me reassessed. General Li recommended, as within the next few weeks I am due my annual physical examination to remain on active service and to keep my security clearance my six-monthly psychological evaluation that they both should be brought forward."

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