Probable Cause

With the mission briefing completed, the men had been dismissed, although several still lingered about the room quietly discussing the mission and its various aspects. Thinking the men would immediately disperse, Capt. Larson had called one of the officers aside in a way that was reminiscent of a teacher asking if she could see a student after class. Not giving too much thought to what the issue may have been, Andy complied with the captain, discreetly meeting with him at the front of the room. Unfortunately, only five minutes into the conversation the men’s discussion had grown in decibels, seemingly since the very first word. “But why, sir,” Andy inquired, and he genuinely wanted to know. “Thomson … look, I don’t have to give you a reason,” Larson hedged, though he was well within his rights. “But I don’t understand,” Andy pressed, and though in a sense he was complaining, he really did just want to know the captain’s rationale. “I’m pulling you from this mission, let’s just leave it at that, shall we?” Larson replied, gesturing with his hands in a way that implied he was through with this conversation. It was evident he was uncomfortable with the topic and clearly didn’t want to venture any further down this path. “But sir …” Andy pursued. “I am a qualified, trained member of this team, and ready. Besides, it’s not fair … so what’s the problem?” “Unfortunately, fairness doesn’t have much to do with some situations.” “Come on Cap, you can do better than that,” Andy countered, thereby hoping to force the issue. Captain Larson stared at his best team member, but no words were forthcoming. The steel-hewed gaze leveled at the officer caused Andy to stand his ground, yet on some level he was apprehensive about what was to come. He should have been, as the captain’s tension caused him to ball his hands into fists at his side. “Okay, fine. You want fairness? You want honesty? Okay, you got it. After all, it’s my duty to take care of you guys,” Larson began, though he had preferred not to. “We’re not kids,” Andy reasoned. “I am fully aware of that,” Larson continued without missing a beat. “But it’s my duty to take care of this team and make sure my men are in tip-top condition, ready to perform with only a moment’s notice so that nobody comes home in a body bag, you got that?” “Of course, so what’s the problem?” “You. You, Thomson. You are the problem.” “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Andy challenged, raising his voice. “What do I have to do? Spell it out for you?” “If you can,” Andy snidely replied, and he really wished his mouth had at least communicated with his brain before speaking. “Look, a month ago your father passed away, and two months ago, your uncle died. Your brother’s marriage is on the rocks. Hell, the man’s even having to fight to get his own damn dog away from her …” “Everyone’s life has some amount of drama, you know that,” Andy argued. “Of course, but there are limits to what the human body and mind can assimilate.” “And I assimilate just fine, thank you,” Andy replied with much disdain. “Be that as it may, Andy, you have been volunteering for every single mission, every single bit of extra duty …” “So, I’m dedicated. Again … what’s the problem with that?” The five remaining team members in the room witnessed the encounter as it escalated. They stood huddled in a group, silent and unmoving, and listening. “You know I’m good, you know I’m trained,” Andy persisted as he verbally pushed the captain into a corner until he had no choice but to fire back. “Thomson! You … are … compromised, that’s the problem!” Larson stated and immediately wished this officer hadn’t pushed back quite as hard as he had. Andy stood without moving, his mouth was open, but no words were coming out. There was something about the tone of the captain’s voice, and the look in his eyes that made those words become a train wreck in his throat. He had forced the issue and now he had to deal with the repercussions. The expression on his face was stricken, like someone had yanked his heart out, but had forgotten to tell him to fall down. “And I will not allow one of my men to enter into a situation that might not go well when he is not 100%,” Larson completed and then stood silent and unmoving, waiting to see how Andy would react. The oppressive atmosphere in the room just then was electric, and the silence was deafening. It was like they were all collectively holding their breath waiting for the next shoe to drop. They didn’t have long to wait, as Andy drew in a lengthy breath in advance of his next statement. “Sir, what is it that makes you feel I’m compromised and cannot be beneficial to these men and this mission?” “I’d rather not say,” Larson replied, shaking his head. “Awww, come on, Cap,” Andy shouted, and it seemed as if the time of peaceful conversation had come to an end, once again. “You can pull me from the mission, I understand that, if you feel the need. But at least tell me why,” he calmly pleaded, and it was obvious Larson was weighing his words very carefully before speaking. It was a struggle of immense proportions as the Captain and Thomson stared each other down. Their eyes locked on target, locked and loaded, but both were hesitant to fire. Each man, in his own way, was wondering if he had gone a step too far. “I can’t give you my reasons,” Larson sternly countered. “Like hell you can’t!” Andy challenged and then let his emotionally charged words settle on his opponents ears. His heated words brought a challenge to the captain … a challenge he would have to address.