Connel cut him off. "Do I think he's AWOL?"
Strong nodded silently.
"Steve," said Connel patiently, "I know how you feel about those three boys, but tell me, how long can this go on? They constantly take off on their own, without authorization—"
"But they usually have a good reason," Strong interrupted quickly.
"Then why don't they give us the reason first?" Connel shot back.
"What Lou is trying to say," interjected Walters quietly, "is that Corbett, Manning, and Astro have time and time again committed us to take action, to get them out of situations that they initiated. It's time they were stopped! They are only one unit in this Academy, not the whole works."
"Then I guess you mean"—Strong hesitated, a lump in his throat—"it will be the end of the unit when they get back?"
"If they get back," snapped Connel, "I intend to see that all three receive solid disciplinary action."
"Very well, Major," said Strong. He rose and addressed the commander. "I request permission for emergency leave, sir, commencing now."
