He was sympathetic. "That's just what we're trying to do. We're trying to protect you and all you want to do is go home."
I sat down in the old chair. "So that's why you said I could go any time I wanted to." The old man said nothing. I ran my hands through my hair and tried to find the right words. "Now what?"
* * * * *
One of the generals started a preparatory cough, but the old man beat him to it. "I have a suggestion, Mr. Miller. You likely will not approve. Or, then again, you might."
"Yeah?"
"You know by now that this room, or its rough equivalent, is where you can be safe. This place, or one as well guarded."
"Yeah. And then what?"
He tried to make it as easy as he could. "Voluntarily-remember that word, and what it means-voluntarily put yourself in our charge. Put yourself under our care and our protection-"
"And your orders!"
General Van Dorf couldn't hold in his snort. "Good Heavens, man, where's your patriotism? Where's your-"