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.Would you like something to drink?” Then he finally realized something.“Lincoln, it’s not necessary for you to wear your mask in here.I promise there are no paparazzi lurking behind my desk.”“I’m here on official business, sir,” Powerhouse replied, as if that explained it.“All right, then.What can I do for you, Lincoln? If you’re here to apologize about the mess you boys made of the gym, there’s no need.I’m sure we both know who started the trouble, and I promise you—”“It’s not about that, sir, though I do apologize for it.” Powerhouse appeared to steel himself for a moment, then said, “I need a favor, sir.”Brunn reclined in his chair, mulling that over.This was unexpected; although the PCA had gone out of their way to make Lincoln happy, he rarely asked for favoritism outright — and when he did, it always involved those damned kids.But even then, he was very humble about the whole thing.Now, though.now he seemed different.His demeanor was courteous, yet somehow challenging, and Brunn didn’t like it.At last, the Captain said, “ ‘A favor.’ I see.” He tipped a finger toward Lincoln’s mask again.“I thought you said this was official business.”“It’s an official favor, sir.”“All right, then, you know I’m more than happy to help you, Lincoln, whenever I can.But I’m afraid I’ve got a lot on my plate this morning, and, in deference to Lieutenant Hart, you did show up without an appointment.Since it’s an official ‘favor,’ what say you write it up for me and submit—”“I’m afraid it can’t wait, sir.”Brunn was getting really peeved now, but again, he reminded himself how valuable an asset Lincoln was to the PCA.“All right, then,” he said, keeping his voice casual and rocking very slightly in his chair.“Let’s hear it, Lincoln.”“I need you to requisition a private jet for me.”Brunn stopped rocking.“Excuse me?”Lincoln repeated, “I need to requisition a private PCA jet.”“I see,” Brunn said, unable to keep his tone warm this time.He needed to nip this in the bud, right now.With just a touch of sarcasm, he asked, “And when, exactly, would you need this private jet? And where, may I ask, would it be taking you?”Unfazed, Lincoln answered, “Right away, preferably this morning.And it would be taking us to Washington, D.C.”“Really?” Brunn responded, with more than a touch of sarcasm this time.“I notice you said ‘us.’ So you’re having a real party, are you?”“No, sir.I’ll be transporting two other PCA agents, one civilian, and one foreign dignitary.I also suggest that you and Lieutenant Commander Panettiere may want to join us.”“Oh, do you, now?”“Yes, sir.But that would be entirely up to you and the Lieutenant Commander, of course.”“My, how gracious of you, agent.” Brunn leaned forward, placing his palms on his desk, and stood.“And why, exactly, do you feel you can make such an outrageous request? I was just reflecting upon the fact that the PCA has been very good to you, Lincoln, out of generosity and gratitude for your paranormal services.But this.” He shook his head.“I know that, sir.But I have to admit, I’ve been wondering lately.”“Wondering what, agent?”“If I really belong with the PCA, sir.” Powerhouse folded his arms and gazed up toward the ceiling, as though deep in thought.“I got into this whole business on the wrong side of the tracks.Yeah, I was forced to, but I still felt really guilty about it.I did some things that I’m not proud of.” He snorted at that in self-depreciating humor.“To say the least.So.I joined the PCA to make amends.Yes, you’ve been very generous to me and my family, but I’ve also toed the line for a good year now.When you said, ‘Jump,’ I jumped.”“That’s the way the chain of command works, agent.”Powerhouse looked down at Brunn.“I kno0w that.But this isn’t the military, is it? And I’m just a volunteer, aren’t I?” He dropped his arms, matching Brunn’s rigid posture.“So I’m asking for a big favor, Captain.Maybe it’s a little out of line, but you know what? I’ve earned it.”Not backing down just yet, Brunn returned, “Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that I agree with that, Agent.That you’ve ‘earned’ the right to ask me to requisition you a goddamn private jet at the drop of a hat.Let’s pretend that’s all well and good, just for the moment.I still have to ask: Why the hell would you be taking that jet to Washington? And what’s all this ‘foreign dignitary’ business? Foreign diplomacy is a little out of the PCA’s jurisdiction, and it’s sure as hell out of yours.”Powerhouse’s eyes crinkled, and though that’s all that Brunn could see of his face, he was pretty sure Lincoln was smiling under his mask.“That’s where I think you and Lieutenant Commander Panettiere may want to tag along
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