The general moved out of his own vehicle and rushed into a corridor, escorted by aides all talking at once. "Lieutenant Riley? Please come with us," said an elderly person with a white lab coat, a small tablet in his hands and a concerned look in his eyes. He had round glasses and a long ponytail. Tom immediately disliked the man's oily appearance. "Yes, Sir," Tom said and followed the man. He glanced behind him. Sergeant Jebadiah and the Marine Corps lieutenant had been escorted into the labyrinth of corridors that waited beyond the restricted parking space. Tom smiled thinly. He had overheard the Marine Corps lieutenant addressed as "Lieutenant Ramirez." Steel blast doors closed behind them, shutting off the vehicles and the outside world. Shutting off their way of escape, Tom could not help thinking. Tom could not miss seeing several manned positions, the soldiers armed with assault rifles, Javelin anti-tank missiles and heavy machine guns, all the weapons aimed at the entrance as if preparing for an imminent attack.
