Ben was pondering over what the doctor said when the door opened. To his disturbance, the three people he was afraid to see walked in and he was in a muddle. Despite his condition, he tried to get up and give his salute but they stopped him.

“Hold it,” the Head of State ordered.

“Wait,” the doctor advised and he lay back on the bed.

He switched his look from one person to another. When his eyes met the Commandant's own, he looked away.

“How are you, Ben?”

He looked at the Head of ...