Chapter 24
Short Straw: Report for Assigned Duty
Author’s Note:
To be completely clear, this next document is entirely fictional. I have no physical proof that the military intelligence offices issued this specific directive. Poor Short Straw was bound to get caught in the imaginary crosshairs of my thirty-year reflection.
After his superiors completely misread my silence over the bamboo forest and obsessed over his “lucky monkey spine” comments, it makes total sense that they would officially order him to spy on me—under threat of personal investigation if he failed.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND (SOCOM)
FORT CLAYTON, REPUBLIC OF PANAMA
TACTICAL INTEGRITY DIRECTIVE
CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL // OPERATION MONKEY SPINE
TO: PFC Declan [Designation: “Short Straw”], 549th Military Police Company
FROM: Special Operations Command / Monitoring Division
SUBJECT: Information Collection Directive
PFC Declan,
You are hereby directed to observe and report any and all interactions with the civilian female previously identified as a Person of Interest (POI) within your designated area of duty at Gate 2.
Effective immediately, you will execute the following protocols:
Document all statements made by the subject, regardless of perceived relevance to standard gate operations.
Note any unusual phrases, repeated language, or references that do not appear contextually appropriate (e.g., specific bone structures or lucky talismans).
Record observable behavior, including but not limited to the subject’s demeanor, velocity of movement, and physical interaction with others.
Do not initiate conversation beyond your standard gate-check duties.
Do not alter your routine behavior in any visible attempt to gather information.
All reports are to be submitted via secured fax to the number provided below at the conclusion of each shift. Clarification of contextual meaning is highly encouraged when possible.
WARNING: Failure to report or any attempt to under-report information regarding the POI may result in an immediate investigation into your personal covert association with the Person of Interest.
SECURED FAX LINE: [REDACTED]
Acknowledge receipt immediately via return signal.