Read Online One Was Stubbron by L. Ron Hubbard - Free Book Online Page A

minutes.”
    Disinterestedly, Angel got himself into a blouse and wandered out. He wondered if he would ever feel human and normal again. All his life he had been a somewhat notorious but really rather unimportant runt and the big chance to be otherwise had passed, it seemed, forever.
    He hardly noticed his fellow officers as he lined up in the court. Most of them were of the moon gang, destined to go, once upon a time, in various capacities on the abandoned expedition. None of them looked very cheerful.
    There was hardly a ripple or a glance when the big Cadillac drew up at the curb. Their senior barked attention and the officers drew up. Only then, when ordered to see nothing and be a robot, did Angel note that the car had the SECNAV ’s flag on it.
    Four civilians, namely the secretary of state, the secretaries of defense, war and the Navy, alighted, followed by a five-star admiral and a five-star general. They were a dispirited group and they cast wilted glances over the lines of young officers.
    The colonel in command of the detachment fell in with them behind the secretary of state and proceeded with this strange inspection.
    Finally the group drew off and stood beside the Cadillac talking in low tones until they nodded agreement and then waited.
    The colonel sang out, “Lieutenant Gray!”
    Angel started from his trance, came to attention, paced front and center and automatically saluted the group. The colonel looked baffled as he came forward.
    In a voice the others could not overhear, the colonel said, “I have no idea why they chose you, Angel. They were looking specifically for the tamest officer here. God knows how or why, but you won. They couldn’t have looked at the records!”
    â€œThank you, sir,” said Angel.
    The colonel gave him a hard look and led him off to the car.
    They didn’t say anything to him. Angel got in beside the driver, and, when the doors had shut behind the rest, they moved off at a dispirited speed.
    Nothing was said until they arrived in the driveway of the White House and then the general told Angel to follow them.
    The abashed lieutenant alighted on the gravel, looked up at the big hanging lantern and the door, then quickly went after his superiors. This was all very deflating stuff to him. The closest he had ever come to the president was leaving his card in the box for the purpose in the Pentagon Building—and he doubted that the president ever read the cards dropped by officers newly come to station or passing through.
    He hardly saw the hall and was still dazed when the general again asked his name, sotto voce .
    â€œMr. President,” said the five star, “may I introduce First Lieutenant Cannon Gray.”
    Angel shook the offered hand and then dizzily found a chair like the rest. All eyes were on him. Nobody was very sure of him, that was a fact. Nobody liked what he was doing.
    â€œLieutenant Fay—” began the president.
    â€œGray, sir.”
    â€œOh yes, of course. Lieutenant Gray, we have brought you here to ask you to perform a mission of vital importance to your country. You may withdraw now without stigma to yourself when I tell you that you may not return from this voyage.
    â€œWe considered it useless to ask for volunteers since then we would have had to explain a thing which I believe we all agree is the most humiliating thing this country has ever had to do. We are not prepared just now for publicity. You may withdraw.”
    This, thought Angel, was a hell of a way to force a guy into something. Who could withdraw now? “I am willing,” he said.
    â€œSplendid,” said the president. “I am happy to see, gentlemen, that you have chosen a brave officer. Here are the dispatches.”
    A ngel looked through them quickly and then at the first page of the sheaf, which was a brief summary.
    He learned that one Slavinsky, late general of Russia, had finally forever parted company with his dictator