Chester, rescued from prison, flew overnight aboard a military aircraft to the Pentagon in Washington.
Though it was already late at night, the Pentagon remained brightly lit, and even the nearby pizza shops were doing a roaring trade.
Escorted by Frank, Chester took a secret passage into the Pentagon's underground command center.
"Welcome back, Colonel Phillips."
Beneath the command center's stark white lights stood several generals of alarmingly high rank.
They had all gathered here to wait for Chester.
"I believe you owe us an explanation." The gray-haired old general seated in the middle had eyes as sharp as a hawk's. Four gleaming gold stars adorned his shoulders, and a hint of scrutiny lay beneath his calm gaze.
Directly behind them was an enormous screen.
It was displaying blurred, processed footage recorded by the surveillance system inside the New Jersey Base.
Chilling, agonized screams mingled with wails and pleas for mercy, punctuated by thunderous gunfire. Several barely distinguishable, hulking figures rampaged like monsters until the footage ended.
The old general tapped the tabletop with his fingertips and said evenly, "Tell us, Colonel Phillips. What exactly happened inside the New Jersey Base? And... we gave you so much support, yet not only did you fail your mission, you ended up being thrown into prison by that woman."
"Could I have a cup of coffee?"
Despite the old general's pressure, Chester wore a strange smile, without the slightest sign of nerves. Instead, he calmly pulled out the chair directly opposite him and sat down. "Oh, and three portions of sugar, please. I don't like it too bitter."
The old general stared at him expressionlessly for a moment, then turned and nodded to the noncommissioned officer behind him.
Soon, a cup of coffee was brought over.
"Your coffee."
The officer's tone was distinctly