“Have I done something wrong? Don’t you need to go see the commander?”
“You’ve done nothing wrong and that little shit can wait. Finn, you said something back there that’s very true. You and your brothers are like having a whole team by yourselves. But you need to know something.
“I’ve watched all of you. I’ve watched your training, I’ve watched you go through BUDs, I’ve seen hell-week. I’m impressed as all fuck with the three of you. You’ve been trained by the best in the world, and I don’t mean just here.”
“Thank you, sir,” he said nodding.
“You and your brothers are something else. Smarter, stronger, faster, greater emotional intelligence. You guys are the whole package wrapped up in three men. But. I would rank you first with your brothers.”
Finn stopped cold, unable to move as he looked at the older man, shaking his head.
“No. I mean, no sir. My brothers are always up front. Not me. I’m happy to stay in the background for support.”
“Son, you are up front and you don’t even know it. Finn, there are so many things that go into making a great SEAL. Strength, power, intelligence, emotional intelligence, a calm demeanor, and so much more. You possess all of that and something that’s very hard to teach.”
“What’s that, sir?” he asked genuinely unsure of what the man was going to tell him.
“You, Finn, possess the ability, in a split second, to assess a situation, calmly weigh the options and always choose the right one. And do you know why you do that?”
“Because that’s what I was taught, sir.”
“No, son. It’s because you have the ability, somehow, someway, to slow down your response, your amygdala’s fight or flight response, assess what’s happening around you, and in a split second make a decision that’s right for everyone involved.”
Finn just stared at the man unsure of what to say. He never really thought about any of that. His decision-making process was simple. How do I minimize loss of life? How do I ensure my brothers are safe? And how do I secure this mission?
“I don’t think I do that intentionally,” he said. Admiral Robinson chuckled, continuing his walk down the hall.
“No. You don’t do it intentionally like someone told or taught you to do it. That’s what makes you amazing, Finn. You do it out of instinct. I can’t teach that. You either have it or you don’t. Now, don’t get me wrong, your brothers possess it as well. But you? You’re on a level like I’ve never seen before. You’re going to do amazing things for the SEAL teams and for our country.”
“Thank you, sir,” he said shaking the older man’s hand. “Should I worry about the commander trying to come for me or my brothers?”
“Nope. He’s about to feel the steel toe of my boot straight up his ass and then he’s on his way to the coldest outpost this side of Siberia. If I could get him to Siberia, I would. He’ll be retiring soon enough,” he said with a wink. Finn tried not to laugh but he did. When he turned around, his brothers were waiting for him at the end of the hallway.
“Well?” asked Quinn.
“We’re on the same team,” he smiled.
“We know that,” said River punching his upper arm. “We’re here, Finn. Just like Dad and the others. We’re here in Coronado.”
Finn just smiled at his brothers, nodding his head. He didn’t care where they would be stationed. They were serving together and he could keep an eye on his brothers.
Until then, he’d do what he does best. Watch.
CHAPTER TWO
After the chaos around what happened with River, the brothers found themselves now being asked to retire from the SEAL teams. It wasn’t that they weren’t ready to leave. It was the idea of someonetellingthem they were ready.
At the urging of the Navy, they returned to Coronado to finish their paperwork and exit interviews, turning their equipment in for inventory. Quinn and Finnegan decided to stay for a few days and just relax as civilians with their brother and Priscilla. Or at least that was the plan.
“Well, we’re no longer SEALs,” said River standing on the beach with his brothers.
“We’ll always be SEALs,” said Finnegan. “We’re just not active duty. Did anyone else think the reasons he gave were all bullshit? I mean, how do you say you have to leave the teams but you’ll get all your benefits, and we don’t get suspicious about it.”
“I agree,” said Quinn, “but I’m sure River doesn’t give a shit. He’s got a new life.”
“That’s not fair,” said River frowning at his brother. “I do give a shit. Yes, I have a new life but she was content to let me be a SEAL and she’d move here. I wanted what was best for all of us, not just me.”
“I’m sorry,” said Quinn. “I didn’t mean it to come out that way. It just all feels wrong. I guess we know how all the others before us felt when this bullshit happened to them.”
