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Ernie was closest to the door. He had the team’s radios on a bench and was running diagnostics. “Officer on deck,” he announced, snapping to attention.

“Stand down, Ernesto,” the senior officer responded. “Can you gather the team?”

“Yes, Sir. Team on me.”

TJ and Rick appeared from inside their locker cage. Mike was on the other side of the vehicle bays with Hatchet. He’d brought the young dog down to start socializing him with his future work environment.

“Is this the new team member?” Stark dropped to a knee, and Hatchet immediately tried to lick his face. “Damn, he looks just like his dad.”

“His name is Hatchet,” said Mike.

“Love it. You guys have a good weekend?” asked Stark.

Mike glanced sideways at TJ, who shrugged.

“Yeah, we took our wives up to Vancouver Island.”

“Nice, you get out on the water?” the commander asked as he stood. “I heard the fishing up there is pretty good.”

Mike nodded. “We got ourselves a decent haul.”

“Excellent. Rick, Jenny must be close now.”

“Yes, Sir. Two weeks. We can’t wait for her to arrive. The nursery is painted. Jenny’s stockpiling nappies. We’re good to go.”

“Exciting times. I didn’t sleep at all in the week leading up to it. I was like a kid at Christmas.” He turned to TJ. “Chief, can I have a word?”

“Yes, Sir.” The two men stepped out of the working area.

“Chief,” said the commander once they were out of earshot of the others. “HQ has requested a senior to serve as an intra-agency liaison officer. I want it to be you.” He paused. “On promotion. I don’t need an answer now, but I will need to know by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Boss, I don’t…”

“TJ,” Stark interrupted. “You’ve had a good run. You’ve shaped these guys into the best team in the group. But you can’t stay here forever, and you owe them the opportunity to progress. I’ve got my view on who should take over the team, but I want your recommendation if you decide to take the position.”

“Yes, sir.”

“By the way, good work up in Vancouver. The Agency reached out this morning. Ten thousand tons of nitric acid is one hell of a haul.” He paused. “In the future, I’d like to be kept in the loop of any extracurricular activities.”

“Boss, it wasn’t planned as–”

“OK, I got it. But if something involving my SEALs goes sideways, I want to know about it. Even if it’s a bachelor party in Vermont.”

“Got it.” TJ paused. “Sir, I’ve got an idea for a short-notice joint exercise up in Canada. It would be a great mechanism for me to evaluate the team’s planning skills.”

“Resources are pretty tight, Chief.”

“The Agency will fund it. They owe us a few favors.”

Stark smiled. “See, you’re the best man for the intra-agency job, Chief. Already wheeling and dealing. Spin up a CONOP, keep the operations cell briefed in, and make sure your reporting procedures are squared away.”

“Yes, Sir.”

The commander strode away, leaving TJ to consider his comments. He took a moment before stepping back into the team room.

“He knows, doesn’t he?” said Rick.

TJ nodded.