The last man was Graham’s helper, Jeff Thomas, private — background: none. “He wandered in here one day,” explained Calhoun. “We had to enlist him and keep him here to protect the secret of the place.”
Acquainting Ardmore with the individuals of his “command” had used up several minutes during which he had thought furiously with half his mind about what he should say next. He knew what he had to accomplish, some sort of a shot in the arm that would restore the morale of this badly demoralized group, some of the old hokum that men live by. He believed in hokum, being a publicity man by trade and an army man only by necessity. That brought to mind another worry — should he let them know that he was no more a professional than they, even though he happened to hold a line commission? No, that would not be very bright; they needed just now to regard him with the faith that the layman usually holds for the professional.
Thomas was the end of the list: Calhoun had stopped talking. Here’s your chance, son, better not muff it!
Then he had it fortunately it would take only a short build-up. “It will be necessary for us to continue our task assignment independently for an indefinite period. I want to remind you that we derive our obligations not from our superior officers who were killed in Washington, but from the people of the United States, through their
Constitution. That Constitution is neither captured nor destroyed — it cannot, for it is not a piece of paper, but the joint contract of the American people. Only the American people can release us from it.”
Was he right? He was no lawyer, and he didn’t know — but he did know that they needed to believe it. He turned to Calhoun. “Colonel Calhoun, will you now swear me in as commanding officer of this detachment of the United States army?” Then he added, as an apparent afterthought, “I think it would be well for us all to renew our oaths at the same time. ”
It was a chanted chorus that echoed through the nearly empty room. ” ‘I do solemnly swear — to carry out the duties of my office — and to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States — against all of its enemies, domestic and foreign!’
“So help me God.”
“‘So help me God!”‘
Ardmore was surprised to discover that the show he had staged brought tears to his own cheeks. Then he noticed them in Calhoun’s eyes. Maybe there was more to it than he had thought.
“Colonel Calhoun, you, of course, become director of research. You are second in command, but I will carry out the duties of executive officer myself in order to leave you free to pursue your scientific inquiries.
Major Brooks and Captain Wilkie are assigned to you. Scheer!”
“Yes, sir!”
“You work for Colonel Calhoun. If he does not need all of your service,
I will assign additional duties later. Graham!”
“Yes, sir.”
“You will continue your present duties. You are also mess sergeant, mess officer, supply officer — in fact, you are the whole commissary department. Bring me a report later today estimating the number of rations available and the condition of perishables. Thomas works for you, but is subject to call by any member of the scientific staff any time they want him. That may delay meals, but it can’t be helped.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You and I and Thomas will perform all duties among us that do not directly apply to research, and will assist the scientists in any way and at any time that they need us. That specifically includes myself,
Colonel,” he emphasized, turning to Calhoun, “if another pair of untrained hands is useful at any point, you are directed to call on me.”
“Very well, Major.”
“Graham, you and Thomas will have to clear out the bodies around the place before they get too high — say by tomorrow night. Put them in an unused room and hermetically seal it. Scheer will show you how.” He glanced at his wrist. “Two o’clock. When did you have lunch?”