“There is no clean sacrifice; we can’t gain land without losing a good few,” the Lieutenant sputtered.

“My son was not one of yours to take!” Frank shouted, stamping about the decorated office, his eel-skin boots squeaking with each step. He hadn’t had time to break them in before finding out the news. He simply threw on his best clothes and was out the door. Despite the constant interruption, the tension was nothing but sharp. 

“Frank, we don’t control the draft-”

“He should have been exempt! He wasn’t meant for the front. He was supposed to take my place. He was already meeting with your people—Front lines, the only heir to my company, Jesus… He had those wings, why didn’t he use them, huh? Betting you told him not to, I bet…”

“We don’t allow flight to civilians, let alone medics. They aren’t much use in the air,” the LT argued. Squeak, squeak. “And if you recall, I made him a medic at your request, we both agreed it was safer than letting him go airborne,”

“Then why is he dead! I know why, and you keep lying. You’ll carve it up the second I’m gone. Contracts, factories—everything my family built, handed to men who’ve never stepped inside a furnace. My father built that company. I kept it alive for your war!” Frank yelled.

“And it made important! There is a lot of blame being thrown, if I need remind you of the fire–”

“Oh don't bring up the damn fire. That wasn't all my fault. And I kept my reputation because I'm that important!”

“Frank, we appreciate everything you have done and will continue to do for this fight. All respect, your inheritance is not my problem! You have a benefactor, your daughter-in-law!” The lieutenant yelled back. Frank tisked, clicking his tongue behind his teeth.

“Are you hearing yourself? What the hell would she know about metal manufacturing?” Squeak, squeak, squeak.

“I’m guessing not much more than he would have. Your company won’t fall, Frank. It will be… repurposed.”

“Yeah, a state-owned machine to pump out weapons unheard of. No regulations. Anything to turn the tides, even if it means every soul you can get your hands on.”

“You aren’t the only manufacturer we use,”

“The only one that matters, and we both know that! Someone authorized this without my knowledge… Jesus Christ, grant me patience because I have none left,” squeak. Frank rolled his neck to stretch it on either side, “I have an heir. Lord willing, she’s carrying, and if not… She still takes my place,”

“Frank, I was kidding, we both know–”

“You don’t know, I do. She gets the company, I’ll revise my will as soon as possible. You said yourself, she knows as much as he did. A little grooming and she’ll do just fine,”

“Frank–”

“Sherman, that’s that,” squeak. He stopped to face him directly. There was a healthy pause.

“Frank, look… Your company won’t disappear. It will outlive you. That’s the point. We need every body we can get. You know that. It doesn’t make it easier… And I'm sorry for your loss,” He said, sitting down behind his desk. 

Frank nodded and took a deep breath, turning to face the door, staring at it. What awaits him on the other side? Many workers are worried about their future. A funeral to plan. Lucky for him, he knew his son’s wife would execute the event, he would just need to throw the cash her way. A lawyer would be waiting for his signature.

 “Can I ask you a question?” Frank stopped, hand on the doorknob, listening.

“Who’s Jesus? New contractor?”